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lakinglaze's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A raunchy archaeological contemporary romance — was it reflective of real-life archaeology? No. But — was it fun? Yes! This was a bit spicer than my typical read, but it was a pretty fun story. It’s nice to see archaeology in romance and on a dig at that — speaking as someone with two degrees on the subject. Fun time all around. I hope to see more archaeological themed contemporary romance novels in the future!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, Cursing, Body shaming, Cancer, and Stalking
aromanticreadsromance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
okay, hear me out, i know romance sells in the book world, but this totally should have been the first book of an adventure series with corrie as the sole and primary lead. in each book, she goes on a different archaeological dig, and she is met with different challenges and light mysteries. remove ford entirely from the equation. that man is like the bran flakes or shredded wheat of men. corrie is like the frosted flakes or lucky charms of women. she's a total badass, and i LOVED her character (she only annoyed me once... or possibly twice... in the entire book). i want every woman lead to be as strong and independent as her.
the romance in this was... senseless and kinda awful??? trust me, i know romance is MY genre, but i could have done without the romance. the third act conflict was TOO big to be resolved in the five remaining chapters. ford did not do much, if any, groveling. he just didn't understand how hard it was to be a woman, especially a woman of color, in academia broadly and archaeology specifically, and that's my least favorite brand of white man. i just don't think his character was developed enough. several parts of his storyline felt unresolved or unanswered, like his feelings about his dad. did i understand ford's motives? sure. were his motives enough to absolve him? absolutely not.
i still enjoyed this book, for the most part. the writing was solid, and the adventure was fun.
the romance in this was... senseless and kinda awful??? trust me, i know romance is MY genre, but i could have done without the romance. the third act conflict was TOO big to be resolved in the five remaining chapters. ford did not do much, if any, groveling. he just didn't understand how hard it was to be a woman, especially a woman of color, in academia broadly and archaeology specifically, and that's my least favorite brand of white man. i just don't think his character was developed enough. several parts of his storyline felt unresolved or unanswered, like his feelings about his dad. did i understand ford's motives? sure. were his motives enough to absolve him? absolutely not.
i still enjoyed this book, for the most part. the writing was solid, and the adventure was fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Blood and Violence
wendahh324's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Sexism
kayleeshaine's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the idea of this book more than the book itself, especially the third act. Lots of “tell, don’t show” in those final chapters. If you’re looking for a similar vibe, I would read Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Sexism
ninebookishlives's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Cancer
laheath's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is actually a review for the audiobook. Unique concept of two previously competitive archeologists teaming up on an Aztec dig and rekindling a years-old flame. I definitely appreciated the strong female characters, especially the lead with a career in STEM. There was an added mystery about possible theft from the site, but the personal issues of the 2 lead characters did not draw me in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness, Body shaming, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
jackiepreston's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Cancer, Misogyny, Sexism, Body shaming, and Death of parent
ajalexanderreadsromance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Gun violence
mels_reading_log's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is an enemies to lovers set at an archeological dig in the rainforest of Mexico. And let me tell you it’s not just the weather that made this book hot and steamy. Dang, Ford and Corey are all kinds of sexy together. I also loved that this book had adventure and even mystery worked in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Minor: Terminal illness, Violence, Cancer, Bullying, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Grief
sarahyjackson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexism
Moderate: Cancer