Summer is the season when rest and relaxation fly to the top of everyone's To Do list. If you're looking for the simplest way to unplug and unwind, why not try losing yourself in an entertaining audiobook.
Whether you’re sunbathing by the pool, road-tripping along the coast with friends, travelling to your favourite holiday spot, or just enjoying your daily walk in the park, an audiobook can make every moment of summer feel cinematic.
This selection of our most entertaining audiobooks bring together beloved narrators, gripping plots, and characters who will stay with you long after you hit pause. From thrillers packed with twists to moving memoirs and sparkling romances, these standout audiobooks offer the perfect soundtrack for your summer adventures.
Most entertaining audiobooks with celebrity narrators
Beloved as Nessa from Gavin & Stacey , Ruth Jones proves just as captivating behind the mic as she is on screen. In By Your Side , she delivers her own warm, funny, and tender novel about friendship, love and the importance of community. As both author and narrator, Jones brings an extra layer of intimacy, even switching into a Scottish accent to voice one of the characters. It’s the kind of listen that feels like being told a story by a close friend – full of heart, humour, and humanity.
When Edward St Aubyn teams up with Benedict Cumberbatch, the result is certified audio magic. Cumberbatch, who starred in the TV adaptation of St Aubyn’s Patrick Melrose novels , lends his unmistakable voice to this sharp, darkly witty exploration of family and identity. His reading brings a knowing, elegant energy to St Aubyn’s prose, capturing every nuance of the author’s piercing observations. Listening to this audiobook is a must for fans of literary fiction read by a master of the craft.
Exciting thriller audiobooks full of twists
From the creator of Broadchurch comes a moody, atmospheric mystery that’s tailor-made for audio. When the pub landlord of a picturesque village is murdered, secrets bubble to the surface – and no one is who they seem. Jessica Gunning (who recently starred in Baby Reindeer ) narrates with pitch-perfect precision, her voice capturing both the tension of the investigation and the emotional undercurrents of a community on edge, in this brilliantly performed whodunnit that will have you second-guessing everyone.
Few authors do domestic suspense like Lisa Jewell, and her latest is no exception. The story crackles with menace as a seemingly ordinary man hides deadly secrets – the women in his life realising far too late. The audio version is a treat: Richard Armitage (The Hobbit ) and Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey ) narrate, and their performances add chilling layers of tension. It's unsettling, addictive, and impossible to stop listening to: a perfect audiobook for summer.
Fresh from its hit BBC TV adaptation, Virdee introduces DCI Harry Virdee, a complex, driven detective fighting the criminal underworld in Bradford. This audiobook crackles with energy, as Virdee hunts for a killer against the backdrop of a city simmering with tension. The audio edition, brilliantly narrated by actor Ramon Tikaram, vividly brings Dhand’s gritty world to life, immersing listeners in a pulse-pounding mystery. It's a perfect listen for fans of dark, atmospheric crime fiction.
Moving romance and relationships audiobooks
Dolly Alderton’s sharp, funny, and tender tale of a breakup – told from heartbroken comedian Andy's point of view – gets an audio adaptation bursting with charm. Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who ) voices Andy, bringing warmth and wit to a man trying to piece together what went wrong in his relationship with Jen. He’s joined by Vanessa Kirby (The Crown ), whose cameo as Jen adds emotional resonance. Clever and compassionate, the storytelling in this audiobook feels both modern and timeless.
There’s a reason Emily Henry is the queen of romcom audiobooks: Julia Whelan. Her long-time narrator brings Great Big Beautiful Life into being with charm, wit and emotional depth. When peppy journalist Alice Scott lands on a remote island to chase the story of a reclusive heiress, she’s dismayed to find grumpy Pulitzer-winner Hayden Anderson on the same mission. With secrets to uncover and sparks flying, this sun-soaked rivals-to-lovers tale is packed with tension and tenderness. If you're looking for a summer romance audiobook to melt into while you soak up the rays, it's the perfect choice.
Compelling new autobiography audiobooks
Nothing says entertainment like Hollywood, and when a legend like Al Pacino tells his story, you pay attention. In Sonny Boy , Pacino reflects on a life spent in the spotlight, with all its highs, lows, and unforgettable moments. His unmistakable gravelly voice gives the audiobook a confessional, intimate feel – almost like you’re sitting across from him in a quiet bar. Packed with anecdotes, wisdom, and self-deprecating humour, it’s an essential listen for film buffs and fans alike.
Miranda Hart’s memoir is a blend of laughs, honesty, and emotional depth – and hearing it in her own voice makes the audiobook version all the more absorbing. With her signature warmth and comic timing, Hart opens up about life’s ups and downs, from career triumphs to personal challenges. The result is a moving and entertaining audiobook that feels like a long chat with a friend: funny and full of heart.
Immersive audiobooks of much-loved classics
This audiobook adaptation of Austen’s beloved novel is an absolute delight. Indira Varma (Game of Thrones) narrates with elegance and wit, perfectly capturing Lizzy Bennet’s spark and Mr Darcy’s brooding charm. Varma’s voice brings fresh life to familiar lines, making this a wonderful way to revisit (or discover) one of literature’s greatest love stories.
Elisabeth Moss, who plays Offred in the acclaimed TV adaptation, narrates this haunting dystopian classic. Her performance is chillingly understated, pulling listeners deep into the oppressive world of Gilead. With the show's finale having aired in May, now is the perfect time to experience Atwood’s masterpiece as it was originally told – and hear it brought to life by the actor who knows Offred best.
