**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 one 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

**Cover may vary**