The premise of the book was very promising but I called it quits after chapter 7. I didn't really get a chance to get to know the MCs and start caring for them before the unbelievable events started happening - burning down the mother's cabin and her journal, not to mention her note. Telling me that early on that something as big as a final note from her mother is unlikely to be resolved made me less excited to pick it up again. I found the writing repetitive and tiresome - I get that Isi has been in love with her BFF for years but putting that on every page is just unnecessary. I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately it didn't work for me.

This book has been pulled from publication, so I will not be reading it at the request of the author. I hope Colby is able to come back after some soul searching and growth.

Thank you to SMP, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy!

I've heard this book has been pulled from publication, so I won't be finishing it. This is a shame, because I met Colby Wilkens at Romance Con 2024 and they seemed like a promising young author. I hope that they are able to find their footing again and continue pursuing their love of writing.

This wasn't a bad book, it was an average read with some enjoyable parts. However, I recently discovered the controversy surrounding the author's background, which has significantly altered my overall opinion of the book.

Like others, I will not be reading this after the information that has been released the author surrounding her lack of lived experience and bullying/intimidation of people who voiced concerns

Between this being pulled from publishing as well as my lack of enjoyment of the book itself, I've chosen to DNF this book at 53%.

Very lighthearted, almost excessively so, silly and goofy. I struggle with books that give their characters these high-ranking and mature careers and yet their own behaviours and dialogue (internal and external) are closer to those of a teenager than a mature adult. I don't have an issue with the silly goofy good-time characters, but perhaps their career choices could be a bit more on-brand for that.

I also struggled with the constant internal monologues about how much one character loves the other character and how horny they are for them. It was constant and in every single scene multiple times.

If this book ever does return to publishing in some form (I suspect the Indigenous components would be removed and it would be purely a standard treasure-hunting romance), I hope that some of the above issues are resolved.

This book was pulled due to concerns, so I did not finish the book fully as the concerns seem to be valid.

I won't be reading this after all due to the allegations of the author lying and/or exaggerating her indigenous heritage.

This has been pulled and hearing the allegations it is fitting.

I read some of this book and glad I don’t have to finish

Please note: I’m aware of the allegations against Colby and that If I Dig You has been pulled from publication. I am supplying this review per my agreement with NetGalley and the publisher to review this novel in exchange for the free copy, which I received prior to any allegations.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

If I Dig You is a sweet, fun archaeology adventure with a sizzling romance and entertaining plot.

I had a lot of fun with this one. The characters were well-developed and entertaining. I had hoped for a faster beginning, but once Isi and Lou started their adventure, the story picked up to a nice pace. Some of the romantic scenes felt out of place, but I enjoyed the sweet queer romance. I was also hoping for a little more danger, adventure, and lore throughout the story and would love to see more of the magical aspects of the story fleshed out. That being said, this is an entertaining and romantic treasure hunt that was both relaxing and exhilarating to read. It is a romance at its heart, and I enjoyed Isi and Lou’s story. Colby’s prose was also lovely.

Thank you to the publisher for the free ARC!

I believe this book has been pulled from publication at this time. Therefore, this is as much of a review as I can give.

I think I’m kind of over the adventure, Indiana Jones-style of story that’s having its moment in romance. Isi and Louise are former best friends who both have harbored feelings and reunite in an odd Cherokee treasure hunt. There’s lots of adventure and steaminess, but I also found both their inner monologues really repetitive (so much “I love her, but we’re just friends!” on a loop). A cute story, but nothing terribly exciting or special.

I won’t be reading or reviewing this book - even if I was very excited to - because it’s been rightfully decided to pull it from publication after proof of the author falsely claiming indigenous heritage for years.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

this book's release was cancelled, and this author has allegedly been lying about their indigenous heritage. i will not be reading or providing a review for this title.

Wow, what did I just read?? What a whirlwind, but in the best way. If you are on the fence, get off of it and read this book!

Won't be leaving a review for this book as it has been pulled from publication due to controversy surrounding the author.

The stars of this book are Isadora /Isi Ross and Louise/Lou Morgenstern. They had met in college, in undergrad and became best friends. Isi's mother was famed Cherokee archaeologist Tamora Ross. She had done a lot for the Cherokee Nation searching for and returning artifacts. She knew that the Cherokee Nation had hidden a fortune in gold and her quest was to find it. But in her search, she disappeared. Isi spent 14 years searching for her.

Isi and Lou both became archaeologists In their own rights, and Isi decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and search for the gold. Lou agreed to join her. Isi had found her mother's journal and inside the journal was a map to the gold.

Isi and Lou have been in love with each other for as long as they'd known each other but had failed to share their feelings for fear it would ruin their friendship. But while on their gold seeking adventure, they confessed their love.

Before Isi and Lou left on their adventure, Lou had a presentation at the university where they worked that Isi was supposed to attend, but she didn't. It turns out, she went to her mother's cabin in search of clues and that's when she found the journal. At any rate, after Lou's presentation, a woman by the name of Clarice Walker introduced herself to her and told her she was looking for Dr. Isadora Ross. Lou told her to check the university roster. After that, Lou left and went in search of Isi. She found her at her mother's cabin and Isi showed her the journal and the map. It turns out, Clarice and three other people showed up at the cabin as well, and they had guns. Isi decided to set the journal and the cabin on fire. They snuck out the back and escaped.

So they headed for the mountains in their search. Isi took the map and folded it up and put it in Lou's bra. While on their expedition, they were attacked and captured by Clarice and her clan. Clarice told Isi that she wanted the map and Isi told her she didn't know what she was talking about. While Clarissa's group weren't looking, Isi took her shoelace and used it to break the zip tie around her wrist, and she and Lou escaped. They stole one of their backpacks and fled. So they continued on their trek. They were able to follow the map but when they found the gold, Clarice caught up with them and captured them once again. And once again, they were able to escape. But not before Clarice discovered the gold. There was something magical about the gold. No one could touch it without being burned and eventually killed except a member of the Cherokee Nation.

This story was an adventure with tons of twists and turns. I thought Colby Wilkins did an amazing job in the telling of this saga. And her characters were well developed. I think she's a fine author and I would love to read more of her work. I gave this book five stars.

I enjoyed this book. I liked that this book included romance, some spice and of course, treasure. It takes place in the Appalachian mountains, which I thought was really interesting. This is a friends to lovers trope and it was done really well.

Did not finish the book - could not get past around 30%. It was a slog to read. In my opinion romance with adventure can be hard to pull off while staying interesting and grounded. This book was not up to the task.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy, but since this book has been pulled from publication, I won't be leaving a review.