I had hoped that this would be filled with adventure and romance, but was let down on both accounts. The romance was okay, but the adventure aspect was deeply overshadowed and ultimately forgotten. I found this to be bland. This improved marginally around 70%, for me. Up until then, I was not really enjoying it. This might not have been the book for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for access to this ARC in return for my honest review.

After a mixup with a bracelet, Adriana is forced to accompany the super handsome archeologist Andrew Jones on his quest to discover ancient treasure, buried deep in the jungles of Colombia. Except they aren’t the only ones looking for it…

Andrew and Adriana must work together in a race against time to be the first to find the treasure before it falls into the wrong hands but they end up finding more than just treasure in the jungle. 💕

This was such a funny, cheesy and swoony read and I loved the adventure element. I think this would be perfect for fans of films like National Treasure, Indiana Jones and The Lost City.

3.75 stars, rounding up! I was really ~digging~ the vibe of this book, from hidden treasure to newfound love to adventures galore!!

A small world indeed has Adriana Jones and Dr. Andrew Jones (of no relation) staying at the same Costa Rican resort. When a delivery mixup ends up with Adriana wearing a bracelet Andrew needs to find treasure (don't worry, he's doing it for science and not $$), the two reluctant allies (+ her brother) are off to Colombia to find some treasure!

I thought this was a very FUN FUN FUN book, as I'm a sucker every single time for an adventure mystery, especially one that name drops Rick O'Connell, the man that started it all for me. The story was a good mix of solving mysteries and feelings developing, exactly what I'm looking for in an adventure romcom!!

Thanks so much to Olivia Jackson, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

First of all I have to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

“Digging Dr. Jones” is a novel full of humorous moments and action and adventure, with an Indiana Jones inspiration.
Andriana and Andrew find themselves involved in a mess. Adriana Jones ends up receiving a package by mistake that actually belonged to Andrew Jones, a package that contained a bracelet that is an ancient artifact. Adriana thinks the bracelet was a present for herself, puts it on and can't get it off. So together they embark, along with her brother, on an adventure in Colombia to recover a treasure.

The narrative is very fluid, rhythmic and immersive. The language is very accessible, especially for me as English is not my first language. In terms of plot, I liked that the element of adventure is not lost when the couple get together. But in terms of narrative, I didn't find it revolutionary. It's the typical romance we've come to expect, but I'm grateful that the author didn't make a third arc breakup just for the sake of it.

Now about the characters. Adriana got on my nerves a bit, because she didn't act and I just hoped that Andrew would make the first move halfway through the book. Now about Andrew, I liked him in terms of romantic interest, he demystified some things that are expected of men or not, such as eating problems and the age at which you lose your virginity. I really liked William, he was great comic relief. I felt that all the relationships between characters were well done, from the romance, to the brothers' relationship, to Andrew's relationship with the antagonists.

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this book. And I plan to read more by the author in the future.

This was a different kind of read for me! Romance mixed with archeological adventure. Overall, I liked the mental escape of this book, taking the characters through Colombian jungles and hidden passageways in churches. It felt very Indiana Jones-esque and the clues were fun to follow. Lots of close proximity shenanigans with Adriana and Andrew. If you love adventure stories ala Jo Segura, or have seen Romancing the Stone a dozen times, this is the book for you!



Special Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC!

Have very mixed feelings about this one!

I enjoyed the adventure/Indiana Jones vibes and it is a very fast-paced romance, so if you're looking for something quick and easy look no further!

However, the biggest issue I had with the romance was it felt just a tad too insta-love for me. I wanted angst, tension, the pininggggg and we didn't get any of that. Insta-love just doesn't do it for me like a flushed out and well developed story. The humour was also a little too cheesy for me and I didn't connect with the characters, particularly the FMC which is usually not a good sign.

Would I recommend this book? Honestly, no. Is it a quick and easy palate cleanser? Absolute.y

Absolutely flawless, no notes, tongue-in-cheek, spicy little romance novel about an archaeologist named Dr. Jones (yup) who takes our heroine, Ms. Jones (yup) on an adventure treasure hunt through the jungles and waterfalls of Colombia. 100% would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

THERE'S NO THIRD UP BREAKUP EVERYONE STAY CALM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Real rating: 4.75 stars

What a superb debut novel from Olivia Jackson! I was shocked to find out it was her first novel because it's just so good. Also not a native? Perfection, please give me more.

Digging Dr. Jones is the perfect read for rom-com, adventure-seeking lovers. Adriana Jones mistakenly opens a package for Andrew Jones, and puts on a bracelet she can't take off. As it turns out, the bracelet was vital in finding a long-lost treasure.

The whole book was absolutely thrilling, with a lot of adventures, and lots of spice.

I've seen many people calling out the insta-love, which, I agree, they fall in love incredibly quick but also forced proximity, you know what I mean? The two also make real efforts to get to know each other before pursuing anything, although their lust for each other is obvious.

I loved their chemistry, I loved how fun the whole adventure was, and most of all, I loved that there was no third-act breakup. I hate them. They're useless, and 99% can be solved with a simple conversation, WHICH THIS BOOK HAD! The two were at crossroads, and right when any other rom-com would break them up for nothing, they talked it out. Absolutely refreshing.

I felt like Andrew was a bit too infatuated with Adriana, who didn't seem as great as he saw her, but while she was an interesting character, she could've used some improvements and therapy. I'll forgive everything for the lack of a third-act breakup.

Please, give me more of this.

Digging Dr Jones... First off I can not say this title without breaking out into song... I know! I loved this novel, it gave me Tomb Raider/Indiana Jones vibes and I really enjoyed the way it developed. It had it all, chemistry, banter and giggles.
Digging Dr Jones was so refreshing to read, I found it humorous and it was a delight!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As someone who enjoys gaming and loves Tomb Raider and the Uncharted series, this book was right up my street!

We have:

🪙 Forced Proximity
🪙 Opposites Attract
🪙 Fish out of water
🪙 Destination romcom
🪙 Spice 🌶

Im more of a mood reader, and this was perfect for a comedic, romcom-esque fix. Adriana, our FMC, has been going through a tough time lately, so in a bid to cheer her up, her brother William takes her on an all-inclusive Costa Rican holiday. When a surprise package is delivered to Adriana's room, she can't help but put on the beautiful bracelet within. In a bizarre twist, this package was not meant for her but someone else, our MMC.........

""de·i·ty | ˈdēədē | NOUN:
The handsome, tender-hearted, intelligent, virile, living, and breathing god, Andrew Oliver Jones, with the body of an ancient Greek statue, only with all body parts attached.""

Dr Andrew Jones enters Adriana's life with an offer she can't really refuse given her current circumstances, and this is where our adventure begins!

I loved this book. It had me giggling at the banter between the siblings and also between Ariana and Andrew. It was blended perfectly with all the action and adventure you'd expect from this kind of story! And of course what treasure hunting would be complete without rival hunters looking for the same prize. In a race against time to solve the clues, who will get there first??

Thank you to Harper Collins / One More Chapter along with netgally for the arc of this book for my honest review.

This book was so entertaining and I loved the romance. It was a great adventure book, where the main female character gets thrown into an adventure with a very hot archeologist. I thought their chemistry was amazing, and there was just the right amount of build up to them finally getting together around the halfway point. I also thought the actual mystery/treasure hunting plot was very well done, with all the twists and turns needed for an engaging story. Honestly my only complaint with this book was her brother—I found him extremely annoying and just wanted him to stay back at the hotel the entire book (I was very happy when he finally did).

Thank you to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF at 75%. I was so excited for this (I love adventure romcoms) but unfortunately I found myself mostly bored and mildly irritated throughout.

Reasons for DNF:
- the characters fell really flat for me. Adriana has all this past trauma that we constantly hear about in her inner monologue but then the book has such a silly lighthearted tone and the romance between her and Andrew felt quite shallow. It was just a weird dichotomy that didn’t come together for me. Andrew seemed like a cardboard cutout of Prince Charming - just zero depth and the cringiest lines.

-William seemed to be in a stereotypical “gay best friend” role which came off a bit ridiculous. Also why are siblings divulging so much about their sex lives to each other??

-The mystery/treasure hunt was hard to follow and bizarrely so much of the book seemed to be taking place in hotel rooms

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing a digital ARC.

This book was…something. Fun, entertaining, ridiculous, predictable, smutty, insta-lovey, derivative, one-dimensional, nonsensical, annoying, and a good time. I didn’t like it, but I liked it? Does that even make sense?

There were times while reading that I rolled my eyes and wanted to DNF, and times when I laughed out loud. It is a contradiction, so enter at your own risk. But know, it isn’t particularly well written, the plot is thin, there is smut just for repetitive smut’s sake, and the characters are one-dimensional and, honestly, annoying at times.

I’m going with a generous three stars.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a eArc in exchange for an honest review!

DNF at 20%.

I couldn't get through the developing stages of the plot, it felt very surface-level and the seemed like the characters were just there not interacting with the plot.

I did love the premise and had very high hopes, but it just wasn't for me.

This was a fun and easy read with a likable main character and a mystery that kept me guessing at least for a while. I really enjoyed the setting and the bits of humor sprinkled throughout. It didn’t take itself too seriously, which made it feel refreshing. That said, some of the twists were a bit too obvious, and a few moments dragged more than I expected. Still, I stayed invested and looked forward to seeing how it all wrapped up. I’d give it a 3.5 entertaining and charming

‘The man offered you a lot of money for a little trouble. And an adventure’

Digging Dr. Jones is a spicy, adventure filled quest to uncover a lost pirate treasure hidden somewhere deep within the jungles of Colombia.
Adriana Jones, an entrepreneur down on her luck, is brought along for a high stakes expedition when she puts on a bracelet intended to be used as a key to a great treasure by the world renowned archaeologist, Dr. Andrew Jones. Her inability to remove the bracelet leads her to follow him on his quest, where she finds herself not only in dangerous, hilarious, and thrilling predicaments, but also in a race to prevent the treasure from falling into the wrong hands.
Andrew and Adriana are two people who would have never crossed paths. But fate, as it is, has a funny way of bringing the unlikeliest of people together and sending them on an adventure of a lifetime.

REVIEW
It is hard to believe that this is the work of a debut novelist.
Through this book, Olivia Jackson has showcased an incredible talent for storytelling, and weaved humour, tension, complex archaeological vernacular and steamy romance all into one adventure packed book.

Though the reader is hit with a healthy dose of insta-love, it is the complex themes of trauma and self-doubt that give the romance depth and weight. The core of the story is anchored in the development of this love, which takes nearly half the book to truly set off. The reality is, though it can be classified as an insta-love situation, it is also simultaneously a slower burn romance.
It was wonderful to read of lingering touches and fleeting glances which built up the tension, all whilst the reader is made aware of the undeniable attraction between the two main characters. Their romance was fun, beautiful and introspective. And while there may have not been two people more different, I loved how that dynamic only served to strengthen their connection and attraction to the other

Though romance plays a significant role in the book, the plot itself of unearthing a lost treasure moves the narrative forward.
I was really impressed by Olivia’s attention to detail, her evident research in the topic, and what could very well be seen as her own love for adventure.
It truly makes me the happiest person in the world to read about something an author is genuinely interested in. This translates onto the page beautifully, and I could see the author’s passion come through her words.

There were one or two moments in which it felt like the pacing lagged slightly, but I do believe that this is a natural consequence of writing on a complex topic like archaeology.
Many things must be explained to the reader, however for the most part, it was easy to follow.
(Perhaps this is because my own love for archaeology and adventure were reignited through this novel)

CHARACTERS
ADRIANA JONES
She is brilliant, snarky, humourous, insightful, and beautiful. All things that she struggles to accept about herself given her past.
I saw so much of myself in her, and for that reason, I have a tremendous soft spot for her and her trauma. Her journey to self discovery, and the overcoming of her own self was the highlight of the story

DR. ANDREW JONES
Swoon. Just swoon. I spent most of the book swooning over this man who is as green as the jungles that he travels through. He is SO HOT.I can’t even explain just how much I love him as a male lead. He is refined and polished. Capable and resourceful. He is EVERY adventure hero in book form.

SIDE CHARACTERS
While Adriana’s brother, William was fun and easy to relate to, the other side characters did feel a little one dimensional (with the exception of one female side character). Regardless, they were still fun and added wonderful depth to the story.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I truly had a blast reading this story. I was hooked from the first word til its last. And while I have tried to provide as unbiased a review as possible, I will say that this trope (an archaeology/adventure romance) will always be my favourite genre of books.

Digging Dr. Jones was everything that it promised to be and more. It was humourous, romantic, fun, thrilling, spicy and all things adventure. This has quickly become one of my favourites reads of 2025, and I cannot wait to read more from Olivia 🤎

5/5 🤎

RELEASE DATE: 02 MAY 2025
TROPES:
🤎Forced Proximity
🤎Opposites Attract
🤎Fish out of Water
🤎Destination romcom
🤎Spicy

Thank you to Olivia Jones, NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Mummy III/Scorpion King meets Indiana Jones in this modern day romance.

Time is clicking as the two have to race to 1. Find a treasure; and 2. Get the key/Bracelet off before the competition takes it.

I really liked how all the two main characters were adults throughout this book. They talked out their problems and saw things from the others' perspective. Personally I really liked the pace of the book. It's a medium a paced book with a decent amount of romance scenes. Also, it was great that the author stayed on the plot the whole time. She followed it through instead of adding random events that delayed the ending of the book. What kept me glued was the puzzles and searching for clues. It was exciting as a read and I felt like I was there with them.

Spice 3/5


Tropes
MMC Instant love
Forced Proximity
Enemies to lovers
Explorer
Different upbringings
Travel
Sunshine Grumpy

Received my free copy from NG!

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I devoured this book, it was such a joy to read from start to finish, and it was the perfect mix of romance and adventure. I immediately liked the FMC, and the slow burn of her relationship with the MMC had me on edge, the build up and sexual tension between them was perfect, it was just the right amount of slow burn, and once they got together, it was even better. The characters were well written, and I thought they had great depth, which I sometimes find we don’t get enough of in romance novels, but this just hit brilliantly. I loved it. Thank you to the publisher One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC of this book. It was brilliant.

A fun and sexy jungle romp, with crackling chemistry and laugh-out-loud moments! An absolutely perfect summer read, perfect for fans of National Treasure or The Lost City!

I loved this book. It reminded me a lot of movies like The Lost City with Sandra Bullock. It was such a fun book to read and now I want more.