The Love Leap

Timeless Love Chronicles #1

by Heather Grace Stewart

Love doesn’t follow rules… it leaps.

From bestselling author Heather Grace Stewart comes a heart‑pounding, time‑bending love story about courage, destiny, and the moment that changes everything.

Amelia Sutherland has spent years writing happily‑ever‑afters, but her own love life is a spectacular mess. When she finally flies to Scotland to meet her longtime online crush, she expects sparks. Instead, she’s blindsided by a truth she never saw coming—one that sends her fleeing into the pouring rain and straight toward the last cottage on the cove in Aven Valley.
All she wants is a quiet place to finish her manuscript, mend her heart, and swear off men indefinitely.

Then she meets Callum MacDowell.

A steady, infuriatingly handsome Highlander with quiet charm and a talent for getting under her skin, Callum is nothing like the men who’ve hurt her. Their banter is instant. Their chemistry is undeniable. And Amelia is absolutely not ready for either.
Just as she starts to trust him, the impossible happens. A strange light over Loch Ness, a moment of instinct—and suddenly Amelia and Callum are hurled into 1645, a world of clan tensions, whispered legends, and loyalties that could cost them everything.

Now Amelia must navigate a past she’s only ever researched, a man she’s terrified to fall for, and a future she’s no longer sure she can return to.

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Emily Henry, and Outlander, The Love Leap is a laugh‑out‑loud, slow‑burn time‑travel romance filled with heart, Highland charm, sparkling banter, and a found family you’ll wish was your own.

Tropes readers love:
One bed
He falls first
Found family
Fish out of water
Forced proximity
Time travel
Highlander romance
Slow burn with emotional payoff

Reader Praise: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ “Bridget Jones meets Outlander!” “Raised the bar on time‑travel romance!” “A fun, witty, can’t‑put‑down read!”

Spice Level: Level Two. Slow-burn, emotional connection. One bed only, forced proximity, open‑door spice with heart. Designed to make you swoon, not scandalize your book club.

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Amazon, Humor

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2025

About the author

I fell in love with storytelling in a rickety childhood treehouse, surrounded by Archie comics and fueled by Jujubes. Since then, the ride has included running drama-class lines with a young Matthew Perry (yes, that Matthew Perry) and auditioning for a musical alongside Alanis Morissette. Spoiler: she got the part. I got the pen.

I’ve since written 24 books—romcoms, time‑travel romances, screenplays, and poetry for people who “don’t think they like poetry” (their words, not mine). More than 400,000 readers have escaped into my worlds of swoony romance, cozy spice, laugh‑out‑loud banter, and the occasional touch of magic.

My mission is simple: to make you laugh, feel, and fall a little in love—whether with my characters, their found families, or the Highlanders who keep stealing the show.

When I’m not writing, you can find me inline skating, cooking and dancing with oven mitts, or attempting to convince one of my cats to take over my marketing. I’m on Instagram, Threads, Substack and Facebook if you want to say hi. Just don’t ask me to audition for anything. I’ve learned my lesson.

Reviews

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa)]

A little too slow for my liking but very Canadian!

[Kim]

Didn’t enjoy this one. Amelia was just over the top annoying for me. After the time travel Amelia and Cal both constantly brought up modern day items or verbiage. Very odd to have the 1645 locals acting like they understood the terms. The idea was good for the story but for me the writing was lacking.

[ChriseBee]

This book is hilarious, refreshing and romantic. A heartbroken romance author takes a hopeful leap of love after several bad luck incidents and finds herself in a place where the past and present magically collide. When I heard that Heather Grace Stewart wrote another book, I was excited to read an ARC of The Love Leap, book 1 of the Timeless Love Chronicles. Thanks to Heather for writing this story, and Meg Kelly from Literary Inspired for sending me an ebook.

The descriptive storytelling that is unique to Heather drew me in as usual. I liked Amelia/Mills right away - she's relatable, funny and down to earth. I felt like I was there with Mills taking in the beautiful sights of Scotland, breathing in the fresh Highland air and falling for charming sailor and farmer, Callum with his flirty, witty banter and endearing nicknames. He's sweet and dreamy, and I hoped Mills hadn't bumped her head too hard and hallucinated him.

Time travel added an interesting layer to their budding relationship. Being zapped to another timeline will definitely draw one closer to one's traveling companion and force the evaluation of one's life. The Love Leap is a nicely paced slow burn romance with a little spice (appears near the end and it's easy to skip if you choose). It ends happily with the anticipation of more adventures. So, I'm eagerly looking forward to book 2 when Mills and Cal continue their journey of love through time.

[Joanna]

4 stars for me.

Amelia "Mills" Sutherland is going to Scotland for first time to meet her soulmate,whom she have connection trough online.Surprise is not a best thing in this case, as he's married and all her plans seem to be gone.Mills need write a book,and Scotland little cottage she's renting may be the cure for her writer block,and disappointment at her online love. Meeting Callum MacDowell,and got trough mystical portal in Loch Ness that takes Mills and Cal back to Aven Valley in 1645,that was not a plan.

Will Mills and Cal survive 1645 and clans obvious war for land?

I really enjoyed this time travel story,it was far fetched at times,but I really didn't mind ,it was funny and romantic.I liked Cal and Amelia connection,the tension and banter was great,the MacDowell clan friendly and fierce,and the end surprised me with the twist.I will be reading second book very soon,I have to know what will happened next.My first book by this author,and it was a pleasure.

If you like time travel romance with adventure I would recommend this book.

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for a copy,my review is honest and my own.

[TAreads]

The Love Leap is my first book by Heather Grace Stewart. I was already excited from the synopsis and had a lovely time reading this book! I instantly liked the main character, Mills. I enjoyed the scenery of Scotland and the main love interest, Cal. I also really liked their chemistry!

This is a charming book with an interesting take on low-stakes time travel, which I particularly enjoyed. At times, the story felt too rushed, and I felt I was losing time with the characters. I would've liked more added to their story and presence. Overall, I enjoyed this book and reading something different! I'm curious to see what will happen next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nina - the book bugling]

The Love Leap is a fun, whimsical blend of romance, time travel and Scottish charm and such a charming read! It’s light, witty and adventurous with just the right amount of spice. Mills and Cal’s banter was one of my favorite parts and had me smiling throughout. The Scottish backdrop is full of history and lore and added such a fun touch to this story.

Amelia (Mills) is a romance author with writer’s block. She heads to Scotland for inspiration, only to find herself dumped and being chased by a cow. Charming Cal comes to her rescue. One wild leap through Loch Ness later, they’re in 1645 where they face clan feuds, fake marriage antics and undeniable chemistry.

This is the first book in the Timeless Love Chronicles and I'm super curious to find out what happens next! Lucky for me, the next book *The Love Quest* releases November 14💚

💚 Friends to lovers
💚 Time travel
💚 Forced proximity
💚 Found family
💚 Magical Scottish setting

Thank you Heather Grace Stewart, Victory Editing and NetGalley for a copy of *The Love Leap* in exchange for my honest review!💚

[Rebecca]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

I have loved the time-travel genre ever since I was a young child, and unfortunately my small-town library didn't have very many of them. Thankfully now I have access to many more, and I am so glad to have found this book. It exceeded all of my expectations, and I immediately requested the second book. Can't wait to read that one, too!

This was my first book by Heather Grace Stewart, and I will be looking for other books by her in the future.


Definitely would recommend this book!

[Chad Barrus]

I received an ARC from the author but wasn’t required to post a review. This is my honest,
voluntary opinion and feeling I had after reading this
heartwarming tale!

Amelia (Mills) hasn’t had any luck in romance which has given her a writer’s block in writing her best selling books. She takes a big leap by flying from Toronto to Scotland to meet face to face with a person she has met on line. Thus begins the start of
of this latest novel from Heather Grace Stewart which has heartache, humiliation, but also a twist Mills didn’t see coming which brings redemption to her soul and changes her life and another. Their journey to finding each other will captivate you and leave you wanting more which is good because there are two more books in this new series coming later this year and next year to fill that desire.

I throughly enjoyed this book! The humor and descriptions of the surroundings mesmerized me and made me recall my own trip to Scotland many years ago. It was like going home for me to read the description of what she felt when she was there.


I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend this wonderful book to one and all! I urge you to pick up this book and settle in to be entertained by the superbly talented Heather Grace Stewart! It’s a read I know you’ll enjoy just as much as I did!

[Roger]

THE LOVE LEAP: A Friends To Lovers Scottish Time Travel Romance (Timeless Love Chronicles Book 1), my sixth highly-enjoyable read from author Heather Grace Stewart, the first in her Timeless Love Chronicles series. I've been adding her books to my library since January of 2017, I now own 8 of them. What can I say about this book without spoilers? If you like Diana Gabaldon's Outlander (560-pages), you may like this 416-page time travel romance. Perhaps Stewart's best work to date. I read it in a single setting. It upset me when I had to put it down to fix lunch. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." I don't give out a lot of 5-star reviews on Goodreads just because Goodreads rates a 5-star review as "Amazing", how many books truly are? This one is! The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.

[Tanna]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Delightfully Chaotic, Spicy Time-Travel Rom-Com
Heather Grace Stewart’s The Love Leap is a wildly imaginative blend of time-travel romance, fish-out-of-water comedy, and cozy-but-open-door spice that reads like Outlander meets Bridget Jones. The story follows Amelia "Mills" Sutherland, a bestselling romance author whose first trip to Scotland is going hilariously wrong. Just as she’s ready to throw in the towel, she meets Callum MacDowell, an irresistibly charming Highland sailor. Before their chemistry can fully combust in the modern era, a mystical portal in Loch Ness accidentally zaps them both straight back to 1645. Suddenly, Mills and Cal are forced to navigate 17th-century clan rivalries, bizarre historical customs, and the classic, deliciously awkward trope of pretending to be a married couple to survive until the next full moon.
The greatest strength of the book lies in its sharp wit and incredible character dynamics. Mills’s inner monologue as a modern romance writer stuck in her own worst historical nightmare is pure gold, and her cultural faux pas keep the dialogue lively and hilarious. Cal is a fantastic hero—steady, protective, and stubborn, but with a heart that perfectly balances Mills’s frantic energy. Their romance hits a delightful level 3 on the heat scale, offering great open-door spice that feels deeply rooted in genuine emotional connection, all while backed by a wonderful "found family" cast of 17th-century ancestors who bring depth and warmth to the narrative.
The only reason this delightfully chaotic adventure misses a full five-star rating is that the pacing gets a bit frantic in the second half. As the stakes ramp up with historical clan feuds and dangerous rivalries, some of the transitions feel slightly rushed, and there were moments where the plot could have slowed down to let the couple simply breathe in their environment. Nevertheless, The Love Leap is an absolute blast—a smooth, engaging page-turner that doesn't take itself too seriously while still delivering plenty of heart and suspense. It is the perfect read for fans of high-spirited Scottish romance, and it leaves readers thoroughly excited for the rest of the Timeless Love Chronicles series.

[Carole Moran]

Bridget Jones meets Outlander with a little bit of the movie Brave mixed in for excitement and adventure.

I was given the chance to read an ARC for this book, and I'm so glad I did. This is such a fun story, I couldn't put it down.  Amelia or 'Mills' as she is more affectionately known, is a Canadian author who sets off to Scotland to surprise her online 'love'. What happens after that meeting, sets the scene for her adventures in present day Scotland and a trip back in time to the year 1645.

The characters Mills meets along the way, are so endearing and brave and you will be rooting for them.

This will be a definite re-read for me before the next book of the 3 part series is released. I can't wait to see where the next 2 books take us.

A definite 5-star read for me.

If you enjoy this book, I encourage you to read Heather Grace Stewart's other novels, you're in for a treat.

Thank you Heather, for the opportunity to read this preview and for writing what will be another wonderful series.

[Chloë Blyth]

Okay, so first of all let me say I don't always get along with time travel romances - do NOT get me started on The Lake House with Sandra Bullock. Luckily, I did not have the same issues with The Love Leap 😊

Amelia, or "Mills," is a brilliant and loveable main character you can relate to and who will make you laugh again and again. I really felt for her situation at the start (what a d*ck!!) but loved how despite everything, and I mean everything, seeming to go wrong she decides to stick around which is of course the start of her new chapter...

From attempting to rescue Cal, to fitting in with his family and ultimately time travelling to 1645 to share a bed and battle a rival clan, this book is the perfect slow-burn romance. Honestly these two are that nawwwwww kind of romance. If you want loads of smut, this isn't for you, but if you want cute banter and sweet love mixed with some kick ass fighting (even with a rolling pin) then give this a whirl. It's a really fun, cute read - once you get past that d*ckhead at the start.

Oh, and I love Mills' shoe theory. I think there could be something in that... definitely got me referring back... 🤔😆

Grab this book for:

Scottish charm ✔️
Strong female character ✔️
Slow burn ✔️
One bed ✔️
Time travel ✔️
Highland cows ✔️

Ohhh and pretty pages! The paperback is very aesthetically pleasing to read with that lovely paper that bends without breaking the spine and it has gorgeous new chapter pages 😍

There's even mention of a cat with an absolutely brilliant name... 🐈‍⬛️

So, what are you waiting for? Take the leap and I'll see you on the other side! Bring boots!

[Dana]

Thank you @literaryinspired for the advanced copy. I've read other books by @heathergracestewart and I enjoyed them, so I knew I would enjoy this one. Right from the start it was easy to like Amelia (Mills). She's a writer who is suffering from writer's block, so when her agent suggests that she go away to find inspiration she goes to Scotland. She meets Callum (Cal) after a series of mishaps. They wind up traveling back to 1645 Scotland when Cal's family is fighting with a rival. The banter between them is witty and funny. Will they make it back to modern-day Scotland? I can't wait to read the next book. #LiteraryInspiredARC's

[Between The Sheets Books]

Before I get into the book review…

I have to say that the bio written at the back is the most unique I have seen and is definitely worth checking out.

This is my first Heather Grace Stewart novel and I flew through it. Think Outlander but with a romcom, light hearted take. I love that Amelia is Canadian (as am I) as it created an extra connection for me. Amelia is a FMC I’m sure many can connect with in some way.

Throw together Scotland, accents and time travel with a little bit of romcom and you get The Love Leap.

I recommend checking it out!

[Booksnliftsdiary]

Title: The Love Leap: Timeless Love Chronicles (Book 1)
Author: Heather Grace Stewart
Genre: Time Travel Romance / Romantic Comedy
Pages: 422

Rating: 4.5⭐️/5 (rounded up!)

“Somewhere inside this disaster lies the story I need to tell—I just have to survive long enough to write it.”

Romance author Amelia “Mills” Sutherland escapes to the Scottish Highlands after discovering the man she’s been emotionally invested in for months is married—and her fifth book is still nowhere near finished. Hoping for a fresh start, she meets Cal, a grounded local farmer, just before they’re thrown back to 1645 and forced to pretend they’re married. As clan tensions rise and unexpected feelings deepen, Mills must figure out if this wild, time-bending love story is the real thing—or just another tale with an ending she didn’t see coming.

The Love Leap was such a fun, heartfelt escape with just the right mix of humor, romance, and time-traveling twists. I was especially charmed by the vivid descriptions of Scotland—it felt like stepping right into the Highlands—and the “Have you met Jesus?” scene had me laughing out loud! What I loved most, though, was how the story didn’t shy away from the messiness of real life: the bad hair days, heartbreak, and the way people can build entire relationships on lies. There’s no magical fix when things fall apart—though in this case, a literal time portal doesn’t hurt. Mills’s emotional journey felt authentic, and the characters she meets (especially Cal) are the kind you can’t help but root for. A charming, grounded love story with just the right amount of whimsy—I highly recommend it!

A big thanks to Literary Inspired and Heather Grace Stewart for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

Released today, 06/30/25, on Amazon, KU, and in paperback—grab your copy NOW!
—
#AdvancedReaderCopy

[Mamma Mia]

2 1/2 ⭐I loved getting glimpses of Scotland. Would have loved more scenes where they explored the highlands so when they did navigate their way through the woods it was clear they knew their way around.
I feel like a literary agent when saying this: I just didn’t feel like this story was a fit for me. I only got interested 17 chapters into the novel. I understand the scene needs to be set to show the relationships growing but I just didn’t feel it. I only got into the story around 75% of the book.
Cal and Cam’s names were to similar so I got constantly confused.
I would have liked for the MC’s to be more upset/worried/surprised/shocked etc being transported into a different era.
I think the thing I felt most lacking while reading this was the lack of depth and emotion between the MC’s. I was told many times how they liked and appreciated each other’s characters but I rarely saw it in action. If they were stuck in 1645 for a whole month, I would have liked more depth and conversations between Cal and Amelia. Would have loved to see the tension in some situations rather than just being told. And I would have loved more fear from Amelia when she was kidnapped by the clan.

[Maia Peters]

A very cute quick Rom-Com. It had many moments that made me want to laugh. It was nice to have a mythical story set in Scotland where it wasn't based on the Loch Ness Monster.

[Kelly Vann]

A time travel must read!

This book is so different than any other I have read! I could not put it down. Its full of adventure and chemistry!

[Carol]

Huge thanks to @literaryinspired for the ARC!

A bestselling romance author. A charming Highland sailor. A magical leap through Loch Ness that sends them back to 1645.
THE LOVE LEAP by @heathergracestewart is laugh-out-loud funny, spicy in all the right ways, and now it’s live.

THE LOVE LEAP is the first book in the Timeless Love Chronicles. I couldn't help but laugh at the predicaments Mills gets herself into. I loved the banter between her and hot Scotsman Cal. Cal was protective of Mills but he also knew she could take care of herself. The Loch Ness Portal has them fighting clan rivalries and changing the future where they find themselves needing to return. If you like the tropes friends to lovers, forced proximity, fake marriage and found family, I highly recommend THE LOVE LEAP.

[Heather E.]

This was a fun Scottish romance with a touch of time travel and spice! I loved that Amelia was a romance author, and how she was looking for a real life romantic experience to inspire her next big book!

[Kristen Lewendon]

A Canadian author in seventeenth century Scotland. What do you get when you match a disillusioned, heart-broken author with a free-spirited Scottish farmer/entrepreneur? Throw in some magical Highland legends that come true, and you’ve got a time-travelling romance unlike anything I’ve read before. Amelia and Callum’s journey is far from straightforward, but It’s filled with mystery, adventure, and magic. I had so much fun with this book, and I already can’t wait to get my hands on the next one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.

[Chia]

The Love Leap is a joyous, soul-stirring story about courage and love. Heather Grace Stewart writes with such warmth and authenticity—I found myself cheering on these characters as they took big chances on each other and themselves. I loved getting to read this one early; it’s a radiant story that sparks hope and leaves you smiling long after the final pages.

[Amanda M]

My first book by this author and definitely not my last either. I loved this book because for one it gave off Outlander vibes with the time travel and not so serious tone of the overall story but also because the writing was well done. I loved the character development as well. Once I began reading this story I was pulled in from that first page. And the humor was on point. I even was laughing out loud when the occasion occurred. I really liked the connection between the characters and watching them grow together throughout the story. It really is an amazing read and it is one that I would highly recommend reading because I think it's that good and everyone should enjoy a good read like this.

[Chris Meiser]

Awesome love story with time travel adventures & suspense! Loved it!

[Yugie Caroline]

What an entertaining and fun read this was! I adored the author's captivating humor as it was sprinkled all throughout the book. Even the scenes where the heroine was experiencing heartbreak were injected with humor that kept the whole book light and disarming.

To be honest, this is the first time I'm reading a time travel romance. But where I know most travel romances involve one parry being from the future and the other hailing from a time in the much distant past, in this book both main characters came from the same time period in the present. I found it unique that their connection found its roots in the present, but blossomed fully as they went back in the past. I was sufficiently entertained by their adventures in 1645 Scotland. And that ending? If I were given the chance, I'd do the same. It would certainly be such an experience of a lifetime.

I'm thankful to the author for granting me a free review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Elaine Isaacs]

Love does leap through time!

Mills is delightful! She has such a natural way with words, that the most mundane chore seems like an experience gifted by the gods!
This charming protagonist puts all her hope in a dating app to find her one true love.
One heartache and a time portal later lands Amelia and a handsome Scotsman in the past, where they work with townsfolk to save their village and its future.
Well done, Heather! Keep writing!

[Michelle]

I gave this a 5/5 stars because I enjoyed it. It was very entertaining while using out loud features on NetGalley.

I loved how the author was inspired by the outlander. It gave me loads of outlander vibes, but it's modern day, which is great.

I received an advance copy of The Love Leap from NetGalley.

[Karen]

I wasn’t sure what to expect when i picked up this book to read it but I must say it was a really fun read with parts that made me laugh out loud. The way the author is able to put descriptions made me feel like I was actually seeing Scotland. Can’t wait for the next book in the series

[Christina]

Can you say adorable? This quirky rom-com was everything I needed. Cal is charming book boyfriend material, and our FMC Mills has terrible luck but amazing one-liners. It's barely a blip on the spice scale, but what it lacks in heat it makes up for in swoon. I can't wait to read about their next adventure through time!!

[Melissa]

I'm a prude.

This was Waaaay Too Spicy for me.

But I'm Sure plenty of people will enjoy this book.