The premise sounded so amazing and this book and I was so excited to read it but it ended up falling a little flat for me. The world building didn’t happen until later in the book which made me not as interested in it. I did like the characters but their chemistry together was only okay. I really enjoyed the vibes of the book. It reminded me a little of The Infernal Devices series. The ending felt a bit sudden. I think I was just expecting a little more out of the story so I was surprised when it was over. Overall, I did like some parts of this book but just wanted a little more.

Overall I enjoy this book!! It’s a fantasy romance set in old time NYC with Irish mythology woven in- a lot of my favorite things!!! Rua is goals, she’s got no filter and it was quite entertaining. Finn is the swoon worthy MMC we all love to read about!! I really loved their relationship and character arcs. Solid read and I’m looking forward to more books by Kelsie!!

I wanted to love this book so SO BADLY but my expectations were clearly too high. Something about the premise had me so intrigued and I honestly though that this was going to be a life changing kind of book you know??

The world building was stablished way too late and by that point I was already uninterested. The chemistry between the characters was alright but the mmc perspective made me roll my way too many times.

I am all in for soulmates finding each other again but it just wasn't executed the way I was expecting. New York gilded age mixed with Bridgerton vibes was a great setting but again, not enough for me to love the story. The ending came way too quickly and all I could think was "that's it? 🤨" I think there's still time to fix a few things in this book since release day is a few months away. Hopefully they'll do.

Thank you to Alcove Press for the advance reader copy.

I really wanted to enjoy The Gods Time Forgot, but I found it to be a frustrating read. The book starts with an intriguing premise—a girl with no memories mistaken for a missing debutante in Manhattan, and the promise of dark magic and Irish mythology—but the execution fell flat. Most of the story was consumed by the superficial drama of high society, which felt like a Gilded Age version of a soap opera or Bridgerton rather than a gripping fantasy.

Rua, the protagonist, was difficult to connect with. Her sharp tongue and abrasive personality often crossed the line from confident to irritating, and her character lacked the depth needed to make her compelling. The chemistry between Rua and Finn had potential, but their relationship quickly lost tension, becoming predictable and lacking any real stakes. The pacing was another issue—the plot dragged for too long before the mysteries and magical elements came into play, and even then, the revelations were underwhelming.

Overall, The Gods Time Forgot didn't live up to its potential. The mythology and magic felt like an afterthought in a story more concerned with social intrigue, and it ultimately left me disappointed and disinterested.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This book is set in the 1800s. Our main character that we follow is Rua. Rua appears out of nowhere and everyone believes she is Emma. She is thrown into a life she doesn’t know. Over time her memories start to come back. She continues as Emma as she tries to uncover the secrets from her past. It felt like it dragged a little bit but I enjoyed the overall story.

This one was really well designed. Mythology intertwined with more modern structures and secrets give us a fun and fast paced story. As the memories of her past return, she learns more about herself and her goals, but she also realizes that nothing is as it seems, and watching all of that unfold was really great.

For those just starting this, you are in for a RIDE! Fantastic world building and the plot was incredible!

New York Gilded Age meets Irish Mythology. 3/4 of the book had almost none to few magical elements. This historical romance was just a little too boring for me. I enjoyed aspects of the romance and fantasy but felt like it didn’t fully commit either way. The banter was very swoon worthy, but the romance didn’t really connect with me. The pacing felt super long in the first third and the ending was very rushed. I wished for an epilogue or some sort of further conclusion. I didn’t love our FMC because she was very ambiguous. Our MMC on the other hand felt a lot more interesting. I missed some background and history of both of them tho. All in all I had a good time reading this book but it didn’t really live up to my expectations and in the end felt lacking in intrigue, mythology, fantasy and feelings.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Rich worldbuilding, fantastic romance, and an unusual time period for this kind of story. I was hooked and now Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is going to be an auto-buy for me!

The premise of "The God's Time Forgot" (along with the beautiful cover) had me intrigued. I haven't read a Historical Romance set within the Gilded Age and the promise of Irish folklore interwoven appealed to me.

The opening of the story hooked me right in and Rua and Finn's early interactions were engaging. However, I really struggled to connect deeply with either character. The third person narration relied heavily on accounting for thoughts, actions and events, instead of revealing the inner life and motivations of the characters. The ending came quite abruptly and I found myself wishing that the world building was established earlier and that Rua's story was more of a quest to find the one she was looking for.

Overall, whilst I enjoyed aspects of the Romance and the Fantasy elements, for me I feel like both aspects weren't fully realised.

I was reallllyyyyy looking forward to this book. For like two years now. Unfortunately, I’m DNFing. I wish the author the best of luck. I just feel like maybe it wasn’t for me. I’m so confused and feel like the dialogue doesn’t match the time era if that makes sense.

Fast-paced, deliciously romantic, and full of Irish mythology, clever banter, and stubborn characters. It was more than I could have imagined in a historical romance. For a large portion of the conversation, I laughed aloud, and by the end, I was holding my chest tight. A wonderful romance with amusing repartee. The chemistry between Rua and Finn was flawless! Their interactions were fascinating to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rua's journey and became engrossed in the narrative.

I liked this quite a bit - definitely the perfect blend between historical fiction and fantasy. The romance between the two main characters were absolutely adorable as well.

**Review of *The Gods Time Forgot* by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez**

Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez's *The Gods Time Forgot* is a mesmerizing blend of romance and fantasy set against the backdrop of 1870s Manhattan. The story centers on Rua, a young woman with no memories who is mistakenly identified as the missing Emma Harrington. This intriguing premise immediately draws readers in, setting the stage for a tale filled with mystery, magic, and societal intrigue.

Gonzalez crafts a rich, atmospheric world that beautifully captures the grit and glamour of New York during this vibrant period. Rua’s journey to uncover her identity while navigating the complexities of high society is both compelling and relatable. Her determination to discover the truth about her past and her connection to the enigmatic Finn, the Lord of Donore, adds layers of tension and romance to the narrative.

Finn is a captivating character, embodying the charm and social acumen required to navigate the elite circles of Manhattan. His growing fascination with Rua—and the sense that their connection transcends this life—creates a magnetic dynamic that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. The chemistry between Rua and Finn is palpable, infused with both longing and an air of mystery.

As Rua’s memories begin to surface, the plot takes a thrilling turn into the realm of dark magic and ancient secrets. Gonzalez masterfully intertwines elements of fantasy with the historical setting, creating a fantastical atmosphere that is both enchanting and unsettling. The revelations about Rua’s past are surprising and beautifully crafted, providing a satisfying depth to the story.

Overall, *The Gods Time Forgot* is a captivating read that expertly combines romance, mystery, and fantasy. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez has created a spellbinding tale that will leave readers enchanted and eager for more. This novel is a must-read for fans of romantasy and anyone looking for a richly woven story filled with magic, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. You won’t want to miss it!

I was graced by NetGalley to get a digital advanced copy of The Gods Time Forgot. After the first chapter I paused to preorder a physical copy. I knew it would be a top tier read.

The Gods Time Forgot is easily top 5 of my 2024 reads. This books so seamlessly ties together fantasy and historical fiction. I don’t know much about Irish mythology so I was constantly googling myths to try and spoil the story for myself. I COULDN’T DO IT!

The characters are so enthralling. The story is gripping and new. I’ve never read anything like it. Rau is bold and daring to Finn’s gentle soul. It’s just *chef’s kiss*.

My only complaint is that this is Kelsey Sheridan Gonzalez’s debut novel. I can’t read more of her works 😭 (yet).

Ps I highly recommend listening to Hozier while reading. It’s just a vibe.

This is one of those books where you just need to read it to understand how good it is. I just can't explain it to you because it's so crazy and fun. This book is not your typical romance, it's mysterious and makes you question every step the book is taking you. The romance is so cute and enjoyable not toxic at all.

i’m so sad to say this one was a hot hard to get into! i was beyond excited from the premise and have been following the authors journey on bookstagram but unfortunately i got about 30% through and do not feel connected to the story/characters and am dnf-ing for now. this is potentially one i would come back to and try again!

Let me set the scene for you:
it’s 1870 New York, and a woman emerges from the woods covered in dirt and blood and in someone else’s body, with no memory of her past, or who she is. To make matters worse she keeps feeling this pull toward a certain Irish Lord, but doesn’t know why. The Lord of Donore (aka Finn), also feels this pull but has no memory as to why they are feeling this way. As things begin to unravel around them, they soon discover why their love is so forbidden.

Now I am one of the people that have been frothing at the mouth for this book for years as Kelsie talked about and promoted it on her tiktok. The concept just sounded so incredibly cool and unique I couldn’t wait to read it. And, honestly, it lived up to my expectations. I could not put it down!! I loved the addition of Irish mythology in an adult romantic fantasy novel, it was so different from what I have read before, and combined with the time period, made for a truly captivating setting.

The Gods Time Forgot is a fantastic addition to the romantic fantasy genre! Rua is a very complex character, and seeing her thrust into this unfamiliar society where she clearly isn’t meant to be, was very engaging. And Finn? He put me through a rollercoaster of emotions and yet I still love him!

I would honestly read multiple books in this universe, and I’m excited to see where the author goes from here! Her writing immediately drew me into this world, and honestly made my historical romance and fantasy loving heart so so happy.

thank you so much for the arc!

i got a bit into this and am having a hard time connecting & wanting to pick this one up at the moment. dnfing for now, will hopefully come back to it! 🤍

I cannot believe a tree was harmed in the making of this book.

2 stars, only reason I made it this far was because I just had to know what became of this goddamn story.

I was promised Irish mythology and forgotten gods, but the first 3/4 of the book was just basically the new york gilded age version of bridgerton. the most fascinating premise with the most disappointing, pathetic execution.

thank you to Alcove Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review