3.5 stars

This book is connected to Jo Segura’s novel Raiders of the Lost Heart (but can be read as a standalone). I’m obsessed with the covers and titles of these books! However, I had a really hard time rating this book.

There were so many good things about this book. The FMC is a quirky archaeologist on an expedition to discover the fabled Lost City of the Moon. Miri is endearing from chapter one. She is a bumbling hot mess with an amazing sense of humor that made me laugh out loud. She has no experience leading a mission, but it was fun to watch her grow from an inexperienced archaeologist endangering her team to a pure badass. I also loved the adventure aspect of the book, the setting, and all the clues Miri has to solve.

My problem with the book came with the MMC, who is a journalist/photographer hired to document the search for the lost city. Except that Rafa does not actually want the team to succeed, and sabotages them the whole time. I had a really hard time with the lying and deceit while Miri was starting to fall for him. The romance between Miri and Rafa was insta-lust, and then took a loooong time to build to anything more. The slow burn actually worked for me, but I didn’t want Miri to end up with him in the end, so it was hard for me to be excited about it. I thought that Rafa did sort of redeem himself, but it was hard for me to forgive him.

Thank you to Jo Segura, Berkley, and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Read if you like:
💕 Quirky FMC in male-dominated fields
💕 Workplace romance
💕 Forced proximity
💕 Cheesy action movies
💕 Pringles

currently mad at whoever gatekept raiders of the lost heart from me because I could have jumped on these sooner.
i had so much fun reading this, swooning did occur on both my part and miriam's. miriam was so deeply relatable with wanting to prove yourself and having a bit of imposter syndrome. she was headstrong in the best way and I really loved how she found her confidence throughout the book. these books truly read like an action adventure movie that's heavy on the romance, and it's just perfect. no notes, I love it!

I absolutely lover Raiders of The Lost Heart by Jo Segura so Temple of Swoon was a very highly anticipated read for me. Unfortunately it was a big let down. I kinda felt like I was reading almost the exact same story as the first one but with less sparkle of adventure. There were a few points that felt fresh and new but the over arc of the storyline felt bland and recycled.

I really really wanted to love this book so much and it was just ok to me, good but not great.

This cozy adventure romance was a fun ride. The characters are lovable and relatable. The author's writing is humorous while still being swoon-worthy. The story gave me "Romancing the Stone" vibes in the best way.

I am so grateful to have been given the chance to read this book early, and as someone who loved the Raiders of the Lost Heart, I am a bit disappointed in this book. I struggled to make it to the 148 pages, the point I decided this book was not for me. There was just so much going on that I couldn't keep up, while I felt the heat of the characters' passion for each other, I couldn't help but think about how this adventure would lead them into their lives together in the future. And I simply felt as though they barely connected. The entire concept of the adventure and purpose of the male main character, Rafa, was to sabotage Miri's search of the Lost City of the Moon. This level of purposeful miscommunication did not sit right with me, and I could not bear to see how it would play out. I am a fan of the miscommunication trope to a certain extent, and this level of deceitfulness on behalf of Rafa and his father put me off completely.

I enjoyed the quirkiness of the FMC and her drive for this archeological adventure but I felt like the book was centered around the FMC internal monologue and the romance aspect fell short.

Likes: STEM FMC, rom com vibes, forced proximity in workplace
Dislikes: conclusion felt forced, lack of connection between characters, felt like I was reading fmc thoughts only which I think makes me feel like there was a lack of connection

I've been eagerly awaiting this book since reading Segura's Raiders of the Lost Heart, and it was so much fun! I love an adventure romance and Temple of Swoon delivers. Archaeologist Miri and journalist Rafa are adorable together and I loved the dual POV just to see how much they swooned over each other.

I love that this story takes place in the Amazon (I've always wanted to go!) with Miri leading a team to search for the fabled Lost City of the Moon and Rafa documenting their journey...and perhaps taking part in a little sabotage. There is plenty of intrigue, sexy moments, a twist I did not see coming, plus some cameos from Raiders of the Lost Heart! Beyond their journey through the Amazon, both Miri and Rafa also go through internal journeys. Miri is trying to discover her innate badassery and confidence as a leader, while Rafa is trying to balance what he really wants from life and his father's expectations.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Temple of Swoon. There were some areas where the pacing felt a little rushed, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of these lovely characters!

If you enjoy adventure romance with charming characters and exciting action scenes, definitely pick this one up!

In Temple of Swoon, Dr. Miriam Jacobs just wants to do a good job, but getting thrown right in front of a very secret mission into the Amazon and having to suddenly lead in a wild goose chase, after a lost city no one is sure even exists, wasn’t what she expected. But inspired by her good friend Dr. Corrie Mejia, she brings on the R in Rad, and along with the help, or so she thinks of the handsome photographer Rafa, she gives it all she’s got.

Miris quirkyness and Rafas endearing love for her it was charming. I loved how she didn’t give up, even when everyone around her kept doubting her preparedness for the mission. She’s smart and sassy and wasn’t afraid to be herself. The twist in the story I wasn’t expecting at all, and the unraveling of the end had me on the edge and I couldn’t put it down until I finished.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this advanced copy.

Just like book one in this series, I thought this was a really enjoyable read even for people who might be more interested in not as kitschy of a romance. Segura does the romcom writing very well., it’s very obvious that she takes time to do a little bit of research into the academic field that’s being represented in the book. From firsthand experience, I can say that she portrays some of the professors very accurately and how they talk down to other professors who they deem not as academically, smart or accomplished as them. What I mostly like about these books is that it really takes the reader out of of the traditional romcom setting, usually a city or a small town, and kind of escalates the stakes a little bit while still keeping the lightheartedness of a romance novel. I will say, I found the main female lead a little bit much, and that she was always kind of falling over herself and being clumsy, which I find to be a trope in a lot of romance books that I don’t necessarily love, but at the same time, I do feel like it added to the character a little bit because it was a motivation to show her depth as professor and and as a researcher. Overall, I think this is a really cute and fun romcom that people should read.

I was not a fan of Raiders of the Lost Heart, but I loooved Temple of Swoon from the very beginning! This had the action I was hoping for in the first book and the MMC was much more likeable. It had good twists that I didn’t see coming, and I was all about the storyline that in ways, reminded me of The Mummy but set in a Brazilian rainforest (and without the supernatural aspects). I think Temple of Swoon was a lot of fun and I am very much here for this new-ish sub genre of adventure romance that we’re seeing more of

(3.5/5 stars)

Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura is a contemporary adventure romcom featuring an archaeologist and a journalist.

Though not listed as an actual series anywhere I can find, this installment is set about a year and a half after the previous book, Raiders of the Lost Heart. The MCs from that book have a nice cameo in this one; our new FMC Miri is under the mentorship of the previous FMC, Corrie. You could absolutely read this as a stand-alone!

I had a fun time reading this book, but I did struggle a bit with the overall pacing of the novel and with some transitions, especially transitions into steamy scenes.

The world needs more adventure romance books! This really scratched my itch for something like The Mummy or especially Fool's Gold.

Another fun story that made our Indiana jones love into a rom com! But still filled with adventure! I really missed the banter and humor from the first book but this was still a fun read! I am def a corri and ford fan but Rafael and Miri are so good too!
I would recommend if you love Indiana jones and wish it was a romance. Start with book one and see if you want to read book two.
The big twist I saw coming so that was a bummer but all in all a 3 star read (:

Absolutely loved this adventure romance! I love seeing the reclamation of previously 'exotic' locations, but with more gravity to the location itself. We aren't here just for fun, but there are some real reasons with real characters and people.

The romance sizzled! I almost like it better than the first book! They're so hard to compare.

Definitely a great follow up to a great career started from the author!

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance and @acebookspub for the free book!

In Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura, Dr. Miriam Jacobs wants to be a badass like her archaeologist mentor. And she gets her chance co-running an expedition in search of the Moon City, hidden somewhere in the Amazon. But then her co-lead breaks his hand (he deserved it!), equipment goes missing and weeks go by without any progress. Plus a notorious thief is trying to reach the city first. Oh, and there’s Rafael Monfils, a super hott photojournalist that’s assigned to her team to write a story about her quest.

I liked Miri overall. She has a lot of self-doubt but also gumption to prove herself and take risks. There’s sexism in her academic field and plenty of men on page telling Miri what she’s capable of and dismissing her. But I liked that she didn’t give up, and had Rafa to support her.
I didn’t read the first book in the series but there is some overlap with those MCs popping up and the same villain, and it’s explained enough that I wasn’t lost.
I’m looking forward to what’s next, and if this series is a trilogy, I hope Anissa gets her own book!

- forced proximity
- instant attraction
- moderate steam
- WDTK? Chapter 10

I have been waiting for this book since finishing Raiders of the Lost Heart and I am thrilled to report it did not disappoint! Segura is able to find a delightful balance between adventure and action, and romance and steam. Right from their awkward first meeting, Miri and Rafa stole each others' hearts and mine! I loved that they were both dealing with similar insecurities that manifested in very different ways in their lives. It made their instant connection feel authentic.

I loved watching their journey into Amazon. Miri's spontaneous bravery and Rafa's quiet awe over it was entertaining and so sweet. I was also completely floored by the big twist towards the end of the book. Looking back there were certainly clues that led to it, but I was so entranced by the connection between Miri and Rafa that I couldn't see outside of it. I could say a thousand good things about this book. I can only hope that Segura writes another in this universe because I cannot get enough!

I read Raiders of the Lost Heart when it came out, and while I loved the premise, I didn't love the male love interest or the set-up for their romance. I very much wanted to give this author another chance.

I liked the couple a lot more in this one, despite the fact that Rafa was (similarly to the first book) sabotaging Miri's expedition for half the story. My biggest issue is how it was handled, I wish the truth had come to light sooner than the last 20% of the book and there had been a chance for them work through it, instead of her instantly forgiving and hooking up with him.

I also wish there had been more archeology on page; more description and more of Miri actually figuring out the mystery. There was more fun action in this one, though! I'm still on the hunt for a book that gives me the same feels as The Lost City and The Mummy in 2025, it seems.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the e-arc!

Well this was quite fun! As an energetic, ambitious, but a bit over the top and clumsy person - I completely related to Miriam! I also relate on so many levels to feeling like you have to prove yourself just because some asshat is trying to discredit you, or because of your gender. She is flawed and makes mistakes, but she is also fierce and smart and funny. I love an adventure story and this one plus the romance was easy to fly through! The twists were gasp worthy, the danger and escapes, and the ending had me perfectly content.

Although this was the 2nd in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone (though I will say it made me realllly want to go back and read the first one).

This is how you do insta-love the right way! It's like love at first sight but obviously not everyone trust themselves enough to embrace that

Temple of swoon was the first action/adventure romance novel I’ve read, and it’s a quick read.

It reminded me of the live-action Dora the Explorer movie (but make them adults and add some romance). I also noticed similarities to Indiana Jones! The plot was fun and delivered exactly what I’d expect from an adventure story.

The romance was cute (I just wish it was more of the main focus) & I really loved the ending!!

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 364 / Genre: Action Adventure Romance
Release Date: January 7, 2025
🥳#HappyPubDay!🎉

Archaeologist Dr. Miriam Jacobs is on a mission to find the Lost City of the Moon hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest. Journalist Rafael Monfils is there to document the journey, but his father has also tasked him with sabotaging the mission to make sure the Lost City of the Moon is never found.

So, there are two big parts to this story. One part is the slow-burn romance between cute-but-nerdy Miri and super-hot-guy Rafi. And then there’s the adventure-mystery part where they’re trying to find the Lost City but bad guys are getting in their way. So if the mystery part of it matters to you most, I would read Raiders of the Lost Heart first because this book will have some spoilers in it. But if you’re more in it for the romcom and overall story part, you can jump right into this one. The two books have some character crossover and both have the same romcom-adventure combo to them. I enjoyed and highly recommend both books.

Thank you, @JoSeguraBooks, @BerkleyPub, @BerkleyRomance, and NetGalley for my free copy.