I am obsessed with this book and obsessed with Jo! Jo is writing edge of the seat action-packed books that also are so spicy and fun. Older brother's best friend always hits for me and this one was perfection!

Is it too soon to say this is my favorite slow-burn STEM romance of 2026?! My favorite characters, plot, and spice of Jo Segura's books so far! I am so excited for the audio of this and am already marking it on my calendar for a reread in Januray. I never liked Indiana Jones but loved this archeologist mmc, Theo. The lifelong friends to lovers trope his me so hard. Dani is such a gem. I would love a friend like her just because of her sass and fun attitude.

it's like Indiana Jones meets 50 shades - lots of STEAM!!

I read The Lust Crusade in one night. This book is everything I want in a romantic adventure: sizzling chemistry, ancient ruins, fake engagement shenanigans, and a librarian heroine who accidentally stumbles into danger and her dream man in Greece.

Dani is smart, sarcastic, and wonderfully flawed theo is your typical alpha male tortured, brooding, and pining for the girl he thought he couldn’t have. Their banter sparklesand when the slow burn finally pays off? 🔥 Worth. Every. Page.

Dani thinks the love of her life, friend and archeologist, Theo went missing and is now dead. She goes to Greece to feel connected to him. When she is there she thinks she sees him. This novel is humorous, mysterious, and romantic. This was my favorite of the series.

Loving the continuation of Segura's archeological romances! This one take place in Greece, and I have to say it was my favorite of the bunch. The FMC and MMC were old friends (a best friend's little sister trope- yes please) and their chemistry was really fun. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

love this series! This book was so fun! I love the archaeology and adventure. It is spicy so be aware of that. But I love the romance and its just good!

Her books are just so fun to read!! I ate up every word!! I generally hate a miscommunication trope but this one was somehow fantastic 🤣. I loved so much their banter and constant push and pull with each other. It was so entertaining!! Also the “one bed” trope in this book was fantastic! Jo is just one of my faves! I love the action and adventure she weaves into her rom-coms. They’re such fun and unique stories!

2.5/5

let me start by saying that i have always been intrigued by Jo's books. I think her covers and titles are very eye catching and they've been on my mental tbr for quite awhile. so when i saw the latest one on NG i thought this was the perfect opportunity to try her out!

I was...disappointed. Lets dig in to why.

PLOT - the plot of this book had so. much. potential. lifelong friends to lovers, archeologist MMC is missing and presumed dead, librarian FMC goes on a trip and ends up finding him and is brought into the hunt of trying to find a missing artifact the the MMC (Theo) had been held hostage trying to find. I was in. Seated. SO ready. However, the execution left me feeling underwhelmed. My main problem with this book lies mainly in its repetitiveness and the fact that it could be the poster child for the miscommunication troupe. i am not necessarily a miscommunication hater, but when it is done to this level and in this context, it starts to get frustrating. These people are supposed to be lifelong childhood friends who know each other better than anyone else, but they cant just SPEAK to each other plainly. They CONSTANTLY tiptoe around what they really want to say. Even Theo, who had been kidnapped for OVER A YEAR and was now given the chance to talk to the love of his life again??? I'm sorry but id be spilling everything at that point. And the REPETITIVENESS!!!! If i ever hear the phrase "triple G" again it will be too soon. Too much of the beginning of this book revolves around FMC (Dani) talking about how much she loved Theo, but she just couldn't be with him because she wasn't a "triple G" (good greek girl). This is mentioned so. many. times. I felt like the first couple chapters of this book was just Dani talking in circles around herself. I considered DNFing at as early as 10% through because I had yet to be fully intrigued. I did force myself to finish though. As the story progresses and we get into the meet of the treasure hunt, the story does pick up and get less repetitive. BUT, everything about the hunt feels very surface level and like it is simultaneously moving too fast AND too slow. Some clues and people seemed to come out of relatively nowhere and things seemed to happen a little too easily. It also didnt make sense to me that Dani was the one who seemed to be solving everything. I dont know if this was just supposed to be like a 'go women' thing, but i was very whatever about it. I don't wanna give too many overt spoilers, but this is wrapped up way too clean with way too many strings left to pull. Overall i think underwhelmed is how I would describe my feelings through most of the book.

THEO + DANI - oh Theo and Dani. What I will say, is that I do believe them as a couple. They had pretty decent chemistry and their romance didnt feel forced. What i will ALSO say is this is another element of this book that seemed to drag and then all of a sudden figure itself out in a way that did not make sense given what we had seen of the characters so far. **beware of mild spoilers ahead, I mean you know they are gonna get together but I am gonna go into a little detail so skip ahead if you dont want to see that** After spending a solid 60-70 percent of the book in their own inner monologues and speaking out loud to each other about how they couldn't be together, they kiss one time, seem to be immediately uncomfortable about what to say to each other about it bc they are both still denying their feelings for each other, then wake up and make out SO HARD!! this came so out of left field for me that i was CONVINCED it was a dream sequence. there was arguably NO resolution between the two of them when it came to what was keeping them apart but suddenly they were making out and openly flirting?? I dont get it. I felt almost to me like the author knew people would want the smut so she rushed through resolving their problems (and arguably not resolving them at all), just so they could make out. I will reiterate though that I do think Dani and Theo have decent chemistry as a couple and I think they would stay together by the end of the book.

DANI - yes. miss girl gets a whole section. Dani as a character was So Confusing to me. I feel like the author couldn't commit to a path for her so she just kinda ended up with a little of everything which was very unsatisfying. First, her personality. Dani just felt so flat to me. I LOVE a librarian FMC (because duh and also im a bookseller so i like to project) but i feel like it only got brought up in super cheesy ways. Like i would completely forget that she was a librarian until she brought it up again. Not that a characters career has to be their entire personality, but miss girl was giving us Nothing. Dani also described herself as a bit of a teen rebel, never really one to follow the rules or be quiet and that just didn't match up with other things we would be told about her. Her whole character felt like one big contradiction. It wasn't till about 3/4 of the way through that i even realized she apparently LIKED her job. the way it was talked about I thought she hated being a librarian. Dani also had a ton of inner problems that she talked about at the beginning of the book (mostly revolving around feeling unfulfilled and like she has wasted her time/made a lot of mistakes) and I dont think ANY of these were really solved by the end of the book. Like she got together with Theo so she didnt really have any problems anymore. Not a fan of that.

To wrap up, do I think this is the worst book ive ever read? No, of course not. I think there are plenty of people who would read this and really like it.
Did it have a lot of elements that Really annoyed me? YES.

I think this book is a very surface level adventure romcom. we dont really get into anything (the treasure hunt or the romance) too deeply. I would have liked a lot cut from the beginning so we could have more pages dedicated to the hunt and developing Theo and Dani as a couple.

I would be interested in potentially trying out one of her other books, but don't know that i will anytime soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Lust Crusade hits on two things I’ve always loved - archaeology and libraries. Of course it brought a lot more action and romance than has been my experience with both. Led by FMC Dani, we get wrapped up in a kidnapping mystery as she tries to save her missing for a year neighbor and brother’s best friend Theo, and the ensure the journey is not only full of adventure but also plenty of spicy romance.

Dani has come to the realization she had pretty much given up her future when her parents move and she takes a vacation for the elderly to Greece. When she believes she sees Theo, whose family just held a memorial for him believing he is dead after disappearing in Greece a year earlier, she can’t let it go. After all, Dani was sure they were on the cusp of a relationship before he disappeared. And so kicks off the romp across ancient sites, uncovering secret societies, secret family connections, fugitives, and maybe long lost mythical artifacts.

I loved that this story was non stop action! I only wish I could go back in time and shake Dani a bit, but loved her embracing her old rebel self throughout this story, and her relationship with Theo was the perfect support for her (and him).

The main relationship conflict in this is not talking to each other. It is not my favorite trope. Some of the plot points by the end felt a little weak. The the very end I was kind of just annoyed at them. Overall a light fun book but not my favorite from this author.

We love Jo Segura! If you read a ton of romance, she is a breath of fresh air with all the adventure and unique settings. Raiders of the Lost Heart was one of my favorites from last year. I liked this one less but it's still a fun escape. She does a great job writing all these characters who are dashing, resourceful, smart, and full of energy and agency. Looking forward to seeing what she does next.

This is my second book by Jo Segura, and I've loved them both! You can tell she really does the research because the plot is so immersive. The romance, as always, is fantastic.

I adored this book with my whole heart. The writing was quick-witted and rich with detail. I loved the mythological threads running through the plot and how seamlessly they were woven into this pulse-quickening adventure. The author really captured that sense of wonder and history without losing the intimacy between the characters. Dani was a brilliant, brave heroine and Theo had that perfect mix of guilt, longing, and quiet devotion that just broke me. Their dynamic was everything I want in a romance; it’s soft, sharp, aching, and real. I love it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Segura and Berkley for the E-ARC!

Actual Rating: 4.5/5

I've spent the last few days binging Jo Segura's "Raiders of the Lost Heart" series, and it's no understatement to say that I'm obsessed! This third book is a great addition to the series, adding new characters, a lustful romance, an adventure of a lifetime, and bringing back a villain we're all much too familiar with.

I sped through this book (like all of Segura's other ones)! The mystery of the Eye of the Minotaur was intriguing, I kept going back and forth on whether it was real or not, and if our main characters would be able to find it before Pierre Vautour. Dani and Theo were such good MCs, their romance very believable and engaging. They're definitely my second favourite couple from this series (which, considering I like them all, should be saying something)! The sprinkle of backstory we got of their lives before Greece helped build their connection in my mind, making me want them to just talk and get together already! Segura keeps a good pace with their romance though, letting it simmer without overdoing it.

I hope more books in this series will be released, but until then, I highly recommend if you're looking for a romance filled with adventure and mystery to pick this up!

I am a total Jo Segura fangirl! I was so excited to find out that I was approved for the ARC of The Lust Crusade because I was fully anticipating having to wait until next YEAR to read it, so it was a pleasant surprise and I read it right away! In the Lust Crusade, we are taken to a different setting of Greece, where Daniela is taking a solo sightseeing trip after the death of her brother's best friend, Theo. What Daniela hasn't confessed to anyone is her massive crush on Theo that she had for years, and how heartbroken his death left her. As she embarks on her Grecian adventure with her tour group of elderly people (lol), it doesn't take long for her to realize that Theo is still alive but has been kidnapped to search for the Eye of the Minotaur - which may or may not be fictional. In true Segura fashion, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat with suspense and mystery, while also totally sucked in to the romance between Theo and Daniela that can't be ignored. I loved it and I can't wait to add it to my collection in January! Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the much anticipated ARC!

This is a fun action adventure romcom with some drama and suspense! I loved this one so much! Maybe because I’ve been to some of the places this book takes you to, I felt so much more immersed than the other books in the series. The Greek-ness of it (both in setting and in culture) is top tier!
I will say that if you’re not a fan of miscommunication, this book might not be for you, but if you can manage that trope, it’s so good! This is the slowest burn of the three books, and it’s super worth it! Can you say books as a love language?! 👀🔥📚
Jo writes such badass FMCs; I loved Dani’s sass so much, and she’s a bit curvy and Latina. I think she’s my fave FMC of the series.
The only thing that would have made it even better is if we could have seen more of them settled in their life together back in the states after the drama cleared.
While you could absolutely get away with reading this book as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading both Raiders of the Lost Heart and Temple of Swoon first. There’s a key player that spans all three books, and I’m not sure you’ll get the full impact in this book if you haven’t read the others yet even though we’ve never met either of the two MCs in this book. Just like the others, it’s well written, has a good plot, and has good spice.

Jo Segura’s THE LUST CRUSADE is an absolute delight. This third installment of her archaeological inspired romance series is the best of the batch. While reading the book, there is a confidence in Segura’s prose and style of storytelling. She has found her voice. It is light-hearted, sardonic, and sophisticated, with a touch of naiveté. Also, the book has great character development (Harold is the BEST sidekick!), and I like the fast pace of the story.

Segura concocts the perfect set-up:

Daniela Guiterrez is on vacation in the birthplace of libraries and democracy — Greece. It is also the last known location of the man with whom she has been in love since high school, who also happens to be her brother’s best friend, respected archaeologist Dr. Theo Galanis, presumed dead because he has been missing for over a year. Except Dani, a.k.a Juicy, stumbles upon a very much alive Theo while visiting a palace at Knossos with her tour group, the Silver Sunset Singles Tours, LLC. When Dani discovers that Theo was in fact kidnapped by smugglers who want him to track down the Eye of the Minotaur, long believed to be nothing but a myth, she is held captive with him, because the kidnappers are led to believe that Dani is Theo’s fiancée, and threatening her might be the motivation Theo needs to find the Eye.

This book contains — hot librarian, hot archaeologist, fake dating (well, engagement), friends to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn, delayed (sexual) gratification, men who yearn (my GOD! Theo yearns for Dani and rightly so because she is awesome), trouble communicating, and great banter.

THE LUST CRUSADE is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade + Romancing the Store + My Life in Ruins. Fans should pay close attention to the easter eggs calling back to Raiders of the Lost Heart and Temple of Swoon.

Readers may be a little put off by the very-late-in-the-book sex scene, but undoubtedly, they will forgive this excessive slow burn romance because of the spiciness of the scene.

I suspect Segura, like myself, enjoys a slow burn romance not because of the delayed gratification, but because the soul of the story is the relationship that develops over couple of hundred pages. If readers do not believe that, then all of the spicy scenes will not matter because they will not be believable.

I am already excited to read what Ms. Segura concocts next.

Fans of Ali Hazelwood, Ashley Poston, Sarah Hogle, and Kerry Rea will adore this book.

This book was an absolute delight. It swept me away with the perfect mix of sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and that old-school adventure charm I didn’t know I was craving until I had it in my hands. Every page sparkled with tension, humor, and just enough danger to keep my heart racing. Their dynamic had that beautiful push and pull, filled with banter, buried feelings, and the kind of tension that makes you want to scream at them to just kiss already. Their emotional arc was layered with longing, regret, and so much vulnerability, and it made every moment between them feel alive. I also adored how the story blends archaeology and Greek mythology. It added depth without ever pulling focus from the romance, and it made the setting feel rich and intoxicating. I adored every second.

Another amazing story from Jo Segura!!! Thanks for the advanced copy of this book! Loved it!! Dani and Theo were so cute!!! Would recommend to those who enjoyed movies like The Mummy or Indiana Jones!