The Book Of Lost Hours @hggelfuso

“Obedience may make for good soldiers, but it makes for even greater tragedies.“

Im gonna try real hard to be cool about this book. 😬 I finished this arc last night after reading it nightly for about a week and man…. Incredible. One of the best books I have EVER read. I’m vibing so hard right now with unique stories that aren’t copy paste romantasy (sorry but I’m overrrrr it) and this one hit the spot so hard. This book explores time, memory, love and the sacrifices we make for it, history, book/memory burning, and makes you think about how we all see history differently based on where we were born and who taught it to us. This book really broke my brain in the best way. I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you @netgalley @atriabooks for the arc!
Pub date: 8/26/2025

I had such a good time reading The Book of Lost Hours this week! Hayley Gelfuso, you wrote a lovely, fascinating story ☺️

The Book of Lost Hours is a beautifully written love story with a sprinkle of Historical Fiction and time travel. I loved following the journey of Lisavet Levy as she walked through the time space library. I was captivated by the concept of the library and I felt incredibly empathetic thinking of the heartbreaking decisions the characters made to protect their loved ones. I think Hayley’s character development was so well thought out - I have such fondness for every one of the main characters. I can’t wait to see people talking about this book more soon!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this story early!

The Book of Lost Hours by Hayley Gelfuso is a novel that lingers long after the final page. The importance of history and collective memory, and how they can be manipulated, has never felt more urgent. To whom do memories belong? Can there ever be truth if history is rewritten or forgotten?
Gelfuso’s prose is mesmerizing, weaving a story that had me hooked from start to finish. It’s rare for me to devour a book in one sitting, but I physically could not put this down. Every twist drew me deeper, and by the end, I was in tears, both happy and sad.
The character development is exceptional, particularly with Lisavet and Amelia, whose arcs are brilliantly executed. The rest of the cast is equally compelling, and I loved that I could never quite tell which side certain characters were on.
This book delivers a powerful message, unforgettable characters, and a plot so gripping you’ll lose all track of time. It’s easily one of my top reads of the year and one I’ll be recommending to everyone

This was one of the most unique and fascinating books I have read in a long time. Such a cool, interesting idea about time, memories and the impact of policing memory and thoughts.

I took a star off because it took a little bit to get into and the alternating story lines slightly lagged at the beginning, but the second half of the book flew by and really came together.

If you liked the Midnight Library like I did, this book is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

In 1938 Germany, eleven year old Lisavet Levy, lives with her father, who makes watches for time travelers. When the Nazis come to arrest them for being Jews,her father hides her in a time space so she will not be discovered. He never returns. She grows up in the time space surrounded by a huge library of books of memories. She realizes she must hide from time travelers from various countries ,who want to destroy the books, so they can revise history to agree with their own ideologies. She tries to save as many memory books as she can. One day she meets Ernest, an American CIA Employee, who befriends her during his furtive visits. Will she ever see him again, in a different time?

This is also a love story that transcends the constraints of time. It is a tale of heroism, impossible choices, and selfless sacrifice in order to save, and learn from, accurate historical memories.

I was enthralled, enchanted, and mesmerized by this beautifully written, cautionary tale. The characters are well developed and the story is one that needs to be read and discussed.

I absolutely adored the premise of this story, it was such a unique twist to time travel that I had never even seen anything remotely like it. It touched on the heavy topics with a gentle hand that showed them in good and bad lights so that the reader was the one left to make the decision of whether it could be seen as a good or a bad thing, or what they instead would do in the same place as the characters. Some wonderful quotes that really stuck with me after finishing reading it, definitely a prose forward story because a lot of the passages are spent in just one character's space who is totally alone. An altogether wonderful take on time travel and the consequences of messing with memories and history.

Tough to get into this confusing new world, but an interesting story. It felt predictable, It was fine.

4.5 stars rounded up

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I think sometimes telling a story through dual timelines can get confusing and convoluted, but the way the two timelines weaved together to tell this story worked so well. I liked getting pieces of the story in one of the timelines and then seeing it all come together in the other. I'm not always a fan of multiple points of view, but I liked that with this book, it wasn't set in stone which characters we followed. It flowed between characters so easily that it made sense, and I could understand why we were with certain characters at different times. I think it also worked with the overall theme of the book, time is a fluid thing, so it makes sense that the way this story is told is just as fluid.

The characters were all flawed and complicated in their own ways, which made them feel real and fully fleshed out. Chapter 22 made me a little emotional, reading the interaction between Lisavet and Azreal. I don't often get emotional when I'm reading, so that's saying something.

There is just enough foreshadowing to give you the idea that there is something more going on, but I didn't put 2 and 2 together until it was actually revealed, and then thought back on those little crumbs and everything made sense then. I also think that Gelfuso did a good job of explaining the 'science' and 'theory' behind the Time Space without it feeling too much like a lecture or something that I couldn't understand.

I think this book sparks an important conversation about who controls history and what stories get told, which is becoming an increasingly more important conversation to have, but I do think that could have been explored a bit more. It felt like we got close to having an actual dialogue about it, but never quite got there.

I LOVED this book! I didn’t want to put it down!

The concept had me hooked from the start, but the characters and relationships drew me in even more. The characters’ emotions were so visceral. It truly felt like I was living their happiness and anguish right there with them.

I loved the world that was built. How it paralleled our own, but used the idea of the time space to make sense of things that have happened throughout history. So smart!

The twists were so exciting and kept me wanting to read more to fully understand everything that was happening. My only gripe would be that I feel like they came a little soon in the plot.

Overall this book was fantastic! I would 100% recommend this to anyone and everyone! Even if you’re normally not a sci-fi or time travel kind of reader. If you enjoy historical fiction, love stories, mysteries, or just a really great story this one is for you!

I received a a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and statements are my own.

This book is like stepping into a dreamy, possibly haunted attic in which every box holds a secrete. The Book of Lost Hours is part historical mystery, part magical adventure, part heartwarming romance. What else could you ask for? I am rating 4/5 stars because the start of the book was a bit slow, but once the book hit its stride I finished in almost one sitting.

The concept of this book greatly intrigued me. The idea that out there, somewhere, in some space in-between, that there is a giant library where each book holds the memories of someone that has passed away is a book lover's dream all on its own. Who wouldn't love the idea that your loved one's memories are stored in a book and able to be viewed if only you could get to the space where they are kept? The idea that governments of multiple countries are able to run wild in that library, destroying memories at their own whim, not as much of a comforting thought.

I really wasn't sure where this book was going to go with this concept and it's hard to talk about the things I did and didn't like about the book without giving away spoilers that would ruin the story if you already know about them. However, this book has a main character that causes a movement, inspires rebellion and showcases love, both love of a partner and love of a child. It was thought provoking and I thought, very well written... especially for a debut novel. Sometimes it is easy to tell that an author is new and just trying to find their stride but I didn't find that to be the case here.

Overall, I'm going to give this one a 4.5 star rating. I really enjoyed almost all of the book and the journey it took me on. There were some things that (at least to me) were obvious even though they were supposed to be a twist but it didn't detract from the story to me. It almost added to it as I was waiting and wondering when the others IN the story were going to figure out what I had already long guessed. What lost half a star for me was the ending. It wasn't bad, but I felt compared to the rest of the story it fell just a little flat. Even so, I'd recommend this book to anyone intrigued by the concept. And to book clubs... I can see a lot of discussions stemming from this book if that is your thing. Enjoy!!

4.25 ⭐️ I went into The Book of Lost Hours not quite knowing what to expect, but it ended up being such a unique and memorable read. I loved the mix of historical fiction and fantasy, and the concept felt completely fresh. The characters were so well developed that I found myself rooting hard for the love story. The writing was beautiful, and the twists and turns caught me off guard in the best way. By the time I reached the ending, I was both satisfied and a little sad to leave this world behind.

I especially enjoyed how the story moved between different eras, weaving history with the mystery of the time space. The relationships felt real, and the emotional moments hit just right. It’s the kind of book that stays with you after you finish it.

That said, the beginning was a bit slow and confusing for me, and it took a while to get into the flow. I think readers who aren’t into time travel might have trouble connecting with the story. Some of the time travel rules and physics were hard to follow, and a few fantasy elements felt inconsistent-which pulled me out of the story a little.

Even with those bumps, I’m really glad I read it. It’s beautifully written, full of surprises, and has a love story and ending that made the journey worth it. If you like historical fiction with a twist and don’t mind a little patience at the start, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Book of Lost Hours isn’t about time travel or murder. It’s a story of ‘what if’, of the beauty and heartache of our choices and their repercussions, of the power of love, and so much more.
As a debut novel, I am inspired and awestruck. This novel is beautiful, emotional, and continuously intriguing, and I will absolutey recommend it.

Wow. Just. Wow.

This book really threw me into a deep spiral after I finished it. So much to contemplate. So much to ponder. Absolutely loved the ending with Amelia being the only one to remember the bookshelves and the previous memories.

This was probably my favorite book of the year so far, and I'm not sure if another one will top this!

This book follows Lisavet, an eleven year old who becomes trapped in a pocket within space and time where memories are stored between pages of books kept in a vast and magical library. Throughout this story we are witnessing her journey as she navigates new challenges, timelines, and her efforts to preserve the memories of the world.

I read this digitally, and I listened to an ambient playlist on Youtube titled, “You’re Invited to a Time Traveler’s House,” and it was a perfect match for this book. The visuals and piano classical music really pulled me into the storyline and I ate the book up so much quicker this way. I stayed up for a few nights in a row to finish this book.

I loved the concept of time and memories being stored within books, and I especially enjoyed the way we discover the world alongside her, learning new aspects of the world as she also learns it herself.

I didn't find the magic system too difficult to understand. This is a magic system where the details are shared over time, not all at once. I love the it's linked with old vintage watches, hidden doorways, and whimsical visuals.

The writing is absolutely gorgeous. Hayley Gelfuso writes like she's writing poetry, with dreamy, lyrical sentences. I had more annotations and highlights than I usually have in the books that I read, and I can't wait to purchase a published copy and annotate it for my shelves.

The multiple storylines may be difficult to follow if you're not initially expecting it, but the chapters titles are a great help in knowing what timeline you are in. It took me about three chapters to get a feel for the format.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for an advanced copy of this book!

The Book of Lost Hours is definitely one of my top reads of 2025. I love time travel romances (The Ministry of Time, The Time Traveler’s Wife), and Outlander is probably my all-time favorite. This one felt like a time travel romance mixed with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and I was hooked from the start. I loved Lisavet and Ernest’s connection and how it carried the story through different timelines. I literally could not put this book down!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ebook ARC!!

“A sweeping, unforgettable novel following two remarkable women moving between postwar and Cold War-era America and the mysterious time space, a library filled with books containing the memories of those who bore witness to history.”

As soon as I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it for two reasons. Number one, Atria books never let me down. Ever. And number 2 it reminded me a lot of the concepts behind “The Midnight Library” and “The Last Letter from Your Lover” both of which I immensely enjoyed.

I loved the feeling of this book and how it flowed and ebbed like a TV show or movie. I loved the dual POV and dual timelines, even though I feel like I occasionally got lost not knowing if I was in the past or the present.

The characters are great and they truly feel like they have their own personality and structure within the story. And like most other reviewers have said…UGH JACK. Nope. Just nope on him.

The book may start a little slow, but once you get into it, the pace really picks up and you can’t put it down.

A very special Thank You to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Book of Lost Hours is a richly imaginative, emotionally resonant debut that blends historical fiction, speculative fantasy, romance, and moral reflection. Its inventive premise focusing on memory, history, and agency has garnered widespread appreciation from critics and readers alike, though some have noted areas for deeper world‑building or pacing refinement. If you're drawn to stories that explore the power and fragility of memory, and the sacrifices we make to preserve truth, this novel is likely to stay with you.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC! The Book of Lost Hours follows young Lisavet Levy out of Nazi Germany and into the time space. While there she grows into a woman while fighting a battle between her own morals and protecting those she loves.

Loved
- The historical aspects of the story are so poignant and terrifyingly relevant to the world we live in today
- The concept of governments regulating what is remembered in the time space and destroying anything that doesn’t align with their ideology
- Ideas being impossible to kill once they start to spread
- The way the story unfolded across time as we saw more of what happened to Lisavet in the time space and Moira and Amelia in the 1960s
- The grief I felt in the beginning when Lisavet is mourning both the loss of her father and the loss of her father’s stories

Overall this is a phenomenal book. It strikes a balance between magical realism and historical fiction so well. I just wish Moira had not been so unlikeable, although I absolutely understand why Hayley Gelfuso took her character on that path. 4.5 ⭐️

Read this if you love...
✨ time travel
🔎 Cold War intrigue
💙 generational sagas

To save his daughter's life during Kristallnacht, a watchmaker hides her in the time space and promises to return. Lisavet Levy never sees her father again. She grows up in the time space among books containing memories of the dead and only an ancient specter for company. When government agents start entering the time sphere to burn memories, Lisavet saves the remnants in a secret book. A chance encounter with a kindhearted American spy sets her on a new course. In 1965, grieving 16-year-old Amelia is approached by a CIA operative seeking a mysterious book of memories.

I couldn't tell you the last time I read a science fiction novel. The Book of Lost Hours certainly lies outside my usual genres, but I'm happy to have read it. It blends time travel with historical fiction in a way that feels unique and approachable for those unfamiliar with science fiction.

Gelfuso paints a compelling portrait of the time sphere, a collective library of human memory against a starry backdrop. Her characters are crafted with equal artistry, bringing readers deep into their heads and personal struggles. I emphasized deeply with most and wanted to fight a handful (it's on sight, JACK!) While still not my favorite, the multiple points of view worked best for the narrative and made the final payoff even better.

While I guessed several twists, it didn't make them any less thrilling. That masterful ending wrecked me. I recommend bringing tissues and something to help lift your jaw off the floor.

Thank you to @atriabooks and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!