I loved this intoxicating romantic fantasy!! This story is set in New York during the gilded age which made this book even more exciting! Detailed descriptions coupled with Irish Mythology is like nothing I have read in the past. Engaging from start to finish.

The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez had such an interesting premise, blending the grit of Irish mythology with the glamour of Gilded Age New York and it started out strongly with a dramatic opening chapter that really caught my attention and drew me into the mystery of the story. I was hoping for a better balance between the mythology and the historical fiction aspects of the story but it definitely skewed more heavily towards the historical with lots of detailed descriptions of gowns and parties. In fact at times it was almost easy to forget that the story had any fantasy aspects at all. While I can appreciate attention to detail and vivid descriptions I do not want them at the expense of well developed characters and a plot that moves along and unfortunately that is what I found happening in this book. The pacing started out fine but definitely slowed significantly in the middle and then the ending felt very rushed which is a shame. This is a book that has potential and I am sure will find its audience, I think unfortunately it just was not for me.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

DNF @ 33%

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Gods Time Forgot pairs a synopsis that promises so much with a story that doesn't deliver almost any of it. Romantasy, historical settings, and the amnesia trope are all things I love to read. All these can be found in the book, but the balance makes them hard to appreciate.

"Romantasy" seems to have gathered quite a few definitions, but every single one acknowledges the fantasy element. When reading this book, it was easy to forget that fantasy was supposed to be part of this story. What could've been an interesting use of magic was left behind so the romance plot could be pushed forward. I'm sure this would be a great way to introduce someone to fantasy, but it's not what I'm looking for.

The other issue I had with this book was the multi-POV element. While several POVs in one book was something I didn't love before, it's grown on me over time. However, the POVs in this book feel so similar that it was hard to tell there was more than one. Whether a book is in first person or third, different characters POVs should always feel a little different. I didn't get that in this one.

I also found that a lot of the dialogue felt stiff and unnatural. It was hard to stay in the story with how forced it seemed sometimes.

On a more positive note, the descriptions in this book were beautiful. Outside of the dialogue, there is prose that hooked me. I just wish I had found the actual story as wonderful as the descriptions.

Although I didn't enjoy this book, it isn't one I'd never recommend. I know there are so many specific things that bother me that plenty of other people love. The historical setting was fantastic and I'm sure so many people will love this romance. If you're new to fantasy, or if you like romance-heavy romantasy, this is still a book I'd tell some people to read.

Review on Goodreads (sophreadingbooks https://www.goodreads.com/sophreadingbooks) expected 4/08/2025
Review on Instagram (sophiesreading https://www.instagram.com/sophiesreading/) expected 5/1/2025

This book was so promising. A riff on Irish mythology...the Morrigan and Cú Chulainn set in 1870s New York has all the elements I normally eat up in a book: Societal pressure, mystery, mythology...should have easily been a 5 star book for me.

Unfortunately, this missed the mark for me. The beginning had me pulled in immediately, and then the pacing started to get off...slowing way down. I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters. And I feel like pulling in the mythology was an afterthought, once it was pulled more fully in, explaining the strings that are strewn throughout the stories and how they tie together felt forced and rushed, and the ending felt sudden and jolted.

Gods, Memory Loss & a love that transcends time and place.
This book was for sure one I really wasn’t sure which way it would go. Would I like it? Would I hate it?
But I will say I was pleasantly surprised with Rua and Fin’s romance setting in the 1870’s. The dialogue for Rua was for sure ahead of that time period where women were pretty much for decor. She fought the system but it was like putting bonfire against the ever rising tides of misogyny and just all around cattiness of that time period.
The story for sure dragged in some aspects where it kind of became repetitive with then wanting each other and then not wanting each other then wanting each other again.
The main thing I would change is to give the secondary characters more depth. I just felt like they were just there to push the plot. Which isn’t bad but I wanna feel more of a rounded cast of characters outside the main duo.
Overall this book was a 3.25 Star read.
Would I recommend it?
Hmm in some aspects yes CuaSe of the time period and the memory loss love trope. No in the sense that it wasn’t a major stand out, for me anyways.
I’d like to thank NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I am forever thankful for the honor.

I was so lucky to get an early copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I wanted to love it. I found out about the book through the author on TikTok before it was even written and fell in love with it from her first video.
However, I have spent the last week trying and failing and dreading picking up my Kindle to read this book.
I will definitely be picking up a copy after its release on April 8, 2025, but for now, I have to DNF the book. I got 16% in, and the first 5 chapters read.
I find the writing to be almost disjointed. The story started off with such a bang with the FMC Rua coming to in a hellmouth, but then it started to fall flat, for me personally.
I know it's written in 3rd person, but I truly felt like I was being told Rua was doing this and had done this, or Finn was doing this but had done this. I'm highly aware I only read 5 chapters, but it was enough to take me out of the story.
I'm giving it my obligatory "I like the idea but not the story" 3 star rating because I like it, it's not great (the bit I read), but i love where it was going.

It was an interesting read, loved the premise. I enjoyed Rua as a character, however I’m not a big fan of Bridgestone style books so the 1800s setting was a little hard to digest. However, I would recommend this to fantasy lovers who are also into those kind of vibes.
Thank you for allowing me an ARC of this book.

I'm not really sure how to describe my thoughts on this book. I was really vibing with it, but it just kind of unraveled over time and near the end I was skimming and then really just unsatisfied with the ending. I absolutely love the setting and the male main character but I did need more from the relationship and the pacing fell apart near the end for me. all that said I definitely will still read from this author I loved the vibes and the writing can only get better from here.

Unfortunately this is a DNF for me, I was getting bored very early on and nothing was hooking me in. The writing feels clunky and the plot feels super slow - it's a shame because the premise sounds great. I try to not give up on ARCs but I couldn't keep myself interested, I've actually got bored and read two other books in the meantime, so I'm just not pushing through with it anymore.

The Gods Time Forgot is set in 1870 New York, where a woman emerges from the woods covered in dirt, blood, and in a completely different body. With no memory of her past or who she truly is, she feels an inexplicable pull toward an Irish Lord, Finn, who also senses a similar connection but has no idea why.

While the story didn’t completely blow me away, it definitely held my attention and I loved the inclusion of Irish mythology in a romantic fantasy setting was a refreshing change, and the historical backdrop created a fascinating atmosphere that added to the intrigue.

This book was exceedingly interesting. It was an historical fantasy surrounding Irish lore. I read it very quickly and really enjoyed the main characters, Rua and Finn. I felt that their characters per properly developed, and I loved their story. I did feel at some points the story dragged but otherwise the tension and romance between Finn and Rua was very alluring and kept me holding on to each sentence. I really did not see the plot twist coming at the end but was pleasantly surprised on how it ended. I do appreciate a true fantasy standalone, the end was a bit rushed for me, but I do feel like it had to start picking up at some point and it felt well placed, too early I felt that we would have skipped stuff. Overall, I enjoyed the writing, and I thought it was pleasantly unique and a captivating read.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I followed this book since the very beginning when it was just a draft that Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez was discussing on TikTok! I had high expectations and they were definitely met! I loved the writing and the story was extremely interesting; I really enjoyed all of the main characters.

The God’s that time forgot is an engaging story or mystery, romance, and Irish mythology. Set in 1870 Manhattan our main character Rua appears remembering only her name and that she’s not who everyone thinks she is.

At its core this story has everything I’d want in a Historical fantasy setting. And the mystery of finding out what happened definitely kept me reading.

That being said, this book just was not what I wanted it to be. I found a lot of Rua’s character to be inconsistent, the pacing to be off and the ending to be abrupt and lacking.

I felt like the whole time was spent in the tension between Rua and Flossie. I would have loved to spend more time with Rua digging through her past and trying to discover what happened.

That being said while I felting the plot lacked, I thought the banter was top tier. Some of Rua’s one liners were incredible.

I truly think this story had a whole lot of potential, just sadly lacked in execution.

Rua wakes up as Emma even though she knows that's not who she is. She has memories that surface of an Irish Goddess that confuse and intrigue her. As she navigates 1870s New York City as the Harrington's daughter, she's drawn to the mysterious Lord of Donore who seems so familiar to her.

Thoughts 💭
There was a lot going on in this story! Irish mythology of Morrigan meets the 1870s Gilded Age. Rua knows she's not Emma but has little choice but to go along with it when she wakes up in her body after Emma is missing for days. She still doesn't know who she is or her purpose and, therefore, doesn't fit in with the expectations of women at the time. She's drawn to Finn, the Lord of Donore, and they have a fun dynamic to read about. I think this story had a lot of potential, but the wrong things were emphasized. For example a lot of time was taken to describe the social engagements of the time like balls and the cattiness of the society and the women in particular but less time was spent on the mythology (which I knew less about and found more interesting) . The ending was satisfying but abrupt. I think a few tweaks would have made me rate this higher as the bones were good.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was next on my list to review and I thought I had previously downloaded the file, but when I went back to check, I found out it had been archived so I can't redownload it now and thus will not be able to review before publication (and no, reading in NetGalley reader isn't an option). I'm leaving a three star placeholder and ,may come back and update if I read later, but I don't understand why the publisher archived this title a month before publication which is a prime time for people to post reviews! Thanks anyway, I guess?

I really like the premise and setting for this story-who doesn’t love the Gilded Age? The main character is interesting and likeable, but somewhat at odds with her society (so relatable). The interactions between the main characters are great and I loved the banter. The only drawback is that the ending feels a bit incomplete/rushed.

Thank you to the publisher Alcove Press and @netgalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

This book had a lot of promise but fell short in the execution. The characters lacked depth for me and the ending felt WAY too abrupt. But overall, a really enjoyable read!

3.5 ★

Bridgerton + irish mythlogy = this book!

Let’s set the scene! This book takes place in the Gilded Age in New York (the 19th century for anyone who is curious). We follow Rua who is a complex and intriguing FMC. She is caught in the whirlwind that is high society because of a mistaken identity. This part of the storyline was so interesting to me. I LOVE anything that includes a good ballroom scene! Then we have Finn, The Lord of Denore. He feels this unmistakable pull towards Rua, but can’t pinpoint why. Kelsie really treated us dual POV girlies! As a reader I loved getting glimpses into the hazy memories between Finn and Rua. They leave you guessing and rushing to turn to the next page.

The BANTER was the highlight of this entire book. I am such a lover of good banter, it can really make or break a book for me. I agree with the majority that the books ending left much to be desired. Unfortunately it felt very rushed and I was left a little disappointed. Thankfully it didn’t ruin the overall reading experience considering I had been so intrigued the whole way through. Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez definitely knows how to write a book that keeps your attention!

* I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and Alcove Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity! *

This book was good, but not great and I'm not sure if this is a it's-me or you situation.

The premise has some of my favorites things - Mythology, re-incarnation, historical fantasy - but it just wasn't the book I ... wanted? expected? I don't know. I think a lot of that has to do with Rua's plotline being so much bleaker and less badass than I desperately wanted her to me. She was trapped in an impossible situation, but I just found it so bleak that I needed to keep stopping to read something that didn't make me want to sob (in frustration, desperation, hopelessness).

The book is so well written. The Golden Age New York is captured so well that it seems to jump off the page with the setting and society intrigue making a beautiful backdrop. The romance and chemistry between Rua and Finn is my favorite part - their banter and interactions were sparkling stars in the gloom of the rest of the story with their longing and angst captured so well. The Irish folklore is such a new take and while I am only glancing familiar with it I think it was a welcome starting point and interwoven really well.

Overall, I just don't know what to do with this book and see where it slots in for its perfect reader. After reading some other reviews, it seems like this is more New Adult romantasy and now everything makes more sense. Generally not my genre or favorite tropes so yeah this is more of a me than you problem.

This book had a strong start. I enjoyed the first chapter, particularly the sense of disorientation and the mystery of Rua's true backstory. This atmosphere was heightened because I was experiencing all of these things alongside Rua, who has lost her memory, and, despite what everyone believes/is insisting to her, knows that she is not Emma Harrington. The brief flashbacks were intriguing and I was eager to learn more.

Unfortunately, the plot from the first few chapters on did not deliver. Instead of the Irish mythology and magic that I was hoping for, a much stronger emphasis was put on the Gilded Age social world. None of the characters besides Rua felt fully developed. Although Finn has his own POV chapters and a hint of a mysterious backstory, this is never expanded on. It seems that he has something to hide/isn't exactly who he is representing himself as to New York's upper crust, but ... this idea is not really mentioned again outside of the obvious. I don't know what his life was like before he came to New York. In addition, all of the villainous characters are one-dimensional and so cartoonishly evil that it was kind of difficult to take them seriously.

Although I understood that I was meant to sympathize with Rua and the impossible societal constraints that she was trapped in, I felt that she continuously made bad decisions and undermined herself. I was more interested in her maid's character, Mara, and how she became entangled with the Irish goddesses--a character even questions how/why an American maid would have such an in-depth knowledge of Irish mythology--but again, this aspect becomes an afterthought. The main antagonists were barely in the book, to the point where I would almost consider Rua and Finn to be more of an obstacle to their happiness.

Although opening with a character with memory loss was compelling because I knew no more than Rua did, once the pieces started to come together, I felt that it took Finn and Rua much too long to figure everything out and start having the necessary conversations. I also thought the ending was pretty abrupt and seemed like more of a way to avoid writing a big confrontation scene that would have felt much more climactic. Overall, I was expecting more magic, more mythology, and more character development.