If you’re picking this up hoping for Indiana Jones or The Mummy vibes—with swoony romance and thrilling adventure—you might want to adjust your expectations. The premise had promise, but the execution... not so much.

Adriana starts off fine but quickly becomes a frustrating mix of “poor, daddy issues, and bad decisions.” Andrew, the love interest, has no real personality beyond being hot and into her for no clear reason. The romance felt forced, the chemistry nonexistent, and the smut? More clinical than sexy—quantity over quality, sadly.

The adventure parts started strong but lost steam fast, especially with so much time spent in hotels and not, you know, adventuring. Side characters like Adriana’s brother William felt like stereotypes instead of fully formed people.

Also, shoutout to the random Ryan Reynolds reference and weird product placement (we see you, Apple Watch). Quick read? Yes. Memorable or romantic? Not really.

DISCLAIMER: I only read until 50% and I'm sad to say I couldn't finish.
My opinion here is based on what I did read, and I do acknowledge it's not about the whole book and perhaps some of my issues with it were resolved by the end, but alas, I couldn't bring myself to do it.


My thoughts:

I can overlook certain stylistic choices because that doesn't mean the book is bad. I can try and ignore certain choices the characters make because it's the author's decision and I'm sure they'll have a reason. I'm even willing to try and understand some stereotypes used if they illustrate the ignorance of the characters and provide a good scenario for personal growth.
But if I'm asked to ignore all of it?
All at once?
Nope. NOPE, I can't.

This FMC is excessively whiny and needy and entitled at the same time. The fact she has this deep codependent relationship with her brother to the point of complaining when he didn't share how he felt for one chapter and say "if I lose him I have nothing" felt so overly dramatic, I was screaming at her to look for a good therapist.

Also, what do you mean you go to Colombia and your order paella?! A SPANISH dish?! And not even prepared correctly?! Why?!?! With how vast the Colombian cuisine is, this detail annoyed me endlessly.


The MMC is the only reason why I kept reading this long but not even this British Indiana Jones could keep me engaged enough.

I promise the premise of this one called to me sooooo much, but unfortunately and ultimately, it wasn't for me.

Urgh. What did I just read? 20% DNF.

I came here hoping for something in the vein of the Raiders of the Arcana series—maybe even with a sprinkle of Emily Wilde vibes. And honestly? I don’t even know what I got.

This book gave me bland, annoying characters, inorganic and cringe-worthy dialogue, and stiff, forced descriptions.

But the real crime? The painfully obvious and frankly concerning lack of knowledge the author has about archaeology—and about how the real world actually works. I know, I know: "It’s fiction!" or "It’s fantasy, anything goes!" But that’s exactly the risk writers take when blending real-world elements with fictional settings. If you don’t want readers questioning your accuracy, then build your world well enough that it explains itself. Create internal logic. Lay your foundation. Formulate your laws.

Anyway, this just wasn’t for me. I feel massively betrayed by the summary. Reading this felt less like reading a book and more like scrolling through a block of awkward text messages between teenagers. Oh, and I didn’t realize it was contemporary—not a genre I gravitate toward—but even that wasn’t the main issue here.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, for the ARC!

I went into Digging Dr. Jones expecting a swoony, rom-com Indiana Jones—adventure, chemistry, maybe a fedora or two. What I got was brain rot.

I don’t want to be mean—I hate being mean—but I genuinely feel like I need financial compensation for the time I lost on this book. I DNFed it at 25%, and even that was a struggle. You know when you keep checking how many pages are left, hoping you’ve somehow skipped ahead? Yeah. That.

The writing style is… how do I put this nicely? It’s abhorrent. Lazy, overly simplistic, lacking any sort of spark or rhythm. It tries so hard to be quirky, but it's giving “Look at me, I’m so FUNNY!”. It lands somewhere between cringey and exhausting. It’s the literary equivalent of someone yelling punchlines at you with a plastic sword.

The FMC? Oh, dear. She’s got the confidence of a Bond girl with the intellect of a damp napkin. And because the book is written in first person, I was trapped in her head—like being locked in a room with someone whose every third thought is a bad tweet.

Now, maybe I’m the problem. I was reading this alongside Jane Eyre, which probably didn’t help. Going from Brontë’s elegant prose to… this, felt like literary whiplash.

Honestly, it’s like the author binged Indiana Jones, had a fever dream, woke up at 3am, wrote the whole thing in one sitting, and then just hit "publish" before anyone could stop them. Editing? Never heard of her.

Maybe this will work for readers who enjoy chaotic energy and don’t mind a plot that feels like it was scribbled on a napkin. But for me? It’s a big, resounding “no.”

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

The treasure-hunting premise was what ultimately won me over in this story. It added a sense of discovery and momentum that kept me engaged, especially in the latter half. I found myself genuinely excited to see how the adventure would unfold, and that element ended up being one of the book’s strongest features.

Before that point, though, I struggled a bit. The tone early on was a bit too offbeat for me—the humor in the main character’s narration felt like it was trying a little too hard, which made it difficult to connect with her. Adriana and her brother William also felt more juvenile than endearing at first, which threw off my immersion in the story. Similarly, the romance with Andrew kicked off so quickly that it lacked the buildup I usually enjoy in slow-burn relationships.

Thankfully, things took a turn for the better around the halfway mark. The characters began to mature, and their interactions felt more genuine. Adriana and Andrew’s relationship, in particular, started to shine. They shared some sweet, tender, and even steamy moments that made their connection far more believable. Andrew really stood out as a character—quiet, protective, and full of heart. I came to appreciate him more with every scene.

Visually, the book is a stunner—the cover art is absolutely gorgeous and was a big part of what drew me to the story in the first place. I'm really glad I had the chance to read this ARC, thanks to NetGalley. While the beginning didn’t entirely work for me, the story found its stride and delivered a satisfying, entertaining read by the end.

I had a lot of difficulty with this book. I was excited to read it as I studied archaeology and love a good romance. I found the characters hard to love and connect with and the writing/ prose was a bit too unserious for lack of better words.

Thank you One More Chapter for the #gifted ARC of Digging Dr Jones by Olivia Jackson.

This book had a premise that immediately intrigued me—an adventurous rom-com with strong Indiana Jones vibes? Count me in! I was genuinely excited to dive into a story that promised both romance and action.

While the setup was fun and the concept creative, somewhere around the halfway point I found myself losing interest. The plot didn’t quite hold my attention as I had hoped, and I struggled to stay engaged with the characters and pacing.

That said, although it didn’t quite work for me, I can see this being a great pick for readers who enjoy romances with a twist, a dose of adventure, and a light-hearted escape. It’s a unique blend that may hit the right spot for others!

If you like Indiana Jones, Romancing the Stone and want a lighthearted read with a treasure hunt then I would suggest to check this out. I give it 3.5 stars. I thought the book was entertaining, but I felt like the FMC Adriana was written to act almost like a character in a YA book and had no substance. The character felt very flat and Andrew felt like the typical good looking MMC who is obsessed with the FMC after knowing her a few days. If you enjoy the insta-love trope this may be up your alley but it isn't a favorite of mine. While this wasn't a fav I still thought it was entertaining and worth a read, especially if you are into treasure hunting and forced proximity.

a typical filler romcom. it's a light, simple read where you shouldn't overthink things. unfortunately...i did and the way it just use archaeology as a trope and has zero actual understanding of it is kinda iffy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!

Okay, this was a thoroughly fun read! The perfect choice for a light summer read.

Adriana is in Costa Rica with her brother, William, when she puts on a bracelet that is sent to her room. It quickly becomes apparent that the bracelet was meant for another guest - Dr Andrew Jones, not Ms Adriana Jones. Unfortunately, she can't take it off, and Andrew needs it to help solve the mystery of an 18th-century pirate's hidden treasure. What follows is Adriana and William going along with Andrew to Colombia in an Indiana Jones/Lara Croft style adventure involving jungles, tombs and even a fedora.

I enjoyed the characters in this - Adriana was raised dirt-poor in Atlanta, with her dad leaving when she was young, and her mum being more interested in running off with her latest boyfriend. That, plus a college boyfriend, has caused a serious dent in her self-esteem and confidence, which comes through very strongly. William seems to be more adjusted, but I wonder if that's because he's older and has done some self-searching.

Andrew is a professor at the University of Cambridge, who moonlights occasionally for a company that believes artefacts should be found and displayed for the public, not hoarded away in a rich person's collection. They all end up colliding together, and whilst Adriana starts as a slightly unlikable character, I appreciated how her character grew. She became more confident and willing to acknowledge and go for what she wanted. Despite what she thinks, she is also astute and key to finding clues.

Andrew was a delight - if anything, I could've done with more personalisation for him. I felt like he was just a little too good for everything. Of course, this makes sense considering he's been doing this since he was 8. It's also because we see from Adriana's perspective, and she views him very positively. Still, he's not afraid to call out when Adriana is being unreasonable (something William is also happy to do), but I appreciate how he doesn't act cruel.

The story of the treasure was fun as well - there was the typical villain who was cheesy and somehow always one step ahead (or just slightly behind). Colombia was portrayed beautifully, and I felt that the author is either familiar with the country or loves the food.

Overall, a very fun book!

This book had one of my biggest jams – a bit of a The Mummy/Indiana Jones style action adventure and a dash of romance.

I’m afraid I found this a slog and couldn’t get past 26% (with a skim towards the final two chapters). A huge part of it was Adriana. I get that the mistakenly sent bracelet is this is the catalyst for the adventure, but who on earth would just wear a bracelet when they don’t know where it came from without checking if the parcel was for her? Then she behaved like a brat when Andrew confronted her about the bracelet being his.

Also, for a romance it was a lot of instalust that I was told rather than shown and there was no real banter to even make me believe they were compatible. I didn’t see any chemistry between them and Andrew just felt like an American’s idea of a British man.

Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC.

I always love a forced proximity and this book met the trope expectations with additional vibes of National Treasure/ Indiana Jones/ The Mummy. The storyline is true to the blurb and the cover art - a romance with action packed discoveries and treasure hunting.
I really enjoyed the writing of this book - I was instantly drawn in and kept engaged throughout the whole book with great pacing for the story. I think the story really solidified for me once they got to exploring - like the church scene similar to National Treasure. Then once I got to the spice I was even more invested in the characters. It was a fun read!
Thank you Netgalley for the electronic advance copy! All opinions are my own.

Where was the romance? The spice? The adventure? Very show going and sadly never picked up! The plot was ok, just not what I needed from an adventure romance!

Adriana and Andrew meet when she accidently receives a bracelet meant for him. She ends up accompanying him on a trip to Colombia, along with her brother. but someone wants to stop them and will do anything to keep them from finding the treasure first. A great read.

This was a great read. I actually laughed out loud a bunch of times during this crazy adventure. Adriana is an interesting character because she constantly sets herself up for disappointment by overthinking her way through a hypothetical end to any relationship she might start. Her brother William sees right through her self-sabotage and bides his time to give her the advice she desperately needs to be happy. Once you know their backstory, the over active imagination makes sense but you are also hopeful that she can overcome her childhood trauma and take a risk on her obvious attraction to Andrew. These two make a great team and it's easy to hope that they go on more adventures since they complement each other and make each other better. Once Adriana gets past her own overthinking and talks about what she's feeling, you can't help but relate to her inner struggles while simultaneously wanting to give her a swat for being so self-deprecating. It thoroughly enjoyed this Indiana Jones-esque story and will definitely recommend it to my customers.

Thankyou Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the eArc on return of my honest review.

Digging Dr Jones was such a fun read perfect for lovers of Indiana Jones and National Treasure.

I did feel like it was a very slow start but the second half did pick up. There is a few spicy scenes but not too many that you lose touch with the romance. The characters are likeable and I enjoyed the plot.

This was ok. I do love an archeology, Indiana Jones vibe.
This did lean heavily into that. Probably too much. Like straight up saying Indiana Jones. the MMC was Dr. Jones.
Adriana Jones- yes same last name as MMC, unrelated -was not my favorite character. I can't put my finger on why. She was a little whiny and very co dependent on her brother. In an unhealthy way, she emotionally held him back from moving to be with a guy he loved.

18+ had a couple of spicy scenes. I just remember meh. Good tension at the beginning though.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for this digital ARC.

What would happen if National Treasure was on HBO instead of Disney? This book, this book is spicy treasure hunting fun!

I love a bit of bickering strangers to lovers so this was up my alley from the get go, add in some clever clues and a bad guy and I’m sold.

Oh and this is one of those ones where you think “oh is this actually spicy?” In the first 40% and then once they bang they just never stop banging 😂.

If you're a fan of...The Lost City, National Treasure, Indiana Jones, and/or hot, tall, British hunks...

I absolutely LOVED this book. I flew through this one - and truly hope we get a sequel, because Adriana and Andrew are an absolute vibe. When she mistakenly puts on a bracelet delivered to her on vacation, Adriana inadvertently sets the wheels in motion for a quest that will take her to the deepest caves and the dreamiest eyes - oh and a little fortune too.

I loved that the FMC is in her 30s and a business owner - and while she's a little lost and adrift when we meet her, you get the sense that she's a driven lady who's going to land on her feet. She comes to life in a way that I felt that I've met her before (maybe seeing a little bit of myself and some of my friends in her) and while at some points I wanted to just be like GIRL HE LIKES YOU!!! this slow burn had me rooting for her from the beginning.

Dr Andrew Jones is a dreamboat - and the way his character is so devoted to his family makes him super easy to love. I greatly enjoyed the banter between him and Adriana - he was super nice to a girl who accidently steals his bracelet, and the way his character unfolds through the story will make you swoon for him too.

Both characters have some great adventures in the books, but they each come with complicated childhood/family issues that brings a surprising layer to what could be just an unserious, flirty romance. I really loved this side of the story, and commend Olivia Jackson for writing these arcs into the otherwise action packed and hilarious story that we get to enjoy.

If you love rom coms, slow burns, and men who save dogs - you have got to snag this one ASAP.

This book was a cross between "National Treasure" & "The Lost City." I enjoyed both of those movies, and that made the book even better in my eyes.

Because I've watched those movies multiple times, especially "National Treasure," which I love, the story wasn't totally original to me, but I still really liked it.

If you like an adventure-romance story, then this is the book for you.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.