In her new novel Love Untold, Ruth Jones invites us into the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters through raw and believable characterisation. With Grace’s 90th birthday looming, the lives of the Meredith women begin to unravel as they are forced to confront the past, and revelations boil to the surface.
The story alternates between the perspectives of four incredibly enthralling and complex characters, each with their own tribulations that hinder their ability to connect with each other. All Grace wants is peace in her family, but the story exhibits how redemption is hard earned, by both the reader and the characters themselves. Through the lens of generational trauma, Jones creates a space for conversations on topics such as alcoholism, sexuality, and abuse.
Ruth Jones, most commonly associated with Gavin & Stacey but with two well-selling novels to her name already, writes with such warmth and conviction, and readers can find solace in the comforting use of humour and familiar Welsh settings and phrases. Love Untold is an emotional account of how secrets and regrets tear away the seams of family relationships, each revelation and plot twist teaching us a lesson in the power of forgiveness. A grounding read, heartwarming and devastating at once.
Love Untold, Ruth Jones (Bantam)
Price: £20/£9.99 Ebook. Info: here
words MEGAN TOMOS