**Many thanks to Berkley and Kerry Rea for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**

Like Rose Dewitt-Bukater was dubbed by handsome Jack Dawson in the Titanic film, Emily Edwards is also definitely what you'd call an 'indoor girl.' Never one to venture forth in the name of adventure, her idea of camping probably more closely resembles glamping...meaning she is diametrically opposed from her sky's-the-limit-father. Tragically, though, Emily's father has passed away...and his dreams of completing a very ambitious bucket list have been dashed as well. But Emily has an idea of how she can continue her father's goal to visit every national park: she can spread his ashes at one of the national parks he HADN'T made it to: Isle Royale Park in Michigan.

But Emily's lack of nature know-how and her general intelligence (she works as a physician) tell her that she needs a tour guide to be able to lead the way and keep her safe from the dangerous wildlife that COULD be lurking. When she starts to desperately search for a guide, though, it seems that they are all booked...save for one agency, Fleet Outdoor Adventures. And luckily for Emily (or so she thinks) Ryder Fleet, owner, is set to meet her at the dock and provide all the guidance she could ever need. What she doesn't know, however, is that Ryder's brother Caleb was the TRUE tour guru...and ever since his untimely passing, Fleet Outdoor Adventures has been pretty quiet...and certainly hasn't had any tour requests. As a marketing whiz, Ryder is much better at taking a pretty PICTURE of an outdoor adventure than actually living it.

Too embarrassed to admit the truth, Ryder's pride and desperation to do his brother's legacy proud inspires him to keep this fact to himself and attempt to lead the way for Emily. What neither of them could have predicted, however, was that a precious and rare jewel is said to be somewhere in the park...and there are a couple of their fellow travelers who would do JUST ABOUT ANYTHING to get their paws on it...even commit murder. After witnessing a horrifying crime, Ryder and Emily are forced to TRULY band together to outsmart their common enemy. But as the danger increases and the perps become even more desperate, the connection between Ryder and Emily is deepening too...and might resemble something powerful and REAL. Will this unlikely duo be able to reign as King and Queen of the Isle and keep the jewel out of greedy hands? Or will the fact that they've seen (and that they know) far too much make them the killer's NEXT targets..and leave them trapped in the park...for good?

From this book's sugary, cartoon-y cover, it should be FAIRLY clear what you're getting, and after completing this book, it IS essentially what I thought it was going to be...minus one very important thing.

ALL. OF. THE. LAUGHS.

As much as I wanted to dig in and chuckle at the campy nature (pardon the pun) of the premise and the general mishaps of two very inexperienced adventurers, I had a hard time really finding any of the predicaments COMICAL. While our two main characters felt fairly grounded in reality, the villain might as well have been twirling a swirling black mustache: he was just THAT cliche. I don't necessarily mind this in general, because it could have been a lot of fun. But I think what felt most 'off' to me about this one was just the balance of four important elements: grief, romance, comedy, and the adventure/mystery aspect of the book. The author couldn't quite decide which tone would be the overarching one, and therefore sort of 'lost me in the forest' along the way.

Let's start with the romance: this is VERY much an insta-love kind of story. From the first time Ryder encounters Emily on the dock he is BASICALLY in love with her already because she's so dreamy. Again, that's all well and good...but I don't think this sort of connection was really necessary. With so much going on just in terms of plot, a slow build would have been PERFECT here! I know both characters found each other devastatingly attractive but still: less is often more. While not overly spicy, it was still more than I felt I personally needed after meeting these characters and also just felt a bit jarring in contrast to what truly bonded these two in the first place...

GRIEF. This is really a book about characters battling their own experiences of grief, and not only was it difficult to dig into and unpack these ideas in such a short period of time; tonally, it gave me whiplash. While this certainly COULD be a bonding force in a budding relationship, it was very clear that both of our MCs probably needed more time to work on themselves before they dove headfirst into a relationship. I both liked all of the background we got on Emily's father and Ryder's brother and simultaneously felt like it was just TOO much with the zany adventure plot line going on. I think I would have felt more at home with some of this behavior if these two met at a grief support group: it just didn't feel at home in the throes of the jungle.

And then of course, the main theme (?) of the book itself: the Jewel of the Isle. As much as the plot was borderline goofy at times, it WAS somewhat thrilling...but like many adventure movies, by the last third, I was basically counting the minutes until it was over. The twists and turns are enough to keep you invested, but never enough to read as insanely clever or unexpected in any way (okay, so this was probably my overly picky thriller loving side coming out...I can't turn it off entirely!). As with romances in general, it's perfectly serviceable to have this sort of predictability...but the flip side of this predictability is that nothing about this ending was particularly memorable. (But hey, I can't remember the end of the Indiana Jones films either...everything after the big ball rolls down the mountain is a LITTLE blurry!)

For those looking for a silly, slightly spicy, sweet, sad, and perfectly sufficient adventurous rom-com, the Jewel of the Isle just might be your diamond in the rough.

But as for me, 'Isle' be dreaming of visiting a REAL one instead.

3.5 stars

We follow Both Emily and Ryder as they are dealing with their own losses,
The setting of Isle Royale National Park is vividly described, you feel like your in the beauty and danger of the wilderness. The plot is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
The inclusion of a psychotic archaeologist and a legendary jewel adds an intriguing element of mystery to the story.
“The Jewel of the Isle” is a perfect read for those who enjoy a mix of romance, adventure, and suspense.

I initially added this to my TBR because of the cover and I am so happy I did. November has been a draining month, and it was exactly what I needed. Joy in book form, a shot of serotonin. It reminded me so much of the feelings I get from an India Holton book. Silly, bizarre but also so tender and heavy themes are woven throughout.

The book takes place at Isle Royale National Park, which is a real place if you haven’t heard of it before (like me)! Isle Royale is an island of the Great Lakes located in the northwest of Lake Superior and part of the U.S. state of Michigan; so remote that it can only be reached by ferry or seaplane.

Readers follow ER physician, Emily Edwards, as she hesitantly and nervously travels to the remote island to complete her late father’s bucket list. After being dumped right before her trip, she is forced to hire a tour guide to accompany her as she has limited outdoor experience. Enter Ryder Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures; the catch, he has no outdoor experience. Thus begins their adventure! Can these 2 opposites survive the wilderness and find themselves again in the process?

I really enjoyed this one. It reminded me of a modern-day India Holton novel but with Kerry’s unique voice. This was my first book by Kerry Rea, but I can’t wait to read more. She does an amazing job balancing grief with lighter moments. Emily and Ryder are opposites, and it was interesting to see how grief impacted them differently. Emily strengthens her Type A tendencies, leaning even more on her routines to cope with the sudden loss of her dad. Conversely, Ryder feels lost without his brother Caleb causing him to have trouble committing and making plans.

The romance in this was so sweet. They start off on the wrong foot, but quickly begin to lean on each other through their time in the woods. There are wolves, evil archaeologists and love notes; lots of adventure and hijinks. There is cuddling in small places and learning about each other on long hikes and placing trust in one another with a trust fall. So many beautiful moments built into this most tender romance between the two.

Favorite quotes:
“You are brave, I don’t know how long you’ve been telling yourself that you’re not, but it’s long past time to stop.”
“You were in danger, Emily. There was only one choice to make.”
“I’m starting to realize that I might never stop grieving, but that doesn’t mean I have to stop living.”

Read if you like:
-Adventure rom-coms
-Opposites attract
-Forced proximity

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for an e-ARC of this title; all thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the advance reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

This has a bonkers plot in all the best ways. The plot seemed rich and nuanced enough with just the set up of two people dealing with grief thrown together on a remote island for a week. And then add in a murder and a treasure hunt.

Seriously, how did this grief-focused book become hilarious and help me process my own? I loved the tone and the balance of humor and more serious aspects. It's fast paced and yet in a way I found believable for the character and romance development.

The audiobook featured incredible narration by Andrew Eiden (a favorite of mine) and Emily Lawrence. It flew by incredibly quickly at just under 9 hours, and I want to listen again.

This book is described as “Two very indoor people rough it on a remote island after getting swept up in an archaeologist’s hunt for a famed jewel” and truly that is the perfect synopsis.
I am a huge fan of Kerry Rea’s writing and this book solidified that. It was the perfect blend of romance, mystery, and adventure. This story was truly bananas and I was invested in every word. Emily and Ryder were the most unlikely couple, but they way they helped each other through their grief and through the chaos of their trip was so sweet. I loved them together and I loved the chaos of this book.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy.

I love Kerry Rea and I don't care who knows it! She writes the best romances, and I am here for every page. This book was everything I hoped for in a romance.

Thank you @berkleyromance #berkleybesties for the digital ARC and @PRHAudio for the audiobook.
The Jewel of the Isle is a funny romcom full of crazy adventures. It’s a modern day story, but it gave me big “The Mummy” vibes IF Brendan Fraser’s character knew nothing about the outdoors. That probably doesn’t make any sense, but it just reminded me of his humor and of course, the romance. It also kind of has Jumanji vibes because things just keep going wrong for them. The story made me laugh and as long as you go in knowing they’re going to be in some ridiculous situations, it’s a fun read.

The Jewel of the Isle is a fun adventure romance that follows two people definitely not meant for the wild trying to survive a dangerous race to buried treasure. I thought the mix of action and emotion with the humor of neither being equipped was well done. The main characters are likeable enough and the blunders as they try to make it through make them a bit more endearing. Of course with any comedic aspects of adventure, some of the character choices are QUESTIONABLE but it was enjoyable all the same.

After I read a book by an author that I didn’t love, I usually don’t pick them up again. But this time I had to give her another shot. The very first book she wrote was a 5 star for me so I decided to give her another chance. And y’all, I hate saying this cliche, but I’m so glad I did!

So the reason I loved this one so much was because it had both romance and a mystery. And on top of that, it was also so funny! Rea can really write comedic relief. I know I should NOT have laughed at the cave scene, but Lordt they had no idea what they were doing. But Rea had me hooked in this book, from the laughing to the learning about the outdoors. It really was so much fun! Definitely not something I thought I was going to like as I don’t like the great outdoors like the FMC lol But I actually really, really did.

So the plot was a little crazy. It starts out as all about the romance. But when the mystery starts, it comes out swinging. As y’all know I don’t ever read the synopsis, so I had no idea what this was about. I really thought they were like archeologist lol But no, it was an outdoor jewel heist. So yeah, it was different than what I usually read lol

I do wish she had went more in depth into their feelings. Like the grief was a big part of their lives. I thought it deserved to be more front and center. And don’t say they didn’t have time while running for their lives, because I mean they found time to do the horizontal tango while outdoors, so I think they could have had this talk lol I’m just saying.

The characters were my favorite tho. Ryder was hilarious. Their meet cute? I choke laughed lol I see things happening as I read and it’s so much easier to do so when listening to an audio, so when I saw this happening in my head it was like watching it in real time. And I thought it was hilarious that Emily was so weird about everything lol She wanted everything down to an exact science, but as a doctor she didn’t know they weren’t going to get everything right? Like girl bffr lol But they got out of the weirdest situations all because she was really weird and packed her whole life lol

This was not something I was expecting to ever read. I don’t know that I would have picked it up if it hadn’t been by an author I’ve previously read. That’s one thing I can say about Rea. She really writes the most random things. From weddings to gorillas to now hiking in national parks set on an island lol It was alll so much fun and I loved it. I hope all her next books are like this!

The Jewel of the Isle is an adventure rom-com featuring two very indoor people trying to survive in the wilderness after getting swept up in an archaeologist’s hunt for a jewel and witnessing a murder. It was so much fun and left me wanting to watch Romancing the Stone again!

This book was hilarious and full of adventure with an opposites attract, forced proximity romance.
I loved both main characters. They may be polar opposites, Emily is an ER doctor and Ryder is an “ambassador of adventure” who’s…not exactly qualified for the job, but they complement each other SO WELL. They were adorable together. The banter and tension between them was perfect.

Ryder is the definition of a golden retriever hero. I adored him. He may not be well versed in wilderness survival but he doesn’t hesitate to protect Emily when necessary.
Emily is very type A and relatable. I admired her strength and determination to step WAY out to her comfort zone and finish her dad’s bucket list.
I also loved her obsession with murder documentaries and the references she made during their adventure in the wilderness.

A majority of the book takes place over 5 days but I didn’t mind the insta-love aspect here as they grew close due to their experiences with grief AND the danger they faced.

I definitely recommend picking this up if you’re in the mood for an adventure romance. There’s murder, a jewel thief, henchmen, an angry moose and so much more!

I would like to extend my gratitude to Netgalley for granting me the chance to read this book as an ARC!

This captivating tale is rich with adventure, suspense, romance, and humor, presenting a scenario where "two clueless individuals" find themselves lost in the wilderness and inadvertently drawn into a darker conspiracy. I genuinely enjoyed this modern romantic comedy, as it offers more than the typical explicit content that has become prevalent in recent literature. It boasts a thoughtful plot, engaging characters, and a well-developed story line. Furthermore, the book is a swift and enjoyable read, allowing readers to dive in without the need for extensive analysis, which is a delightful aspect. Lastly, I admired the seamless narrative flow, which maintained a steady pace without feeling rushed or fragmented.

This book has a great balance of romance, adventure and humor! It centers around Emily and Ryder (not sure if this is a Tangled reference but he definitely gave off Big Ryder Flynn energy!) who go on an adventure and get swept up in more ways than one!

To give you an idea of how outdoorsy I am as a reader, I first looked up if Isle Royale is, in fact, a real place. It is real and beautiful—the perfect backdrop to the heart-pounding and hilarious hijinks these two get into. Ever since their first meeting, I was rooting for them and excited to see where their adventure would lead.

One note, there is a strong theme of grief throughout this book—that could be triggering or cathartic for the reader. As an Emily 14 years into her own Dead Dad grief journey, this didn’t bother me but I wanted to flag just in case. I found this element especially well done, specifically how the different characters navigate their grief (❤ Biff)

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was so fun! For lovers of Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone, it’s an easy read for any romance and adventure lover. The two main characters couldn’t be more opposite but they have something very personal in common, both have lost someone very dear to them recently and are navigating through grief. When the close proximity of a backpacking trip forces them together in the outdoors, the two learn to get along. When the archeologist and subsequent jewel heist force them to fight for their lives together, they grow even closer togther. I thought I wouldn’t love this because it seemed a little far fetched but it was so fun and enjoyable and just the perfect amount of escapism.

This is my third book by Kerry Rea and I think she’s just getting better and better. I had so much fun reading The Jewel of the Isle and fell in love with Emily and Ryder. These two have NO business embarking on any kind of adventure on a good day. After they accidentally stumble upon a jewel heist and murder, they find themselves not only trying to survive the elements, but also attempting to flee the bad guy’s goons.

One of my favorite not-so commonly used tropes is opposites attract. On paper, Emily and Ryder make zero sense. Once you get to know them, you see that both characters have suffered a great loss and they’re able to connect with each other on a level not everyone can. Ryder’s wilderness skills are very basic, but he’s still able to keep Emily safe when need be. Emily is able to let down her guards a bit and start relying on her instincts more. All in all this was just a fun time, and I definitely hope to read more adventure romances in the future. 4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a review copy. I can’t wait for Kerry’s next novel.

Silly & fun, The Jewel of the Isle will have you rooting for the two grieving MCs as they navigate the wilderness entirely unprepared while also on the run from murderous treasure hunters. I honestly had so much fun with this one! Ryder is the perfect goofy golden retriever MMC who falls first and hard. He's big, brawny, and a bit reckless but very lovable and loyal -- so loyal, he takes a gig as a wilderness guide to earn money to save his brother's boat, despite the fact he has no wilderness training. Emily is a brainy, workaholic doctor with many anxieties and really no outdoorsy qualities but she's determined to survive a week in Isle Royale National Park to honor her father and the trip he had wanted her to go on with him before he died. Despite being a very mismatched pair, the two find love and support along with adventure and danger in this romance novel!

The story flows well and their opposite qualities make Emily and Ryder a great pair. The topic of grief and moving forward is handled very well and while at times it's a bit heartbreaking, the comic relief and the camaraderie between the main characters keeps it from feeling too heavy. It's perfect if you're looking for a quick, entertaining, opposites attract romance with tons of adventure and ridiculousness!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a drc from Berkley via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is exactly what I needed this weekend and my last read of November.
This was so fun and exciting with an unexpected jewel heist they somehow get involved in. Emily is a very relatable character not outdoorsy, worried about everything and she is only on this hiking trip as a vow to her late father. Ryder the himbo but not really, is still trying to figure out his life after his brothers death. They both don’t know what they are doing in the wilderness even though he should cause she hired him. This was so entertaining and hilarious.
Loved how they went from enemies to friends to lovers. They are definitely opposites attract and they are going through an intense experience. But I think they both needed this.

Thank you Berkley romance for the gifted copy

The Jewel of the Isle Kerry Rea is a a delightful, funny, and adventurous romantic comedy. Emily Edwards is an ER doctor who takes safety to a new level. She needs to visit a National Park, and can not go alone. Ryder Fleet is co-owner of wilderness adventures and thinks he may be able to do more than marketing and help Emily out. He really needs the money. The story takes a turn when they witness a murder, are on the run from an archaeologist, and are trying to hide a diamond. Adventure Awaits!

This was the book that I didn’t know that I needed to get through this month! The banter, mystery, and the laugh out loud scenes made for a great story. The book explores grief in a thoughtful way, the characters are engaging, and it is filled with good adventure. The story was so quotable and my favorite line may be, ‘Never trust a man who does not carry his own pack. “ Wisdom!

I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!

I was given a copy and all thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Romancing the Stone is one of my most favorite movies. When I spotted this on NG I had high hopes it would inspire similar affection. It didn’t.

Reader, the story is fine - ridiculous, implausible, wholly lacking in relationship development - but fun and deranged? Unfortunately, lighthearted frolics in the woods with bad guys in pursuit are only good if you have a couple you’re invested in and who you genuinely want to root for AND the author successfully walks that tightrope of tension/crime caper and wacky, romantic frothy fun. Rea doesn’t.

The author simply doesn’t give readers a couple to get behind and the villain is…too nasty and villainous for this silly story? Our couple has zero chemistry or showers to support their after hours recreational activities (ick), and our villain is a vicious asshole that was too mean for this novel.

Readable? Yes. Enjoyable? Sometimes. Worth your $? I don’t think so. Sorry.

This was a wacky, ridiculous, fun, adventure/rom-com. It had the vibes of The Lost City with Sandra Bollock, but I liked the romance even a little more. In between the absolute ridiculousness this book also deals with grief. Both of the two main characters have had major losses (Emily has last her father and Ryder lost his brother). Emily is a doctor who hates the outdoors and has a lot of (perfectly logical of course) fears. Ryder is a bit of a mess and when his brother died, his brother’s adventure company went under when Ryder tried to run it. Emily is determined to take a trip that her father asked her to go on so she can spread some of his ashes. Ryder is guilted into taking the job guiding her by his sister in law she can buy his brother’s boat and hold onto that small piece of him. The two of them get an adventure they could not have imagined. Because while there were normal wilderness struggles there were also bad guys and guns and running for their lives. This was a fun book and it would make a fun movie.

This was such a fun rom-com filled with adventure that swept me away for the perfect escape read. When two non-outdoorsy people witness a murder, their only option is to survive outside, and escape a group of archeologists on the hunt for a jewel.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧
🩷great banter
💎adventure
🥵allll the tension
⛺️forced proximity
🤝friends to lovers

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