First off, I love the cover. There are some fun adventures but it was cheesy and predicable. I’m also not a big fan of insta love.

Unfortunately this book was a miss for me. There are certain character traits that I don’t enjoy in books and the main character of this book had them. She was a hot mess and there is nothing redeemable in my opinion about her.

2.5 stars rounded up

As a woman with a PhD in a STEM field Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura just fell flat, much like Miri does on those vines. The book follows Dr. Miriam Jacobs as she tries to find the Lost City of the Moon in Brazil. While exploring Miri is unsuccessfully trying to imitate her mentor in being a badass, and she tries so hard but she's just too "quirky" and "adorkable." She takes almost the entire book to have an ounce of character development which made me so sad. To top it all off the main love interest is straight up sabotaging and endangering her the entire time.

I thought this book had so much potential but it spent so long trying to convince us that Miri was just sooo quirky. If there had been only small hints of her being not like the other girls it wouldn't have been that bad but there are just tens of pages drilling this down. I did not like the main love interest at all. He was reckless and put people's lives in danger. He got forgiven for his literal crimes way too easily. I did think the twist was interesting which is why it made it to 2.5 stars but it was a pain to get there. Last, this book was so long but the ending felt incredibly rushed. I really hope that there is a third book so that we can get some of the magic from the first book back though.

If you remember when this author’s first book came out, I was so excited for it because the cover was amazing and the synopsis made it seem like an Indiana Jones movie. But then like when I read it there was one thing that happened that I couldn’t get out of my head. I thought since so many people said that was a bad look in the last one that someone would have told her not to do it again. But this book determined that that was a lie.

Ok so in the first book *SPOILER* the love interest is a yt man who steals the research of a colleague, a woman of color. As it turns out, this one has a really bad look too. *SPOILER* This one has the main character that falls for the love interest and as it turns out, the love interest is trying to sabotage the mission. *END SPOILER* I didn’t remember which one of them is actually Latinx (there was no real representation I saw an Insta review that someone said it was the FMC who was a yt American and he was from Brazil but never spent time there and while I’m not Latinx, the person who wrote the Insta review said they wouldn’t label this as Latinx romance. And I didn’t feel that was a good sign so I did in’s label it as that either. ) but even still, it was the sabotaging of a woman by a man. And I don’t like that lol But idk maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think he groveled enough for what he was doing to her. And the way that ended? There wasn’t enough done to them for me.

Also, for this to be an action and adventure title, there wasn’t much happening. With him doing what he was doing, it was just them walking around in circles. I just hate that this is labeled as action and adventure when they only spend like 25% of the book is them actually finding something. Idk I just wanted more. Especially because the things they DID find was actually really cool. But the waterfall and the rock were ok, but I wanted something more. I think it’s the descriptors I was missing. I’ve never been to the Amazon Rainforest, so I really wanted to be able to see it through their eyes. Idk it was weird. Why wouldn’t you write this into your book? The lush forest and the deep, different greens, etc. It could have been so cool.

But I did like it. The romance was a bit instalusty, but at the same time, I feel like that’s most forced proximity. Since they’re stuck together they just fall for each other. But I think these nerds were actually really cute together lol They were finishing each others’ sentences by the end lol I know it’s weird, but I thought it was cute. Again, I didn’t get LOVE it because of what he did, but if she was fine with it, whatever.

The plot twist is what carried this for me tho. I saw it coming, but I didn’t if that makes sense. I thought it was him. Close, but no cigar lol It really was crazy. And all the things they were doing was gross. I was happy that the one person who wasn’t scared the entire time was Miriam. I was hella proud of her. I was also happy that she wasn’t one to get rid of easily. Even when people were leaving. I was glad that Rafa found out the hard way.

This review was a little all over the place, but so was the book lmao I didn’t LOVE it, but I liked it more than the last one. It wasn’t as fun as the other one, but it was still good enough. And since this ended the way it did, hopefully there’s another and the author makes things right this time and only makes the villain the person who has been doing the running in this book and the first one.

I was so excited to read this! I picked up the author’s first book last year, Raiders of the Lost Heart, and fell in love with it! So, when I learned I received an ARC of Temple of Swoon I was ecstatic.


Temple of Swoon tells the story of Dr. Miriam Jacobs and journalist Rafael Monfils. Miriam (Miri) is an archeologist who worked with Dr. Corrie Mejía on an Aztec expedition. Dr. Mejía and Dr. Ford Matthews were supposed to be the leads on this expedition, but they can’t make it. Instead they put Miri in charge as a co-lead. She is tasked with finding the Lost City of the Moon. Rafa (Rafael) is sent by his father to stop Miri from finding the lost city. Will Rafa succeed or will he give in to his feelings? In addition to Rafa being sent to stop Miri, Vautour (the man responsible for the disaster of the expedition from Raiders of the Lost Heart) is also trying to find the lost city.

I loved this book! It gives Indiana Jones vibes with romance sprinkled in. I never once expected Vautour to be who he is. That was a plot twist. Perfect for fans of Indiana Jones who also love romance!

This was a fun romance with an adventure vibe. I found it very entertaining and the two main characters are very likable. The bad guys are definitely bad and overall it is cute, but a little silly. If you are looking for a nice escape with some spice this will fit the bill. I was a big fan of "Romancing the Stone" as a kid and have always held a special place in my heart for it. This didn't quite make that cut though. A little too silly and predictable without much tension or drama to really invest me.

This is another fun action filled adventure reminiscent of the Indiana Jones movies and Lara Croft. I enjoyed the expedition almost as much as the romance that developed between Miri and Rafa. The mystery is fascinating as is the location. The audiobook is a great way to read this exciting romantic comedy and it's narrated by Kyla Garcia.

In this delightful romantic comedy that blends the adventurous spirit of National Treasure with the excitement of Indiana Jones and a touch of romance, we dive into the promising journey of the classic archaeologist character. I had been eagerly looking forward to this read, but I was a bit worried it might not meet my high expectations or match its captivating cover. However, I was pleasantly surprised! Right from the start, I appreciated the book's historical accuracy while still allowing for some creative embellishments. The storyline and its development throughout the book were fantastic, perfectly capturing the essence of the enemies-to-lovers trope. Despite a few minor grammar and punctuation issues, this book was such a joy to read and has quickly become one of my favorites this month. I have a feeling it will be a go-to when I find myself in a reading slump. Jo Segura has definitely won me over, and I can't wait to explore more of her work.

Audience: Adult
Plot: 3.25 out of 5
Characters: 3.25 out of 5
Spice: 🌶️ out of 5

Tea Pairing: Cinny Roll Black Tea by Plum Deluxe

Keywords: Romance, Comedy, Witty, Banter, Slow burn, Archaeologists, Expeditions, Lost cities, Brazil

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley from Berkley Romance. Thank you! All opinions are my own.

From the very first page, this is definitely a romantic comedy – as there were several laugh-out-loud moments. This is a fun, witty novel that is set in the Amazon Rainforest, where Dr. Miri Jacobs has been assigned to help on the expedition to locate the lost Moon City. Not anticipating becoming co-lead, Miri is out to prove herself, her mentor, and the academic world that she can be a serious archaeologist. When she discovers that the very handsome photojournalist Rafael “Rafa” Monfils joins the expedition, sparks immediately fly. But Rafa has a mission of his own – to sabotage the expedition in order to protect his family’s lineage.

Throughout the novel, I kept getting ‘Romancing the Stone’ vibes (with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner) because of the banter, fun, and slow-burn romance. The good-times vibes were definitely there. The overall pacing of the novel was good – with a balance of action, romance, and character growth. However, there were a several characters that I would have liked to have gotten to know more about or would have liked a bit more interactions with – such as Dr. Quinn, Felix, Logan, and Anissa.

The final chapters revealed a bit of a plot twist that I didn’t see coming. That new development changed the tone of the novel for me quite a bit, and I felt there was a sense of urgency. Overall I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to anyone who might have enjoyed the first one (Raiders of the Lost Heart) or fun, romantic comedies.

Segura's second novel does not disappoint. What would Dr. Corrie Mejia do? It is the mantra Dr. Miri Jacobs lives by. She is out to make a name for herself as an archeologist and the legend of protectors guarding a secret city will not stop her. Especially, when Dr. Mejia asks her to find it in secret. Rafa on the other hand is not just the journalist tasked with covering the mission but to lead people away from the secret city as the son of a protector.

It was enjoyable as much as the first one. I loved the humor in this book, such as Rafa's nickname for Miri, "Pringles". I loved the feeling of being uplifted by a romantic interest, like Rafa did for Miri. He shows her that she is already successful, confident, woman. He opens her eyes to the confidence that Miri already possesses. I cannot wait to read the next one!

Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for my gifted copies! All opinions are my own!⁣
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If you ever watching Romancing the Stone or even Indiana Jones, you should check out Temple of Swoon.
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This is an interconnected standalone, but follows Dr. Miriam Jacobs. She is Dr. Corrie Mejia’s protege. She’s never led an expedition before and runs into all kinds of trouble when Dr. Mejia and her partner aren’t able to make it. She has a love interest with journalist Rafael Monfils, who has joined them. I enjoyed their chemistry, banter and vine swinging! There was a lot of drama and action. I think I got a little bogged down in how much she doubted herself. She constantly questioned what Corrie would’ve done in her place. I love the look into archaeology and especially the perspective on preserving what they find. Overall I enjoyed this, but maybe not quite as much as Raiders of the Lost Heart. ⁣
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I listened to the audiobook and absolutely adored Kyla Garcia’s narration.

This book was such a fun read, which is no surprise honestly after loving Jo Segura’s first book Raiders of the Lost Heart. Temple of Swoon was RIGHT up my alley.

First, shout out to Berkeley Romance and Ace Publishers for gifting me an e-arc of this book! I was very excited be be given a chance to read this one and review it.

After her first book, I HAD to read Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura. It was a MUST. For me, the Latinx representation was just what I needed as a Latina in that same field as Dr. Corrie, SO I was thrilled to go back into this world with Miri and Rafael.

A Brazilian hidden city? A big bad chasing them down to exploit the artifacts? A badass female archaeologist and sexy male journalist?! YES.

I mean what more can you want?! 🫣🫠

I loved Miri. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to compare since I was obsessed with Corrie in the last book but Miri lived up to my expectations. She’s smart, she’s a badass (even if she doesn’t believe it at first) and she felt so real. Her insecurities and her need to prove to everyone that she is a badass… well it felt real. I think Jo Segura really hit home with a female in a male dominated field and how that can feel, especially as she is mentored by Dr Corrie who is (after her story) seen as a badass archaeologist in her field. Miri was bullheaded and stubborn and a bit daring (almost to her downfall) and I loved it. I just ate it up.

As for our leading man, Rafael. He was great, not my fave (sorry I just love me Ford Matthew’s) but he was an interesting character. I loved his smitten behavior with Miri and the way that he was fiercely protective and did not want to let anyone walk all over her (not that she would let them). The complicated relationship with his father and then of course the non existent one with his deceased mother really made him a loveable character. But I was getting annoyed with him as he worked against Miri even though he was clearly falling for her, and I don’t know if I can forgive him for that.

But the TWIST. Look I did not see that coming. I couldn’t really see it coming until it was like right in front of my face. But wow I exclaimed out loud when it happened and read until the wee hours of the morning to finish this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. The characters, the action, the spice, and the archaeology just do it for me 🤷🏻‍♀️ I look forward to any books Jo Segura writes because she’s got a fan in me.

3.5 stars! This was a fun and entertaining adventure rom-com. After reading Temple of Swoon, I'm realizing I need more adventure romances in my life.

I enjoyed the rainforest setting as well as the concept of an archaeological expedition to find a lost city. The pacing was great, and I didn't feel like it slowed down during any parts. However, I feel like the book was missing that it factor, which would've made it four or five stars. There could've been more action, higher stakes, more emotional depth, and/or less insta love.

And I didn't think the characters had the best chemistry. Based on the synopsis, there inevitably was going to be a major miscommunication/break-up, but I think that should've happened sooner so we could see the characters mend their relationship before the climax of the story. I also thought there would be a bit more Indiana Jones-style action. But this was definitely entertaining and unlike any romances I've read before!

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for sending me a copy of Temple of Swoon. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)

Solid 4.5 ⭐️ and a great read to start off 2025!

Jo Segura has done it again with this amazing novel! I love the exploration, rainforest and way her characters fall in love!

The plot to this book leaves so much room for creative freedom and I am so glad the author takes advantage of that! The characters were perfect and relatable even though surface level we have nothing in common!

I recommend this book and series to everyone! And NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP?!? The characters have communication??? It’s a wild good time!

My only critique is I feel the end went too fast! I would have loved more time finding and discovering the clues!

┆ ⤿ 💌 3.75 stars!

I really enjoyed raiders of the lost heart and this was the follow up! I loved the development of rafa and miri's relationship it was refreshing to have just pure interest from the beginning, no misunderstandings and hate turned love. Just two people who clearly are interested in each other, I also enjoyed their tension! The family issues Rafa was struggling through as well were absolutely heartbreaking.

However, I think the pacing and action of the first book worked better. Within this one we were either flying through action scenes or absolutely nothing was happening at all. I also wasn't too big a fan of the ending where we are basically just told the answer to any question we may have.

Overall, still a fun read makes me want to watch some Indiana Jones! Thank you to Berkley and netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome back to Jo Segura's adventure rom-com world! While you don''t need to read RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART before reading this one, I would recommend it because it is referenced a lot. I enjoyed the twist and appreciated that this book isn't just a rom-com. It is spicy, but the first one is spicier.

I waited a YEAR for this sequel and IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

Segura is quickly becoming one of my favorite auto-buy authors. Temple of Swoon is an excellent follow-up with cameos from characters we loved to rooting for new ones in the sweltering heat of the Amazon! Miri x Rafa will have you swooning from the moment these two meet, interchanging snacks, and setting their sights on discovering a lost city. Like it's predecessor, ToS is an action-packed, steamy, and emotional read that will have you grinning from ear-to-ear or teary eyed, depending on where you are in it's pages.

I truly cannot recommend this series enough! 12/10 stars

To be fair, I didn’t read the first book, but I don’t think that matters since the MCs from it aren’t really in this, just mentioned.

There was a lot going on in this book, but not as action packed as expected for something marketed as Indiana Jones with a love story. Insta-love doesn’t bother me, but it lacked the rom-com aspect I was looking for.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! I liked the author’s previous book a lot, so I was really excited to pick this one up.

I love the archaeological expedition plot, and I flew through this book. The writing style was easy to follow along with, and the story flowed well. I laughed a lot while reading about Miri, and I was rooting for her the whole time. The 3rd-Person POV worked really well, and I liked how it jumped back and forth between Miri and Rafa.

Right from the beginning, I had my suspicions about characters and situations, and I was excited to be right. I liked seeing both sides of what was happening with the expedition, but I also liked the mystery, the betrayal and the tension that came up. The ending was fast-paced and the tension and excitement were amped up. I thought it was really well written, and I couldn’t put it down.

Miri was a good character. I liked her quirkiness and I liked how she kept trying to be confident and badass. I also liked how she felt defeated, frustrated, and scared at times because it made her feel more realistic. Rafa was a good contrast to Miri. They clicked really well, and I didn’t mind the insta-lust and connection between them. I liked how conflicted Rafa was over certain things, and I liked how it was portrayed.

Overall this was an exciting adventure and swoony romance with lots of humour and heart.

Let me begin with, I enjoyed this story more than the first! Their love at first sight shtick was cute and I liked their personalities together. Obviously their predicament was that he was standing in the way of everything she ever hoped for, even if it was for a good cause. While I think it was really good twist, I definitely saw the Dad card coming, though maybe I just jump to conclusions too quickly haha. I liked everyone for the most part and disliked the ones we were supposed to dislike. I wanted more focus on the moon city and there just wasn't a lot of information given by the end, beyond the small story. Hopefully bc the author is building up to something else? Anywho, this was a 4 for me!