I really enjoyed this story, I loved the narrative of Levi Norman's younger life. I loved Linda, she is kind and funny and warm, her job of tracing other people's lives sounds fascinating, and also sad as her job is to do it when they are no longer with us. Such an enjoyable, relaxing, warm hearted read.

I have read all the authors books and I really enjoyed this book and the story it tells and the author has a really good way of describing places I felt like I was in the cottage in this book and living the life of the characters especially in the pub

I would recommend this book and make sure u have s9me tissues

Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for this review

I loved every minute of this joyous journey alongside Linda, the larger than life ‘heir hunter’ working for the council, tracing the families of people who have died alone and apparently friendless. Every character is so beautifully drawn and the Scottish island where she is undertaking her final search, before retiring, so evocatively portrayed. Linda is funny, she is kind and she is sexy and so very relatable. This novel is filled with humanity, fun and caring people and beautiful locations. An absolute delight.

A sweet book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters are (unsurprisingly given the author) appealing, and entirely believable, and the storyline is entertaining without being schmalzy. A great holiday book.

A really interesting read that will have you experiencing a full range of emotions. It is a closely-observed book that, whilst having at times an air of farce, also demonstrates what it is to be human with all of the frailties that entails. It is funny and beautiful but also absolutely heart breaking.
The characterisation is just superb and it really felt like you knew Linda, Fergus and the people that they meet on Storrich. We also have a story of the past gradually revealed throughout the book which is raw and intensely moving; you ache for a happy ending that you know from the start isn't there.

This was my first Ruth Jones book and it was a great read. Linda works at the Unclaimed Heirs unit trying to track down the relatives of the deceased. She is sent to a remote Scottish Island to find out more about the reclusive Levi. The book tells the stories of both Linda and Levi in such a touching and humorous way. Linda is a brilliant character with some great supporting characters including Fergus the undertaker and Lauren the annoying daughter-in-law.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for this review access.

I bloody loved this book!! I also love how this author writes - both with books and TV programmes! She gets the characters and their stories just right, with so much feeling, emotions and humour. In this book we meet Linda Standish who works in the council's Unclaimed Heirs department. When she's given the case of Levi Norman, an old Welshman who has been living alone on a remote Scottish Island before he died, she finds herself tasked to track down his relatives. Why did he live there? Why was he alone? What what his story?

This was a fabulous read. Linda Standish is such a great character. She loves her job but finds herself facing early retirement with Levi Norman being her last case. Her visit to the Isle of Storrich, where Levi lived, was certainly an experience especially travelling over in a hearse and being accompanied by Fergus Murray, the funeral director. The story is a dual timeline and we hear both Linda's story in her quest to find Levi's relatives, and Levi's own story from the past. Linda's story is funny at times and, dare I say it but you can't help but liken Linda's character to a certain well known Welsh character also written by this author! It's also a story of self-discovery for Linda who, whilst going through her own personal problems, still manages to form a lovely relationship with pub landlord, Brodie McLeod.

Levi's story however is different. We meet Levi as a younger man and follow his life through the next 30 odd years. It's a heart-breaking storyline and tugged at my heartstrings on so many occasions. I won't go into details for fear of spoilers, but it's certainly one of those "what would you have done?" storylines. I loved Levi's character and thought that the people in his story were lucky to have him around. The last part of his life though was so sad and had me crying in bucketloads.

The book was so well written. I've read all the other books by this author, but this is definitely my favourite. Once started, I couldn't put it down and I was transfixed with Linda and Levi's lives. It flows so well, and you become so involved in all the characters lives. The writing is warm, funny and genuine! I'm at a loss for words as to how people have these stories in them! This is definitely one of those books which I could read over and over again. Wonderful!

Loved the story within a story. Such an engaging tale, loved the characters. Heart warming and heartbreaking all in one book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in return for my honest review

Emotional turmoil with a satisfying ending is how I would describe Ruth’s new tale. Loveable characters and a storyline that has you wanting to read more. Will be recommending this summer!

I absolutely loved this story!

This gave me Mike Gayle vibes!

Heartwarming, emotional, everything you could want, Linda has such a great job which takes her to Scotland.

My favourite from Ruth Jones!

Some books wrap around you like a warm blanket, and By Your Side is exactly that sort of story. It is tender, quietly funny and filled with moments that made me pause, smile and occasionally wipe away a tear.

Linda Standish is a character I took to immediately. There is something deeply comforting about her no-nonsense attitude, her compassion, and the way she has quietly dedicated her life to honouring those who died alone. Her final case, tracing the life of the mysterious Levi Norman, took me from council offices to a windswept Scottish island, and I was completely swept up in the journey.

I loved how the story unfolded gently, revealing Levi’s life piece by piece, and showing how even people who never meet can have a lasting impact on one another. The growing bond between Linda and the islanders, and even the reluctant companionship with Fergus, was so endearing. The humour is subtle and natural, the emotions feel honest, and the whole book has that lovely mix of melancholy and hope that I find myself drawn to.

By the end, I genuinely felt a bit lost. I had grown so attached to these characters and their stories that saying goodbye felt a little like leaving good friends behind. By Your Side is thoughtful, beautifully written and full of heart. I adored it.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Linda works at the unclaimed heirs unit at her local council. This involves dealing with the deceased who have no known family-either trying to find them, or dealing with things in their absence. She is about to be made redundant and her last case is that of Levi Norman. Levi made his home on a Scottish island and we get to know his story both through Linda's findings and in other detail.

This is such a beautiful read. One to make you love your fellow man and restores faith in human nature. It's tender and touching, captivating and entrancing. There are laughs and heart-warming moments all stunningly written. Ruth is most certainly an author to look out for -someone I've not read before (sign me up for the next book now please and I’ll be looking at the back catalogue as soon as I’ve finished typing this) and her skill has transferred brilliantly from screen to page- I’d love to see this as a TV show. A tender, emotional, delightful read. One to leave you with a smile. Brilliant



---------------------------------------------------------

4.5 beautiful book. The unravelling of a quiet man's life after his death and changes to a middle aged woman's life. Beautiful Scottish and Welsh background in a melancholy and thoughtful novel.

Ruth Jones has done it all with this book! This was the best book that I've read this year, so full of emotions, My heart is feeling it all. Heart-warming, laugh out loud, sad and cosy to read. I fell in love with all the characters! It was a case of not wanting to put it down but not wanting it to finish either. I love all Ruth's books but this is definitely the best! Highly recommend! Thanks Ruth for giving me my reading mojo back!

Oh my word, this was the best story that I've read for a long time, so full of emotions, happy, sad and forging new relationships along the way, good luck to them all

I’ve absolutely loved the author’s previous novels so was very excited to have the opportunity to read By Your Side. I love the way that Ruth Jones writes, with huge empathy and a real understanding of her characters. Linda Standish works for the council’s Unclaimed Heir’s Unit as an heir hunter, tracking down relatives of deceased residents. Her final case before retirement is Levi Norman, who dies on a remote Scottish island and Linda travels with Fergus, a funeral director to investigate Levi’s history. The novel moves between the past and present as the reader discovers what brought Levi to Scotland and how he ended up alone in death.
I am fascinated by the work of heir hunters so was intrigued by this aspect of the novel although I wasn’t initially drawn to the character of Linda and found the exploration of Levi’s story the more interesting part of this novel. It’s written in the author’s distinctive style, she shows a real love for her characters and this a hopeful and uplifting read.
An enjoyable read and recommended read although my least favourite of the author’s novels so far.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

I loved Linda's job - working for the council as a sort of special detective, helping to settle people's final affairs when they have died and seemingly have no family to help. (Is this a real job, and can I do it?) And I was fully committed to her discovering the truth about Levi, fairly screaming in my head 'but why was he living on his own?!' by the end. The book is the story of Linda and of Levi, but of lots of other characters along the way too.
Ruth Jones is very clever with characters - there's a large cast here, but I felt like I knew everyone as they came into the story, and I enjoyed the mixture of humour and tragedy...some of the book is really, really sad, but then in a moment she's lifting your spirits again. I did find myself reading it, initially, with Nessa's voice narrating the whole thing in my head! But soon the story, and the characters, took over. You know from early on that Levi's story won't be a happy one, but that unravelling of why is really wonderfully, heart-breakingly done. And the gentle reveal of Linda's own tragedy is handled with care. I was fully immersed in these lives as I read, and I felt a bit bereft once it was all over.

This is my first book by the wonderful Ruth Jones and I'm kicking myself I haven't read any sooner. The story is down to earth, heart warming and emotional.

The characters are superbly written and you immediately engage with them. Perfect 5* read.

Ruth’s style of writing makes for an easy, compelling read. Her best to date. Funny, sharp, emotional, a tale of likeable characters taking the turns life throws at you & managing romance, grief & bumps along the way. Very real.

Boy was I excited to read this book and I certainly was not disappointed. I’ve read all of Ruth Jones’ books now and each one is pure delight. By Your Side was a real page turner for me with likeable characters who I really wanted to get to know. This is a masterpiece!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. It was a real pleasure.