This is a beautifully written story exploring memory and identity. I read an eARC of this book on Net Galley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

We meet our main character when she is approaching the one year anniversary of being found on a riverbank, in a black ball gown with no memory of who she is. She was taken in by a kindly family and she’s been working for them at their inn for the last year. She has no memory but she knows she is missing something and this is making it hard to move forwards with her life. She’s at a particular crossroads where she needs to make decisions and people are pressuring her. However the arrival of a mysterious guest throws everything into chaos for her.

The setting was beautiful, there’s a really lovely sense of the village and the people who live and work there. Ella has friends and meaningful relationships, she has people she cares about. This brings her comfort and joy but also makes it challenging for her when she feels torn between what they want her to do and what’s hidden in her heart. We see a character really torn between taking the easy road, or delving into the unknown in search of knowledge and true happiness.

I thought the exploration of identity was done well. Ella isn’t perfect, she can be prickly and she isn’t good at the start in asserting her feelings, often being told what she should do for others who are dismissive of her concerns which she finds frustrating.

I found the switch in the story midway a bit jarring. As I got to the end of the book, it became really clear why this was necessary and it made perfect sense for the book. However this section was a little repetitive. It all paid off with a great ending though.

Beautifully written, charming fantasy setting and a fascinating character study.

I am DNFing this book at the 43% mark.

The story sounded like something that would be right up my alley - a girl trying to remember who she is, the life she’s trying to build for herself, the mysterious gentleman who appears in town who may have a connection to her past - all of it I love. In theory.

The execution, sadly, is what I’m struggling with. The writing style just doesn’t appeal to me (it’s not bad, it just isn’t for me) - it’s a little short and lacks details/explanations. The story felt jumpy and a lacking cohesion in parts. And Ella began to annoy me. So I’m putting this down, maybe I will pick it up again at a later date.

Having lost her memories, Ella lives a simple life as a maid. Though grateful for the people who have taken her in and given her a job and name, she still wonders who she was. She doesn't remember her past, but still has the inkling feeling of the life she's forgotten.
This magical story is beautifully written and will have you lost in its world.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this arc.
I will be posting this review to Goodreads.

"Some believe we lose things we take for granted and only when we have made amends do we get back those things.”

This was a wonderfully written fantasy that read like a classic fairytale.

Synopsis: Ella has been living with a family for almost one year. She woke on a shore with no memory of who she was or where she came from.

Review: I loved this story SO much. I highlighted SO much in the book. I have preordered my physical copy and I can’t wait to tab it. 😍 This was a magical and captivating story. I loved all the characters and the gods and goddesses were extremely creative. This book was magical and I highly recommend!!

Everything is explained with the exception that the overall curse was never explicitly stated. We get flashbacks to explain things, but we never get a flashback to when the curse was cast. We do get the details scattered throughout and can infer what happened. This book should be 4.5⭐️ for that reason, but I loved it too much to knock a half star off.

🔥 Spice: 1.5🌶️ - there were scenes where sex was mentioned, non-descriptive scenes, and then chapter 39 was a descriptive scene that could be easily skimmed over.

Read if you enjoy:
🌟 Fairytales
🤯 Memory loss
🔁 Different timelines
💍 True love

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lost Time Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Publishes: May 13, 2025

The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant debut by Melissa Naatz. The novel blends mystery, memory, and personal growth in a compelling narrative that follows Ella, a woman uncovering the secrets of her past while redefining her future.
Naatz's prose is elegant and immersive, and she excels at creating rich, atmospheric settings that bring Ella’s world to life. The story’s pacing is steady, with just enough twists to keep readers engaged without feeling overly dramatic. Ella is a complex, relatable protagonist whose journey is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and the supporting characters add meaningful depth to the story.

The reason for the missing star is that the pacing occasionally falters, and some plot threads could have used tighter resolution. Still, these are minor critiques in an otherwise captivating read.

Overall, The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon is a touching exploration of identity, healing, and the enduring power of truth. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven stories with a touch of mystery.

The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon by Melissa Naatz

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you @melissanaatzauthor for the opportunity to read and review The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon ARC for an honest review on @netgalley .

The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon follows Ella, a woman who has woken up one day and does not know who she is anymore but has a faint knowledge that her heart was broken.

I liked this book enough but found it a quick read. It was lacking a little something I can’t quite put my finger on. While the beautiful cover drew me in but it took me a number of starts to get going with reading it. But I was intrigued by the mystery aspect of it and wanted to find out who “Ella” was.

Some things that made it hard for me to sink in: it felt repetitive at times and the pacing felt odd - somehow slow to get the plot going and simultaneously rushed and leaving information out.

Things I liked: It was whimsical and cozy at times. Ella was her own woman who wanted to pick her pathway rather than be pushed one direction or another. The MMC was not an overly possessive prick. And my favourite part: the ending. It felt very tidy. Very thoughtful. I was as impressed.

Spice: there are a number of closed and open door scenes but they are not done gratuitously or with explicit detail. It would be easy to flit over if desired.

Overall, I think the premise was good but trying to do a lot in a little space. Despite this, I can picture others really enjoying the story being told and have already recommended it to a friend.

If you like stories with Gods, fated pairs, love triangles, strong FMCs, respectful and doting MMC, found families, mystery, and fantastic endings, pick up a copy of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon on May 13!

#netgalley #bookreviewers #bookreview #bookstagram #readreadread #romantasybooks #romantasy #arc #arcreview

This is my first ARC. When I saw that I had got approved I was giddy with excitement, which quickly turned to fear. What if I didn't like it? What if my first ARC review would be about how horrible the book was? I'm both happy and very relieved that this book as anything but bad!

The story is very well crafted. It changes and twists just enough to keep things interesting without feeling rushed. The story gets to take its time when needed and skips forward when necessary. The parts slowly connects and even though I could see some connections early on, I was still compelled to keep reading to find out how the story would get there.

The language is gorgeous and poetic without being too hard to follow. I'll admit that I started a few sentences over once or twice before I understood what was being said, but I'll chalk that up to a combination of English being my second language as well as being a tired mommy of a three-year old on an extended kindergarten break...It really says something that this book still managed to make me prioritise finding moments to read.

The two main characters are well crafted and kept me wanting to know more. The world building is just incredible. I recognise a lot of the world as well as the main and supporting characters, and yet there is a completely fresh take and twist on everything. The beginning of the book is almost claustrophobic as everything takes place in practically one location, and then the story and the world expands...well...a lot. Let's just leave it there...

If you like Madeline Millers work, I absolutely recommend this book! I had never heard about this author before this, but I am going to looking into her previous work. For sure. And applying for more ARCs.

THE FORGOTTEN LIFE OF ELLA MOON - MELISSA NAATZ

I requested this ARC as I'd been hearing so many good things about this book - and I'm so glad that I did.

Ella Moon is the protagonist, and she's struggling with memory loss when it comes to her past. However, she knows one thing: her heart is broken. When a mysterious stranger arrives at the inn she works at, Ella is forced to make a decision to either reach for her past or to move on.

I loved Melissa Naatz's writing, which is whimsical and full of vivid descriptions, transporting the reader straight inside the story. I also loved how the tale is divided into three distinct parts, separating the present and the past. My favourite bit had to be the fairytale (you'll know what I mean when you get to it!).

I also enjoyed how the characters aren't entirely good or bad, but exist within a shades-of-grey spectrum where readers can make their own interpretation. The romance(s) are believable and full of yearning, with a splash of spice thrown into the mix.

I won't say more as I don't want to give spoilers, but if you love a whimsical fantasy standalone with yearning romance, curses and deals, this is the one for you. Thank you to Melissa Naatz, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Release date: 13 May 2025

Review score: 4/5

Trigger warnings: d*ath, injury detail, violence, memory loss, s*xual content

The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon offers a heartfelt exploration of memory, loss, and self-discovery. The concept is intriguing, and Ella is a character with emotional depth and vulnerability that’s easy to connect with. The story has its moments of beauty and quiet reflection, and the themes are genuinely touching.

That said, the execution felt uneven. The pacing dragged in parts, and certain plot threads didn’t feel fully resolved or meaningful. Some supporting characters felt more like sketches than fully realized people, and the emotional impact didn’t always land as strongly as it could have.

Overall, it’s a decent read with a promising premise and some poignant moments, but it left me wanting a bit more in terms of development and emotional payoff.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Victory Editing for sending me this ARC.

"Their love had been written in the stars; it would be there until the last star burned out. She knew because she wrote it there."

A fairytale about two gods cursed to eternally endure a broken heart, and a girl who is trying to find where she belongs.

This book was absolutely enchanting. I was fully transported into Ella's whimsical and magical world. This book is beautifully written and tugs on your heartstrings in the most loving way. Ella and Thane's journey is tumultuous and heartbreaking, and I was rooting for their story from the very beginning.

Ella is an incredible character and I found little bits of myself with her. Her desire and passion really pull the story forward and her resilience is breathtaking.

The elements of celestial gods and classic fairytales tied this book up into an incredibly melancholy and nostalgic read, spun into something entirely new. The story of Dawn and Darkness is not only a dreamy creation, but also incredibly beautiful and so lovingly done. Though our main character deals with memory loss and remembering who she is, I will definitely remember this story and think of it every time dusk comes around.

𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘯. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳.

OH. MY. GOODNESS. icb I actually read a romance book (well… technically it’s a romantasy) and devoured it in just 3 days. That’s how GREAT it is 😭🫶🏻🫶🏻

The lyrical and whimsical prose kept me engaged with this book, and it made me so curious about what would happen next that I couldn’t bring myself to put it down. I ended up devouring the first part in one night, completely hooked by the drama happening between Ella, Thane and those around them 😋

I love how the story slowly unfolded across the current timeline, the past, and the aftermath, it was just *chef’s kiss* LITERALLY PERFECTION‼️ It’s been a while since I was this invested in a book, the story still lingers in the back of my mind 😩💗 Honestly, I LOVEE all the characters, yes including Death (fr though, if villain, why hot? 👁️👁️)

Don’t get me started on the main couple. They’re both horrendously down bad for each other. Star-crossed lovers, who are cursed to break each other's heart. The yearning, the longing… and whenever they pour their hearts out? 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩 💝💘💖💓 Ugh I swear my review doesn’t even come close to doing justice to how amazing this book is 😩

Anyway, thanks to netgalley, the author Melissa Naatz and the publisher for giving me chance to read this eARC in exchange for the review.

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this. The prose was absolutely beautiful and gave the whole story a really dreamy, magical quality. The mystery was perfect; it kept me guessing but gave enough clues that I felt I was getting closer. The romance was just what I wanted; a slow burn, natural feeling build up.
The story felt original and the characters felt real and fully formed. Honestly just a great book!

3/5 stars

This was a cute and light read! I really liked the author’s writing style and the plot was interesting enough. Would defo read again the future

Wow, this story was absolutely beautiful! And can we talk about the gorgeous cover!

I loved Ella so very much from the beginning. Thane was fantastic as well. A true star crossed lovers story! The story was romantic and also tragic and also happy and also sexy. Well done!

The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon is a beautiful, tender story that captures the ache of lost memories and the healing power of love. From the first page, I was pulled into Ella’s journey — a woman piecing together her past while discovering a love that feels both brand-new and achingly familiar.

The romance in this book is truly the heart of the story. It’s not just about passion (though there are swoony moments!) — it’s about trust, vulnerability, and finding your way back to someone even when everything else feels uncertain. The chemistry between Ella and her love interest is electric yet deeply emotional, making every interaction between them meaningful. I found myself rooting for them through every hurdle, every tender moment, every heart-wrenching revelation.

The writing is lyrical without being overwhelming, and the emotional depth is incredible. It’s the kind of romance that sneaks up on you, leaving a lingering warmth long after you turn the last page.

If you love stories about second chances, emotional healing, and soul-deep connections, The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon is absolutely worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this advanced copy. You can pick up The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon on May 13, 2025.

There's no doubt that Melissa Naatz's prose is gorgeous, and her world-building in this story is really well done. However, I struggled with some plot points that made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Thane and Ella's romance was sweet and heartbreaking, but I couldn't get over their initial disbelief that she could be who he was looking for (just because he didn't recognize her). Maybe my mood contributed to it as well, but I found it a bit difficult to suspend MY disbelief at some of the major beats in the book.

Overall though, if you want an atmospheric, tragic lovers story, this is the book for you!

First of all, can we talk about how gorgeous the cover of this book is?! It caught my eye the moment I saw it! I’m honestly obsessed with the whole aesthetic. If you’re a fan of Greek mythology and love stories about gods, you must check this out. The love story between Dawn and Darkness will completely steal your heart!

In this story, we’re following our FMC (female main character), Ella, who’s lost her memories. She’s trying to navigate this new life while having no idea who she is, and it’s such a journey. One of my favorite parts was the whole found family vibe especially Ella’s friendship with Sissy. Their bond was just so precious and heartwarming. I loved it so much!

Also, I have so many quotes, highlights, and little notes in this book because I just couldn’t help myself! I loved that there’s a little bit of spice too. And the tension between the main characters? *chef’s kiss*

Honestly, the only thing that kept me from giving this a full 5 stars was Thane. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, but he was so stubborn at one point. I just wanted to grab him by the collar and scream, “SHE’S DOING IT FOR BOTH OF YOU, PLEASE CALM DOWN AND STOP BREAKING EACH OTHER’S HEARTS!!!” 😭 But to be fair, he does make up for it, and I forgave him... eventually.

"Because broken hearts can be mended. And mistakes forgiven."

^ This quote just hit me right in the feels.

The plot twist? SO GOOD. I didn’t see it coming at all! I loved the ending, too, although a part of me wishes we could have had just a little more of Dawn and Darkness together because, honestly, I can’t get enough of them. 😭

Overall, I loved this book so, so much. I had the best time reading it, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves romance, fantasy, and a little bit of magic. Huge thank you to NetGalley and the amazing author, Melissa Naatz, for sending me this ARC. I’m seriously so grateful — I loved every second of it!

start date: 04-20-2025
end date: 04-23-2025
star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
🌶️🌶️

This book is beautifully tragic, star crossed lovers at its finest! I loved the ancient fairytale vibes, and the unique twist on this trope. I also LOVED the nods to classic fairytales I grew up with, especially the Sleeping Beauty references!

The beginning drops you into Ella’s life, she doesn’t know who she is or where she comes from, then one day a handsome stranger shows up…and he feels familiar but she can’t quite figure out why. I loved the mystery, and I loved discovering clues and answers along with Ella!

The story and the world really open up around the half way mark and it will break your heart and glue it back together, over and over again. The writing is so hauntingly beautiful, it just painted the world perfectly and fully immersed me into it.

If you love star crossed lovers, lore, feuding gods, curses, and a love for the ages you absolutely NEED to pick this up!

Thank you NetGalley and @melissanaatzauthor for the eARC! All my opinions are my own.

The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon by Melissa Naatz

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book.
It is a beautifully written, cosy romance romantazy with a powerful punch. This moving, heartbreaking tale of love will leave you feeling so many emotions. Naatz's writing is stunning, and I loved getting swept up in Ella's story.
My only critique is that the transition between the first and second parts of the book felt a bit disjointed, but I still really enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book - it's a tragic love story. I look forward to reading more of Melissa Naatz writing.
Look out for this book. Publication date 13/05/2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co Op for the opportunity to read and review this Advanced Release Copy.

thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!

To start off, I really enjoyed the first part of this book, there was some kind of melancholic sadness that I found interesting and that kept me on reading. But sadly, there was not much else that I enjoyed. The book is really predictable and there is practically not much that makes you anticipate what comes next because everything is so obvious. combined with the writing style that was very simple and quite repetitive it just didn't work for me. And I also did not feel the romance at all. I think there is an audience for this book and i hope it finds them but I'm just not one of them and that's okay, and i wish the author all the best!