Another smash hit for Jones and I could not put this down. Add in Scotland and I am going to be besotted. Leo's story was so amazing. I adored every moment.

Absolutely fantastic right from the start. Ruth Jones is a fantastic author and I loved the main character Linda. A story that has surprises and a wonderful ending

Absolutely brilliant. This was a catcher o a story from the very first beginning. Ruth Jones is becoming a fantastic novelist

I absolutely love a story that skips back and forth between the past and present day and in this gorgeous story I was obsessed with Leo’s story of his life and how he came to be a recluse living on a remote Scottish island.
I laughed, I cried and I just thoroughly enjoyed this lovely story with such vibrant characters and gripping storyline! A definite must read for Summer 2025.

A light hearted read about a man who moves to a village on an island off the Scottish mainland. He doesn't engage with the locals, only having a drink once a year, on an anniversary? He dies, so say without any relatives and a government employee, on The Unclaimed Heirs Unit is dispatched to sort out the estate. Linda, a divorced, single, large/overweight lady who travels to the island with an undertaker with the intent of bringing back the body and sorting out the estate. She and the undertaker, Fergus Murray, have a mutual dislike of each other to the banter between them is amusing!
The other part of this story is about Linda's relationship with her son, Struan and his son Zander, who are living with her as the son is separated from his wife, Lauren, her choice. Linda is about to take early retirement when this last case comes up on the Isle of Storrich.
Fergus and Linda end up staying longer than intended due to weather ferry delays. A flirtation occurs between the owner of the pub/b&b where Linda is staying, which reignites some forgotten feeling in Linda and she thoroughly enjoys this little romance, but knows that it's just a holiday romance.
The story progresses with Linda finding the estranged "daughter" of Levi Norman and a life of hidden truths emerge about Levi who took it upon himself to protect Diana from her husband Jack who abused and cheated on her. He also took on the role of father to Rachel.
It's a fun read, with humour and sadness, of family misunderstandings through not being totally honest about the whole situation.

I was sent a copy of By Your Side by Ruth Jones to read and review by NetGalley. I have read two other books by this author, neither of which I was totally enamoured with – so I didn’t even bother with her last novel. This story though piqued my interest and on the whole it was really enjoyable and definitely my favourite of hers so far. The book is, it has to be said, very romantic in more ways than one. You could even say idyllic – despite the fact that death is one of the main aspects of the novel. I liked the characters and at odd times I was made to laugh out loud. I thought that things lost their way a little towards the end of the story, perhaps with too much explanation sort of stuffed in at the end. Despite this I think the book warrants a 4 rather than a 3.5 rating for me as I did enjoy it overall.

I loved the TV series Gavin and Stacey which Ruth Jones co-wrote with James Corden and I loved By Your Side too. It’s the first one of her books that I’ve read but I’ll definitely look out for more to read. It’s an emotionally charged book as Linda Standish takes on her last case for the Council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit, tracking down Levi Norman’s next of kin.

The story is told mainly from two perspectives, those of Linda and Levi. It’s told with gentle humour and laced with sadness as the details of both Levi’s and Linda’s lives are revealed. I really liked Linda, such a kind, compassionate character, who hides her vulnerability behind a confident exterior. She was looking forward to retirement and had made plans, most of which involved her four-year-old grandson, Zander, who lives with her and his father Struan. So she is devastated when she learns they will be moving to live near his ex-wife and her parents. All this just before Christmas and Linda has to travel to Storrich, the island where Levi died.

All she knows is that for the last five years seventy-five year old Levi had lived alone in Storrich, twenty miles off the mainland of Scotland. He had kept himself to himself and none of the local people knew anything about him. The story moves between their lives as Linda gradually discovers more about Levi, a Welshman, and the circumstances of his life and death.

It’s a well paced story, with wonderful characters, all well defined and believable. As I read it I could so easily hear Ruth Jones’ Welsh accent in Levi’s words. It’s a heartbreaking and poignant story, and at the same time an uplifting story, beautifully written bringing it all to life. It was a joy to read.

Many thanks to the publishers for a review copy via NetGalley.

What an absolutely incredible read. Ruth Jones has such a gift for bringing characters to life, I truly felt like I knew them. I especially grew to love Linda & Levi’s characters and by the final pages, I found myself completely loving everyone mentioned.
The book is an emotional rollercoaster, taking you on a journey through joy, laughter, pain & heartbreak. You feel like you’re right there with the characters, experiencing every moment.
I really didn’t want it to end. I could’ve happily read another 500 pages.

An easy five stars 🌟

Absolutely gorgeous! A beautiful beautiful book. I devoured it. The characters are so well written, I love the double barrell in joke name calling between Linda & Fergus. What I also adored was how it relishes that live and lust are every bit as important for 50 somethings with curves. A triumph. I adored this book! And as for the shenanigans with the misplaced urn....brilliant! Levi 'Boyo' Norman and Linda Standish are characters that will stay with me for a long time. Fabulous!

I throughly enjoyed this and feel that Ruth has such a gift for captivating her readers. The story is split into multiple points of view and different time lines. It is the type of story where you go on a journey with the characters and become very attached to them. A story about regular people that keeps you wanting more.

First off my rating is in no way based on the quality of the writing, but purely on my personal enjoyment of the book.

And in this case i could take it or leave it. I enjoyed the story, it had all the right ingredients for a heart warming tale, it made me laugh and cry but when i put the book down, i could go days without picking it back up - which is not my usual reading style.

What a fantastic read. Ruth Jones never fails to engage me with her stories and characters.

The protagonist was so relatable and I could see me as being her friend. The story was interesting and heartwarming. I loved it!

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

My first Ruth Jones novel and I will be looking out for more.
Set in 2 locations in Scotland, one more remote than the other.
Some lovely quite unexpected characters, and an interesting story line.
Mainly set in the present day but with some interesting interludes in the characters past.

Yet another great book by Ruth. Beautifully written book with lovely, friendly characters and setting. This one ticks all the boxes for me and didn't disappoint.

Another great read by Ruth Jones

The book is set on two lives. First is Linda, who works at the unclaimed heirs department and has one last case before she finishes to take early retirement.

The death of a man who moved to a remote island and lives a very remote life but Linda is determined to uncover who he was.

The second life focuses on what made this Welsh man move all the way & how he became this isolated lonely man.

A beautiful story, with a classic Welsh bit. I think this is my favourite yet by Ruth Jones.

I've loved all of Ruth Jones' novels, and clicked to read this one without even reading the blurb.

At first, I will be honest, I was a little underwhelmed. I had no clue where the story might weave itself - however slowly the novel wormed its way into my heart and I uncovered an absolute adoration for the characters. And this is where the beauty of this novel lies - gently uncovering teh backstories of all of the characters and being drawn into something which becomes breathtakingly unputdownable.

I loved this book. Linda has the interesting job of going to the properties of people who have died without leaving a will, and trying to find their beneficiaries. Her adult son and his son live with her, who are both the light of her life. When she has to travel to a remote Scottish island to search the house of loner Levi, she starts to find clues about his life that she wants to delve into. The book also goes back to look at Levi’s life, and how he became all alone in this world.
I couldn’t put this book down and read it in a day. Ruth Jones writes beautifully, allowing the reader to really get inside each of the characters. I highly recommend it.

New Review - By Your Side by Ruth Jones

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

By Your Side is the new novel from Ruth Jones. It follows the two stories of Linda and Levi who will never meet but their lives become intertwined. Linda works for the Unclaimed Heirs Unit at the council. Helping those who have died but have no clear heir to inherit. On deciding she will be taking early retirement Levi becomes her last case. Can she unlock the secrets of the reclusive Levi before she retires.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a poignant reminder of how fragile life can be and how our every decision can impact the course of our destiny. This book will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. It is beautifully written with emotion felt on every page.

Out now

Thanks to @penguinrandomhouse for the @netgalley copy to review.

#netgalley #netgalleyreview #newreview #byyourside #newbook #bookstagram #booklover #bookworm #read #readingtime #lovereading #lovebooks #books

'Joyful and life-affirming' are words used in the books blurb, which is very true. But it's also so damn sad. Levi's story (past MC) is heartbreaking. Linda (present MC) provides a much needed lightness to the story. It of course isn't all one or the other, both of our MCs are complex characters with light and darkness to their stories in this perfectly balanced story between the two.

I adored both of our MCs, alongside a great cast of side characters, and wanted only the best for them. To whisk them away and make sure only good things happened for them. Unfortunately life doesn't work that way and have to watch them cope with the ups and downs of their lives.

Ruth Jones writes people and relationships beautifully. You can't help but become so involved that they feel real and sad to leave them once the story is finished.

This is the first book I’ve read by Ruth Jones, but it won’t be the last. Her screen writing talents translate brilliantly into book form and the plot, the setting, and the characters were wonderful - well observed and developed. The back story of Levi’s life was particularly poignant, right to its bitter sweet ending. It certainly wasn’t a happy ever after, but that’s what made it so plausible - full of the trails and tribulations of the human condition. A really enjoyable story, and one which I happily recommend. Many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.