I really loved this book! I liked how it went between the past and the present day. I liked the characters and the island and how the author portrayed life on an island.

It was an emotional book with a great storyline. I would definitely recommend this book.

I didn’t expect this book to move me quite the way it did. By Your Side is a tender, emotionally layered story that gently pulls you into the lives of two people—Sara and Jamie—whose connection is forged under the most intense circumstances and tested over the course of decades.

Ruth Jones has a real gift for writing characters who feel so real—flawed, relatable, and quietly heroic in their own ways. As a reader, I found myself deeply invested in Sara’s journey, especially in how she balances duty, guilt, and love, sometimes at great personal cost. Jamie, too, is more than just a love interest—his struggles with vulnerability and responsibility felt raw and genuine.

What I loved most was how the story captured the small, seemingly ordinary moments that end up defining us. Jones doesn’t rely on melodrama; instead, she leans into authenticity, letting the emotional depth build slowly and naturally. That said, it is a slow burn—if you're looking for fast plot twists, this isn't that kind of read. But if you're in the mood for something reflective, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful, it’s a truly rewarding experience.

I closed the book feeling like I’d just said goodbye to people I knew—and cared about. And honestly, that’s one of the best feelings a novel can leave you with.

Ruth Jones has done it again! From the very first page, I was completely immersed, eager to uncover every detail of Linda and Levi’s lives. The writing is so vivid, it felt as though I was right there with them. A truly heart breaking yet beautiful story. I'm so grateful for the chance to read and review this incredible book!

Beautifully written, absolutely loved it. I was drawn in from the start. It was a dual timeline book, Linda in the present and Levi in the past. I do not as a rule usually enjoy dual timeline books but this worked well, the reader becoming involved in the characters and their lives.
Heartwarming! And Highly Recommended
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Uk and Ruth Jones for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

This bittersweet story of love and loss took me a while to warm to but the chief protagonist, a woman in her 50’s, carrying a bit too much weight and nearing retirement, rang a lot of bells.

I absolutely loved Gavin and Stacey and Stella, so was excited to read this, the first of Ruth Jones’ novels I’ve come across. I can’t put my finger on why I didn’t enjoy it more, maybe because there were a lot of different points of view? Or because I wanted things to go differently?

Anyway, I think I’m in the minority, perhaps this just isn’t my genre but it’s a perfectly good holiday read and I’m sure will be on lots of Sun loungers this summer.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ruth Jones and Random House for an arc of this novel.

Well that was the cosy novel I needed about a Mum. It’s hard to get the balance right about making sure mums are the right pitched level. It would be easy to imagine the character as Ruth but maybe that’s what the point was! I will definitely be getting into another Ruth jones book when I get myself on holiday!

Subtle, empathetic and just sheer fun
—
Linda Standish has one last case for the Unclaimed Heirs department of her local council, a man who died on a remote Hebridean island but whose story no-one seems to know. Levi Norman would turn up for one drink a year at the local pub but would otherwise keep himself very much to himself. His secrets are all for Linda to discover and to find out who will keep this man’s name alive. Meanwhile, single Linda discovers things about herself that she has tried so hard to power through, and that it’s never too late for second chances.

This is my first Ruth Jones novel, and of course I’m familiar with her TV work, but I was surprised how subtle, empathetic and just sheer fun this was. Like the best Hallmark movies, this is jam-packed with emotional family drama, carefully laid romance and self-actualisation, but with added historic-ish fiction in Levi’s flashback narrative, and a big city (town) girl (woman) ending up in a remote Scottish village with the dourest of dour undertakers, which doe not go where you think it might. The romances in both timelines are detailed and convincing, and the ultimate power of love—romantic, filial, platonic—is the cherry on the top of this fine, fine cake.

Four and a half stars

Such a fantastic novel from one of my favourite authors ! Yet again, I couldn’t put this book down and adored the storyline

What a beautiful read told through multiple time periods.

Linda is completing a final case before she heads to retirement.

I loved all of the characters and learning more about them.

A beautiful story told through two timelines - one set in the present as Linda takes on her final case before retirement, and the other telling Levi's life-story. Throughout it all, you build up a connection to both these main characters and feel bereft when Levi's story comes to a heartbreaking end. Loving the focus on Linda living her life well as she heads into retirement, becoming a sleuth and finding love again herself. Whilst an emotional read, its also uplifting. Would highly recommend.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

Ruth Jones has done it agajn! Simply beautiful, from the start you are drawn straight in, wanting to know everything about the lives of Linda and Levi. Written in such a way that it felt like I was there! Heartbreakingly beautiful. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book!

In this heartwarming story by the wonderful Ruth Jones, we meet Linda as she takes on one final case for the council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit before her retirement. In order to ensure the estate of a man named Levi gets to the correct heir, Linda must find out who he was and who his closest loved ones were – a mission that takes her to a remote Scottish island.

The story is told across two timelines, Linda in the present and Levi in the past, which is used to great effect in this tale of love and loss. The characters are great and the plot is well-paced. I would recommend to any fans of Ruth Jones’ work.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

The best Ruth Jones book so far….she’s done it again! A heart warming emotional tale, intertwining believable loveable characters. It left me with a smile and fuzzy feeling inside. The main storyteller- Linda is a memorable lady and amusing too. Levi had passed away with little sign of family or love but nonetheless Linda plays amateur super sleuth and uncovered a network of stories and accidentally finds love in the process. By My Side is an easy read and ideal eye fodder to escape the real world, I can’t wait to see what Ruth Jones produces next. Thank you to NetGalley and Transworld Digital for a copy in return for this review,

Obviously I love all that Ruth Jones does, I mean she’s not had a duff thing yet has she ?
She is an author that I buy the book before I read the blurb.
Her books are always about real life and we can all relate to them.
5⭐️’s

Brilliantly characterised and heart-warming novel from Ruth Jones....well worth a read and if I had to sum it up "Carpe Diem" would be the phrase I'd use to describe it.

By Your Side by Ruth Jones is a touching and enjoyable story. It’s about love, friendship, and second chances, and it pulls you in right from the start. The characters feel real and are easy to care about. Ruth Jones writes with warmth and humor, making you laugh and feel emotional at the same time. The story is easy to follow but still full of heart. It’s the kind of book that makes you think and feel, but also leaves you smiling. If you enjoy stories about real people and real emotions, this book is a great choice

A lovely tale, set over different time periods, with the message that you can't regret your mistakes and to grab chances when they come.

Not my usual kind of read but I really enjoyed it, funny and sad.

Thie was such a good read - in parts lovely, heartwarming and sad, kept me reading far longer into the night than I should have been and ai devoured it in 2 days.

It was my first read of a Ruth Jones book and certainly won't be the last!

In By Your Side, is another excellent novel by Ruth Jones. If you like novels with strong characters that are funny and endearing and plots that are compelling then you can’t really go wrong with Ruth Jones.

The story follows Linda Standish, a seasoned employee of the council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit. After 33 years of being a quiet champion for the forgotten and the friendless, Linda is ready to retire but wants to take on one final case. Levi Norman Jones is a reclusive Welshman who died alone on a remote Scottish island. Tasked with tracking down any next of kin, Linda must journey to the island and untangle the mysteries of Levi’s life.

Linda is an endearing character, meticulous and kind and her reluctant road trip companion is her long-time workplace nemesis, Fergus Murray. There is friction between them which adds interest to the story as well as a touch of humour. This last case swiftly becomes a journey of unexpected self-discovery.

This is an heart warming story with wonderful characters that all add to the strength of the novel. The islanders are eccentric and endearing and all play a part in helping Linda piece together Levi’s life as well as facing her own she’s long buried. The story has a little of everything, aging, grief, love, regret all together in this entertaining novel.

Ruth Jones writes very good stories with excellent characters that excel in her own style of heart warming humour. The result is a novel that is both touching and uplifting. Linda’s last case isn’t just about finding Levi’s family, it’s about finding her own place in a world that’s changing around her.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

A gorgeous book about community, chosen family and lost chances. I really enjoyed this book and find Ruth Jones to be such a compelling storyteller, the characters flew off the page and it was filled with so much warmth and heart throughout. The dual timeline worked so well and I really loved how Levi's story was drip fed throughout the book so that the impression that the reader may have had at the beginning of this poor isolated man, changed considerably by the ending of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC.