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.
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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.
'Ruth Jones writes with such warmth you can't help but fall in love with the characters she creates.' JAMES CORDEN
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
'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
'Warm, smart, uplifting' BETH O'LEARY, bestselling author of The Flat Share
'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
Author
About Ruth Jones
Ruth Jones is best known for her outstanding and award-winning television writing - BBC 1's Gavin and Stacey, in which she played the incorrigible Nessa, and Sky 1's Stella, in which she played the titular role. She has won acclaim for her performances in BBC dramas Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Little Dorrit and Hattie, as well as comedies Little Britain, Saxondale and Nighty Night. Her debut novel Never Greener was a number one bestseller, and her second - Us Three - is out in 2020.
