A time-slip love story set in the wild heart of Devon — where cold water heals, memories haunt, and magic lingers just beyond the tide.
Among the wild rivers, secret coves, and moorland lakes of South Devon and Dartmoor, something magical is stirring — a love that defies time…
It’s November 2019, and Olivia Wylde’s life is quietly unravelling. The world is on the brink of lockdown, and while news headlines buzz with unfamiliar words like “social distancing” and “PPE,” Olivia is facing more personal upheaval: a failing relationship, a fraying sense of purpose, and a growing need to escape.
She finds solace in wild swimming — cold-water plunges into hidden pools, river bends, and the open sea. As she dives deeper into Devon’s untamed landscapes, something begins to shift.
Why do strangers seem to know her name?
And how can a man sitting on a beach in 1921 be connected to her story?
What begins as an act of survival becomes a journey through memory, magic, and time itself.
An Archway Through Time is a deeply atmospheric time travel romance, weaving together Devon historical fiction, magical realism, and a haunting mystery set across generations. For readers who loved The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Binding, or The Outlander series, this is a slow-burn love story full of wild landscapes, hidden histories, and emotional depth.
Reviews for Olivia’s Tale
“I couldn’t put this book down & read it in a day. ”
“It’s a beautiful story, written with great warmth and I was so invested in the characters I didn’t really want it to end.”
“I can see a blockbuster movie coming out of this amazing story!!”
“A real page turner with a great twist at the end.”
“Best I have read this year”
“I couldn’t put this book down.”
“…a wonderful double twist halfway through and at the end”
“…the story got so gripping at that point it was hard to put the book down”
Why readers love it:
Author Note
Dear Readers
An Archway Through Time is a reimagining of my earlier novel Wylde Swimming. At its heart, it remains the same story, with the same beloved characters and evocative locations—but it has grown. This new version is approximately 50% longer, with deeper storytelling and expanded scenes.
Why the revision? As I began working on the follow-up novel, Dartmoor Veils of Time, I found myself wanting Wylde Swimming to more closely align with the themes, tone, and underlying mythology of this evolving series. The result is a book that not only stands more firmly on its own but also serves as a more fitting prelude to what comes next.
Several readers kindly noted that the second half of Wylde Swimming. felt a little rushed. In response, I’ve taken the opportunity to slow down and delve more deeply into Olivia Wylde’s journey—her challenges, her choices, and the emotional landscape she moves through.
I’m truly grateful for the love and enthusiasm so many of you showed for Wylde Swimming.. I believe An Archway Through Time will resonate even more deeply, and for those continuing on to Dartmoor Veils of Time,, it will offer added richness and context. That said, if you prefer to move straight from the original book to the sequel, you’re welcome to do so—though you may miss a few subtle threads that have been newly woven into the fabric of the story.
It’s been a joy revisiting this world, and yes—I cried again. Good stories and good characters will do that to you.
Enjoy!
Simon Tozer,
Original price was: £12.99.£9.99Current price is: £9.99.
JSC – 5.0 out of 5 stars A magical Mystery Tour !
I was intrigued to read An Archway through Time as it is set in area of South Devon that I know so well. I was apprehensive at first because this was not my usual sort of read but as soon as I started reading,I was totally drawn into Olivia’s world. The book was so incredibly descriptive. I could imagine every scene as though I was watching a film. Essentially this is a spiritual time travel love story…a format that I am.not used to but I was totally immersed into Olivia’s extraordinary adventure. An Archway through Time is an emotional roller coaster and yes, I did shed a tear or two ! I so look forward to reading the next book of Simon’s…. I love the way he writes, it is quite magical !
