Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter & NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Unfortunately I am DNFing at about 30% in. I really wanted to enjoy this, it should be right up my ally. I really am not connecting or vibing with the characters or the story. I spotted on to the miscommunication trope from a mile away but also girl, who taught you to travel with someone you met 5 minutes ago?! I'm also all for lgbtq+ rep but it felt like Adriana's brother was written as a stereotypical gay man for the sake of having a lgbtq+ character.

When accidentally putting on a bracelet she thought was a gift to her, the last thing she expects is to find herself going on an archaeological journey and an all paid for vacation with a hot archaeologist. This was a fun contemporary romance with Indiana jones vibes. The spice was fun and the story itself was a cute read. I definitely think if you're looking for a Indiana Jones vibes kind of story, absolutely pick this up.

Release Date: May 2, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Due to a misunderstanding Adriana Jones receives a parcel intended for Dr Andrew Jones and tries on a bracelet - only to find that she can't take it off. She ends up on a treasure hunt with Andrew, traipsing through jungles whilst being followed by others after the same treasure.
To be honest I wasn't sure when I read the synopsis of the story, I loved the idea of an Indiana Jones type action story, but I'm not always a fan of too much sex in a story just to spice an otherwise boring book. I am pleased to say that my fears were unfounded, there was plenty of action and the spicy bits suited the story. I liked the two main characters and her brother really added to the story with his antics. I would give this story 4.5*,rounded up to 5* because it would be churlish not to, read and enjoy.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book and I subsequently purchased it on release.

What an unexpected turn! I actually quite enjoyed this book!
I was unsure at first, especially on the few first chapters, the writing didn’t do it and just the overall layout. The way it stare. But then I started to get more and more into the book and it was like watching an old movie in my mind. Ex (mummy, travel to the center of the earth or treasure) those types and I couldn’t get enough! The only thing that really threw me off a bit was Adriana insecurity’s but it was okay. Loved William!! This book without him wouldn’t have happened lol.

This was delightful.
True Indiana Jones vibes with extra romance. I loved the characters, and how real they felt. The adventure/mystery was so fun to unravel with them.
This would be the perfect romance book club book, especially if you love Indiana Jones.

This was an enjoyable read. It's easy to follow and the writing was great. There's wonderful descriptions and I felt there was a lot of thought put into the plotting to give you that mysterious adventure.

Adriana thinks she's received a lovely gift in a beautiful bracelet but it ends up belonging to the handsome archeologist Andrew Jones. Adriana is up getting roped into an adventure of a life time looking for a lost treasure in Columbia. There's turns and puzzles to be solved. Adriana finds herself on a personal journey to overcoming her issues of relationships and fear of love. Adriana and Andrew have great chemistry and I really liked how much of a cinnamon roll Dr. Jones is.

The only thing stopping me from giving this a higher rating is I found Adriana's inner monologue a little frustrating at times. Also, how she tries to let her anxieties ruin something wonderful for her no mother how much she's shown. Also, once the spice was introduced it was kinda back to back and I was finding myself wanting to get back to the storyline. Other than that a fun story!

This is a great summer read! If you're a fan of adventures and Indiana Jones then def check this out! Thank you @onemorechapter for the gifted ebook.

This was, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining books that I have read this year. I was laughing and kicking my feet throughout the entire book. Literally start to finish. Our FMC is sassy and witty and just so fun that you can't help but love her and want to see what chaos she can get into next. Our MMC is stoic and serious but fun and adorable at the same time which I know doesn't make sense, but once you read this you'll understand. Our FMC's brother, aka the bet supporting character ever, is hilarious and honest and so fun. I don't know if he or the FMC had me laughing more at times. The entire cast is just great. Even the villains were written well and kept me entertained. If you like Indiana Jones & The Mummy you will absolutely love this book.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, fast-paced and action packed. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

While I was reading Digging Dr. Jones by Olivia Jackson, I couldn’t help but think about an episode of Bob’s Burgers called “The Cook, the Steve, the Gayle, & Her Lover.” Specifically I couldn’t help but think about Steve, a one-off character Bob’s trying to impress and become friends with who happens to also be an archaeologist. In the episode, Bob is disappointed to learn that archaeology is nothing like the Indiana Jones movies.

Digging Dr. Jones takes the opposite approach. Not just in that both of our main characters’ surnames are Jones (which leads to a mixup that sets off the story) but also in that they end up in multiple dangerous situations essentially graverobbing, dealing with booby-trapped ruins, and coming face to face with more than a few skeletons.

Was this book believable? To be honest, not in the slightest. But was the adventure fun regardless? Absolutely.

**So then when do I feel so disappointed by it?**

In a word: fatphobia. The book includes multiple throwaway comments about body size and watching one’s figure and it honestly grated. Because the author could have just left it out! We didn’t need to know Andrew didn’t eat bread because he was a self-described “chubby kid” so he cared a lot about keeping his body fat-free as an adult. Nor did we need any discussion about Adriana’s stomach being “flat enough” like happens before she bones Dr. Jones the first time. It added nothing. (Related thing I hated: Adriana’s insistence that Brie needed Botox, as if her forehead moving when she made expressions was a problem.)

It just felt extra gross when considering the current landscape of beauty and how aging has become the enemy, and an obsession with skinniness is returning. It bummed me out for it to show up in an adventure rom com.

So yeah. This would have been a fun, if unbelievable, romp. But I ended up feeling let down.

Digging Dr. Jones was exactly the kind of cozy, swoony, and feel-good romance I needed. From the moment I met the delightfully nerdy Dr. Jones and the whip-smart, relatable protagonist, I knew this was going to be a comfort read—and it exceeded my expectations in the best way.

This book struck a perfect balance between humor, heart, and heat. The banter was sharp, the chemistry was undeniable, and I found myself smiling constantly as the romance blossomed. It had the fun of a rom-com but with surprising emotional depth, touching on themes of identity, self-worth, and letting your guard down after past hurts.

One thing I especially appreciated was how grounded the characters felt. They weren’t perfect, but they were lovable and layered. Their relationship grew organically, with tension and tenderness that made every romantic moment hit even harder. Also, the archeology elements? A charming bonus. It gave the story a unique flair without overpowering the romance.

If you love cinnamon roll love interests, clever dialogue, and stories that leave your heart warm and happy, Digging Dr. Jones is a must-read. Josie Juniper has such a fun and fresh voice—I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next.

Great premise--Indiana Jones meets The Mummy, in which a woman puts on a mistakenly delivered priceless bracelet (as one does) and a hot archeologist shows up to claim his artifact, but it's stuck so she has to go on an adventure with him to discover pirate treasure in Colombia. Unfortunately, the writing didn't hold up for me; it felt too juvenile and the FMC seemed very immature for a grown woman. And we don't get the MMC's POV, so he feels quite flat. The dialogue and the banter just aren't working because of the immaturity and flatness. It could be a fun ride, but the depth isn't there.

3.5 stars — cute, fun, and full of adventure!

Adriana Jones thought she was on a relaxing vacation—until a mysterious bracelet traps her in a treasure hunt with the infuriatingly charming Andrew Jones. Tropical clues, sizzling chemistry, and rival treasure hunters make this a fun, flirty read perfect for fans of romantic adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Quick Summary: A cute & quirky adventure-as-you-go romance

My Review: Digging Mr. Jones by Olivia Jackson is a spicy slice of life rom-com. It is scheduled for release on 5/2/25.

About the Book: "Adriana Jones needs to improve her vacation, and a bracelet with gems will do the trick.

Andrew Jones needs this bracelet if he wants to find an ancient lost treasure...

There’s only one solution: Adriana must accompany him on his quest."

In My Own Words: Think Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Think Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. Think Harrison Ford and Karen Allen. Think Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. It's that kind of vibe.

My Final Say: What a ride! This story is the adventure you didn't know you needed. It's altogether like an OG treasure quest rom-com that offers a taste of adventure, a touch of rough & ready banter, mad chemistry, and "this is a clue" flavor. (Fans of NT will get that reference. Ha!)

I cannot wait to get my hands on the audio version. Can you imagine the listening experience it will be?!

Other: Readers who enjoy adventures of discovery, good guy vs. bad guy match-ups, and close proximity scenarios will like this book.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title. It was a pleasure to review. I am grateful for the opportunity.

Digging Dr Jones follows Adriana Jones who is on vacation with her brother when she receives a bracelet as a present. However the bracelet was not meant for her. It was meant for Andrew Jones who is an archaeologist. He needs the bracelet in order to find ancient treasure. The problem is Adriana put the bracelet on and can’t get to off. The only solution is for her to go on the quest with Andrew. Adriana agrees and soon they two have some wild adventures.

For a debut book this was good. But the problem for me is it was too similar to other books that I have read and liked more. This book did have the perfect amount of adventure and romance. However Adriana brother William was so annoying to me and that made me take a whole star off ( this would have been a four star if he wasn’t so annoying ). I didn’t really feel like he added anything to the story and thought he shouldn’t have been a main character. But other than that this was good and I do suggest it. I know there is going to be another book in this series and I will read it when it comes out.

Thank you so much Olivia Jackson and One More Chapter books. This book came out today!

okay that was quite fun!!!!

I usually stay away from books labelled as spicy but when One More Chapter sends their newsletter with a "last chance to download" my FOMO can't take it, so download I did!

The spice doesn't hit until 60% and yes it does get fairly spicy so I skipped all of that but EVERYTHING ELSE was so fun! Think The Mummy but in Columbia!

I loooooved Andrew and Adrianna (their names are sooooo cuteee hehe) they were very likeable and the banter was 🤌 William, who is Adrianna's brother was also a great character. I loved the sibling relationship, it was full of banter, shared childhood trauma and lots of love.

The plot kept me hooked through, an archaeological treasure hunt! Quite high stakes and has some bad guys as well!

I went into this ARC expecting a Lost City vibe, like Indiana Jones, The Mummy, Uncharted, and Tomb Raider, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I did enjoy how fast-paced and cheesy it got at times, but the love between the characters developed a little too quickly for my taste. I just wish the dialogue and characters had a bit more depth. Personally, it read more YA. Still, it was a fun and easy read, and I’m glad I gave it a go!

Thank you NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC!

This book totally hooked me it's part romcom, part action and part adventure. As someone who grew up loving Indiana Jones, this felt like a playful nod to those classic escapades without ever feeling like a copycat.

We follow Adriana, whose business isn't exactly thriving, as she heads to Costa Rica for a break with her brother. One mix-up later, and she's suddenly jetting off to Colombia with the mysterious (and slightly rugged) Dr. Andrew Jones. he chemistry between them? Electric. The adventure? Wildly fun.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect at first I worried it might lean too heavily on the Indy vibes but this had its own energy, its own story, and a romance that really worked.

The characters had depth, the pacing was great, and very lighthearted

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in return for an honest review.

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬🗺️🩷

An adventure romcom? Sign me up immediately😍

From the moment I saw this title on Netgalley I knew it I was going to read. As a big fan of the Indiana Jones franchise this book was screaming my name, begging me to read it.

📖 A surprise gift is exactly what Adriana Jones needs to improve her vacation, and a bracelet with gems will do the trick. Except once it's on, she's faced with two problems: the first is that the bracelet is actually meant for Andrew Jones - the renowned and utterly gorgeous archaeologist. The second is that it will not come off, no matter how hard she tries... Andrew Jones needs this bracelet if he wants to find an ancient lost treasure deep in the jungles of Colombia. And there's no way he's letting Adriana's mistake cost him his career. There's only one solution: Adriana must accompany him on his quest.
Trekking through jungles and crawling through crypts wasn't on Adriana's vacation agenda, but an adventure with the very sexy Dr Jones might just be the treasure she's been seeking...

This story was so fun!!! What I loved the mist in this book is definitely the relationship between Adriana and her brother William, who was the funniest character ever, he was so clueless all the time that I couldn’t just stop laughing at everything he did or said😂. Their bond is so special and healthy and you could see how much they cared for each other🥹❤️

Adriana and Andrew DELIVERED. I loved the tension between them since the start. Their story might seem kinda of an insta love but the thing that made me enjoy it in the end is that they don’t instantly hook up. Their relationship starts off as a friendship, which later on, develops into more. The treasure hunt element was just perfect. The cave scene? Chef-kiss💋🤌🏼 The spicy scenes where ELITE, I loved all of them👀🔥

Definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a silly, adventurous romcom🗺️❤️

𝘿𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙧. 𝙅𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬!

Tropes
📜 close proximity
💕strangers to friends to lovers
📜 opposite attract
💕 adventure romance

Thank you to @harpercollinsuk for an e-arc through @netgalley in exchange for an honest review💓

Sabina💖

I absolutely loved this story! It’s a fun, adventurous romcom with just a hint of spice. The plot had me hooked and I liked the characters.

I didn’t care much for Adriana at the beginning. By the second half, she was absolutely hilarious. Her sharp comebacks had me laughing out loud. The second half of the book was easily my favourite. It’s where all the action kicked in and the humour really shined.

If you love stories with forced proximity, opposites attract and destination romcom vibes, this one's for you.

Thank you to One More Chapter, Netgalley and Olivia Jackson for my advanced copy

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a captivating and fun read. I feel like it had the perfect blend of mystery and adventure, combined with relatable and compelling characters. It was impossible to put down! Jackson's writing style is engaging and immersive, and I am so glad I got the chance to read this — highly recommended!