3 Stars

The pacing of this book just kind off and I couldn't get into it as much as I had hoped. I found it to be so incredibly slow and I just wasn't interested for the majority of it. I am really disappointed because I really thought I would love this one.

The things that did work well for me was dialogue. I enjoyed the banter between the characters and the overall angst. I thought this was well done and it kept me reading.

I do think this author shows a lot of promise. I really look forward to see what else she writes because I do love a good banter and not every author can really pull this off.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

3.5 stars. I think that the author could have leaned more into the romance plot. This just not seem like that much of a romance novel to me.

I'm so glad others have enjoyed this book. I thought it was going to be right up my alley but it didn't turn out that way.

The beginning was definitely a hook, and I enjoyed a historical taking place in New York since so many focus on London. After the initial few times Rua was trying to get the hang of being Emma and dealing with society, it felt repeptitive. Go to a ball, run into Finn, a scene is made, everyone is mad at her, repeat. I felt the longing between Ruan and Finn, but felt Finn was a dissapointment. I struggled to get to the ending, and then didn't even understand it.

Everyone has different tastes and I'm sure others will enjoy this more.

This book swept me away to 1870s Manhattan, where gilded ballrooms hide secrets, and magic lingers just beneath the surface.

Rua wakes up with no memory of who she is, only to be mistaken for Emma, the missing daughter of a wealthy family. Desperate for answers, she steps into Emma’s life, navigating a world of high society, deception, and a mysterious Irish lord who feels far too familiar.

The historical setting was stunning. The Irish mythology woven into the story made everything even richer.

Rua’s journey was so compelling, balancing her search for the truth with the growing tension between her and Finn. And the banter was so good!

The worldbuilding was seriously phenomenal.

If you love romantasy with high stakes, a dash of mystery, and a setting that fully immerses you, this one is a must-read!

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for this free ARC.

I completely forgot to write a review for this book, but I remember liking it. I loved the construction of the characters but I feel like there was something missing in the development of the story. Overall, it's a good 3 stars

The Gods Time Forgot is a fun mix of Bridgerton and Outlander, set in gilded age New York with Irish gods.

Overall, I had a fun time reading this! It was intriguing, unique, and romantic. I think having the right expectations is key before you go in. This is a romance with light fantasy elements, so don’t expect a lot of magic or fantasy. Most of the fantasy happens before the book starts and at the very end. The majority of the book is solidly romance with lots of ballgowns and tension.

Like I said, I really did enjoy this book for what it was. I will say the ending was abrupt and the historical events were pretty flat (simply thrown in but honestly this could’ve taken place in any 18-19th century ballroom; it wasn’t distinctly gilded age enough imo).

I would recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author!

I was excited about this concept but I found myself bored right after we were halfway through the book.

I enjoyed the dual POV, the setting, the personality of our main character and, most of all, the fact that from the very first page we knew something was wrong but still didn't have the whole information. I believe it would've been more stressful (or made us think the main character was stupid) had we had the answers long before she did. Plus, there was good enough chemistry between the main characters (even if the immediate-hate to love is overdone lately; It's cause it works)

I found myself thinking in more than one occasion ''I wish there was nothing else going on; like she actually has amnesia and this is just a Gilded Age fun romance'' and I... I want fantasy. That's not a normal thought for me to have. But I because so uninterested that the possible answers and reveals just stopped being something to look forward to.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is a dark, thrilling, and thought-provoking fantasy novel that completely captivated me from start to finish. The author’s world-building is incredible, drawing me into a universe where gods, time manipulation, and deep secrets collide in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The plot is filled with twists and turns, with a narrative that’s both intricate and mysterious. I loved how the story unfolded, revealing secrets and layers about the gods and their involvement with time. The stakes feel high throughout, and the tension builds steadily, making every chapter feel like it’s driving toward something monumental. I was constantly eager to know what would happen next, and the surprises along the way kept me hooked.

The characters are another standout aspect of this book. The protagonist is complex and compelling, with their own inner conflicts and motivations that felt so real. The relationships, both with allies and enemies, were richly developed, and I really appreciated the depth the author gave to each character. I found myself really invested in their journeys, particularly how they navigated the gods’ world and their own role in it all.

What I also really enjoyed was the philosophical and emotional depth of the book. It’s not just a story about gods and time; it’s about self-discovery, morality, and the consequences of our actions. The way the author explores these themes added a layer of depth that made the book even more rewarding to read.

Overall, The Gods Time Forgot is a gripping, thought-provoking fantasy that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys stories with complex world-building, morally grey characters, and high-stakes adventure. It’s a book that will make you think long after you’ve finished it, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

DNF @ 11%

The premise sounded very interesting but even at 2% in I was having issues paying attention. Something about the writing just didn't grab my interest and sadly the characters fell very flat. I could tell this one wasn't for me at all.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Those book has a beautiful cover and a setting that speaks to me. The pacing, however, was too slow for my liking, and the ending was very abrupt. It seemed like a rough draft.

Despite having a promising magic-filled premise, the novel sidelined its fantastical elements in favour of an underwhelming romance between two characters it was hard to connect to.

Would I recommend?... Unfortunately I don't think I would. I wanted more from the story: more mythology, more character development and more chemistry.

Read for:
- Gilded Age New York
- dual perspectives
- dash of Irish mythology
- forbidden romance
- mistaken identity

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an eARC copy of The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez

The cover was what caught my attention, as well as the plot. Who doesn't enjoy a myth retelling? However, to be quiet honest, the book fell flat for me. I would put it down, then pick it up again later only to forget what had happened earlier on. Felt just as clueless as Rua in the beginning. I slogged through it to see if it would pick up, but for me it never did. Though, I will agree that the banter was spot on and wish it played more on the character dynamics. Just could have been more than it was.

3.5, really, but I'm rounding down rather than up for pacing issues. I love the central premise of this story - the Irish folktale about the love between demigod hero Cu Chullain and Macha, one of the goddess who make up The Morrigan being given a second chance in 1870 New York. The sense of both the folklore and the historical setting is beautiful, and I really enjoyed Gonzalez's approach to the tale. But the instalove between Rua/Macha and Cu Chullain/Finn felt, well, <i>too</i> instant, like it wasn't quite established enough that they're destined lovers and leaning more into the love and first sight trope. The pacing also felt a bit off - too slow at first, and then racing through the middle before slowing down again at the end.

Still, this is incredibly readable, and Gonzalez does a fantastic job of capturing the mean girls of Gilded Age New York City. I might not necessarily recommend it to fans of Irish folklore, but readers of romantic fantasy (I loathe the word "romantasy") will find a lot to enjoy.

Time Travel meets Downton Abbey.

This book is a standalone - filled with romance and a touch of fantasy. Rua appears in New York with no memory of how she got there - and is believed to be Emma - a 1870 socialite. You as the reader go along with Rua to piece together the past and her relationship with Finn - an Irish Lord (we love a good dual POV!)
The Irish Mythology was so interesting and one of the best parts of the book.
The story started out strong but I did feel like the ending was too abrupt and left me wanting more!

This was such unique story. I don’t think I ever read something like this. The Irish mythology was so interesting to read about. The writing was also really good in my opinion. It kept me entertained and I love Rua and her determination to just be herself in a world where money and prestige is everything. The only thing that I wish was different was the ending. There’s this really good built up and the ending happened just so fast. It felt rushed and I wish it was a bit more developed.

Lovely writing and strong dialogue. The plot thinned a bit for me in the middle and was tricky to follow along with identities and stakes. Overall, a solid read for those who love the Gilded Age.

Unfortunately I DNF at 8%.

I don't know quite what it is about the book but I found myself unable to connect with any of the characters enough to care to keep going. Rua seems like she would be an interesting character but instead she just comes across as flat and one dimensional. I am sure that if I kept reading I would have been able to connect with her more, but as I wasn't really enjoying the story I found no reason to continue. I couldn't connect with her plight of missing memories and desire to uncover who she is. The flashbacks weren't enough to keep me interested.

I stopped reading right when our FMC, Finn was introduced so I don't know much about his character.

I hope that this book finds its target audience, I just don't feel like it's me.

What a creative historical/fantasy romance!

I really enjoyed the Irish mythology and how it played into the story. The amnesia storyline made sense and was well executed. The romance was swoon worthy and filled with plenty of memorable banter too. The world building was well done and didn't feel like an info dump.

If you enjoy fantasy romance, you're gonna love this.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/ 3.5

Fans of Outlander and Bridgerton, get ready for a twisty turn around the ton full of scandal, suspense, and undying love.

I really enjoyed this one! The writing was gorgeous and well developed, the setting was picturesque, and the story was very intriguing. I loved the relationship between Rua and Finn, the banter was full of wit with just the right amount of snark. I loved learning about their mysterious past and strong familiarity with each other. The story was full of drama and intrigue to captivate a wide range of audiences.

Blurb:
When Rua wakes up in a shallow grave with no memories, she can’t help but think something has gone terribly wrong. When she emerges, a search party is in full swing for a girl named Emma. Things get a little dodgy when they claim Rua is the lost girl and she must be delirious to not remember her own name. Rua is dragged into the high society world of elegant balls, walks around the ton, and fine etiquette. Rumors about Emma’s mysterious disappearance and recovery swirl around town leaving it hard for Rua to fit in. Especially when she meets the Lord of Donore, whom she feels the strangest familiarity to. The Lord of Donore always finds Rua where she isn’t supposed to be but can’t help but feel drawn to her, captivated by her gorgeous red hair.

I have to say that I love that this took on Irish myths and legends. Being a redhead myself and Irish I love anything that has to do with Ireland. I enjoyed reading the book, it gave off Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton vibes with the twist of magic and gods. While reading it I was dying because I just wanted Rua and Finn to kiss they had so many opportunities that they kept missing. It was a great build-up for when they finally did kiss. I was upset with Finn for him still wanting this easy life and marrying Annette, I was glad that he ultimately decided that he wanted his life with Rua. The author did a great job of portraying a mother of the time with Flossie. I hated her, and how she would take everything out on Rua like it was all her fault when it wasn't. Her father Ned what a coward of the times. I can understand that she was no longer their daughter but then why put on this show? Then there was Mara a child who didn't know what she was getting into and got her friend the real Emma killed. She was just asking for the end that she got. I like that we get the full story of what happened and why Rua was here in the end and not the middle of the book and spend most of the book trying to solve the problem of getting home. The end of the book was nice, however for me it just rapidly ended. I wanted more, I wanted to know if they get home or where their story would take them next. Will her sister come after them? I do hope that there is a second book.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and Alcove Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this story. I look forward to reading more from this author.