I had really high hopes for this book. Not to say I was completely let down but I do feel as though there was a lot of repetitiveness along with other things that just didn't live up to the excitement I felt.

Pros:
*I thought the interactions between characters was well done. The conversation felt very of the time period.
*The book, for the most part, was easy to follow along with. I was never really confused which can happen easily with fantasy books if you aren't paying close attention.
*I did enjoy the FMC and MMC separately.

Cons:
*I don't think the character development progressed along with the small amount of storyline there was. They went from one end of the spectrum to the other. For example: The MMC was drawn to the FMC but kept fighting it all the way until the end of the book when, miraculously, he decides he absolutely has to be with her regardless of if he can fully trust her or not and no matter what could happen to his carefully laid-out plans.
*I felt like the dynamic between the MCs was off. There were moments where I loved them together and then other times when I didn't understand what was going on.
*The one scene at the brothel. I don't understand how it escalated that quickly. Maybe that's just me though.
*I felt as though the middle of the book dragged on and there were events that didn't help build up the storyline.

Overall I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't one that was exceptionally memorable.

Thank you, Alcove Press, for the copy of this book.
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Read if you like: Irish Mythology, second chance romance, memory loss
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Rua wakes up not knowing where she is and the only thing she remembers is her name. She meets Finn, and she feels an instant connection with him, as if she has met him before. She needs to figure out who she is and where she comes from, and how to get home.
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Overall, this was a fun book if you like historical fantasy. I liked Rua, but it took me a little bit to get into the story!

I struggled to write this review because while this book was fine, it was also nothing special. Therefore, I have little to say about it.

The romance is basically the entire story. I liked Rua and I liked Finn, but I don’t know that I cared about them being together that much. The romance is flat, and I didn’t feel the chemistry. I’m also not a huge fan of when characters fall in love because they loved each other in a previous life. It feels like short hand for explaining why they fall in love in the present. I want to believe they love each other because the story depicts that, not because the story tells me they love each other.

Most of the stakes in the story aren’t about the fantasy, but instead focus on the stress of trying to fit into high society without knowing all the implicit rules. This left me a little bored because the author doesn’t know enough about the society they’re writing about to make this interesting. They know enough to set a fantasy novel in it, but not enough to have the historic setting be the main focus. The fantasy felt barely there and wasn’t focused on until the last third of the book.

Overall, this book was okay. The prose was pretty fine, no notes. I probably wouldn’t read it a second time.

I never knew I needed a book based on Irish mythology until now! This was super intriguing and the romance was perfection.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an E-Arc of this book. The following is my honest opinion *

3⭐ out 5

I give this book a neutral rating. When I saw this arc, what drew me in was the part that said, "...perfect for fans of Outlander and A Fate Inked in Blood." I am a fan of Outlander and Fate has been in my TBR for some time. I felt like this book would be something I would enjoy. With that being mentioned, I think I might have not been in the right mood for this. I didn't enjoy as much I thought it would. I was not gripped to really find out what happens to the characters/plot for the most part. I would love to pick this up at a different time and see if my perspective changes.

I would recommend this to others. Just because it wasn't my favorite cup, doesn't mean it won't be yours.

rua only knows two things: her name, and that she’s lost her memories. when the wealthy harrington family mistakes rua for their daughter emma, she reluctantly goes along with it. she has no means to get away from the harringtons, and hopes this charade will buy her time to figure out who she and emma really are. soon, she finds herself drawn to the lord of donore, finn, who is somehow familiar to her. as rua and finn work to uncover their shared past, rua is determined to find out what happened to the real emma.

i’m starting to think there are certain tropes/story elements that i only care for in fanfiction. i would normally consider myself a fan of the memory loss and (leaving out the second one since it could be a spoiler) tropes, but this is the second book i’ve read in the past month with those two elements that i really didn’t care for. unfortunately, for this book, not only did the plot not do it for me, i also didn’t absolutely get swept away by the romance, either. this did contain elements of irish mythology, though, which i did find cool, especially since i don’t see that in books very often. overall, this was just an okay read for me.

The Gods Time Forgot was a book that grabbed my attention based on the title and the summary unfortunately this one fell a little flat for me.

Rua is our fmc and the way we are introduced to her is through the fact that she is being rescued by the Harrington family who believe her to be their missing daughter Emma. Rua goes along with this hoping to get some answers around who she really is and why she is where she is but she never really fits. When she is introduced to the Lord of Donore, a newcomer to Manhattan society, she is weirdly drawn to him and finds him familiar.

Finn, the Lord of Donore, is new to Manhattan and he knows to fit in he will need to have connections in high places. He also needs to avoid the mysterious, yet intriguing, Emma Harrington. For some reason Finn has the feeling that he knows Emma and this isn't the first time they've met and he is determined to figure out why.

As these two continue to find themselves drawn together and Rua determined to figure out what is going on, Society creates continued challenges for both of these characters and the question is whether magic and the secrets they hide will be revealed.

As I mentioned, the summary made this one sound interesting but the execution fell a bit flat for me. I didn't really connect with any of the characters as Rua just seemed really confrontational and combative and Finn just seemed to care about what he could get from those around him. Don't get me started about Rua's mother and Annette - both were just horrible. Also, the ending felt rushed to me.

In the end, I'm not sure I would have finished this one if I didn't have to review it but if any of what I mentioned sounds interesting, give it a shot.

Any book set in New York immediately piques my interest, so I was excited to get an Arc of this book, but unfortunately it took me a really long time to actually finish it. The idea of star crossed lovers appeals to me, but the connection between Finn and Rua felt flat. The plot was confusing at times, and I didn't feel drawn into the story the way I wanted to be.

The concept of this book, that it is two people who were from Irish mythology who meet again in 1870s New York, and feel drawn to each other, sounds good. Problem is, for at least 80% of the book they are frustrated, going back and forth with feeling the draw, and doing nothing about it, except, touching hands, or gasp, perhaps a kiss.

I kept waiting for the big reveal, because otherwise it was just a typical Victorian romance with a young lady that didn't fit in with her peers. And the reason she didn't fit in was because she wasn't who they thought she was.

So, if you go into this, realize that this is more a typical romance with hint of the supernatural, more than anything. This was not what I expected from the book, but I kept reading, in case it got better. It did, but it took most of the book to get there.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

This novel started off strong with an intriguing concept. The main character, Rua, finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings in the late 1800’s. Those around her believe she has amnesia, but she is convinced she is not who they all think she is. She navigates this new life while trying not to make mistakes that will negatively affect her “family”. As she tries to recover her memories and solve the
mystery of who she is, an undeniable attraction draws Rua and the Irish born Finn over and over again even though he knows he should stay away. The interaction and romance between the two is satisfying to read and I was invested in the outcome of where their paths would lead, However, just as the final arc tension was mounting the story ended. It felt abrupt and frustrating. I truly expected more of a battle between the characters, as if the final chapters were missing. Had the ending gone a little further into the story I would have given it 4 stars.

I LOVED this book so much! The world building is so good. I loved the characters and some of the characters I hated!! UGH- the MOM (iykyk). I loved the slow heat of the sweet romance was really enjoyable as well.

I'm sorry to say this was a DNF for me at 27%. The story didn't really pull me in, and neither did the main leads.

3.5 ⭐️
I was so intrigued going into The Gods Time Forgot. A mysterious girl with no memory mistaken for a disgraced socialite? High society secrets? An Irish lord with secrets of his own? Count me in. And to its credit, the book does deliver on atmosphere—think opulent balls, sharp tongues, and just enough scandal to keep your teacup full.

Rua, our main character, is taken in by the Harringtons who believe she’s their long-lost daughter, Emma. From there, she’s thrust into the spotlight of New York’s elite—who do not forget a scandal. Rua’s sharp, unbothered, and honestly hilarious at times. Her deadpan responses and general disregard for high society etiquette gave me a few good laughs, and I enjoyed the early stages of her tension-filled connection with Finn, our broody Irish lord. Their banter? Solid. Their chemistry? Simmering, though perhaps not quite sizzling.

But for all its potential, the story didn’t quite stick the landing.

The pacing is a real issue. After a strong opening, things slow way down. The middle of the book feels like a cycle on repeat—party, scandal, Finn rescue, mom disapproval, rinse and repeat. While that structure could’ve worked with stronger tension or deeper reveals, it starts to drag when the plot keeps promising magic and mystery but gives us…more etiquette lessons. For a story pitched as steeped in Irish mythology and dark magic, the fantasy elements were frustratingly minimal, almost nonexistent. If you’re expecting a lush world of fae lore or a deep magical system, you might be left waiting (and waiting…).

The writing itself has bright moments, but it also feels rough in places. There’s a lot of telling over showing, and some of the transitions felt choppy or underdeveloped. Rua’s lack of curiosity about Emma’s past also really held the story back. For someone who’s literally been dropped into another girl’s life, she barely investigates. That could’ve been a compelling mystery thread—but instead, we get breadcrumbs that lead nowhere until the final 15%, when suddenly things get interesting… and then the book ends.

There’s a really solid idea at the heart of this novel. The bones are there: a scandal-ridden girl impersonating someone she might actually be, enemies-to-lovers romance, and a chance to explore mythology through a Gilded Age lens. But it needs more: more magic, more momentum, and more character depth beyond snarky quips and dramatic entrances.

That said, it’s not a total loss—fans of historical romance who want just a hint of magic and some high society drama will probably still find it worth the read. I’ll be curious to see if the next book digs deeper, because this world has serious untapped potential.

An unfortunate DNF at 43%.

I really wanted to enjoy this story. I was pulled in by the description, excited about the Irish mythology and a good slow burn romance. Instead, what I found was a plot that barely smoldered and couldn't hold my attention. At almost half way through, our heroine Rua had learned almost nothing about how she had come to be in her situation. Every single event that had occurred up until that point had felt tiringly similar. A social faux pas, the mysterious Lord of Denore saving the day even though he knows he should not, the threat of institutionalization, rinse and repeat.

There is potential here, I just think that this read suffered from a lack of good pacing or a lack of a hook to keep the reader intrigued. I may pick this back up some day and try again, but right now it's a no for me.

This did not hook me and left me very confused in the first chapter.
Maybe that's on purpose to reflect what the character is experiencing but I did not care to continue.
DNF 4%
arc provided by Netgalley

Rua remembers nothing but her name. So she lets the wealthy Harrington family think she is their missing daughter Emma while she tries to figure out the truth. She has memories of another world, one laced with darkness. Trying to fit in 1870s Manhattan society, she is drawn to the 'not for her' Lord of Donore, come for business from Ireland. He also feels like he knows her. An ancient secret connects them, and as they rediscover it they must save the future.

It is like we emerge into the story, no introduction, no prologue — nothing, though certainly in an attention-grabbing way. We are discovering this world along with the protagonist and share her sense of newness and that something is not right. The mystery of why she looks like social pariah Emma and the glimpses of another place elevate the intrigue. The frequent use of consecutive short paragraphs caters to a state of immediacy enhances the need to know what happens next. But the narrative has a tangible stillness, a solemnity even when things go crazy. The author uses gorgeous figurative speech to bring forth vivid imagery that is deeply expressive.

The writing has a descriptive nature that helps us visualize the time period admirably, the environment, the societal pressures, the prejudices, the position of women. Trying to be in the good graces of this so-called high, though certainly self-serving, society is exhausting for our main characters and there is drama. Thanks to their backhanded or outright nasty comments, their hurtful actions, there are quite a few characters I would like to slap silly. Rua does not take it lying down and answers accordingly and boy do her remarks cut them down to size.

The protagonists' humorous 'meet-hate' ignites a spark and you get excited for this prospective couple. She is delightfully feisty and her comments are chuckle-worthy zingers but he holds his own. I love the fact that they are trying not to like each other but cannot resist, and this turmoil of emotions — including the way they feel like they already know one another — is depicted deliciously. There are some unfortunately repetitive thoughts, too many comments about reputation, even on the same page, that threw me out of the generally good flow of the story. But I am so glad we get to see both sides of this budding/possibly renewed relationship. Their encounters are swoon-inducing with romance and often comical due to unexpected things occurring.

Details of the inspired by Irish mythology fantastical element lightly season the narrative from the beginning. The upper-class drama is interesting, though I do wish some scenes were tighter to give more time to the fantasy aspect of the story. I needed more of the fantasy side of the story. Leading to the finale, things get intense as the truth gradually sneaks up on them and I couldn't put it down. Their situation turns on the heart-wrenching, becoming increasingly dangerous and leads to an undeniably wild ride of an ending.

A second chances, very different enemies to lovers historical romance, captivating and yearnful.

3.5 rounded up
The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
I first saw this on tiktok when it was still in draft form, so I was so excited to hear that it was going to be published. I was intrigued by the concept of Irish gods sent to Gilded Age New York. Overall I did find it enjoyable but I struggled with the very quick ending that left a lot unresolved.
I enjoyed the mythology flashbacks that are interwoven into the book, but these could have been used more to highlight the stakes. There was a lot of focus on the society dynamics and the main character being institutionalized depending on her behavior, which seemed a bit too forgiving.
If you like romantasy, historical fiction, mythology, and gods in alternate settings you might be interested!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC!

CWs:
Graphic: Violence, Death, Sexism
Moderate: Murder, Infidelity, Blood
Minor: Forced institutionalization

I was super intrigued by the description and premise of this book - Outlander meets A Fate Inked In Blood but I ended up being kind of disappointed. Run crawls out of a Hell Hole and finds herself in 1870s New York. People think she is a young woman, Emma, who has been a bit of a trouble maker but it is time for her to make her debut into society and her family is trying to stay successful in their business plans amidst her scandals. We also get the POV of Finn, a young Irish businessman, who is opening a hotel with Rua's "father" and another man. As an Irish immigrant he is fighting against discrimination and doesn't want any drama. But he can Rua feel pulled to one another and he just might be the clue to who she really is and where she came from.

It isn't a particularly spicy book (fade to black) but there is romance. I wish we had gotten more of the mythology/world building of the magic but we rushed through that and there isnt' going to be another book.

When I read the synopsis of this book, it sounded intriguing. I was not disappointed. It didn't take long to really get into the story and once I was in, I was hooked. The mystery, the scandal, the characters complicated past and present...it all just sucks you in. I 100% recommend this book. This is a story I would like to read again.

Why couldn’t she remember her name?

The Gods Time Forgot had an intriguingly mystery start with leads that had catch your attention flickering chemistry but stagnated too much in the middle and delivered a rushed ending. Told from the leads, Emma/Rua and Finn's point-of-view, readers come into the story as a girl awakes lost in the woods, without her memory. A search party is crowding her and calling her Emma, but she doesn't recognize or feel that name. When the searchers express horror at her standing in a river, without harm, and she flicks water at a man, which in turn burns him, she's frightened into going where they want to lead her. She's brought back to her home and is impressed by the grandeur but still doesn't recognize anything. A portrait on the wall looks exactly like her and we learn she is supposed to be Emma Harrington, the only daughter of a rich tycoon in Gilded Age New York.

After what they’d just done— after what Badb had made Rua do? How dare she speak of love. Rua let out a sob.
“I have done this for us,” Badb said, desperate to make Rua believe it. She cupped Rua’s cheek, blood lust swirling in the gold of her eyes. “I will protect you, always.”
Lies. Rua jerked her head away.

While Emma goes along with the identity everyone has given her, she starts to have memories of a different place, time, and called Rua. In that place and time, she loved a man called Cú Chulainn (Irish mythology is woven into the story). It's hard for Emma to act proper and she has the looming threat of her mother telling her if she doesn't act right, she'll be sent to an asylum. Her maid, Mara, seems to know what happened in the woods but is cagey about giving Emma any true answers. When the Harrington family arrives in New York City, Emma meets a Lord Donore, Finn, and they are instantly drawn to each other. We don't get much about Finn, except that he's trying to get in with society's elite so that he can gain enough money to support his charitable works. He's in business with one of the top families and is about to propose to their daughter. After the beginning of the story's allure, who is Emma really?, what happened between the time she entered the “hellmouth” and left it?, and what do these memories/dreams mean?, the middle stagnated with Emma/Rua contemplating the same questions over and over without many trickling answers given, and Finn constantly saying he couldn't have anything to do with Rua because it would ruin his reputation and thus money flow.

She continued walking, flexing her palm, wondering why she could still feel the touch of his hand on her skin.

As we get a little more from Finn in the latter second half, we learn that he is also having dreams of a different time and place and when Rua and Finn finally confide into each other about their dreams, the story and pace finally leaves the embedded in place of Rua trying to behave to appease her mother and Finn trying not to be drawn to Rua so he can marry rich and high society, and we get movement on the Irish mythology woven in plot. If Morrígan; Macha, Badb, Nemain are names that mean anything to you, then you'll have some knowledge to where the story is heading and if it's all new to you, you'll probably enjoy some of the reveals. I liked the Irish mythology inclusion and general plot idea but it stagnated far too long. I know the middle is supposed to be where Rua and Finn are falling in love but after that initial spark of chemistry, it felt more like words telling me they were made to be together instead of providing the emotion.

The man was quarrelsome and arrogant, born to be her adversary. But there was something else there, something warm and familiar, and it felt like hers.

The ending will give you the hows and whys of Emma/Rua and Finn but, for me, left out some dynamic scenes of confrontation and overcoming with key characters (Badb). I don't know, it just felt like the ending was left dangling, even though it was sort of wrapped up. The Irish mythology was a delightful additive but the story's pace stagnated too much for me in the middle.