I DNF'd at 20%, I think the plot of this book is interesting, but unfortunately the accents were very difficult to follow and understand, even at a slower speed. I am on the spectrum and have audio processing disorder, so it was just extremely hard to follow. I might try again at some point with the physical book, but this was just not for me.

I really liked this one. It’s unlike anything else I’ve read. I loved the main characters and absolutely swooned over their romance. The mystery kept me turning the pages, and I loved the touches of Irish mythology. Such a great debut, I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Rua comes to in a narrow dirty cave, covered in blood. After clawing herself out of the earth, she is thought to be Emma Harrington, a young girl from new money in 1870s New York. As Rua tries to understand who is she and how she got there, she is threatened with being sent to an asylum. When she meets Finn, an Irish lord who works with her father, the two cannot stay away from each other. Turns out there is a past that neither of them can fully remember before they came to this time period.

I do not know enough Irish mythology to have fully grasped this story. However, the author did a beautiful job of explaining enough for me to be able to keep up. It is a compelling story and I struggled to stop, I just wanted to keep listening.

I struggled with the audio because Finn had two voices, one from before and one from now. They were very similar, and I kept dwelling on this because it made it harder to follow. Otherwise, the narrators were great.

Thank you to Net Galley and Spotify Audiobooks for the DLC. All opinions are my own.

"The Gods Time Forgot" by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is a historical romantasy set in New York in 1870. Power and money mean everything, and family honor must be defended. So when the wealthy daughter Emma disappears and then reappears with no memory of who she is or what happened, it’s up to Emma herself to unravel the mystery. Her parents try in vain to reintegrate her into society, but Emma makes it difficult for them.

This is a slow-paced story. Don’t expect a book packed with action, excitement, or full-on fantasy. This is a true slow-burn, both in terms of the book itself and the romantic relationship between the main characters. The slow pace suits the story, and I enjoyed the background, characters, and language.

However, there was something missing. A little spark that would make this book extra memorable. Maybe I missed a stronger plot? I’m not sure. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are engaging, but the overall storyline felt like it needed a bit more drive.

Despite this, I liked the book, and it was exciting to see how the story would end. The historical setting is richly described, and the author does a great job of immersing the reader in the era. An entirely okay romantasy without spicy scenes.

The narration of the audiobook took some time to get used to, especially the male narrator. The switching between accents was a bit confusing, but I eventually grew accustomed to it.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez, narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Matthew Forsythe, is a historical novel that includes fantasy elements.
At the beginning of the story, Rua is rescued from a hole in the ground. She is brought to her family only to realize that everything seems off, she does not remember the people or the location and somehow everyone is mistaking her for Emma (the real daughter) who went missing. Nobody believes Rua and so she has to play along. During the course of the story she meets Lord Donore, the gentleman every debutante would like to impress. What ensues is a sort of enemies-to-lovers with some mystery and fantasy sprinkled in (and of course, some intrigues). Rua and the Lord have a chemistry that is off the charts and somehow both individually feel like they are meant to be, as if they knew each other from a former life.
What I loved about this audiobook is the narration. Both voices are perfectly chosen and I loved listening to them. I also enjoyed the banter between the protagonists.
However, I constantly kept waiting for more. The pacing is so slow, and after the beginning not much happens. I didn’t really understand the magical elements (they were more hinted at than actually explained) or parts of the plotline. The characters were okay, but they didn’t really stand out to me (except for the mother who was the most obnoxious person ever – in Rua’s case I would have run!).
I might have gone into this with the wrong expectations, because I was so intrigued by the premise of the magic system (and then very disappointed when that did not really play that big of a role). I enjoyed the book but that’s it.

An enemies to lovers story swirling amidst all the glamour of Manhattan’s finest society in the 19th century. I loved the forgotten identities premise and dual narration of this one it really helped me understand Rua’s motives and character but I found myself wanting more of who Finn was he didn’t feel as well rounded to draw me in. I was expecting more fantasy or romantasy but I was actually pleasantly surprised this one leaned more toward historical romance which I loved. The descriptive writing of this era and society was a treat to listen to. The pacing was where I struggled, there were spots it felt a bit repetitive and I enjoyed a lot of the casual pacing throughout the book but at times it slowed down more than I’d of liked and then the end felt like too much all at once I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if it was a bit more of a controlled unraveling than what it was. The writing was beautiful, the narration enjoyable and the story imaginative but the pacing overshadowed so much for me.

✨ Irish mythology + Gilded Age New York = chef’s kiss.

This was such a lush and atmospheric romantasy! From the very first scene, I was hooked on Rua’s mysterious amnesia and the eerie pull she feels toward Finn, the broody and deliciously off-limits Lord of Donore. The blend of historical fiction and fantasy was seamless—ballrooms, secrets, and ancient magic creeping in through the edges of high society life? Yes, please.

Rua’s journey of rediscovering her identity was equal parts emotional and magical. As her memories returned, the world opened up into something much bigger and darker than I expected. And Finn? Let’s just say he might’ve stolen my heart along the way. Their slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension was everything.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the audio ARC!

I was really excited when I saw that this was going to incorporate Irish mythology. I find it fascinating to learn about different mythologies. Unfortunately, this book didn’t end up being a hit in the way I hoped it would be. I did enjoy Rua’s character overall and the struggle of being trapped in someone else’s body. I thought the author did well to show the struggles that Rua faced while trying to be Emma. I also really enjoyed the imagery that the author created. The scenes were really easy to picture. The overall plot premise was interesting, and there was a strong start to the story. However, the writing and the story didn’t keep up the momentum. I felt that the relationship between Rua and Finn was too insta love and needed more development. I read this via audiobook and thought the narration was good. It wasn’t a standout for me, but it also didn’t detract from my enjoyment. I did appreciate the choice to have 2 narrators tell the story. That helped keep me focused on the story. Overall, I thought the story was fine.

3.75* but rounding to 4* since we don’t get partial stars

Historical fiction, fantasy, and Irish mythology were the reasons I decided I needed to try this book. In a few ways, it didn’t quite hit the mark, but it was an overall good read.

I am not always a fan of starting a book with the main character having an amnesia type situation, but a girl previously known as Emma to those around her, emerges from a hole in the woods believing she is a girl named Rua. Though her family was already worried for her mental health, this situation does not help her and now her family is debating on putting her in a sanatorium since now she also does not recognize her family members, and she keeps arguing about her name.

When Rua and her family move to New York, near Central Park, they are anticipating joining the upper levels of society. Rua feels out of her element and is trying to keep her head down, but her mouth and actions keeps getting her in trouble. When she meets Finn, a really cute and slightly adversarial relationship starts to bloom.

My few issues with this book are: 1. The amnesia thing, 2. The first half of the book is pretty slow, and the pacing kept me from being as engaged as I wanted to be, 3. The romance was the focus but I didn’t get enough balance with the Irish mythology and the fantasy elements I expected.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

The Gods Time Forgot is an intriguing fantasy with a tender romance and beautiful prose.

This one was lovely. The characters were so much fun, and I loved their development. The romance between Rua and Finn was darling, and I enjoyed their banter and mysterious love story. The historical setting was well-written, and I appreciated the incorporation of dark magic and Irish mythology. The pacing fit the story nicely, although the ending felt slightly rushed. Kelsie’s prose was beautiful and presented a wonderfully atmospheric and entertaining story. I would absolutely recommend this one and cannot wait to see what Kelsie writes next!

Kimberly Wetherell and Matthew Forsythe were fantastic narrators for this one. Their accents and emotions fit the story and characters beautifully, making the story immersive and engaging. Occasionally, the accents did not feel cohesive, but overall, this was a great audiobook.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC!

A stunning debut novel! Special thanks to Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for an advanced copy.

Irish lore ✅

Time travel ✅

1870s Manhattan ✅

Aristocratic drama ✅

A swoon-worthy Lord of Donore ✅

Fans of Diana Gabaldon, Emilia Hart, and Danielle L. Jensen, will love the mix of romantic tension, strong historical immersion, the elegance of Anna Godbersen, and some serious stakes. This is definitely a “get lost in the pages” type of book after about the first third of the novel.

Rua wakes to find herself trapped in the fragile, mortal body of Emma Alden: a wealthy heiress on the brink of social ruin in 1870s Manhattan. With no memory of how she crossed worlds—or why—Rua must navigate a glittering maze of corsets, courtships, and cruel gossip if she hopes to survive.

The Gods Time Forgot is a sweeping debut that blends Irish mythology, time travel, and historical romance into a richly woven tale of love and fate. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez transports readers from the misty lore of Ireland to the glittering, intrigue-filled world of 1870s Manhattan high society—with all its corseted secrets and power plays.

4/5 stars -The pacing was slow at first, but once I got into Rua’s world, I was hooked.

Narrators Kimberly M. Wetherell and Matthew Forsythe were exceptional. Wetherell and Forsythe's narration enhanced the listener’s understanding of both main characters, skillfully building tension and emotional depth throughout.

Firstly, I have to say the narrators did a fantastic job. I thought it was a good audiobook with a lackluster story.

Truthfully, I was expecting so much more, if anything I found the summary to be misadvertised given the time traveling part was the aspect I was looking forward the most and it was implemented in the last 10% of the book.

The execution was severely lacking, which is saddening because I thought the writing was great and the beginning was promising but by the end I realized this book just wasn’t for me.

This was a fascinating mashup of Gilded Age romance and Irish mythological fantasy. Not quite time-travel but it definitely slips between worlds. The audiobook narration is deftly done, with alternating male and female readers. The female reader also occasionally throws in an Irish accent, which is an important clue that the timeline has shifted. In the audio version of this book, sometimes the shift between timelines/reality/dreams/memories is abrupt and confusing. I wonder if there is more differentiation in the text version? In any case, I recommend this as an engaging fiction.

Thank you very much to Spotify Audiobooks and NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook.

This book gives off regency vibes but in New York. I honestly forgot it was supposed to a fantasy at some points, but that didn’t detract from the book for me. I have mixed feelings about this book. 90% of it was great. However the end ended up feeling chaotic, rushed, and unfulfilled.

I was a bit unsure at the beginning because we are thrown into this mystery of Rua not remembering anything. It felt like we were missing so much, but it actually made the unfolding of the story more mysterious.

I loved Rua and Finn. The evolution of their story and discovering what exactly happened was very intriguing. They had great banter and tension.

The narration was overall really great. The male narrator’s Irish accent was super strong at points which made it hard to keep up with what was happening. There were also a number of spots where the editing was extremely obvious. His voice would modulate really weirdly for like one line and then go back to normal.

Overall I really enjoyed this book even though the ending fell flat, the overall ride was great!

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!

i absolutely loved this irish folklore/mythology inspired time travel romance, but i can understand why some people may not have enjoyed it.

i found the reasoning for rua’s and finn’s time traveling a little unclear, especially because it was explained very nearly towards the end of the book, but overall this was an enjoyable read!

i truly enjoyed the banter between rua and finn, and also highly enjoyed the insight to some irish folklore!

as for the narrators — they did a fantastic job! they truly helped transport me to the respective time periods

Manhattan, 1870. Rua knows only two things: her name, and that she has no memories. So when the wealthy Harrington family mistakes Rua for their missing daughter, Emma, Rua goes along with the charade, hoping for answers about who she really is. As she tries to blend into a society she doesn’t remember, she’s drawn to a firmly off-limits the Lord of Donore, a newcomer to Manhattan society who is somehow familiar to Rua.
Finn is new to this side of the Atlantic and knows that the best way to fit in as Lord of Donore is to make friends in high places and play by the rules of society. He knows he shouldn’t become involved with a mysterious, recently missing debutante, but he’s intrigued by Emma Harrington, and Finn has an uncanny feeling that this isn’t the first time they’ve met.
With societal pressures mounting on both sides, Rua is determined to discover the truth about the missing Harrington daughter and her own past. But when her memories begin to return, they’re of a world far stranger than New York and traced in dark magic.
As ancient secrets unfurl in Rua’s memory, Rua and Finn are forced to uncover the mystery of their past and try to save their future.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for this digital audio e-arc.*

Thank you NetGalley and Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez for this audio-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this was an nice historical fantasy. Overall it was pretty well balanced with an interesting story and dynamic characters who sometimes I loved and some times I hated (sorry Rua that applies mainly to you), but hey that just goes to show they were pretty fleshed out. I will say that the pacing was kind of slow for me but the VAs were great.

3.5

Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez's *The Gods Time Forgot* is a mesmerizing blend of romance and fantasy set against the backdrop of 1870s Manhattan. The story centers on Rua, a young woman with no memories who is mistakenly identified as the missing Emma Harrington. This intriguing premise immediately draws readers in, setting the stage for a tale filled with mystery, magic, and societal intrigue.

Gonzalez crafts a rich, atmospheric world that beautifully captures the grit and glamour of New York during this vibrant period. Rua’s journey to uncover her identity while navigating the complexities of high society is both compelling and relatable. Her determination to discover the truth about her past and her connection to the enigmatic Finn, the Lord of Donore, adds layers of tension and romance to the narrative.

Finn is a captivating character, embodying the charm and social acumen required to navigate the elite circles of Manhattan. His growing fascination with Rua—and the sense that their connection transcends this life—creates a magnetic dynamic that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. The chemistry between Rua and Finn is palpable, infused with both longing and an air of mystery.

As Rua’s memories begin to surface, the plot takes a thrilling turn into the realm of dark magic and ancient secrets. Gonzalez masterfully intertwines elements of fantasy with the historical setting, creating a fantastical atmosphere that is both enchanting and unsettling. The revelations about Rua’s past are surprising and beautifully crafted, providing a satisfying depth to the story.

Overall, *The Gods Time Forgot* is a captivating read that expertly combines romance, mystery, and fantasy. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez has created a spellbinding tale that will leave readers enchanted and eager for more. This novel is a must-read for fans of romantasy and anyone looking for a richly woven story filled with magic, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. You won’t want to miss it!

She woke up with no memories, a fake name, and a mother determined to marry her off—but the dark secrets of Manhattan’s elite are about to reveal who she really is… and why the dangerously familiar Lord of Donore can’t stay away.

Rua wakes up in 1800s Manhattan with no memories, but the name “Rua” feels right—even if everyone insists she’s Emma. Stuck in a world of fancy dresses, ruthless socialites, and a mother obsessed with status, she feels trapped. Desperate for answers, she sneaks away and meets Finn, the brooding Lord of Donore. There’s an undeniable pull between them—like they’ve met before. But Manhattan’s glittering ballrooms hide darker secrets: whispers of devil worship, forgotten gods, and a shared past tangled in magic and danger.

Can Rua and Finn uncover the truth before it destroys them?

I loved the Irish mythology, the banter between the main characters and the slow burn romance. The ending felt very abrupt, it needed more and left me with some unanswered questions. I could have used a bit more background on the characters.