3.5 out if 5 stars!

From the moment this book was announced, I knew I had to get my hands on it—and somehow, the stars aligned and I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of a story I’d been eagerly anticipating for months.

First off, can we take a second to appreciate that stunning cover? It's serving major pop art vibes and I am so here for it. Bold, vibrant, and impossible to ignore—just like the story inside.

What unfolds is an absolutely delightful mix of sweetness and adventure that had me hooked from the very first chapter. I was completely swept up in the journey of these two characters, rooting for them the whole way as they chased down both answers and a sense of closure. It’s heartfelt, fast-paced, and left me feeling full in the best way.

***Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review***

DNF at 57%

I tried, but I just couldn't get into this.

Isi's mom disappeared into the mountains, now presumed dead, but she left behind a treasure map that Isi and her friend Louise are determined to use to find the treasure. However, they are not the only ones looking for it. Clarice Walker and her band of kidnappers are also after the map. They do catch Isi and Louise, tying them up. They manage to escape, and then the rest of the book (as far as I got anyway) we're just told over and over that Isi is in love with Louise and Louise is in love with Isi as they are running away from the kidnappers while having lusty thoughts about each other. It doesn't seem like they're that concerned though, because they stop to sleep not too far away from where they lost them, and chill in the hot springs while participating in certain solo activities.

Also, after requesting this book, I found out about the controversy surrounding the author. I can't in good faith promote a book or support an author who is claiming something without proof.

Colby Wilkens is a compelling author of queer romances that feature suspenseful elements. In her second book, If I Dig You, Isadora and Louise are archeologists that are finding their way back to each other after a long friendship hit some bumps in the road. When Louise returned from working abroad, they struggled to reclaim their closeness. Fate stepped in and forced them to work together to find a treasure while avoiding the bad actors who are intent on cashing in. The chase elements were a bit too intense for me, but the romance/love story kept me engaged throughout.

Will not be giving feedback for this book that was not read prior to it being pulled from publication.

This was a great sapphic slow burn. Could be described as Indiana Jones vibes but make it gay. I'm a sucker for books with STEM roots or academic influence. This is a great read if you are looking for a sapphic romance pick this one up!

Getting this book off my list since it will no longer be published. Hopefully the situation is sorted out in time.

Thank you St. Martin’s for the review copy. I enjoyed If I Dig You. It had everything I wanted in a romance.

Got about halfway through before discovering the controversy with the author’s claims of Cherokee and Choctaw ancestry… big yikes. Really disappointing, and very discouraging for indigenous readers looking for representation in books.

This book was sooo good! I could not put it down. And the cover is gorgeous! Thank you netgalley for the chance to read the advanced copy!

So sad it won't be published, but really enjoyed this book, the coziness, the queerness, and the over all sort of nostalgic action/adventure feel you get from it.

This was a cute read, its a shame the author has apparently being profitting from indigenous communities and their cultures.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC Copy!

I really wanted to enjoy this book, the cover sucked me in so fast, and I really was excited about the premise just looks so cute. I do feel like my enjoyment of the book was tainted by the controversy of the author. Since I had received an ARC Copy I did want to give it a full opportunity for an honest review but I just feel like the book was not nearly good enough for me to get past the issues with the author.

Will not be reading or reviewing as the author and publisher pulled this book from publication due to the authors connection with the Indigenous community.

I'm sorry but this did NOT do it for me. It took me weeks to get into it, and had to force myself to stay interested. Eventually had to call it and DNF at 40%.

This book was a lot of fun. The two main characters (best friends turned lovers) both have distinct, unique personalities.

I didn't read this book due to the controversy with the author writing native stories and stating she was native when she is not. Additionally this book was pulled from publication.

If I Dig You by Colby Wilkens
Contemporary diverse sapphic romance. Slow burn.
Archaeologist Isadora Ross lost her mother fourteen years ago. She disappeared on a research trip in the mountains. Isa has been quietly searching different area of the mountain to try to get answers but hasn’t found anything to help. Isa also misses her best friend who moved to Turkey for a dig, leaving Isa behind. She’s in love with Louisa and can’t believe she left her alone.
Dr Louisa Morgenster recently moved back to the Georgia mountains to teach archaeology. She ran to Turkey as an excuse. She’s been in love with Isa forever and hopes she can figure out how to get their friendship back at the very least.
When Isa finds her mother’s journal, she and Louisa are kidnapped for a treasure map that was included. They escape and then follow the clues on the map while being followed by the group that’s after the treasure. While they search the mountains and follow the clues, Isa and Louisa try to deny their feelings but finally start to reveal and talk about their love. The path is perilous both physically and emotionally.
Can they find the treasure before the others? Can they repair their relationship? It’s an adventure on both sides.

Lies and lack of communication are my least favorite troupes, so I struggled through a lot of the angst in this story. The treasure hunting was interesting. The villains almost comical.

I cannot address the cultural details or issues since I don’t have the knowledge.
My review is on the romance only which was disappointing for the number of years they hid their feelings or lied which followed them for the bulk of their adventures.

I was gifted a copy of this from NetGalley.

I was recently made aware of the controversy surrounding this book, so I’m not sure if this will be published later on or if it’s been completely removed. But I did enjoy several aspects of this book including the archaeological plot and the sapphic romance.

Thank you the publisher via Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Note: I received this e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to enjoy this book, it had a great premise, but fell flat. The writing style was very juvenile and it felt like the author and editor tried to make up for it with a lot of sexual innuendo, but that just made it feel even younger.
I was unaware of the author’s controversy before reading this book, and now am disappointed that I read it to begin with. If it’s still being published, I wouldn’t continue to recommend it at all.

Thank you to SMP and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I’m not sure if this is still being published, but I did just want to say I did enjoy it. I loved the Indigenous notes and the relationship. I thought it was a good book.