This review is hard for me. I'm not sure what I would rate it. I keep going back and forth in my decision. I think the book was good. At times it seemed to be a bit too long. At times I was hooked. At times I really liked Ford. As someone who just lost their mom to a terminal illness I get why he did what he did. But at the same time he made me mad.

This was fine. The premise is fabulous, and many readers I adore loved it. The writing style and dynamic between the two main characters just wasn't for me. I've got to fall in love with at least one of them in order to want to follow their love story, and these two didn't click with me.

Oh how I loved this sexy and fun adventure story guaranteed to bring the HEA! Featuring women in STEM and a fast paced enemies to lovers storyline with a gorgeous and strong heroine looking to find lost treasure.

I loved pairing it with the audiobook format too, and loved the narration so much. I even found myself wanting to listen to the story again and again over picking up the book, and would love to listen to more by the narrator.

*many thanks to Berkley Romance, PRH audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

An adventurous and sizzling romance you won't want to miss out on!

I LOVED this book. Segura writes a laugh-out-loud and moving enemies to lovers romance featuring two archeologist and their mission to find an Aztec warrior's last wherabouts. The witty banter was A+ The tension was 1000% and the FINALLY moment was worth the wait.

I cannot remember the last time I've been so emotionally invested in characters as much as I was with with Corrie x Ford. The ending had me GASPING and not able to breathe (thanks Jo for that!).

There's a follow up sequel with a new cast of characters that I cannot wait to read!

This was really cute. I just wish that their romance was a little more believable. I feel like it was lacking something.
First archeologist romance, probably won't be my last.
The last 2 chapters had me really scared for a minute there. Good job for that Jo Segura.

I loved this book and will definitely be reading more like this one and more from Jo Segura. I didn't see the twist coming and was definitely intrigued and hooked the entire book.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review which has not altered my opinion, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

When it comes to adventure romance, there is often a comparison to Lara Croft or to Indiana Jones, hardly ever is there a comparison to both in the same book. *Raiders of the Lost Heart* is an enjoyable adventure between two former friends whose relationship has gone sour thanks to career goals and misunderstandings. When Corrie and Ford are forced back together to work on a dig that would change both of their careers, tempers flare and sparks fly, but trust is nowhere to be seen.

This book presents a satisfying narrative that draws you in and provides a story that is satisfying and intriguing. The comparison to Indiana Jones and Lara Croft is hinted at but not actually shown until almost the end of the book, which was a bit disappointing. However, the attention to details in archaeology and the academic did make the story more believable. It would have been beneficial to have more information provided concerning the side characters so they were also able to feel like fleshed out people rather than just paper figures in the background.

Overall, a satisfying book with fun characters and a good debut. I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us! 3.75 out of 5.

Raiders of the Lost Heart is a fun rom-com that is filled with adventure. I love all the books with women in cool careers that are coming out, no more type cast bakers or secretaries! I look forward to reading more from Jo Segura in the future!

THank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! While I did find parts of it a little predictable, it was such a fun read and I couldn't put it down. So excited to see the series will continue. I can't wait to read more from Jo Segura!

Loved how it called back to classic romance and adventure films like Romancing the Stone, The Mummy, and Indiana Jones. Escapist and so fun!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This was simply fine. I loved the cover more than almost any other I've seen, but mostly I spent a lot of time hating the MMC. He, frankly, sucks, and doesn't deserve a beautiful, smart, brave woman in his life.

Very cute and fast read. Reminded me of "The Lost City" with sandra bullock and Channing Tatum. Love every bit of the story !

I thought that this book would be a cute, maybe a little spicy archeological romance, but I was really disappointed. The action/adventure really doesn't happen until the last 10 percent of the book or so. And for the most part the heroine wanted us to believe she was a total baddie but then is relegated to the damsel in distress at the end? Come on. I didn't like any of the characters and thought they acted much younger than the 30 somethings they were supposed to be. I thought it would be more like the mummy or Indiana Jones (as it was marketed to be), but it was not. I was really disappointed.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is the second book I’ve read with an Ali Hazelwood cover endorsement that has absolutely bombed. So AH, while I love YOUR books, I’m beginning to look at that literary benediction as a kiss of death instead. You can’t be trusted.

A great beginning and overall idea that’s completely let down in character execution. What could have been a kick-ass, interesting, and strong leading lady, archeologist Dr. Corrie Mejia, instead devolves into a lust-addled twit, more interested in her attraction than in the passion of her professional and life’s work.

All the “horny” descriptions of itching and burning, I’m not sure that’s lust. I think she needs to see a doctor. And what was the author’s obsession with breasts? Seriously, I word searched the e-book and the number of times and attention paid to boobs (not in actual sex setting) was chapter by chapter and so weird. Worse than a horrible male thriller writer with tits being thrust all over the place. Even weirder because the author paints the lead as angry that so much attention is given to her looks and not her professional acumen and capability. Weirder still that Corrie is upset when Ford isn’t ogling her breasts like everyone else that she was “not-so-subtlety displaying in her low cut tank”. Baffling bad choices.

Speaking of Ford. He’s an undermining, entitled, conniving dick, regardless of his motivations. Not on board at all. I only kept reading because I started to find the whole thing funny. The bad ‘80s porno-like setups what with the black lingerie and robes brought on a work camping trip in the jungle. Dirty talk and loud moaning that somehow isn’t overheard in a tent village.

Anyway, it’s barely a 2 Star rating. Great plot idea but the choices were just ridiculous.

This was the perfect blend of adventure and romance. It reminded me of a combination of "Raiders of the Lost Arc" and that wonderful 1980s movie "Romancing the Stone". Such an adventure!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC ebook. I enjoyed the characters and story. I, too, loved Indiana Jones and others in movies as the author mentions in her note. As with both the movies and this book, you suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. This allowed for a fun romp in the jungle.

***3.5 Stars***

Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones and embark on a dig set in the Mexican jungle...but make it hot?!? 🤗 there was no passing this up, even more so when the female main character is a Mexican archeologist with a penchant for adventure. Dr. Soccorro "Corrie" Mejia has devoted her academic career to becoming world renowned expert on the ancient warrior of the Aztec Empire Chimalli. She's invited to an all expenses paid dig to search for Chimali's long lost remains, the warrior she believes is one of her ancestors. When she learns that the lead archeologist is none other than her academic rival Dr. Ford Matthews, Corrie is put in the position of having to rise above or miss out. Corrie is a woman of color working in a male dominated field, her work should garner her the respect she deserves. Instead Corrie is objectified by her peers which leads her to believe this is the reason why she was overlooked to lead this dig. The point of contention throughout this expedition is the fact that Dr. Ford a white cishet male with knowledge of Chimali (but not quite as much as Corrie) was offered THE once in a lifetime opportunity she has worked so hard for. 

The plot thickens when we find out Corrie and Ford have actually already hooked up years before becoming the successful archeologists they are now. She can't deny her attraction to ford or the awkwardness that comes with having to work in close proximity to him. Neither can Ford but he also has his eye on the prize, the hefty pay-out from their investor that will help with a personal situation he's dealing with. One that is weighing heavy on his heart and mind and that is also leading to questionable/ethical decisions. What didn't work for me? the ick feeling Ford's actions left on me made it hard to ship this duo even though I really wanted to. Certain things he did made it hard to think he even deserved a woman like Corrie who already has the odds stacked against her in their shared field. I'm not saying he was totally irredeemable, I just wish the core of this story wasn't based on a less than favorable move he made.

What I loved? National Treasure is one of my all time favorite adventure movies and this book does read like one with high stakes. I loved their archeological discoveries and theories of Chimali. Throwing in the artifact smuggler angle heightened the danger you'd typically get while watching Lara Croft/Indiana Jones in action. Lastly, I'd be quicker to call this friends to lovers than hate to love. I'm always going to prefer friends to lovers, the history between Corrie and Ford is a part of this story giving the reader a sense of picking up right where they left off. The steamy scenes were giving me LIFE! while also raising a brow at how well Ford's more intimate chapters were written ☺️ I'm all for this becoming a romance/adventure series, the intrigue and spice alone would keep me flipping pages!

Archaeologist Dr. Socorro "Corrie" Mejía and her nemesis, Dr. Ford Matthews, are set to lead a secret Aztec expedition to find the remains of her ancestor, Chimalli.

It was Corrie's life goal to be on this expedition; however, when she is invited to join an all-expenses-paid dig, she thinks it is too good to be true.

Dr. Matthews, her nemesis, has been finding new ways to best her. As the dig begins, they must work together to keep their discoveries and attractions hidden. With money-hungry artifact smugglers, Mexican authorities, and lies between them, there's only one way this all ends explosively.

Oh my god! These two! It was like bombs exploding every time they were near each other. The sexual tension, chemistry, and banter were lit. They are competitors and have a history, but they are also hot for each other, and, as you say, they probably want to hate-f***.

With all these, the secrets, lies, and past also lead to downfall. The writing was great, and when I read the last chapter, I thought the worst. You will know what I am saying when you read this. It was like a bittersweet ending that made me not want to read ahead but, at the same time, hope for something different.

This book was adventurous, fun, entertaining, and action-packed. I enjoyed reading every bit of it and recommend it to all rom-com and archeology lovers.

I started this one on a whim the last week of December when I had finally reached my breaking point on holiday romances. This was such a fun change of pace! The adventure, Mexican jungle setting, and archaeological aspect were such a fun take on the typical romcom. Corrie was such a badass, smart, funny FMC. I had a love hate relationship with Ford. There was a lot of deception but he had good intentions and I really enjoyed watching their enemies to lovers relationship develop. Have you read this one??