Tough Topics Audiobooks

Twin Tides

"Long-lost twin sisters unravel the mystery behind their mother's disappearance and face the family betrayal that ultimately separated them in this breathtaking speculative young adult thriller. Heiress and influencer Caliste Ha lives a glamorous life in an LA high rise, her perfectly curated social media feed hiding the cracks in her family. Across the country, Aria Nguyen is barely surviving as a freshman and academic scammer at Georgetown University. They have never met. That changes with one unexpected and grim phone call. Their long-missing mother has been found dead in Les Eaux, Minnesota. Upon arrival in the sleepy town, Caliste and Aria discover another shocker-they are identical twins. Ready to unearth the secrets that led to their mother's death and their separation, they start looking for answers. But a vengeful ghost is haunting the waters, and an unknown enemy is watching their every move. Can Aria and Caliste unravel all the sinister mysteries of Les Eaux, or will the town's deadly secrets ultimately drag them under?"

Hien Nguyen (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Pride and Persistence

"After a roller coaster of ups and downs last year, Aiden Rothe starts sophomore year on a high. After all, he's dating the boy of his dreams. What else matters? But Aiden's hopes for a drama-free school year are thrown aside when a new student captures everyone's attention: Michelle, an incredibly athletic, transgender black belt. Fearing a repeat of last year's bullying, Aiden's karate club reaches out to Michelle, hoping to recruit her. To their surprise, she already has a team. Michelle is training with local police captain Decker at his MMA studio, the epicenter of LGBTQ+ hatred in and around Washington High. Soon after, Decker and his notorious partner, Washington High Wrestling Coach Krake, announce a new tournament with a $25k college scholarship as the grand prize. For some, like Mateo, it's a crucial opportunity—he lost his scholarship chances when he came out and quit the wrestling team the year before. Can the true meaning of martial arts heal the divisions in this town, or will fighting only make things worse? A rousing story of love versus hate, where hidden truths and life-altering decisions lay behind every corner, Pride and Persistence celebrates the indomitable spirit within us all-the fighter that refuses to stay down, no matter how many times one falls."

Joe Chianakas (Author), Nick Monteleone (Narrator)

Audiobook

How Girls Are Made

"Sex Education meets Euphoria in this dark contemporary novel that tackles perfectionism, emotional abuse, and the dark side of social media. Fallon is a fixer. From planning prom to organizing her college applications, she’s got it all figured out…except for when her younger sister comes to her with very basic questions about sex. Shocked that she knows so little—and her fellow classmates even less—Fallon decides some practical education is in order. And Fallon isn’t above practicing a little civil disobedience by creating a secret underground off-campus group. Shelby is a fighter. Having her nose broken is nothing new in her semiprofessional career…but this time it’s her boyfriend who threw the punch. Now her phone is blowing up with texts from a new guy who tells her she’s perfect, she’s special, she’s everything he’s ever wanted…except for a few small details. Shelby’s happy to adjust for him, because isn’t that what a healthy relationship is about? Jobie is a failure. She doesn’t have enough followers and her posts never go viral, no matter how hard she crushes challenges and applies exactly the right filter. But a friendly DM from a good girl just like her points her in the direction of a whole new audience of admirers. Guys who just want to talk. Guys who give her the attention she’s always wanted.  The lives of all three girls intersect in Fallon’s secret class, rumors of which have parents up in arms. Fallon needs to keep herself anonymous, Shelby needs to keep her new boyfriend happy, and Jobie needs to keep her followers…who keep asking for more. Each girl finds herself trapped in an inescapable situation—that will leave one of them dead. "

Mindy McGinnis (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Deadly Ever After

"Two dead princesses must find true love's kiss to be brought back to life in this heart-stopping romantic fantasy debut. "A captivating blend of suspense, romance, and fantasy." -Kalynn Bayron, New York Times bestselling author of Cinderella Is Dead Amala has spent her whole life trying to be the perfect princess: delicate, quiet, obedient. But when she's murdered on the night of her wedding, her story is cut short before it begins. Kha'dasia has been told her whole life that she is too rough, too loud, too much. She's no ordinary princess but a ruthless warrior on a quest to fulfill her late brother's dying wish. Except she dies before reaching her destination. When both girls wake up in a cursed forest, the gods offer them a second chance at life-if they can find true love's kiss. But there's a catch, the gods warn. While the right kiss will save you, the wrong kiss will kill you. On their journey, the princesses must overcome challenges that force them to face the truth of their lives…and their deaths. And as Amala and Kha'dasia grow closer, they can't help but wonder if true love has been standing right in front of them all along."

Brittany Johnson (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Shiny Happy People

"A gripping, genre-bending novel about a mysterious new drug plaguing a small town and one girl who must uncover the terrifying truth behind the haunting side effects-or she will be next. At sixteen, Kyra is still haunted by the horrors she saw growing up with her drug-addicted mother. She doesn't feel like she belongs anywhere-and disturbing dreams come to her at night. When a new party drug makes its way to her high school, Kyra's life becomes an actual nightmare. A video challenge spreads among the students-and though she doesn't participate, Kyra can't escape the inexplicable side effects. Everyone around her seems to be mysteriously changing, including the people she loves the most. Her brother has a new personality overnight. Her best friend suddenly feels like a stranger. The only other person who seems to notice the eeriness is Logan, the new boy at school. Like Kyra, he has steered clear of the party scene. When the strangeness begins to feel sinister-or unnatural-Kyra is determined to find out exactly what is behind the mysterious drug. As she and Logan get closer to the truth, the line between Kyra's past and present blurs . . . and she will need to face the terrors inside herself, or lose everyone she loves. "Clay McLeod Chapman is one of my favorite horror storytellers working today."-Jordan Peele "The most ambitious novel yet from a writer quietly redefining the emotional contours of contemporary horror."-Vulture on Wake Up and Open Your Eyes"

Clay McLeod Chapman (Author), Dominique Salvacion (Narrator)

Audiobook

Singlets and Secrets

"Fourteen-year-old Aiden Rothe's life is full of secrets, and his sexuality is only the tip of the iceberg. While his high school wrestling team views gay and strong as mutually exclusive, Aiden is determined to prove them wrong. It's time for a gay athlete to take top prize . . . if only he wasn't crushing hard on Mateo Hernandez, captain of the JV wrestling team and a major heartthrob. Locked out of the wrestling scene, Aiden finds an unlikely mentor in his English teacher, Lloyd Samuels, who introduces him to karate. When Aiden's honesty about his sexuality backfires with some homophobic fellow students, Mr. S even steps in to protect him, creating a school martial arts club in the process. Once word gets around, there's an exciting new challenge on campus—the championship wrestling team against a bunch of outsiders and underdogs. It's the ultimate battle between the cool kids and the rebels. And for the main event? A showdown between Aiden versus Mateo. But can Aiden fight his first love and prove himself at the same time? Dripping with raw emotion, unexpected twists, and more than a dash of hope, Singlets and Secrets isn't just more high school drama. It's a deep dive into figuring out who you are and accepting it no matter what someone else may think—a heroic journey that speaks to the struggling teenager in us all."

Joe Chianakas (Author), Nick Monteleone (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Writing Room

"A slice-of-life coming-of-age story that gracefully addresses larger themes of immigration, economic disparity, and emotional abuse. Immediately after high school graduation, eighteen-year-old Maya is kicked out of her wealthy dad's NYC home; he prides himself on forcing his kids to 'make their own way in the world.' Maya's mom lives in Guatemala, so Maya crashes with friends while working and trying to land freelance writing gigs. Maya struggles to find her footing until she gets access to a 'writing room,' a shared workspace where she can focus-and get to know the intriguing neighbor, Jake, who's often there. When she discovers her dad is bankrolling a virulently anti-immigrant candidate for governor, Maya―the daughter of an immigrant―realizes she can't continue quietly accepting his choices. She'll have to take a stand, using the voice she's found in the writing room."

Marcia Argueta Mickelson (Author), Daisy Guevara (Narrator)

Audiobook

Self Portrait

"Winner of the Rainbow Book of the Year “I know of no other book that so tenderly, convincingly, and completely authentically captures the quest of a young, queer character. Beautiful!” – Benny Lindelauf Jip has an assignment from school for spring break: draw a self-portrait. That should be easy for someone who can draw so well. Yet Jip's thoughts keep wandering. To the new boy in class, to beetles and fireflies, to twilight dreaming, to the party next Friday, and especially to the boy who changed Jip's world once and for all. Ludwig Volbeda writes as he draws: sensitively, intimately, and with striking observations and metaphors that gradually give the reader insight into Jip’s innermost thoughts. What results is a magnificent self-portrait in words (and line art) and one of the more exquisite queer coming-of-age stories in years."

Ludwig Volbeda (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder

"In the south, everyone has a secret—and murder is served with sweet tea. The word's out: Ethan Wilder's coming back to town, and the people of Bowie, Georgia are in a southern tizzy. Everyone knows the story. He shot and killed his sister four years ago, and people say his father, Jim Wilder, the biggest holy roller this side of the Mississippi, sent him packing for just that reason. Even if her death was unofficially ruled a suicide, Ethan's return has everybody talking. Seventeen-year-old Delilah Doherty can't go anywhere without hearing his name. Born and raised in Bowie, Delilah knows firsthand about the gossipmongers and how they love a good scandal. The daughter of a wild child and niece of the local psychic, she's also the only one who doubts Ethan's guilt. After Ethan saves her life, the two start a slow and steady burn neither can deny. But when Bowie's spiritual leader is nearly murdered, it rocks the small southern town to its core. Delilah and Ethan are caught in the crossfire, their relationship threatened before it's even begun. Someone has it out for Ethan's family. With everyone convinced of Ethan's guilt, it's up to Delilah to unravel the mystery before someone else gets hurt or worse . . . dead."

Cookie O'Gorman (Author), Amanda Friday (Narrator)

Audiobook

Moth Dark

"Brought to you by Penguin. From the bestselling author of Threads that Bind and Hearts that Cut comes a brand-new compulsive romantasy about a girl obsessed with the dark and the shadowy magical prince she falls in love with, perfect for fans of Holly Black and Laini Taylor. ‘A world so unique and addictive that I devoured this in a matter of days. Whimsical prose and a slow burning romance unlike any I’ve read before.’ Alexandra Christo, author of To Kill a Kingdom THE DARK HAS COME ALIVE . . . Six years ago, vicious creatures began to crawl out of the dark crevices of the world, and with it Sascia’s fascination with the darkness was born. Now that fascination has become an obsession, and while exploring an area known for its connection to the Darkworld, Sascia – impossibly – pulls out a person from the shadows. But Nugau is no ordinary person, they’re the heir to the Darkworld, with one mission . . . to kill Sascia. Except, the second time they meet, Nugau is younger and doesn’t recognise Sascia. And the third time, Nugau stumbles out of the darkness with poison running through their veins, expressing their undying love for her. Piecing together the puzzle, Sascia makes two shocking discoveries: the timelines of her world and Nugau’s are not linear, and she is inexplicably entangled in a war between humanity and the Dark. But with their worlds at battle, is it worth fighting for each other . . . ? PRAISE FOR MOTH DARK: ‘An achingly hopeful, breathtaking love story. It’s the sort of book you want to linger in the dark with, and I absolutely loved every moment sunk within its pages.’ Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen ‘Darkly dreamy, timely and expertly crafted. You will find star-crossed romance, a heady blend of science and magic and brilliant characters determined to end the cycle of violence.’ Allison Saft, author of Wings of Starlight ‘Utterly enthralling and darkly whimsical, Moth Dark is a thrill ride of a book, with its tale of twisted timelines and unyielding love. Sascia and Nugau’s story is certain to stay with you long after the book is over.’ A. B. Poranek, author of Where the Dark Stands Still ‘A lush, breathtaking and wholly unique fantasy, with a devastating star-crossed romance and a world that lifts off the page like a fluttering of moths.’ Ava Reid, author of A Study in Drowning ‘Moth Dark is everything I’ve come to expect from Kika Hatzopoulou – dark, twisty, romantic and completely, dazzlingly original. Unlike anything else I’ve read.’ Sarah Underwood, author of Lies We Sing to the Sea ‘Wildly imaginative, achingly romantic and impossible to put down. Get ready, readers: your next book obsession has arrived.’ Angela Montoya, author of A Cruel Thirst © Kika Hatzopoulou 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Kika Hatzopoulou (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mercy

"Perfect for fans of Sawkill Girls, Bone Gap, and Dark and Shallow Lies, this suspenseful contemporary mystery delves into a small town’s supernatural, multigenerational curse—and the girl determined to break it. Mercy was named for her mother’s hopes. Mercy, in the hope that the Sorrowing—the curse that Mercy and her family had lived with for generations—might take pity on them. But Mercy’s name never did her any good, and it certainly didn’t save her mother. The Sorrowing ensures that Mercy, her family, and the core families in Arbor Falls aren’t able to grow, dream, or prosper. It makes sure they stay exactly as they are—mired in the mud. Mercy has learned to live with the truth: the only way to escape the Sorrowing is to accept it. Until the Bowens move back to town. The Bowens are a cursed family, too, and they should know better than to test the Sorrowing. Instead, their ignorance sets off a wave of fury that promises to destroy everything. Now, Mercy will have to unearth the horrors that unfolded that terrible night the Sorrowing was born—to face the despicable secrets of her town and break the curse before it breaks everything she has left. An immersive mystery laced with supernatural dread that's perfect for fans of of Courtney Gould and Kyrie McCauley, Mercy slowly and relentlessly digs into the buried crimes of a small, insular town and provokes questions about the lies we silently allow and the duty current generations have in exposing the harms of the past."

Patricia Ward (Author), Keylor Leigh (Narrator)

Audiobook

Most Valuable Player

"The cocky star QB and the team's sarcastic water boy. What could go wrong? A sports romance with humor and heart from the author of They Hate Each Other Cameron Morelli is hot sh*t. Worse, he knows it. With a godlike physique and a position as his varsity football team's star quarterback, there's nobody he can't charm. So one might imagine his mortification when he's rejected by Mason Gray, the team's snarky water boy. To make matters worse, this disgrace is followed by Cam's coach benching him until he can get his grades up. Luckily, a reliable tutor steps forward to help Cam reclaim his dignity-the boy who just humiliated him. For Mason, tutoring an airheaded jock is nothing but a distraction from a past he can't escape. What he doesn't expect is to find something worthwhile in their conversations-something softening in the ice between them. Nor does Cam expect that Mason's calm smile hides a harrowing story. As they slowly nudge through each other's steel gates, the dangerous realities beyond high school threaten their deepening bond. But really, it's about football."

A. M. Woody (Author), Briggon Snow, Michael Crouch (Narrator)

Audiobook