Please note: I’m aware of the allegations against Colby and that If I Dig You has been pulled from publication. I am supplying this review per my agreement with NetGalley and the publisher to review this novel in exchange for the free copy, which I received prior to any allegations.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

If I Dig You is a sweet, fun archaeology adventure with a sizzling romance and entertaining plot.

I had a lot of fun with this one. The characters were well-developed and entertaining. I had hoped for a faster beginning, but once Isi and Lou started their adventure, the story picked up to a nice pace. Some of the romantic scenes felt out of place, but I enjoyed the sweet queer romance. I was also hoping for a little more danger, adventure, and lore throughout the story and would love to see more of the magical aspects of the story fleshed out. That being said, this is an entertaining and romantic treasure hunt that was both relaxing and exhilarating to read. It is a romance at its heart, and I enjoyed Isi and Lou’s story. Colby’s prose was also lovely.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!

I believe this book has been pulled from publication at this time. Therefore, this is as much of a review as I can give.

I think I’m kind of over the adventure, Indiana Jones-style of story that’s having its moment in romance. Isi and Louise are former best friends who both have harbored feelings and reunite in an odd Cherokee treasure hunt. There’s lots of adventure and steaminess, but I also found both their inner monologues really repetitive (so much “I love her, but we’re just friends!” on a loop). A cute story, but nothing terribly exciting or special.

I won’t be reading or reviewing this book - even if I was very excited to - because it’s been rightfully decided to pull it from publication after proof of the author falsely claiming indigenous heritage for years.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

this book's release was cancelled, and this author has allegedly been lying about their indigenous heritage. i will not be reading or providing a review for this title.

Wow, what did I just read?? What a whirlwind, but in the best way. If you are on the fence, get off of it and read this book!

Won't be leaving a review for this book as it has been pulled from publication due to controversy surrounding the author.

The stars of this book are Isadora /Isi Ross and Louise/Lou Morgenstern. They had met in college, in undergrad and became best friends. Isi's mother was famed Cherokee archaeologist Tamora Ross. She had done a lot for the Cherokee Nation searching for and returning artifacts. She knew that the Cherokee Nation had hidden a fortune in gold and her quest was to find it. But in her search, she disappeared. Isi spent 14 years searching for her.

Isi and Lou both became archaeologists In their own rights, and Isi decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and search for the gold. Lou agreed to join her. Isi had found her mother's journal and inside the journal was a map to the gold.

Isi and Lou have been in love with each other for as long as they'd known each other but had failed to share their feelings for fear it would ruin their friendship. But while on their gold seeking adventure, they confessed their love.

Before Isi and Lou left on their adventure, Lou had a presentation at the university where they worked that Isi was supposed to attend, but she didn't. It turns out, she went to her mother's cabin in search of clues and that's when she found the journal. At any rate, after Lou's presentation, a woman by the name of Clarice Walker introduced herself to her and told her she was looking for Dr. Isadora Ross. Lou told her to check the university roster. After that, Lou left and went in search of Isi. She found her at her mother's cabin and Isi showed her the journal and the map. It turns out, Clarice and three other people showed up at the cabin as well, and they had guns. Isi decided to set the journal and the cabin on fire. They snuck out the back and escaped.

So they headed for the mountains in their search. Isi took the map and folded it up and put it in Lou's bra. While on their expedition, they were attacked and captured by Clarice and her clan. Clarice told Isi that she wanted the map and Isi told her she didn't know what she was talking about. While Clarissa's group weren't looking, Isi took her shoelace and used it to break the zip tie around her wrist, and she and Lou escaped. They stole one of their backpacks and fled. So they continued on their trek. They were able to follow the map but when they found the gold, Clarice caught up with them and captured them once again. And once again, they were able to escape. But not before Clarice discovered the gold. There was something magical about the gold. No one could touch it without being burned and eventually killed except a member of the Cherokee Nation.

This story was an adventure with tons of twists and turns. I thought Colby Wilkins did an amazing job in the telling of this saga. And her characters were well developed. I think she's a fine author and I would love to read more of her work. I gave this book five stars.

I enjoyed this book. I liked that this book included romance, some spice and of course, treasure. It takes place in the Appalachian mountains, which I thought was really interesting. This is a friends to lovers trope and it was done really well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance. It was refreshing and fun; I can see the relation to Indiana Jones in a queer way. Super fun for Halloween time when you want a Scooby Doo spooky, not terrified and bloody.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for the ARC 💜

Did not finish the book - could not get past around 30%. It was a slog to read. In my opinion romance with adventure can be hard to pull off while staying interesting and grounded. This book was not up to the task.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy, but since this book has been pulled from publication, I won't be leaving a review.

Won’t give feedback given the issues surrounding the release and the fact that it has been postponed indefinitely

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the e-arc. I will not be providing feedback at this time as the book has been pulled from publication indefinitely due to the author’s misconduct.

I will not provide an official review since the book has been indefinitely pulled from publication due to the authors misconduct.

Sapphic friends to strangers to eventual lovers, native archaeology, and angst await in the pages of If I Dig You, from the author of the incredible If I Stopped Haunting You. Once again, Colby Wilkens delivers a story that grips you until the end, filled with joy, angst, spice and a window into what it means to be native in this world we live in now. This book cements the place that Colby Wilkens has created in my library as a writer I will always engage with, and I hope that everyone gives this book a try. As an archaeologist myself, I felt that Colby represented archaeology fairly and clearly.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the e-arc. I will not be providing feedback at this time as the book has been pulled from publication indefinitely due to the author’s misconduct.

If I Dig You by Colby Wilkens is the perfect blend of adventure and romance with a healthy dose of "will they won't they" and I enjoyed every second of it. The banter between the characters felt so genuine, making the book even more enjoyable. From the first page, you are sucked into Isi and Louise's world and you won't want to stop reading, I absolutely love the idea of a hidden treasure and risking their lives to find it and the truth about the disappearance of Isi's mother. Overall, I would recommend If I Dig You to any reader who loves friends to lovers, action-packed, and hilarious banter in their reading.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc. It was a highly anticipated read, however I have decided it is not for me at present.

I'll be honest I did not read this book or rate it on Goodreads because I have heard about the controversial things that this author has done and I cannot support that type of behavior.