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Ripples Through Time: The gripping and sweepingly romantic new dual-time novel from the author of ECHOES OF THE RUNES
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26Brimming with romance, adventure and vivid historical detail, Christina Courtenay's gripping dual-time novel travels from the present day to the battles of West Mercia . . .
'Courtenay writes so beautifully, drawing you in to each scene, that time and pages slip by effortlessly' ERIN GREEN
'Whenever I need a break from the 21st Century, I read one of Christina Courtenay's novels' SUE MOORCROFT
'The Queen of Viking Romance' CATHERINE MILLER
__________________________
West Mercia, AD 873
Merewen's settlement is on guard against the threat of the 'Heathen' Norsemen. But for Merewen, the threats are also coming from within, as she her future is cruelly snatched away from her. Eirik, a Norseman, finds himself abandoned and injured after a plunder of Mercian land goes wrong. He thinks his fate is sealed - until an angel, bearing the name Merewen, saves his life.
Hereford, Present Day
Alix moves to her uncle's farm in Hereford, where she hopes to heal her recently broken heart. But something strange is in the air. Every time she touches a crystal pendent - a family heirloom gifted to her - she is haunted by memories of a life she never lived, of a relationship she never had, in a time she never existed in. A Viking hoard was discovered on Noah's farm by his sister and her criminal boyfriend. Hounded by the police, Noah must find the rest of the treasure whilst also deciphering the strange connection he has to Alix - a connection that seems to transcend their reality.
As the echoes of the past seep into the present, lose yourself in the evocative and romantic novels of Christina Courtenay that your favourite authors just can't get enough
'I've been looking forward to this book . . . and it far exceeded my hopes and expectations. Romantic, fascinating and gripping, it's one of my favourites of the series' NICOLA CORNICK
'I wonder if I, too, can find a way to travel back in time... If not, reading this book was the next best thing' GILL STEWART
'This epic romance is sure to sweep you off your feet!' TAKE A BREAK
'An absorbing story, fast-paced and vividly imagined' PAMELA HARTSHORNE
'A love story and an adventure, all rolled up inside a huge amount of intricately-detailed, well-researched history. Thoroughly enjoyable' KATHLEEN MCGURL
'Courtenay writes so beautifully, drawing you in to each scene, that time and pages slip by effortlessly' ERIN GREEN
'Whenever I need a break from the 21st Century, I read one of Christina Courtenay's novels' SUE MOORCROFT
'The Queen of Viking Romance' CATHERINE MILLER
__________________________
West Mercia, AD 873
Merewen's settlement is on guard against the threat of the 'Heathen' Norsemen. But for Merewen, the threats are also coming from within, as she her future is cruelly snatched away from her. Eirik, a Norseman, finds himself abandoned and injured after a plunder of Mercian land goes wrong. He thinks his fate is sealed - until an angel, bearing the name Merewen, saves his life.
Hereford, Present Day
Alix moves to her uncle's farm in Hereford, where she hopes to heal her recently broken heart. But something strange is in the air. Every time she touches a crystal pendent - a family heirloom gifted to her - she is haunted by memories of a life she never lived, of a relationship she never had, in a time she never existed in. A Viking hoard was discovered on Noah's farm by his sister and her criminal boyfriend. Hounded by the police, Noah must find the rest of the treasure whilst also deciphering the strange connection he has to Alix - a connection that seems to transcend their reality.
As the echoes of the past seep into the present, lose yourself in the evocative and romantic novels of Christina Courtenay that your favourite authors just can't get enough
'I've been looking forward to this book . . . and it far exceeded my hopes and expectations. Romantic, fascinating and gripping, it's one of my favourites of the series' NICOLA CORNICK
'I wonder if I, too, can find a way to travel back in time... If not, reading this book was the next best thing' GILL STEWART
'This epic romance is sure to sweep you off your feet!' TAKE A BREAK
'An absorbing story, fast-paced and vividly imagined' PAMELA HARTSHORNE
'A love story and an adventure, all rolled up inside a huge amount of intricately-detailed, well-researched history. Thoroughly enjoyable' KATHLEEN MCGURL
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 24, 2026
9 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Christina Courtenay
35 books370 followersChristina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 27, 2025
This is a dual timeline story billed as timeslip. It's set in AD 873 and the present day. The past tells the story of Merewen and Eirik, a viking who's one of a raiding party led by his uncle.
The present has Alix who's having a tough time and Noah, a struggling farmer, who become neighbours.
Both stories were very good. I usually read these for the past story but was hooked on both here. Merewen and Eirik's tale was beautifully told. The everyday life in a settlement of the time was very interesting and tells quite a bit about viking life too. You can tell a lot of research went into this book.
The present day story echoes the past as Alix has a horrible sister and so has Merewen. I found the timeslip part to be very tenuous. It was more like two stories running concurrently, I would have liked more of the time element.
The descriptive writing is beautiful which gets me every time. I do enjoy this author's books and recommend them if you enjoy stories like this. I must also mention the beautiful cover!
Many thanks to Headline and NetGalley for an early copy.
The present has Alix who's having a tough time and Noah, a struggling farmer, who become neighbours.
Both stories were very good. I usually read these for the past story but was hooked on both here. Merewen and Eirik's tale was beautifully told. The everyday life in a settlement of the time was very interesting and tells quite a bit about viking life too. You can tell a lot of research went into this book.
The present day story echoes the past as Alix has a horrible sister and so has Merewen. I found the timeslip part to be very tenuous. It was more like two stories running concurrently, I would have liked more of the time element.
The descriptive writing is beautiful which gets me every time. I do enjoy this author's books and recommend them if you enjoy stories like this. I must also mention the beautiful cover!
Many thanks to Headline and NetGalley for an early copy.
October 18, 2025
I absolutely adore Christina Courtenay's books. I love how she brings the past alight and merges it seamlessly with the present. Her books are very well researched and her knowledge of the Viking era is very well shown in this novel. It's very descriptive, and you really feel you are transported into the past.
Perfect book for lovers of timeslip novels and fans of the TV series The Vikings.
Perfect book for lovers of timeslip novels and fans of the TV series The Vikings.
November 25, 2025
Christina Courtenay is an author whose books I have been meaning to try for ages. When I was offered a copy of this book to review, I was very pleased to accept.
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:
https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...
November 24, 2025
This book is told through dual timelines. One set in West Mercia AD 873 and the other in present time.
It’s an easy to read quick book. I found myself drawn more to the story set in the present. The one in the past was just a little too far in the past for me. The story in the present deals with some family issues and the search for treasure. It’s a good historical fiction book
It’s an easy to read quick book. I found myself drawn more to the story set in the present. The one in the past was just a little too far in the past for me. The story in the present deals with some family issues and the search for treasure. It’s a good historical fiction book
November 21, 2025
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Ripples Through Time in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, and the author herself, for facilitating!
Content Warnings: Some violence (Vikings and Anglo-Saxons fighting), non-explicit sexual content, coarse language, attempted sexual assault of female main characters (non-graphic), threatening of women with a knife (one of whom is pregnant), non-graphic portrayal of a small knife wound.
Though I’ve read a few of Christina Courtenay’s timeslip romances before, this is my first time reading one of her dual timeline novels. The story moves between Viking times and the present day, following two couples: Merewen and Eirik, and Alix and Noah.
As ever with Courtenay, the Viking setting of the former is meticulously crafted and clearly very well researched. The minutiae of everyday life in Merewen’s settlement, the relationships Eirik builds with tradespeople, even the descriptions of weapons, all help to build an all-important sense of place.
It provides a great backdrop for Eirik and Merewen’s relationship to grow. Members of two opposing groups who should hate each other, they’re unwittingly drawn together when Merewen helps an injured Eirik. The Norseman is tiring of Heathen life, and is considering leaving it all when he’s forced to shelter after a battle gone awry.
They continue to meet clandestinely- first as a healer and her patient, then as friends, and gradually into something more. The shift takes time -likely feeling longer because of the dual-timeline structure – but for me, that pacing made the relationship feel earned. However, they do so cautiously – as figures from both Merewen and Eirik’s families seek to drive them apart for their own selfish reasons.
Interspersed with this is the present day story of Alix and Noah. Alix, a librarian, is looking for a new start and finds it in Hereford, when she’s given her grandfather’s farm land. The property borders that of a childhood acquaintance, Noah – now a farmer, who is under investigation over the disappearance of a Viking hoard.
Personally, I didn’t connect as much with the contemporary romance – even though Noah was gorgeously protective of Alix, constantly reaffirming his devotion to her. To be fair, I think this is because I’m less of a fan of contemporary romances in general, but other readers’ mileage may vary.
As Alix and Noah search together for the lost treasure that will prove Noah’s innocence, things start to get really interesting: while holding Viking artefacts, both begin to see visions of an ancient past. At first both try to explain away the experiences – but this becomes harder when it’s clear that the visions are shared, and pulling them towards something neither can ignore.
For me, this was the most intriguing part of the novel. There’s a lot of similarities between the stories of the two couples: Noah works with a dog, Shadow, just as Eirik does with Merewen’s hound Sceadu. Eirik considers being a farmer just as Noah is. Alix is harassed by a library colleague, in a similar way to how Merewen is in her settlement.
I spent a good chunk of the second and third act trying to figure out the significance of these moments. Given the strong echoes between the past and present storylines, I hoped for a deeper exploration of what binds the couples across time. Though the explanation we get is intriguing, it ultimately felt a bit underdeveloped for my taste.
While this novel doesn’t slip through time in the ways I usually enjoy, Ripples Through Time has got enough research, character development and animal companions to satisfy Courtenay’s most ardent fans – and those of dual timeline novels in genera
Content Warnings: Some violence (Vikings and Anglo-Saxons fighting), non-explicit sexual content, coarse language, attempted sexual assault of female main characters (non-graphic), threatening of women with a knife (one of whom is pregnant), non-graphic portrayal of a small knife wound.
Though I’ve read a few of Christina Courtenay’s timeslip romances before, this is my first time reading one of her dual timeline novels. The story moves between Viking times and the present day, following two couples: Merewen and Eirik, and Alix and Noah.
As ever with Courtenay, the Viking setting of the former is meticulously crafted and clearly very well researched. The minutiae of everyday life in Merewen’s settlement, the relationships Eirik builds with tradespeople, even the descriptions of weapons, all help to build an all-important sense of place.
It provides a great backdrop for Eirik and Merewen’s relationship to grow. Members of two opposing groups who should hate each other, they’re unwittingly drawn together when Merewen helps an injured Eirik. The Norseman is tiring of Heathen life, and is considering leaving it all when he’s forced to shelter after a battle gone awry.
They continue to meet clandestinely- first as a healer and her patient, then as friends, and gradually into something more. The shift takes time -likely feeling longer because of the dual-timeline structure – but for me, that pacing made the relationship feel earned. However, they do so cautiously – as figures from both Merewen and Eirik’s families seek to drive them apart for their own selfish reasons.
Interspersed with this is the present day story of Alix and Noah. Alix, a librarian, is looking for a new start and finds it in Hereford, when she’s given her grandfather’s farm land. The property borders that of a childhood acquaintance, Noah – now a farmer, who is under investigation over the disappearance of a Viking hoard.
Personally, I didn’t connect as much with the contemporary romance – even though Noah was gorgeously protective of Alix, constantly reaffirming his devotion to her. To be fair, I think this is because I’m less of a fan of contemporary romances in general, but other readers’ mileage may vary.
As Alix and Noah search together for the lost treasure that will prove Noah’s innocence, things start to get really interesting: while holding Viking artefacts, both begin to see visions of an ancient past. At first both try to explain away the experiences – but this becomes harder when it’s clear that the visions are shared, and pulling them towards something neither can ignore.
For me, this was the most intriguing part of the novel. There’s a lot of similarities between the stories of the two couples: Noah works with a dog, Shadow, just as Eirik does with Merewen’s hound Sceadu. Eirik considers being a farmer just as Noah is. Alix is harassed by a library colleague, in a similar way to how Merewen is in her settlement.
I spent a good chunk of the second and third act trying to figure out the significance of these moments. Given the strong echoes between the past and present storylines, I hoped for a deeper exploration of what binds the couples across time. Though the explanation we get is intriguing, it ultimately felt a bit underdeveloped for my taste.
While this novel doesn’t slip through time in the ways I usually enjoy, Ripples Through Time has got enough research, character development and animal companions to satisfy Courtenay’s most ardent fans – and those of dual timeline novels in genera
November 22, 2025
Ein neuer dual-timeline-Roman von Christina Courteney: ich habe mich sehr darauf gefreut! Ich habe schon einige ihrer time-slip-novels gelesen, und ihre Spezialität ist die Wikingerzeit in Großbrittanien, und natürlich romance :-) Beides vereint Ms Courteney zu großartigen Geschichten, und auch hier schicke ich mal vorab hat sie mich voll und ganz begeistert und abgeholt.
Ganz kurz zum Inhalt; wie der Klappentext schon sagt, sind wir einmal im hier und heute in Hereford bei der Bibliothekarin Alix, Mitte 20, die gerade aus London kommt und das alte Farmhaus ihres Großvaters übernimmt. Auf dem Nachbargrundstück wurde vor einiger Zeit ein uralter Schatz aus Wikingerzeiten gefunden, und es scheint durch alle Zeitalter hindurch eine Verbindung zu geben zwischen Alix und Noah, dem Nachbarn, zu dem Alix sich hingezogen fühlt, sowie dem Nordmann Eirik und Merewen, einem Liebespaar, dass vor 12 Jahrhunderten an diesem Ort lebte, als er noch West Mercia hieß…….
Als Leser sind wir abwechselnd bei Eirik und Merewen zu Wikingerzeiten, deren Liebesgeschichte voller Dramatik und Action ist, und dann wieder bei Alix und Noah – auch hier ist nicht alles heiter Sonnenschein, denn beide Paare müssen für ihre Liebe kämpfen. Und unser heutiges Liebespaar hat immer wieder Momente, in denen sie die beiden Liebenden aus den vergangenen Zeiten sehen: wann immer Alix ihren Kristallanhänger berührt, ein altes Familienerbstück, oder Noah eine der Wikingermünzen aus dem geborgenen Schatz in die Hand nimmt, tun sich Bilder und Erinnerungen auf, die sie in längst vergangene Zeiten führen.
Mein Leseeindruck und Fazit: Großartige Story, großartige Protagonisten, tolle Atmosphäre, tolles Setting. Wie nicht anders zu erwarten auch wieder spannende Einblicke in den Alltag der Menschen im 9. Jahrhundert in Großbrittanien. Das ist halt auch das Spezialgebiet der Autorin, hier kennt sie sich geschichtlich aus, und hier ist man sofort mitten dabei. 2 Liebesgeschichten zum Mitfiebern – es hat für mich alles gestimmt. Ein Touch Mystery und Fantasy, und ein allzeit hohes Actionlevel. War klasse!
Ganz kurz zum Inhalt; wie der Klappentext schon sagt, sind wir einmal im hier und heute in Hereford bei der Bibliothekarin Alix, Mitte 20, die gerade aus London kommt und das alte Farmhaus ihres Großvaters übernimmt. Auf dem Nachbargrundstück wurde vor einiger Zeit ein uralter Schatz aus Wikingerzeiten gefunden, und es scheint durch alle Zeitalter hindurch eine Verbindung zu geben zwischen Alix und Noah, dem Nachbarn, zu dem Alix sich hingezogen fühlt, sowie dem Nordmann Eirik und Merewen, einem Liebespaar, dass vor 12 Jahrhunderten an diesem Ort lebte, als er noch West Mercia hieß…….
Als Leser sind wir abwechselnd bei Eirik und Merewen zu Wikingerzeiten, deren Liebesgeschichte voller Dramatik und Action ist, und dann wieder bei Alix und Noah – auch hier ist nicht alles heiter Sonnenschein, denn beide Paare müssen für ihre Liebe kämpfen. Und unser heutiges Liebespaar hat immer wieder Momente, in denen sie die beiden Liebenden aus den vergangenen Zeiten sehen: wann immer Alix ihren Kristallanhänger berührt, ein altes Familienerbstück, oder Noah eine der Wikingermünzen aus dem geborgenen Schatz in die Hand nimmt, tun sich Bilder und Erinnerungen auf, die sie in längst vergangene Zeiten führen.
Mein Leseeindruck und Fazit: Großartige Story, großartige Protagonisten, tolle Atmosphäre, tolles Setting. Wie nicht anders zu erwarten auch wieder spannende Einblicke in den Alltag der Menschen im 9. Jahrhundert in Großbrittanien. Das ist halt auch das Spezialgebiet der Autorin, hier kennt sie sich geschichtlich aus, und hier ist man sofort mitten dabei. 2 Liebesgeschichten zum Mitfiebern – es hat für mich alles gestimmt. Ein Touch Mystery und Fantasy, und ein allzeit hohes Actionlevel. War klasse!
November 28, 2025
Woohoo another absolutely fabulous dual timeline romance from Christina.
I am such a fan of Christina’s work, having found and loved her Runes series and I have loved every book I have since read, eagerly waiting for the next one!
In this book we return to Viking times for the historical part.
In the past section, we get to know Merewen as she is jilted by her fiancée who then goes on to marry her sister. And a lucky escape is had! She meets Eirik; a handsome, injured Norseman who was left behind when his tribe attacked and now he wants nothing to do with them.
In the present, we meet Alix who has also lost her fiancé to her sister and she goes on to meet a handsome farmer who is living on the land Merewen lived on all those years ago.
As Alix and Noah get to know each other, they share flashbacks of a couple from many years ago. Could they be that couple destined to be together for all eternity?
The vivid descriptions of life in the 9th century absolutely transports the reader to that time. The clothes, how they live everything meticulously researched and brought to life again.
There is a very clever dog in each timeline too and they play a big part in protecting their owners.
Plenty of clever similarities in the stories on each timeline, and a big connection to the two storylines is a hoarde of treasure found by Noah’s sister and her boyfriend which was buried during Eirik’s lifetime.
I have to say I loved the passing reference to Alix’s favourite band Valhalla Storm who appeared in a previous book!
Another absolute corker from Christine.
Thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour.
I am such a fan of Christina’s work, having found and loved her Runes series and I have loved every book I have since read, eagerly waiting for the next one!
In this book we return to Viking times for the historical part.
In the past section, we get to know Merewen as she is jilted by her fiancée who then goes on to marry her sister. And a lucky escape is had! She meets Eirik; a handsome, injured Norseman who was left behind when his tribe attacked and now he wants nothing to do with them.
In the present, we meet Alix who has also lost her fiancé to her sister and she goes on to meet a handsome farmer who is living on the land Merewen lived on all those years ago.
As Alix and Noah get to know each other, they share flashbacks of a couple from many years ago. Could they be that couple destined to be together for all eternity?
The vivid descriptions of life in the 9th century absolutely transports the reader to that time. The clothes, how they live everything meticulously researched and brought to life again.
There is a very clever dog in each timeline too and they play a big part in protecting their owners.
Plenty of clever similarities in the stories on each timeline, and a big connection to the two storylines is a hoarde of treasure found by Noah’s sister and her boyfriend which was buried during Eirik’s lifetime.
I have to say I loved the passing reference to Alix’s favourite band Valhalla Storm who appeared in a previous book!
Another absolute corker from Christine.
Thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour.
December 3, 2025
A fun timeslip modern-day and Viking-era set romance novel, Christina Courtney’s tale is all that you could wish for.
An attractive man and woman in modern day England, brought together by unhappy circumstances. An attractive Viking (Norse) man and a Saxon woman in England, brought together by unhappy circumstances.
There are family betrayals and jealousy, buried treasure, and two kind people, attracted to each other—in both timelines!
And did I mention the fantastic setting—Viking invaded Saxon England? Swords and axes, healing herbs, and ancient stone monuments to the dead...
Of course, we can tell fairly early on that these are likely the same souls, meeting again in another life after (possibly) centuries apart (who knows, perhaps they meet in every life?).
What we don’t know is: will they get together? Will they overcome the jealousies and betrayals that are forcing them apart? And will there be a Happy Ever After in either of the timelines, or both? Could it be that this is a second chance for them after tragedy in the first life? Afterall, the risk of death is always there, lurking, in 9th Century England, with the Heathen Army cutting down anyone and anything in its evil path.
Oh, and did I say, there are bad Saxons as well as bad Norse?
Who wouldn’t enjoy this quick, easy read, filled with all the things we want to see, centred on two loveable characters, fated to meet again centuries later?
If you love immersive historical backdrops, compelling romantic stories, a touch of fantasy, and a good balance of historical detail and accessible storytelling—and Vikings, of course!—then pick up a copy, it won’t disappoint.
An attractive man and woman in modern day England, brought together by unhappy circumstances. An attractive Viking (Norse) man and a Saxon woman in England, brought together by unhappy circumstances.
There are family betrayals and jealousy, buried treasure, and two kind people, attracted to each other—in both timelines!
And did I mention the fantastic setting—Viking invaded Saxon England? Swords and axes, healing herbs, and ancient stone monuments to the dead...
Of course, we can tell fairly early on that these are likely the same souls, meeting again in another life after (possibly) centuries apart (who knows, perhaps they meet in every life?).
What we don’t know is: will they get together? Will they overcome the jealousies and betrayals that are forcing them apart? And will there be a Happy Ever After in either of the timelines, or both? Could it be that this is a second chance for them after tragedy in the first life? Afterall, the risk of death is always there, lurking, in 9th Century England, with the Heathen Army cutting down anyone and anything in its evil path.
Oh, and did I say, there are bad Saxons as well as bad Norse?
Who wouldn’t enjoy this quick, easy read, filled with all the things we want to see, centred on two loveable characters, fated to meet again centuries later?
If you love immersive historical backdrops, compelling romantic stories, a touch of fantasy, and a good balance of historical detail and accessible storytelling—and Vikings, of course!—then pick up a copy, it won’t disappoint.
November 20, 2025
Ripples Through Time is a dual timeline love story that delivers romance to seismic levels. The action for both elements takes place in the same location, yet hundreds of years apart. The synopsis perfectly introduces the plot, and the imagining could not be better.
In medieval times, Eirik is left fighting for his life after being defeated in battle and abandoned by his fellow warriors. He had been pleading with his uncle to stop campaigning and to settle down, maybe to start a farm. I immediately took to his character; he had integrity and a strong sense of loyalty.
Merewen was equally admirable; her feistiness and determination to help others while protecting her own needs reminded me of modern feminists, and I felt aligned with her passion.
The way Merewen and Eirik met and bonded was utterly believable, leading to a warm friendship long before any romantic involvement. Courtenay’s excellent storytelling created a compelling, believable situation that balanced jeopardy and safety equally.
When we visited the present day, the reins were taken up by local farmer Noah and library worker Alix. Their initial bond, or rather enmity, was a product of a Viking haul being discovered on Noah’s land. The character arcs for the pair were fascinating, and I stayed up all night reading, totally invested in the story. The connections between the past and present were perfectly imagined with such a skilled hand that I could envisage all the details as I read.
I genuinely loved this book and highly recommend it.
In medieval times, Eirik is left fighting for his life after being defeated in battle and abandoned by his fellow warriors. He had been pleading with his uncle to stop campaigning and to settle down, maybe to start a farm. I immediately took to his character; he had integrity and a strong sense of loyalty.
Merewen was equally admirable; her feistiness and determination to help others while protecting her own needs reminded me of modern feminists, and I felt aligned with her passion.
The way Merewen and Eirik met and bonded was utterly believable, leading to a warm friendship long before any romantic involvement. Courtenay’s excellent storytelling created a compelling, believable situation that balanced jeopardy and safety equally.
When we visited the present day, the reins were taken up by local farmer Noah and library worker Alix. Their initial bond, or rather enmity, was a product of a Viking haul being discovered on Noah’s land. The character arcs for the pair were fascinating, and I stayed up all night reading, totally invested in the story. The connections between the past and present were perfectly imagined with such a skilled hand that I could envisage all the details as I read.
I genuinely loved this book and highly recommend it.
November 25, 2025
Echoes of the past feature strongly in this dual time story between Merewen and Eirik in West Mercia in AD 873 and of their modern day counterparts, Alix and Noah, in rural Hereford. Whilst each story is quite separate there is a definite thread of connection running throughout the narrative especially when Alix and Noah experience some unexpected sights and sensations from this long ago era.
I’ve enjoyed spending time in both time frames especially discovering more about Merewen’s life, the dangers she faced from within her community and her undeniable attraction to Eirik, a fierce Norseman, who is more used to combat than living in peace. Whilst in present day Hereford both Alix and Noah are facing challenges, especially for Alix as she leaves her old life behind to make a new start and also for Noah as he discovers more about the land he calls home and the Viking hoard which was once buried on his farmland.
The transition between the two time frames is seamless and with neither one seeking to outshine the other I was equally enthralled in spending time in AD 873 as I was in the present day. There’s a real sense of authenticity and the author does a great job in bringing history alive, I could well imagine being with Merewen as she goes about her duties in the settlement and yet was also just as comfortable with Noah on his Herefordshire farm.
Ripples Through Time is a beautifully written dual timeline story, with lovely characterisation and two heartfelt romances both of which give us a glimpse into the power of a love affair which transcends time.
November 26, 2025
This review is for a blog tour and the day this review will be posted I will be visiting the Viking Museum in York. Christina Courtenay, the Queen of learning through story and of love across time, inspired me to learn more about Vikings after reading her Rune series.
This novel feels a little different. The atmosphere changes even if the plot still mixes past and present. The difference is subtle and made me think of one of my favourite romantic authors, Anya Seton, and her book Green Darkness.
This is not a story of forbidden love or reincarnation. Instead there is betrayal and grief. I supported Noah and Alix and hoped they could find happiness and succeed in their quest.
The historical background is strong. It is like a crash course in life, death and war during the Dark Ages. This is one of the best parts of the book together with the well written characters and the excellent storytelling.
I hope this is part of a series because I want to read more books like this and enjoy them.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks for the digital copy. All opinions are mine.
This novel feels a little different. The atmosphere changes even if the plot still mixes past and present. The difference is subtle and made me think of one of my favourite romantic authors, Anya Seton, and her book Green Darkness.
This is not a story of forbidden love or reincarnation. Instead there is betrayal and grief. I supported Noah and Alix and hoped they could find happiness and succeed in their quest.
The historical background is strong. It is like a crash course in life, death and war during the Dark Ages. This is one of the best parts of the book together with the well written characters and the excellent storytelling.
I hope this is part of a series because I want to read more books like this and enjoy them.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks for the digital copy. All opinions are mine.
November 21, 2025
Merewen is a healer in West Mercia in AD873 when she encounters Eirik, a Viking warrior and helps him survive his battle injury. They develop a dangerous friendship. Present day, Alix, betrayed devastatingly, leaves London for Hereford and accepts her Grandfather's unexpected legacy. Noah has a stormy first meeting with Alix, but their connection seems fated. Whilst it is the Viking story that attracts me to this book, both are equally enthralling, especially when the past touches the present. I enjoyed reading both tales with their believable characters and evocative settings. The historical detail brings the Viking era to vibrant life, and the gentle romance between the two sets of lovers, wary of heartbreak, endears. It's an enjoyable and informative read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
November 28, 2025
Ripples through time was a fun, easy and engaging read.
I loved the historical insights which felt seamlessly wove into the both the Viking and the present day timelines. The author writes from a social perspective that makes the characters experience feel so much more tangible. While there’s certainly bloodshed, on the whole this is a cosy and relaxing read.
I enjoyed the main characters and their relationship development in both timelines, and the gentle slips which serviced to highlight their common experiences. The authors note at the end about the real world inspiration for the story was interesting, and I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of researching!
I’d recommend for anyone looking for an interesting, warm and easy historical romance. 3.5⭐️
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
I loved the historical insights which felt seamlessly wove into the both the Viking and the present day timelines. The author writes from a social perspective that makes the characters experience feel so much more tangible. While there’s certainly bloodshed, on the whole this is a cosy and relaxing read.
I enjoyed the main characters and their relationship development in both timelines, and the gentle slips which serviced to highlight their common experiences. The authors note at the end about the real world inspiration for the story was interesting, and I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of researching!
I’d recommend for anyone looking for an interesting, warm and easy historical romance. 3.5⭐️
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
November 26, 2025
You know a dual-time romance is really good when you find yourself equally invested in both timelines. It worked perfectly for me with this book, just like with previous ones by the same author.
The ancient artefacts found on Noah's property and displayed at the library where Alix works, plus the pendant that's been in her family for longer than anyone could remember, are perfect links between them and their 9th century counterparts, Eirik and Merewen, who met at the same place, in the part of England that was then called Mercia, near a cairn on what's now part of Noah's farm land.
I greatly enjoyed following both couples in their alternating chapters, and would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a mix of historical and contemporary fiction with a touch of supernatural.
The ancient artefacts found on Noah's property and displayed at the library where Alix works, plus the pendant that's been in her family for longer than anyone could remember, are perfect links between them and their 9th century counterparts, Eirik and Merewen, who met at the same place, in the part of England that was then called Mercia, near a cairn on what's now part of Noah's farm land.
I greatly enjoyed following both couples in their alternating chapters, and would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a mix of historical and contemporary fiction with a touch of supernatural.
December 1, 2025
Have you read a book by Courtenay before? Was that a no? Then you are seriously missing out. She's the GOAT when it comes to timeslip stories!
Ripples Through Time is a dual timeline read that takes place in a Viking West Mercia AD 837 and Hexford in present day.
Courtenay's writing is rich in description allowing me to fully immerse myself into the passage of time, bringing history alive.
Both timelines were so easy to invest in, and the four main characters Merewen, Eirik, Alix and Noah even more so. Why did it have to end? I could have read about them forever.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Ripples Through Time is a dual timeline read that takes place in a Viking West Mercia AD 837 and Hexford in present day.
Courtenay's writing is rich in description allowing me to fully immerse myself into the passage of time, bringing history alive.
Both timelines were so easy to invest in, and the four main characters Merewen, Eirik, Alix and Noah even more so. Why did it have to end? I could have read about them forever.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
October 11, 2025
I adore dual timeline historical fiction novels, so was excited to read this one from an author I have not read before. It is a very easy read and book to get into, romantic, and I enjoyed reading about the Viking era. Personally, I prefer a more complicated story with more historical detail, but this one is well written and will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy time slip stories. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.
December 12, 2025
Really enjoyed this duel time line book, the story was well written and enjoyed learning about the individual characters. The story is about the finding of a hoard of treasure found in a field and not declared and which then tells a story of past and present. Well worth the read as links current to the hoard and the reason it was there.
My thanks as always to NetGalley for the read and Publisher Headline | Headline Review for the early read
My thanks as always to NetGalley for the read and Publisher Headline | Headline Review for the early read
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I loved this dual timeline story. It's very similar to Barbara Erskine but shorter. This one was about a group of Vikings and present day Hereford. I'm hoping to read more for Christina soon. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
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