This was a neat fantasy premise! The banter was great and the setting, both time and place, alluring, and it made for a very neat tone for the story. This is definitely an interesting read for fantasy fans looking for a period piece!

I DNFd at 34%

The chemistry between them was great, but there hasn't been enough between them to get me invested. The mystery was interesting but not interesting enough to hook me.

Not a bad book, just not for me

There was potential here and I think it's marketed to an audience, I just don't think I'm that audience. Despite thinking I was. It just wasn't for me!

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is a dreamy mix of historical romance and fantasy with a twist of Irish mythology. Set in 1870s Manhattan, it follows Rua, a woman with no memory who’s mistaken for a missing debutante. She takes the opportunity to slip into high society and figure out who she really is.

Enter Finn, a mysterious and broody Irish lord who feels connected to her—and not just in the romantic way (though yes, there’s definitely tension). As Rua starts to remember bits of her past, things get magical and dangerous fast, tying their fates together in ways they never saw coming.

It’s got enemies-to-lovers vibes, slow-burn romance, high society drama, and mythological magic. Think Outlander meets A Discovery of Witches, with a fresh voice and a gorgeous, gothic atmosphere.

Perfect if you like your love stories with mystery, mythology, and a touch of the supernatural.

The Gods Time Forgot starts with a surreal, disorienting predicament - a girl clawing out of the ground, unsure who she is, where, or why everyone insists she’s someone else. The mystery hooked me early, and the whole identity crisis vibe threaded through a foggy mix of mythology and eerie vibes was compelling enough for me to continue.

What really landed for me was the feminist undercurrent. The way women are treated in this story, especially when they’re “too much,” too loud, too confusing, or inconvenient, is uncomfortably honest. Rua challenges the status quo, and the first response from society (and especially her lovely not-mother, Flossie) is to sedate her, lock her up, and pretend she’s just hysterical. That whole “crazy woman as a social embarrassment” narrative gets explored, and I appreciated the commentary on autonomy, identity, and how “madness” has been used as a tool to control women.

The slow-burn tension between Rua and Finn was easily one of my favourite parts. Their banter is snappy, crackling with energy, and never overly romanticized. It felt like two people challenging each other in the best way, with Finn actually listening to Rua, which, let’s be honest, is rare in historical settings.

Where the book stumbled a bit for me was the pacing, especially toward the end. After so much buildup and tension, the final chapters felt like a dash to the finish line. Emotional payoffs and big reveals came fast and didn’t quite land with the weight they deserved. I was invested, but we went from a compelling Morrigan retelling to social commentary to sexual tension to a disappointing “wrap it up” mode too quickly.

Still, it’s a lush, layered read with something to say. If you’re into myth-soaked romantasy with a strong heroine, complex themes, and some well-earned fire between the leads, it’s worth the ride, even if the landing’s a little bumpy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Alcove Press for the ARC!

I had to think of my review for a bit about this book. I liked that it was based in Irish mythology, and that one can see the author has deep respect and admiration for that culture. The banter was top tier, the back and forth between Finn and Rua leaving my laughing or frustrated. I loved the fear and overarching threat was an insane asylum, something that is real and tangible instead of a big bad evil guy. And I am fine with the instant love, giving the fact that they were in love before.

However, I took a star off because the way the high society acted was just, not realistic? Like yes, they could be catty, but they weren't even clever about it. I also hate that it's the mother that's the bad guy again. Can we stop villainizing women? I think that the author maybe should have looked more into manners of the women during the golden age, they didn't act like modern high school bullies.

However, overall, I liked it and will read more by this author!

Dnf

I may pick this up at a later date, i just dont think the writing style is for me the world building wasnt easy to follow but i may still pick it up

Thank you

I think this book is being mis-marketed as romantasy, it is historical romance with a small fantasy twist at the end. I feel as though a lot of people are going to go into this book with certain expectations and be left disappointed, not because it's a bad book but because it's so different from what they are expecting. I really enjoyed Rua and Finn, their relationship was slow burn but I enjoyed their connection, there were times I wanted Finn to stand up for Rua more or communicate better but that's kinda a genre issue! You jump right into the story which leaves you a little confused but that's the point, I was very intrigued and wanted to solve the mystery of Rua! That being said, there were a lot of slow bits and then at the end all of a sudden everything is happening and it ends abruptly. They story is really solid though and I was so drawn in and immersed in the world!

I’m really loved the premise of this book, unfortunately the execution wasn’t the best for me. Maybe I’m just not the intended audience?

This was a DNF at 53%. I couldn’t quite get into the story or connect with the characters. The premise was so intriguing but at the halfway mark, I still didn’t understand the magic or the fairytale.

This is a book I thought would be quite good and was looking forward to reading. But I must say although it was okay I just really couldn't get into it and found it rather slow and a bit odd in parts. It fell a bit felt for me, not much excitement or emotion and felt as if something was missing.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really wanted to like this book. The premise was exciting, but I feel like the author didn't really deliver. The story was very boring, and I found myself not caring much about either character. The story dragged on, and the ending was very odd and seemed abrupt. It doesn't seem like there is another book, so I'm guessing this is a standalone. I didn't feel like the author wrapped it up very well. It was very predictable to guess what had happened to the real Emma. I feel bad for her, but it's not like she would have been able to go back to her life anyway with all that had happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Rua remembers nothing from before she woke up in a muddy hole in upstate New York. Her maid and everyone around her claims that she's Emma Harrington, missing for two days, but Rua while Rua may look just like her, she is certain there is nothing of Emma in her. Emma's wealthy parents are determined to try bury the scandal of Emma's behaviour, which isn't made easier when Rua in Emma's body behaves in ways a debutante from the 1870s most certainly shouldn't.

Finn Somethingorother (cannot be bothered to go back to the book to find his actual surname), Lord of Donore, is in New York trying to secure lucrative business deals so he can secure his position in society, and use his wealth and privilege to support a hospital and an orphanage. One of the wealthy magnates would like him to marry his daughter, but at every social gathering, Finn can't take his eyes off the scandalous Emma Harrington, who insists he should call her Rua. He also can't understand why he seems like he knows her from somewhere.

According to the publisher: "Irish mythology collides with Gilded Age New York in this sweeping debut enemies-to-lovers historical romantasy, perfect for fans of Outlander and A Fate Inked in Blood." I'm a sucker for creative use of mythology in a story, I read far too few books set during the Gilded Age, despite loving historical romances, and I tend to really enjoy a good enemies to lovers plot.

Sadly, I should have remembered that most of the time, publishers have an extremely creative interpretation of what the book they're selling actually contains. Is there Irish mythology in this? Yes, and I thought it was rather creatively used, and wish there had been more of it. We also get an insight into New York in the 1870s, but it mostly involves very snooty and controlling mothers with lofty social ambitions for their offspring. Occasionally Rua wanders around unaccompanied in an inappropriately informal outfit, and gets herself into more trouble as Emma Harrington is more deeply embroiled in scandal.

Is this enemies to lovers? Not even close. This is former lovers possibly trapped in the bodies of other people and trying to remember how they fit together and what the heck has happened to bring them to where they are now. The romance is probably the least interesting plot of this book, and once the whole convoluted mess of who Rua and Finn really are to one another and how they came to be in New York at this time is explained, the book is pretty much over, and there isn't really any time for the reader to see how their romance is likely to work out now that they know the truth.

There are absolutely elements that work, but as a whole, this book is unsatisfying and leaves you wanting a more fleshed out story with more complex characters and character dynamics.

<b>Judging a book by its cover:</b> There are a lot of interesting elements incorporated in this cover (the knot work arch, the clock face in the background, the ravens, Rua's beautiful dress. However, I really don't like the way the artist has drawn the people, especially Finn, who looks more like a sinister villain than a romantic hero.

the title was intriguing and suggested a story that would really pull me in. unfortunately, that never came true.
the plot was flat and uneventful, and I struggled to stay engaged. the romance, which seemed like it was supposed to be a central, lacked depth and development. I never really got a sense of connection between the characters, which made it hard to invest in their relationship or believe in their love.
the writing style didn't stand out. It didn't add much energy or emotion to it, it only added to lack of momentum. at times, it felt like the story was just drifting along without a strong direction. and the ending reveal was the most boring plots l've read in my whole life.

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with an ARC for my feedback

There was something lacking in this book and I cant quite explain why I couldnt connect to it. There was drama, but the story felt repetitive . Its a fantasy but it felt like there was nothing "fantasy" about this? the romance is there albeit it in the background which is fine with me, others may gripe its not steamy enough. The ending was so sudden it felt like whiplash, I really would have liked it to be more fleshed out and detailed

The Gods Time Forgot follows Rua, a woman with no memories who is forced to try and blend into high society in 1870's New York after the wealthy Harrington family mistake her for their missing daughter. With a spin of Irish mythology and fantasy elements.

On paper this book seems like it would be right up my alley but it fell incredibly flat. The amount of times I had to put down this book because the dialogue and descriptions were honestly annoying the hell out of me was ridiculous.

For your own health, don't take a shot every time it is mentioned that Finn is big and tall. You will need a liver transplant before you even hit the 50% mark.

For a book with Gods in the title we barely get anything about Gods or Irish mythology until halfway through the third act of the book. You have to slog through nearly 300 pages of nothing before you get to why you actually picked the book up. I wanted to love this so badly.

There is also just some glaring historical inaccuracies that just make it harder to get through. The Irish were hated in this time period in New York, but you want me to believe an Irish man made it to high society and the most influential man in the city wants him to marry his daughter? Honestly I couldn't get past that either.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

First time reading an irish mythology inspired book and I loved it. It’s a romantasy, set in the 19th century, with lots of banter between the main characters.

Set in the 1870s, this was a magical and intriguing book. I loved the setting, the characters, the plot. I think the main characters had a lot of chemistry and i like the fact that the book had a good pacing.

The story follows Rua, a girl without memory who only remembers her name. When she wakes up, she’s suddenly recognised as Emma, the daughter of a wealthy family. However, she knows she’s not Emma. But, with no clue to who she really is, she decides pretending to be Emma Harrington is the safest way to survive. And, as she tries to blend into the family, she’s drawn to the Lord of Donore, a man who brings her a sense of familiarity. Set in uncovering her and the real Emma’s truths, she has to battle her feelings for the Lord, survive in the high society, and protect herself. Suddenly, the world is not as it seems, and it turns out there’s dark magic at play.

I highly recommend this book if you like a historical romance, with banter, a slow burn and a starcrossed type of romance.

All in all, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I would buy it.

This book was romantic, historical with some great mythological aspects but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

It was lacking some aspect that draws you in to a story.
It was enjoyable but only to a certain extent.
Not sure if would recommend

3.5 stars

I can't pinpoint what this book lacked but it just did not stand out as anything other than average. If anything, I needed more, the ending just sort of ended.

If it wasn't for the audiobook I might have DNF'd.

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

This story has a lot of Irish mythology in it. A girl named Emma goes into this body of water but when she comes out, she feels like her name is Rua, and is confused but goes along with being someone else. She doesn’t act how a typically society girl would. Her family is always trying to impress the upper echelon and they meet the Lord of Dunore who Rua feels like she knows him for another life. Are they somehow connected in the past and present?