Us Three is an uplifting, joyous and emotional read of 3 character’s lives and their friendship together, that is just an incredibly impressive book that is well observed on human nature. that I highly recommend. Once started, it is difficult to put down and leave. All in all, Ruth Jones, famed for Gavin and Stacey and her debut – Never Greener, has written outstandingly, again with this second novel. I was, as you an see, very excited to see that I had an opportunity to review Us Three by Ruth Jones. She isn’t just an incredibly good script-writer and actor, but also a very good novelist. Us Three takes readers on a well-written, well-observed journey with Catrin Kelly, Lana Lloyd and Judith Harris. The three have a big trip planned of Greek island hopping before parting ways as Catrin wants to study medicine at Cardiff, Judith wants to read economics in London and Lana wants to train to be a musical theatre actor. The writing is amusing and has a natural flow that you can’t help but be swept along with it from the start. Characters are given their own chapters, but each are interwoven into each other’s lives and it’s great getting to know them. In amongst the friendships and comaraderie, things in life aren’t always easy, not when Judith’s mum falls terribly unwell, or did she? This is a question readers will find the answer to as the story continues. When, finally on holiday, the three get into some unplanned situations, some of which are rather unfortunate indeed. There’s also some fun, gorgeous scenery and archetecture and perhaps a bit of romance to stumble into. There are also some unexpected revelations concerning Judith’s family. It’s interesting as they come tumbling out from George. The relationship that Lana is involved in is one that may make you, like it did me, if it could last or not. Catrin has exciting news. The friendship that is captured is absolutely wonderful. The way they look out for each other, practically shines a light on how friendships ought to be. The Three of Us is so heartwarming. There are however some major challenges to overcome as well as utter heartache within one of the families as they’re taken to quite an unexpected dark place. Ruth Jones expertly navigates the shades of light and dark of life. It catches you right there. One moment you can be smiling and the next, feeling a bit more serious. She totally captures you in the book. Part 2 takes readers into their lives 18 years later and the year is 2005 and part 3 is 12 years on, with the year being 2017. It’s an interesting insight into how Catrin, Lana and Judith are growing up and how their friendships are as time moves on and how certain things change and life’s milestones occur, some happily, others with deep sadness. All the way through I can’t help but root for their friendships to survive the ups and downs. The ups are joyous and the downs are sometimes to the extent of heartbreak in their personal lives. There are also ups and downs within their friendship to each other. The downs are the sort that, if you, like me, have friendships with some people who you’ve known most of your lives, don’t happen. I’m totally invested in these characters lives and it is tremendously easy to do so, even as early as the first few chapters in part 1. The time moving on works incredibly well as the insights are fascinating as the story builds and there is a great desire to keep reading on and finding out more because they are characters with lives to care about. The parts are also, so succinct, being divided like that, that they flow effortlessly from part to part. Each has a realistic feel to it. By the time I finsihed, I am almost speechless. It’s just absolutely, one of the most heartwarming books. The strength of character is each woman is undoubtedly amazing. All in all, I highly praise and recommend Us Three by Ruth Jones.

My favourite style of novel; three women whom we follow through the years with all their ups and downs. A fabulous treat! Lana, Judith and Catrin became friends at five years old and at the end of their school days they plan to head off to travel around the Greek islands before heading their own separate ways to university. This is their story. I feel as if I opened this book and it just swallowed me up! I adore books about multiple friendships and this is absolutely one of the best I've read with a pinch of sadness, family life, and so much fun along the way (Father O'Leary, take a bow). I have drawn in sharp breaths, giggled and reached for tissues whilst engrossed in this story; in fact, I've just added the author's first novel to my list. I already knew that Ruth Jones could write awesome scripts for tv and, take it from me, she is every bit as gifted at producing a very readable novel. This is beautifully written, smoothly flowing all the way through and shows a real understanding of the characters. Completely unpredictable and so thoroughly satisfying. Completely worth a full house of five twinkling stars and a hearty recommendation.

Oh my goodness this felt like the good old days or early Marian Keyes, Lisa Jewell and Sophie Kinsella and this novel evoked the same feelings in me as those early novels did. I loved this book so much more than I was expecting and I can feel it with me even now. I really enjoyed getting to meet Catrin, Lana and Judith and I just adored their friendship, was jealous of it even. To have a friendship like their is really special and we do follow them right from the beginning from their wild 18 year old trip to Greece before they all went their separate ways after a-levels. Lana reminded me so much of a Marilyn Monroe type, trying to better herself through the entertainment industry and having a turbulent time doing to. Judith is the person that nothing seems to go right for and Catrin is the steadying force on them both. I loved these women and feel as if I know them having spent the last 300+ pages with them. This story definitely has its ups and downs. I really enjoyed the adventures these women have but its when they get home and have to face real life that really tests them. This book covers literally everything life can throw at a person and there is a care warning here for infertility and baby loss. I loved the side players in their story and they all contributed to each characters plot line. I also really liked the fact that we get to revisit these women over many many years right up to current day and the epilogue and the prologue really add something to the story and are parts, I admit, that I reread. I loved this book, it is such a great follow up to Never Greener because I loved this even more. Highly recommend.

✨Review✨ This is not my usual type of read, but I'm a big fan of Ruth Jones, and after loving Never Greener, I decided I must read this one too. I loved everything about this book, I loved the setting in Wales, I loved the characters, I loved the way it was written, and how it jumps from character to character across four decades to tell the story of their lives. Ruth Jones really knows how to capture your heart, make you laugh out loud, but also make you ugly cry. I really couldn't fault this book, and if you're a huge fan of Gavin and Stacey like I am, then I really think you would enjoy this too. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Bookstagram @badw0lfgirlx

I absolutely loved this book!!!!  The story is set around the life and times of 3 girls/women from the 70's to the present day. The characters are brilliant, so easy to conjure up in my head and to hear their voices. One of the best books I have read in the last year, and I couldn't wait to get home from work and read it. Devoured in a few days, what a joy! I'm a similar age so their life and times were very familiar.  The book is well written, set out and well edited.  Basically I cannot recommend highly enough. Have already been telling all my friends and colleagues how great it is.......must get a copy of Ruth's previous book now!