By Your Side

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
*OUT NOW!*
---
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 Café

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 role is Elena Ravenscroft in Harlan Coben's Run Away for Netflix.
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