i'm so disappointed with the actions of the author - however I do think this story is so much better than the debut novel. The backstories, the chemistry between the characters were much more mature and caring.
I hope the rumors clear up around the author and there will be some sort of public statement.

Due to the controversy surrounding this author and the author's poor reaction to what was uncovered, I think it greatly affected how much I was able to enjoy this book. Her discussions of the authenticity of family and native history in her works and then ignoring and then scrubbing mentions of native identity from her bios without any change to the story makes it hard to really invest and engage in enjoying the story. I don't think what I read before this came out was poorly written, and I think I was enjoying it well enough but I wasn't enjoying it as I continued to read.

Publication has been pulled due to scandal with author... It looks like there is no point to reading the book if it won't be published and at this point I wouldn't read it anyway.

I cannot leave a review for this book at this time as I won't be reading it. Have since heard it is pulled from publication. After hearing the author's claims of her background that cannot be verified, I do not think I can fairly read or a review a book that is built on misleading information. I was excited to read the book by the cover and the description, but that will be as far as I get.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me a chance.

**Book Review: *I Dig You* by Colby Wilkens**

Colby Wilkens’ *I Dig You* is a heart-pounding f/f adventure romance that strikes gold with its perfect blend of high-stakes treasure hunting, emotional tension, and a swoon-worthy friends-to-lovers dynamic. Fans of *National Treasure* and romantic slow burns will find themselves hooked by this thrilling yet deeply personal journey.

The novel follows archaeologists Isadora (Isi) Ross and Louise (Lou) Morgenstern, best friends turned estranged companions navigating the aftermath of a fractured relationship. Wilkens excels at capturing the messy complexities of long-term friendships, unspoken feelings, and broken trust. Isi’s resentment toward Lou—mixed with her lingering romantic feelings—is palpable, giving the story an emotional weight that makes their reconciliation all the more satisfying.

The adventure kicks into high gear when Isi stumbles upon a journal that could lead to legendary Cherokee gold. From there, the story doesn’t let up. Kidnapped by a wealthy collector and forced to rely on each other to escape, Isi and Lou’s journey through the treacherous mountains is as much about survival as it is about rediscovering the connection they once shared.

Wilkens weaves danger and romance seamlessly, creating an intense atmosphere where every decision feels like life or death—whether it’s deciphering Isi’s mom’s cryptic map, escaping predators, or navigating the stormy emotions brewing between them. The wilderness setting is vividly described, with lush imagery that immerses readers in the perilous beauty of the mountains.

What truly shines in *I Dig You* is the relationship between Isi and Lou. Their banter, shared history, and vulnerability make for a dynamic that’s as compelling as the treasure hunt itself. As they confront their feelings and the truths they’ve been avoiding, the progression from friendship to romance feels natural and deeply earned. The tension—both romantic and situational—keeps the pages turning, and their eventual confession of love is as thrilling as finding the gold itself.

Wilkens also handles themes of loss and identity with care, particularly through Isi’s search for answers about her missing mother. This subplot adds emotional depth, grounding the story in a personal quest that complements the larger-than-life adventure.

With its daring escapades, heartfelt romance, and richly drawn characters, *I Dig You* is a treasure of a novel that will captivate readers from start to finish. It’s a story about trust, resilience, and the transformative power of love—and it’s a wild ride you won’t want to miss.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

It looks like this book was pulled from publication over an author scandal. I will not be reading and reviewing.

I REALLLYYYY wanted to love this, and while I didn’t hate it it felt a bit like a miss for me at the same time.

FIRST - I love this cover. It’s giving 90s comic cover and our FMCs are slaying on the cover. I absolutely picked this up initially for the cover! 👏🏼

I really enjoyed the premise of this book! It gave Indiana Jones but make it bad a$$ woman. I loved the action side of the story & the history that was included within as well. Where my issue falls is that I almost wanted more action and less romance? Sometimes the romance/sexual thoughts felt really… awkward? The woman were trying to escape to save their lives but were thinking about sex? It almost felt like the author felt pressured to include a certain amount of smut, and it almost felt unnecessary at times.

My other issue is I wanted more of their back story. Yes a friends to lovers romance you don’t really get the build up that you would in any other type, BUT I felt like we jumped head over heels in instalove and there was 0 build up and just 45% of the book was both of them going “no we can’t be together.” Due to that the characters felt pretty boring, ngl.

Overall, i enjoyed the basis of the plot. I wanted to love the characters, but they just needed more depth. I would still read more from this author and would def still recommend this to history lovers & peers.

This book’s publication has been canceled, and I didn’t read it. I will fully admit I’m submitting this review to bring up my feedback ratio. Support Native voices.

Because this book has been pulled from publication, I will not be writing a full review. I'm grateful for the opportunity, but I will not be reading at this time.

This book has been pulled from publication, no need for me to review. The non apology and claims from the author is concerning.

This book has an exciting premise and a promising beginning, but I believe it has been pulled from the publication lineup.

I was really excited to start this book, as it had an engaging beginning. However, after the halfway mark, the pace slowed down considerably, and the story began to feel like it was dragging. While I initially enjoyed it, I struggled to maintain interest towards the end. Additionally, I’ve recently learned about some troubling actions from the author, which has left me feeling uncomfortable about promoting this book. I can no longer recommend it.

I unfortunately don’t feel comfortable finishing this book due to the controversy surrounding the author.

I really went in excited for this book, but was disappointed to hear some things about the author. The best friends to lovers, the plot, everything seemed to set up for a good read. I just could get into it without feeling some type of way. Wish things were cleared up.

Thank you to Colby Wilkens, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was such a fun read! It was giving all the "Indiana Jones" vibes while absolutely crushing the sapphic romance aspect.

The treasure hunt aspect of this book largely focuses on a map and the clues hidden within it, I would have loved if a map was also part of the book so that us, as the readers, could follow along and get a visualization of where the characters were going. Having that would have made the book a more immersive experience.

I look forward to reading more of this authors work in the future!

Unfortunately, I just can’t get behind this with what I’ve learned about the author and it looks like this is being pulled anyways.

I chose not to finish this book when Wilkens' heritage and harmful interactions with other authors came into question.

Colby Wilkens' If I Dig You is tackles one of my favorite tropes, friends to lovers.

If I Dig You depicts two queer archeologists that have been best friends for sixteen years and then, Lou makes a life-altering decision to break off her engagement and take a job on a dig site in Turkey, leaving behind Isi. Lou and Isi avoid each other after Lou returns, but then, one day, they are pulled back together after Isi finds her mom's journal filled with legends of lost Cherokee gold. Lou and Isi are forced to confront their feelings for each other, both as friends and something more non-platonic, as they search for the missing gold.

This book definitely has its spicy moments sprinkled throughout what I'd call a mix between National Treasure and Indiana Jones. I do feel like we could have had a little more action and a little less of antagonizing over whether to make the move from friends to lovers. Overall, this book has potential and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a spicy treasure hunting story.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for this ARC. I had read this, thought it was okay (some issues with the writing and the characters and their questionable decisions). However, due to this author’s actions, I don’t feel comfortable reviewing or promoting this.

I will not give feedback at this time since it has been pulled from publication. If anything changes, I will come back and provide a review.