Contemporary Women Audiobooks | Fiction

The Women in his Life: A BBC Radio Dramatisation

"A powerful billionaire who appears to have everything. The woman that holds the key. When a beautiful piece of music stirs mega-tycoon, Maximilian West, he remembers the women who have loved him and shaped his life. So begins a dazzling tale, taking us from the streets of London to the suites of New York, from the rise of Nazi Germany to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Strong, powerful, enigmatic, aloof, and adoring - many women made Maximilian the man with everything, but there is only one woman who can make him feel truly alive… Hear an unforgettable journey of sacrifice, secrets, love and redemption. Be mesmerised across all eight episodes of this sumptuous full-cast adaptation that will have you gripped from start to finish. Barbara Taylor Bradford is one of the world’s greatest storytellers, her books have sold over 92 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 40 languages. Her debut, A Woman of Substance, was an instant bestseller and she has established herself as one of the best-known writers of compelling stories with heart. Bert Coules has written several hugely successful radio and TV adaptations including the Brother Cadfael novels, works by Val McDirmid, Ian Rankin and The Further Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes series. “Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the world’s best at spinning yarns.' The Guardian “Queen of the genre.” Sunday Times Cast and credits Written by Bert Coules Original story by Barbara Taylor Bradford Directed by Enyd Williams Pianist Michael Haslam Maximilian West - Robin Ellis Princess Irina Troubetzkoy - Dorothy Tutin Anastasia – Alexandra Bastedo Camilla Galland - Nicola Pagett Adriana Macklin - Joanna Munro Blair Martin – Alice Arnold Theodora/Teddy - Emma Fielding Ursula Westheim - Susannah Corbett Frau Westheim - Sonia Fraser Sister Constanza – Sian Phillips Aunt Ketti – Maria Charles Alix West - Elaine Pyke Michael West - Nicholas Fletcher Alan Trenton – Simon Williams Margot Derevenko – Pauline Jameson Willy Herzog - Kim Wall Mark Lewis – Christopher Scott Little Maxim - William Nichols Rose Young Maxim – Jonathan Kitchens Teenage Maxim- Robert Harper Teenage Alan – Alex Lowe Other parts played by Janet Maw, Chris Pavlo, Shirley Dixon, Jonathan Adams, Sean Baker, Colleen Prendergast, Rory Jennings, Denys Hawthorne, Joan Meredith First Broadcast BBC Radio 2, 22 Oct – 10 Dec 1996 ©2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"

Barbara Taylor Bradford (Author), Alex Lowe, Alexandra Bastedo, Alice Arnold, Dorothy Tutin, Emma Fielding, Full Cast, Joanna Munro, Kim Wall, Nicola Pagett, Robin Ellis, Sian Philips (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Lost Child

"A sweeping dual-timeline novel from the bestselling author of The Girl from Bletchley Park. All she wanted was a child of her own… 1912. As the steamship Carpathia takes the survivors of the Titanic to New York, Lucy desperately searches the decks for her baby, thrust into the arms of another woman as a lifeboat left, and now nowhere to be found. Madeleine is helping her journalist husband to interview the survivors, and when she meets Lucy, she promises she will do anything she can to help her find her lost child. 2022. When archivist Jackie finds a notebook containing the stories of women saved by the Carpathia amongst an auction lot, she learns the story of the missing baby. Desperate to start a family of her own, she feels compelled to dig further. And her search will lead her to a century-old mystery… Inspired by true events, bestselling author Kathleen McGurl weaves history and fiction together in this captivating, deeply moving story. Readers LOVE The Lost Child! 'Such a great story… it blends the two eras so well' Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A story that will haunt you, in a good way!, long after you have finished the last page' Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A fantastic, heart wrenching novel' Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A must read' Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This compelling read was hard to put down' Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Made my heart smile' Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Well-researched and fast-paced… I thoroughly enjoyed it' Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"

Kathleen Mcgurl (Author), Rose Robinson (Narrator)

Audiobook

All the Ways We Lied

"In Queens, New York, while their father deteriorates from a terminal illness, three sisters contend with one another, their self-destructive pasts, and their indomitable mother as they face the loss of the one person holding their unstable family together. Kohar, the oldest sister, is happily married, yet grapples with fertility issues and, in turn, her own self-worth. Lucine, the middle child, is trapped in a loveless marriage and haunted by memories of her estranged father. Azad, the beloved youngest child, is burdened by an inescapable cycle of failed relationships. By turns heartfelt and heart-wrenching, All the Ways We Lied introduces a cast of tragically flawed but lovable characters on the brink of unraveling. With humor and compassion, this spellbinding tale explores the fraught and contradictory landscape of sisterhood, introducing four unforgettable women who have nothing in common and are bound by blood and history."

Aida Zilelian (Author), Vaneh Assadourian (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Beacon Street Bookshop

"Ever since Olivia Quinn lost her husband to a plane crash, she's been focused on one thing—making a stable life for her teen stepdaughter, Taylor, of whom she's the sole guardian. But when she loses her job as a children's book editor because she refuses to relocate to New York, three years of hard-won stability are shattered. Then the opportunity arises to open Liv's dream bookshop in Haven Ridge. The venture offers not only the solution to her financial problems, but a chance to bond with her stepdaughter and become a real family for the first time. Soon, the wild idea transforms into a thriving nonprofit, thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of the town—and a handsome contractor who stirs feelings in Liv she thought might be gone forever. But just as she begins to lean into the new life she's made for herself, a figure from her late husband's past puts the life she's been building with Taylor in jeopardy. And Liv must face the possibility that following her heart might just cost her a daughter."

Carla Laureano (Author), Avery Reid (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Jessabelle House

"The Coleman Family of Nantucket is a piece of work. Samantha's father, Roland, is obsessed with image and money, so much so that Sam's career as a social worker who specializes in addiction recovery is a 'stain' on the Coleman reputation. Now, Samantha is forty-five years old and newly divorced. The further she gets from her relationship with her ex-husband, Daniel, the more she understands she married a manipulative and cruel individual, one not unlike her father. When her Great-Aunt Jessabelle passes away and leaves her home to Samantha, Sam and her daughters, Darcy and Rachelle, begin refurbishment on The Jessabelle House, a glorious house not far from the town of Siasconset on Nantucket. Once there, Samantha discovers her aunt's diaries, which reveal dramatic secrets from the past—and still more reasons not to trust the Colemans. As Samantha dives deeper into her family's history and Jessabelle's stories, she finds herself learning more about what it means to be a powerful woman who knows who she is and what she wants. If the Colemans are willing to open their hearts and start anew, Samantha just might have the tools to help them. But they'll have to start talking to her, first."

Katie Winters (Author), Courtney Patterson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Love Runs Deep

"Thirty years ago, Nora Fuller lost everything—and it's all Charlie Coleman's fault. At seventeen, Charlie Coleman was on top of the world. He was captain of the football team, dating the smart and beautiful Shawna David, and on his way to becoming another pillar of his Nantucket community, just like his father before him. But all that changed in the blink of an eye. It's been thirty years since the accident, and Charlie is still overwhelmed with guilt. Why has he been blessed with so much—a gorgeous wife, three children, and two grandchildren, while Nora is left with nothing? Why did he escape that night with his life? Nora has spent most of the past thirty years alone, save for her great-nephew, Jax. When Jax and Charlie's daughter, Marcy, fall in love during another gorgeous Nantucket summer, Nora and Charlie aren't pleased in the least. But Nora and Charlie must face the past, rather than be suffocated by it—and for Charlie, that means understanding Nora's anger much more than he bargained for."

Katie Winters (Author), Courtney Patterson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Not Bad for a Girl

"It’s a man’s world, and Indiana Ana Aaron, a talented coder and IT specialist, doesn’t fit in. She says what she thinks, which frequently gets her in trouble and most recently has resulted in her transfer to a remote work team. She sees working from home as a chance at redemption (by keeping her head down and her camera off). But, almost immediately, her new boss makes a huge mistake in a report, and Ana feels compelled to point it out. She expects extreme repercussions, like before, but instead, the boss praises Mr. Aaron for his assertiveness and gives the team the afternoon off, to the delight of her fellow “bros.” It’s a simple error. Indiana is one of those names. But would it have gone that way if he had known what she looked like? She’s considering how to set everyone straight without making things worse when her work besties complicate things further. In a misguided attempt to “help” during a reference check, the legend of “Indiana” begins to take on a life of its own. Ana is suddenly in over her head. She doesn't know how to compete with her alter-ego “Indiana,” who is a former Navy SEAL, an emergency back-up goalie for the Colorado Avalanche, and an abstract artist. Fortunately, Ana is picking up more allies, including Shane, a handsome tech guy on her team who’s smart enough to put the puzzle together. But how can she be true to herself and follow her heart in the midst of this tangle?"

Anastasia Ryan (Author), Jesse Vilinsky (Narrator)

Audiobook

Love, Me

"Rachel Miller is a lawyer and mother of two who’s just as comfortable in a courtroom as she is on the sidelines of a soccer field. Sure, her marriage is on autopilot, her parents are overly involved, and the other suburban moms are just a little bit catty. But if you ask Rachel, life is good. That is until her world is upended when racy photos of her and her high-school boyfriend, the famous actor Jack Bellow—along with his love letters to her—are published in a tabloid, unexpectedly thrusting Rachel into the spotlight. This newfound attention calls into question her marriage, her career, and her superstar ex. Betrayed by someone she trusted and reunited with the man she tried so hard to forget, Rachel must ask herself “How did I get here? And what do I really want?”"

Jessica Saunders (Author), Emily Ellet (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hidden in Paris

"A socially awkward widow is forced to take boarders into her Paris home, in this smart, witty novel of love, loneliness, friendship, and metamorphosis. Living in France among people she hardly understands, Annie has had trouble leaving the house since the death of her husband. And since home happens to be a small place nestled in the heart of Paris, why would she ever want to? But when unexpected events threaten her beloved home, Annie has no choice but to find lodgers—quickly. After placing an ad, Annie attracts tenants with the kind of baggage she isn't prepared for: a long-legged, cool-headed ex-model on the run from her abusive husband; a frail young woman harboring a possible death wish; a mysterious artist; and an infuriating blue-blooded Frenchman—and all soon threaten Annie's way of life in ways she never anticipated. But when Annie finds herself reluctantly but actively engaged in the lives of her tenants she discovers she might just free herself in the process . . ."

Corine Gantz (Author), Summer Roberts (Narrator)

Audiobook

Contractual Obligations

"When Lily is offered a ticket out of the career and life she hates, she takes it. Even if it means signing a contract to marry the attractive but aloof Sebastian Miller for five years. Her job is simple: play the happy housewife and she will get awarded a million dollars of her inheritance. That money is more than enough for her to start a life on her own and away from her controlling parents. But four years in, she's more than ready to be done with this marriage. She's pretty sure her husband hates her, and she longs for the freedom the end of their contract will bring—a freedom that is threatened when she's called to meet Sebastian's father, the orchestrator of this whole sham. She worries he will try to extend their contractual marriage. What he does is worse. Forced to move across the country due to a promotion for Sebastian is her worst nightmare, but her only choice is to pretend to be fine. She prepares for the last year of their marriage to be more cold indifference, but being stuck in a new city shows a sweeter side of Sebastian that Lily never thought possible. Gone is the indifferent man she knows and in his place is the kind and patient man of her dreams. But their clock is ticking—only one year of their marriage remains. Will they find love or will contractual obligations get in the way? Contains mature themes."

Elle Rivers (Author), Scarlett Dorian (Narrator)

Audiobook

Attribution: A Novel

"Art historian Cate Adamson, desperate to succeed to console her grieving parents, leaves the Midwest to complete her doctorate in New York—only to find herself assigned to an impossible sexist advisor. She struggles to impress him until she discovers a hidden painting, possibly a Baroque masterpiece. Risking her career, financial disaster, and further alienation from her family, she flees to Spain with the painting to consult art experts. Antonio, an impoverished duke, meets Cate on the train to Seville, and joins her search while attempting to rescue the decaying legacy of his family. They find clues and uncover evidence that will shock the titans of art history, may destroy her prospects as an art historian, and shatter her future with Antonio. Written with vivid prose, rich references to seventeenth century Spanish art, compelling characters, and a historical puzzle, Attribution is the story of one contemporary woman's journey to understand the past and unlock her future."

Linda Moore (Author), Sarah Welborn (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Diamond of London

"Even with her privileged life, Lady Hester Stanhope knows that claiming the adventurous life she truly wants will not be easy, thanks to her eccentric father's stifling grip. With the help of her renowned statesman uncle William Pitt the Younger, she takes on the glittering, treacherous heights of London Society. Her formidable intelligence, outspoken opinions, and headstrong determination gain the favor of the beau monde's leading taste-maker Beau Brummell—and she quickly learns to bend the rules of the ton to her own advantage. And as her uncle's hostess, she astutely uses her skills to preside over—and give advice to—the most influential figures of her day, rising to a position unequaled in society . . . But when it comes to holy matrimony, Hester will settle for no less than a passionate match of equals—a search marked by challenges and heartbreak. Her affair with a charismatic naval officer tempts her with forbidden pleasures—even as it threatens her reputation. Her love for a sophisticated, brilliant diplomat offers the marriage of her dreams . . . and unsuspected betrayal. And as England is plunged into war, Hester's world changes forever, causing her to find courage and strength amid loss, chart a completely unexpected future—and make a glorious legacy forever hers . . ."

Andrea Penrose (Author), Rachael Beresford (Narrator)

Audiobook

Contemporary Women Audiobooks in Fiction