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.

This was a SOLID romantasy debut that had me sold with the Outlander references but had me sticking around for the great audiobook narrators and the interesting amnesia plot that has a young woman waking up with no memory of her past and being mistaken for a late 19th century Gilded Age New York heiress.

Things get a little out there towards the end with body possession, fated lovers, evil goddesses trapped in a Hellmouth but I was honestly here for it all. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review! Would recommend for fans of authors like Kelley Armstrong.

✨ 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? 💃🕯️✨

#TheGodsTimeForgot #HistoricalFantasy #FantasyRomance #BookTok #AmReading

The audiobook for THE GODS TIME FORGOT is so good. The narrators completely brought this to life and I am so blown away by the magic they brought to a book I already devoured. Kelsie's beautiful words brought to life by Kimberly and Matthew thrilled me. I loved it. I loved it all.