Ruth Jones just gets it right every time. How does she do what she does! She creates characters who tug at your heartstrings and builds stories upon them that draw you in from the first page to the very last.

In this novel we are introduced to Linda Standish, who works for the council’s department of Unclaimed Heirs. What a curious job! She is tasked with finding the heirs of a recently deceased elderly man, Levi Norman. He lived on a remote Scottish Island where no one seemed to have known much about his past. As Linda hunts for clues, we are drawn into not only her story but Levi’s, his estranged daughter’s, and the islanders as well.

I could not put this book down and totally cherished each character.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

wow. I absolutely loved this book. It was such a gorgeous read. Linda is such a brilliant character and I loved Levis back story.. It was so heartbreaking at times and it made me cry. I think everyone should read this book and it is one of the best books I read in a long time.

I love Ruth Jones but I have never read her books up until now and omg I feel like I’ve been missing out. This is such a great book and a great plot also, I kinda want Linda’s job! I love the way that it was written multiple POVs, past stories etc. I instantly fell in love with all the characters. The one thing I didn’t like was all the comments on Linda’s weight I felt that majority of the time it just wasn’t necessary. However this book had my feeling all the emotions!

Thanks @netgalley , the author & publisher for the ARC.

This is the first book by Ruth Jones that I've read & it won't be the last! I couldn't put this down! It's a gorgeously warm and sensitively written story, and Linda is a character that you can't help but love. It takes you back and forth on a journey between different periods in time that all comes together at the end!
I'd definitely recommend this book!

As a long time fan of Ruth Jones’ writing I was really looking forward to reading my first novel of hers but sadly this one just did not do it for me. It was almost as if I could see the mechanics behind every line in the book and it did not flow or feel as organic as Jones’ screen writing.

The story follows Linda as she takes on her last case before retirement and uncovers a story that takes her on a ‘journey’ of her own. If you like Jones’ other books then this might be worth a try.

Also, for a book that talks about Americanisation of language and life in a derogatory sense, there is a lot of accidental Americanisms within the book which seem quite jarring when the characters frequently talk about it.

What an absolute gorgeous book, Ruth Jones never fails to bring a tear or smile to my eye and this book was no different.

Linda works for the councils Unclaimed Heirs department and is on the brink of retirement, but gets one last case. Levi Norman! Levi is a simple man who lives in Wales keeps himself to himself, but gets involved with the young couple who lives in the flat below him.

Another wonderful Ruth Jones read, loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Penguin for a copy in return for a review.

This is another absolute cracker of a book by Ruth Jones - I’ve read her other books and couldn’t wait to read this one.

Fabulously diverse characters, lovely evocative setting, some gritty real life and a great story weaving it all together. As always, some personal epiphanies take place along the way and as Ruth always seems to do, it feels like real life - even down to a 60 year old woman having an actual sex life! - don’t worry - very tasteful done!

It’s the kind of book that will keep you reading just another chapter into the late hours. Highly recommended.

Ruth Jones is one of my favourite writers and she never disappoints me. I absolutely fell in love with the characters in 'By Your Side'. It truly was an amazing, heartwarming hug of a story. Linda's job is to track down the next of kin of people who have died alone. Levi's story takes her to the Isle of Storich and what follows takes us on an emotional journey told over two timelines. Beautifully written with empathy, warmth and humour. Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for an early read. Highly recommend!

The saddest day of the year last year was the last episode ever of Gavin & Stacey, which will forever be one of the best things on TV, along with Nessa's iconic, 'Oh! What's occurrin'.'

Ruth Jones is, of course, one of the writers as well as one of the main characters (Nessa), so I had no doubt whatsoever that anything penned by her was going to be excellent. I've watched every single episode of G&S, but I've never, until now, read any of Jones' books. This was a treat from start to finish.

Utterly readable, thoroughly entertaining, tinged with a teensy bit of sadness but lightly peppered with that amazing, gentle, clean humour we grew to love about the TV programme, it's a book in which you can immerse yourself and feel warm and cocooned.

What a brilliant writer Jones is. I don't think my reading list will be complete until I've read all her books.

Wonderful, just wonderful.

This is the second book ive read by Ruth jones. She definitely isnt a one trick pony. By you side is just lovely. Even though "lovely" is a simple word, dont underestimate it. This book is adorable, the characters are all so likeable and pleasant, even when discussing death and grief, i was invested in the story. I marvel at Ruth jones ability to spin stories and create such wonderful characters both on paper and on screen. I loved it

Very atmospheric and authentic.
Linda has one final job before she retires.
She finds herself on a Scottish island.
Then we move back and forth between Diana’s and Levi’s lives.
And then of Levi years later.
Well written. Great characters and details.

Arranging the funeral and tracking down relatives of a loner who died on a remote Hebridean island is the final job of Linda Standish before she retires. Little does she realise the impact it will have on her future.

By Your Side is the fourth book from Ruth Jones and easily her best, it offers the reader everything; romance, humour, mystery and heartbreak. Filled with a multitude of remarkable characters, I could have happily turned back to the beginning and started reading again once I'd finished.

Linda is happy with her life, although she's divorced she isn't lonely as her son and grandson currently live with her, she also loves her job working for the local council in the Unclaimed Heirs Unit. When someone dies and there's no obvious next of kin it's Linda's job to arrange the funeral and try to trace any distant relatives. Unfortunately, downsizing at the council is forcing early retirement on Linda. In the run-up to Christmas she has one last job to do, travel to a Hebridean island and bring back the body of Levi Norman, a loner who has lived on the island for six years.

You get an immediate idea of Linda's character, in her role working for the council she is extremely professional, the rest of the time she is cheerful and easygoing, apart from where her ex-daughter-in-law is concerned. Linda is accompanied on her trip by a local undertaker, someone she went to school with. The pair delight in annoying each other and it's very funny the way they always address each other by their full names, Linda Standish and Fergus Murray.

Once the pair arrive on the island of Storrich we are introduced to a host of wonderful characters and a relaxed way of life. Everyone knows everyone else, doors are never locked and everybody helps out when the need arises. As Linda and Fergus are welcomed by the community, mystery surrounds why Levi never integrated. We are given a glimpse into the past and meet a younger Levi, a solitary figure, happy in his own company, with a strong sense of right and wrong. This leads to Levi unexpectedly finding happiness. I felt my heart breaking for Levi as the happiness was torn away from him in the cruelest possible way.

All of the different threads had me completely immersed, desperately wanting a happy ending for everyone involved. Ruth Jones has managed to tread a fine line between uplifting and melancholy, with a huge dollop of comfort thrown in for good measure. I would love to see a return to the island of Storrich in the future.

Fifty-something Linda is going to take redundancy from the local council but has one job to do before she leaves. Set in Scotland, Linda needs to find if there are any missing heirs to a man who recently died on a small and remote island.
The characters are relatable and often funny. (Except for the hideous daughter in law.) Ruth Jones always delivers in this area, and I wasn't disappointed. Linda is the star, as she rediscovers there is life beyond retirement and being a granny.
The story is revealed with sections from the past, and I was keen to find out what had happened to leave Levi so alone in his old age.
A hug between the covers. I would recommend By Your Side to anyone wanting a cozy, but sensitive and thought provoking read.

I enjoy Ruth Jones as a screenwriter, but, unfortunately, I didn't enjoy her as an author.
I felt that the characters lacked personality and the plot was staid.
There were no unexpected surprises throughout the book, the storyline was predictable and the ending was weak and disappointing.
Sorry Ruth - stick with Gavin and Stacey ( they never let you down! ).

I asked for this out of curiosity, to see if it was yet another celebrity book, but was very pleased to see that the writing was perfectly readable and the story kept jogging along nicely. Very much commercial fiction and does the job.

What a lovely book, I couldn’t put it down.
Lina works for the council finding information about deceased people who die without family.
Levi Norman is one such person. We find out his life story and how he did once have family and what happened to leave him all alone on a highland island.
Sad, funny, all in all a great book.

I’ve read all of Ruth’s novels so far and this one didn’t disappoint. I liked every character and loved Linda and Levi and how their entirely unrelated stories came together. The book was beautifully structured, moving back and forth in time whilst eventually coming together at the end (no spoilers!)
The setting was beautifully described and made me want to visit!
Definitely recommended reading.

I've always enjoyed Ruth Jones as an actress, but never knew she was an author until I saw this book on Netgalley. I had to request it to add to my "written by British celebs" collection, and I'm so glad I did. I couldn't put it down. The characters immediately drew me in and took me on a real emotional journey. Even the minor characters were a joy. I liked the dual timelines, and the fact that romance and paddle boarding were not just for the young.

I loved this, and will definitely be seeking out Jones' previous books.

***Disclaimer: This e-ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Huge thanks to them. ***

If you’re a fan of Ruth jones work & writing skills I.e gavin & Stacey, Stella you will instantly love this book. It is witty, funny, sad, heartbreaking but also heartwarming

Ruth jones knows how to collaborate the essence of a lot of emotions in one book but also make you feel like your in that world.

When reading this book I felt like I was watching everything unfold the descriptions of the characters and the settings made the reading experience so enjoyable.

I absolutely adored the characters, Linda the witty, funny woman who is unapologetic of growing old gracefully. She truely is an icon.

Levi 🥺I absolutely loved his character getting to know the character from his history and how he met the love of his life was absolutely beautiful. I could scream more about all the other characters but i truly think this book should be read with the least context possible.

This book was truly a masterpiece and I feel honoured to have had an arc copy of this book. I highly recommend

This is the first Ruth Jones book I've read, but like most readers I know her from her TV writing and acting. I knew if it was written to the same standard as her screenwriting it would be a decent book.

I wasn't disappointed. This is a lovely story of a local council worker whose job it is to trace lost heirs. Due for retirement, her last job takes her to a small island off the coast of Scotland to uncover a story of love and loss, joy and pain. There are two narratives in the story: her life and her investigation, and the story of the man who had died and whose heir she was trying to find.

Predictable in many ways, as stories like these often are; but that's not necessarily a bad thing, and it makes this a good holiday read, or for when curled up on a sofa on a rainy day,

I'll be honest here: I choose this book out of interest because of the pedigree of writing from Ruth, and although I enjoyed it, it didn't pull me along and put off eating, drinking and work to carry on reading. It's not my type of book, but nevertheless, I enjoyed it.