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**TL;DR**: Not a big hit for me, but it could work for others.
**Source**: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!

**Plot**: A girl wakes up knowing her name but being told she’s someone else and has to find her history.
**Characters**: One of my big complaints is that this is a woman vs woman novel. Everyone in here of the female persuasion was after this girl and I hated that.
**Setting:** Early 1900s America, which I guess wasn’t a huge hit for me.
**Mystery/Romance**: I knew the ‘gods’ time forgot within 5 pages, and the romance was… something that happened.
****

**Thoughts:**

If you are at all familiar with Irish mythology this title is going to be a bit of an… annoyance? That could simply be me, but I expected something made up or something very vague and honestly even though this is targeted at a Young Adult audience I’m willing to met a good chunk of those reading this have heard of the Morrigan. That means that a big chunk of the ‘mystery’ in this seemed a bit obvious to me.

The setting was personally not my favorite but for what it’s worth I think our author did a decent job drawing it and the writing itself was nice. I also didn’t love that the entire premise of this was based around women vs women. There were some crappy dudes, yes, but the major ‘bad guys’ here were all women. Especially ones that should have been helping and taking care of Rua.

All and all not a hit for me. I can definitely see someone enjoying this with a bit less of a critical lens but I have to say the title and then the story immediately introducing a very well know myth (at least in my experience) put me back on my heels and bothered me a bit. Try it if you’re interested and perhaps know absolutely nothing about Irish mythology.

Nothing stood out to me in this book and it wasn't really memorable. The plot grabbed my attention initially, however, the characters were one dimensional and unlikable (especially Rua), the romance lacked any kind of connection or development, and the writing just didn't have any kind of momentum to help carry the story so everything fell flat pretty quickly. The ending was also very rushed, and didn't really explain the whole concept of Rua somehow ending up where she was until what felt like the last possible second, and even then, the explanation just seemed thrown in and not really well thought out.

Thank you to Alcove Press, Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Firstly I would like to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing early access to this eARC for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed the beginning of this novel. It was intriguing and the woven mythology which presented itself was compelling to keep me going. The characters were interesting, however, I didn't particularly feel connected to them. A lot of the time I found them fairly average in their personality and conversations with each other. Especially the main couple Rua and Finn. I wanted to like them more than I did.

As the novel progressed, I felt a lot of the chapters could have been edited out or condensed. After about the 60% mark the novel dragged and not a lot was actually happening. It seemed the discussions and reveals made in this chunk of the book had already been given prior, and it was as if the writer or editor was filling in space to up the page count. It made me disinterested as a whole as by this point I simply wanted the book to end.

Finn's connection with the orphanage was also weird to me. Almost as if there had to be something to allude to the fact he wasn't inherently a bad person? I felt the writer did a fine enough job of convincing the audience of his character without this being included.

I felt this book could have improved with more of a POV in earlier chapters of how Finn came to where he is. I understand the mystery aspect, however it made things seem a little disjointed despite he went through the exact same thing Rua did. I feel it would have been interesting to explore as they both came to the realisation of their circumstances and who they really were.

Loved it
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. as it's well plotted, fascinating world building, and entertaining. . I liked the good storytelling
Highly Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Unfortunately I just think this book wasn’t for me. The premise seemed so fun and up my alley but it just didn’t hit the way I expected it to.

The plot was pretty slow if i’m being fully honest, I don’t know if it was the plot itself or the writing style but I feel like it kind of dragged for quite a bit. There was never really a point where I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.

The romance was fine I would say, not the best but also not the worst. The characters definitely lacked the tension and chemistry I love but again, not horrible for a romance.

I did love the gilded age setting but honestly wish we got more of the Irish mythology aspect. Overall, this book was okay.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange of an honest review ◡̈

This was cute! I loved the FMC and I liked the romance, as well as the nods to Irish mythology. The MMC was hit or miss but overall really liked it.

This was a very immersive fantasy read with a very sweet romance. I quite enjoyed it. (Thanks so much for this arc. Sorry it took so long to review)

This review took me forever to write because I just wasn’t as invested in the book as I thought I’d be, plus I legitimately kept forgetting about the book once I set it down.

I did get some extremely light magical realism in this historical fantasy a la Divine Rivals x Outlander energy but I just wasn’t as invested in the characters. I found the plot to be very slow paced, and the book seemed very long with many repetitive things happening.

I will say the author was particularly good at making decriptive sections, really bringing elements to life in my mind (such as New York City). The combo of Irish mythology and Gilded Age NYC was unique. And the author did a good job with the past/present storylines and memory loss aspects.

I think there was so much potential with the premise. Unfortunately, it left a lot to be desired.

The slow reveal of Rua and Finn's tragic past keeps the pages turning. Will they find themselves again? Before the present catches them at odds and keeps them apart forever?

The dual storylines and slow reveal were an ice approach to this dive into the world of the gods and our unspoken desire for love to always conquer.

The Gods Time Forgot is an immersive and imaginative story that blends mythology, adventure, and richly developed characters in a compelling way. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez has a real talent for world-building — the settings feel vivid, layered, and alive, with a sense of history and magic that draws the reader in immediately. From the first chapter, I was intrigued by the blend of suspense, myth, and personal stakes that shape the story.

The characters are one of the novel’s strongest points. They are complex, with believable motivations and emotional depth, and I appreciated how their relationships evolve naturally throughout the story. Gonzalez balances the larger-than-life mythological elements with personal, human moments, making the stakes feel both epic and intimate at the same time.

Pacing is handled well for the most part, with a steady build of tension and well-timed revelations. There are moments where the plot could have moved a bit faster, but these are minor quibbles compared to the richness of the storytelling. The narrative is engaging, and the thematic exploration — of time, power, and legacy — adds a thoughtful layer beyond the adventure itself.

Overall, The Gods Time Forgot is a strong, engaging read that will appeal to fans of myth-inspired fiction, epic adventures, and character-driven storytelling. While not without small imperfections, Gonzalez’s skillful writing and imaginative world make this a solid four-star read that leaves a lasting impression.

While the title of the book suggests anticipated fantasy read, what I got was a Gilded Age story. I wasn't a huge fan of the FMC or the MMC. The premise was good, but I just kept waiting for the action. This is a character driven story with little to no plot. I gave it 3 stars because I did finish it and it kept me wanting more, but I never got it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

A fantastical mystery that takes its time to unravel

All Rua knows is that she is not who she is supposed to be. People are saying she is the Harrington family’s missing daughter, Emma, but nothing about the life she inhabits is familiar to her. But she remembers nothing else, and so she plays along. She remembers nothing else, that is, until Finn.

I feel exceptionally neutral about “The Gods Time Forgot”. The storyline is interesting but for the most part nothing really seemed to happen. Possibly I would have liked it better were it a short story.

If you enjoyed Rebecca Ross’ “Divine Rivals”, you might still want to give this one a go! I thought they had a similar kind of magical heaviness-feel to them.


Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Gods Time Forgot is a beautiful blend of historical romance and fantasy, weaving together Celtic mythology and Gilded Age New York. The novel takes readers on a compelling journey with its protagonist, Rua, as she navigates a new world and unravels the mysteries of her identity.

While some readers may find the plot to be slow-paced at times, the true strength of this book lies in its atmospheric and rich world-building. The descriptions of historical New York City are particularly vivid, making it an excellent choice for fans of shows like Bridgerton or Outlander. This book is a good pick for those who appreciate detailed settings and a slow-burn narrative.

The Gods Time Forgot is a beautifully crafted historical romantasy. I really enjoyed the inclusion of Celtic mythology, and loved being along for the ride as Rua tried to figure out where she was and who she was. Gilded Age New York City was so beautifully described, and I think this book would be excellent for fans of Bridgerton or Outlander. While it didn't end on a huge cliffhanger, I would love if this was expanded into a series.

Sadly this book just didn’t grab as much as I hoped it would. I put it down and picked it up multiple times but I just couldn’t connect with it. Super bummed.

Set in Manhattan 1870, this mix of Irish mythology and the Gilded Age is a fun read. Rua is trying to find out who she is as she has no memories. Finn is new to this side of the pond and trying to find his footing here. When these 2 meet, they both are determined to find their way and maybe they can work together to get what they want

This fell flat for me.. It had such a cool premise, but the writing didnt pull me in. The cover art is wonderful and is what initially interested me, but it couldnt redeem the flat plot where nothing really happened.

1.5/5

This book had such boring and unengaging writing that one could call it impressive. The only positive thing I have to say is that the premise was interesting and kind of original, with its combination of Irish mythology and 1870 Manhattan. But there, the good stuff ended for me. Unfortunately, the execution of the plot was abysmal, and by the end, it was impossible to root for the main character's happiness. A lot of repetitive moments that wasted the reader's time could have been cut down to flesh out the ending.


**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. **

3/5⭐

The banter was great.

The pacing was inconsistent - it started good, then it dragged and the ending was just rushed.

I wasn't invested in this but it was enjoyable read.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

set in 1870s manhattan, "the gods time forgot" follows rua, a girl with no memories who’s mistaken for the wealthy Harrington family's lost daughter. as she navigates gilded age high society and an unexpected pull toward the mysterious lord donore, she begins to recover flashes of a past steeped into captivating mythology and dark magic. What begins as a historical drama slowly unravels into a enchanting romantasy.

much of the book focuses on social events and drama among the elite, with mc repeatedly rebelling against societal norms while trying to uncover who she is. the fantasy aspects—which were the biggest draw for me—only surface meaningfully in the last 20% and felt rushed. similarly, the romance between rua and finn never quite clicks. there’s an intended sense of fate and familiarity, but the emotional payoff feels shallow due to underdeveloped chemistry and a distracting love triangle. the ending ties things up quickly, almost too conveniently, and left me wanting more depth and buildup. that said, the writing has some lovely moments and this could still work for readers who enjoy slower-burn, clean romantasy set in rich historical settings, but i wanted more from both the romance and the magic.

thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.