BOOK OF LOST HOURS on August 9, 2025
Published by Atria Books, ATLANTIC BOOKS Format: eBook 
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Source: NetGalley and the PublisherA Premise That Instantly Stood Out
Some books hook you before you even read the first page, and The Book of Lost Hours was one of those for me. Hayley Gelfuso’s debut blends history, magical realism, espionage, and a quietly emotional romance into a concept that feels entirely original.
At the heart of the story is the Time Space, a hidden library where memories are stored in physical form and accessed through enchanted watches. Here, moments in history can be revisited, relived, and, if you are willing to face the consequences... altered. But when a power like that falls into dangerous hands, the cost of rewriting history becomes unbearably high.
Two Timelines, One Interwoven Fate
The narrative shifts between two perspectives:
Lisavet, 1938 Germany, Surviving the brutality of Kristallnacht, she is forced to make impossible choices that lead her to the Time Space. Her arc from victim to someone who reclaims her story is raw, haunting, and unforgettable.
Amelia, 1965 America, A woman caught in the pull of the Time Space and the shadow of Cold War tension. Her journey is quieter but no less important to the greater fight for truth.
Lisavet’s chapters were the highlight for me. She is layered, complex, and deeply human. Amelia’s side of the story added balance and expanded the scope of the world, even if her emotional arc didn’t hit quite as hard.
What I Loved
- A fresh, imaginative concept in the Time Space.
- Lyrical and immersive writing that pulls you into each scene.
- Themes that linger long after you finish: who controls memory, and at what cost.
- A romance subplot that supports rather than overshadows the main story.
Where It Slowed Down
The pacing faltered toward the end. In a book with this much momentum, I wanted the final act to land harder and move faster. I also would have liked more explanation about the rules and limitations of the Time Space. This story leans more into magical realism than structured time-travel mechanics, which will work beautifully for some readers but may frustrate those who prefer more defined systems.
Final Thoughts
If The Midnight Library and The Ministry of Time merged with a Cold War spy novel, you would have something close to The Book of Lost Hours. It is richly imagined, emotionally resonant, and layered with questions about truth, memory, and identity.
It is not a fast, action heavy time travel adventure. Instead, it is a reflective and deeply human story that asks how much of our history should be preserved and whether altering the past can ever truly be worth the cost. For me, it was a solid four star read and a remarkable debut. I will be watching closely to see what Hayley Gelfuso writes next.
🫶🏼 - Ali
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I received this book for free from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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