Lush!: My Story - From Swansea to Stacey and Everything in Between

by Joanna Page

THE HEARTFELT AND HILARIOUSLY FUNNY AUTOBIOGRAPHY FROM STAR OF STAGE AND SCREEN, JOANNA PAGE, INCLUDING HER LIFE BEHIND THE SCENES OF GAVIN & STACEY.

From the small village of Treboeth on the outskirts of Swansea to the sets of some of the all-time greatest movies and TV shows - like Love Actually and Gavin & Stacey - Joanna Page's journey to stardom has been extraordinary.

In this funny, candid and endlessly surprising memoir, Joanna shares her story in full for the first time. Inside, Joanna looks back at her early life growing up on the glorious Welsh coastline - a life (not unlike Stacey's) filled with family and friendly neighbours - to the sudden shock of moving to London at 18 (totally alone) to take her place at RADA, one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the world. Before taking readers behind the scenes of her most iconic roles and introducing them to a colourful cast including Ruth Jones, James Corden, Richard E. Grant, Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson.

Whether she's navigating early awkward auditions, chasing her big break, getting used to life on set with comedic consequences, falling in love, or discovering the magic and madness of motherhood, Joanna speaks openly about what it really takes to make it in the acting world while staying true to yourself.

An unforgettable read that makes you laugh and cry, Lush! is a celebration of finding your voice, holding your ground and learning to laugh at the messiest, most beautiful moments life has to offer.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2025

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous read

This book was so much fun to read. I started reading it & just could not stop reading. I am a huge Joanna Page fan. Her voice came through so strongly. I felt Joanna was sitting in my living room, sitting on my couch, telling me stories about her life. It was lovely.

The stories of her growing up, her kind & caring parents, her time with RADA, her career, & her family - and everything in between - were funny, heartwarming, sad & just a delight from start to finish!

Read this book, please.

[Zac Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really heartwarming listen. I loved finding out about Joanna's life and how her acting career got her to Gavin and Stacey. At the heart of the book are clearly messaging about facing hardships, like not getting where you want to in your career, and being determined to keep going as well as the need to live authentically and do what truly makes you happy. It's not a perfect autobiography - I lost attention by around 70% - but the journey it takes you on is worth the read/listen.

[Adele Grimstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! listened via audio and so glad I did, Jo is so relatable, real and has had a wonderful life, I learnt a lot about her. felt like I had a friend in the car with me. All I will say is "Tesco bag" and "earrings" 🙊😂 loved it x

[Chloe Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book

A thoroughly enjoyable read, every sentence I could hear her voice, the audiobook was brilliant! Her stories from childhood to RADA to motherhood are hilarious, emotive and entertaining.

[Ben Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

She really is!

[Lauren Smith-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great first read of 2026! As a Welsh girl and of course avid fan of Gavin and Stacey, Jo’s book was a joy to read, highly recommend!

[Lianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was bloody lush. Loved every raw minute of it.

[Charlotte Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s just lush!! absolutely loved it. Couldn’t Put it down

[Nicola Southall-Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this
Love Joanna Page and the book is a wonderful read
I’ve finished it wanting to be her best friend
She’s so down to earth

[Olive Cushing · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better memoirs I have read (as you may know). As a young actress I found this a very useful read. I loved reading about Jo’s struggles to find acting jobs before Stacey. I found her struggles oddly comforting, her writing ‘voice’ was recognisable and engaging, and I would really implore her to write more, particularly more fiction. The only thing I didn’t get on with was how quickly the events changed, we didn’t stay on something for too long. Like, we went from drama school to pre ‘Gavin and Stacey’ to motherhood, idk I just didn’t like that. But apart from that it was really slay. X

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a massive “Gavin and Stacey” fan and I was excited for this one and I wasn’t disappointed. We hear Joanna talk all about her childhood which sounded lovely, her difficult time at drama school and meeting and marry her husband. We also got all the details on her biggest role to date, playing Stacey in “Gavin and Stacey”. Jo did a great job narrating this one and I especially enjoyed her narration (I listened to the audiobook) … this was a great pick for non fiction November!

[Hannah Pitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish, this is such a good read!

I love Gavin and Stacey, which drew me to this book, but didn’t realise there were so many other films Joanna Page has been in that I love.
The humour in the writing and the events that have happened in her life are so relatable and honest that it keeps you wanting to know more.

The only reason I put it down was because I needed to go to work.

[Elle Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lush to listen to her storytelling in her own voice/accent but to be honest quite disappointed that the word lush was never actually used! 😂

I did enjoy listening to this audiobook and finished it very quickly, so she obviously did something right! But as others have mentioned in their reviews, I did find some parts to feel very much like filler chapters or stories as they were repetitive to previous stories or just not really that interesting! I really enjoyed finding out about her life growing up, her time at drama school, and her early career. The parts about Gavin and Stacey were as lovely as I expected, but I wish there was a bit more, as I found a lot of the stories were the same ones Ruth and James told in their book about G&S. It would have been nice to hear more of her own unique experiences and stories on set. The chapters on motherhood, and specifically on her navigating motherhood and her career were surprisingly good. But again, just quite a lot of repetition which did grate on me, as I finished the book quickly and therefore really noticed the same lines being used.

Overall felt like it could have been a fair few chapters shorter and just as good, but would recommend all the same - Especially to listen to!

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lush by Joanna Page completely took me by surprise in the best possible way. This is a memoir that feels warm, open, and refreshingly real — like sitting down with someone who’s willing to tell the truth without polishing it first.

Joanna Page writes with humour, vulnerability, and a lovely sense of self-awareness. She reflects on her life, career, family, and identity with an honesty that never feels performative. There’s a real sense of balance here: moments of joy sit comfortably alongside insecurities and struggles, making the whole book feel grounded and relatable.

What I loved most is how readable it is. This isn’t a celebrity memoir that relies on fame to carry it — it stands on its own because the voice is so genuine. Page comes across as thoughtful, self-deprecating, and kind, and that warmth seeps into every chapter.

Lush is uplifting without being shallow, funny without trying too hard, and reflective without becoming heavy. A proper five-star read for me — comforting, candid, and a real pleasure from start to finish.

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Page - hands down one of THE most down to Earth, loveliest people. This book is amazing! I read it all in one day. It was so engaging! This book makes you feel everything - outrage at the sexual harassment, anger at the bullying within the industry, and deep sadness when talking about the very last Gavin and Stacey episode.

There were so many light hearted moments too that honestly made me laugh out loud! Joanna Page isn’t afraid to share everything - Warts and all. And that openness and honesty is what truly makes you fall in love with her. It’s just so REAL!

If you love Gavin and Stacey, you’ll love this too as Joanna Page demonstrates he grit and determination that took her from a village in Mumbles to Johnny Depp and beyond.

Fantastic!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine you’re sitting around a table with your girlfriends, and one of them happens to be Joanna Page. That’s exactly how this book feels.

She is a normal woman sharing stories about juggling work (pretty high profile work to be fair), family, and everyday life with warmth, honesty, and plenty of humour.

Some moments are laugh out loud funny, others very relatable, and her description of gallbladder pain echoed my own experience down to the letter!

This is a fun, feel good listen that feels like catching up with an old friend.

I highly recommend the audiobook for the full Joanna Page experience.

[Lauren Nicol Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to get the audio book instead of the book for cheap and I was SO excited as I've been desperate to read it but didn't want to pay for an expensive hardback haha.

I love Joanna she's absolutely brilliant. Not only is she so down to earth she's very talented and has "been there, done that." I absolutely loved listening to her. I think anyone who wants to go into the showbiz industry should listen to it as she has a lot of great advice.

As a Mother myself I find her Motherhood stories absolutely hiladious as well. I just think shes an all round amazing person!

[Shannon Cowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay? I love Gavin and Stacey and so those parts were great to read... but I just felt throughout the entire book, it was a bit ''me me me...''. I don't think I ever observed her doing something for somebody else, it was her making decisions FOR her husband or against what was the most common response to a situation, often landing her in a situation others had warned her would happen.
It was a bit selfish, in other autobiographies I've read, I've rooted for them... but I found that hard to do in this one. It just felt a bit whiney.

[Sarah Tummey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I went to its launch in Wales and met Joanna. She chatted on-stage for about an hour, and the book is basically 10 hours of that.

If you love Wales or the Welsh accent, I would recommend the audiobook; Joanna's so engaging when she reads. If you're interested in acting, like me, it gives you a feel for the industry. Joanna seems like a lovely person and I appreciate her sharing her highs and lows. I think it will help other people to feel less alone.

[Katie Straw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really really enjoyed this! Joanna is literally the funniest person. I found this so hilarious and was so hooked. What an amazing woman. Made me want to go listen to her podcast too. As a massive Gavin and Stacey fan it was so nice that this wasn’t the centre of the book, it showed so much of her as a person and a mother. Almost felt like chatting to a friend her tone was that good and conversational. Really great read.

[StrictlySue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading #Lush by @iamjoannapage and I loved it. It’s honest, raw, very very funny and a little shocking 😮 (car parks and carrier bags - say no more 🤣) . It feels as far from a celebrity autobiography as you can get, it feels more like sitting in your favourite coffee shop chatting to a friend you’ve known for years. I loved the insights into behind the scenes of #gavinandstacey - felt like getting a peak behind the magical curtain! Great read, highly recommended! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Devonshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is just such a good storyteller and so honest about her life story. Despite the fact that she is a celebrity, she tells about her experiences that are absolutely relatable to everyone, especially women and mothers. It is quite a page turner and I am positively surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

[Laura Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joanna does a fabulous job of mixing tales of being a young a actress and then a mother. Her stories of the industry are at times maddening and sad. Thank goodness for progress.

I found the second half of the book held more interest for me. In particular her resilience and tenacity as a mother and her ability not to sugarcoat things was refreshing.

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna tells all about her life from young and up to now, including the Gavin and Stacey years.

This was a wonderful, touching and hilarious read. I enjoyed learning about her life. Its real, honest and raw. She does not hold back. I found it relatable and at times so funny. The end though had me almost in tears as she said goodbye to Stacey. A brilliant read.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to read this book, and it didn't disappoint it covered every emotion so funny and brutally honest, despite being a well known actress Joanna Page ultimately is a mum who has the same struggles as the rest of us. she writes as she speaks and I could hear her reading it to me in that fantastic Welsh accent, such a great read.

[Izzy Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bit of a whirlwind.. she has such a way with words 🥴😂 but really insightful into all of the things she has achieved in her life. Of course I was hoping for more gavin and Stacey, but this is how she chose to tell her story and I respect that. It was a great read.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo doesn't hold back and is brutally honest, which I found so refreshing; it's also bloody hilarious too. Loved reading about Wales and Mumbles, as that's where my late mum was from. I could also really relate to her experience of being an only child as I'm one too.

[Andrew Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read and as you can see did it in 5 days. Overall funny with some serious bits around her health. Joanna’s character really comes through as well as her love for acting, animals and most importantly her family.
Well worth buying

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read! There’s nothing pretentious about Joanna’s book. She isn’t trying to write about her life like it is more important than anyone else’s. She just writes about lovely, normal things. You get a sense of reading about a friend. Fabulous.

[Steve Candler · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nice to occasionally read a book that is pleasant. Of course there are moments in Joanna's life that hold some tension and it is by no means the perfect life. Lovely to see how she has enjoyed her life and all it occasionally throws at her, and she is clearly a lovely person. A good read.