I downloaded this book before reading Ruth Jones’ first book, Never Greener, and as I was not particularly taken with that book, I put off reading this. Upon starting this book, I felt that it would be similar to that first book so I did not feel I would finish it.

Another well written, relatable story from Ruth Jones. This time she has centred the story on 3 old friends and their stories apart and together. I enjoyed it.

“Us Three” by Ruth Jones is a compelling exploration of the enduring power of friendship that will leave readers captivated from start to finish. With its engaging characters, surprising twists, and heartfelt storytelling, this novel stands as a testament to Jones’ skill as a storyteller.

The story revolves around the lives of Lana, Judith, and Catrin, three women who meet in their school years and form an unbreakable bond. As the narrative unfolds, we witness the ups and downs of their lives, spanning decades of laughter, tears, and shared secrets. Jones deftly navigates the complexities of their relationships, delving into themes of love, loyalty, and the sacrifices we make for those we hold dear.

One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its well-drawn characters. Lana, Judith, and Catrin are vividly portrayed with their individual quirks, flaws, and dreams. Jones skillfully captures their distinct voices, allowing readers to connect deeply with each protagonist. Their friendship feels authentic, evoking a sense of nostalgia and reminding us of our own cherished bonds.

The twists and turns in “Us Three” contribute to its magnetic appeal. Jones expertly crafts surprises and unexpected revelations that keep readers guessing and turning the pages. The intricate interweaving of past and present adds depth to the narrative, allowing for a fuller understanding of the characters’ motivations and the impact of their choices.

Jones’ writing style is warm, witty, and imbued with genuine emotion. She seamlessly blends humor and heartache, creating a delicate balance that resonates with readers. The dialogue feels natural and authentic, further enhancing the dynamic relationships between the characters.

While “Us Three” is a captivating read, a few sections might benefit from tighter pacing and deeper exploration. Some plot points could have been further expanded upon to enhance the overall narrative impact. However, these minor critiques do not overshadow the book’s many strengths.

In conclusion, “Us Three” is a delightful and engrossing novel that showcases Ruth Jones’ talent for storytelling. With its compelling characters, surprising twists, and heartfelt exploration of friendship, it is no wonder the book has left a lasting impression. Fans of Jones’ previous work, as well as readers who appreciate stories of enduring friendships and the complexities of human relationships, will find “Us Three” a satisfying and enjoyable read. With its well-deserved four stars, this book is a testament to the power of connection and the bonds that shape our lives.

One of my favourite things about this book is that I could HEAR Ruth Jones' voice throughout it. Gavin and Stacey is one of my favourite programmes and the warmth and humour of Ruth's writing is exactly the same here, even with such a different story. It wasn't too much either – I didn't actually feel like I was reading something that could have been taken from Gavin and Stacey (luckily!), but it really solidified Ruth as a fantastic writer for me. The plot was fun and had good serious topics but wasn't too heavy either.

Us Three by Ruth Jones

Judith Lana and Cardin best friends since childhood swearing allegiance to each other no matter what. This book follows the trials and tribulations they have to deal with good and bad.

Easy holiday read though not as good as previous book 3.5/5

I tried but I just couldn't get into this and I didn't finish it.

Not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC without obligation.

I loved the twists and turns in this story. This book is full of drama and plot.
The writing captured the emotions between the friends. The author is great at developing interesting characters

Channeling my inner English Literature graduate, I would describe this story as a “Bildungsroman” - I feel you see such a growth of character of the three main women in the story. The events of book are not sensational - in fact, one of it’s greatest appeals is it’s normalcy - but it shows how even the smallest of things can affect a friendship. A great read, I felt like I really knew the three main characters by the end of the novel, and if that’s not a sign of a good story, I don’t know what is!

As a huge Gavin and Stacey fan, I was thrilled to be given this Ruth Jones novel to read. Us Three is the story of three best friends who were extremely close until something fractures their friendship and changes everything.

I love reading novels about friendship instead of just romance novels, and sometimes it's great to read about the love between friends. This book was great for that and was moving and funny at the same time.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy. I will be recommending this.

Love this book the characters this so well written that you feel like you’re part of the group. I loved how the story unfolded and how you got to experience the friendship group in different ways. A great holiday read!

A really enjoyable story of three friends & where their lives take them over the years.

Loved all the characters & was genuinely interested to see where their stories took them. I felt their heartache & their joys.

Lovely story.

It took me a little while to get into Us Three but I'm glad I did. I can't be sure what initially put me off but the story soon sucked me in. Lana, Catrin, and Judith were such fully realised characters that knowing what happened to them became desperately important to me! And boy were their lives a rollercoaster to follow. But I feel that Ruth Jones managed to characterise all the stages of their lives faithfully and with humanity. You can often tell when authors don't write a particular generation as much, they can seem unreal or unfinished. But every point they seemed like people who could walk right out of the page. That goes for the supporting cast as well. Just a thoroughly brilliant character study.

A brilliant second book from Ruth. I just love her writing and her characters, they’re so relatable!
A wonderful story of friendship and discovery. Both of her books have been 5 star reads for me and I can’t wait for another book from her! Highly recommend!

⭐ Funny, sad, and heart-warming!
⭐ The characters are well developed & I easily became invested in them.
⭐ Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella.
⭐ I couldn't put it down, I literally carried my kindle with me everywhere until I'd finished it.
☆ I felt the reason for the characters not talking was a bit disappointing.

I love stories that span a character's whole life, and this book gave me three wonderful ladies to follow throughout their lives and loves.

It started a little slow for me but I found it really picked up about 30 per cent in, and I really enjoyed the remainder of the book.

I read Never Greener, Ruth's first novel, and I much preferred this one. I felt Ruth has really found her voice as a novelist.

After attempting to read this once but not getting into it, I tried again as I thoroughly enjoyed Never Greener, I don’t know what was up with me before but this time I tried and couldn’t put it down, loved it.
Three best friends Lana, Judith and Catrin, promise to always be there for one another, after a trip of a lifetime, before going off to university, their lives change, can they keep their promise?
The turbulent emotions of treasured friendships and hardships each of them suffer have been sympathetically written and you are with them through it all.

This book was a good story very funny but not my type of read took me a while to get into it. I will take time out to read it again and see if it captures my imagination.

This was a lovely little story of friends through the years. All the ups and downs and dramas that can follow a friendship. Really well written and enjoyable to read

This is a warming, sometimes funny, sometimes sad look at friendship between 3 girls over 30 years.

Story was well paced and characters were great.... especially some of the fringe characters.

Loses one star for me simply because the first 1/3 felt like a YA book designed for teenagers!

Thanks for Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This book is a complex portrayal of female friendships, family life and relationships and the joy and tragedy that life can bring to us all during our journey from young girls through to womanhood.

The story of these three friends and the life changing memories and moments that they all share is such a beautiful read in both the joy and laughter we get to share with them and also in their sadness and darker times.

This book made me laugh and cry in equal measure and I really enjoyed following their stories through the decades.