This rom-com mixed with archaeology was very entertaining, I enjoyed this book and hope to see it turned into a series.

Thank you NetGalley Berkley Romance and the #joyfulchaos group for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Thank you #joyfulchaos for putting thua book on my radar i think i need to try the audio when available and see if listening to it changes my review. Sometimes when i force reading and not pick up when I'm in the mood it doesn't hit the same.

3.5/5

Although it's billed as an adventure romance, Raiders of the Lost Heart is really just a contemporary between two archeologists, on a dig in the jungles of Mexico. It does some good work highlighting sexism and nepotism in male dominated fields and presents an FMC who's all about her sexuality and sex positivity. But at the same time, the FMC is still hung up on a kiss that didn't happen eight years ago -- huh?

The Latinx rep and the FMC's possible Aztec ancestry add an interesting element to the story, but it doesn't change the fact that this is still about "The Investor" hiring archeologists to secure artifacts to sell on the gray market. The FMC is doing it for personal/professional reasons, but it still makes you scratch your head that she'd let herself be complicit in that kind of scheme without checking it out first. Especially in a story set in current day.

Ultimately, for me, it's just too light on adventure. The second half of the book is where the story really starts to get going. You just have to make it through the first half to get there.

CW: Parent currently battling cancer, deceased parent with breast cancer; sexism, nepotism, blackmail,

I received an ARC on Netgalley for honest opinion.
Pretty good overall, bit boring in the middle, but it picked back up when it got back to the archeology. I love the story idea and all of the characters, especially the cook! LOL! Great place description and action. Is this going to be a series?

In this enemies to lovers steamy romance, Raiders of the Lost Heart follows archeologists Corrie and Ford as they traverse the Mexican jungle searching for the grave of Chimalli. I absolutely loved the Indiana Jones vibes and thought this book was such an original idea and was full of adventure. The history aspect of the Aztecs was super interesting and I appreciated the author's note at the end explaining what was true and where she took liberties with history. I appreciated Corrie being strong-willed and not taking no for an answer, especially as a woman in her field. She also was incredibly supportive of Ford and his emotional struggles. I enjoyed their bickering at the beginning of the book. While I really loved Corrie's no nonsense nature, Ford rubbed me the wrong way at times. His internal struggle of goodness felt whiny at times and as the story progressed, the forced sexual tension and conversations between the pair seemed over the top and odd. Overall, this was a fun book with originality and adventure.

Raiders of the Lost Heart is a fun romp through the jungles of Mexico following two grad school rivals with amazing chemistry! I loved following Corrie and Ford as they worked together to find the ancient Aztec relics. The adventure plot kept me engaged the entire book, and the romance between Corrie and Ford had me grinning so hard. I could totally see this book becoming a rom-com adventure. In addition, the added themes of grief and parental relationships created a unique layer to this story that I enjoyed. This was a great debut from Jo Segura, and I'm very excited to read her future works!

I enjoyed this book. The characters were well thought out and the plot was paced in a way that made sense. I would recommend this book to others and would enjoy reading other novels by this author.

Super fun, sexy, Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones romance featuring the Mexican jungle, witty banter, and archeological discoveries. This book was so fun to read and to watch Corrie and Ford fall in love over their fierce, angry banter and rivalry. Highly recommend.

This was hard for me to review. I wanted to love this, I truly did! When I was invited to read this, I had clicked on the download button immediately. As an Indiana Jones fan (and former anthropology major), I admit my expectations might have been too high. I was expecting a grand adventure mixed with lots of action and some romance. However, this focused so much more on the romance that it barely had any action/adventure. At first, I thought it had started off strongly. I was intrigued by the mysterious proposition and the “enemy-to-lovers” trope. However, the pacing was hard to get into. The dialogue was sometimes awkward. The book began to slow down and drag, focusing on the romance which wasn’t that great. I didn’t particularly care for Corrie and Ford. I didn't think Corrie wasn’t a very likable character. Also, I know we were supposed to feel sympathetic towards him but I thought Ford was an immature jerk for most of the book. The pace picks up towards the end. We finally have the action and adventure that was promised. Although I do like the ending, I was very happy to finally finish the book. This just wasn't my cup of tea. However, as a librarian, I know many patrons who would love this book. I would definitely consider getting it for my library.

If you're a fan of THE LOST CITY starring Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock...please do yourself a favor and read Jo Segura's RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART! What a great romance full of adventure!

So I enjoyed this one, but it was also different than I was anticipating. To be fair, I was expecting more of an adventure romance than this book ultimately was. Based on the 'about the book,' it makes it seem like this book will be an adventure romance akin to Something Wilder by Christina Lauren or the movie The Lost City. And yes, there was adventure and action to it, but not until like the last few chapters.

This was basically a romance set in the Mexican jungle about two rival archeologists who almost kissed once in graduate school and are now somewhat unexpectedly having to work together. I was really looking forward to dangerous escapades, bad guys stealing stuff, and the two MCs having to protect the artifacts all while fighting their feelings for each other.

And yea, we got some of that, but not nearly at the levels that I was hoping for based on the book's description. I think if you go into just expecting a regular romance that just happens to be set in a jungle and the MCs jobs happen to be archeologists, I think you'll probably enjoy it more than I did.

The ending was far too rushed for me, with all the action packed into the last couple of chapters. It all ended up having a tone that was much too cliché for me, sadly, especially the speeches by the characters.

I do think for the majority of the book it was fun. And I appreciated how it touched on the double standards held against women vs men, particularly in the field of science and archeology.

I'm definitely interested in seeing what the author does next and will be reading more from her.

This book was pure fun!! I loved every minute of it. Very fresh and unique in the romance genre. I can't wait for more from this author!

This was a DNF for me... the characters fell flat for me and I was just not at all engaged in this. I had high hopes with a female Indiana Jones but the characters just never pulled me in and I'm at the 25% mark.

thank you for the chance to read early.

Raiders of the Lost Heart is a super fun romp with hints of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft - it's equal parts adventure and romance and made me want to go on an adventure! Corrie is a badass archeologist with a complicated reputation. When she gets the opportunity of a lifetime to go on a dig in Mexico. Unbeknownst to her, the lead of the dig is her former academic rival Dr. Ford Matthews. Corrie and Ford immediately continue antagonizing each other. Ford is under immense stress as he needs the money from this dig in order to pay for his mom's medical treatments. Corrie and Ford eventually give in to their intense attraction for each other but also find themselves dealing with a thief in camp.

Read this for:
- Mexican jungle setting
- Only one tent
- Former Academic Rivals/Antagonists to Lovers
- Latinx rep
- Banter for days
- Sexual tension

If you're willing to suspend your disbelief for a bit, this is a really fun read! The setting is incredible and lush, the characters are easy to root for, and the adventure is interesting and captivating. I think this was a pretty unique romance and I can't wait to see more from this author! I love banter and tension so I really loved all the antagonism between Corrie and Ford - there's some pretty delicious tension! I'm also so glad this was dual POV.

This maybe doesn't go quite into the emotional depth that I was looking for - in particular there was a little bit more telling than showing in regards to the relationship between Corrie and Ford. I really needed a couple of extra scenes between the two of them to understand their relationship and the speed at which they love each other. The piece about Ford's mom and her medical issues wasn't particularly accurate (you don't get cancer treatment in rehab) but I can overlook that.

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow! What a fun debut by Jo Segura! This book was such a JOY to read! It was the perfect escape- defintely need to suspend your belief for this one + that’s okay! It’s fast paced with so much action + adventure. AND THE ROMANCE. The enemies to lovers, forced proximity (only one tent),banter and the steam! When I was reading, I saw it playing out like a rom com movie in my head. I enjoyed the historical and practical elements of the archeological dig setting.

Thanks Berkley and Netgalley for my copy!

An archeological enemies to lovers story with great twists and turns. It reminds me of my love for The Mummy and Raiders of the Lost Ark and those kind of action/adventure romcoms. It is fast paced, believable and has well realized main characters. You’ll love it!

"Raiders of the Lost Heart" is a super fun romp catapulting readers into a captivating adventure romance that takes us on a wild ride through the world of archaeology, ancient mysteries, and a love that defies all odds. With its twist-and-turns plot, engaging characters, and the irresistible enemies-to-lovers trope, this novel delivers a sizzling and complicated romance. If you love Lara Croft, and the fun world of Indiana Jones, with a dash of Romancing the Stone in there, you're going to love this book!

The story revolves around Dr. Socorro “Corrie” Mejía, a brilliant and independent archaeologist with a passion for unearthing the past. She is determined to uncover the secrets of her ancestry by finding the elusive remains of her ancestor, Chimalli (an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire). Standing in her way is the not-so-adventurous, untrustworthy, and in-every-way infuriating archaeologist, Dr. Ford Matthews. Their rivalry is fueled by years of competition, differences in approach and a betrayal, making their interactions crackle with tension.

Author, Jo Segura, builds the chemistry between Corrie and Ford, as Corrie moves from hating everything about Ford, to seeing Ford for the complex dude he is and we get drawn into their sizzling dynamic. The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my faves -- their banter and clashes evolve into something much deeper and more passionate.

The backdrop of archaeological expeditions adds an exciting layer to the narrative. The author's vivid descriptions transport readers to exotic locales, ancient ruins, and hidden chambers filled with tantalizing secrets. The quest for Chimalli, is not just a treasure hunt; it's a thrilling adventure that keeps you turning pages.

Corrie, our main character, is a total badass -- she's smart, strong, resilient, caring and noble. Corrie's determination and intelligence that has been constantly minimized make her a relatable heroine, while Ford's undeniably handsome-on-the-outside allure and hidden depths on the inside make him grow on you.

"Raiders of the Lost Heart" is not just a romance; it's a tale of self-discovery, redemption, and the enduring power of love. It's a book that reminds us that sometimes, the greatest treasures we seek are not made of gold but of the hearts we open and the bonds we forge. This adventure romance is an absolute must-read for anyone who craves excitement, passion, and a love story that will give you all the warm fuzzies.

Thanks @netgalley for providing me an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Indiana Jones meets Ali Hazelwood in the adventurous Raiders of the Lost Heart!

Who knew that the one-tent trope could be so fun? Corrie Mejia and Ford Matthews’ adventures begin deep in the Mexican jungle, searching to unearth the remains of an ancient legend. Next they know, they’re dealing with their rivals-to-lovers relationship, sifting through the years of history between them— and friends; it is SO FUN.

Corrie doesn’t do relationships. Being in a couple isn’t conducive to her professor slash adventurer lifestyle. Enter Ford, her arch nemesis, who leads the dig she has built her entire career on. As “Badass Mejia and Weak Sauce Matthews” search deep into the jungle, things become increasingly muddled as their deep-seated rivalry washes away, and all that’s left is the years of pent-up passion that sizzles between them.

This book is hot! Corrie takes the lead, while Ford willingly follows, and we love him all the more for it. You will swept away in Corrie and Ford’s story and the search for the Aztec legends. Jo Segura blows open the genre with a new type of academic adventure, and she leaves us begging for more— this is one you won’t want to miss!

DNF @ 34%

I really don’t like the characters, and I feel like the dialogue is really corny and doesn’t flow nicely. I’m super disappointed, because this was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I love adventure, romance, and I love the cover. The synopsis sounded great, and like something I would gobble right up. The execution is just not great, though, and I should be invested in this book at this point. It’s way too cheesy.

A fantastic balance of sexual tension, humor, and adventure!

The characters are well-layered to the point where you can feel them getting under each other's skin as if you were the one experiencing their banter fist-hand!

The pacing was fantastic, character development was satisfying, and the romance was frustratingly engaging.

Great for romance readers who want some adventure and edge with a badass heroine!