The Gods Time Forgot is a fun mix of Bridgerton and Outlander, set in gilded age New York with Irish gods.

Overall, I had a fun time reading this! It was intriguing, unique, and romantic. I think having the right expectations is key before you go in. This is a romance with light fantasy elements, so don’t expect a lot of magic or fantasy. Most of the fantasy happens before the book starts and at the very end. The majority of the book is solidly romance with lots of ballgowns and tension.

Like I said, I really did enjoy this book for what it was. I will say the ending was abrupt and the historical events were pretty flat (simply thrown in but honestly this could’ve taken place in any 18-19th century ballroom; it wasn’t distinctly gilded age enough imo).

I would recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author!

I was excited about this concept but I found myself bored right after we were halfway through the book.

I enjoyed the dual POV, the setting, the personality of our main character and, most of all, the fact that from the very first page we knew something was wrong but still didn't have the whole information. I believe it would've been more stressful (or made us think the main character was stupid) had we had the answers long before she did. Plus, there was good enough chemistry between the main characters (even if the immediate-hate to love is overdone lately; It's cause it works)

I found myself thinking in more than one occasion ''I wish there was nothing else going on; like she actually has amnesia and this is just a Gilded Age fun romance'' and I... I want fantasy. That's not a normal thought for me to have. But I because so uninterested that the possible answers and reveals just stopped being something to look forward to.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is a dark, thrilling, and thought-provoking fantasy novel that completely captivated me from start to finish. The author’s world-building is incredible, drawing me into a universe where gods, time manipulation, and deep secrets collide in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, with a narrative that’s both intricate and mysterious. I loved how the story unfolded, revealing secrets and layers about the gods and their involvement with time. The stakes feel high throughout, and the tension builds steadily, making every chapter feel like it’s driving toward something monumental. I was constantly eager to know what would happen next, and the surprises along the way kept me hooked.

The characters are another standout aspect of this book. The protagonist is complex and compelling, with their own inner conflicts and motivations that felt so real. The relationships, both with allies and enemies, were richly developed, and I really appreciated the depth the author gave to each character. I found myself really invested in their journeys, particularly how they navigated the gods’ world and their own role in it all.

What I also really enjoyed was the philosophical and emotional depth of the book. It’s not just a story about gods and time; it’s about self-discovery, morality, and the consequences of our actions. The way the author explores these themes added a layer of depth that made the book even more rewarding to read.

Overall, The Gods Time Forgot is a gripping, thought-provoking fantasy that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys stories with complex world-building, morally grey characters, and high-stakes adventure. It’s a book that will make you think long after you’ve finished it, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

DNF @ 11%

The premise sounded very interesting but even at 2% in I was having issues paying attention. Something about the writing just didn't grab my interest and sadly the characters fell very flat. I could tell this one wasn't for me at all.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Those book has a beautiful cover and a setting that speaks to me. The pacing, however, was too slow for my liking, and the ending was very abrupt. It seemed like a rough draft.

Despite having a promising magic-filled premise, the novel sidelined its fantastical elements in favour of an underwhelming romance between two characters it was hard to connect to.

Would I recommend?... Unfortunately I don't think I would. I wanted more from the story: more mythology, more character development and more chemistry.

Read for:
- Gilded Age New York
- dual perspectives
- dash of Irish mythology
- forbidden romance
- mistaken identity

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an eARC copy of The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez

The cover was what caught my attention, as well as the plot. Who doesn't enjoy a myth retelling? However, to be quiet honest, the book fell flat for me. I would put it down, then pick it up again later only to forget what had happened earlier on. Felt just as clueless as Rua in the beginning. I slogged through it to see if it would pick up, but for me it never did. Though, I will agree that the banter was spot on and wish it played more on the character dynamics. Just could have been more than it was.

3.5, really, but I'm rounding down rather than up for pacing issues. I love the central premise of this story - the Irish folktale about the love between demigod hero Cu Chullain and Macha, one of the goddess who make up The Morrigan being given a second chance in 1870 New York. The sense of both the folklore and the historical setting is beautiful, and I really enjoyed Gonzalez's approach to the tale. But the instalove between Rua/Macha and Cu Chullain/Finn felt, well, <i>too</i> instant, like it wasn't quite established enough that they're destined lovers and leaning more into the love and first sight trope. The pacing also felt a bit off - too slow at first, and then racing through the middle before slowing down again at the end.

Still, this is incredibly readable, and Gonzalez does a fantastic job of capturing the mean girls of Gilded Age New York City. I might not necessarily recommend it to fans of Irish folklore, but readers of romantic fantasy (I loathe the word "romantasy") will find a lot to enjoy.

Time Travel meets Downton Abbey.

This book is a standalone - filled with romance and a touch of fantasy. Rua appears in New York with no memory of how she got there - and is believed to be Emma - a 1870 socialite. You as the reader go along with Rua to piece together the past and her relationship with Finn - an Irish Lord (we love a good dual POV!)
The Irish Mythology was so interesting and one of the best parts of the book.
The story started out strong but I did feel like the ending was too abrupt and left me wanting more!

This was such unique story. I don’t think I ever read something like this. The Irish mythology was so interesting to read about. The writing was also really good in my opinion. It kept me entertained and I love Rua and her determination to just be herself in a world where money and prestige is everything. The only thing that I wish was different was the ending. There’s this really good built up and the ending happened just so fast. It felt rushed and I wish it was a bit more developed.

Lovely writing and strong dialogue. The plot thinned a bit for me in the middle and was tricky to follow along with identities and stakes. Overall, a solid read for those who love the Gilded Age.

Unfortunately I DNF at 8%.

I don't know quite what it is about the book but I found myself unable to connect with any of the characters enough to care to keep going. Rua seems like she would be an interesting character but instead she just comes across as flat and one dimensional. I am sure that if I kept reading I would have been able to connect with her more, but as I wasn't really enjoying the story I found no reason to continue. I couldn't connect with her plight of missing memories and desire to uncover who she is. The flashbacks weren't enough to keep me interested.

I stopped reading right when our FMC, Finn was introduced so I don't know much about his character.

I hope that this book finds its target audience, I just don't feel like it's me.

What a creative historical/fantasy romance!

I really enjoyed the Irish mythology and how it played into the story. The amnesia storyline made sense and was well executed. The romance was swoon worthy and filled with plenty of memorable banter too. The world building was well done and didn't feel like an info dump.

If you enjoy fantasy romance, you're gonna love this.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/ 3.5

Fans of Outlander and Bridgerton, get ready for a twisty turn around the ton full of scandal, suspense, and undying love.

I really enjoyed this one! The writing was gorgeous and well developed, the setting was picturesque, and the story was very intriguing. I loved the relationship between Rua and Finn, the banter was full of wit with just the right amount of snark. I loved learning about their mysterious past and strong familiarity with each other. The story was full of drama and intrigue to captivate a wide range of audiences.

Blurb:
When Rua wakes up in a shallow grave with no memories, she can’t help but think something has gone terribly wrong. When she emerges, a search party is in full swing for a girl named Emma. Things get a little dodgy when they claim Rua is the lost girl and she must be delirious to not remember her own name. Rua is dragged into the high society world of elegant balls, walks around the ton, and fine etiquette. Rumors about Emma’s mysterious disappearance and recovery swirl around town leaving it hard for Rua to fit in. Especially when she meets the Lord of Donore, whom she feels the strangest familiarity to. The Lord of Donore always finds Rua where she isn’t supposed to be but can’t help but feel drawn to her, captivated by her gorgeous red hair.

I have to say that I love that this took on Irish myths and legends. Being a redhead myself and Irish I love anything that has to do with Ireland. I enjoyed reading the book, it gave off Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton vibes with the twist of magic and gods. While reading it I was dying because I just wanted Rua and Finn to kiss they had so many opportunities that they kept missing. It was a great build-up for when they finally did kiss. I was upset with Finn for him still wanting this easy life and marrying Annette, I was glad that he ultimately decided that he wanted his life with Rua. The author did a great job of portraying a mother of the time with Flossie. I hated her, and how she would take everything out on Rua like it was all her fault when it wasn't. Her father Ned what a coward of the times. I can understand that she was no longer their daughter but then why put on this show? Then there was Mara a child who didn't know what she was getting into and got her friend the real Emma killed. She was just asking for the end that she got. I like that we get the full story of what happened and why Rua was here in the end and not the middle of the book and spend most of the book trying to solve the problem of getting home. The end of the book was nice, however for me it just rapidly ended. I wanted more, I wanted to know if they get home or where their story would take them next. Will her sister come after them? I do hope that there is a second book.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and Alcove Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this story. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Very cute YA novel! It definitely kept me engaged while reading it and I really did like the characters (ok, maybe not ALL of them, but the main ones are a yes).

Something about the ending to me felt off, and I can't quite put my finger on it. I think it just felt rushed and had a different pacing as opposed to the rest of the book, like I was missing more to the story or there is going to be a follow up novel.

3.5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Kelsie for the early access to read The Gods Time Forgot. The banter and the FMC character (Rua) . I really enjoyed it- but I feel like the plot was missing something. Not quite sure how to put my finger on it!

Thankyou to NetGalley for the chance to read an arc of The Gods That Time Forgot.

There was an idea somewhere in here which was intriguing and could’ve been woven into a fun Irish mythology retelling brought into a historical fantasy/mystery - but this fell short.

The pacing was off - the first third was very mysterious and gave gothic horror vibes, but without any real atmosphere built. Then we lurched into a Victorian era New York courting world, where the characters didn’t stay in character or were so stock/stereotype that eyes glazed as they came to the page.

The main plot - underlying romance/mythology mystery wasn’t written well enough to save the rest of the book. All was told through flashbacks and the lack of on page development or chemistry between the characters wasn’t what made me vie for their HEA, instead I just wanted the archetypal secondary/‘bad guys’ off the page.

The ending was hasty and fell flat. 2 stars for a solid idea and back bones of a plot/genre mix idea that could be excellent - shame about the execution.

Die Kombination aus dem New Yorker „Gilded Age“ und irischer Mythologie hatte Potenzial, aber leider fehlte mir in den ersten drei Vierteln des Buches fast jede magische Tiefe. Die Geschichte zog sich stellenweise und konnte sich für mich nicht richtig zwischen der historischen Romantik und der Fantasy entscheiden. Der Wortwechsel zwischen den Charakteren war zwar charmant, aber die Romantik hat mich nicht wirklich gepackt.

Das Tempo war im ersten Drittel sehr langsam, und das Ende kam viel zu abrupt. Ein Epilog oder eine ausführlichere Auflösung wären wünschenswert gewesen. Die Protagonistin wirkte etwas vage und schwer fassbar, während der männliche Hauptcharakter interessanter war. Leider fehlte mir auch der Hintergrund zu beiden Figuren.

Insgesamt war das Buch unterhaltsam, aber es konnte meine Erwartungen nicht ganz erfüllen und hinterließ am Ende das Gefühl, dass es an Spannung, Mythologie und emotionaler Tiefe mangelte

The cover and the title caught my attention, and the synopsis promised something that it didn't deliver on.

I was invested for the first 10-15%, then things slowly devolved for me. I didn't really like the characters very much. I didn't find their banter charming, and the magic wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention for long. I kept forgetting what era this was supposed to be set in. The way people talked didn't make sense for 1870s America, and the way the clothing was described didn't make sense either. I am no expert, but I was more often than not left confused with how things were described.
I don't feel like the author did a lot of research on Ireland before writing this book. Particularly with Ireland in the 1870s. Or 1870's New York for that matter. For supposedly being set in the Gilded Age, it was very lackluster.