We busy moms have limited time! But that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on great books! Whether you’re waiting in the school pickup line, commuting, or just folding laundry, these best audiobooks for busy moms let you enjoy engaging stories, personal growth, or a good laugh—hands-free.
With an Audible membership or free library apps like Libby (which usually what I do), you can listen anywhere, anytime. Below, I’ve scoured the web and Amazon reviews to curate the best audiobooks for busy moms on the go, covering everything from feel-good fiction to inspiring self-help—perfect for making waiting time more enjoyable!
This post contains affiliate links, including but not limited to, Amazon Associates. As such, I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure located here.
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Best Feel-Good Fiction Audiobooks for Busy Moms
These heartwarming, funny, and uplifting books are perfect when you need an escape. Heartwarming, funny, and uplifting books that make great companions while waiting. I’ve read the first 4 so far (the last one is on my to-read list!) and I’ve thoroughly and can personally recommend them.
1. Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus
⭐ 4.7/5 on Audible | 🕒 11 hrs 55 min
📖 Genre: Historical Fiction, Humor
👩🔬 A brilliant fem8ale chemist in the 1960s becomes an accidental TV cooking show star—with unexpected feminist power.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A smart, witty, and inspiring story with a quirky heroine you’ll root for.”
2. The House in the Cerulean Sea – TJ Klune
⭐ 4.9/5 on Audible | 🕒 12 hrs 12 min
📖 Genre: Fantasy, Feel-Good Fiction
🏡 A caseworker for magical misfit children discovers love, family, and purpose in the most unexpected place.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “Pure comfort in book form—wholesome, magical, and deeply touching.”
3. Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
⭐ 4.7/5 on Audible | 🕒 11 hrs 16 min
📖 Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Heartwarming, Mystery
🐙 After the loss of her son, a grieving widow finds an unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus at the local aquarium—who just might help her uncover long-buried secrets.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A beautifully written, unique story about love, loss, and unexpected connections—with a surprisingly lovable octopus.”
4. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman
⭐ 4.6/5 on Audible | 🕒 11 hrs 2 min
📖 Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Feel-Good Fiction
💼 Eleanor Oliphant, a socially awkward loner with a strict routine, slowly learns to open up after an unexpected friendship changes her life.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A heartwarming and bittersweet story about healing, human connection, and embracing change.”
5. The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion
⭐ 4.5/5 on Audible | 🕒 7 hrs 32 min
📖 Genre: Romantic Comedy, Feel-Good Fiction
🧪 A brilliant yet socially clueless genetics professor creates a scientific survey to find the perfect wife—until an unpredictable woman turns his world upside down.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A charming, laugh-out-loud rom-com with a quirky yet lovable protagonist.”
6. The Guest List – Lucy Foley
⭐ 4.3/5 on Audible | 🕒 10 hrs 22 min
📖 Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
🏝️ A glamorous wedding on a remote Irish island takes a dark turn when secrets unravel and a murder occurs. Told through multiple perspectives, everyone is a suspect.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A gripping, atmospheric thriller full of twists—perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-style mysteries.”
🔗 Try Audible FREE for 30 Days! Get your first audiobook free & start listening today. Sign up here (affiliate link).
Thrilling Page-Turners for Busy Moms Who Love Suspense
7. The Crash – Frieda McFadden
⭐ 4.2/5 on Goodreads | 🕒 9 hrs 13 min
🚗 An expectant mother stranded in a snowstorm accepts help from a couple, leading to unexpected dangers.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A gripping, gut-wrenching story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
🔗 Listen on Audible (affiliate link)
8. On a Quiet Street – Seraphina Nova Glass
⭐ 4.5/5 on Goodreads | 🕒 10 hrs 30 min
🏡 In the seemingly perfect neighborhood of Brighton Hills, three women harbor dark secrets that intertwine, leading to shocking revelations.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A twisty, engaging thriller that keeps you guessing until the end.”
9. Rock Paper Scissors – Alice Feeney
⭐ 4.3/5 on Goodreads | 🕒 10 hrs 18 min
🏔️ A couple’s weekend getaway to a remote Scottish chapel turns into a nightmare as they confront secrets that could destroy their marriage.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A cleverly plotted thriller with unexpected twists that keep you hooked.”
🔗 Listen on Audible (affiliate link)
10. The Good Sister – Sally Hepworth
⭐ 4.2/5 on Goodreads | 🕒 9 hrs 5 min
👯♀️ Twin sisters Fern and Rose have a complicated relationship, and when Fern decides to help her sister have a baby, dark family secrets emerge.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A compelling family drama with suspenseful twists and well-developed characters.”
🔗 Try Audible FREE for 30 Days! Get your first audiobook free & start listening today. Sign up here.
Memoirs & Real-Life Stories Busy Moms Will Love
11. Strong as a Mother – Kate Rope
⭐ 4.5/5 on Amazon | 🕒 12 hrs 53 min
💪 A comprehensive guide to staying healthy, happy, and (most importantly) sane during motherhood.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “Compassionate and nonjudgmental advice covering every topic imaginable for new moms.”
12. I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy
⭐ 4.7/5 on Amazon | 🕒 6 hrs 50 min
🎭 Former child actress Jennette McCurdy recounts her struggles with fame, her complex relationship with her mother, and her journey toward self-acceptance.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “An unflinchingly honest and darkly humorous memoir that sheds light on the pressures of child stardom and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.”
13. The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother – James McBride
⭐ 4.6/5 on Amazon | 🕒 8 hrs 45 min
🌈 Author James McBride explores his mother’s remarkable life, her resilience in raising twelve children, and his own journey to understand his racial identity.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A profound and moving tribute that delves into family, identity, and the enduring bond between mother and child.”
🔗 Try Audible FREE for 30 Days! Get your first audiobook free & start listening today. Sign up here.
14. The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation – Anna Malaika Tubbs
⭐ 4.8/5 on Amazon | 🕒 10 hrs 20 min
👩🏽🦱 This book highlights the lives of the mothers of three pivotal figures in American history, showcasing their influence and the legacy they left behind.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “An enlightening and inspiring exploration of the powerful impact mothers have on shaping leaders and, consequently, history.”
Romantic & Fun Escapes for Moms Who Love Love Stories
15. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid
⭐ 4.5/5 on Audible | 🕒 12 hrs 10 min
🎬 A reclusive Hollywood legend recounts her glamorous and scandalous life to a young journalist.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A captivating tale of love, ambition, and the complexities of fame.”
16. The Hating Game – Sally Thorne
⭐ 4.5/5 on Audible | 🕒 11 hrs 29 min
📖 Genre: Romantic Comedy
🏢 Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Their workplace rivalry takes an unexpected turn as they vie for the same promotion, leading to a complicated romantic entanglement.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A delightful enemies-to-lovers story filled with witty banter and undeniable chemistry.”
17. Beach Read – Emily Henry
⭐ 4.6/5 on Audible | 🕒 10 hrs 13 min
📖 Genre: Contemporary Romance
🏖️ January Andrews, a romance writer, and Augustus Everett, a literary fiction author, are polar opposites. When they end up as neighbors for the summer, they challenge each other to write in each other’s genres, leading to unexpected discoveries about themselves and each other.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A heartfelt and humorous exploration of love, writer’s block, and personal growth.”
🔗 Try Audible FREE for 30 Days! Get your first audiobook free & start listening today. Sign up here.
18. The Kiss Quotient – Helen Hoang
⭐ 4.5/5 on Audible | 🕒 10 hrs 55 min
📖 Genre: Contemporary Romance
💡 Stella Lane, a successful econometrician with Asperger’s, hires escort Michael Phan to teach her about intimacy, leading to an unexpected and heartfelt romance.
🎧 Why Moms Love It: “A unique and steamy love story that beautifully portrays neurodiversity and personal connection.”
Inspirational & Self-Improvement Audiobooks for Moms
Perfect for motivation, productivity, and reclaiming your time! I’ve either read all of these books except Mindset and greatly enjoyed, especially Atomic Habits and Grit. Actually, two of these books I listened via audiobook with my husband on road trips.
19. Atomic Habits – James Clear
⭐ 4.8/5 on Audible | 🕒 5 hrs 35 min
🔄 Tiny habits, huge results—practical steps to lasting change.
20. The Lazy Genius Way – Kendra Adachi
⭐ 4.9/5 on Audible | 🕒 6 hrs 53 min
🛋️ How to focus on what truly matters and let go of what doesn’t.
21. Dare to Lead – Brené Brown
⭐ 4.8/5 on Audible | 🕒 8 hrs 10 min
💡 Vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s the foundation of courageous, authentic leadership. Brené Brown explores how embracing discomfort and tough conversations fosters stronger, more effective teams.
22. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck
⭐ 4.7/5 on Audible | 🕒 10 hrs 23 min
🧠 A groundbreaking look at how a “growth mindset” can transform success in work, school, and life—showing that intelligence and abilities can be developed with effort and learning.
23. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance – Angela Duckworth
⭐ 4.6/5 on Audible | 🕒 9 hrs 22 min
🔥 Talent matters, but perseverance matters more. This book breaks down why passion and persistence—not just raw talent—are key drivers of long-term success.
My favorite part was the research that found the success rate for West Point cadets wasn’t dependent on high school academic grades, but a demonstration of grit.
Other On-the-Go Entertainment Ideas
In addition to the above list of best audiobooks for busy moms, here’s a few other options….
- Audiobook Apps: Libby (free library audiobooks), Audible, Chirp (discounted audiobooks)
- Short-Form Learning: TED Talks, Blinkist for book summaries
- Music & Playlists: Spotify mood-based playlists (Lo-Fi, Classical, Chill)
- Mindfulness & Meditation: Calm, Headspace for quick relaxation
Wrapping It Up
Next time you find yourself waiting, press play on something that matches your mood. Whether you’re looking to laugh, learn, or escape into a story, there’s an audiobook perfect for you.
What’s your favorite thing to listen to while waiting? Let me know in the comments!
