Just lovely! Linda is is about to retire but before she does her last case takes her to a remote island where she finds herself involved in solving a mystery left behind by the death of her last client. Spanning decades the story cleverly reveals itself and for Linda sends her on a personal journey too. Poignant and sad but heartwarming and funny at the same time, The story is so entertaining that it’s definitely one of those that you won’t want to put down.

When Linda Standish finds out that she is being pushed towards retirement she takes it well. She decided that this could be a new lease of life for her and more time spent with her beloved grandson. But before she goes she has one more job. She has to find the beneficiary to the estate of the late Levi Norman. This opens up the tragic love story that he had been involved in.
I absolutely loved this book, It is the first that I have read by Ruth Jones and I will certainly be looking out for more. It made me laugh but also brought tears to my eyes. Heart warming and tragic I would challenge anyone not to be moved by this story. Ruth has an amazing talent of bringing her characters to life. Highly recommended.

Ruth Jones has real skill when it comes to writing about people and human nature; she creates characters that are so real and believable, you could be fairly sure you knew them. This story is no different; it's poignant, entertaining, witty, clever and completely enveloping. You quickly get swept up into Linda's moods and life, and how her story is so cleverly interwoven with that of Levi Norman.

As with her other novels, there's a simplicity to the characters and their stories but with twists that work so effectively.

A really enjoyable read.

Just wonderful! It comes as no surprise that Ruth Jones has done it again. Perfectly written characters hook you into this story. I was engrossed within just a few pages both at the start of the book and at the moment when the narrative switched. Warm humour combined with relatable human frailty. I loved it!

Absolutely loved this book - couldn’t stop reading it! Great characters, really good storyline - I really wasn’t sure how everything was going to tie up! - and it’s set in one of my favourite places; Scotland! So pleased with the ending - right decision made by Linda (unless she’d gone the whole hog!).

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review which is what I have given.

This is the first of Ruth Jones' books that I have read and I absolutely loved it.

Great story with very relatable characters, who had me both laughing and crying.

Ruth Jones has done it again, what an enjoyable book this is. Following Linda Standish, an ‘heir hunter’ for the local council, at the beginning I had no idea where the story was going, and wasn’t immediately taken with it.
However as soon as Linda began her journey - in a hearse, with the local undertaker, we discover that the story and Linda are going to a remote Scottish island to attend the funeral, and search for possible heirs of the late Levi Norman.
Levi’s story is fascinating and heartbreaking in equal measure.
Linda is a real character, and larger-than-life. Levi is an enigma to Linda, but she is determined to do her best for him, despite never having met him in life. The story of Linda’s efforts to uncover the details of Levi’s life, are by turn intriguing, hilarious and utterly sad. There is so much love and warmth in this story, it’s a joy to read. A very unusual theme, and so different from so many books, it had me hooked right to the last page. A thoroughly immersive book that I did not want to put down. Highly recommended.
My thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this novel.

I've just spent about three days with Linda Standish. Linda works for the council, and investigates those who have passed away and, apparently, have no-one. No heirs. Before early retirement, Linda decides to take on one more case which takes her to a remote Scottish Island. Levi Norman, a Welsh man, has passed away there. A man who kept himself to himself, who the locals knew little about, and who seemed to have no family....With the help of the local islanders, Linda pieces together Levi's life, while trying to ignore what is going off in her own...a very sad and funny story about family, and doing the right thing, and knowing when to let go, and food addiction, and body shaming, and not being ashamed about enjoying sex!...Read it! (and weep, and laugh out loud)

I’ve never read any of Ruth Jones’ books before but know her from the TV. and that’s why I wanted to read this book. I thought it was delightful- a lovely mix of humour, relationships and pathos. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it.

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.

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