Love in Recovery: Series 1 & 2 cover art

Love in Recovery: Series 1 & 2

The BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

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About this listen

Sue Johnston, John Hannah and Eddie Marsan are among the stars of this spellbinding, hilarious and uplifting comedy drama.

Set entirely at a series of weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, these 13 episodes also feature Rebecca Front, Paul Kaye, Julia Deakin and Samantha Bond.

Love in Recovery follows the lives of five very different recovering alcoholics. Eddie Marsan is Andy, the sweet but simple group leader. Sue Johnston is Julie, who's been known to have the odd relapse here and there, and everywhere. John Hannah is Simon, a snide journalist with a big secret. Rebecca Front is the snobby and guarded Fiona, who used to be a banker who had it all, and then lost the lot. Paul Kaye is Danno, a dodgy geezer with no front teeth, but a lot of heart.

During the course of two series and a special Christmas episode, we hear them get to know each other, get on each other’s nerves, laugh, argue, fall apart, fall in love and, most importantly, tell their stories.

Written and created by Pete Jackson, Love in Recovery is inspired by his own road to recovery. Duration: 5 hours approx

 Literature & Fiction Science Fiction Time Travel Funny Witty Feel-Good Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking

Critic reviews

It's a credit to Pete Jackson's writing and the cast's acting prowess that the listener can switch from laughing out loud to rapt silence. (Jane Anderson)
Final episode of what has been an astonishingly good new comedy series…The cast is impressive, the acting superb and if Pete Jackson, who wrote it from his own experience, doesn't get a prize there's no justice. (Gillian Reynolds)
…brilliant six-part comedy drama written by Pete Jackson. Each of the 15-minute vignettes unspool like manic Canterbury Tales, offering a set of soliloquies built around the awkward weekly meetings of disparate characters…The series feels sharp and fresh… (Priya Elan)
Inspired and inspiring
Thoughtful, recognisable…seriously funny (Gillian Reynolds)
Brilliantly played by a solid gold cast (Priya Elan)
This series never disappoints…the writing and acting is consistently top notch and it balances dark comedy with human sorrow as expertly as a finely tuned racing car (The Radio Times)
Eloquent, moving and funny (The Observer)
All stars
Most relevant
I was initially attracted to this series by the cast and I wasn't disappointed. Each episode strips another layer from characters that are far more complex than initially appears. There is a feel good factor, some laugh out loud moments, all intertwined within the challenging lives that addicts face. it's brilliantly written and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Would love to hear a follow up in a few years too, to catch up with the characters.

heartfelt and Funny

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This surprised me, I like comedy and the depth of feeling in the series was a shock. Real people, flawed, broken but carrying on with their lives worth every minute

Great series

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I've been off sick the last couple of months unable to use my eyes and I've been listening to lots of audio books (probably over 50 or so). I've listened to a lot of good stuff but this series stands out. Brilliant writing, excellent characterisation and a superb cast.

There's a slightly tedious running gag with the cleaner before each episode starts, but that aside (and it's no more than a little repetitive) the rest of the group is funny, moving and very believable.

I found this from a recommendation from another reviewer and I'm so glad I did. Strongly suggest it for lovers of Bleasdale, Bennet and dark comedy

Best audio I've listened to this year

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I enjoyed this series very much, strangely even the sad, heartbraking and tragic bits. The acting was simply superb!!!

Insightful (and heartbreaking at times)

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A kindly observation of a fictional alcohol support group, beautifully acted by a superb cast.

Sad, funny, accurate and kind

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