The Cicada House A heartfelt and fee..., Ella Ward
The Cicada House A heartfelt and fee..., Ella Ward
List: $28.99 | Sale: $20.29
Club: $14.49

The Cicada House: A heartfelt and feel-good time-travelling love story and debut novel, perfect for readers of Dolly Alderton, Sally Hepworth and Mhairi McFarlane

Author: Ella Ward

Narrator: Hannah Fredericksen, Jack Twelvetree

Unabridged: 11 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 10/28/2025


Synopsis

A warm, funny and surprising love story about one woman's journey to find out who she really is - as if Richard Curtis watched Seachange, shared a cold beer with Dolly Alderton, and together they wrote The Time Traveller's Wife.
This is a magical love story. Where, despite what I have just told you, the most extraordinary thing to happen is a woman learns to forgive herself.When Caitlin inherits a significant sum of money on her fortieth birthday, she decides to break the habits of a lifetime and throw caution to the winds. She's about to tell her husband Paul that they're leaving London on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Eat Pray Love their way around the world, only ... she doesn't tell Paul that, because before the candles are lit, he tells her that he's very much in love with someone else. After a drunken night trying to console herself, Caitlin books tickets to Australia - anything to get as far away as possible.What does the world feel like when it's ending for you, and no-one else? What does life feel like when you are running away from it? This is a story that begins in a way you expect, and ends very far from there. It is a story of creaking English hallways and vast Australian skies. Of hands that feel like warm sandpaper. Cicadas that sing so loudly they drown out the grief. Of white wine and an old piano and children who want their parents back from the dead. It is a magical tale of travel and mystery. And a very human tale of sex and loss and seawater and the primal joy of coming home. This is The Cicada House.'A glorious novel: captivating, vibrant and original' Jess Dettmann, Without Further Ado'A witty, warm and intriguing love story' Good Reading'This charming novel ... with shades of Eat, Pray, Love and Under the Tuscan Sun, a dash of Dolly Adlerton' West Australian'The perfect read for anyone who loves getting lost in a story ... warm, smart, funny, and genuinely poignant ... delicious from beginning to end' Martha Beck, The Way of Integrity'An atmospheric and moving time-travel love story told with great warmth and humour.' Esther Walker, The Bad Cook

About Ella Ward

Ella Ward has worked in advertising for many years. This means she has a proclivity for profanity and needs help with punctuation. Her words have been published in places like Frankie, Marie Claire and The Sydney Morning Herald. Her memoir, 27 Letters to my Daughter, was published in Australia in 2022 and the US in 2023. Ella lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, child, pets and neuroses. The Cicada House, her debut novel, was published by HarperCollins in 2025.Find her at www.ellaward.com.au

About Hannah Fredericksen

Hannah Fredericksen is an actor and vocalist who has worked broadly across film, TV, theatre and musical theatre. Her notable stage credits include appearances as Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, Sandra Dee in Dreamlover: The Bobby Darin Musical and Lynette Squeaky Fromme in Assassins. On screen, Hannah has featured as Mandy Hodson in Informer 3838, Bianca in Playing For Keeps, Molly in Olivia Newton-John and Robyn Leneham in Wake in Fright.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Ella on January 31, 2025

I asked my husband to rate my book & he kept forgetting. So here I am. Also - hit me up if you want the official Cicada House playlist ;)......more

Goodreads review by EmG on May 06, 2025

A captivating character-driven story, involving a relocation from London to a small Australian community, and a journey of self-discovery, with a splash of magical realism. This story offered an uplifting and sometimes humorous exploration of forgiveness, travel, identity and personal growth, alongs......more

Goodreads review by Hannah on January 22, 2025

Was ok until time travelling was randomly introduced in the 2nd half, didn’t make much sense.......more

Goodreads review by Theresa on January 24, 2025

I love a good long sea change novel, where the protagonist travels to some far-flung place to find themselves after a life changing event. So, from the get-go, The Cicada House ticked a lot of boxes for me. However, while I was quite satisfied meandering along with a story like that, The Cicada Hous......more

Goodreads review by Craig and Phil on March 28, 2025

The Cicada House is a humorous, entertaining and fun tale with a little bit of magic thrown in. Caitlin receives an unexpected gift of money and makes an instant decision. Turning 40 and finding out your husband is leaving you, brings that decision forward. Getting drunk and booking online a trip from......more