This took me an embarrassingly long time to finish - but here is my review.

I struggled to finish this book, it really did not hold my attention and I am sad about that since I enjoyed the first book. I felt that the relationship between the FMC and MMC was not grounded in anything serious despite them having a month together in the Amazon, they didn't have a serious conversation until the end. The characters both fell flat for me and the plot seemed underwhelming. Also a personal preference - I don't enjoy nicknames being constantly used. I found the story to be slightly repetitive, and mirrored the first book too closely.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this E-ARC.

Dr. Miriam "Miri" Jacobs finally gets the chance to prove herself when she's unexpectedly chosen to co-lead an expedition to find the legendary Cidade de Lua (Lost City of the Moon). It's her chance to shine and maybe save her job at UC Berkeley.... but nothing about this journey is easy. Journalist Rafael "Rafa" Monfils is there to document the expedition. But No one knows that he's also there to prevent the team from ever locating the location of the hidden city, as a promise to his father. Unfortunately, Rafa never expected to fall for Miri. From the dangers of the rainforest to rival treasure hunters also on the trail, Miri and her team face one challenge after another.

Segura's sophomore novel is another fun adventure where we're following a strong, female archeologist on the quest for a hidden treasure (Miri's mentor is Dr. Corrie Mejia). I really liked Miri as a character, even if she makes some questionable decisions. You can't help but root for her as she finds her confidence and refuses to allow any setbacks discourage her.

Miri and Rafa have great banter. I liked Rafa more than I liked Ford, but it was still frustrating to see Rafa sabotage Miri's efforts. At least in this situation, Rafa thinks he's doing the right thing and protecting everyone.

The ending of the book happens very quickly in comparison to the rest of the story. I wish we had gone more in depth (I would have absolutely read more pages!) but the story does wrap up nicely.

I was excited for this one! Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura is a fast-paced, action-packed romance set against the lush and dangerous backdrop of the Amazon jungle. Dr. Miriam Jacobs, a determined archaeologist out to prove herself, and Rafael, a conflicted journalist with secrets of his own, are thrown together on a mission filled with intrigue, danger, and undeniable chemistry.

The dual POV adds depth to their story, with Miriam’s tenacity balancing beautifully against Rafael’s inner struggle between duty and desire. Their banter and sizzling connection keep the pages turning, while the vivid setting and high-stakes adventure make this a thrilling read.

Perfect for fans of steamy romance with a side of adventure, this book delivers humor, heart, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC—I can’t wait to see what Segura writes next!

a vine-swinging good time from start to finish! Miri and Rafa's adventure to find the lost city of the moon will have readers swooning, laughing and kicking their feet the whole way.

This is a great companion to the first book in the series. You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one.
From the first moment we met Miriam I loved her. Snarky and self-deprecating she has no trouble.. mostly not on purpose. Telling people what she thinks and she's bound and determined to be just like her hero.. Dr. Corey from BK 1.
Rafael was great. I love his chemistry with Miriam and while he was sabotaging the dig.. bad boy.. he did genuinely bad about it and I do feel like Karma got him back when he was hit with a big reveal.
This caused a bit of conflict between Rafael and Miriam; however, it was resolved pretty quickly, although some groveling on his part wouldn't have hurt IMO
I like both Rafael's and Miriam's character growth throughout the story. Their chemistry was 🔥, and I loved how the story played out. I love the Indiana Jones vibes.
I'm not sure if we will get more books in this world,, but either way,, I will be reading whatever this author puts out next!

Temple of Swoon is a great combination of romcom and adventure. Jo Segura creates a world of archeological intrigue and action, with tons of swoon-filled moments too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Archeologist Miri is finally in charge of her own research expedition to find the Lost City of the Moon, rumored to be deep in the Amazon rainforest. Rafael is part of the expedition as a journalist and photographer, and he and Miri have an instant connection. But Rafa has a secret—he’s trying to sabotage the expedition in order to protect the Lost City of the Moon from discovery. But as Rafa gets to know Miri, he can’t help but being attracted to her brains, her tenacity and her quirky sense of humor. Soon he’s questioning if he doing the right thing by trying to disrupt her work….

If you like action and adventure in your romance, this book is a great pick. I love a story where the plot and mystery are just as important as the connection between the main characters.

It helps too that Miri and Rafa are both so darn likable. Sure, there is a dose of insta love at the beginning, but the forced proximity of the archeological dig and their steamy chemistry makes it a little more believable. And, as much as I didn’t love Rafa keeping a huge secret from Miri, I love that he admires her clever ideas and obsession with snack foods as much as her stunning eyes.

Temple of Swoon is a fun, adventurous read. If you like a little action in your romcoms, this entire series is a must read. Jo Segura’s take on archeological expeditions are always a good time, and I can’t wait to read what’s up next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Temple of Swoon was a cute romcom that combined romance with adventure and mystery. The characters were absolutely swoon-worthy, especially Rafael. Miri was a fun character, although quirky and a little awkward at times, it was not hard to enjoy her character. As much as I enjoyed reading how these two characters connected, the plot itself kept me wanting more. I felt like I was missing more of the adventure and mystery, especially since it's supposed to be inspired by Indiana Jones. Sure, there was a mystery there, but it was kind of just thrown at you like "here's what's happening, go along with it". There was a lot of potential.. I feel like if the book was a bit longer, the story could have been told better and could have captured the essence of adventure much better.

Segura does a great job of making the environment seem vibrant and exciting. I enjoyed the pacing of this book but I was not able to connect with this story or Miri at all. I think this is mostly in part to the choice of third person POV and by the end I didn't care for the happily ever after.
I also didn't like the nickname being used, really and I found it killed the enjoyment of the intimate scenes.

4 stars! This was a fun, adventurous and silly story. I really loved both Miri and Rafa. Pick this up if you're looking for an exciting escape filled with characters learning to find their confidence and voice despite whatever challenges come their way.

For years Dr. Miri has been striving to make a name for herself in the field of archaeology to no avail.  However, her aspirations are fast-tracked when she is unexpectedly assigned to lead a high-profile expedition in the Amazon jungle in search of the legendary Lost City of the Moon.

Full of self doubt, but desperate to prove herself, her plans are quickly disrupted when disaster strikes, leaving her stranded in the heart of the jungle.  Fortunately, she is aided by a sexy photojournalist named Rafa, who helps her fend off the mysterious adversaries who are pursuing them.

Unbeknownst to Miri, Rafa harbors a hidden agenda that directly contradicts her own: to ensure that the lost city remains concealed forever. Stakes escalate as their flirtations grow into a deeper connection and secrets are revealed.  

Rich in plot twists, set against an exhilarating backdrop, and featuring endearing characters, this dual point of view, slow-burn romance is sure to captivate fans of Segura’s debut, Raiders of the Lost Heart, further solidifying her reputation as the preeminent author of adventure romance.

I had so much fun with this book! I really enjoyed Jo's first book, and I think I liked this one even better! I am someone who grew up on Romancing the Stone and I definitely get all of those vibes from this series. The combination of love and adventure makes this a book I couldn't put down!

Temple of Swoon, written by Jo Segura, is a captivating story of heartbreak, redemption, and passion. This narrative follows the journey of two enemies who unexpectedly fall in love. Once I began reading, I found myself unable to put the book down.

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group, NetGalley and PRH Audio for the ALC/ARC!
All opinions are my own!

What a fun read. I loved this adventure romance. I thought Miri and Rafa had amazing chemistry and I loved their story. I would love to see another book with them as main characters in the future.

Kyla Garcia did an excellent job with narrating the audiobook. My only crituque is that I wish there had been a seperate male narrator for Rafa's chapters, but I still thought Kyla did a good job with the male voices. It is just my personal opinion that the audiobook may have flowed better with dual POV narration instead of single POV.

Overall Jo Segura is a fantastic writer and I can't wait to read her next romance novel!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Berkley and PRH Audio for the ARC and ALC!

Jo Segura’s Temple of Swoon is an immersive, swoon-worthy blend of action and romance that hooked me from the first page. Set in the lush, treacherous Amazon rainforest, the vivid descriptions made me feel like I was right there with Miri and Rafa on their thrilling search for the Lost City of the Moon. Miri’s determination, corny humor, and relatable self-doubt make her an easy-to-root-for heroine, while Rafa’s secret agenda and internal conflict add depth and intrigue. Their banter is chef’s kiss—fun, flirty, and brimming with romantic tension that had me grinning throughout. The pacing is spot-on, balancing heart-pounding danger, laugh-out-loud moments, and a slow-burn romance that unfolds beautifully amidst the action. With high stakes, witty dialogue, and a story that keeps you hooked, Temple of Swoon is perfect for fans of treasure hunts and sizzling chemistry. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the chance to review this fantastic book!

Many thanks to @netgalley @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the #gifted advanced digital and audiobook copies! #berkleypartner #berkley #prhaudioinfluencer

Dr. Miriam Jacobs is going on a significant and unique archeological dig in the Amazon with her mentor, but things aren’t going her way. She misses the bus and embarrasses herself in front of a hot stranger (twice!). She needs to pull herself together because this dig to find the Lost City of the Moon is a career maker - and she desperately needs a career maker. And as if the day couldn’t get any worse, her mentor had to stay back and put Miri in charge - and she cannot fail. Journalist Rafael Monfils is documenting the dig, or at least that’s what everyone on the dig thinks. In reality, his goal is to prevent the team from finding the holy city - to protect both the city and his mother’s legacy. Every time Miri and the team seem to progress, something sets them back, and it is usually Rafael’s handiwork. However, as the weeks pass, Rafa begins to question his loyalties because Miri seems to be on an ethical quest for understanding and preservation. And he cannot stop thinking about her and her quirky Larua Croft imitations, disturbing love of junk food, clumsiness, and general adorable nature.

Like Segura’s Raiders of the Lost Heart, this book is packed with action, adventure, and romance. The excavation storyline is more than a backdrop—it’s central to the plot, offering a well-developed narrative that drives the story forward. I loved Miri and Rafa’s relationship, from their disastrous meet-cute to their growing bond filled with humor, nicknames, and deeper emotional connections. Segura’s strong, adventurous female leads shine once again, balancing vulnerability with badassery, and proving that they don’t need saving - in fact, they often do the saving themselves.

The audiobook is narrated solo by Kyla Garcia, who did a fantastic job bringing Miri and Rafa to life—and sometimes to almost death! Her narration embraces the absolute fun of this book and draws listeners in immediately. The run time is 10 hours and 23 minutes.

Thank you to Berkley for the eARC and PRH Audio for the ALC.

Temple of Swoon felt like I was watching an action-y RomCom movie.

Is it a little cheesy? A bit instalove-y? Unbelievable events and actions? Yes to all of those. But did I still devour and enjoy this one? Again, yes.

Miri and Rafe are instantly smitten with each other when they meet, but unfortunately, Rafe has some secrets and is secretly undermining Miri’s search for a hidden city. I usually hate when a main character is hiding something so important, but for some reason it didn’t bother me so much this time. Rafe was such a golden retriever, so adoring of Miri (and her brain!) that I couldn’t stay mad at him.

The audio was done entirely by Kyla Garcia and I loved her accent when speaking Portuguese or mimicking a French-Canadian accent. While I usually lean towards duet narration, her voice fit the characters very well and kept my interest!

My first from this author and now I definitely need to read her debut!

I absolutely devoured this book in two days, and overall enjoyed the story. This book follows Miriam (Miri), a snack loving, fanny pack wearing archeologist on her expedition to find the missing mythical city of the moon in the jungles of Brazil. Trials, tribulations, and setbacks all occur in this story of resilience and proving to herself she is whoever she wants to be. I loved the growth Miri had and left the book encouraged with an I can do and be what I want mindset. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a swoon worthy, adventure romantic comedy.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

I never considered myself a big action/adventure fan, but I am LOVE with Jo Segura's books. Following a series of unfortunate events, Miri found herself in charge of the search for the Lost City of the Moon. This was her chance to prove herself, but those unfortunate events continued to plague the expedition. The only thing working in her favor was the growing attraction between her and Rafa, a journalist documenting the journey, but he seemed to have some ulterior motives.

This book really called to the nerdy, Indiana Jones lover in me. Here is a short list of things that made this book a big hit for me:

* The characters - Both Miri and Rafa were easy to love. Miri was quirky and amused me right from the start, but I also cared about her. She struggled with being taken seriously in the realm of her career. This made me root harder for her to succeed as I wanted her to prove all the naysayers wrong. Rafa was charming, but some of his actions frustrated me. In the end, I was #TeamRafa after learning more about him.

* The romance - These two were precious together. Their interactions were fun and flirty, and it was so sweet the way Rafa really "saw" Miri and appreciated all the parts of her.

* The setting - It's wonderful to be whisked away to places I have never been, and the Brazilian Amazon definitely qualifies. Segura did a fantastic job transporting me to the jungle and depicting all its danger and beauty.

* The story - This is a fairly plot driven book, so I don't want to give too much away, but I can say that Segura blended romance, action, and humor to produce a story that captivated me from beginning to end. With some interesting lore and a few unexpected twists and turns, I had an amazing adventure with Rafa and Miri.

Overall, Temple of Swoon delivered both swoons and thrills, and I hope Segura has many more adventures to share.

I really wanted to like this story. The premise sounded super fun but as I started the book I quickly determined it was not for me. The FMC and MMC did not have any legitimate chemistry depite being involved in a hot relationship. He lies felt extreme and it was hard to imagine a woman forgiving him. He talked about his heritage and honoring it but it felt a bit forced because he knew nothing of that heritage. Many of the other archeologists came off a tab cliche and of course Miri was paired with an overbearing loud mouth.
The book did not capture my attention at all. I forced myself to continue reading hoping for the spark that would make me eager to turn the page but sadly did not get it. I understand from my research their is another book in the series and the other book has more action which I think this book sorely needed.
I hate to give a bad review because the book did not suit the expectations I had based on the back cover but I just felt the book failed to launch.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC..

Jo Segura does it again! Temple of Swoon had me in an obsessed chokehold. I couldn't read it fast enough. I love how it follows Dr. Miriam Jacobs, whom we met in Raiders of the Lost Heart, and her very first expedition to find a seemingly impossible place. Miri is a love letter to those quirky gals who were told they were too weird through life, and shows how much quirks can be loved by the right people... including herself. Also! This book felt like it fit together with it's predecessor without actually copying any of the previous romance tropes, which was surprising to me, though, I shouldn't have been surprised. Jo is a wonderful writer. I like that I found out more about the series' bad guy, Pierre Vautour, as well. It makes me want to reread Raiders to see him in a newer light. I imagine we will be seeing him again with Jo's third installment titled [something based on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade... possibly The Heart's Crusade?]