Recipe for this book: mix two cups of dark and tragic irish mythology, three cups of glittering gilded-age New York high society, a tablespoon of romance, and a dash of murder. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

This was a fun one! There were some familiar tropes, but well-executed. I enjoyed the progression of the story and think readers will be able to invest in this easily!

The Gods Time for Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is marketed as a historical fantasy set in the glittering Gilded Age with an undercurrent of mystery and romance. Unfortunately, it was actually a whole lot of nothing. For transparency, I had to DNF at 30% of the way through because I was falling asleep reading it.

I am a reader who tends to enjoy character-driven stories, but this novel has not a single character of note, despite an intriguing premise. We begin the story with our main character, Rua, climbing out of a dark hole. The servants sent to retrieve her refer to her as Emma, but she knows she is not. This should make for some interesting tension, but Rua never believes she’s Emma for one moment. And while she constantly asks herself, “Who am I, really?” there is no real conflict internally about the fact that she could be Emma. Rua is a flat, one-dimensional girl who is rebellious for the sake of being rebellious despite the fact that she should be terrified. She is consistently told she’ll be sent to an asylum if she acts out of turn, but she continues to do so without any consideration of her fragile position.

The other perspective, Finn, is not much better. He is an Irish Lord who has come to America to make his name and create a money-making hotel. He is portrayed to be a kind and considerate man, who wants to help the poor and destitute. He has to rub elbows with rich men in order to be accepted into society, but he’s never tempted by the glamor of their lives. This leads me to one of my biggest problems, all of the villains are mustache-twirling and lack any nuance or interesting complexities. They’re easy to root against because it’s so obvious they’re terrible people. Rua’s mother is outlandishly cruel and abusive, for no real reason. One of Finn’s associates hates poor people simply because they’re poor. There is no discussion of anything meaningful and they have no personality traits beyond wanting power. Boring, boring, boring.

When Rua and Finn meet they have an instant connection, even though Finn calls her a prostitute because she’s running around a construction site before the break of dawn in nothing but a nightgown. I’m confused by this choice and there is something icky about this being their meet-cute. Especially since Rua is immediately abrasive about being called a “prostitute”. It didn’t need to be written this way and it was the final straw for my reading experience.

All of these problems with the characters I could look past, if the plot was intriguing and moved forward. Unfortunately, the plot is nonexistent and the pacing is so slow that it’s hard not to think this book is a waste of time. The main character, Rua, doesn’t know who she is and it takes so long to actually get to New York and do anything but wander around and look at things. That is not a plot, nor is it atmosphere. In the beginning, Rua goes back to where she climbed out of, despite the fact that it could get her sent to an asylum, and while this could’ve been a great opportunity for reflection, the narration skips over it and says she stands there thinking for a few hours.

The writing style leaves much to be desired as well. The sentences and dialogue are stilted. No character has a distinctive voice. This is a book about the Gilded Age, and yet the atmosphere is nonexistent. The story lacks any flavor or flare. I believe this story could’ve been well executed with much more time and crafting. So, this book unfortunately fails to craft characters, entice me with any semblance of a plot, or even transport me to this rich historical period.

Hmmmm. what to say other than I found this quite difficult to get into and had to commit to finish it.
The first half of the book had some vague references to what should have been the main storyline, i.e. the three crones.
There was also some references such as 'someone was knocking on the door" and then....nothing.
Lots of potential but not one that I loved.

I can’t say the book is genius or the best I read this year, but I definitely had a lot of fun with it. Thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with the ARC copy.

In the story, we deal with the memory loss. In the beginning, we meet a girl, who doesn’t remember anything except her name, Rua. But at the very beginning, she does not remember even that. She is in a cave, that isn’t bigger than a coffin, and some people outside are looking for a girl named Emma. And they claim she is the one they’re looking for. Even though she is 100% sure she’s not Emma - the demon-worshipping daughter of that wealthy family everyone seems to confuse her for, she will play according to their rules while trying to find the memories and figure out what happened to the real Emma.

On the other hand, we have a tall and handsome Irish lord trying to do business in Manhattan and place himself among the wealthiest. What will he do if he feels drawn to her like she is his long-forgotten love, even when he’s absolutely positive he sees her for the first time in his life? Will he ruin his perfectly calculated plans to find out what that feeling is?

I loved a lot of things here. The relationship feels natural and not pushed as it could be, given that they’re already in love when they meet for the first time. The setting of the 19th century frames the story very well, and some social problems within it allow carrying on with the conflict of the story. The forced proximity is smooth and gives us new details about the lord (well, I don’t know what to say else, but I was so happy with that turn of events that I thought I need to mention it in my review). The story seamlessly switches between two perspectives and, therefore is lively and complex. The most satisfying thing was to put back together again all the pieces. I loved how the Irish mythology was shattered and brought back again piece by piece beautifully embedded in the story

Every time I grew bored, new details surfaced and kept me reading. However, the story peaked for me at the end of the second third, and the remaining third was entertaining but didn’t keep me engaged at the same level.

Irish mythology?! Slow burn?! Give this all the stars.

This was set in 1870 when women were meant to be calm workers and have no opinions or zest at all. Rua woke up in Emma's body after a disappearance and it was a ride after that! I highly recommend this book! It will make you mad to see how women were treated and how it might not be as much of an escape from today's society as it might have once been. I am here for the female rage though!

*4.5 stars*
Okay, I had no idea what to expect with this book. I went in completely blind and I've heard nothing about it which I'm kind of glad about. But gosh it surprised me with how much I enjoyed it!!!! It was a like a historical romance with angsty, "I don't want to like you, but I keep being drawn to you" moments that I just love but add in this mysterious fantasy element that keep me wanting more!!!!! It was so addictive and easy to read. I found myself just captivated by it.

The end felt a little rushed and like it was missing something. But I actually REALLY enjoyed this! The cover doesn't feel quite like the story but I still like it. The romance was such a good slowburn, angsty build that I was majorly rooting for and had me on my toes!!! What a pleasant surprise this was!!! Definitely recommend checking it out!!

I'm so curious if this is a standalone or if there will be more. Cause I'm content if it's a standalone honestly but wouldn't hate more.

For Fans of Hancock
Rua emerges from a hellmouth, stuck in the body of a young New York socialite. She has no memory and the vaguest hints about old gods from her maid. Yet she has to pretend or end up in an asylum. The line about a developer throwing in his daughter to sweeten the business deal was both funny and set the tone of the era well. When the main characters meet, the large Finn mistakes her for a prostitute, both offending and exciting her. Once they dance, his attraction becomes obvious, but the surges of superhuman strength puzzle him. The physical parts of the romance were well done, and the second half flowed much better.
The grammar and spelling were fine. However, the dialog in the first half conveyed little and some scenes felt pointless or filled with redundancies. Without the blurb, I would have been lost because the first few chapters of the book provide few hints about the common Irish angle or the year 1870. We find *no* mention of major world events of that era. Rua claims to have “far too many thoughts and considerations in her head for a man to keep pace,” but I saw no evidence of this. Even after a descriptionless, settingless dream referring to her by name and to Badb as her sister, she somehow doesn’t draw a conclusion. She has to literally trip over a clue.

The Gods Time Forgot is a captivating blend of historical romance and Irish mythology, with a fate inked in blood vibe and Bridgerton-like charm and memorable characters. Rua, thrown into 1800s high society with no memory of her past, must navigate the world of debutantes while unraveling her identity.

While the romance and banter were fantastic, I found myself wishing the fantasy elements were explored more deeply. The hints of gods and mythology were intriguing but left me wanting more. That said, the gorgeous prose and chemistry between the characters made this an unforgettable read. With its open-ended finale, I’m excited at the possibility of a sequel to delve further into the world!

I fell in love with this book from the very first page!

The Gods Time Forgot is an amazing addition to the romantasy genre! Rua is such a compelling main character, and her journey is one I won’t forget.

I can see myself reading multiple books in this universe, and I’m excited to see where the author goes from here!

Her writing immediately inspired me, and made my fantasy loving heart so happy.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an eARC!

Set in 1870 Manhattan - Rua wakes up in a dark cave with no memories of who she is other than her name. Found by the Harrington family who believe her to be their missing daughter Emma, Rua is forced to play the part. She does her best to fit into the wealthy socialite circle for the Harringtons sake, but Emma’s past transgressions rear their head at every turn. Rua fights to uncover the truth while facing the rumors and hateful glares from the prominent families in their inner circle. Fin is an Irish lord who has come to New York to help people and is willing to play the game to achieve his wants and desires. His off chance meeting with Rua one morning on the streets of Manhattan seems to set divine plans into motion that threaten to crumble the life he has built. Secrets and memories start unfurling and Rua and Fin are forced to face painful truths that will alter their lives forever.

This story was so good, it hooked me immediately. Rua is such a strong and bold FMC. The chemistry between Rua and Fin was electric and magnetic. I couldn’t read fast enough to get to their next encounter. My only issue is the book ends very abruptly. I wish there was an epilogue or a couple more chapters to wrap the story. Hopefully we will have a sequel! It’s a little bit of Outlander mixed with Divine Rivals and Bridgerton. Worth the read!

- Strong FMC
- Charming MMC
- Slow burn
- Murder, mystery, intrigue
- Irish folklore

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
On Sale Date - April 8th, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for a copy of the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Such. Great story that honestly the dynamic between the two protagonists was believable, tragic at times, and made me keep guessing. Highly recommend this one!! Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC!

I was really excited to read this as I haven’t read much of Irish folklore. The overall story is interesting. Our main character wakes up without any memories being told she is a daughter within a family trying to enter high society. The weaving of the morrigan into this story is well done. I do feel the pacing is a little off as not much truly happens or is uncovered until the last 40% of the book.

I do really enjoy Rua and Finn as characters and believe that they are the strongest element of this novel. Rua is a headstrong, goes against the crowd type of character and I was truly rooting for her, Finn is a good hearted person who’s just trying to make it in the world. Their banter is so much fun and I love the trope of finding each other in different lifetimes. Sadly every other character in this book is so deeply unlikable which they are meant to be but it still irked me. I also feel that the sexism was laid on extremely thick which i know is true to the time era but I could have done with less of it.

I like how it ended although it did feel a little anti climatic but overall this was a fun read.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez was a slow to start book, but picked up speed towards the end.
Emma Harrington has been missing for days in this 1870's book set primarily in Manhattan. The book opens with her struggling to breath as she climbs out of a hole in the ground, with bloody and torn clothes. Except she doesn't know who she is or who Emma is. Her mother, rather than being relieved she has been found safe, is furious at her, but Emma doesn't recognize her either. In fact she is pretty sure her name is Rua, not Emma. Her attempts to claim she isn't Emma or doesn't remember are met with threats of committing her to an asylum. Rua decides she needs to play along until she understands what is going on.
Her mother is a grasping, greedy person who wants to be admitted to the top echelons of New York society. Her nouveau riche status is a foot in the door, but she is still met with disdain by the movers and shakers of that world. She thinks Emma is the key if she can make a society marriage. The character of the mother was the one I had the most problem with. She is so over the top as to be more of a caricature than a believable character.
Emma/Rua meets Finn, the Lord of Donore and feels an instant connection. He feels one with her as well, but his path to success as an Irish lord is through his sponsor, Mr. Fitzgerald and his daughter Annette. The first half Finn is attracted to Rua because of her bold behavior, but I saw very little evidence of this in their first interactions. The dialog in the beginning fell a little flat and the first half drug a bit. I struggled to get through it.
The second half was almost like another book. As the characters were fleshed out (except Flossie Harrington - Emma's mother), the plot felt more genuine and you began to feel more connected to the main characters.
I give the first half a 2/5 and the second have a 3.5/5, rounding up to a 3 overall. It is worth the read if you can get through the first half of the book.
**Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. It reminded me of Bridgerton and Divine Rivals but still felt completely fresh and original. The way it blends mythical and historical elements is so seamless, and I couldn’t stop trying to piece together the puzzle of the characters’ true identities. The twists kept me guessing, and the character development had me constantly rethinking who I could trust. It’s the perfect mix of heart-wrenching, funny, and dramatic, and I already know I’ll be recommending it to so many people. It’s one of those books that sticks with you.

Rate: 4.5

The Gods Time Forgot is a historical romantasy that blends 1800s New York high society with a touch of magic, perfect for fans of Bridgerton with a fantastical twist. The story follows Rua, a sharp-tongued and unbothered heroine who awakens with no memories and is mistaken for Emma, a disgraced socialite dabbling in dark magic. Taken in by the Harrington family, Rua struggles to fit into Emma’s life while uncovering secrets of her past, memories of gods and guardians, and the source of her unusual existence.

Rua’s magnetic connection with Finn, an Irish lord navigating NYC’s elite, adds a compelling romantic angle. Their relationship begins with witty banter and tension, though their mutual pull eliminates some of the classic enemies-to-lovers suspense. While Finn’s character is strong and engaging, Rua’s sharpness can verge on abrasive, and secondary characters like Mara lack depth.

The intriguing premise and atmospheric setting shine, but the pacing is uneven—the beginning is gripping, but the middle drags before the plot picks up. The writing is solid, though occasionally choppy, and the abrupt ending leaves room for a potential sequel.

With its mix of historical romance and magical intrigue, this book is worth checking out for fans of the genre, even if it didn’t fully hook me. And the stunning cover art is a treat in itself!

Interesting premise, but the beginning didn't pull me in.
I found the world building interesting, but the characters just bleh. Didn't really buy into any of the relationships.

Oh my God, this was simply fantastic!
It's amazing how you start reading the book and think "Oh, okay, 1870's New York is interesting, although people are so cruel and arrogant...". But then, as you continue reading, you begin to peel layer after layer, and you begin to fall in love with Rua and Finn.
All the suffering, the banter, the tension, the longing, THE TENSION! It was extremely well written.
I just wish we could see more of their lives at the end of the book.
And Finn might be one of my favorites book boyfriends.
LOVE IT!

Thank you NetGalley and Kelsie Gonzalez for this wonderful e-ARC.

This book is definitely one hell of a ride, set in the 1870s era where woman are not allowed to have an opinion and when outspoken often named mentally unstable.
I had a good time reading this book and loved the Irish mythologie!

Our main character Rue is very outspoken and does not seem to have a care for the norms of this era, i found it frustrating at times that she did not learn from her mistake’s and kept putting herself in problematic (for that time) situations.

I loved that throughout the whole book we kept digging further in the whole mystery of how Rue changed places with Emma and is Mara to be trusted. I did have some guesses of my own, they were all wrong… 😅

Loved Finn, the banter and longing was so fun to read!

Now i do think this book has some pacing issues, on some places it did dragged a bit especially the beginning. It took me a while to get into the story, at about 30% i got really invested and read the rest in one sitting. The ending was just so abrupt that it kind of ruined the book for me, it really felt like i just read all of it for nothing. There is no payoff and it felt like it was not finished or hurried. I expected there to be an epilogue but there wasn’t one.

*Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review*

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an early review copy.

✔️Irish mythology
✔️Lost gods
✔️Gilded age
✔️Yearning and banter
✔️Amnesia/forgotten identity

This story had really great potential, which it sadly didn't quite live up to for me - mostly because of the ending. While I am typically iffy about an amnesia plot, the fantastical elements, Irish mythology, and gilded age setting drew me in.

Hands down my favorite part of this story was the yearning between Finn and Rua. It was written so well and I ate up every minute of it. I also loved each of the main characters separately and together. Their complementary natures were written excellently. I would have loved to see more of Rua's tender side, like when we saw her interact with the Irish Orphans.

The pacing and the ending are my biggest gripes. All the major action happened in the last 15% of the book and it felt incredibly rushed. The ending was very abrupt and I was left with a ton of questions that were not resolved. At the very least, an epilogue should have been included.

Moreover, the decisions Rua and Finn made also felt contradictory to who we came to know them as:
1) The fact that there was no confrontation between Rua and Badb infuriated me.
2) I struggle to believe Finn would be so willing to abadon the orphanage that was clearly incredibly important to him without a single thought.

With that said, I still really enjoyed the first 85% of the novel and look forward to reading the author's future works.