The joyful and life-affirming new novel from the BAFTA-winning co-writer of Gavin and Stacey and the Sunday Times bestselling and Richard and Judy Book Club author of Love Untold. ''A heartwarming and funny read from the brilliant Ruth Jones'' Heat (Book of the Week) ''Filled with compassion and populated with wonderfully engaging characters'' Observer Because second chances come when you least expect them . . . 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. Bursting with all the heart and humour that has made Ruth''s name as a screenwriter and author, By Your Side is a joyful celebration of friendship, love and community. ''Brilliantly told, you''ll laugh, cry - and love it.'' Woman & Home ''Ruth''s books are always a joy and full of gorgeous characters'' Prima --- Readers are loving By Your Side ! '' Funny and heartbreaking and wonderful. Five huge flashing stars '' ***** Reader Review ''A brilliant, life-affirming, feel-good book'' ***** Reader Review ''Filled me with a great deal of joy '' *****Reader Review ''It''s one to devour in one sitting and tell your friends about. '' *****Reader Review '' I did not want this to end '' *****Reader Review '' I loved Linda''s job - working for the council as a sort of special detective... (Is this a real job, and can I do it? )'' *****Reader Review ''My first book by the wonderful Ruth Jones and I''m kicking myself I haven''t read any sooner .'' *****Reader Review Praise for Ruth Jones: ''Ruth Jones is excellent on human nature and why we make the mistakes we do'' JOJO MOYES , bestselling author of Me Before You and Someone Else''s Shoes ''Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster ride. Beautifully written, with characters that I know will stay with me'' JO THOMAS , bestselling author of Escape to the French Farmhouse ''Ruth Jones writes with such warmth you can''t help but fall in love with the characters she creates.'' JAMES CORDEN ''A cast of characters you''ll lose your heart to.'' ADELE PARKS , bestselling author of Just Between Us ''Beautifully warm and totally absorbing.'' JANE FALLON , bestselling author of My Sweet Revenge and Strictly Between Us ''Heartfelt, joyful, brave, utterly compelling'' RACHEL JOYCE , bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry ''Ruth''s characters will stay with me for a long time.'' CATHY BRAMLEY , bestselling author of The Lemon Tree Cafe ...

Autorentext

Ruth Jones MBE is well known for her television work, most notably BBC One's multi-award-winning Gavin and Stacey, co-written with James Corden, in which she played Nessa Jenkins. The 2019 and 2024 Christmas specials of this well-loved show garnered viewing figures of 18 million and 21 million respectively. Ruth also created and co-wrote several series of Stella for Sky TV, for which she was BAFTA nominated. Other TV work includes Hattie, Nighty Night and Saxondale. In 2024 Ruth played Mother Superior in Sister Act the Musical at London's Dominion Theatre. Her latest acting roles are Elena Ravenscroft in the Netflix adaptation of Harlan Coben's Run Away and Mrs Bennet in the BBC adaptation of Janice Hadlow's The Other Bennet Sister.

Ruth's novels have sold over a million copies. Never Greener was a Sunday Times bestseller for fifteen weeks, three weeks at number one, as well as WHSmith Fiction Book of the Year 2018, a nominated Debut of the Year at the British Book Awards, and a Zoe Ball Book Club pick. Her second novel, Us Three, and her third novel, Love Untold, were also instant Sunday Times bestsellers. Love Untold was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year, as well as a Richard & Judy Book Club pick. Ruth's latest novel is By Your Side

Klappentext

**The INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Soak up the perfect summer read and fall in love with Linda & Levi in By Your Side, the latest heart-warmer from the Gavin and Stacey co-creator, Ruth Jones.**

'Brilliantly told, you'll laugh, cry - and love it' Woman & Home

'A heartwarming and funny read from the brilliant Ruth Jones' Heat (Book of the Week)

'Ruth's books are always a joy and full of gorgeous characters**'** Prima

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After thirty-three years helping strangers at the council's Unclaimed Heirs Unit, Linda is looking forward to early retirement.

But first, one last case: tracking down the relatives of the deceased Levi Norman, a Welshman who spent his final years on a remote Scottish island.

As Linda delves into Levi's past, aided (and occasionally thwarted) by the residents of Storrich, she uncovers more than just his story.

Bursting with heart and humour, By Your Side is about finding joy in the most unlikely connections, and the importance of holding on to friendship, love and community - especially when life gets messy.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2026 RNA ROMANTIC COMEDY AWARD

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Readers are loving By Your Side!

'Funny and heartbreaking and wonderful. Five huge flashing stars'

'It's one to devour in one sitting and tell your friends about.'

'My first book by the wonderful Ruth Jones and I'm kicking myself I haven't read any sooner.'

'Oh, Ruth Jones, that wasn't fair. You made me cry. What a truly lovely story.'

'I could not have loved By Your Side more - what a wonderful book!'

'I adored By Your Side and was quite bereft to leave these characters behind. By Your Side is such a gorgeous uplifting read, filled with warmth and humour and heart. Read it - you'll thank me!'

'I bloody loved this book!! This is definitely o****ne of those books which I could read over and over again. Wonderful!'

'Absolutely loved this book - couldn't stop reading it'

'What a compelling, emotional yet heart-warming story of love, family relationships, life struggles and community spirit ... With characters that were realistic and relatable, it had me gripped. I struggled to put it down, read it within 24 hours'

'It's been so long since a book made me both laugh and cry in equal measure.'

Praise for Ruth Jones:

'Ruth Jones is excellent on human nature and why we make the mistakes we do' JOJO MOYES, bestselling author of Me Before You and Someone Else's Shoes

'Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster ride. Beautifully written, with characters that I know will stay with me' JO THOMAS, bestselling author of Escape to the French Farmhouse

'Ruth Jones writes with such warmth you can't help but fall in love with the characters she creates.'
JAMES CORDEN

'A cast of characters you'll lose your heart to.' ADELE PARKS, bestselling author of Just Between Us

'Beautifully warm and totally absorbing.' JANE FALLON, bestselling author of My Sweet Revenge and Strictly Between Us

'Heartfelt, joyful, brave, utterly compelling' RACHEL JOYCE, bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

'Ruth's characters will stay with me for a long time.' CATHY BRAMLEY, bestselling author of The Lemon Tree Café

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