Uuuuh, so sad to say I struggled with this. Everything after the first 30% was a struggle.

We start off well - I was captivated by the opening - who is Rua? What really happened to Emma? What is going on?

And then we end up in high society and our main characters meet and... almost everything grinds to a halt. The biggest problem with the book is the pacing and then the abrupt ending. And slight problems with the characters. As much as I liked Rua at times, at times I was frustrated with her.

I'm sad because this turned out to be something completely different from what I expected by the description and even the beginning of the book.

‧₊˚✧ 𝙏𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 ✧˚₊‧

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞

ׂ╰┈➤ Slow Burn
ׂ╰┈➤ Enemies to Lovers
ׂ╰┈➤ Irish Mythology
ׂ╰┈➤ Forbidden/Star-Crossed Love
ׂ╰┈➤ 1870s Setting
ׂ╰┈➤ Historical Fiction

𝐀𝐍𝐃, 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡!

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Waking in a body not her own, Rua is mistaken for the missing daughter of a wealthy family, Emma Harrington. In hopes to finding answers, she keeps up with the charade and tries to blend into this lush society of the upper class. Upon returning to Manhattan, Rua crosses path with and instantly drawn to, the handsome Irishman, The Lord of Donore, who is completely off limits.

As the charade continues, Rua’s memories begin to surface with awakening truths that raises more questions, especially since her memories involves Lord of Donore. However, there’s more to the story than her memories are allowing her to remember… ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

One meeting was all it took for an instant flame to ignite

“𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐬' 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬. 𝑾𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅'𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓.

𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚, 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔, 𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕'𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐. 𝑺𝒉𝒆'𝒅 𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒕. 𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒘𝒏, 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑨 𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒔𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍-𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒕”

I like how the story flowed, although in some parts of the chapters it threw me off a bit and it was a weird setting. For example, the flash backs to the story were in the chapter and the characters had a moment where they “zoned out” and remembered their past. Interesting set up but a touch weird.

The beginning of the story did feel a bit confusing and a little boring, but as the story progressed it became very interesting. I was a little spooked by the Irish mythology to do with the “Hellmouth” mentioned in the story. But it was very interesting and I love reading about mythology woven into stories.

““𝑹𝒖𝒂,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑨 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆. 𝐑𝐮𝐚 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝒊𝒏 𝑰𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉.”

I absolutely loved how sweet Finn was. And of course there’s another Finn to add to the list of fav love interests 😅

I’m not too sure if this will be a duology or not but the way this title ended left questions. It cannot end just like how it did surely? If so, that was a very weak ending - sweet, but weak.

Overall, I enjoyed this debut novel and I’d love to see more from this author! Beautifully written and I loved the historical romance themes.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, I enjoyed reading this title.

4/5 ⭐️

This was an okay historical romance that was very light on the magic, despite the synopsis.

The opening was promising, with the FMC POV setting up the mystery and conflict for the novel, but the plot slowed to a glacial pace through the middle. I didn't connect with any of the characters and found it hard to buy into the mystery aspect when the FMC didn't seem too interested in investigating the mystery. The MMC was better and more dynamically fleshed out, but I really couldn't comprehend the supposed instant attraction between the MMC and FMC... upon first meeting her, he accuses her of being a prostitute but their eyes lock and they couldn't look away from each other!!! The ending picked up pace considerably, but the ending was extremely abrupt. It didn't seem like the author was setting up the novel to be a series, but it really felt like a chapter was missing.

I kept waiting for the magic aspects to surface, but it was very minimal. The plot seemed to be stuck in a never ending loop of the FMC overhearing something about her at a party, causing a scene at the party, and the MMC rescuing her. The prose was straightforward, but there was a lot of telling and little showing. This is a debut novel for the author, however.

Overall, I think this just wasn't for me, but I could imagine folks who are interested in Gilded Age setting and era-appropriate social aspects might enjoy this book.

Thank you, Alcove Press, for the arc!

2.5 rounded up

There were threads of interesting ideas, but unfortunately they never came together. This novel lacked any sort of nuance, leading events to become incredibly repetitive. I also found the dialogue unbelievable at times, turning characters into more caricatures than anything else.

The high society politics, which took up a bulk of the plot, had no real stakes. They started out hating her and kept hating her with no real threat of her not having more opportunities to be hated. They were mean, she lashed out, they were mean, etc.

The gods plot never really took off in a satisfying way. I wanted to root for the romance, but again the reasons to stay apart were extremely repetitive that by the end I didn’t care.

I do appreciate the nods to Irish mythology and the cover is stunning. I wish I had liked this more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Outlander meets Bridgerton Season 2 in this slow burn (so slow, so burn-y) historical romance that highlights Irish folklore in New York in the 1800s. In addition to the mystery about who our female main character really is and how she found herself in New York in 1870, I enjoyed the dual POV and the creative spin on the Morrigan. I also appreciated how Gonzalez touched on elite privilege and hypocrisy through Rua's frustration with society's expectations of her, her fierce pushback, and the social repercussions (which were severe). Some witty romantic banter between the two main characters helped balance the darker parts of the book as well. The end definitely set us up for an exciting sequel as well!

I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis sounded very intriguing - Outlander meets the gilded age of New York with Irish mythology and goddesses; but right off the bat, it fell flat for me. I usually like to give books a few chapters to see if it meshes well with me as a reader, and this one did not. The writing is in third person, which makes the entire story very clunky and hard to connect to our MC, in her amnesia-ridden confusion. As I read more, I couldn't find myself particularly caring what was going to happen next or who she truly was. Sadly, this led to me deciding this book was not for me and I DNFed it.

This was a really good book for those who like historical, fantasy, or romance novels!! It had quite a bit of mystery and myth in it as well. I really loved Rua’s characterization and dialogue.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez for providing me with an ARC of The Gods Time Forgot in exchange for my honest review.

Set in the gilded age of New York (1870), The Gods Time Forgot introduces readers to Rua, a compelling female protagonist who wakes up in the woods with no memory of who she is. Mistaken for Emma Harrington, the daughter of a wealthy and influential family, Rua is suddenly thrust into the glittering — and treacherous — world of Manhattan high society. As she tries to piece together her identity, she must also navigate her new role within the Harrington family. Enter Finn, the enigmatic Lord of Denore, an Irish nobleman who is the target of every socialite’s ambitions. Despite her lost memories, Rua feels an inexplicable connection to him, and the story follows her journey of self-discovery and intrigue.

This book is a unique blend of Irish mythology and high-society historical fiction. The seamless fusion of these two elements creates a rich, immersive narrative that feels fresh and original. Rua is a standout protagonist — strong, fierce, and intelligent — qualities that defy societal expectations of women in this era. Her interactions with the world around her are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining.

The story is filled with unexpected twists, keeping you guessing until the end. The romance is masterfully done, offering a satisfying slow burn between two compelling characters. Finn is swoon-worthy, and his banter with Rua is one of the highlights of the book, leaving you eager for more.

I devoured this novel in a single day and can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy once it’s released. Fans of historical romance and romantasy will adore The Gods Time Forgot. With Outlander and Bridgerton-esque vibes, this book is a must-read for those who love immersive settings, complex characters, and a touch of myth and magic.

This 1870s slow-burn romance is packed with more witty banter than you can handle, making it an absolute delight from start to (almost) finish. The inclusion of a pronunciation guide at the very beginning was a fantastic touch, immersing me deeper into the story's Irish mythology and folklore. It also made it easy to look up the relevant legends and characters online for added context, which enriched the reading experience.

Rua and Finn’s interactions were the highlight for me—their banter crackled with humor and chemistry, even if it felt a bit modern for the time period. Strangely enough, that anachronistic dynamic made the plot feel more grounded and believable in the context of the story. Watching Rua grow and discover more about herself, and the expectations placed on her, added depth and heart to the narrative.

Unfortunately, the ending left me wanting more. After such a strong buildup, it felt rushed and under-developed. While this may just be my perspective, I couldn’t help but wish for a bit more time to savor the resolution. Still, the journey was thoroughly enjoyable, and fans of folklore-infused historical romance will find plenty to love here!

4.25 stars

I really enjoyed this! Irish folklore and mythology is something which I think is overlooked when compared to Greek mythology or Norse mythology, so I really appreciated the incorporation of the Irish folklore in this book. I would give this 4 stars.

Some general thoughts:
- I loved the pronunciation guide at the very beginning! It really allowed me to get more into the story and the mythology, and it allowed me to look at the relevant characters online on pages dedicated to Irish folklore if I wanted more information
- I LOVED the banter and interaction between Rua and Finn, despite it being unlikely that it would have occurred in that time period - though I feel that made the plot more believable (no spoilers)
- I really enjoyed the development of Rua's character throughout the book as she learned more about herself and the person she was expected to be
- I was disappointed by the ending as I felt like it was rushed... the entire story led up to the ending, which felt like it was brief and not explained in enough detail, though this may just be my take on it. I wanted there to be more, a lot seemed to be brushed aside.

Overall a really great read, refreshing to see Irish folklore being given the spotlight! I'd happily recommend this to others, and I will keep an eye out for other works by this author.

I really loved the setting and folklore woven into this book, and the slow burn romance was a delight. However I found the latter half of the story was slow and a bit confusing, and I was hoping for a better flow throughout the book.

I liked elements of this book - the time period it was set in, the FMC’s spunkiness and some of the moments between the two MCs. Overall though the plot and mythology wasn’t layered and detailed enough to justify the slow pace and length of this book. The 3rd person POV was also pretty distracting at times. The last 5-10% of the book ramped up in pace but it came out of nowhere and felt rushed.

Sadly I was underwhelmed by this. The premise sounded really good but the execution left me wanting more. This was way more romance than fantasy. For someone who likes historical romance this book will probably be enjoyable. I did like the romance and the characters, especially Rua but I wish there was more of the fantasy elements. The ending also felt a bit rushed.

The book provided a transcendentalist experience, especially with our main character. We go through the highs and lows of her, regaining, her identity and memories. The ending felt a little rushed and questions left and answered. Hence why the book has a four star rating. The Irish mythology had intriguing educational lessons. I would recommend this book to reader interested in Victorian era fantasy with time traveling themes.

I was excited to read a book set in Manhattan during the Gilded Age but with magic. I found it intriguing at the start, trying to figure out why our main character Rua had no memories but the longer the story went the less I cared for the direction it went in. There were some moments of banter that I enjoyed but I never felt the two we were supposed to want together actually wanted to be together or even truly liked one another that much. I just couldn't become invested in their romance because they themselves didn't seem that invested. This was just not a book for me.

Thank you to the publisher for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a unique storyline that really pulled me in! For a debut novel, the author really pulled out a win for this one. Such a unique read with some witty banter!

Loved the concept and idea. Frustratingly mysterious as to what was actually going on between Rua and Finn. I like how it resolved and how we came to know their entwined fates. It made sense given that neither character knew and was working to figure it out alongside the reader. I would have like to have more time with the characters after the resolution. I found myself wishing the secrets had been revealed earlier so we could see even more of the myth and the aftermath.

This was really cool! Very refreshing and unique. I loved the element of Irish mythology and the time period in which it took place. The banter and slow burn elements were so fun to read. All in all, a solid debut novel. Looking forward to more from this author!

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!
first of all thank you #netgalley for giving this. it was a treasure!!!
i loved Rua. my brave, outspoken and not tolerating anyone's shit queen!!!! her banter with finn was my favvvv!!!

tho there are few things that made me stop to give this book 5 stars like:
the past shouldve been explored more, i wanted to know more about the three sisters and there works, HOW did finn and rua fell in love in the past?? i wanted to know more about their time as gods, their moments and stuff(i am nosey). if we got those things then this book wouldve done more justice to the tag enemies to lovers, otherwise it did not really feel like enemies to lovers but more like annoyance to lovers. PLUS the ending felt a little rush, like yes they confessed, yes they are together but then what?? how are they going to navigate such cutthroat world,like okay they were not going to stay in new york they were going somewhere else but still!! an epilogue wouldve been nice😗(ikk i am asking alot, i cant believe i wont have more finnrua😭😭)
also mara will always be a mystery to me, like her character shouldve been explained more. she did all that sketchy stuff and we got very little explanation.

now speaking of romance this was epic!! the constant yearning, longing, the pull towards each other, stolen glances, jealousy, everything was great!! (thank you for not making it spicy in the name of romantasy😚) THE INTENSE SEXUAL TENSION WAS THRILLING!! I LOVED IT I LOVED IT
all in all, i would 100% recommend it!!

(also gave a feedback on goodreads)

The Gods Time Forgot blends the portrayal of Irish mythology and 1870s Gilded Age Manhattan. Rua and Finn’s relationship is the emotional core of the novel, characterized by tension, chemistry, and a shared sense of self-discovery. A captivating and engaging reinterpretation of beloved Irish myths, The Gods Time Forgot offers a fresh perspective on folklore with an interesting, detailed historical narrative.