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Jamaica Road

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Jamaica Road

By: Lisa Smith
Narrated by: Sapphire Joy
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About this listen

 'A gift I didn't know I needed' Leone Ross
'Jamaica Road exudes love . . . with a wisdom and warmth that jumps off the page' Vanessa Chan

South London, 1981: Daphne is the only Black girl in her class. All she wants is to keep her head down, preferably in a book. The easiest way to survive is to go unnoticed.

Daphne's attempts at invisibility are upended when a boy named Connie Small arrives from Jamaica. Connie is the opposite of small in every way: lanky, outgoing, and unapologetically himself. Daphne tries to keep her distance, but Connie is magnetic, and they form an intense bond. As they navigate growing up in a volatile, rapidly changing city, their families become close, and their friendship begins to shift into something more complicated. But when Connie reveals that he is 'nuh land' - meaning he's in England illegally - Daphne realizes that she is dangerously entangled in Connie's fragile home life. Soon, long-buried secrets in both families threaten to tear them apart permanently.

Spanning one tumultuous decade, Jamaica Road is an emotionally expansive debut novel about race and class, the family you're born with, the family you choose and the limits of what true love can really conquer.

READERS ARE SAYING:

'A love story for the ages!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'WHAT. A. BOOK . . . Made me feel ALL the feels' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Beautifully rich . . . Book clubs are going to love this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A beautiful coming-of-age love story that flows so effortlessly . . . This book spoke to my heart' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Urgent, warm, romantic . . . Truly excellent' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐©2025 Lisa Smith 20th Century City Life Coming of Age Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Urban England Caribbean

Critic reviews

Understated and beautifully affecting, unblinking in its examination of friendship and era . . . Smith is a fiercely compassionate writer. Connie and Daphne are a gift I didn't know I needed. (Leone Ross, author of THIS ONE SKY DAY)
Jamaica Road exudes love. Even amidst the violent roil of history, Lisa Smith renders her heroine Daphne's adventures in romance, friendship and family, with a wisdom and warmth that jumps off the page. (Vanessa Chan, author of THE STORM WE MADE)
Wonderful . . . The racism of the 1980s and in particular the Deptford fire form a poignant backdrop which is only too familiar now. (Marcia Hutchinson, author of THE MERCY STEP)
A deeply affecting story of love and friendship. Daphne's voice is transporting as she turns her sharp eye on the decade unfolding around her while trying to unravel the tangled loyalties at home. Lisa Smith has crafted a beautifully expansive, immersive and vividly detailed tale. (Sarah Marsh, author of A SIGN OF HER OWN)
Jamaica Road vividly captures what it means to grow up between cultures-the ache of not quite belonging, the horrors swallowed in the name of fitting in. Smith's rendering of 1980s South London is dazzling-rich in detail and atmosphere . . . Smith has crafted a tender, nuanced and unforgettable coming-of-age story. (Essie Chambers, author of SWIFT RIVER)
Young love, enduring friendship and the complexity and vibrancy of multi-generational Caribbean families set in 1980s London, this moving coming-of-age novel tackles contemporary issues of race, class and belonging. Smith's evocative prose had me thinking about Connie and Daphne long after I closed the book. An impressive debut from an exciting new voice. (Diana McCaulay, author of A HOUSE FOR MISS PAULINE)
A powerful, beautiful portrait of lives that are being lived every day, histories that are being written over and love that fights through every possible challenge thrown its way. Jamaica Road is a truly incredible novel of wisdom, pain and joy . . . Lisa Smith is a storyteller of immense talent. (Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of THE THREE OF US)
A beautiful story about love, friendship and the importance of community . . . A wonderful read. (Louise Hare, author of MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS)
A tender, marvellous ode to love in all its forms: familial, communal, romantic. Written with care and wisdom, these characters are some of the most memorable fictional persons I've come across in a long time. Lisa Smith is an inspiration. (Alexia Arthurs, author of HOW TO LOVE A JAMAICAN)
Jamaica Road masterfully spans a decade, introducing us to unforgettable characters as they navigate love, loss, injustice and hope in 1980s London. An immersive debut full of heart. (Jenny Tinghui Zhang, author of FOUR TREASURES OF THE SKY)
All stars
Most relevant
enjoyed this. I couldnt stop listening. a few different focuses but overall a good listen.

Great listen

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I loved this book, so many twists and turns. It’s a history lesson for those interested in Black British culture and what it was like living in England in the 80s and the struggle of those leaving the Caribbean to come to England.

A History lesson for all

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The story captured my time growing up in the 70's&80's . Parents hardworking keeping secrets for new life in uk sense of community.
I like how history was interwoven keeping it real I could go on & on
well written look forward for the authour to write more. ..

I was there

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A triumph of a book and an accomplished read by Sapphire Joy. This book took me back to the events of the 80s and school days, growing up but with subtle intelligence weaving in the awful real racist stories and events in such a human, empathetic way. A light touch telling stories of love and hate. The breadth of human experience told fearlessly and adeptly. Some brilliantly observed portraits here really made me smile and laugh too.

Evocative and powerful, with fun, love and charm.

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This story will stay with me and I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator did an excellent job of capturing the essence of the story and the characters feelings.

Such great narration of an excellent story!

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