Super cute and fun, easy to read romance. As someone who wanted to be an archaeologist growing up too, I love that we’re getting more archaeology romcoms!

Personally not for me. I tried to get into it and even gave it two different tries in case it was a mood thing, but I was not able to get past the first 15%. I know a lot of other readers will love this book though.

This was another book that I really wanted to love (I also had an archeology-loving phase and thought this would be a fun little romp to quench that childhood obsession a bit).

This is another example where I just find sapphic books to fall a little flat for me and I think that is so sad. Someone give me a spectacular sapphic romance novel already! It's what the world needs and deserves. Maybe it was because this couple was insta-lovey. And those fall so flat and disappoint me so much.

I found these main characters a bit boring and a bit cliché even with such a fun premise. Maybe it being more friends to lovers (if we're being specific and technical about it) also played a role in me not being as invested. I tend to not love friends to lovers because I don't like not seeing much relationship build up. The characters being friends before I even know them means that I don't get to see much of their bonding and shared experiences. Why are they friends? How did they become friends? I don't know, I didn't get to see any of it -- that kind of thing.

Don't get me wrong, this was a fast and campy read (and those certainly have their merit and place in the world), but I just wanted a bit more. Sorry for being a party-pooper.

And this cover is so cute! I love the style, it reminds me of the old Archie comics illustrations. And I love those.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

I wanted to LOVE this. Queer archeologists, one of them Cherokee, racing against an evil treasure hunter/private collector to find hidden Cherokee gold? The unearthed potential!! (Ha, archeology joke, ha...)

This started off fun, but then it slowlyyyy started to drag, and I saw that I was 50% through and the treasure rescue aspect had barely begun. Our two MCs Isi and Louise spent an entire night (chapters, and chapters, and chapters) talking about their history over and over and honestly being a little too horny for two people getting stalked through the forest by treasure hunters with guns. There was a lot of tell-not-show about their relationship. I think I would've preferred flashbacks instead of them relaying their past in conversations to each other.

The bad guys also barely showed up. Clarice Walker/her cronies were there for the initial abduction, some brief danger in the woods, and then GONE completely while Isi and Louise had their sex camping vaca until they showed up again at the very end. I think of National Treasure ("Someone else is after the treasure." "Of course someone else is after the treasure. It's the axiom of treasure hunting.") but that's barely true here. The villain was a tiny, miniscule, microscopic conflict for most of the book. Though I did kind of love the gold and Indiana Jones-ish ending when we eventually got there.

There were some fun and cute parts! Some sections did make me laugh out loud. But I wanted more of that and more action and adventure. I feel like you could easily skip half of this and not miss anything. So much of it was "do I kiss her no it'll destroy our friendship but i want to kiss her i should do it wait boobs no our friendship but kiss boobs sex." Everything else never really got off the ground. It was less Indiana Jones and more sapphic-sexual-fantasies-with-thin-plot. Not that there's anything wrong with that (I've read my fair share of those let me tell you), but it wasn't what I was expecting or hoping for with this novel

An absolutely adorable, nerdy sapphic love story. Features themes of grief, hidden love, and jealousy. One of the characters has secret feelings for her best friend- not just a crush, but head over heels in love. Anyone who's ever had secret feelings for a girl-friend can relate to this. Anyone who loves archeology or the Appalachian mountains will love the setting.

This is a cute, spicy lesbian novel. The concept is fun - two best friend archaeologists get kidnapped and then go on a wilderness journey involving snakes, spiders, guns, and sharing sleeping bags to try to find treasure. The best friends are in love with each other, but of course they don't want to risk their friendship. They risk their lives for each other and find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations which further solidifies that there is no one else they'd rather be there with. I thought the dialogue was cute, but found myself wishing there was just a little more tension. HOWEVER, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and it's not often lesbians get a fun book!

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for my review. This is my honest opinion I am giving voluntarily.
I have been a super fan of Colby since reading “if I stop haunting you” and just like I knew then I also knew within five chapters of this book, that it’s phenomenal. The way she sucks you into the story and makes me completely forget I’m sitting in bed and not climbing between two mountains to escape my kidnappers with my best friend I’m secretly in love with is what I love about Colby’s writing style. She also weaves in real life indigenous issues without you even realizing it and as an Oklahoma Seminole myself I couldn’t be more proud and truly thankful we have someone else speaking up for us.
If you want a sapphic romance Indiana jones style, pick up this book!
You won’t be disappointed

The second I saw this was available to read on NetGalley I RAN!! I devoured this book! We love a sapphic friends to lovers with pining on both sides!! SO MUCH PINING! This book was so funny and fast paced

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've been DYING for some more Indiana Jones / The Mummy inspired stories and I will always be looking for sapphic romcoms. Unfortunately the friends to lovers element in this one didn't really work for me because the characters are already in love at the beginning of the story; the fun of friends to lovers lies in the journey, the discovery, the denial. I also struggled to connect with the writing.

I love the archaeology element to this book and how it’s used in the romance part of the story. I was invested in what was happening to the characters and glad they were wonderfully written. The plot of the book had that charm that I wanted and was glad it was everything that I wanted. Colby Wilkens wrote a strong story and glad I got to read this.

I think this was a beautiful story take national treasure or Indiana jones but make it gay with two girls in love, also one of the girls was looking for what happened to her mother in the story so they went on a adventure with a treasure map, very cute.

I absolutely loved If I Stopped Haunting You and this one was pure queer perfection that made my bi heart so so happy.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Queer Indiana Jones sums this up almost entirely! The characters were amazing and the cover is just gorgeous!! This is a good read and makes you feel like you are right there with the characters!

Wilkens’ talent for creating rich, dynamic characters shines through, particularly in the way Isi grapples with her past and her feelings for Lou. Their journey, fraught with danger and discovery, is a thrilling backdrop for exploring love and vulnerability. The mix of archaeology and personal stakes creates a riveting narrative that feels fresh and engaging. This isn’t just a treasure hunt; it’s a poignant exploration of what it means to truly uncover the depths of your heart. A must-read for anyone who loves a compelling adventure with a side of heart.

Once I started reading, I could not put thr book down. Adventure part was endlessly entertaining while romance was so sweet. Colby Wilkens is breath of fresh air in romance world. All in all a real page turner!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun ride. Take national treasure but more romantic and throw our two love interests back together after a long time apart. These two ladies will discover far more than the mystery they're investigating, and love is at the top of the list!

Thanks Colby Wilkens and St. Martians Press for the eARC of this book. Couldn't really get into this book. It just wasn't my cup of tea. Sadly was a DNF for me.