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Far From Home #11
So Close To Heaven
She never imagined her fresh start would lead her centuries into the past…
American-born Ivy Mitchell thought she’d finally found her footing in the misty Highlands of Scotland—until an afternoon hike leaves her ripped from her world and hurled into the heart of 14th-century Scotland. Having come to terms months ago with her unexpected pregnancy, she finds herself once more in turmoil—this time in an unfamiliar land, amidst brutal war, and staring down a future she never chose.
He thought his heart was buried with his wife… until her.
Alaric MacKinlay had long accepted a life of war and solitude, his wife and child lost to tragedy. The last thing he expects to find is a strange woman spying on him in the aftermath of a skirmish—undeniably beautiful, heavy with child, and making a wild claim about having come from the future. Instinct tells him to keep his distance, but something about Ivy stirs a longing he thought forever dead.
As Ivy struggles to survive a century not her own, and Alaric swears to shield her and her unborn child, their unlikely bond deepens into something neither expected. But as Ivy learns to belong in a world so far from her own, and Alaric dares to open his heart again, both must decide if the love they’ve found can truly be their home.
American-born Ivy Mitchell thought she’d finally found her footing in the misty Highlands of Scotland—until an afternoon hike leaves her ripped from her world and hurled into the heart of 14th-century Scotland. Having come to terms months ago with her unexpected pregnancy, she finds herself once more in turmoil—this time in an unfamiliar land, amidst brutal war, and staring down a future she never chose.
He thought his heart was buried with his wife… until her.
Alaric MacKinlay had long accepted a life of war and solitude, his wife and child lost to tragedy. The last thing he expects to find is a strange woman spying on him in the aftermath of a skirmish—undeniably beautiful, heavy with child, and making a wild claim about having come from the future. Instinct tells him to keep his distance, but something about Ivy stirs a longing he thought forever dead.
As Ivy struggles to survive a century not her own, and Alaric swears to shield her and her unborn child, their unlikely bond deepens into something neither expected. But as Ivy learns to belong in a world so far from her own, and Alaric dares to open his heart again, both must decide if the love they’ve found can truly be their home.
- GenresTime TravelRomance
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2025
113 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 11, 2025
Not her best
I have read every book that Rebecca has written and always been a fan of her work but I was bitterly disappointed by this latest book.
There was so much potential for this story line. I felt that the characters were very 2 dimensional especially Alaric who I felt we never really got to know.
I never felt the emotional pull of this book as I normally do.
Even though Ivy is pregnant when she arrives in the past, Alaric never once asks her about the father of the child. Also Alaric is crippled by the grieve of losing his own wife and child but this is brushed over with very little detail. The romance scenes between the 2 main characters are non existent. If this is the first Rebecca Ruger book you have read then please don't be put off because all of her other books are so much better.
I have read every book that Rebecca has written and always been a fan of her work but I was bitterly disappointed by this latest book.
There was so much potential for this story line. I felt that the characters were very 2 dimensional especially Alaric who I felt we never really got to know.
I never felt the emotional pull of this book as I normally do.
Even though Ivy is pregnant when she arrives in the past, Alaric never once asks her about the father of the child. Also Alaric is crippled by the grieve of losing his own wife and child but this is brushed over with very little detail. The romance scenes between the 2 main characters are non existent. If this is the first Rebecca Ruger book you have read then please don't be put off because all of her other books are so much better.
February 19, 2026
it was interesting to have the countdown/timing urgency of the FMC's pregnancy in the story--finally some different twist, in Ruger's books--but i don't think we got a clear understanding of Alaric's character. he was all one note - he couldn't save his wife and child, so he now wishes to save Ivy. but i think we needed more scenes of him appreciating what Ivy was doing for the soldiers, the camp/community, to show his transition from "she's not our problem" to "i will love and care for her and this child as my own."
sidenote, i keep waiting for Ruger's series to pick up bread crumbs she has put down in earlier books (the consequences for the daughters of shadow, the alarming amount of american girls disappearing from scottish highlands lol, the application of their modern capabilities to historical times, etc.)
sidenote, i keep waiting for Ruger's series to pick up bread crumbs she has put down in earlier books (the consequences for the daughters of shadow, the alarming amount of american girls disappearing from scottish highlands lol, the application of their modern capabilities to historical times, etc.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2026
Another sweet time travel romance
I liked that Ivy, though confused, wasn't a whiny b$tch! When she was still uncertain if she'd really traveled back in time, she pitched in to wash dirty, bloody linens, as she couldn't cook or do other things they expected a woman to know how to do. This earned her respect. I also love that Alaric was gruff, but told the truth with her. I highly recommend this series!
I liked that Ivy, though confused, wasn't a whiny b$tch! When she was still uncertain if she'd really traveled back in time, she pitched in to wash dirty, bloody linens, as she couldn't cook or do other things they expected a woman to know how to do. This earned her respect. I also love that Alaric was gruff, but told the truth with her. I highly recommend this series!
September 2, 2025
close to heaven
This is a riveting tale about how a man from medieval times became quickly smitten with a lass from the 21 century. It is sweet and special. I throughly enjoyed it and this series.
This is a riveting tale about how a man from medieval times became quickly smitten with a lass from the 21 century. It is sweet and special. I throughly enjoyed it and this series.
September 9, 2025
Really enjoyed it but wish it was longer. I couldn’t believe I finished in one day that’s how good it was. Great story line and I felt like I was there. I can’t get enough of time traveling and castles !!
September 17, 2025
Heavenly!
This book was a bit slow, but definitely better than the last few of her books.
The earliest books are still my all time favorites. Ms. Ruger is still my fav author of historical romance!
This book was a bit slow, but definitely better than the last few of her books.
The earliest books are still my all time favorites. Ms. Ruger is still my fav author of historical romance!
March 26, 2026
So Close To Heaven
Ivy on a hike slides to the past in the middle of a war. Lost and seven months along with a child. A Laird takes care of her and later takes her and her child as his own. After marriage Ivy feels as close to heaven as she can get.
Ivy on a hike slides to the past in the middle of a war. Lost and seven months along with a child. A Laird takes care of her and later takes her and her child as his own. After marriage Ivy feels as close to heaven as she can get.
September 22, 2025
A lovely story! Loved the characters, their inter thoughts and the verbal exchanges. Thanks for the glimpses of next story.
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November 13, 2025wow
I read into the next day, the characters were made so familiar and the battles so descripted . I really enjoyed it.
I read into the next day, the characters were made so familiar and the battles so descripted . I really enjoyed it.
November 22, 2025
I love her time travel books. A great way to block out our world today and dream of another life.....what if??
December 20, 2025
Great read
Thoroughly enjoyed it! Wished it were longer. I hope soon there will be an audio book. It would add more to the experience of it.
Thoroughly enjoyed it! Wished it were longer. I hope soon there will be an audio book. It would add more to the experience of it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews