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: Autobiography, Audiobook, Nonfiction

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

[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!

[Charlotte Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Steph Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could hear Joanna speaking while I read the book. She is full of life on every page, and growing up just down the road from her I can vividly picture it all. I just loved how honest it was, full of warmth and passion.

[annette howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant book

A lovely heartwarming read.
Joanna writes this book in such a funny and honest way, I felt like I’d spent a few hours with a best pal having a good natter.
I thoroughly recommend it

[Kayleigh Coe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this - such a funny listen and very open and honest! Amazing

[Marie-Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Tara Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I could hear her voice talking to me throughout. It was so relatable as she is the same age as me, it felt so true and honest.

I couldn't put it down.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to the audio version if you can 🙂

[Em Marcovecchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

i mean i love gavin & stacey so i was going to always love this book :)

[Emma Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

[Samantha Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

LUSH!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cwtch in a book

Absolutely loved following Joanna along on her journey through life. Her honesty is beautiful. Laugh out loud, sad, scary and of course lush.