This was the second novel I have read from Ruth Jones. I was very much looking forward to reading this one after enjoying her last. I found this was a real half warming interesting book and starting with Linda‘s interesting job with the council in the unclaimed heirs department. The Storey chefs backwards in time and forward to present time and I was so invested as to what happened to Levi and his family. It sometimes made me sob out loud or laugh out loud. Can’t wait till her next one. It will be great if this was made into a series or movie. Come on Ruth!

An interesting and original premise for an original storyline. Overall it was a comfortable, easy and enjoyable read.

I love Gavin and Stacey, and I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to pick up a book by Ruth Jones. Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, By your Side is a masterfully told story of family, loss, love and identity.

The characters felt so real and authentic, and Jones’ writing is full of compassion and insight. There’s a beautiful blend of humour and heartache, that I finished the book feeling that I had walked among these wonderful characters. There’s a wonderful care paid to the Scottish and Welsh settings and characters which makes for a truly immersive read.

I’d highly recommend for anyone looking for a rich and entertaining story, and am looking forward to picking up more books from Jones.

Thank you Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

Firstly big thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House and Ruth Jones for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I started this book and was instantly hooked. It's just wonderful and I instantly connected with Linda and I was as intrigued as she was about Levi's life and how he ended up where he was. The other POVS were done seamlessly and worked well with Linda's current storyline.

I wish I had finished it before I was lucky enough to meet Ruth so I could say just how amazing it was. I was able to do mixture of Kindle (ARC), and hardback and finished it tonight and I am still processing.

The book had me crying and laughing. It's no surprise Ruth is an amazing writer but the emotions she put me through were next level. The people are so real and flawed which is what makes it so interesting. It has also made me step back and realise just how important communication with my loved ones is (this isn't a miscommunication trope fyi just emphasis on importance of not leaving things unsaid. Tomorrow is promised to no one). I highly recommend!!

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I loved this, just the right touch of humour and sensitivity. Linda Standish works for the council dealing with deaths where there is no family. When she agrees to take early retirement she has one remaining case. Levi Norman has died alone on the remote island of Storrich. Off Linda goes with local undertaker Fergus Murray to investigate the death and bring the body back to the mainland for cremation. The relationship between Linda and Fergus is of two bickering siblings. They call each other by their full names and have known each other since primary school. They're warmly welcomed to Storrich, make great connections and get into some scrapes. Returning home for Christmas, Linda is haunted by this case and goes to lengths to trace Levi's estranged daughter. Meanwhile, the second thread of the book is Levi's story from meeting the love of his life as a young man. Linda's Christmas is full of family and friends, some welcome, others not so much. I laughed and I cried and loved the characters. #netgalley #byyourside

I’ve read and enjoyed all of Ruth Jones’ books. They’re all very good. This one, however, is better than good. So much better, in fact, that it deserves to be described as beautiful. It’s a story that seized my heart at the start and kept hold of it all the way through.
I adored Linda, and loved all the other characters (except Jack). Ruth Jones writes with such insight and compassion, it makes every character feel real. There was a lot of sadness in this story, along with grief and pain, but ultimately there was hope and love and people learning what’s true and good.
Quite simply a wonderful, unforgettable story. Read it and relish it.

I become dangerously attached to fictional characters and emotionally compromised every time I read a Ruth Jones book. This one? Not an exception. It centres on Linda, a local council employee who performs the rather thankless task of tying up the loose ends of persons who have popped their clogs and have no one to claim them. It's like to being a sentimental Marie Kondo for the bereaved and lonely.

Linda travels to a secluded Scottish island for her last case; it's essentially the kind of place where delivery of mail only comes once a week and local rumours spread more quickly than Wi-Fi (not that there's much of that either). She delves into the last chapter of a guy who lived—and died—by himself there.
Linda is a true legend. Sensitive, pragmatic, and subtly aggressive. To be honest, I hope someone like Linda turns up to clean out my rubbish drawer and make sure my browser history is deleted if I suddenly pass away.

Ruth Jones has a way of combining humour with heartache. One minute you're giggling uncontrollably at a well-timed dry witty comment or an awkward rural encounter, then you'll be clutching your chest with heartbreak. You will want to move to a windswept island and give someone a hug right away because it's humorous, sincere, and full of moments like that.

The Unclaimed Heirs Unit is a fascinating place. Imagine working there trying to piece together people's belongings and unite them with their new owners. Linda Standish did that, and now, on the cusp of retirement, she takes on one final case. One which takes her to a Scottish island.

By Your Side draws you in with a little humour and a fantastic beginning and that's it, the hook that doesn't let go until the end, and even then, not completely, is there, compelling you to read on until the end.

Living in Scotland, myself and travelled around the country a bit, I can say she's certainly done her research or used experiences well. I am impressed she has chosen, to mention Crainlarich, Perth and more... It'll feel like a real adventure and road-trip for readers, especially those who have perhaps not heard of these places before. It's also nice to see them get a mention with that feeling of familiarity for those who have heard of them or, like me, travelled to or through them.

By Your Side is exceedingly heart-warmingly emotional and highlights what is quite an unusual job, showing much care and attention so the deceased are not alone.

Ruth Jones brings together community, travel and discovery together that's so absorbing that you forget the time as you're drawn deeply into the plot and characters.

Linda is a fabulous written character who you really get to know, from her love of chocolate, her kindness and pet hates, bringing relatability and a realness.

Ruth Jones writes in quite an evocative way that makes you care about why Levi was on such a remote island and makes you want to know more about whether an heir will be found. The people you meet along the way are either enlightening, enriching or intriguing, humorous or a whole mixture.

Cleverly written, By Your Side has the contrast of the actual journey taken to the island with that of the life journey Linda Standish finds herself on.  In turn it sends readers on quite the journey themselves throughout what quickly becomes a page-turner of a read.

By Your Side by Ruth Jones is a book I highly recommend isn't just by your side, but in your hand as you settle down with a cuppa and allow the warmth and humour to ooze out of the pages into your very being. 
By Your Side is a book you could pick up and read time and time again.

This is a carefully woven story within a story, that captivated me from the first page. It is emotionally charged, full of challenges, and has very funny comical scenes too. I enjoyed reading it so much.

I'm new to Ruth Jones books, and now I'm searching them all out!

This book has multiple narrators which I love, and the topic is really emotive.

The book took me from laughing to crying and back again. THE

Ultimately Ruth Jones is an amazing writer.

I have loved Ruth's previous books so I was very excited for this one. It definitely did not disappoint, it was a heart-warming read that explored themes of connection, loss, and unexpected friendships. Overall this was a fantastic read.

I had not read any of the books written by Ruth Jones but of course knew of her script writing skills from Gavin and Stacey

I can be a bit sceptical about books written by celebrities finding that some admit to ghost writers and some are just downright awful.
But I completely forgot that this was written by any other author than other books I have read.

It was in turns life affirming, heart breaking and heart rending but so real somehow.

It was the story of Linda who was given redundancy by The Lost Heirs Unit of her local council and Levi Norman - her last case. Along the way she learnt to like herself and to find love again while dealing with her own demons and her sons marriage that was ending. Levi’s life had not worked as he had intended and he had made decisions that seemed right at the time but had ramifications throughout his life and for his family.
I did feel that Linda’s size didn’t need to be mentioned so often - though I suppose it was an integral part of the story - and perhaps there were fundamental reasons why Linda disliked herself so much.

It was well written - with just the right amount of humour, empathy and pathos - and was a brilliant read.

I shall look out for more of Ruth’s books.

Aw this was a great book, I really enjoyed it! Loved all the characters and exploring people's lives is always so interesting. Quite sad at times, but funny and heartwarming too it was a great story.

Another wonderful novel from the pen of Ruth Jones!

Linda Standish has worked for the Unclaimed Heirs department in the local council for the past thirty-three years. With retirement looming, she takes on one last job - tracking down any relatives of a Welshman, Levi Norman, who settled on a remote Scottish island and now his estate needs to be settled. In order to gather as many details as she can, Linda will need to travel to the island; unfortunately she ends up travelling with her arch nemesis, in his hearse. With the help and hindrance of the locals, she begins to sift through Levi's cottage searching for clues . . .

I always know I'm in for a good read when I open a book by this author, and this was a cracking read. So much going on - and a few surprises along the way. Wonderfully crafted characters and a superb storyline all add up to a stunningly great novel. I have no hesitation in recommending not only this one, but all of Ruth's novels. Definitely a five star read!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

Linda Standish loves her job in the Council's Unclaimed Heirs Unit, but due to changes she's facing redundancy and early retirement. Her last case takes her over to the Island of Storrich, where Levi Norman has died after living there for the last 5 years. Accompanied by an undertaker and travelling by hearse it is unique if nothing else. When they get to the Island and start investigating for any clues to relatives or heirs, Linda is taken by the warmth and friendliness of the locals and how they look after each other. On the home front, her son and grandson who have been living with her, are moving to be closer to his ex-wife in the hopes of reconciliation. Linda, who doesn't like her ex-daughter-in-law, is devastated that she won't see them every day.
The book tells the story from various points of view and the reader gets to understand the whole story why Levi died alone.
A rollercoaster book of emotions which will make you smile.

I enjoyed this book and defo recommend it was a build up for the storyline

Linda Standish has been a friend to the friendless for the past thirty-three years, in her role at the council’s Unclaimed Heirs Unit. And now she’s looking forward to the joys of an early retirement.

But before she hangs up her lanyard, Linda takes on one last case – that of Levi Norman – a Welshman who made his home on a remote Scottish island for the five years before he died. Linda must visit Storrich to track down Levi's remaining relatives . . .

What brought Levi here? And who did he leave behind? Obliged to travel (by hearse!) with her arch nemesis, and helped (and hindered...) by the local residents, Linda searches for clues to a life now lost. And in the process unexpectedly makes new friends, and discovers things about herself she never knew.

📚 By Your Side, by Ruth Jones
🗓️ Published 22nd May - Available to Pre-order NOW!

What a fabulous read, I loved it!

Linda is shortly due to retire from her job seeking heirs for deceased people in the Scottish Highlands, who have died alone with no obvious family in their lives. Whilst often sad, Linda loves solving the mysteries by respectfully looking for clues in the deceased’s possessions. As you might expect from Ruth Jones, there is a whole heap of heart and humour within the sadness, not least from Fergus, who Linda went to school with and is now an undertaker.

Linda’s final case is to solve the mystery of Levi Norman; who was he, who loved him and why was he alone at the end of his days? This leads Linda to a remote island where she throws herself wholeheartedly into island life, in part to hide from the grief that she has buried deep within herself.

The book is told by Linda, Levi, his wife and his daughter. There is so much depth to the characters, I found myself totally immersed in their lives and experienced every conceivable emotion, mostly all at once!

Funny, sad and hopeful, I adored every page.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Ruth Jones and Random House, Transworld for an ARC of this book.

This book - it torn me apart then put me back together again - I simply adored it! My first book by this author and it won't be the last. It's emotional, heart-wrenching and sad and happy, all of the emotions are felt! a definite 5 star read for me.

This is a lovely, heartwarming book.
Linda works at the unclaimed heirs department and has one last case before she finishes to take early retirement.
She loves her job and enjoys trying to track down family members, however, this last case is a challenge.
Levi Norman was clearly loved by his wife and daughter but Linda can't work out why he passed away so far from home, and alone.
The story is told from two alternating viewpoints - Lindas and Levis, and as Linda digs deeper into the background of Levi's life, it makes her question parts of her own life.
This is a heartwarming story that has an element of mystery to it as well, and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to Random House UK for the opportunity to read this book.

I’m writing this review with tears still on my face but just wanted to share how wonderful a writer Ruth Jones is. This, her fourth book, is a triumph with characters who are totally believable and with emotions that left me at times laughing and at others, sobbing. The story is revealed by different people with two different time frames. We encounter Linda whose job for the Council in Scotland takes her to homes of people who appear to have died with no heirs and she is entrusted to find any heirs if possible. Through her discoveries and the chapters of a previous time we get to know Levi Norman, the recently deceased. His story is brought to life while Linda’s personal life is revealed. This book is uplifting and life affirming in places but be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster.