Update 10/25/24- I loved the ARC but if the investigation is true, this is not a story that should be told by this author. As Wilkens has now made a statement that she is pulling the book, SMP needs to pull this ARC from Netgalley.

Original:
Oh my gosh???????? I knew that I loved If I Stopped Haunting You (as I write this review, that book comes out tomorrow) but I didn't realize I'd love If I Dig You even more????

I was sitting at the laundromat laughing out loud and then asking myself "wait should I be reading a sex scene at the laundromat?" before realizing that if I stop reading the sex scene at the laundromat that means putting down the book, and I didn't want to do that.

I know I'm loving a book when I pause reading it to text a friend about how much I love it. This book was so funny, and I laughed multiple times when Isi and Louise were trying to escape the kidnappers.

Dr. Isadora Ross and Dr. Louise Morgenstern are archaeologists who used to be best friends until their falling out 14 years ago when Louise went through a breakup and ran off to Italy to do archaeology, leaving her best friend (who continues to mourn her missing mother) behind. Now it's awkward because they're both in love with each other, can't move past the past, and anyway, they each think that their feelings are unrequited. Then a treasure hunter kidnaps Isi and Louise, and they have to escape and continue Isi's mom's search for a hidden Cherokee treasure.

This is definitely a book for if you watched The Mummy or Indiana Jones but wished it were more gay. I also loved the theme of a Native American archaeologist trying to restore the historical artifacts/treasure to the tribal nation that lost it. That part reminds me of Kung Fu Yoga, a 2017 Jackie Chan movie about an archaeologist trying to return a stolen treasure to its rightful owners.

This book was funny and sexy and my only regret is that I now have to wait five months for it to come out.

Tropes/notes: Bi4Bi, There's Only One Bed (in this case, There's Only One Sleeping Bag), Friends to Lovers

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

Due to the information that has come out about the author and the fact that this book is being pulled from publication, I will not be reviewing it.

I will not be reading this, it is a fabrication of the authors lies about her identity and I was purposefully misled.

Due to the info that has came out about this author lying about her indigenous heritage I will not be reviewing this title.

I was notified that this was being pulled from publication so I won’t be reading/reviewing. I was looking forward to this, but after hearing about the controversy, I’m glad st martins press is listening to reviewers.

Well shoot. I love this cover so much but the author just released a statement that this was getting pulled from publication so I’m not gonna take the time to read this and review it.

Due to recent information that has surfaced about this author I will not be reading and reviewing any books by her. This one is also apparently getting pulled from publication so I don't feel it is worth my time on top of everything else that has come to light.

Due to the fact that this book is being pulled from publication at this time, I will not be reviewing.

Due to the recent allegations and the fact that the title will be pulled from publication, I will not review it.

Well the author announced that this is getting pulled from publication after everything that has come out about them. So, I’m going to go ahead and not spend my time reading this. Especially since If I Stopped Haunting You was bad…

In light of recent events, I will not be reviewing this title. The allegations against this author are heinous and I am glad it is being pulled from publication.

Thank you net galley for the arc. I will no longer be reviewing this book because of evidence comimg forward about the author lying about her native identity.

Given the recent allegations and subsequent response from Colby Wilkens that this title will no longer be published, I will not be reading and reviewing it. Rating for the sake of not damaging my feedback ratio over a title pulled from the publishing calendar. Should things be resolved in a manor deemed satisfactory by the marginalized community affected, I will revisit in the future.

Because this book's publication has been canceled. I am leaving this review. Choosing the "I will not be giving feedback for this book" option would impact my ratio negatively, which is not fair given the circumstances.

The Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF) has reportedly looked 10 generations deep into Wilkens' family history and was unable to identify a Native ancestor.

Given the recent allegations and subsequent response from Colby Wilkens that this title will no longer be published, I will not be reading and reviewing it. Rating for the sake of not damaging my feedback ratio over a title pulled from the publishing calendar. Should things be resolved in a manor deemed satisfactory by the marginalized community affected, I will revisit in the future.

In light of the allegations that have come out against Colby Wilkens, including both her indigenous heritage (or lack thereof) and her mistreatment of fellow authors, as well as the announcement that If I Dig You has been pulled from publication, I will no longer be reading or providing a formal review for this title.

Will not be giving feedback after claims made by the authors friends about lying about heritage. I think this is really poor behavior and do not want to be associated with it

I requested this because the idea of a Native Indiana Jones-type protagonist sounded so cool. Plus, that cover is gorgeous! Ultimately, though, I like romantic suspense to be heavier on the suspense and lighter on the steam, and this was definitely a very steamy read.

However, one thing this book did nail was the Indiana Jones/National Treasure vibes. I really enjoyed the treasure-hunting plot, and the discussions of Cherokee history and restoring artifacts to the communities they belonged to. Plus, the friends-to-lovers angst between Isi and Louise was well done.

Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a high-heat treasure-hunting romantic suspense.

**EDIT: Due to the allegations about Colby Wilkens not being Native, especially given the clear statement from the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians on who is allowed to claim Cherokee identity, I have removed my rating from Goodreads. I do not wish to support white authors who unjustly claim Native heritage. I will leave my original review up for archival purposes.

I will not be reading this book due to the authors unethical and damaging behavior. I hope that they come forward with a sincere apology though I'm not sure based on their choices that they will.

I was so excited to read this book as it sounded just up my alley but it has now came out that this author is falsifying her ethnicity so I will no longer be reading this.