Contemporary Women Audiobooks | Fiction

"'A sparkling bookish story about rules just begging to be broken' Abby Jimenez, bestselling author of The Friend Zone Maggie Banks loves books. And running a bookstore sounds like the best job in the world. Except in Bell River, a place that refuses to let her sell anything written this century. But in Maggie's world, book rules are made to be broken. And what better way to break tradition than by starting an underground book club. But keeping her new club quiet, selling forbidden books and dodging the strict literary society is proving harder than it seems. Especially when Maggie unearths a secret that could upend everything… Early readers love The Secret Book Club: 'Sometimes you just need a hug in a book and this is the one I needed.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Something about reading about books is so fun. The setting in this book was amazing and the romance was top tier.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book has so much soul and quirky chaos that I absolutely adored.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'What a great story full of fun and mischief as well as some potential romance. Thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and was routing for Maggie the whole way.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Who doesn’t love a small town bookshop romance where the heroine finds not just love but purpose?’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I'd recommend this book to everyone who's a bookworm, likes bookish themes and is looking for a cute story in a small town setting.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Shauna Robinson (Author), Imani Jade Powers (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Bookshop by the Loch

"‘Julie Shackman knows how to bring the feel-good factor to fiction’ Woman’s Weekly ‘A true page-turner’ Chat Monthly ‘A wonderfully warm tale’ The Sun The brand new Scottish spring escape from bestselling author, Julie Shackman Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends. So when she hears that it’s going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help. Lexie’s plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified, the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her. Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after… Readers love The Bookshop by the Loch: 'Lots of twists. Family secrets. A brooding artist. Forgiveness. Love never dies, There are so many delicate subjects it covers. The book shop sounds fab.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I enjoyed this great story very much. Happiness and some sadness in equal measure – lovely ending.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A delightful romance about second chances and new adventures. Author Julie Shackman creates characters who are enjoyable and full of quirks.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A lovely combination of the past and the present coming together resulting a really heartwarming tale.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A super cute easy romance read!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A second chance romance about new adventures… warm and heartfelt with characters who are funny and delightful’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'The characters came alive on the page and I was able to relate to all of them. This novel dealt with romance, but also with family relationships, redemption, and friendship’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Julie Shackman (Author), Eilidh Beaton (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Wrong Daughter: The absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist by

"Two Sisters. Caitlin and Olivia are excited to finally be old enough to stay home alone. But, when they fall asleep, someone turns the handle of the back door and nothing is ever the same again. A Missing Daughter. When their parents return, they find Olivia's bed empty. Their eldest daughter gone... until now. One Terrible Lie. Sixteen years later, Olivia is back, and everyone is desperate to believe the nightmare is over. But Caitlin doesn't trust the woman who claims to be her sister. Their memories of that night don't match, and they are both hiding secrets that could tear their family apart... What if they trust the wrong daughter? Perfect for fans of Claire Douglas, B A Paris and Lisa Jewell."

Dandy Smith (Author), Daphne Kouma, Heather Long (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Love You More

"To an outsider, television morning anchor Tess Stone's life looks like glossy perfection. Ambitious, beautiful, and married to a major league baseball player, Tess seems invincible—until an on-air catastrophe puts both her marriage and career in jeopardy. Retreating home to San Francisco from New York to take stock seems like the best move. But that involves a challenge of its own: confronting her sister, Avery. Unlike Tess, Avery has pushed her own dreams aside in favor of running the family restaurant, Stones, dutifully adhering to her father's unchanging menu of stick-to-your-ribs traditional fare. She has mixed feelings about her sister's return. After all, Avery's fiancé, Bennett, loved Tess first, and it's impossible to shake her jealousy and dread—especially as Tess begins stealing attention left and right once more. But while both sisters have been immersed in their own lives, their parents have been keeping secrets of their own. And the curveballs keep coming—throwing into question all their relationships, the restaurant's future, and their long-held assumptions about love, family, and especially, each other . . ."

Stacy Finz (Author), Marnye Young (Narrator)

Audiobook

All My Secrets

"Three generations of women in one family must reckon with the choices they have made and their hopes for the future. New York, 1898. The only thing more shocking than Arthur Stanhope III’s unexpected death is the revelation that his will bestows his company—and most of the vast fortune that goes with it—to the nearest male heir, leaving his mother, wife, and daughter nearly impoverished. His widow, Sylvia, quickly realizes she must set aside her grief to ensure their daughter, Adelaide, is launched into society as soon as the appropriate mourning period passes. If Sylvia can find a wealthy husband for Addy before anyone realizes they’re practically destitute, there will be little disruption to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to. Sylvia’s mother-in-law, Junietta, believes their life could use a little disruption. She has watched Sylvia play her role as a society wife, as Junietta once did, despite what it cost them both. Junietta vows to give her granddaughter the power to choose a path beyond what society expects. But for Addy to have that chance, both mother and grandmother must first confront painful truths about their own choices. Only in bringing their secrets to light can they hope to reshape their family inheritance into a legacy more fulfilling than they ever dared dream."

Lynn Austin (Author), Sarah Zimmerman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Haunted: Tales of the Supernatural: Ten Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

"Haunting tales from legendary writer Rosemary Timperley Delve into the world of Rosemary Timperley if you dare! In this chilling collection, discover ten chilling full-cast dramatisations of sinister stories and suspenseful tales and immerse yourself in a totally unique listening experience. Recorded with a full musical score, these standalone tales are perfect for fans of the supernatural and will raise goosebumps on even the warmest of days. Listen to ten of Timperley’s most thrilling tales, available to download as a collection for the first time and discover a terrifying and haunting world from a talented writer like no other. Walk on the Water - A young girl finds her whole life blighted by an encounter with a mysterious stranger. Listen to the Silence - Mary must face her fears but can she refuse an offer made by a strange voice claiming to be her grandfather? Channel Crossing - Can a holiday overcome the issues dividing a bickering family? Starring Peter Sallis and Nicholas Lyndhurst. Shadows of the Past - An amnesiac seeks answers in the house where he was traumatised as a child. Mists of Memory - Young cellist Janet meets a confused old man who seems oddly familiar. But what does he mean by 'music is where I live’? Dare Game - A chance meeting of old school friends revives memories of a very dangerous game… Little Girl Lost - Can Mrs. Grove really talk with her husband beyond the grave? Where are you, Juliet? - Rowena moves into a flat haunted by the presence of its previous owner, Juliet. But where is she and what is the mystery surrounding her disappearance? Hanged on Tuesday - Married on a Tuesday? A haunting exploration of the old folklore saying… Christmas Meeting - A woman is alone on Christmas, and it can be the loneliest day in the world. Born in 1920, Rose Timperley authored over 60 novels as well as hundreds of short stories and feature articles for the most popular publications of the day. A writer in tune with her society and its treatment of women, Timperley injects horror into her work in a way that makes her stories as relevant now as when they were written. Her work has been collected in many anthologies, including Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories. Timperley also wrote several acclaimed radio and television scripts with her short story Harry adapted into film several times. Please note: Due to the age of the recordings, the sound quality may vary. ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Credits All pieces written by Rosemary Timperley With thanks to Keith Wickham for sourcing audio files. Walk on the Water First Broadcast on the BBC World Service, Nov 1979 Listen to the Silence First Broadcast on the BBC World Service, Jan 1982 Channel Crossing First Broadcast on the BBC World Service, 5 Jul 1984 Shadows of the Past First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 Feb 1972 Mists of Memory First broadcast on the BBC World Service, Mar 1982 Little Girl Lost First broadcast on the BBC World Service, Oct 1979 Dare Game First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, Apr 1964 Where are you, Juliet? First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, Oct 1987 Hanged on Tuesday First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 Jan 1971 Christmas Meeting First Broadcast on BBC Home Service Basic, 19 Dec 1963"

Rosemary Timperley (Author), Anna Cooper, Full Cast, Gwen Watford, Helen Worth, Jenny Linden, Joan Matheson, Julie Berry, Mary O'farrell, Peter Sallis, Sheila Grant, Shirley Cooklin, Trader Faulkner (Narrator)

Audiobook

What Eyes Can't See

"*An award-winning standalone book* He’s white and she’s Black. She’s rich and he’s poor. But none of that matters…until it does. Barbara is a confident Black lawyer navigating NYC’s corporate world, balancing sky-high career goals with her father’s expectations. But at 31, she’s crying on the beach of her non-refundable destination wedding…while her ex-groom is off bedding someone new. Luckily, there’s a distraction: Sebastian, the hot, hazel-eyed lawyer with a snake tattoo and a few steamy afternoons to fill. When his plane touches down in NYC, Sebastian knows he needs to see Barbara again. It doesn’t matter that her family is wealthy while he grew up on food stamps. None of their differences matter—until he unknowingly takes the job meant for her. Laid off and stripped of her family's wealth, Barbara digs deep to find her voice. Suspecting racial discrimination, she challenges her boss in court, putting her and Sebastian on opposite sides of a battle they long to fight together. One crucial question remains: Are they willing to risk love—and their careers—in the pursuit of justice? A bingeable, bold and steamy interracial romance that tackles race and class assumptions with raw authenticity and an oh-so-satisfying ending"

Paulette Stout (Author), A. M. Elizabeth Kay (Narrator)

Audiobook

Her Show of Force

"She can stand her ground with the best of them. But she'll need all her strength to keep her family and her sailors afloat . . . 2012. Navy Captain Kate 'Scarlett' Mahoney never backs down from a challenge. Determined to prove her mettle as the new Director of Operations for the US Seventh Fleet, the single mom naval aviator entrusts her sister to care for her fourteen-year-old son in California. After embarking in the Japan-based Seventh Fleet flagship, her strategic expertise proves vital when two rival Korean warships attack each other and fuel a looming international crisis. Devising a bold plan to de-escalate the conflict, Kate braves ruthless sexism from male colleagues just as news arrives from home—police arrested her rebellious teenager for joyriding in his aunt's car. Caught between personal and global emergencies, the selfless leader struggles to protect both her child and her country from danger. Can this courageous woman claim victory on opposite sides of the Pacific?"

Mike Krentz (Author), Kate Zane (Narrator)

Audiobook

Paradise for Christmas

"The oldest of seven sisters, Ursula has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a novelist. But when she gets a case of writer’s block, she brings her notebooks and computers home to the old brothel named Paradise where they all grew up, in the hope that going home will inspire her. Since it’s Christmas, all seven sisters will be coming home too. The sisters take the holidays very seriously, and as soon as they’ve celebrated Thanksgiving, it’s on to decorating for Christmas. All of the sisters, and some helpful neighbors, pitch in to make the spirits bright, but younger sister Endora is dismayed to find some of her sisters flirting with the handsome men who’ve come to help. She’s determined to show them both that no relationship is worth the heartbreak that almost certainly comes after. But it might be Luna and Ursula who remind the family that Christmas is a magical time and finding new love is always a gift."

Carolyn Brown (Author), Abigail Reno (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Flor de arrabal

"La emocionante historia de una mujer que supo luchar contra el destino para convertirse en una estrella del espectáculo a principios del siglo XX. En el arrabal zaragozano donde vivía, pocos pensaban que Flor, aquella niña nacida en uno de sus hogares más humildes, estaba destinada a convertirse en una de las grandes figuras de los escenarios, primero en España y luego en toda Europa. Un camino difícil, sembrado de duras pruebas, que la lleva primero a Madrid y, más tarde, a Barcelona, París, Berlín y la lejana Cuba. A lo largo de esa carrera en pos del éxito, Flor va descubriendo el amor, el desengaño, la amistad, el temor y la obsesión. Y a la vez, su vida se sumerge en los convulsos acontecimientos de las primeras décadas del siglo XX, unos años marcados por las revueltas anarquistas, el auge del fascismo y el horror de la guerra. Escrita con la sensibilidad y el pulso de las grandes narradoras, Flor de arrabal nos ofrece la historia de una mujer valiente y entregada al amor, y un apasionante retrato de una Europa vibrante y convulsa."

Carmen Santos (Author), Charo Soria (Narrator)

Audiobook

Secrets, Lies, and Sneaky Spies

"'And should you die, take pride that you were fortunate enough to die for the Division.' With that cheery bit of encouragement, newly promoted Agent Katrina Foster is tossed onto a plane and sent halfway around the world on her first assignment. Her directive: uncover who killed the country's top agent. When Katrina links the murder to a decade-old political assassination, a murderous mastermind, and a shadowy organization set on global disruption, she becomes a target. In a career based on deception, she finds it difficult to know who to trust. Everyone around her seems to have suspicious motives. As the mission heats up, so does her attraction to a certain handsome Swedish agent. Then, he reveals a connection to her past that might end up jeopardizing her future. No one doubts that Katrina is talented, but she soon suspects she was chosen to go to Sweden for reasons beyond her particular skill set. Katrina will have to rely on her wits, her training, and an array of fantastic disguises if she wants to live to spy another day."

Rayna Flye (Author), Carmen Jewel Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

Neferura: The Pharaoh’s Daughter: A Novel

"For fans of The Wolf Den and Kaikeyi comes the thrilling tale of the forgotten daughter of a legendary Egyptian pharaoh and the path she must take to escape her own dangerous fate. There are many paths to power. They all come with a price. Neferura, princess and high priestess of Kemet, knows her duty is to her people. When your mother is the great Pharaoh, it is hard to forget. But Neferura's unique position at court comes with high stakes for her country, especially when she's forced to serve her vile half-brother, a man determined to stop Neferura's potential rise. Peace, it seems, never lasts for women who wield power in the open. Especially when they cross a vengeful man. When Neferura overhears Thutmose's plot to end her mother's rule, she knows he must be stopped, no matter the cost. The discovery of a mysterious tattooed wisewoman and her shadowy network of spies offers an uneasy alliance. But the wisewoman wields more power than Neferura knew possible—power with the potential to rival her own. Neferura must decide where her loyalties lie and how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect the people she loves before everything crumbles at the hands of a tyrant."

Malayna Evans (Author), Machelle Williams (Narrator)

Audiobook

Contemporary Women Audiobooks in Fiction