The slow reveal of Rua and Finn's tragic past keeps the pages turning. Will they find themselves again? Before the present catches them at odds and keeps them apart forever?

The dual storylines and slow reveal were an ice approach to this dive into the world of the gods and our unspoken desire for love to always conquer.

The Gods Time Forgot is an immersive and imaginative story that blends mythology, adventure, and richly developed characters in a compelling way. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez has a real talent for world-building — the settings feel vivid, layered, and alive, with a sense of history and magic that draws the reader in immediately. From the first chapter, I was intrigued by the blend of suspense, myth, and personal stakes that shape the story.

The characters are one of the novel’s strongest points. They are complex, with believable motivations and emotional depth, and I appreciated how their relationships evolve naturally throughout the story. Gonzalez balances the larger-than-life mythological elements with personal, human moments, making the stakes feel both epic and intimate at the same time.

Pacing is handled well for the most part, with a steady build of tension and well-timed revelations. There are moments where the plot could have moved a bit faster, but these are minor quibbles compared to the richness of the storytelling. The narrative is engaging, and the thematic exploration — of time, power, and legacy — adds a thoughtful layer beyond the adventure itself.

Overall, The Gods Time Forgot is a strong, engaging read that will appeal to fans of myth-inspired fiction, epic adventures, and character-driven storytelling. While not without small imperfections, Gonzalez’s skillful writing and imaginative world make this a solid four-star read that leaves a lasting impression.

While the title of the book suggests anticipated fantasy read, what I got was a Gilded Age story. I wasn't a huge fan of the FMC or the MMC. The premise was good, but I just kept waiting for the action. This is a character driven story with little to no plot. I gave it 3 stars because I did finish it and it kept me wanting more, but I never got it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

A fantastical mystery that takes its time to unravel

All Rua knows is that she is not who she is supposed to be. People are saying she is the Harrington family’s missing daughter, Emma, but nothing about the life she inhabits is familiar to her. But she remembers nothing else, and so she plays along. She remembers nothing else, that is, until Finn.

I feel exceptionally neutral about “The Gods Time Forgot”. The storyline is interesting but for the most part nothing really seemed to happen. Possibly I would have liked it better were it a short story.

If you enjoyed Rebecca Ross’ “Divine Rivals”, you might still want to give this one a go! I thought they had a similar kind of magical heaviness-feel to them.


Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Gods Time Forgot is a beautiful blend of historical romance and fantasy, weaving together Celtic mythology and Gilded Age New York. The novel takes readers on a compelling journey with its protagonist, Rua, as she navigates a new world and unravels the mysteries of her identity.

While some readers may find the plot to be slow-paced at times, the true strength of this book lies in its atmospheric and rich world-building. The descriptions of historical New York City are particularly vivid, making it an excellent choice for fans of shows like Bridgerton or Outlander. This book is a good pick for those who appreciate detailed settings and a slow-burn narrative.

The Gods Time Forgot is a beautifully crafted historical romantasy. I really enjoyed the inclusion of Celtic mythology, and loved being along for the ride as Rua tried to figure out where she was and who she was. Gilded Age New York City was so beautifully described, and I think this book would be excellent for fans of Bridgerton or Outlander. While it didn't end on a huge cliffhanger, I would love if this was expanded into a series.

Sadly this book just didn’t grab as much as I hoped it would. I put it down and picked it up multiple times but I just couldn’t connect with it. Super bummed.

Set in Manhattan 1870, this mix of Irish mythology and the Gilded Age is a fun read. Rua is trying to find out who she is as she has no memories. Finn is new to this side of the pond and trying to find his footing here. When these 2 meet, they both are determined to find their way and maybe they can work together to get what they want

This fell flat for me.. It had such a cool premise, but the writing didnt pull me in. The cover art is wonderful and is what initially interested me, but it couldnt redeem the flat plot where nothing really happened.

1.5/5

This book had such boring and unengaging writing that one could call it impressive. The only positive thing I have to say is that the premise was interesting and kind of original, with its combination of Irish mythology and 1870 Manhattan. But there, the good stuff ended for me. Unfortunately, the execution of the plot was abysmal, and by the end, it was impossible to root for the main character's happiness. A lot of repetitive moments that wasted the reader's time could have been cut down to flesh out the ending.


**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. **

3/5⭐

The banter was great.

The pacing was inconsistent - it started good, then it dragged and the ending was just rushed.

I wasn't invested in this but it was enjoyable read.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

set in 1870s manhattan, "the gods time forgot" follows rua, a girl with no memories who’s mistaken for the wealthy Harrington family's lost daughter. as she navigates gilded age high society and an unexpected pull toward the mysterious lord donore, she begins to recover flashes of a past steeped into captivating mythology and dark magic. What begins as a historical drama slowly unravels into a enchanting romantasy.

much of the book focuses on social events and drama among the elite, with mc repeatedly rebelling against societal norms while trying to uncover who she is. the fantasy aspects—which were the biggest draw for me—only surface meaningfully in the last 20% and felt rushed. similarly, the romance between rua and finn never quite clicks. there’s an intended sense of fate and familiarity, but the emotional payoff feels shallow due to underdeveloped chemistry and a distracting love triangle. the ending ties things up quickly, almost too conveniently, and left me wanting more depth and buildup. that said, the writing has some lovely moments and this could still work for readers who enjoy slower-burn, clean romantasy set in rich historical settings, but i wanted more from both the romance and the magic.

thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rua wakes up in the forest with no memories except for her name. Everyone around her keeps calling her Emma Harrington, the daughter of nouveau riche social climbers, and she's taken into the treacherous world of Manhattan society. Under the threat of being sent to an asylum, she has to play the part of a debutante while trying to figure out whether the dark and ancient memories she's seeing in her dreams are true. Finn, Lord of Donore, knows that he has to toe the line if he wants to thrive in society and expand his charities, which does not include associating with the outcast Ms. Harrington. But he feels like he's known her before and feels an attraction that cannot be quelled. Will they be able to figure out the mystery of their past and find a future together?

The plot sounds simple, but it's one of the most complex romantasy books I've read in a while. Rua can't trust anyone, not even herself and her fragmented memory. If the arcane and ridiculous rules of high society weren't enough, there's also her mom's machinations and deception coming from all angles. Rua can't trust anyone. Even Finn has moments of doubt, and it makes for some highly emotional moments that drive the plot to greater mystery.

Getting both sides of the story, plus flashbacks, truly fills out every corner of what's going on with Rua and Finn. There's never any doubt about where they stand, which makes a nice change of pace and highlights the true mysteries of the story. It's a writing choice that I really appreciated.

Also, Mrs. Harrington is in the running for worst mother in literature, and no one will ever convince me otherwise.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the fascinating read!

This was a compelling romantasy, combining the myths of the Morrigan with 1870s New York. The way that the past and present (in terms of the storyline) were combined worked well. While I as a reader knew I was missing certain information I didn't feel completely lost, which doesn't always happen when memory loss is involved in a book. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Unfortunately, this book didn’t I pull me in beyond the title. I didn’t feel connected to the characters and missed the fantasy aspect of it.

The Gods Time Forgot
Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
3.75⭐️

Pub Date: 4/8/2025

This is very interesting. The concept is not new and original but it was still a good read. Basically body switch "isekai" into someone else's world. It's a mix of historical fiction and fantasy/folklore. Waking up in a new body in 1800s USA with patchy memories, an overbearing mother, and finding footing in high society and its pressures - talk about overwhelming! But our FMC Rua finds this charming man that gives off hints/deja vu moments, electric chemistry, fantastic banter, sloooow burn and teasing (as we would expect from 1800s high society) made it all worthwhile but also, all the more confusing for her. The writing style is great- I thought it was fast paced enough, even though there's not much action. And the mystery surrounding Rua and Finn was also intruiging enough to keep going. There's also the very annoying premise that women should behave a certain way, and while that's true for all genders, 1800s society's expectations were just too much. And with Rua being different, she was called crazy.

Obviously, I liked this one, but there were just parts of this book that didn't hit quite as well as I hope it would. The build up was done well in the middle, it was disappointing that I felt rushed towards the end and it didn't give me the satisfactory finish I thought it deserved. The folklore aspect, which I hoped would be more prominent towards the later part of the book, ended as a dud too. I wish there was more to it. Still a good book. For people who are looking for a darker Bridgerton with a hint of fantasy, put this on your tbr!

Thank you @netgalley and Alcove Press for this gifted e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️½ – 3 ⭐

This book was okay for me. I loved the idea of Irish mythology colliding with Gilded Age New York—it sounded so unique and promising! But I really wish there had been more magic, more world-building, and just a little bit more fantasy overall to bring it to life.

Rua’s amnesia and her pretending to be Emma Harrington had potential, and the slow-burn tension with Finn (the mysterious Lord of Donore) was intriguing at times. But the story often felt repetitive: lots of scenes focused on balls, gowns, and navigating New York’s high society, rather than truly exploring the magical side that was hinted at in the premise.

I think readers who love historical romance mixed with just a touch of fantasy might enjoy this more than I did. For me, it just needed a deeper dive into the mythology and a richer, more immersive fantasy world to really stand out.

I tried. I really tried. But The Gods Time Forgot just didn’t do it for me. I kept waiting for something to grab my attention, and it never quite showed up.

The book kicks off with flashbacks almost immediately, and I found myself squinting at the pages like, “Am I supposed to remember all of this?” It felt like I was being thrown into the deep end without knowing if I was supposed to swim or just tread water while things vaguely happened.

The dialogue between Rua and Finn had some potential; it was the most engaging part of the book for me. However, even that started to lose its charm as their conversations dragged on without anything truly happening.

I made it about 20% of the way through before accepting that this book and I just weren’t meant to be. I’m sure it has its fans, but for me, it was a no from the beginning, and definitely a DNF.

The premise here has a lot of promise, however it is never really realized. I had high hopes because there are a lot of elements to this story that I generally really like, but it was ultimately quite boring. Without spoiling any reveals, the romance relies heavily on the reader being told the characters love each other leaving no chemistry between the love interests on top of them being uninteresting to be begin with.

Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

3.5 ⭐️

“But not everything needed to burn brightly to be worthwhile.”

The Gods Time Forgot is a romantic historical fantasy based on Irish mythology set in New York City during the Gilded Age. I’d consider this to be very low fantasy, as it mostly felt like historical fiction with mystical mythology-induced amnesia.

Rua wakes up in the body of Emma Harrington, the missing daughter of an upper class Manhattan family. Having no memories, Rua goes along with it. She struggles to fit into Gilded Age society, where women aren’t allowed to have opinions or intelligence.

Emma’s mother continues to threaten to send Rua to an asylum because of how she acts out and calls out the ridiculous rules and customs of New York City high society. She constantly is embarrassing the family by speaking her mind and making blunders at balls and in social situations.

From the moment Finn meets “Emma” he is inexplicably drawn to her. It’s as if they’ve met before, as if he’s known her in another life.

Finn, the Lord of Donore, is new to town and a rich, eligible bachelor with many families fighting for his hand in marriage. He uses their favorable opinion of him when he constantly steps in to save Rua/Emma from ruining her family’s image further.

I did really enjoy the romance between Rua and Finn. Finn overall was such a great character; I loved him. There was a lot of banter, but also deja vu moments which were fun.

Unfortunately, I felt that the pacing wasn’t consistent and the ending was very rushed. Some things had been quite obvious to me from the beginning, but I left with more questions on other aspects of the story. Overall, the ending just left a lot be desired, and I wish there was an epilogue.

☁️ Irish Mythology • Amnesia Trope • He Falls First and Harder

Thank you, NetGalley and Alcove Press, for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!