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.

From the very first page of this book I was completely hooked I found myself so intrigued by the mysterious beginning and the way the writing flowed across the page.

Rua is a fantastic character she is so complex and seeing her thrust into this unfamiliar society in New York during the Gilded age was so engaging, I loved her character so much. Finn the mysterious Lord who she feels this connection to was also such an interesting character and he put me through a rollercoaster of emotions seeing him also fight this pull he has no memory of towards Rua,the way the story progress around them as everything was revealed and they came to realise why their love is so forbidden was just so engaging.

Added in with the Irish mythology I really enjoyed this historical romantasy and though the ending of The Gods that Time Forgot feels like it is meant as standalone I would love to read more set in this universe.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

What a wild ride! This is a historical fantasy novel set in Gilded Age New York, and the writing was stellar!

I was captivated from page 1, and the relationship dynamics between the FMC and MMC were very well-written. The banter and yearning were powerful, and mystery of just precisely who these two people were - reincarnated lovers? time travelers? - was revealed over the course of the story.

If I hade one nitpick, it was that the ending came on like a brick wall. I saw another reviewer mention that it was like the author hit her word count limit and just put a period on it, though there was much left unresolved. It's not clear if this is a standalone or the first in a new series, but either way, the pacing of the ending felt off.

There is so very much about this novel to love, and it was enchanting to read.

I recommend!

THE GODS TIME FORGOT by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez

“ ‘I’ve had as many dreams as I’ve had nightmares. I don’t understand any of it, only that I know this isn’t the first time we’ve met.’ ”

In 1870s Manhattan, a young woman named Rua, with no memory of her past, is mistaken for a missing heiress and drawn into high society. As her forgotten memories resurface, entwined with dark magic and ancient Irish myths, she becomes irresistibly linked to Finn, a mysterious Irish lord with ties to her past. Together, they must uncover the secrets that connect them and face forces beyond their world.

In The Gods Time Forgot, Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez presents a story that’s both intriguing and ambitious, combining Irish myth with Gilded Age New York in a way that feels as glittering as it does mysterious. The story follows Rua, a young woman with no memories, mistaken by the wealthy Harrington family as their lost daughter, Emma. As she slips into this foreign role, Rua hopes to uncover clues about her past, yet she soon finds herself in a world she doesn't remember, full of high society pressure and dark magic she can’t explain. When she encounters the enigmatic Finn, an Irish noble whose connection to Rua is more than coincidental, they are drawn together to unravel secrets buried in both time and myth.

For the first three-quarters of the novel, the pace and drama had me completely hooked. The early romantic tension between Rua and Finn is absorbing, with Finn carefully trying to maintain his reputation and rise in society, while Rua—strong-willed and unbothered by convention—goes toe-to-toe with him in a banter-filled relationship that soon develops into angst. There’s an air of Bridgerton and The Beautiful Ones to it all, yet with a darker twist that comes with both characters’ haunted pasts. Their attraction has an almost magnetic quality, though there’s an undercurrent of restraint and caution that adds depth to their connection.

Rua herself is sharp-tongued, unafraid of social expectations, and her irreverence makes her a fun, if occasionally abrasive, character. Her exchanges with Finn and her blunt, often humorous interactions with the high society of New York feel punchy and enjoyable. Despite her wit, however, her character doesn’t fully develop beyond her sharpness, and other key figures—such as Mara, who plays a significant role—also lack depth that could have added richer texture to the story.

The setting itself is a striking backdrop. The author does a lovely job capturing the social atmosphere of 1870s Manhattan, with its strict class structure and emphasis on reputation, especially for women, even if the feminist themes felt a bit performative at times.

Unfortunately, the mythology woven into the story, which initially holds such promise, ultimately lacks the same commitment. For all its potential, the Irish mythological elements feel sidelined, almost like an afterthought. There’s a sense that this intriguing mythos, intended to deepen the mystery surrounding Rua’s past, was introduced too lightly to provide a real anchor to the story. In addition, as someone who has dabbled in it, I was disappointed by the portrayal of Irish mythology and religion in the story. It does feel like a story told by an outsider.

While the setup was strong, the book’s latter portion is where things began to unravel for me. In the final act, rapid plot twists start to detract from the previously well-built tension, with characters suddenly acting in ways that felt out of character, as if bending to the plot rather than staying true to their arcs. The pacing, once so well-balanced, becomes rushed, which makes the twists seem more like shock value than natural progressions. The ending, in particular, felt too abrupt, leaving loose threads that made me wonder if I’d missed key points. It could have done with a few more chapters or at least an epilogue that gave a bit more closure as to what happens to the characters that we’ve spent 300 pages rooting for.

The Gods Time Forgot still offers an enjoyable ride for those looking for a romance-driven historical fantasy, even if it doesn't fully realise its fantastical ambitions. While I wouldn’t say it reached the favourite status I’d hoped for, I don’t regret reading it. The early romantic tension and the lush, glittering setting do make it memorable. For anyone who enjoys historical romance with a dash of myth, it’s a story worth exploring—even if the execution falls a bit short of its potential.

The Gods Time Forgot is a historical romance with Irish mythology, Bridgerton vibes, and characters I adored. The main character, Rua, wakes up in someone else’s body with little to no memory except her name. She is forced to live the life of a debutante in 1800s society so that she doesn’t get thrown in an asylum for having amnesia. I would say this is a low fantasy and heavily focused on the characters as the plot felt like an afterthought at times. The gods and flashbacks lost me at some points, and by the end I still only had a vague sense of what happened once they got their memories back. I almost wish this was just a historical romance book without the amnesia and gods plot because the characters, romance, and prose were all so amazing that it would have been five stars if the plot didn’t fall flat. There’s lots of tension and yearning and banter that I enjoyed, so I still think this is worth the read for the romance alone. After the ending, I’m pretty sure this is a standalone but there’s an open ended “what next?” question that could possibly make way for a sequel. I am not sure that question would warrant a sequel so I’m unsure if I would continue the series if there was. Overall, this was a strong debut with great writing and amazing romance so I’m looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Irish mythology and gilded age New York? Count me in!

This book is an absolute ride and will have you enthralled from start to finish! The characters are so cool and each very unique!

If you enjoy historical romantasy this book is for you!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The beginning isn't really good and it's not getting better. So yeah, not my cup of tea. The title is super cool.

I adored this. It was a great and run read. The story was well paced and the characters were unique and different from one another in a way that kept them interesting while also giving them space to work well with one another. I think Gonzalez created a well rounded story and I had fun reading it. I love the mix of Irish mythology which is one of my favorites and the 1920s New York scene that reminded me of the great gatbsy and other roaring twenties books that I also love. It was a perfect combination for me and I think this book brings together all those aspects I love into one novel

Book Review: The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
Thank you to the author, Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez, and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed The Gods Time Forgot, a unique blend of historical romance and Irish mythology with a touch of magic. Set in 1800s Manhattan, the story follows Rua, a sharp-tongued and witty amnesiac, and Finn, the pure-hearted Lord of Donore. Their chemistry felt fresh and captivating, with layers of intrigue surrounding Rua’s mysterious past and Finn’s journey in an unfamiliar society.

The incorporation of Irish folklore into the glittering backdrop of Gilded Age New York was delightful and felt like a breath of fresh air. The magical twist added depth and wonder, making the story stand out among typical historical romances. Both Rua and Finn were lovable protagonists, and their revelations as the story progressed were very intriguing.

However, the ending felt rushed, as if the author abruptly realized they were nearing a word limit. I was very disappointed by this.

Overall, The Gods Time Forgot is an enchanting debut that I’d recommend to fans of romantasy and historical fiction. With a little more polish in pacing, it could have been perfect.

Rating: ★★★★☆

This book was *chefs kiss* I have never quite read anything in my life like this. I really enjoyed the 1870s time, the Irish Mythology (more rep pls!) and the mixture of historical fiction and fantasy. Rua is such a loveable character and I found her to be INCREDIBLE! Kelsie wrote this book in such a brilliant manner and I hope that she writes many I am trying so hard to keep this review spoiler free- but know that this book is an absolute delight. This was an easy 5 star read for me!

thank you netgalley and the publishers for a chance to review this arc

The Gods Time Forgot is an absolute gem. I was hooked from the first page, drawn into the enigmatic world of Rua, a woman with no memory but an undeniable sense of belonging to a past she can’t recall. The premise is brilliantly original, and the execution is flawless, making it one of the most gripping romantasies I’ve read in a long time.

The chemistry between Rua and Finn is nothing short of electric. It’s the perfect enemies-to-lovers dynamic, filled with tension, yearning, and an achingly romantic pull that had me on the edge of my seat. Their connection feels fated yet forbidden, and every interaction between them is charged with emotion. I found myself almost in tears at several points, completely swept up in their story.

The mythology woven throughout is richly detailed and adds a layer of depth that makes the book so unique. It’s clear that Kelsie has a deep love and understanding of Irish folklore, and she brings it to life in a way that feels both magical and haunting. The atmospheric setting of 1870s Manhattan, mixed with the otherworldly elements, creates a vivid and immersive backdrop that had me utterly captivated.

The book is filled with achingly romantic quotes, I’ve highlighted so many but my favourite is “He watched her looking up at the moon, wishing he could tell her that the orange of her gown made her look like his favourite part of a sunrise, the part that burned the brightest.” — This line alone captures the breathtaking romance and the poetic beauty of the writing.

If you love stories that transport you to another time and place while tugging at your heartstrings, The Gods Time Forgot is a must-read. It’s emotive, well-crafted, and packed with twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.

I'll give it 4 stars but nothing really happens in this book. Like nothing. It's just a lot of Emma/rua trying to figure out why she is now rua and not Emma. Why is she drawn to finn so much? Just a lot of banter and mean girls and some flashbacks

Spoiler free review - This is the first book ive read by this author. i loved the combination of Irish mythology and peak golden age New york. it almost gave me Gatsby feelings even though this book is set much earlier. first and foremost this hit me as a romance and i was completely invested from very early in the book. As a historical romance i loved the writing style and the dialect was really easy to follow and also loved the banter between characters. if anything i would love to see more build ups to some of the scenes as i felt a little rushed at the end! i was invested in Rua's journey and would still consider this a slow burn worth giving a try! if there were any others in the series i would want to continue and see what happens next! thank you for the ARC Net Galley/publishers! 3.5 starts rounded up!

I read the first chapter of this book back in January 2023 and have been waiting to get my hands on the rest of the story. I'm happy to report that after all that time I really enjoyed this book.

It is a love story that defies time. There's amnesia, tension, Irish mythology, and more set within the Gilded Age of New York City.

The way the main character is learning things the same time as the reader is one of my favorite ways of world building. It's less infodumpy and more natural.

I do feel the ending was a bit rushed. There were so many things coming to a head and then it ended a bit anticlimactically. But maybe that was the point.

Solid book from this new writer!

Thank you so much to Netgalley & Alcove Press for an e-arc of The Gods Time Forgot! The pairing of Irish mythology, uncovering mysteries from the past, and the societal pressures of being a debutante in 1870's Manhattan was something that really drew me in- ESPECIALLY when our female main character, Rua, wakes up in a strange world with no memories.

As hopeful as I was for this title, the story unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. It felt rushed in some places, out of character in others, and ended really abruptly- and ultimately, the relationship between our two main characters just didn't quite do it for me. There was some banter between the two that made me giggle a little, but overall, I think I had my hopes up a bit too high for this book- it was just missing the depth and breadth I was expecting based on the synopsis. I do think the publishing comparison to A Fate Inked in Blood is accurate, so if you enjoyed that book, you may also enjoy this one. Although The Gods Time Forgot may have not been for me, it may be for you!

I'm giving this title 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 for Goodreads/Netgalley purposes. The Gods Time Forgot will be released in April 2025!