I would round this one down to 3.5 stars if I could. I loved the setting and the premise, but it got a bit too “caper-y” for my tastes. It reminded me a lot of the movie “The Lost City” - it was one of those plots where every time you thought they were safe, the bad guys came back. The villains were cartoonish and there was a lot of gunfire. I enjoyed Emily and Ryder and thought their shared grief was portrayed well. There were definitely saving graces here, but overall it was a bit too much of an “action movie” for me.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

🏕️ Book Review 🏕️

✔️ Opposites Attract
✔️ Hurt/Comfort
✔️ They're in Danger

The Jewel of the Isle had similar vibes to The Lost City with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. They're both about two folks with zero survival skills on the run from an urbane guy with a plan and henchmen to carry them out.

If you loved that movie or books by Pippa Grant and Lucy Score, this one is worth checking out - lots of romcommy humor with physical comedy and madcap moments.

While the humor may be the best part for some, i gravitated to the more serious moments. I liked reading about two characters mourning losses of loved ones and how that made them instantly get each other and know the right thing to say (when my mom died, most things people said to me for comfort did not land that way. My then-boyfriend-now-husband could understand because his dad had suffered a major stroke). For me, the hurt/comfort moments really shined.

Thanks to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the ebook.This book pubs later this month!

Steam 🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕

For a book about grief, this sure was fun! The Jewel of the Isle is lighthearted, despite heavier themes of loss, and silly in a fun way. The MMC Ryder feels like a cross between Flynn Ryder from Tangled, Emmett from Twilight, and Starlord from Guardians of the Galaxy. This book won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoyed Something Wilder by Christina Lauren or the movie The Lost City, it’s probably for you!

This book was a fun adventure and honestly what I was looking for in some similar sounding recent releases. However, I never fully connected to the characters as a couple. I think this would make for a fun movie, and it is a fun book to use as an escape.

Giggles and full belly laughs abound in this story with its Romancing the Stone undertones. The author definitely put her own spin on the story from the frantic dive unto the boat to the silly hat, this books was unique and comfortable at the same time. It was hard not to allow my mind to drawn parallels between the familiar and the book. Both ladies were uptight and sorta snooty and in both cases the hero they needed was more than someone to save them from the physical perils of adventure. The men were overly carefree and on the surface lacked depth and drive but needed someone to give them a good swift kick so they could see themselves as something more. As the book unfolds, the characters move past those who they were to become better versions of themselves together. Both learn to embrace the pain of the past but to look to the future.

Early on, we get hints about the treasure and the villain might as well wear a sign because you will dislike him instantly despite his phony charm. But in once again flashing back to the movie, we need a villain and a shiny rock and a ton of adventure including wild animals and dangerous boat rides. So much felt familiar but as I said the author put her own stamp on the story with the reason both Emily and Ryder were embarking on the trip. Even though Emily was embarking on the trip for her father, after hearing her describe her previous relationship as convenient, I wondered if she was just looking for something more. She stepped out of her comfort zone big time even if she did need glow in the dark toilet paper to do it. That TP and the toddler hat that Emily sported were two of the silly examples of the giggle moments in the story. Yes, we had adventure but the tone of the story was light and fun and those giggles kept it from getting too series when they started sharing stories of killers lurking in the woods.

One final note, I am a Steelers fan so I had to laugh when Emily brought up the Browns not having won a Super Bowl. The rivalry between the Steelers and Browns made that an LOL moment for me.

Overall this was a fun story and judging by the reviews on Kelly's other books it sounds like that may be her style.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I loved that both these main characters had absolutely no skills to be out in the wilderness on their own and yet they survived! This was such a fun read, so funny, honestly I am her, she is me, I should not be allowed in nature for these reasons. At least she's a doctor!

Another fabulous dual POV, action adventure romcom that takes place in a remote jungle and has two complete strangers forced to rely on one another when a madman starts chasing after them in search of a elusive missing diamond.

I loved the little bits of nostalgic pop culture references sprinkled throughout the book, the chemistry between the two leads, the opposites attract nature of their characters, the way they bonded over their respective losses (her father and his brother) and how they had to work together to survive unexpected dangers.

Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Jo Segura's Raiders of the lost heart, Christina Lauren's Something wilder or Romancing Miss Stone by M. C. Vaughn. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I couldn't help but think of the movie from the 80s Romacing the Stone when I read this book….
Doctor Emily Edward’s wants to fulfill her late father’s bucket list and visit all the national parks, and she wants to spread his ashes there since he is not able to visit the parks himself anymore. She knows she doesn’t have the skills necessary to tackle the challenge by herself, so she sets out to hire a professional tour guide/outdoorsman to go with her. Ryder is the owner/operator of Fleet Outdoor Adventures but he’s not exactly a wilderness expert-that was his brother’s area of expertise. But he’s passed on and left Ryder to take care of the business on his own and the business is struggling so when Emily’s request comes in, he agrees to take her on her journey.
Soon after they arrive on the island, they witness a crime being committed and encounter some wild natural elements.
The story had lots of depth for a romance, and the subject of grief from both the FMC and MMC was handled differently but very well. There’s load of adventure and if you’re a fan of opposites attract then you’re going to love this one!
Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I'm here for an absolutely preposterous love story set on the Great Lakes. Ryder's antics had me laughing, and his comments were unmatched - "Jersey, the softest of the t-shirt fabrics!" I can't argue, just sayin'

The Jewell of the Isle is an adventurous love story with a bad guy, and two inexperienced hikers in a national park. This read was a true delight.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley

What do you get when you combine an action adventure, a treasure hunt, suspense, and a romantic comedy into a story set on a remote island? The Jewel of the Isle by Kerry Rea. Doctor Emily Edwards knows she can’t go hiking and camping for six days on an unfamiliar island like Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. With only two weeks to find someone to go with her to fulfill her late father’s national park bucket list, she hires a tour guide. Ryder Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures, isn’t a wilderness expert, but when there’s an inquiry on the website, he agrees to guide Emily there. What Emily doesn’t know is that his brother Caleb, who died two years ago, was the outdoorsman of their business while Ryder handled the marketing. Unfortunately, things get off to a rough start between them and dangerous situations abound.

Emily is an emergency medicine physician and a work alcoholic. She’s not an outdoors person and is very risk averse. She prefers to color code her bookshelf, read, do jigsaw puzzles, and make beaded jewelry in her downtime. Ryder fell apart after his brother died. While de has good intentions, he’s somewhat reckless, drinks too much, and is unable to sit still for long periods of time. However, he’s only kind and fun to be around.

While Emily and Ryder appear to be complete opposites, they are both suffering from the loss of a loved one which eventually helps them to relate to each other. Soon after arriving on the island, they see a crime committed and encounter some of the natural hazards of the wilderness.

The narrative flows well with a story that engaged me from beginning to end. It was heartbreaking at times, hilarious at others, and suspenseful at other times which kept the story moving forward. Can they learn to trust each other and survive? My main quibble was the quickness of the romance. Additionally, I wanted a little more worldbuilding around the terrain of Isle Royale. However, the book has more depth to it than one might expect in a romantic comedy. The way the author handled grief, loss, and chemistry was well done.

Overall, this entertaining and witty novel has great characterization with relatable characters as well as plenty of adventure and thrills along with a good romance. Readers who appreciate romantic comedies and opposites attract romantic suspense stories will likely enjoy this one.

Berkley Publishing Group and Kerry Rea provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 26, 2024.

📣 opposites attract leads take on a national parks adventure 💎

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what are your plans for the day? I’m hoping to go for a jog this morning & then mostly hanging out at home. The weather has calmed down here but it’s still been pretty rainy.

Kerry Rea’s The Jewel of the Isle is one of those books that caught me off guard with how much I liked it 🥳.

Two opposites attract explorers go on a national park adventure—both of them pretty reluctant—& as they’re battling the elements & eventually a villain or two, they’re sharing the parts of their lives they hide from everyone else, kissing, & falling in love.

Emily & Ryder’s love story gets added bittersweetness because both have experienced big loss: her dad & his brother. These huge losses give them something major to relate to when so much else about them seems so different.

This book is funny & moving with so much heart. What it says about grief is beautiful. The action elements make it a fun mix of genres, too.

So looking forward to reading more of Kerry Rea’s books!

4.5 ⭐️. Out 11/26.

CWs: grief, violence.

[ID: Jess holds the ebook in front of her propped up feet on a deck rail. In the background is a blue sky & a couple of trees.]

This book was such an incredible read, I'm not sure where to start. I think it had my heart from the beginning as I was literally laughing out loud by chapter 3! It was refreshingly hilarious with Emily and Ryder's opposite personalities and witty banter! And honestly, it felt absolutely made for me- The Office reference had me dying with laughter. It's such a fun ride full of highjinks from start to finish as those two struggle to survive in the wild! However, the depth of this book is what really makes it stand out above other lighthearted rom-coms to me. While on this breathtaking adventure together, each of the main characters are dealing with grief over the loss of loved ones. I feel like this book actually helped me with my own grief over losing my dad, and I found it to be very relatable. It's such a beautiful story, not just full of laughs, but also a lesson in carrying our lost loved ones with us on our journey. After all, adventure awaits!

For Fans Of:
• Indiana Jones
• Murder Mystery
• The Mummy

Spice: Open Door, Not Incredibly Spicy 🌶🌶.5

Tropes/Vibes:
• 30+ year old MC's
• Golden-Retriever MMC 🐾
• Doctor MFC 🩺
• Insta-Love 💗
• Mental Health/Anxiety Rep 🧠
• Rule-Breaker|Rule-Follower
• The Most Un-Outdoorsy People Ever
(who let them outside? 🤣)

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review*

Anyone watch Romancing the Stone and want a book with the same basic vibes? This is it! Add in that both of the main characters are experiencing profound grief and guilt that goes with that grief, and there is a recipe for a cute and fun romance.

The Isle Royale setting is one that is wholly unfamiliar to me but the adventures made me laugh. The role of henchman, particularly Malcom, was hilarious while also providing a fantastic conflict without having to resort to a miscommunication trope.

If you are looking for a fun, adventurous read that still has an emotional side, Jewel of the Isle, might be the right one!

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

After reading the synopsis, I was expecting a fun adventure a la Romancing the Stone, and that’s exactly what I got. Rea’s writing was so breezy that I flew through this in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I thought Emily and Ryder complemented one another so well. Emily is a bit more buttoned up and cerebral, whereas Ryder was more carefree and sarcastic. It was so comical watching these two very indoorsy people try to navigate this remote island while dodging nefarious archeologists. The whole concept was so ridiculous but worked so well. I also appreciated how Rea confronted grief and loss, and thought it added another layer to the story. If you want something you don’t have to think about too hard and is just purely entertaining, I recommend checking it out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm a sucker for an opposite attract, fish out of water, cheesy rom com with outlandish adventures and witty banter. If you're like me you'll enjoy this book. I saw the cover and it was so intriguing I just knew I needed to read about these characters. Our FMC is a smart quirky girl out for an adventure but not in any way outdoorsy. I related so hard! and our MMC is a down on his luck grump who has a soft spot for the FMC. Add in Indiana Style Hijinx and adventures in the wilderness and you've going yourself a swoon worthy romance sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a n advanced copy of this book in exchange for and honest review.

Emily Edwards needs to scatter her late father's ashes at Isle Royale National Park, and hires Rider Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures. But Ryder isn't an outdoor guide, that was his late brother's role. Ryder just handled the marketing.
But there's more than nature to deal with when they witness a brutal crime soon after arriving on the island. Together, they must evade a treasure-hunting group. Forced to dig deep to stay one step ahead, they learn to trust each other.

This story is a thrilling adventure. Our main characters, though different, have a lot in common. Their banter adds a spark to the narrative, and it's fun to watch them learn to work together. As they do, their chemistry becomes apparent. The story balances budding romance with gripping adventure, keeping the action engaging right up until the satisfying conclusion.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

This was not quite the adventure story I was expecting but I still did enjoy it. It's two incredibly dense people trying to survive in the woods after witnessing a murder when neither one of them are great with the wilderness

Emily and Ryder are both complete opposites but end up together and are stuck with one another. Trying to survive and keep the other alive while escaping killers.

Where this book was very fun to read. There was some inconsistencies that tended to drive me absolutely nuts. I could let it go if there were just a couple but far too many inconsistencies to really fully immerse myself in the book.

But it was still very fun and there was quite a bit of humor that I did enjoy. The writing was very quick and fast paced so it was very easy to fly through this boat. It's the type of book that while you're reading it you can 100% picture it being a Netflix or a Hulu movie

Such a fun read! I am always the biggest sucker for an adventurous romance novel. Even better that this one kept me wanting more because I was so invested in the characters

A laugh out loud funny adventure romcom where two non-outdoorsy people, not only have to survive outdoors, but also have to escape from evil henchmen! Perfect for fans of the movie The Lost City. It was SO action packed!! It was fun watching Emily and Ryder do so many fun things!

Emily and Ryder’s personalities are starkly different, making for some amusing and awkward interactions at first. Emily’s practical, no-nonsense approach clashes with Ryder’s laid-back, somewhat unprepared attitude, which provides plenty of lighthearted moments. But when they witness a murder and suddenly find themselves on the run from dangerous treasure-hunting archaeologists, their differences quickly become secondary to the growing stakes.

I really loved the concept of this book. I was enjoying the plateful banter with the main characters. Unfortunately I ran out of time to complete this cute and adorable rom com. Would have loved to finish this one! Congratulations to Kerry !