Ruth Jones has such a brilliant gift for storytelling – whether through her novels or her TV scripts, she just gets people.

Her characters are real, relatable, and packed full of emotion, humour, and heart. By Your Side is no exception.

In this book, we meet Linda Standish, who works in the council’s Unclaimed Heirs department.

Facing the prospect of early retirement, she’s handed one last case: Levi Norman, an elderly Welshman who passed away alone on a remote Scottish island. Why was he living there? What was his story? And did he leave behind any family?

What follows is a beautifully written dual-timeline novel.

We follow Linda’s present-day journey as she travels to the Isle of Storrich (by hearse, no less, with the wonderfully dry funeral director Fergus Murray in tow), and also Levi’s past, where we uncover the choices and heartache that led him to such isolation.

Linda is a fantastic character – full of wit, self-deprecating humour, and quiet strength.

Her banter with Fergus had me laughing out loud, and her growing bond with Brodie McLeod, the island’s pub landlord, adds a lovely romantic thread.

There’s also a quiet poignancy to her own situation, with her family moving away and her identity as a mother and grandmother shifting. It’s a subtle but powerful story of self-discovery.

Levi’s story, on the other hand, almost broke me.

We see him as a young man navigating love, loss, and life-changing decisions – many made out of fear, love, and the desperate desire to protect.

His journey is deeply emotional, and the way Ruth Jones writes his life is so raw and tender that I found myself holding back tears.

This novel explores big themes – grief, regret, identity, love, and belonging – but always with compassion and grace.

Despite the emotional depth, there’s also so much light and humour. Linda’s voice is warm and witty, and her commentary throughout the story had me smiling constantly.

Ruth Jones has written something really special here. The characters felt real, the plot was clever and touching, and I was completely hooked from start to finish. It’s one of those rare books that stays with you long after the final page.

A heart-warming, heart-breaking, and heart-full read.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This gorgeous book is the newest from Ruth Jones and is hands down one of my fave books this year.

Linda Standish works for the Unclaimed Heirs Unit at the local council; responsible for handling the end of life arrangements of those who have no known family. Her final case before retirement sees her trundling off to a remote Scottish island in a hearse to try to organise the last arrangements for one Levi Norman, an elderly man who had lived on the island in solitude for the last 5 years. As Linda digs into Levi’s past, it just results in more and more questions that she’s desperate to unravel.

This book was incredibly heart warming, utterly charming, and beautifully down to earth. I felt such a connection to the characters in this story, and loved finding out more about them as the book flashes back to different points in time. This was truly an enchanting read and one I’ll be recommending to everyone I know! Ruth Jones really has a gift for creating relatable and realistic characters, and I’m desperate to pick up some other works by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I absolutely love Ruth Jones and was so excited to read her new novel. What an absolute cracker of a book! I absolutely loved this story so much! Her writing is so easy to read and I was totally hooked from the first page. Brilliant characters, intriguing plot and both extremely funny and beautifully sad at the same time. I loved the dual timeline aspect, it fit so perfectly with the narrative. I cried so much reading this book and I didn’t want it to end. I cannot express how much I adored this story!! Definitely one of my favourite books this year. I cannot wait for her next book! 5 massive stars 🌟

I just have to get my one gripe out of the way first. And that's about the editing. A tiny tiny bit of research will reveal that the hospital in Inverness is not called Inverness Infirmary but Raigmore Hospital, universally known simply as Raigmore. That little thing had me on tenterhooks as I read the book and waited to feel let down again by a book set in the north west of Scotland. Fortunately the rest of the factual editing was fine!

So, By Your Side by Ruth Jones... I was surprised and delighted by how quickly and thoroughly I was engrossed. I loved the character of Linda and her job, dealing with the funerals of those without a next-of-kin. I'd love that job with its mixture of research, detection and people. We get a bit of Linda's background but then we're thrown into what is going to be her last job. And it takes her to a fictional Hebridean island in the company of her sometime school-fellow Fergus Murray, the local undertaker. There. she searches Levi Norman's house for clues to his life. And the book then spirals back to give us his story. The two strands are beautifully woven together and I could hardly put the book down. Beautiful writing, humour, pathos and a wonderful array of characters.

Ruth Jones is so adept at getting to the very root of a character and bringing them to life through a relatability which is always skillfully written. I loved the bleak and blustery outer Hebredian island where Linda’s job took her, and I loved the job itself - I would be quite happy if I had Linda’s life when I’m in my late 50s, to be honest.

Put simply this is a beautiful book and I adored it. The current day story of unexpected love, the past story of unexpected love and all the sadness and grief in between. It’s touching, funny, heartbreakingly sad and just so so so human. Ruth Jones really knows people and she writes so convincingly and believably and I think that’s what make its so compelling and touching. I have to read all of her works now because I want to live this all over again.

how does she do it? someone tell me how one woman has so much talent within her very bones. because she can do no wrong in the creative steaks. when i heard she was writing books i never in my wildest dream thought she could gives us the gems she has. and seeing this one move right on up there to my faves list i couldnt be in more awe of this Ruth's talents. just wow.
this book was too hard to read and too hard to put down and too hard not to love with all my aching heart. the subjects arent easy throughout. and at points you might want to have a little cry. but youll be ok. because Ruth makes it ok as her depth and warmth of writing is just stunning.
Ruth knows how to write stories. and she knows how to write characters. but we all know that.
in this book we meet Linda. shes spent her whole working life in the unclaimed Heirs department. ive seen a few programmes on this work and its so interesting. shes is at the point of retirement but she has one last case to fulfil. that of Levi Norman a Welshman who has been living all on his own on a remote Scottish Island before he died. its Linda's job to now find his relatives.
but what was Levis story. and why did he end up all alone?
Linda's last job starts on an already weird level when she has to travel across to the island in a hearse with the funeral director. she isnt all too happy about being in this car with Fergus Murray, not a great looking start to her journey there.
what i loved about this book is a how we do get to then find out Levis story as its done in a dual timeline. so we are following Linda in the now but also taken back to the past to read Levis story.
both stories are as adorable and gorgeous as the other and you want to follow and learn of both their lives.
we follow Linda's quest for the relatives but also her quest for herself.
and for Levi we follow him from a young man. and his story did grasp hold of my heart. and i was so upset for him at times especially thinking he ended it all somehow alone, and why?
this book is a must read for all and everyone. its just a brilliant book by a brilliant author. i hope she knows how privileged we all feel to have her words and work in our lives.

Funny, heartbreaking, life and death, how many emotions can you write into one story?
Different versions of life and love, from different people over a generation.
Have never really considered the back story uncovered by someone's death, but this story makes you look at death in a different way.
Love Ruth Jones storytelling ability. Another hit

By Your Side is one of the most captivating books I have read in 2025 and Ruth Jones has such an easy flowing writing style that whisks you away into the lives in the current day of loveable Linda and in the past the adorable and gentlemanly Levi.

The book is centred around death however it has a wonderful balance of emotion and humour so this was actually a heartwarming read rather than all doom and gloom.

I haven’t read a book like this before and Linda has a job I haven’t come across before in books where she has to find out information about people who have died that appear to have no heirs as is the case with Levi who has passed away and as she begins to work her way through his home looking for clues to point her in the direction of any loved ones he may have or have had we then switch to Levi’s life and uncover heartbreaking secrets and also get to know this beautiful man who may have done wrong but only from a place of love.

Usually I am not a fan of dual time frame and I find myself leaning more towards one story desperate to get back to that particular one however, with this book I was equally invested in both Levi and Linda’s storylines and they really were skilfully weaved together so well that I felt that we was getting to spend enough time with both to really feel like I was getting to know both characters so well.

This storyline really does make you question your morals, your rights and wrongs and see that sometimes things are not always clear cut and wrong decisions are made from a place of love and protection even if it will look to others as harmful and selfish.

I love how tender and intriguing the author made Levi’s chapters feel but then flipped to Linda and managed to bring more dry humour to the storyline it really helped to keep this book and the character engaging and intriguing I really struggled to put this book down it was a pure joy to read.

I can not recommend this book enough and we are now into May and this is my first 5 star read of the year. Levi really did touch my heart and I think that at the end of the year when I come to do my yearly wrap up he will still be in my mind then and this book I wouldn’t be surprised would be on my top 10 list.

I absolutely loved this book. Set in Wales and Scotland with a wonderful cast of characters that are believable and loveable. The two timelines and the story told mainly by the two main characters was something I especially enjoyed. There was humour, sadness and a gripping storyline that had me glued to the book. I loved every page of this heartwarming and thought provoking book. It showed how easily lives can be changed and how precious time with our loved ones can be lost by wrong choices. Ruth Jones is a fabulous author and this book is sure to be a massive hit. I'd give it double the amount of stars allocated if I could. Just wonderful! My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a pre release copy in exchange for my honest review.

Told over dual timelines and POVs. the story centres around Linda, whose job with the council in the “ unclaimed heirs” unit involves tracking down family members of the recently deceased.
Her final case takes her to the remote Island of Storrach where she tries to track down the heirs of the recently deceased, Levi Norman. I loved both Linda and Levi’s stories as well as the interwoven lives of the other residents of Storrach.
Another brilliant offering from Ruth Jones

I truly loved this book. Two stories running side by side, one feeding into the other. It was sad and funny and generally totally wholesome. A delightfully engrossing read with a fabulous cast of characters and interesting locations. Pure escapism. What more could you want from a book? Totally recommend.

As expected with Ruth Jones there is much humour in this tale but so much more. Her characters are rounded, believable, lovable. She makes you care about them. I was so sad when I finished this story - I wanted more.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Ruth Jones/Random House UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have enjoyed reading several of Ruth Jones books, and couldn't wait to get started on this latest one .It was great ,I loved the dual timelines and stories and how they interacted. The settings of Wales and Scotland worked well too. The characters especially the central characters were great ,Ruth writes very relatable characters ,and it is the little details that she is so good at that draw you in and make you root for that character. Cracking book, I recommend it.

Ruth Jones is a great story teller.. sometimes sad sometimes numerous. Never dull.
This story centres around Linda a 55 Yr old divorcee working for a Scottish local authority. Her job entail finding the relatives of the newly deceased.
Her latest one leads her to a remote Island off of the mainland where the newly deceased, Levi Norman, leaves very few clues for her to follow. With the help of an undertaker she embark on her experiences to resolve this puzzle.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as i always do from Ruth Jones.

An absolutely wonderful read from Ruth Jones. Her books have never failed to disappoint, and this one is no exception. The multi-layered plot is captivating, making it impossible to put down. The characters are wonderfully three-dimensional and relatable! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and believe it’s a must-read for everyone.

Thank you, Netgalley

I was asked by NetGalley to review this fab book by Ruth Jones - I have to admit I am late to the table with Ruth Jones but jolly glad I have discovered her novel writing.

This is two stories intertwined, two characters - Levi and Linda as well a time.. Linda is someone who works on unclaimed heirs. Levi an elderly man lived on an island in Scotland, This takes Linda on her last case before her retirement.

We learn about Linda, Levi and his estranged daughters as well being drawn into the island and island life.

This has been written beautifully with wonderful characterisation with humour thrown into the mix.

This is due for publication May 22 2025 and will be a top ten read as well as a great sunbed read summer 2025 and beyond.
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Linda works for an organisation that tries to work out who inherits when someone who appears to have no next of kin dies. Her last case is that of Levi Norman who appears to be completely alone in the world. Alongside Linda’s story we also hear the heart-breaking tale of Levi and how he lost everything and everyone who mattered to him. Linda also has problems and is due to lose her son and grandson because they have decided to move closer to her son’s ex. The story effortlessly moves between the two timelines as we learn more about Levi and the life he has chosen in a remote Scottish island. Linda visits Storrach to try and discover whether Levi had any living relatives and we meet a wonderful cast of island characters including Brodie, who Linda has a relationship with. Ruth Jones weaves a beautiful story, all her characters are strong and interesting – when Levi, who originally came from Cardiff talk, one can hear Ruth Jones voice in his words bringing everything to life. This is a very poignant tale which is beautifully written and I was sad to finish it. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book.

Read by my daughter in law who just adored Gavin and Stacey. She was gushing in her praise of Ruth Jones new novel.

By Your Side by Ruth Jones ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this book. The writing and the storyline is exquisite.
Linda works for the council in the heir hunter department. Her story intertwined with Levi’s story is just wonderful. A cast of characters that you feel you know. I’ve loved all Ruth Jones books and this one doesn’t disappoint.