By Your Side by Ruth Jones

 

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.

By Your Side is one of the most captivating books I have read in 2025 and Ruth Jones has such an easy flowing writing style that whisks you away into the lives in the current day of loveable Linda and in the past the adorable and gentlemanly Levi. 

The book is centred around death however it has a wonderful balance of emotion and humour so this was actually a heartwarming read rather than all doom and gloom. 

I haven’t read a book like this before and Linda has a job I haven’t come across before in books where she has to find out information about people who have died that appear to have no heirs as is the case with Levi who has passed away and as she begins to work her way through his home looking for clues to point her in the direction of any loved ones he may have or have had we then switch to Levi’s life and uncover heartbreaking secrets and also get to know this beautiful man who may have done wrong but only from a place of love.

Usually I am not a fan of dual time frame and I find myself leaning more towards one story desperate to get back to that particular one however, with this book I was equally invested in both Levi and Linda’s storylines and they really were skilfully weaved together so well that I felt that we was getting to spend enough time with both to really feel like I was getting to know both characters so well. 

This storyline really does make you question your morals, your rights and wrongs and see that sometimes things are not always clear cut and wrong decisions are made from a place of love and protection even if it will look to others as harmful and selfish.

I love how tender and intriguing the author made Levi’s chapters feel but then flipped to Linda and managed to bring more dry humour to the storyline it really helped to keep this book and the character engaging and intriguing I really struggled to put this book down it was a pure joy to read.

I can not recommend this book enough and we are now into May and this is my first 5 star read of the year. Levi really did touch my heart and I think that at the end of the year when I come to do my yearly wrap up he will still be in my mind then and this book I wouldn’t be surprised would be on my top 10 list.

Available to purchase here on Amazon ( associates paid link )