Wow!
I have to admit it took a few chapters for me to fall into this book….but then I really wanted to know what happened and what had happened to the characters. Four generations of very strong independent women, linked by genetics but with backgrounds which gave them unique outlooks on life. This is a book about women, their aspirations, love, in its many forms, disappointments, achievements and family; a lot about family.
for me this is the best book from Ruth. I loved it.

Predominantly set in present-day West Wales, Love Untold tells the story of four generations of the same family.

The most heart-warming and emotional book I’ve read this year. Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a tale of 4 generations of women from the teenage Beca, waiting for her GCSE results, through to Grace, about to turn 90. With chapters alternating between the 4 women, as well as different time zones, we learn about the complexities of love between partners and mothers and daughters.
I did find it tricky at first, trying to keep track of the different characters, but soon got to know them all and I absolutely loved the book, especially the unexpected but beautiful ending.

Such a beautiful read. Written in such a way that it's impossible not to read in a Welsh accent (fortunately in my head, I can't do one for real). Real characters that you can imagine living their lives. Central to it all, Grama Grace about to turn 90 and so vibrant and important to her grandaughter Elin and great granddaughter, Beca. Daughter Alys has been missing from their lives for 30 years and it is Grace's dearest wish to see her again. Elin - not so much, and Beca has always been told she's dead. Grace's long term partner john and his sister Cissie who all lived with Grace are both in a local care home and Grace visits daily. Elina and Beca find Grace's home a haven, somewhere to escape and find comfort. When their worlds are upended and the peace disturbed, how will they all find their new places? I really loved this especially the revelations that came throughout and the acceptance that was found. #netgalley #LoveUntold

Ruth Jones has once again ticked all my literary boxes with this captivating story of four generations of Welsh women and the complex tangle of secrets, betrayals and regrets that defines their existence. It’s an absorbing, emotionally charged read that brims with warmth, wisdom and tenderness, along with a generous dollop of Jones’ trademark humor.

Meet 89 year-old matriarch Grace Meredith, who lives alone in a house overlooking the Atlantic, where she still swims every day. With her tenth decade looming, Grace has been mulling past regrets and yearns to reconcile with the daughter she’s been estranged from for over thirty years.

Meet Alys, a recovering alcoholic, whose disastrous life choices have cast her adrift from family. Even at the age of 70, she’s still flighty and irresponsible; rootless, penniless, and with an enormous chip on her shoulder.

Meet Alys’ daughter Elin. Raised by her grandmother, Elin has carved out an ordered, successful life that stands in stark contrast to the early, peripatetic years with her mother. But the bitterness of her abandonment remains.

And meet rebellious teenager Beca, a talented musician and artist, who adores her great-grandmother but is at odds with her mum, furious with her cheating father, and struggling with her own identity.

Through the warp and weft of an intricately woven tale that skips between voices whilst dipping enticingly into the past, we get to know all four women intimately. In part due to Jones’ ability to bring them so vividly to life. And in part due to her remarkable gift for dialogue, which is sparkling with wit and unmistakably Welsh.

There are many lump-in-the-throat moments too; none harder to swallow than the titular “love untold”, which is the most unexpected yet beautiful surprise and a fitting ending to this ultimately life-affirming read.

‘Love Untold’ is the third standalone book written by the amazing Ruth Jones that I have read. From past experiences, I knew that this read would make its presence felt. Upon finishing, I was both heartbroken and satisfied, if that makes sense!

There were many parts of this storyline that I found incredibly relatable. The many relationship difficulties between Mother and Daughter that span through this family’s generations are written so well, and I cannot praise the writing style enough. A beautifully stunning story, which I highly recommend!

Each character was created realistically; I could empathise with them all. From the wonderfully elderly Grace down to the rebellious Beca and all the characters in between, this is a read that will hit most readers in the heart and leave its mark indefinitely. I cried, laughed, and speculated through its entirety within 48 hours. A beautifully stunning story, which I highly recommend!

A moving, powerful, and passionate storyline, this is an excellent read for fans of this genre and author.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bantam publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
I absolutely loved it from the first page.
A multi generational story of women love, loss and belonging. Self sabotage and survival. Lost and found love and family.
A definite 5 star read I can highly recommend

There’s something about a Ruth Jones book that manages to creep into your soul. At times you’ll be sobbing but then your heart swells with joy & hope. Incredible

Such a lovely read.

I thoroughly enjoyed entering the world of Grace, Alys, Elon and Beca.

They all came across as very authentically written and were characters I really enjoyed.

The story was a sad one but also poignant.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I have followed and read Ruth's books from her debut novel, and they each one is better than the last. This one is no exception.

Anyone who knows Ruth Jones’s TV work and other books will know what to expect with “Love Untold.” It’s full of great characters, warmth, love and a bit of comedy too.

It tells the story of four generations of women in one family: Grace who at nearly 90 is fit and healthy for her age but longs to heal the rift with her daughter; Alys who was wayward for much of her life and is still struggling with her past and the way she treated her family; Elin who is steady and reliable but has her ordered world shattered by events; and Beca who is just finishing school but without having excelled at anything other than art and music is trying to find her way in life.

The story does take a few surprising turns, particularly at the end and that, along with the author’s skilled storytelling and tackling of some difficult themes does lift it above similar books. I always think of Marian Keyes as the Queen of this sort of writing and while this book doesn’t quite match that, I would recommend it to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Ive read all of Ruth jones books and enjoyed everyone of them! This book was no exception. Four generations all discussing their trials and tribulations of their lives. The hurt, the love,, the loss and of coming together. A fantastic read that grabbed my attention from the very first page.

This is the second book I have read by Ruth Jones and thoroughly enjoyed it. Knowing of her as an actress the voice in my head was reading the book in her sweet welsh tones and it was lovely.
It's the story of a family that has become fractured in the past and that reconciliation is always possible. Of secrets, lies and betrayal.
Grace is mother to Alys, who hasn't been seen for thirty years after disgracing herself once more. Elin, Alys's daughter has been brought up by Grace and is married to Greg. Their daughter Beca is just about to sit her GCSEs.
Grace's 90th birthday is looming and Elin is organising a surprise party. Something that she knows her grandmother will hate, but everybody wants to celebrate the fantastic milestone.
Meanwhile, Grace's best friends John and Cissie, live up the hill in the old people's home. Cissie's grip on reality is loosening each day and John has mobility problems.
When a series of events occur, no one would be able to predict the outcomes.
A sweet book, I loved this.

A great read, it held my attention throughout. There was at least one twist I didn't see coming. I liked the story being told from four different women, four generations of the same family in fact. I thought the ending was satisfying. There was just one thing, I'm Welsh and I thought there was an overuse of the word 'bach'. It's not something I've come across in North Wales, not even from the older generation like my nan, so I question how realistic this was. It didn't detract from the story though. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Some people have a gift for writing. No matter the form, Ruth Jones has this gift. Love Untold follows 4 generations of women, across varying time frames- complex idea but pulled off seamlessly. Every element flowed perfectly and I found myself desperate to read on each time. Our female leads are all developed beautifully where Jones sensitively discusses hardhitting problems. As we see the impact of these life struggles, and how it carries to future generations, it is hard not to adore them all- flaws included. So human, so heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. Beautiful story.

Love Untold is such a fantastic book. I have read other novels by Ruth Jones and enjoyed them, but this is a massive step up in terms of storytelling and plotting.
Grace is almost 90 and fiercely independent, her daughter Alys disappeared 30 years ago leaving Grace with her daughter Elin. Now Grace has decided it is time to find her. Elin now has her own issues with a failing marriage and her daughter Beca, who is not on the same page when considering her future.
Ruth Jones‘ great skill is creating warm, multi faceted characters that jump off the page. You quickly become invested in their lives and care about the issues they face. She is excellent at making you laugh out loud on one page and holding back the tears on the next. The plot of Love Untold is rather ingenious, I truly didn’t see what was coming at the end, it’s very clever and makes you rethink the whole book. It’s lovely and very thoughtful. Thank you so much to #penguinrandom and #netgalley for asking me to review this ARC.

Love Untold is a story about family, female love and forgiveness that encompasses four generations emotionally and insightfully. Whilst there are many heartbreakingly poignant moments in this family drama, the humour also defines it. Grace is almost ninety, well-liked, loving but still grieving for the daughter she lost. Elin is Grace's granddaughter, but she thinks of her as a mother. Becca loves her great grandma and has never known her grandmother. As her ninetieth birthday approaches, Grace, desperate to heal the rift with her daughter, decides to contact her, aware of the fallout that will ensue.

Immersive and character-driven, this is an addictive read. You quickly warm to the beautifully flawed characters, and what happens to them matters. I enjoyed the believable family dynamic, the characters' vibrancy, and the eloquently poignant conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this emotionally charged book

oh my goodness where to start with this one

grace the matriarch of the family is about to turn 90 and doesnt want a party
elin her granddaughter is planning a surprise birthday party for her
beca, graces great granddaughter is just about to finish her gcses and is about to start her life journey after school

life is good life is stable but all grace wants is to see her daughter alys, who she hasnt seen for 30 years...

oh my goodness me what a rollercoaster of emotions with this one... i was crying at the end of this book, what a journey and the surprises just kept coming and coming with this one...

it just shows you how we all assume things about each generation and how wrong we are

cant praise this book enough or the author who has managed to write a book with so much understanding of families and emotions and the era that some of it has been set in...

A lovely warm, well written book about love in all its many forms. The author manages to portray a 4 generation family of women without making them caricatures in anyway and allowing this reader to laugh and cry along with them. I did find the divorce lawyer a bit unbelievable, but a very minor quibble!
thank you to netgalley and transworld publishers for an advance copy of this book

I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story of 4 generations of women in the same family moved me so much and brought me to tears at some points, it’s written so beautifully that once you read the first page you don’t want to stop.

I could see members of my own family reflected in the characters in this story and that just made it even more poignant for me.

Grace, Elin, Beca and Alys are all strong, complex, fierce women who are just as complex as everyone else who is reading this book and I enjoyed each individual story all the way through the book, the added humour sprinkled on top was just perfect.

This book is an absolute triumph and I didn’t want it to end.