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!

i’ll start off with the only nice thing i have to say about this book: the cover. the cover is absolutely gorgeous. it is what drew me to the book in the first place. everything else was a huge letdown. i found out that the author conceptualized this book on TikTok, and oh man can you tell. it is so obvious to me that this book was created to check the TikTok going viral boxes and nothing else. it is lacking substance. i could barely make it through two chapters because the characters made no sense! people do not act like that! stop it!

Wow! Reading the description for The Gods Time Forgot, I knew this was going to be a fascinating story, but I didn't know that I would be completely blown away! Anything that takes place during the Gilded Age is always going to draw me in, but what I loved even more was the way the magic system was woven into the overall plot. I can see so many readers picking this one up and loving it. My guess is that this will be a book that blows up on both Tik Tok and Bookstagram. I can't wait to get this one into reader's hands

I found this book very confusing, there are a lot of flashbacks and I am not sure if you should have some background on Irish mythology to fully understand the story. Emma/ rua is a very unlikelable character, she nor her family had any redeemable qualities. I also expected there to be more to the background of Finn and more romance. Towards the end of the book, there were a lot more flashbacks and the ending was sudden and convoluted. It seems like the story is finished, but there could be a sequel. I hit a wall about 75% in and had to trek through to the end. Overall I liked the idea behind the story, but I felt myself rereading to understand the plot and had a hard time grasping the story. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved 90% of this book. The ending felt a little flat/rushed to me. I loved this mix of time travel/magic/bridgerton era society style. Rua’s mother made me so angry there were many times I wished she would have just killed her.
Rua and Finn’s chemistry was insane. Straight up Anthony/Kate pining level.

Thanks to Netgalley for this arc.

I had to read the title of this book several times before I understood it. After reading the book, I get it. But the title was confusing.

The beginning of the book sucks you in, but then it slows down a lot. I considered not finishing the book because of this. I enjoyed the banter between the main characters, but that was all that really happened in the middle of the book. We got little glimpses into Rua and Finn’s past, but it was so spaced out, it felt like it wasn’t enough.

The ending was kind of disappointing. I was hoping for more of a tidy ending with everything answered and no questions about what happened next. So this whole book left me wanting more.

I received a temporary digital copy of The Gods Time Forgot from NetGalley, Alcove Press and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rua climbs out of a hole in the woods and has no memory of who she is but is mistaken for Emma Harrington, the daughter of a social-climbing family. With little guidance, Rua must navigate the upper ton of Manhattan society in 1870 while trying to figure out who she is. One man, Lord of Donore (Finn), is the only person slightly familiar to her. Rua must discover who she is, why she is in Emma's body, and why the Lord of Donore is connected to it all.

The Gods Time Forgot was a 4.5-star read rounded up. I really loved Rua and her strength while living in Harrington's Manhattan home and fell in love with Finn's character. I think the premise of the book is extremely interesting mixing the Gilded Age and Irish Mythology. The one concession I have with Sheridan Gonzalez's novel is the pacing; the middle dragged a bit and the ending seemed rushed; the reader figures out the entire situation towards the very end and then doesn't get much of anything after that. I am hoping Sheridan Gonzalez continues Rua and Finn's story and if not, I would greatly appreciate an epilogue.

The Gods Time Forgot was a great fantasy that had Irish folklore, forgotten past, and fated soul mates. Set in the late 1800’s, we read as Rua steadily gains her memories back and discovers who she truly is inside of Emma’s body.

The pacing was a bit slow to start, and then felt very rushed at the end. I would have loved to seen more of Rua and Finn after they both accepted who they truly are.

Thank you for the opportunity of an eARC, and I am leaving this review willingly.

I received this Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity!
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"You look like a monster."
"That's because I am a monster..."
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When Rua wakes up in a life she has no memory of, she fights to survive with a damaged reputation, a threatening mother, and the draw to Finn, an Irish Lord of Donore who a growing socialite in a society trying to get rid of Rua. Will Rua remember who she is and why she is living in Manhattan in 1870? Will she choose secrets over the growing desire she has for Finn? Can she discover who she is and choose Finn at the same time?
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This is the first book I have read that is 100% inspired by Irish mythology and I adored it!
The setting of the book mixed with the mythology is such a fun setting and makes for a unique writing style. While trying to follow the culture of a developing Manhattan and the maze that is high society, I was also trying to figure out what the flashbacks were referencing while interpreting the little nuggets of mythology that are taught as Rua remembers more of her past.
It is truly a work of art. The author wrote out solid setting of Manhattan in 1870 while also creating enough of a foundation to the life Rua cannot remember in the flashbacks while guiding readers towards the truth of everything through Irish mythology scattered throughout the book. I have no idea how all three aspects of the book manage to be so strong, but that might be the greatest win when it comes to this book for me.

Going into the book, I had no idea what to expect, and I think that is half of the charm of this book. Getting to walk into the book not knowing what is happening and having a main character who also doesn't understand what is happening means that the growth throughout the book is happening for both the reader and Rua at the same time. When growth and knowledge come for both the reader and the characters, I think the connection between the two is always going to be stronger. I love learning as the characters of books learn things and this book forges a deep connection with the readers because of the mystery of the plot.

Another interesting element to this book is Finn. The time period of the book is set in a developing America where the Irish are very unwanted in America. To see a character who is battling the systemic racism while also trying to balance high society is another interesting element of this book. It is written into the book very simply, but I think it is written in very beautifully. It consumes Finn's thoughts and taints all his interactions with the men he both hates and seeks to please. Once you mix that into the Irish mythology, it becomes even more of a struggle for Finn to reconcile.

I cannot recommend this book enough.
It is the perfect balance of dark and twisted mixed into high society where your image is your main focus. It is a wonderful mystery that is solved by people willing to sacrifice everything to get the answers, even if those answers aren't what they want.
I loved this and I think so many others will love it as well!

This is a book by a debut author who blended historical fiction with Irish mythology and Romantasy in a compelling and magical way. The story is set in the Gilded Age of New York. The story follows Rua, a lady of wealth, when a feisty spirit embodies her. She navigates a world she barely understands, driven by the quest to uncover the truth of her past. The mystery of her past creates opportunities for surprises and revelations that will keep you hooked. Rua is a brilliant character who speaks her mind and is a force to be reckoned with, which happens to ostracize her from the affluent society and her mother.

If you are here for the romance, Rua's interactions with Lord of Donore, Finn, is a deliciously tense enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Finn himself is intrigued by Rua but is struggling with society's expectations and his ambition. The romantic tension between Rua and Finn is complex but builds anticipation throughout the story.

The magical elements intertwined with Irish mythology create an enchantment and danger to the story. Rua's returning memories hint at a world filled with dark magic and ancient secrets. The blend of the historical and opulent setting of the city and fantastical lore envelops the reader in an immersive world. The readers will fall in love with the characters and the mystical fantasy elements. Overall, a wonderful and enjoyable book.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Alcove Press

This is such an interesting read! It is a little different from what I have been reading lately, but still really good!

This book had me hooked from the very beginning but left me wanting more. The mystery of how Rua and Finn knew each other, tied into the lore of Irish mythology, kept me reading page after page. There were times when I felt like the story could have gone deeper and I truly would have loved this book to be longer to explore things more. Sometimes the connection between Rua and Finn felt rushed and scenes ended almost abruptly. When I reached the end of the book I was so sad because I wanted more and felt like I wasn't ready to say goodbye to the story or characters!

I really hope the author is setting the story up for another book as I truly did love it! I love a HEA and I wanted to know what happened at the end but also love having the freedom to imagine Rua and Finn's story continuing.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one!

This book has a super cool premise and idea. I thought the whole idea was unique and something I couldn’t wait to read. However the execution was lacking for me. This book was so slow in bringing the concept together. It was so slow in making the connections that I felt should have been made. I truly felt like there was so much potential here that got wasted in the execution.

The romance didn’t feel fleshed out enough for me either. It was technically a slow burn, until it wasn’t. But the switch just didn’t make enough sense to me.

Overall I wish this one had been done differently and I’m curious to read something else from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rating: 4.75/5

The Gods Time Forgot had me hooked from the start with its intriguing and mysterious beginning. With great chemistry, Rua and Finn had an amazing slowburn romance that I'll be remembering for a while. If you're looking for a great historical romantasy, I'd certainly recommend The Gods Time Forgot. However, there was less of a focus on the gods aspect than I expected, and more of a focus on the romance. I wish the gods aspect and the romance had a more even balance. It's the only thing keeping this book from being a five star read for me, as it was a little different than expected.

Thank you Netgalley and Alcove Press for this ARC.

Before I even read the description, I was captured by this book. With its unique title and stunning cover, I knew it was something I wanted to dive into.

For the first ten percent of the book, I wasn’t sure if the cover and title were enough to keep me captivated, but I was instantly hooked into this rollercoaster of a book.

I love a good historical romance, especially when the book is written well to the timeframe it’s set in. Gonzalez does a great job at capturing the experience of the woman in the late 1800s. The 1800s was not a popular time for women when it came to respect and being seen as an equal to men. Women were meant to be home. They were property, meant to look pretty and be quiet. They could be seen, but not heard. This story does not forget that and I really appreciated its accuracy.

The romance aspect of the book was enemies-to-lovers and slow-burn. For a debut, Gonzalez did an amazing job at capturing both the angst and tension between the two main characters. There were times I wish the chemistry between them was a bit stronger, but that’s something that can be developed in due time. I feel as they got to know each other more, the whole of their relationship became predictable. There seemed to be nothing to worry about for their relationship because once they’re together, that’s it. As I stated earlier - the beginning of their relationship was well written. The tension between the characters was superb, but we quickly lost that once they got together.

The historical elements of the novel were incredibly well-done, but when it came to the mythology and fantasy aspect - I feel we got lost. For being one of the main advertisements of the novel, the mythology aspect almost felt like an afterthought. The idea of mythology mixed into 1870s New York was fascinating, but again - felt lacklustre in practice. There was a lack of commitment to the idea which was disappointing to say the least.

All in all - I did enjoy this book. I do feel it could have used either a few more chapters or even an epilogue just to sum things up a little better and give clearer context to the direction of the ending. It almost felt too abrupt without one. I found myself asking “is this really it?” when I finished. With some editing, I do believe this book could be easily 4 stars for me. There just needs to be more context to the events (and fluidity) and more of a commitment to the mythology/fantasy aspects.

Like almost always, I requested an eARC after being captivated by a cover. There are times when I enjoy both the cover and the story and only those books are captured on my IG page.

With The Gods Time Forgot I was not sure at first but after a few pages I was sucked into a rolller coaster of emotions.
I felt rage, as the story is set in the 1870, when women weren't allowed to have opinions or to display any trace of intelligence. I also felt all the positive emotions of the characters.

I loved the ending and the pacing of the final part of the book. After everything that happened, it would have been more interesting to have a glance into the future through an epilogue.

At times, the pacing of the book was a bit off for me, but I did enjoyed it a lot.

thank you netgalley and alcove press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

i have not read many historical romantasy books but I did thoroughly enjoy this one! It was whimsical, angsty, and filled with tension; three things i crave from any and all books i read, and this one delivered!!!

the romance was forbidden and so “i burn for her.” i loved finn’s character and his moral compass, and i loved it even more when he would give it up just to protect rua from any fallout. rua’s attitude was the cherry on top, and i think it was just what i needed this week after the election. her character did not give two-shits about causing complete and utter chaos in a society that clearly hates outsiders or women who are not demure and obedient.

i love a strong fmc, and even more, a mmc who supports their girl.

my only problem with this book was the ending. some books NEED an epilogue and this was just that book. it ended so abruptly that i felt like someone waved a lollipop at me and then dropped it on the floor.

3.5

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book.

We start off with Rua who is found in the woods with no memory of how she got there or who she is and is taken in by a family of upper class the Harrington's who believe her to be their daughter Emma. Rua has no idea about the life in which Emma lives and her "mother" Flossie tries everything she can to integrate her into high society as the original Emma has dabbled in magic which has put a stain of sorts on the family name.

We meet Finn, a lord from Ireland who quickly feels a connection towards Rua and vice versa, leading down a path of discovery and enemies to lovers romance. The pacing in the book was a little off, I feel like the beginning of the book was well paced and interesting, but then as we got towards the middle to the end, it slowed down significantly. I feel like things could have been summed up a little more quickly throughout the book.

All in all, I enjoyed the book. It does incorporate Irish lore, which I love, and the historical ambiance is set very well in the book. However, it is not a book I overall loved. It is definitely worth a read though.

This story desperately needs an epilogue or maybe another chapter or seven because I NEED MORE i can’t believe it’s ended. 100/10

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the e-ARC of The Gods Time Forgot!
3.5 / 5 ⭐

I read The Gods Time Forgot while battling a reading slump but found it very enjoyable anyways; when I had to pick it up after a break because of my slump, I never struggled to jump back into the story or characters. Rua and Finn were likable main characters, and the pacing was good overall. Historical settings aren’t my favorite, but I love Irish mythology and magically mistaken/forgotten identities. There was a higher emphasis on the historical elements than my preference, but that’s not a failing of the book. Given the trajectory of the narrative, the sequel would probably be even more up my alley.

3/5 ⭐ rounded up to 4, and I think the second book will be 4⭐ as we lean further into more fantasy elements.

TWs: repeated threats of institutionalization/ attempted institutionalization, one attempted SA