Rua awakes as someone else entirely with no previous memories and is forced to participate in high society where everyone looks down on her, making her position harder than she anticipated.

Rua is an amazing character! The scenes concerning society were so intriguing since you got to see how Rua navigates such an unknown playing field. Also, the romance between Finn and Rua was so fun to read about and the best part was the dual POVs that allowed me to look into both minds. I do believe that Finn was a much more interesting character than Rua since I think fleshing out Rua a little bit more would've equaled out my favorability between the two. Additionally, the ending was extremely rushed and it felt like the problem wasn't entirely solved. I am left with a few questions :P

Other than the rushed ending, there was definitely something missing though I can't pinpoint exactly what it was. I'm not sure if it's because I just wanted more of everything--high society, mythology, magic, mystery--but still highly recommend.

I'm also so interested in what else Gonzalez has in store for us!

Thank you Netgalley!

⋆⋆⋆½ — a rollercoaster of emotions. in that my feelings toward this book went up and down every other chapter.

i was slow to warm to this because the writing style wasn't my favorite, but rua shines regardless. because of her, i did enjoy this up to about 70% (the down part of the rollercoaster is whenever finn showed up. hate him). she's a truly witty and intelligent character, and even her stubbornness was endearing. usually, the idiotic ya lead who doesn't listen to anything or anyone would be insufferable at best, but rua was super fun to read about. i can't say i ever liked finn, though. he was a loser from the first time he opened his mouth, and pushy and stalkerish (in my personal opinion, not to the degree of being a criminal or a freak) to boot, but idk, some people like being pursued, so if that's your thing, tune in. while i didn't care for him by himself, their relationship was nice. it's one of the better written instalove tropes, i feel, since i actually didn't dislike it. they went slowly, even though though they immediately felt a pull towards each other, and it was mostly banter as they built their relationship, so there was proper development in the first 70%. what happened after that? well. this takes place in 1800 something, and finn knows for a fact what his pursual of rua (without offering marriage) will do to her, and he's still pushy and intense and insufferable about it. rua encourages him half the time, but even when she tries to say no, he's always in her personal space. it's uncomfortable. and at 95%, a certain action of rua's is revealed that ruined all the previous goodwill i had for her. usually, this action would make me like her more, if anything, and she does this twice before in the story and i liked it then, but the context of what she does this specific thing for is just. weird. for a man??? really??? i know she's a [redacted], and they don't have morals, but that was so embarrassing. especially when the man in question is finn. you could find his twin, probably three of them even, on every corner in new york. whatever, i guess.

to summarize, i don't like heterosexual romance and what it does to women.

I definitely get the outlander vibes of this book, which I love. The romance is top tier and the banter is fantastic. The pacing for me was a bit slow, however it did keep my attention throughout the whole book. It really made me appreciate how much more women have today than they did in the 1800s.

I was instantly intrigued by the description of the book. With time travel, Celtic mythology, the Gilded Age in New York, and magic, how could you not be?

I found The Gods Time Forgot to be a medium paced, mysterious fantasy romance. I really enjoyed the inclusion of Irish lore and mythology, in fact I wanted more!

The beginning of the story started off strong instantly pulling me with the mystery of why Ria was where she was and what had truly happened to her prior. From there I found the world building and character development to be good overall. I did wish for a bit more fleshing out of side characters that I found to have a more important role near the end.

As a romance read I truly enjoyed the angst, tension, and banter between the FMC and MMC. I could feel the chemistry they had with each interaction.

Overall I did enjoy the story, though the ending did feel abrupt and left me wanting more. 4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I absolutely adored The Gods Time Forgot. I devoured the book in 2 days. I have ordered it for our library and I’m very excited to see our readers enjoy it as much as I did!

If you are looking for a can’t out down 5 star read look no further!

Wow, what a ride! The Gods Time Forgot is one of those books that sweeps you up and doesn’t let go until the very last page, and even then, you’ll probably need a moment to recover. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez has crafted a world where ancient gods collide with modern life, blending mythology, mystery, and a hefty dose of heart-pounding action.

The story follows Maya, a fiercely determined archaeologist with a penchant for trouble, as she uncovers a hidden world of long-forgotten gods who aren’t quite as dormant as history books would have us believe. When a centuries-old prophecy ropes her into a battle between deities vying for power, Maya has to decide whether to save humanity or leave us to fend for ourselves. No pressure, right?

The world-building is chef’s kiss - detailed without being overwhelming. Gonzalez nails the balance between mythological intrigue and fast-paced storytelling. Maya is an absolute gem of a protagonist: relatable, snarky, and totally out of her depth, yet somehow still pulling through. One-liners like “I didn’t sign up to be a god’s chew toy” had me laughing out loud, even during tense moments.

If I had to nitpick, the pacing wavers a little in the middle, but the explosive finale more than makes up for it. Fans of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods or Madeline Miller’s Circe will feel right at home.

Do yourself a favour and pick this one up, you’ll be hooked!

4.5 stars!

Firstly, I would like to thank the author and Net Galley for an ARC.

I devoured this book in just a few days. I must say it was an enjoyable read especially for someone who loves a historical background in stories.

It's certainly a story I would fanboy over in my teenage years! So if you're really into fast-paced, high-action historical romantasy, this is the book for you!

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is an atmospheric, romantic, and spellbinding tale that seamlessly blends historical fiction with fantasy. Set in a richly detailed 1870s Manhattan, the novel offers readers a taste of high-society intrigue and ancient magic, all wrapped up in a gripping mystery. With its glittering ballrooms, dark secrets, and slow-burn romance, this story captivates from the very first page.

Rua is a compelling protagonist—complex, resourceful, and quietly defiant. Her amnesia could have made her feel passive or reactive, but instead, she approaches her strange circumstances with curiosity and grit. Pretending to be the long-lost Emma Harrington isn’t just about survival—it’s a chance for Rua to discover who she really is. The tension of balancing her masquerade with the pursuit of her true identity adds an extra layer of suspense, especially as her memories begin to reveal unsettling fragments of something otherworldly.

Finn, the enigmatic Lord of Donore, is a fantastic counterpart to Rua. He’s burdened by societal expectations and his own mysterious past, but he’s drawn to Rua in a way that feels both inevitable and tragic. Their chemistry crackles with unspoken questions and barely restrained longing. Finn’s wariness, born from centuries-old secrets, makes their connection all the more tantalizing. The push-and-pull dynamic between them is charged but never rushed—Sheridan Gonzalez lets their relationship simmer, heightening the stakes with every glance and forbidden conversation.

The historical setting is meticulously crafted, evoking the grandeur and constraints of Gilded Age New York while seamlessly weaving in elements of dark magic and forgotten gods. The glittering world of wealth and manners is both a gilded cage and a battlefield for Rua, whose unfolding memories suggest she may belong to a world far older—and more dangerous—than anyone suspects. The eerie sense of something ancient lurking just beneath the surface of the city adds a haunting, almost gothic quality to the narrative.

The fantasy elements are unveiled gradually, with tantalizing hints of a mythology that feels original and expansive. The idea that Rua’s identity and Finn’s past are tied to ancient gods and forbidden magic keeps the mystery alive. The slow reveal of Rua’s memories is handled well, though some readers may find the pacing in the middle sections a bit slow as the story builds toward its climax. But once the revelations begin to fall into place, the story takes on a breakneck pace that will have you racing to the end.

If there’s a minor drawback, it’s that some of the supporting characters, particularly members of the Harrington family and New York’s elite, feel underdeveloped compared to the richness of Rua and Finn’s arcs. Their motivations sometimes feel more like plot devices than fully realized personalities. However, this doesn’t detract much from the central narrative, which remains firmly anchored in Rua’s search for truth and the slow unraveling of her connection to Finn.

At 4 stars, The Gods Time Forgot is a glittering and gritty romantasy that lingers long after the last page. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez masterfully balances romance, mystery, and magic, crafting a world where nothing—and no one—is what they seem. Fans of lush historical settings, star-crossed lovers, and tales steeped in forgotten lore will be enchanted. Rua’s journey is as heartbreaking as it is empowering, and the final revelations promise a sequel that could delve even deeper into the worlds both mortal and divine.

This book was right up my alley with the regency setting and the mythology but for some reason something was missing! I still can’t put my finger on it but for reason I wasn’t enthralled with the book. It took me a while to get through, maybe it was the pacing that was weird? But the banter was fun, I liked the concept a lot, and Emma/Rua and Finn as characters were good! I think maybe I needed more depth to feel connected to them truly, there was just a lot between the past and the present and none of it really made me feel immersed in their lives unfortunately.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Rating: 3 stars

This historical romantasy novel tells the story of Rua, a young woman found in the woods with no memory of her past. She is taken in by the wealthy Harrington family, who believe her to be their daughter Emma. As Rua navigates her new life, she must contend with the pressures of high society and the secrets surrounding her true identity.

The novel has a unique premise, incorporating Irish lore and historical ambiance. The author's depiction of wealthy society in the past is good, with vivid descriptions of settings and characters. The side characters are particularly well-written, with some being despicable.

The romance between Rua and Finn, a lord from Ireland, is a central part of the story. While their relationship develops quickly, it is still enjoyable to read. However, some readers may find it takes a while to become invested in their story.

The pacing of the novel is somewhat uneven, with a strong beginning and a slower middle section. Some scenes could have been summed up more quickly, and additional context about the characters' histories would have been helpful.

Overall, this is a unique read, particularly for fans of historical romantasy and Irish lore. While it may not be perfect, it is definitely worth checking out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m forever chasing the high I felt while reading Outlander and so I was super excited to give this a try! I found a few similar elements, but this remained an entirely unique novel.

To me this was a mediocre read. I found nothing overly incredible, nor anything atrocious about it. The plot summary read as intriguing, but the delivery of it diminished any excitement I had. I felt no strong attachment to the characters and found their hot and cold, back and forth attitudes with one another to be annoying after so long. I did think the Manhattan setting was unique especially given the time period.

The near entirety of this book’s mythology happens in the last few chapters which was annoying. There are bits and pieces that are given to readers earlier in the story but nothing major. Instead of having everything thrown at us at once I would have definitely preferred a slower and more gradual progression into the mythology. Even then it felt sloppy and not conjoined well at all.

This book wasn’t my cup of tea. It’s very entrenched in the 1870s, which is not my favorite time period. Because of this, the pacing felt a little slow to me for the first half/three quarters of the book. The book also felt to end abruptly for me with insufficient resolution to certain items. I think if you’re a fan of the time period, you’d enjoy this book more than I did.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I think everyone who reads this will be talking about the banter between the characters and if they are anything like me giggling and blushing their way through. This was cute, it reminded me of the first time I read a Regency romance, similar vibes but a different setting.

I adored Rua and her entry onto the page was so creepy and memorable. I had not heard anything about this book before reading it so I did not have any expectations but I was happy with how the story progressed. I don't want to give too much away because I think that not knowing much is the way to go with this one but it is: swoon-worthy, a historical romantacy, epic banter and oh there's an Irish lord.

Worth the read and I think this will be very popular with the romance girlies.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez for providing me with this E-ARC in exchange for my review.

As an adult with a full-time job and someone that is literally ALWAYS sleepy, it’s been a long time since I stayed up late to read a book in one sitting knowing I had work the next morning. Welllllll, The Gods Time Forgot, convinced me that I had to know the ending before I could sleep, I was that invested. Which is even bigger because this was my first read of 2025.

This book had everything - an amnesia trope (I love seeing how character’s memories come back), it was set in the Gilded Age of New York, a nouveau riche high society family that was determined to keep all their secrets buried, and an MMC that despite his best efforts kept finding himself drawn to the pariah that was the FMC.

And then I got to the ending and I found myself a little thrown off. There were several conflicts that came to a head at once that were wrapped up in a very short amount of writing. And I didn’t feel like there was enough falling action for those conflicts to be resolved. So I took some time to think prior to writing my review and once I got over my feelings about the ending (and my sleep deprivation goggles) I realized that despite the abrupt ending, this is a book I would recommend to my followers. This was an excellent debut novel for Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez and I can’t wait to see how her writing grows in her future books!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review will be posted to Goodreads on 1/7/25.
My Instagram review will be posted on 1/12/25.

Loved the premise! But the writing and story telling felt clunky and unfinished. I was constantly taken out of the story for (admittedly) small reasons like historical inaccuracies, plot confusion, awkwardly placed irish words (loved their inclusion, just gibe the reader a context clue at least!), etc. It stopped me from getting in the groove of really being stuck in and enjoying this story. could be truly good with some heavy edits and polishing of ideas.

This was a very interesting premise, that ultimately fell flat for me. I found a lot of it to be repetitive, and the pacing all over the place. The Gilded Age New York setting was a treat, and I think there is a lot to like here, but it didn't quite work for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alcove press for this advance copy!

I’m rounding up to 3 stars for this one. I love a good fated lovers / forgotten identify / period piece as much as the next girlie, but this one just felt… lacking. I dunno, the vibes were just off. The pacing and writing style were both a bit clunky for me, well- paced and flowing in some places and dragging on in others. I really enjoyed the setting and I think the idea behind the story is great, but this read just fell a bit too flat for my liking.

I'm having a hard time rating this book. On the one hand, the premise is good and I did like the banter between the two main characters but if I'm being honest, that's about it. I won't say this is a terrible story, but it had so much promise and just fell a little flat for me. The book was a little too slow for my liking and it made it seem like a chore to get into. I know there are many readers that will love this one though! 2.5 rounding up to 3

Thank you Net Galley and Alcove Press for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I give this book more of a 3.5/5 stars because of it's atmosphere being similar to "The Infernal Devices" series by Cassandra Clare, but instead of it being set in 1870's London it's set in 1870's New York. The romance is charming but I was not head over heels for their romance. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who is a fan of romantic fantasy though, especially those who love similar stuff to "The Infernal Devices". It picks up after the first few chapters but I really had to push through after the initial first three pages. I was not a big fan of her deceiving this family either when she knew for a fact she was not the missing daughter. A good debut, but not my favorite.

I have to admit, I was not a fan of the first half of this book. It felt a bit like reading a Bridgerton novel if the main character had major amnesia. Industrialisation-era New York City's most moneyed social elite bicker at each other across tables as our main character tries desperately to figure out who she is and how she got there and how to fit in.
It really starts to pick up about halfway through, when the chapters from the MMC start up. I really loved the character of Finn.
Having a story based on Irish lore feels fresh and interesting - even if I did have to constantly reference the pronunciation guide (thanks for that!).
Review rounded up from 3.75 :)