June is audiobook month, so turn the heat up on your headphones: get hooked on a series and enjoy the new trend that is audiophilia! To help you on your way, Janie Smith, our Culture Editor, has three top-notch narrated recommendations sure to kickstart your audiobook journey.
The Mother-in-Law By Sally Hepworth; narrated by Barrie Kreinik
Unabridged, and with terrific narration, this is the perfect book for the thriller lover. From the best-selling author of The Family Next Door comes a new domestic listen about the trickiest of relationships and what happens when it all goes wrong…
Lucy’s mother, Diana has always kept her at arm’s length. On the face of it Diana was beyond reproach with her friendliness towards Lucy, but Lucy knew she didn’t live up to her mother-in-law’s expectations. Lucy only ever tried to live up to being the daughter in law Diana wanted. Five years later Diana is found dead. Her suicide note says that she was battling cancer and feared the battle too much to live.
Her autopsy, however, finds she died from poisoning and suffocation. There is not a hint of cancer.
Someone wanted Diana dead. And everyone in the family is hiding something.
With Lucy’s secrets getting deeper and her relationship with her mother-in-law growing more complex, this new novel from Sally Hepworth is sure to add to her growing legion of fans. You’ll be hooked from the first words…
The Cottage at Hope Cove By Hannah Ellis; narrated by Katie Villa
At this time of year, our attention turns to holidays and sunnier climes. Listening to a splendid summer story on the beach is the perfect antidote to your hectic everyday life. The Cottage at Hope Cove is an easy-listen, unabridged story that will have you rooting for Lizzie Beaumont to make the right decision all the way.
Lizzie Beaumont has it all: a great career, a wealthy fiancé, and the wedding of her dreams on the horizon. But when her fiancé puts work before her – again – she sets off for a week in the picturesque town of Hope Cove. She’s hoping for time away from the chaos to find herself.
Instead, she finds Max.
When the gorgeous guy next door asks her for decorating help, Lizzie finds herself all too eager to please. The week she expected to drag suddenly flies by, and before she knows it, she must return to her other life. The life with the impending marriage and the fiancé she loves… Or does she?
One week with Max has left her questioning her life choices. Is her fiancé the man of her dreams or just the man who asked? Now Lizzie must decide what her life will be. Will she go for the safe and predictable route or take a chance on a man she hardly knows? No matter what she does, someone’s heart is going to break. She just doesn’t want it to be hers.
This unashamed romance will make a perfect download for your holiday reading. Do it!
Machines Like Me By Ian McEwan; Narrated by Billy Howle
Indulge in the latest Ian McEwan novel, read to you by Billy Howle. This has been my go-to “on a plane” audiobook and is also perfect for your commute.
Britain has lost the Falklands war, Margaret Thatcher battles Tony Benn for power, and Alan Turing achieves a breakthrough in artificial intelligence. In a world not quite like this one, two lovers will be tested beyond their understanding.
Machines Like Me takes place in an alternative 1980s London. Charlie, drifting through life and dodging full-time employment, is in love with Miranda, a bright student who lives with a terrible secret. When Charlie comes into money, he buys Adam one of the first batch of synthetic humans. With Miranda’s assistance, he co-designs Adam’s personality. This near-perfect human is beautiful, strong and clever – a love triangle soon forms. Moral values will be questioned and have a profound effect on the protagonists.
Fundamental questions come to light in this entertaining novel: is it our outward deeds, or how we live our inner lives that make us human? Can machines understand human hearts? This thrilling story and fabulous narrative will send you a strong warning about wanting to invent things we cannot control.
We hope you have a happy time enjoying our recommendations. We’d love to know where you listen to your audiobooks and what device you use. Please feel free to leave your comments below. We also really want to know if you have binge-listened to any series lately.
Written By: Janie Smith | Arts & Culture Editor
Instagram: @SW19Culture
Twitter: @SW19Culture
Email: cultureeditor@ladywimbledon.com
About The Author
Janie Smith
Janie Smith is a cup full of sass and the Culture Queen isn’t letting anything limit her. Whether she’s jet setting around the world or catching up on the latest shows she always has her ear to the ground.