If I Dig You follows Isi whose mother was an archaeologist who goes missing. Louise is Isi’s best friend but there relationship has been a little rocky in the past few years. Isi and Louise are both archaeologists. Isi is determined to find out what happened to her mother and has spent years doing so. One day she find a map in her mother’s stuff that could have a lead to why she went missing. Soon Isi and Louise are kidnapped and forced to work together to get out, and find out what happened to Isi mother. The thing about Isi and Louise is that they are both in love with each other. However, neither one has shared that. Now that they are in the fight for their life will they finally admit how they’re feeling?

Going into this book I had no idea that to really expect. This book had the perfect amount of action and romance. I thought the relationship between the two main characters was super cute. I did think the more spicy parts were a little cringy. But other than that I really enjoyed this one. It had an Indiana Jones type vibe which I loved. Overall this was an unexpected surprise. I highly suggest this one.

Thank you, Colby Wilkens, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgally for the ARC of this book!

I will not be reviewing this book due to the recent information that has come to light about Colby's Indigenous background.

As this title is no longer being published I won't be giving feedback. I am also disappointed by how the author has responded to questions about how she has presented herself in marketing this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the e-arc. I will not be providing feedback at this time as the book has been pulled from publication.

I will not be writing a review for this book, due to the current allegations against the author. I will happy to change and update my review if things change in the future.

I did finish reading the entire thing before the allegations come forward but at this time, I do not feel comfortable sharing my thoughts.

Based on developments with the author of this and the book being pulled from publication I cannot support someone who lies and bullies other. Therefore I will not review this title.

This book is being pulled from publication and I will not be reading it due to the author’s misrepresentation of her identity.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the e-arc.

Thanks, St. Martin's Griffin, for the arc!

This title has been pulled from publication, so I will not read it.

3.5 Stars
Leaving no further review after discovering the author’s Indigenous history was false. I will not be supporting this book

This book was slow and just didn’t capture my attention. I liked the concept but not the execution. The dialogue and plot were underdeveloped. I also get bad vibes by how much this is being marketed as Native rep when the way it is presented in the book feels shallow and performative.

I will not be giving feedback on this title because of the author falsely claiming to be indigenous. I am still writing a review here so other readers are made aware.

Rating 5 stars so as not to drag down the rating because I didn't actually read it.

I can’t give feedback on this because of the author’s allegations. Sorry! I don’t feel right with reading and reviewing this book at the moment.

I can’t support author’s who lie about their heritage. I was excited for this one but it looks like it’s a pass for me.

Disappointed I didn't get a chance to read this one. I was really looking forward to it. Even more disappointed with the way the author lied about her Native heritage though. I appreciate the publisher's decision to pull this book but mourn its loss at the same time. :(

This book has been pulled from publication so I will not be reading it or reviewing it out of respect for those affected.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced review copy!

As it has recently come to my attention that the author does not have Native American ancestry, and yet is claiming to be writing from and representing those who have Cherokee and Choctaw ancestry, I will not be reading this book. Nor anything written and/or published by this author in the future.

Automatic pass after being brought to light the fact that the author claims to be POC and is not. The publisher is doing a disservice to those of actual Native/Cherokee heritage by supporting this.

"There have been allegations that Colby Wilkens is not actually Native, according to a genealogical study. Although the organization that conducted the study is itself controversial, the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians have a clear statement on who is allowed to claim an identity as Cherokee. I do not support white authors claiming to be indigenous or people of color if they are not. I have also heard things about Wilkens's treatment of other BIPOC authors that make me no longer willing to support her as an author."


1 star as I can't rate lower.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of If I Dig You. This was a wild adventure for sure with a little bit of magic thrown in. I wanted to like this more than I did. The trope & internal thoughts repeated too much for me and I wanted more archeology related content!

If I Dig You by Colby Wilkens was a frustrating read. The representation of Cherokee culture is riddled with inaccuracies and stereotypes, and it’s clear that this story lacks a real connection to the heritage it claims to portray. The “Cherokee Gold” concept and the misused “two wolves” story are just two examples that show a need for thorough research and genuine respect.

For a book that centers so heavily on Native identity, this one falls short in ways that feel more harmful than helpful. It’s painful to see readers praising these portrayals when they miss the mark entirely. This book would have benefited from either a complete rewrite or a thoughtful sensitivity read. I cannot recommend it, and I hope publishers start being more vigilant with Native representation.

Loved the idea of this book and I think it definitely had potential. Unfortunately it missed the mark for me. I believe it was repetitive and was weird to me that both girls acted entirely too childish even though they were in their 30s.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!