Everything about this book, from the setting, the time period, the characters, was so immersive. I really enjoyed it the whole time and devoured it within days. As a debut, I think it was fantastic. Rua, as a main character, was so good at being so many different things to different people but as you read it you always knew who she really was. Similarly with Finn, as the MMC, it was so nice to get his POV as well and also I enjoyed that it was in third person but a very readable third person, which can be a fine and difficult balance sometimes.

The slow burn was indeed slow but in the most satisfying way. We got to feel all their raw emotions and love for each other in a world and time defying way. I would love if this was part of a series, but where it left off still felt like an acceptable ending for a stand alone. It definitely had a bit of an outlander vibe to the whole story but again in the best way. I thoroughly enjoyed this and have already recommended it to friends.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really lovely read! I wish it weren't being compared to A Fate Inked in Blood because I think it's significantly more nuanced and better written - the way the mythology is woven in is fantastic. Will definitely be recommending to my mythology-fan bookclub!

Thank you Alcove Press & NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC!

I really enjoyed this! The story takes off running from the first page, and I didn't really want to put it down until it was over.

I would've liked to read less about time in Manhattan (and the EVIL, vapid girls there - good GOD), and more about Rua/Finn discovering who they REALLY are/their history.

Also that ending was ABRUPT and not the most satisfying - I feel like there must be more? ....Right? There could be a whole other book that does a deep dive of Rua & Finn, and what comes next for them.

Overall, a pretty good read (and I hope we get another book!)

3.5 stars

I want to thank Alcove Press for offering me an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel through NetGalley!

I had seen a small snippet of The Gods Time Forgot on TikTok as well as its prompt (gilded age New York meets Irish mythology) and was instantly hooked. Upon starting the novel, however, I felt a little lost at first: mostly because the Irish mythology wasn't present in the way I had expected. However, I think this picked up significantly throughout the novel and it was incredibly interesting and refreshing to learn the stories of a different kind of mythology than seen often in the media (greek, roman)

The writing was overall incredibly good--often with ARCs there are still little typos or missing punctuation or smasll mistakes on sentence level. However, with this novel that was not the case at all, and I thought that the writing was clear and well-structured. It had the exact right balance of description and balance in order to always keep the reader hooked.

The plot itself was a little predictable based on the title, but the ending really redeemed itself in that it took a few twists and turns that I wasn't expecting. However, I think more extensive flashbacks would have given the reader/me more of a connection to the previous timing. I also would've loved to see more of Badb's character, and felt as if Mara's connection to the Mórrigan could have been explored more, although I definitely think something sapphic was going on between her and Emma, just saying!

Overall, I enjoyed this book but it unfortunately wasn't my favourite plot-wise. I would however definitely still pick up the author's next book.

4⭐
No 🌶️

The perfect escapism I needed right now. If you loved the Luxe series with the big dresses on the cover in the 2000s, this is the adult romantasy high drama society meets Irish mythology story that you'll get sucked right into.

Thus was so unique and a breath of fresh air in romantasy! I did think there were a few issues with pacing and plotting in the middle which made the book feel drug out a bit, but overall a fun read!

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzales is such a fun mix of Irish mythology and Gilded Age New York! It starts a little slow, but once the story gets going it is a fun read! This is written in third person POV and the gilded age is after the Bridgerton regency era, but has a similar vibe, This book is full of secrets, magic, and tension. Rua and Finn’s chemistry has classic forbidden “we shouldn’t, but we can’t resist” energy—and the mix of dark magic with high society drama is unique. If you’re into romantasy like Outlander or A Fate Inked in Blood, you’ll love this one!

Thank you for the opportunity to be an ARC reader!

This book had me hooked from the very first page!

We start with Rua, our main character, who's in this totally atmospheric, mysterious situation. She has no memories, doesn't know who she is, and is suddenly thrust into this whole new world. Talk about a gripping opener!

But here's where it gets really interesting - the story takes a sharp turn from this eerie, mysterious vibe to the glittering world of New York high society. It's like stepping from a foggy moor into a glitzy ballroom!

Rua's struggle to fit into this new world while trying to piece together her identity is absolutely captivating. You can feel her desperation to belong and her fear of being sent to a sanitarium if she doesn't measure up. It's nail-biting stuff!

Now, let's talk about the romance. It's a slow burn with a delicious tension between Rua and Finn, her love interest that's part forbidden romance, part fated love, and maybe even a dash of second chance? It's utterly swoon-worthy.

What really sets this book apart is how it blends mystery, romance, and societal drama. One minute you're trying to unravel the mystery of Rua's past, the next you're navigating the treacherous waters of New York's elite, and then you're swept up in a heart-fluttering romantic moment.

I will say, I was hoping for a bit more of a dramatic showdown at the end. It felt like things wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste.

Overall, I like the retelling of the Fates (Irish myth), historical references to NY society, and the mystery surrounding Rua. If you're into Myth retelling with romance, "The Gods Time Forgot" is definitely one to add to your TBR pile.

Thank you, Alcove Press and NetGalley, for my free book.

I had a really difficult time connecting to the characters and every time I thought the plot was going somewhere, it twisted in a pretty unsatisfying way. Overall, not my favorite!

I really enjoyed this book! I think the aspect of this story was something new that I haven’t really been reading lately. I found myself to slowly fall in love with the characters. At first, I did feel a bit disconnected from them but they found their way into my heart. I would definitely recommend to my friends!

This was a fast and pleasant read. I particularly liked the witty and tense banter between the two main characters but also the setting of 1870 Gilded Age Manhattan high society dynamic. Every over character was purposely infuriating in the way they treated Emma/Rua who is amnesic after a nigh in the woods/meddling with dark magic.

The MMC is full of spunk and grit even when literally everything and everyone is out to get her or set her up for failure. That was a little heavy and triggering in ways but she kept her spirits up.

The premise and even the resolution at the end we exciting and satisfying, however not much happens in the story. The loss of memory storyline took up too long to sort out and the goddess plot line was under-developed sadly -- a missed opportunity for the ending to expand the world and tie all the different elements/aspects of the main characters... unless this isn't a standalone and that was a choice. I gave it 4 stars because I liked the writing, the characters, and have hope this story continues.

The first thing that caught my eye about this book was its breathtaking cover art—absolutely stunning! The story is set primarily in the 1800s and centers on Rua. She has no memories of her past, only the vivid recollection of clawing her way out of the earth in a dark forest. When she’s discovered by others, they’re certain she’s Emma, someone they know. Rua is thrust into Emma’s life in high society, but nothing feels right—nothing feels like hers.

As the story unfolds, Rua begins to recover fragments of memories from a past life—a time filled with gods, magic, and powerful guardians. Along the way, she meets Finn, an Irish immigrant who, like her, doesn’t quite belong in the rigid structures of high society. Despite their best efforts to keep their distance, the two are inexplicably drawn to each other. Meanwhile, Rua must maintain the facade of being Emma while unraveling the truth about the dark magic and secrets surrounding her life and identity.

The plot is intriguing, and the writing is beautifully done. However, I did find the pacing a bit slow in places, and the ending felt somewhat abrupt. It makes me wonder if this book is setting the stage for a sequel—it certainly leaves room for one!

I liked the slow burn romance but found the plot/ storyline repetitive.
75% into the book before anything really starts to happen that’s related to Irish mythology.
I enjoyed the Irish mythology aspects that come in about 90% into the story. But overall the story is predictable and the ending felt a little rushed.

The Gods Time Forgot promises an interesting premise of lost memories, Irish mythology, and star-crossed lovers, but bad pacing, a tedious FMC, and an abrupt ending brought the whole story down.

The Gods Time Forgot tells the story of Rua and Finn. Rua wakes up covered in blood as she crawls out of a hole in the ground, with no memory of who she is or how she got underground. Mistaken for the daughter of the wealthy Harrington family, Rua plays along to find out who she is and what happened. Her plans are derailed when she meets Finn, an Irish immigrant lord and the number one bachelor of the debutante season. Finn is determined to make his way in New York society so he can fund his charitable pursuits, but he dislikes having to play society's games. When he hears rumors of the wild Harrington daughter, he vows to steer clear, but one look at Rua awakens lost memories and a bond neither can deny. As their pasts begin to awaken, Rua and Finn are forced to deal with the pressures and dangers of nineteenth century New York society while fighting their attraction and facing the brutal truth of their returning memories.

I really wanted to like this book. Irish mythology is so interesting and less popular in books, and the star-crossed lovers aspect seemed exciting. The story started off great--Rua clawing herself out of the ground, finding herself covered in blood, then washing off in water than burned anyone else who touched it--was both macabre and fascinating. The relationship between Rua and Mara seemed intriguing, and Rua's efforts to blend in while trying to figure out who she is seemed like it would be a hard mission. Finn's POV provided a nice counter--he had his own mission and was willing to play games to earn a name in society, even though he didn't care for said games. And the sparks between the two of them--woo! It was all adding up.

But then the first 2/3rds of the story was basically Rua being opinionated and brash and definitely not keeping a low profile to try to pretend to be Emma. I appreciated the ways she broke the typical debutante mold at first, but then it got very repetitive, and I just keeping thinking that this would be the final thing that got Rua sent away. I liked the trappings of the New York Gilded Age--Rua's dresses in particular were described beautifully--but it wasn't anything special. Finn didn't want to be drawn to Rua because it ruined all his careful plans, but he couldn't help himself, and then he kept making bad decisions because of lOvE. And while I liked the scenes with the two of them, I never felt like they fully received the consequences they deserved for their bad decisions.

And so the story played out more like Bridgerton than a historical romantasy until the last third, when Rua and Finn really start remembering and piecing things together. I liked learning more about the mythology and about Rua and Finn's true identities and was just generally excited to see how their love would play out. The ending was building up to some big conclusion and then it just...stopped? Like, the story just ended suddenly, and not even on a cliffhanger. It was just the end without any real resolution or hints of things to come and I was left questioning the entire book.

I don't know that I'd really describe this book as fantasy; it reads much more as a historical romance that the author decided need some fantasy to make it relevant in today's publishing world. And that's a shame, because the mythology is interesting and had a lot of promise. Ultimately, this isn't the book for me.

This book was a journey for me - it felt a bit slow to start, but once I was thoroughly in it, I was IN. IT. I felt the societal pressure inflicted on the characters so acutely and while I wished there had been more fantastical elements and answers to my questions incorporated into the finale, I was completely engaged and I can’t wait for more!

This was different. In a good way. Rua's journey was unlike that of which I've read before. I enjoyed this.

A dark fantasy novel with solid worldbuilding and characters. Rua doesn't really remember much, but she's pretty sure she's not Emma Harrington. Unfortunately, with no other options, she submits to the ruse of being Emma to buy herself time to figure out what she really is. It's either that or the Harringtons are going to lock her up in a madhouse, a fate almost worse than death. She teams up with businessman and immigrant Finn and together they slowly untangle the magical mystery of who Rua is and what really happened to Emma Harrington.

This book was one I was able to read pretty quickly and was one that started out okay but ended up being interesting at the end. There were points the plot/ storyline kinda flat lined and then others that kept the mystery alive. I feel like the ending was a little to HEA kind of thing instead of having a cliffhanger or a point where they talked about what their past was and what they had to do to move on from it. It was a little weird for me after reading about them and their history. I think I just expected more of a struggle between them or to have the other issues that you find out about come to play and leave us wondering what they will do next. As of right now I don’t hate the book but I’m in no rush to pass it to a friend or read the next one.

3.5/5 - Very enjoyable, but didn't quite hit as hard as I'd hoped

I was instantly intrigued by the comparison to Outlander and was so excited to dive in. I loved the blend of historical fiction, Irish mythology, and romance in this book! However, the slow pace had me struggling to turn the page (and amnesia tropes just are not my jam, but that's a me problem). Rua is bold and witty character, which I sincerely appreciated given the time setting. Ultimately, this was a fun read but the slow pace and abrupt ending left me disappointed. It's worth checking out if you're a fan of regency-era fiction and mythology-based romantasy though!

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the advance copy of this title.

This was fine. It didn’t blow me away and the characters didn’t really stick with me. They also didn’t seem to the same people from their past life. I wish their first relationship had been fleshed out a little more.