Well sadly I did not finish this book because information came out about the author pretending to be indigenous. Based on what I’ve heard it seems like she did this unknowingly but I couldn’t in good faith read a book about indigenous characters written by a non-indigenous author. All that being said, what I did read was decent and I think I could have enjoyed it had this not come out about the author.

I enjoyed this book but it was a little slow for me. I love the concept and plot but it dragged a bit. If you like archaeology and wlw romance I would give this book a try. Thank you NetGalley for providing me and E-Arc for an honest review!

I no longer feel comfortable with giving feedback on Colby Wilkens' work due to the lies about her Native heritage and am very glad to hear that this novel is no longer going to be published!

I thought this was a really cute romance and I was invested. I loved the cover art too. As a elder emo it spoke to me.

Oof I am not comfortable with the author controversy. The book is being pulled from publication. The writing was ok. I wasn’t in love with the characters or story. And honestly once I found out that she has been investigated for misrepresenting herself as a Cherokee (find that she is not native), I was bummed that I spent time reading it.

I will not be reading or giving feedback to this book since TAAF has announced the author is not Cherokee. This book is being pulled from publication.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

First things first- it seems as if this author is not actually cherokee (mixed with white) as she claims in her author acknowledgments. So that’s a problem. https://nypost.com/2024/10/21/us-news/author-colby-wilkens-says-shes-native-american-tribal-alliance-disagrees/

I liked this story. I liked Isi and Louise. I’m ALL about lgbtq representation. And I’m all about native representation but I don’t have enough knowledge about what’s true in this book and what is not. So now that the authors heritage has come to light it’s hard to love this book.

Isi and Louise have been best friends for years. And also in love with each other desperately. And of course, they don’t know it. Throw in scary treasure hunters that want to kill them and you have an action packed friends to lovers story. They get their HEA, and Isi’s mother gets the recognition she deserves.

Maybe some editing and truth telling will make this book worth more of a read in the future.

I’m uncomfortable that her native ancestry cannot be verified. But on top of that this book seems like someone with empathy or sensitivity needed to read and do an edit. Generally I love books about archeological digs and finds and the fact it was going to be a queer story was really exciting.

Kind of disappointed about the entire situation

Isi and Lou have been best friends since freshman year of college. They are also hopelessly in love with each other but too scared to say anything. Will a dangerous and deadly treasure hunt be exactly what they need to confess their feelings?

Read if you like:
-Friend to Lovers
-Book Smart but Love Shy
-Action & Adventure
-Indiana Jones, National Treasure, & The Mummy

This sapphic romance book was better than going to the movies! It had adventure, heart, and spice: a winning combination. I really enjoyed the combination of forced proximity and teamwork as Isi and Lou outwitted the bad guys and solved the riddles to find the treasure. And I loved that the mystery was tied to Isi's Cherokee ancestors.

If I dig you is a f/f friends to lovers adventurous romance, and I was here for it. This book provides a nice timeline for the romance between the characters and the setting is interesting and adds depth to the story. Overall I would give this book a 4.

Before I heard about the controversy surrounding the author, I was excited to read this and now I have heard that it had been pulled from publication but am not sure if that is still the case. I will not be supporrting this author or this work.

As much as I hate to “review” a book I haven’t read, it’s clear why I won’t be reading or reviewing this one.

I loved "If I stopped Haunting You" by Colby Wilkens! However, I have recently seen some negative things about the author online and will the author aside, I think this book was 3.5 stars just for the plot line and the characters. AT first glance, the cover is stunning and I love the cartoonish vibes!! The beginner of the story was a lot more fast paced than the rest of the novel. I also had a hard time connecting with these characters. I did enjoy the adventure, romance, and of course a little bit of *spice*.

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.