Sarah Ovens has narrated 16 audiobooks on Listento.it by 19 authors, with an average listener rating of 4★ across 2,909 ratings. The most-rated is The Guest List.
The Guest List
Summary
A Reese's Book Club Pick “I loved this book. It gave me the same waves of happiness I get from curling up with a classic Christie.... The alternating points of view keep you guessing, and guessing wrong.” (Alex Michaelides, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Silent Patient) "Evok[es] the great Agatha Christie classics.... Pay close attention to seemingly throwaway details about the characters’ pasts. They are all clues.” (New York Times Book Review) A wedding celebration turns dark and deadly in this deliciously wicked and atmospheric thriller reminiscent of Agatha Christie from the New York Times best-selling author of The Hunting Party. The bride - the plus one - the best man - the wedding planner - the bridesmaid - the body. On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?
©2020 Lucy Foley (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers
The Rosie Result
Summary
Don and Rosie are back in Melbourne after a decade in New York, and they're about to face their most important project. Their son, Hudson, is having trouble at school: His teachers say he isn't fitting in with the other kids. Meanwhile, Rosie is battling Judas at work, and Don is in hot water after the Genetics Lecture Outrage. The life-contentment graph, recently at its highest point, is curving downwards. For Don Tillman, geneticist and world's best problem-solver, learning to be a good parent as well as a good partner will require the help of friends old and new. It will mean letting Hudson make his way in the world and grappling with awkward truths about his own identity. And opening a cocktail bar.
©2019 Graeme Simsion (P)2019 Penguin Books Ltd
This Winter
Summary
A short novella based on the beloved characters from the graphic novel Heartstopper and Alice Oseman’s debut novel, Solitaire, which was praised as 'The Catcher in the Rye for the digital age’ by The Times. The festive season isn't always happy for Tori Spring and her brother, Charlie. And this year's going to be harder than most. I used to think that difficult was better than boring, but I know better now.... I’m not going to think about the past few months, about Charlie and me and all of the sad. I’m going to block it all out just for today. 'Happy Christmas,' I say.
©2020 Alice Oseman (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
This Is Esports (And How to Spell It)
Summary
Bloomsbury presents This is esports (and How to Spell it) by Paul Chaloner, read by Paul Chaloner and Sarah Ovens. Pro gaming’s award-winning broadcaster Paul 'Redeye' Chaloner brings us the definitive book on esports, the fastest growing entertainment phenomenon in the world today. Longlisted for The William Hill Sports Book Award 2020 'a triumph... a must-read for newcomers and veterans alike' – Forbes Award-winning broadcaster Paul 'Redeye' Chaloner brings us the definitive book on esports, the fastest growing entertainment phenomenon in the world today. From slapping coins down on arcade cabinets to the lights of Madison Square Garden, competitive video gaming has come a long way. Today, esports is a billion-dollar industry, the best players becoming stars in their own right, battling for eight-figure prizes in front of a global audience of tens of millions. From Call of Duty to Counter-Strike, FIFA to Fortnite, a generation of players have turned multiplayer video games from a pastime into a profession. But there are questions. How did we get here? What exactly is competitive gaming – is it a sport? How much money do the top stars make? Do you really have to retire at 23? And just what the hell is Dota? This is esports (and How to Spell it) addresses all of this and more, as award-winning broadcaster Paul ‘Redeye’ Chaloner takes you inside the unstoppable rise of pro gaming to reveal the bitter rivalries, scandals and untold history of esports, from origins to sold-out arenas. With his trademark wit – and unrivalled access – Paul delivers the definitive book on the fastest-growing entertainment phenomenon in the world today.
©2020 Paul Chaloner (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
The Adults
Summary
Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Real Simple "If Love, Actually and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation are your two favorite holiday movies, you’re going to love The Adults." (Bustle) "Sometimes a nasty family comedy is just what you need for the holidays." (Entertainment Weekly) Meet The Adults. Claire and Matt are no longer together but decide that it would be best for their daughter, Scarlett, to have a "normal" family Christmas. They can’t agree on whose idea it was to go to the Happy Forest holiday park or who said they should bring their new partners. But someone did - and it’s too late to pull the plug. Claire brings her new boyfriend, Patrick (never Pat), a seemingly sensible, eligible-from-a-distance Ironman in waiting. Matt brings the new love of his life, Alex, funny, smart, and extremely patient. Scarlett, who is seven, brings her imaginary friend, Posey. He’s a giant rabbit. Together, the five (or six?) of them grit their teeth over Forced Fun Activities, drink a little too much after Scarlett’s bedtime, overshare classified secrets about their pasts...and before you know it, their holiday is a powder keg that ends where this novel begins - with a tearful, frightened call to the police. What happened? They said they’d all be adults about this.... Praise for The Adults "A delectable premise...Hulse skewers her characters uproariously, zeroing in on every quirk, and she humanizes them, too." (Entertainment Weekly) "The ending is worth every page turned in this funny, redeeming wade through the rough tide of blended family." (San Francisco Chronicle) "Caroline Hulse’s farcical debut is an ode to the big personalities and drama you find in families - unconventional and not." (Real Simple) "This wry holiday novel will make you chuckle and remind you that nobody’s family is perfect. If you’ve ever sat through an awkward family dinner (who hasn’t?), you’ll relate so hard." (HelloGiggles) "Brilliantly funny." (Good Housekeeping UK) "Razor-sharp comedy." (Sunday Mirror)
©2018 Caroline Hulse (P)2018 Random House Audio
The Accidental Life Swap
Summary
Sometimes one moment can change your life forever.... Rebecca Riley has always been a bit of a pushover. When her glamorous boss, Vanessa, asks her to jump, she doesn’t just ask how high...she asks if her boss would like her to grab a coffee on the way back down! So whilst overseeing the renovation of Vanessa’s beautiful countryside home, the last thing Rebecca ever expected was to be mistaken for her boss – or that she would even consider going along with it! Far away from the bustling city and her boss’s demanding ways, could she pretend to be Vanessa and swap lives, just for a little while?
©2019 Jennifer Joyce (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
99 Red Balloons
Summary
Two girls go missing, decades apart. What would you do if one was your daughter? Eight-year-old Grace is last seen in a sweetshop. Her mother, Emma, is living a nightmare. But as her loved ones rally around her, cracks begin to emerge. What are the emails sent between her husband and her sister? Why does her mother take so long to join the search? And is there more to the disappearance of her daughter than meets the eye? Meanwhile, ageing widow Maggie Taylor sees a familiar face in the newspaper. A face that jolts her from the pain of her existence into a spiralling obsession with another girl - the first girl who disappeared.... This is a gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist that will take your breath away.
©2017 Elisabeth Carpenter (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers
I Still Dream
Summary
1997. Seventeen-year-old Laura Bow has invented a rudimentary artificial intelligence and named it Organon. At first it's intended to be a sounding board for her teenage frustrations, a surrogate best friend; but as she grows older, Organon grows with her. As the world becomes a very different place, technology changes the way we live, love and die; massive corporations develop rival intelligences to Laura's, ones without safety barriers or morals; and Laura is forced to decide whether to share her creation with the world. If it falls into the wrong hands, she knows, its power could be abused. But what if Organon is the only thing that can stop humanity from hurting itself irreparably? I Still Dream is a powerful tale of love, loss and hope, a frightening, heartbreakingly human look at who we are now - and who we can be, if we only allow ourselves.
©2018 James Smythe (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers
The Whispering Wars
Summary
From the award-winning Jaclyn Moriarty comes a spellbinding tale of unlikely friendship, unexpected magic, and competitive athletics. The town of Spindrift is frequented by all kinds of Shadow Mages and charlatans. It's also home to the Orphanage School, where Finlay lives with Glim, Taya, and Eli. Just outside town is the painfully posh Brathelthwaite Boarding School, home to Honey Bee, Hamish, and Victor, Duke of Ainsley. When the two schools compete at the Spindrift Tournament, the stakes are high, tensions are higher, and some people are out to win at any cost. Before long, the orphans and the boarding school kids are at each other's throats. And then the Whispering Wars break out, and Spindrift is thrust onto the front lines. Children are being stolen; witches, sirens, and a deadly magical flu invade the town; and all attempts to fight back are met with defeat. Finlay, Honey Bee, and their friends must join forces to outwit the encroaching forces of darkness, rescue the stolen children, and turn the tide of the war. But how can one bickering troupe outwit the insidious power of the Whisperers?
©2018 Jaclyn Moriarty (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd
The Kid Who Came from Space
Summary
The stunning new 10+ story from the best-selling and award-winning author of Time Travelling with a Hamster, for anyone who loved the humour of WALL-E, the action of Star Wars and the deeply touching emotion of ET. A small village in the wilds of Northumberland is rocked by the disappearance of 12-year-old Tammy. Only her twin brother, Ethan, knows she is safe - and the extraordinary truth of where she is. It is a secret he must keep, or risk never seeing her again. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to give up. Together with his friend Iggy and the mysterious (and very hairy) Hellyann, Ethan teams up with a spaceship called Philip, and Suzy the trained chicken, for a nail-biting chase to get his sister back...that will take him further than anyone has ever been before. A remarkable story of sibling connection, friendship and interstellar adventure from the author who Kiran Millwood Hargrave called 'one of my favourite middle grade writers'.
©2020 Ross Welford (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
How to Run a Marathon: The Go-to Guide for Anyone and Everyone
Summary
Ever been tempted by running a marathon? Maybe you’re well on your way to conquering the iconic distance. In any case, you’ve come to the right place! Join marathon-pro Vassos Alexander as he shows us why we shouldn’t be afraid of attempting the 26-mile stretch once and for all. Every marathon runner’s journey is different. You might have caught the bug after experiencing that adrenaline rush of completing your first 5k; it might be a desire to finally cross something off your bucket list; or, perhaps it was a bit of an absentminded afterthought while watching TV, crisps in hand, and a niggling voice saying ‘maybe I could do that’ - it was for Vassos, at least. However far along you are in your journey, How to Run a Marathon shows us that absolutely anyone can take those first steps to defeating the distance. In fact, you’ll probably end up enjoying it a lot more than you think. Including inspiring interviews with running legends, charming tales of remarkable marathons throughout the world, crucial training and nutrition tips and so much more, Vassos shares all the lessons he’s learnt - from the start line to the finish line. Funny, candid and motivating, this book will not only help you succeed in marathon running but empower you to complete the distance the way you want to. Whether that’s achieving a particular time, or simply finishing in one piece, How to Run a Marathon will guide you through. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2020 Vassos Alexander (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Jumbo: The Most Famous Elephant Who Ever Lived
Summary
Bloomsbury presents Jumbo: The Most Famous Elephant Who Ever Lived by Alexandra Stewart, read by Sarah Ovens. Roll up! Roll up! And meet the incredible, the colossal, the world-famous...Jumbo! Our story begins in 1860, in the mountains of East Africa, where a baby elephant struggles to his feet and takes his first shaky steps.... This is the deeply touching story of an elephant who captured the world's imagination, brought beautifully to life with enchanting storytelling. Follow Jumbo’s amazing journey from his remote home in the rugged mountains of East Africa and the time he spent delighting visitors with elephant rides and comedy routines at London Zoo. Be amazed by his spectacular stint in P.T. Barnum’s 'Greatest Show on Earth’ and how he led a herd of elephants across the newly built Brooklyn Bridge to test its strength. Discover how Jumbo’s remarkable life and legacy transformed our understanding and treatment of these magnificent creatures. With a gripping narrative by Alexandra Stewart, the true story of Jumbo’s incredible life will fascinate young and old alike.
©2020 Alexandra Stewart (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
The Battle for Perfect
Summary
Things have quietened down in the town that used to be Perfect. But stories reach Violet and Boy of five missing scientists. And then they discover something odd in the forest outside Town - a mirror maze hiding a huge castle. Creeping inside, they overhear a terrible plan - a zombie army is about march on Town. Can Violet and Boy save their friends?
©2019 Helena Duggan (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd
Handle with Care
Summary
This is the story of 25-year-old Rochelle as she nurses her mum through a terminal brain tumour having already lost her dad to pancreatic cancer, aged 14. Based on the author's popular blog, this accessible guide provides a unique in-depth look at the reality of being a young carer. After her mum's initial misdiagnosis of a stroke, Rochelle decides to give up her party-girl lifestyle in Leeds, along with her job in marketing and lovely flat she shared with her boyfriend, and move 200 miles home to the not-so-buzzing metropolis of Ipswich. We follow the timeline of the illness, including finding out her mum's cancer was terminal, becoming a full-time carer, splitting up with her boyfriend, being by her mum's side as she passed away, planning her funeral and finding her way again after her mum's death. Prepare for a tear-jerking journey as Rochelle navigates the changing family dynamics with her two young sisters, the financial and emotional pressure of being a full-time carer and the challenges of rebuilding your life after the loss of a loved one. But it's not all doom and gloom. This heart-warming account is bursting with practical tips and advice to ease the pressure when someone you love is ill, as well as laugh-out-loud moments. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2021 Rochelle Bugg (P)2021 Bonnier Books UK
The German Nurse
Summary
A powerful and heartbreaking WWII historical novel for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and Beneath a Scarlet Sky. A secret past. A forbidden love. A terrifying choice. Her past could kill you. Guernsey, 1940. As war storms through Europe, Churchill orders the evacuation of all military personnel from the island. Boats ferry soldiers and vulnerable young children to England, leaving their parents and loved ones behind to face the invading German army on their own. Her love could save you. One of the few remaining policemen on the island, Jack must protect not only his friends and family, but also the woman he loves: Johanna, a Jewish nurse from Germany, whose secret faith could prove fatal to them both. Her fate is in your hands. When the Nazis arrive, everything changes. Jack is forced to come to terms with the pain and loss of a world re-making itself around him. And then a list of Jews on the island is drawn up and he must make an awful choice: write down Johanna’s name and condemn her, or resist and put his family in immediate danger....
©2020 M. J. Hollows (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
The Spitfire Girl
Summary
It's 1939, and the threat of war hangs over the country.... Flying instructor Ellie Simpson has grown up a tomboy. She's never had an interest in the latest fashions or finding a husband; her only passion is flying her beloved Tiger Moth. But when war is declared, she is no longer be able to do what she loves most - fly. When Ellie is offered the opportunity to join the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, she jumps at the chance to help keep the brave boys in the RAF safe. But when tragedy strikes close to home, Ellie realises that this war could tear both the country she loves - and her heart - apart.... Perfect for fans of Nancy Revell, Rosie Archer and Daisy Styles.
©2018 Fenella Miller (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd