I was drawn to this book because of the promise of treasure hunting adventure, with a side of romance, and I definitely got that, but along the way, I was very pleasantly surprised by the focus on highlighting queer people in the past, through the lens of these characters as they find their own queer romance, and therefore continuing that legacy of existing and being present.

This book dragged me in from the first page and did not let me go until I inevitably finished—it was filled with romance and adventure and I’m so glad I had the chance to read it.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, Entangled: Amara, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 ★

Date Finished ~ 08.13.2025

★ 𝖕𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊 𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖊 - 𝖒𝖞 𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 𝖒𝖆𝖞 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖙𝖆𝖎𝖓 𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖎𝖑𝖊𝖗𝖘 ★

"𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚝."

"𝙽𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎."

"𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝙿𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙰𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎...𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚘𝚕𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜."

𝑻𝑹𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑺 + 𝑺𝑷𝑰𝑪𝑬 ~
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ Sapphic Romance
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ Hidden Treasure
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ Healing from Family Trauma
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ 🌶️🌶️
↳ More like 1.5, there's only one mildly explicit scene

𝑴𝒀 𝑩𝑰𝑮𝑮𝑬𝑺𝑻 𝑻𝑨𝑲𝑬𝑨𝑾𝑨𝒀𝑺 ~
╰┈➤ One of my absolute favorite aspects of this book was the fact that the world was so queer normative. There were still themes of homophobia and how it affects the characters, but overall the queerness of these characters never came across as a "token" characteristic. It just felt like them, and as a fellow queer person I absolutely loved the normalcy.
╰┈➤ I 100% think we need more adventure romance books, because this was so fun. I loved the story unfurling, and that the reader discovers new facts along with the characters. The tension between the two FMC's alongside the tension of the treasure hunt made this book thrilling, never knowing whether the characters would finally reveal their feelings - or be interrupted by some other force. (However there were too many spider references in this book - yes there was only one, but that was one too many).
╰┈➤ I would absolutely love a future novella by Kathryn of the journey with the museum and Monty's memoir. To see the story unfurl of Monty and who she really is (especially getting a well rounded picture of her), her love for Ruby and for treasure hunting, and would love to see how writing her memoir heals her and strengthens her relationship with Eve. I would love to see Harper finally find her own success and happiness. I would LOVE to see more of Ruby and her thoughts on everything.
╰┈➤ My only hesitancy in this entire novel is I wished the characters were just a little more rounded. I felt at times the story and the characters had often fallen into repetition, and some of the characters lacked depth. I would've loved to see more of Eve besides the "bold and brash" and wish she had given Monty a little bit of a harder time. I wish Ruby had a larger part in the story. I think Harper was the most well rounded in a sense of her personality, but in the end she gave everything up and I would love to see her still have something for her.

𝑰𝑵 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑫 ~
Kathryn is a really cool and insanely talented human and I am forever grateful that I got to meet them at an Entangled event! Not only did I meet a fellow queer who is writing books and living their own tiny revolution, but I got to read their book and now can share and promote this story with others. Queer romance and authors is so important and deserving of love, admiration, and support. I cannot wait to support Kathryn in all their future releases.

𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕞𝕖:
IG: @abitofmagick
TT: @zoetakis

This is such a great book! So different than my usual reads! Read this one floating in the pool today and it felt amazing just to chill and read.

Harper’s mission was to set out and find Monty, a local treasurer hunter, tell her story, and maybe snag the promotion she’s been working towards. But the mission turns out to be a little more complicated when she doesn’t want to be found, Then Harper meets Eve, Monty’s niece and they embark on a treasure hunt, that leads them to discover more than just undeniable chemistry.

I loved the treasurer hunting premise and all the twists and turns along the way. The beginning hooked me in instantly, had a slight lull in the middle, but picked right back up and threw you into the action.

This was a beautifully written, heartwarming, and adventurous read that was full of determination, witty banter, and unexpected sparks that make the journey even more fun.

Thank you so much to the author and Entangled Publishing for an advance copy. My review is honest and voluntary.

Thrill of the Chase is a wildly fun, fast-paced sapphic romance packed with banter, adventure, and sizzling chemistry. Harper, a determined reporter, and Eve, a sharp-witted antiques salvager, start as fierce rivals on the hunt for the legendary Blackburn Diamonds. Forced into an uneasy alliance, their constant bickering only fuels the growing attraction between them. Kathryn Nolan blends treasure-hunting thrills with heartfelt character moments, creating a story that’s as romantic as it is action-packed. The mix of danger, wit, and slow-burn tension kept me hooked from the first page. A sparkling, feel-good read full of queer joy and adventure.

Thrill of the Chase by Kathryn Nolan was such a fun, feel-good adventure-full of treasure hunting, slow-burn romance, and emotional depth. I was hooked from start to finish!
Eve and Harper had incredible chemistry, and their dynamic felt so natural. The slow-burn tension?
Chef's kiss.
Their banter brought some real
laugh-out-loud moments, but the story also gave space to explore their past traumas, frustrations, and healing.
This was a fast-paced, easy read with just the right amount of spice (yes, there's one scene that will devour you €3). And that ending? Touching, joyful, and perfectly satisfying.
A sapphic romance that was the perfect read for Pride Month!
If I was lucky enough to read this as
an ARC, and I'm so glad I did. Highly recommend!

This is a fun, fast paced adventure with a perfect blend of romance, mystery, and heart. It's a compelling story about reporter Harper and treasure hunter Eve as they team up on a high stakes hunt through New Mexico. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the slow burn romance develops beautifully alongside moments of humor and emotional depth. The inclusion of queer history adds richness and meaning, making this more than just a treasure hunt.

A captivating blend of adventure, romance, and queer joy, this novel is an absolute must-read. The characters are endearing, the plot is thrilling, and the overall experience is incredibly heartwarming. It's a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

I didn’t realize this was a lesbian romance when I picked it up—this was actually the first I’ve read in the genre—and I’m so glad I did! Thrill of the Chase was a fun, fast-paced read with great banter and plenty of sparks. I especially enjoyed watching both FMCs grow over the course of the story, and Harper’s evolution was a standout for me. The chemistry between Harper and Eve crackled, and I found myself laughing out loud more than once.

Thank you to the author and Entangled Publishing for providing access to the eARC on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4.25 ⭐️

What a fun book! Harper and Eve go on a treasure hunt and discover that falling in love is the best treasure you can find. The queer rep was bursting at the seams and the vibes were giving Holes, in the best way possible. Harper's transition from uptight reporter just looking for a story, to her being part of the story and helping solve the case, showed how much an adventure can change a person for the better. Eve's growth from taking everything on her own shoulders to accepting help proved that putting trust in someone can create the best outcome in any situation.

There were some emotional moments and a bit of spice that were really nicely balanced to make this a super enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Ok so I did not realize this was a lesbian romcom vibe until I started reading and that's normally not my jam BUT this was still a fun and quick read. Cute, good chemistry between the characters, some silly moments... definitely a good, lighthearted read!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 rounded to 4⭐️

At its core this book is about the emotional and deep story of queer love. There is both queer love past and present and is highlighted throughout. I knew I was going to like this story due to my love for Kathryn’s writing. But what I didn’t expect was how much I was going to love the romance between Eve and Harper, the banter, chemistry, the heat was all perfect. The treasure hunt was also the perfect plot to keep the book exciting.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the ARC - all thoughts are my own.

I absolutely loved this book & it was amazing. Id recommend this to everyone. This was my first full sapphic romance and I devoured it.

“No one gets to dictate the truth of who you really are.”

I had a lovely time with this romance filled with queer joy. Be warned, you’ll get caught in the thrill of the chase too, and in all the interlaced quests, and will turn page after page. Because this book isn’t only about a treasure (even though the hunt is super fun), it’s also about finding your roots, and choosing them as you find yourself. Eve and Harper start as complete opposites, yet their motivations are pretty similar. Both want to escape their “parental models” but try to find a connection with their familial legacy at the same time. At the beginning of the book, Eve is more advanced in this path, yet she will discover herself too. But Harper is the one with the most beautiful evolution, as she questions everything in her life, thanks to that article she’s supposed to write. That felt very empowering to see these women choose themselves first after living a life to do the opposite.
But what I loved the most is how their quest reveleaded a lot of different queer stories, sewed in the mystery. It was a very cute mirror of their blossoming relationship, but also particularly emotional (yes, I cried with the last reveal).

Thank you to the author and Entangled publishing for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Kathryn did such an amazing job bringing a safe queer space into an adventure filled and emotionally run romance book! Not only are the characters enjoyable and the plot fun, the queer representation really shows that we can be found anywhere! Even in the smallest souther cities!

This book gave me Indiana Jones vibes with a twist. There was so many laugh out loud moments for me and the adventure plot line kept me interested. Thrill of the Chase was wonderful sapphic romance that completely surprised me in the best way. At its core, it's a love story but woven into the story is a mystery and a rich, emotional journey that explores queer love both now and in the early 1900s. The way the author connects the past with the present is beautifully done. I loved the chemistry between Harper and Eve. I loved how their relationship evolved. The adventure itself is incredibly fun too. The plot moves at a brisk pace as Harper and Eve follow clues across canyons, abandoned towns and sun-drenched desert trails. The side characters are great too. All in all I give this book 5 stars. Beautifully written.

a fun and quick read. I rally liked this story and the main characters were well done. A little slow in the beginning, but worth it in the end!

"But why would you ever stop searching for beauty when there's so much to see, right in front of our eyes?"

This book is a treasure. A fun quick read, perfect for summer, with two intriguing main characters.

Harper loves the hunt, and maybe she hasn't felt the spark of her journalism career until now.

Eve loves old treasures, and the restoration of them, and the chase of a new love interest.

What they have in common - besides instant attraction - is the need to find Monty Montana. And the need to outrun abandonment and find a reason to love what they do.

I loved this treasure map of a novel as I followed Eve & Harper through the desert. The literal desert of New Mexico, but also their personal demons and quest for love that's real.

Most of all, this feels like a fast-paced mystery thrill ride,

"The storm rolling in was going to be a problem, but I no longer had the luxury to wait it out."

What a fun adventure and insightful romance woven around a solid mystery. Add in a strong thread of LGBTQ+ history, and you’ve got a story that speaks to the many dimensions of queer love—with legacy and laughter in equal measure. This is a book that doesn’t just celebrate identity; it celebrates joy, banter, and the ache of finding your way through rivalry into resonance.

There’s a certain shine here, too, that straddles the line between rivals-to-lovers and something a bit more tender. It’s clever, it’s a little messy, and it’s richly sincere without ever losing its wink.

Kathryn Nolan is officially on my radar—and I’m already looking for clues about what her next book is.

Thank you Net Galley, Entangled Publishing and Amara Books for the copy I read

Such a fun sapphic romance! Harper, a reporter, follows a lead to New Mexico in search of an infamous yet mysterious treasure hunter named Monty. She meets Eve, an antique salvager, who is related to Monty and fiercely protective of her. They embark on an adventure that leads to a long lost diamond treasure hunt, and uncover many secrets along the way.

This book was such a fun read! It balanced the plot well between the treasure hunting adventures and the deeper storylines regarding family trauma, personal identity, and love. The story explores queer relationships through time, and it's truly a magical story once it all comes together at the end. You'll definitely experience a rollercoaster of emotions along the way!

Thank you Entangled Insiders for the advanced reader copy, the book will be available on July 1st!

Tags:
-rivals to lovers
-forced proximity
-slow burn
-found family
-queer romance

Spice: 2/5

First person
Dual POV