Amazing! This is one of those books that as soon as you finish, you want to start reading all over again so that you can find every little crumb that you missed the first time. I love the complexity of the characters. Jack especially was a really interesting antagonist, who was truly terrifying by the end because of how realistic he was. Love love love this book.

3.5 /5 stars

A sci-fi-fantasy- espionage-Love Story set in 40's and 60's, during two historical events, WWII and Cold War, a group of time keepers are trying preserve the books of memories of people against others who are trying to destroy them for their own political agenda.

Two people who are destined to meet, Lisavet and Ernest, out protagonists, are the heart and soul of this book. I especially liked the character development of two characters. Lisavet, an innocent who grows to morally questionable one, when it comes to the extend she will go to keep her loved ones safe. And same to be said for Jack. A grey-black character, who was an interesting villain.
Lastly, I like the social message of the book, which feels relevant at this time when books are being banned and when it's difficult discern true and false information.

The quality of writing could have been better. Explanation is sometimes not given or vague for certain concepts, especially the creation of time space, and the special abilities developed and perform by a few characters. The ending with Azrael made sense within the concept of this world, but I was left with wondering what did Azrael and time keepers of the past use to enter and exit the time space...

I don’t even know how to describe this book. Lisavet Levy, a young German-Jewish child, is put into the Time Space during Kristallnacht by her watchmaker father, and then is trapped there. What is the Time Space? From what I can gather it is a library of people’s memories. You can only get there by a specially made watch, one that Lisavet’s father made. And there seems to be a whole department devoted to it in the CIA, determined to burn memories of people that they deem too dangerous to remember. As Lisavet grows up in the Time Space, she tries to save as many memories as she can from being destroyed, but also falls for a CIA agent who enters the space.

There’s a lot more going on as this takes place in two different time periods, but I don’t want to give too much away. I enjoyed the book immensely and am excited for it to be published.

I enjoyed reading this. I think it was a great concept and executed well for the most part. It was nice seeing all the pieces fall together and the time jumping was nothing too crazy, so it was easy to follow. I can say that I’m not too satisfied with the ending. *SPOILER ALERT*


I really wish that Amelia and the original Lisavet had been able to keep in each others lives in some way. Yes, Amelia still has her as a mother, but not the same. Amelia is burdened with all of the memories alone. At one point Amelia opens the new time space where Lisavet now exists in some form, but Amelia doesn’t know that. Even if they had no way of being in each others new lives, it would have been nice to see Lisavet acknowledge Amelia by shaking the stars a certain way or something to just show that I’m here and I will always be watching.

The night that the Nazis come for a Jewish watchmaker, he protects his daughter by hiding her in an alternate dimension known as the Time Space. Young Lisavet grows up here alone and learns to walk through memories. Soldiers from multiple countries attempt to change history, each believing they are in the right, by burning memories - Lisavet takes it upon herself to reverse this damage. She then meets a young American solider in the time space, Ernest, who will change her way of life.

This book was absolutely phenomenal. I'm obsessed with the time travel aspect of shows like Loki and The Umbrella Academy, as well as books such as 11/22/63, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and The Midnight Library. Fans of any of these will appreciate "The Book of Lost Hours". And even if you haven't read any books dealing with time travel but want to start, definitely put this on your TBR to read when it is officially published in August.

Thank you so much to NetGalley/Atria Books for the ARC!!

I loved this book. It's a transcendental story, about time travel, yes, but more importantly, love. It also tackles timely themes such as the erasure of history and who decides what goes in the history books, and starts out set on Kristallnacht. It's a slow build with a rewarding ending. Five stars!

I really enjoyed this story!

The concept of time walking and a library of memories of those who passed was very intriguing.

I must say that I enjoyed Amelia's timeline more than Livavet's timeline. That's because I am particular about the romance in a book. Lisavet's storyline became heavy on the romance and Amelias's had more action and suspense.

I thought that how all the timelines and storylines came together towards the conclusion was well done. There were a couple of reveals where I had to shout out loud, lol. I wish we got to see more of Anton though... I really enjoyed his humor and snark.

I really liked Hayley Gelfuso's writing and I'll be sure to keep a look out for her other books.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for review.

I'm going to preface this with saying this is undoubtedly one of the stronger books to come out of 2025 thus far, and I am a fan of Gelfuso. I'll be looking for more of her work because of The Book of Lost Hours! I agree with many reviews that readers who enjoyed *The Midnight Library*, *The Ministry of Time*, and *The Book of Doors" will enjoy this one!

The story follows Lisavet, Ernest, Moira, and Amelia, with Lisavet’s entry into the Timespace serving as the initial catalyst. This new reality, where the rules of time and memory are rewritten was a very intriguing premise. The shifting perspectives and narrative style, while attempting to create a sense of mysticism, often felt disjointed. The world of the Timespace itself remained unclear at times, with the mechanics of operation leaving me with some question, and that I believe was the point. The constant back-and-forth between different points of view didn’t feel as fluid as it should have, and I found myself struggling to maintain interest, rather than being immersed in the story.

The romance between the main characters is one of the few elements that kept me invested, but even this felt secondary to the convoluted plot and character arcs being both generic and predictable. The side characters, especially Amelia, lacked depth. I was hoping for more character development, but by the end of the book, Amelia felt just as shallow as she did at the start, leaving her arc feeling incomplete and unsatisfying.

Overall, I did enjoy The Book of Lost House by Hayley Gelfuso through a world where memories are stored in books and time is a fluid, ever-changing concept.

I struggled with this book. In my opinion there were way too many moving parts and it was extremely hard to keep my attention and interest. I felt as if the roles were very predictable; be the keeper of memories but also fight the destroyer of memories to form a certain narrative.
I also did not love the character development. Lisavet had little development from her toddler self as she was reckless and selfish and more concerned with her love interest.

Thank you NetGallery and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book. Such a unique idea, plot and perception of time and memories.

The book follows Lisavet, Ernest, Moira, and Amelia. Beginning with Lisavet who is thrown into a world where memories are stored in books and she is thrown into a different reality of the Timespace. We have multiple different points of view but I wish we would have seen a bit more of Lisavet’s. There was a shocking plot twist I was not expecting. I really enjoyed the romance between Lisavet and Ernest as well, Ernest was my type of book boyfriend kind of nerdy, smart but very caring and sweet once they get past the somewhat enemies to lovers beginning.

Overall I thought this was a really unique fantasy book and really liked all of the characters, the plot was also very engaging. Really was a first debut novel for Hayley Gelfuso!

What a FANTASTIC book! Interdimensional libraries, Cold War espionage, and time travel? Yes, please!

Hayley Gelfuso really nailed this one. Her prose is excellent, grammar impeccable and historically accurate (granted, I'm no 20th century historian). Lisavet, Amelia, and Moira came alive on the pages; the settings were descriptive without being overwhelming and the characters were believable and relatable. I loved everything about this book.

It made the reader ask those giant questions of life, such as "What makes life worth living?" and "Who controls the narrative?" Obviously, the question of narrative is a relevant one today. Gelfuso handles it tactfully while also subtly pointing fingers in the direction of long-established and venerated systems that have not been nearly as altruistic as they have pretended. Misogyny in the 1960s is also handled well; I hated one particular character from the very beginning and as the story progressed, it turns out that I had a good reason for that early instinct.

If you enjoyed The Time Traveller's Wife or The Invisible Library, you'll enjoy The Book of Lost Hours!

Content warnings: gun and war violence, misogyny, pregnancy and labour, childbirth, suicide (off-page), implied sex off-page, blood and injury.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Book of Lost Hours is a great read if you like both sci-fi and romance. The author does a great job of balancing the two genres and writing a captivating story. The story follows Lisavet, Ernest, Moira, and Amelia as they deal with the implications of navigating the time space in their respective times. Since there is a romance story, I figured the couple would get their happy ending and I figured out what happened to Lisavet about 40% of the way through the book. However their were a couple other plot twists that did catch me by surprise. The story moved at a good pace. It's easy to follow despite jumping time periods and dimensions. It was very easy to get invested in the characters and their stories. It was one of those books I plowed through because I couldn't put it down.

I was provided this book by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A unique take on time and how we experience it. In the first chapter you are transported into the time space with Lisavet and learn of her experience trapped during her most formative years. Stuck among books full of memories and specters of the past. I could have spent a little longer with Lisavet before her abrupt transition into the time space.

When she discovers that there are others with access to the time space, her new home, she observes them. She watches as they destroy memories of the past to combat the war(s) of the present. She makes it her mission to protect all the pages of memories she can.

The writing style provides a mystic feel to the story, even while changing the POV. There were times when it felt a little confusing on how the time space was meant to work (but honestly, this could just be a me thing) and there were a few times that I found it easy to guess the twists. Although, knowing didn't take away from the experience of the story.

This could be a very fun read for anyone who is interested in literary fiction with a science fiction twist. Book comes out on August 12th!

"...memories are the realest thing any of us have, Lisavet."
This book tore my heart out in the first 10 pages and then never gave it back. Books that make me feel things, good or bad, joy or grief, are always my favorites.
I didn't see the twist coming at all, and that moment upped this book from a 4 to a 5. I love being surprised.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC ebook.

I loved this book! Thank you to Net Galley and Atria books for the advanced copy of this book coming out on August 12, 2025! Usually I am not drawn to fantasy/sci-fi type books but this book was recommended to me and I am so glad! This book’s writing hooked me from the very beginning! Told in multi timelines- the author gives you a complete picture of the entire story from different point of views. It is a general fiction book but has memories from history giving a historical fiction feel.
The main characters: Lisavet, Ernest, Anton, and Amelia had me invested in each one of them! Even the side characters (Jack included) kept me wanting more. Their character development and depth was just phenomenal! All the poetry references throughout just connect the flow of the story. It is a beautiful work and you would never know this is a debut novel! I can’t wait to read more from Hailey Gelfuso!

received this book as an ARC through Net Galley. It sounded very interesting. Time travel, love, World War II, nazis, communism—what’s not to like? I can honestly say I loved this book. It is so original and beautiful. The writing is lyrical and poignant. It was a great read.

Lisavet’s father is a special kind of watchmaker. His watches open the door to time space, a mysterious library that holds all the memories of time. When the nazis come for him one dark night, he thrusts Lisavet into the library and shuts the door before she can be hurt. Once he closes the door, she is trapped there with no watch and no way to escape. While wandering aimlessly through the shelves, Lisavet meets the ghost of a memory, named Azrael, and he shows her around space time and how to access the memories she’s surrounded by.

As time passes, Lisavet educates herself by walking through history. She notices other people who come and go. Asrael tells her these people are timekeepers and they are the keepers of the memories of the library. But not all of them are benevolent. Some come in to destroy books and change memories. Lisavet makes it her mission to stop this sabotage, and this causes her to meet Ernest.

At first, she’s cautious around Ernest, not knowing if she can trust him. But she soon opens her heart and her life to this stranger. He teaches her more about life than she could ever learn from a memory and she soon finds herself falling for him. As their lives get more intertwined, things from outside the time space begin to interfere with their relationship and erode their trust in each other.

As I said above, I loved this book. The story is very original, being a love story that takes place in the time space library and all. Ernest and Lisavet are two beautiful people I aspire to be more like and reading about their relationship unfolding was such a joy. The different aspects of the library are fascinating and each character is their own complete person. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss out. This book is released on August 12, 2025.

I read this book in one sitting. I was drawn to it because I recently read the invisible life of addie larue and loved it. This book is a mix between the midnight library & the book of doors with a heartfelt romance between main characters. Will definitely be adding this ti my print library once released

What an absolutely stunning book. I laughed, cried, and was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

It has been a long time since I’ve read something so beautifully written, with such intricately crafted characters. And the world that is built in this book is both original and captivating.

I could not recommend this book more- a perfect blend of history, fantasy, and emotion. It both inspired me and devastated me at every turn. What an accomplishment Hayley Gelfuso!

This is one of those books where the description sounds like there's too much going on, but when you start reading, it just works.

The Book of Lost Hours is an absolutely mesmerizing blend of history, mystery, and a touch of the fantastical. With its richly imagined time space—a library of lost memories—this novel sweeps you into a world where history is fragile and truth is constantly at risk. Lisavet’s journey is both heartbreaking and powerful, and I thoroughly enjoyed Amelia's adventure in Boston.

Thought-provoking and beautifully written, this book is perfect for fans of historical fiction with a magical twist. A stunning, unforgettable read!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Arc!

Wow. I’m not sure what else to say besides that The Book of Lost Hours has become a book I love, an easy favourite, a book of the year leader. I am immediately googling this to preorder because I want, no, need to own this to reread and annotate and borrow to friends and family and wear out the spine on. It is a magical, heartbreaking and heart-mending story that pulls you through the pages and right into the threads of time.

I was hesitant to read this on NetGalley, I don’t gravitate towards novels that lean historical because the handling of it can teeter so easily into something that leads the novel an a decline for me, but this book was such a refreshing point of view in how the magic integrated with the history that it made it even more engaging. I was on the edge of my seat more than once. The plot reveals are executed extremely well and feel like achievements to the reader when you predict them, only to be surprised by ones you didn’t see coming. I did audibly gasp with palm to open mouth on 2 occasions. It was so well paced and the intermingling perspectives were written very well, they all felt like distinct characters, each one I’ll hold in my heart.

I know a book will be 5 stars when it moves me to tears, it’s hard to come down from that when words on the page can be so emotionally impactful. Gelfuso is an exceptional writer and I will pick up anything they publish in the future.

For comps, this was what I wanted out of The Book of Doors, which fell short for me. Perfect for fans of the magic of the Midnight Library and The Ministry of Time. Even if you thought any of those books listed were ‘just okay’ and didn’t do it for you, try this one. Please.

Note: There is one scene that ends with dubious consent, not on page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.