I was unsure of this book at first but then I was sucked in! I loved the complexity of Rua and seeing how she handled being put into an unfamiliar situation. This is a fantastic debut novel with amazing world building… and THE BANTER. Unmatched! Will definitely be recommending to friends.

I will post this review on goodreads in March!

This book was intriguing. I felt like the story didn’t really get going until 80% into it, but that didn’t mean I had lost interest. I wish the Irish mythology it’s based on had been brought in a bit more strongly as I’m not very familiar with the original stories and would have liked a stronger link. I feel like there were aspects of the story that could have been built up more and I’m left with questions like where is the real Emma? It was hard to tell if this is going to be a series or not. Overall I did enjoy the book.

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this until the last chapter. There was so much discovery and building that was fun to read. Then it just ended. I don’t know if the author didn’t know how to end it or if there was a word limit, but the ending needs some work. It’s very anticlimactic. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was an easy read. I enjoyed the relationship between leads Rua and Finn as while having an instantaneous attraction, the progression of the relationship felt well paced and not too fast. It was also good to see characters who had other motivations than following their heart and how this impacted their decision making. Most of the time these characters made intelligent choices which is refreshing!

I do wish we had dedicated sections for past events rather than random paragraphs as the story progressed. Additionally adding more information of the referenced mythology earlier through the book would help link the two stories together more cohesively.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Gonzalez is an engaging mix of mythology and magic with a lot of heart. The world-building feels vivid and alive, and the characters are easy to root for, especially as the stakes get higher. It does slow down a bit in the middle, but the ending more than makes up for it with some really powerful moments. If you enjoy fantasy with a mythical twist, this one’s definitely worth a read!

This book was so fun but not what I expected. I loved the mythology in here but also fell flat with lots of description that I felt wasn’t needed like clothes and location. Over all the banter was my favorite between the characters and having the New York setting was super fun and interesting. I can see why others would enjoy it but fell a little flat for me.

This was a lovely debut novel set in the upper society of New York City. The Gods Time Forgot had so many of my favorite elements: Irish folklore/mythology, slight enemies to lovers, historical fantasy romance etc.

There were so many good moments in this book. I loved Rua and Finn’s banter and their disdain for each other initially despite being drawn together.
Plus something about Rua not being able to remember what happened to her and her struggle to fit back into a society that she does not like. Some of her remarks were hard to read too, as she spared no one with her opinions.

Overall this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to seeing more from this author!

I read this bodice-ripper courtesy of NetGalley -- I was promised Irish war goddesses and warriors and was a bit disappointed in the lack of "magic." I can kind of see where the author was going with all the New York Gilded Age build-up, playing out the battles and shifting alliances in a culture where women of certain social classes were more limited in their freedom and options. Why couldn't the main characters have been a school teacher and a construction worker? If the author had eliminated the 20% of the novel's text dedicated to describing outfits that could have been dedicated to actual plot or Irish mythology. I'm still not clear if they actually had sex or just got naked in the library.

Read this as a YA novel.

"The Gods Time Forgot" by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is a nice blend of fantasy and romance set against the backdrop of 1870s New York. The story follows Rua and Finn as they unravel the mystery of the missing Harrington daughter and delve into Rua's own past. The world-building is rich and immersive, with a unique take on Irish mythology that kept me intrigued. I loved the multidimensional female characters and the unpredictable plot twists that kept me guessing. However, I found the pacing a bit slow at times, and the ending felt a bit rushed. Rua's character development didn't quite resonate with me, and Finn's decisions towards the end seemed out of character. Despite these points, the book's unique setting and mythology make it a worthwhile read. Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC!

"The Gods Time Forgot" by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez is a fantasy-romance set in the 1870's. It follows the story of Rua and Finn on a mission to fine the truth about the missing Harrington daughter and her own past. This slow burn will keep you turning pages. The two things I found that Gonzalez could've worked on was the pacing and the plot. While the plot was interesting, the pacing was slow, and the ending was abrupt.

This was something. New to Irish Mythology, but this was interesting to say the least. I just needed something more idk what it is tho bruh

Thanks netgalley for an early review copy!

What a bummer! The cover of this book and its premise is soo intriguing, unfortunately this was another case of high expectations for a book that did not deliver. The characters lack depth which made it extremely difficult to connect with them. The writing was good, but became too repetitive. I will say that I enjoyed aspects of the romance and their banter, but overall this book just wasn't for me. I still think this is a book that many others will enjoy.

Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez’s The Gods Time Forgot is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking novel that explores the boundaries of love, fate, and the intricate web of time. With lyrical prose, an immersive setting, and a richly crafted mythology, this book takes readers on an unforgettable journey through both the tangible and the divine. One of the strongest aspects of The Gods Time Forgot is the rich, vivid world-building. Gonzalez weaves together elements of mythology, spirituality, and fantasy into a tapestry that feels both timeless and grounded in reality. The gods are not distant, unattainable figures—they are raw, complex, and deeply intertwined with the human experience, blurring the lines between divine and mortal in a way that is both captivating and unsettling. The Gods Time Forgot is a beautiful, haunting exploration of time, fate, and the intricate dance between mortals and gods. It will appeal to readers who enjoy rich mythology, complex characters, and a plot that keeps them questioning what is truly real. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez has crafted a stunning debut that will leave readers eagerly awaiting her next novel.

I had a blast reading this debut novel by Kelsie sheridan Gonzalez. I loved that Irish mythology and the late 1900s. Rua is such an amazing and complex main character that i fall in love with them from the first page.

I love the banter, the angst and the longing, to the point where i want more of it right this very second. Please don't make it stop.

I love Finn, he brought such emotions that i don't know if i am suffering from emotional damage.

I’m giving this remarkable book a top mark of five stars! Thank you, Kelsie, for crafting such an engaging story. I am genuinely excited to witness the evolution of your writing as you continue on this journey. I can't wait to see where the story goes and what adventures lie ahead for the characters. Your talent shines brightly, and I’m eager to read more!

This was a wonderful read from start to finish!
Rua must masquerade as a debutante in the gilded age of New York to uncover her past and the reason for her mysterious memory loss. Finn, an up-and-coming businessman, Irishman and outsider, trying to avoid scandal in order to join NY's elite high society, crosses paths with Rua and their world(s) collide.
I absolutely loved the slow-burn romance blossoming between Finn and Rua, first destined to be enemies given Rua's background. And while this romance and playful banter between the two were definitely at the forefront, there were so many intriguing characters and elements to the story. There was a seamless blend between the romance, Irish mythology and life of high society in 1870's New York, and I would really enjoy immersing myself in this world even more. The plot is well-rounded and the writing style is descriptive and engaging without being superfluous.
I found Finn, the main MC, to be quite refreshing in his thoughts and ways, while still fitting into the category of "stubborn, ambitious businessman."
I loved Rua's wit and unexpected charm. And I really liked the idea of a hidden villain.
Definitely a must-read for the banter, the slow, satisfying burn, and the beautiful dark fantasy!

⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 Stars | 0 Spice

What a refreshing and interesting take on Irish mythology! I really enjoyed reading this book, as the plot line was something extremely unique and new to me. The world-building was well-developed, and the setting of 1870s New York was a fresh and intriguing backdrop I hadn’t encountered in a literary context before. The female characters were very well-written, each with multidimensional personalities. At no point in the story could I predict what would happen next, which made the novel enticing throughout its entirety!
I also appreciated the approach to the POV writing style. The chapters weren’t strictly confined to a single perspective; instead, they shifted when needed, sometimes even from paragraph to paragraph. Although it was a bit tricky to get into initially, this technique was perfect for telling the story, as it provided a well-rounded mix of perspectives— even from minor characters like Emma’s parents or the Fitzgerald's.

The general pacing of the book felt nice and consistent, with the characters really longing instead of instantly being with each other, which is also a big plus in my books.

So what where my issues?

First, I didn’t quite connect with the main character, Rua. From the start, she came across as too naïve for my taste, and as the story progressed, I didn’t enjoy her character development—especially in terms of her increasing violence.

Finn, on the other hand, seemed to lack the depth I was hoping for. His persona as the wealthy, well-meaning, and endearing “orphan-helping beauty” felt a bit too perfect, almost too good to be true. I also struggled to understand his decision-making in the final chapter. It felt completely out of line with everything his character had stood for, leaving me with a bad taste.
Speaking of the ending, unfortunately, it was what ultimately sealed the three-star rating for me. I wasn’t satisfied with how it turned out; I would have wished for something a little less open.

Keeping all this in mind, I thoroughly enjoyed my time, and will recommend this book, especially for a younger audience of 14-and up, as there was no real open spice, which I also took in positively!

Thank you to Net-Galley and Alcove Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. I loved this book! What a lovely and unique premise. Amazing romance, brilliant fmc!

Another popular romantasy title that will surely be a hit. We cannot keep these books on our shelves and this was such an inventive premise, I look forward to recommending it to library patrons.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
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This was stunning! Definitely a different flavor of fantasy than a lot of what is currently popular. The pacing of all of the reveals/Rua’s memories coming back was well done. I was confused the whole time but in a good way - you, as the reader, are supposed to be, because so is Rua!

My only critique would be that the ending felt very abrupt. It was very tense and I loved what it had going on, but then it was just.. sort of over? I figured there would at least be a confrontation with Badb but there wasn’t.

Overall though, I really enjoyed it!

Interesting premise but not really for me. The pacing was off, maybe some editing would improve that and all of a sudden, the book ends. It was too abrupt for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book