4 Stars

As an archaeologist myself, I love archaeology romances and adventure stories. They’re a very underrepresented sub-genre and I’m excited to find new ones like Digging Dr Jones - and I wasn’t disappointed by my experience.

Adriana Jones is on a luxury vacation in Costa Rica with her brother and best friend, William, when a mysterious package with an antique bracelet turns up to her room. Though she doesn’t know who it could be from she puts it on and heads out for happy hour at the hotel bar. That’s where the very handsome, very tall, and grumpy Dr Andrew Jones of the Cambridge archaeology department finds her and demands she give up the bracelet - it was meant for him and sent to Adriana by mistake. Only the bracelet won’t come off.

Adriana and William are suddenly roped into a race against time expedition in Colombia to find a missing pirates treasure. They have to follow the clues left in sketches, letters and tombs to figure out its location - whilst Adriana and Dr Jones figure they have a lot in common, after all.

Digging Dr Jones was a fun time. It felt like a slow burn steeped with tension and I really enjoyed being on the adventure, watching them fall in love and everything in between. Adriana had a lot of trauma from childhood that made her combative and self conscious (relate) and being in her head it was occasionally frustrating. But overall I liked her and her character.

I also liked Andrew and William, though I feel like William wasn’t as involved in the treasure hunting as I’d have expected given his initial excitement at the beginning. Though I did love the side plot about him and Brandon.

Andrew was just a sweetheart and, though no real archaeology was had in this book, made for a really fun hero. There were tons of references to Indiana Jones and the Mummy (the latter of which this definitely felt like a fan fiction for with the trio dynamic) and it felt like the author really loved the sub-genre she was emulating- which i appreciate since i do, too.

My only gripe was that on occasion it felt a bit long and I was so stoked to find another CF woman in Adriana only for that to seemingly be walked back in the epilogue. I also think they should have moved to England not Atlanta - but that’s just me.

Overall, this was a really good time and I had fun. This is exactly the kind of adventure romance I love and I highly recommend it.

*Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC - this is my honest review*

Digging Dr Jones follows Adriana, her brother William and the love interest Dr. Andrew Jones, with an Indiana Jones-like vibe, as they try to find a historical treasure. Overall, this was a light and funny romance, but I wish the adventurous tone present in the last chapters had extended to the rest of the book. The first chapters were a bit too slow and confusing, with some info dumping that was necessary but could have been more spaced out throughout the book.

Where do I start with this book?!?! I absolutely LOVED it! A little romance, a little adventure, a little and a little spice.....all perfectly balanced. This book had me from start to finish. What was an innocent mistake turned into an adventure filled with tension, romance and spice. The main characters (and side characters) were so well written. This was an enemies-to-lovers with a HEA book that I wished didn't end! Get your hands on this book when it releases--you will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thank you Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and Olivia Jackson

Digging Dr. Jones is a delightfully outrageous, romcom-fuelled romp through the Colombian jungle, complete with cursed bracelets, hidden treasure, and a simmering slow-burn romance that keeps the pages turning.

When Adriana Jones finds herself accidentally locked into a priceless artifact meant for someone else—namely the renowned (and infuriatingly attractive) archaeologist Andrew Jones—her laid-back vacation takes an unexpected detour. The bracelet is the key to a long-lost treasure, and now she's stuck on a high-stakes quest with a man who’s equal parts brilliant and brooding. What follows is an adventure filled with ancient clues, forced proximity, tropical danger, and a whole lot of unresolved tension.

This novel leans heavily into the adventure-romance trope, and does so with undeniable charm. The banter between Adriana and Andrew is witty, sharp, and at times laugh-out-loud funny, giving the story a playful tone that balances the more action-driven moments.

While the plot stretches plausibility more than once, the sheer fun of the narrative makes it easy to suspend disbelief. Adriana is a lively protagonist, full of sass and stubbornness, though at times her internal monologue veers a little too far into self-deprecating territory. Andrew, on the other hand, is a standout—nerdy, noble, and with just the right touch of smolder.

There are a few uneven moments in pacing, and not every joke lands quite as smoothly as intended. But overall, Olivia Jackson's debut delivers a light-hearted, flirtatious, and escapist read that fans of spicy romcoms and treasure-hunting tales will devour in one sitting. It's unapologetically over-the-top, and all the better for it.

A perfect pick for readers craving humour, heat, and heart.

3.5/5⭐️

I’ve been dying for a fun, Indiana Jones style romance and this one gave me what I was looking for! I really enjoyed the adventure/treasure-hunting plot, and the setting was perfect for the story. The banter between Adriana and Andrew was fun to read, and the spice was really good!

A few parts of this book were a miss for me. I felt like Adriana and her brother William were a bit juvenile at times, and I would’ve loved to see some more depth to our leading man Andrew. Additionally, I really wanted a redemption arc for Brie. I don’t love reading about women tearing each other down (especially over a MAN?! like come on ladies).

Overall, this was a super solid debut! It was a fun, engaging read that had the right amount of adventure and romance.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, which i why I requested to read it, however, I knew from the start that I wasn't going to enjoy it, and I was right. I couldn't bring myself to finish it, even. Straight away, I didn't like the dialogue between the FMC and her brother, but also the characters felt like cliches/stereotypes instead of real, fleshed-out people.

Thank you to netgellay and the publishers for letting me read this book.

This book was super fun to read! The characters were interesting, the pacing was just right and it’s giving Indiana Jones! I love a good traveling treasure hunt. The ending felt rushed but overall, well written and engaging from start to finish!

This was such a fun read! Adventure vibes similar to Jo Segura and I mean that with the highest amount of praise! These two are so sweet and salty! The way Andrew does little things for Adriana is heart melting!

This is a cute little rom com. Predictable and silly but entertaining. I was in a Jurassic park mood and thought an archeological rom com would be fun and it was. Very niche but I enjoyed it.

⭐️3.5/5

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and the plot really caught my eye– a fun, spicy romcom adventure with jungle treasure hunting? Yes, please!!!

It did take me a little while to settle into the writing style, and the main characters felt a bit over-the-top at times. The romance also developed quite fast, & I would’ve liked a bit more buildup between Adriana and Andrew!

That said, around the halfway mark, I found myself getting into the story more. The characters became more likable, the chemistry started to click, & there were some really cute moments that made me smile. Andrew was definitely a standout– charming, protective and a solid love interest. I also really enjoyed the adventure side of the plot (it’s giving Indiana Jones and uncharted and I’m here for it)!

Overall, it was a fast, entertaining read and If you’re into romcoms with some spice, adventure, & a bit of chaos, this one might be worth picking up!🗺️🩷

Digging Dr. Jones was such a FUN book. It had adventure, history, romance and laughter. I loved the archaeology storyline. I found it interesting without being boring. ha! This book had plenty of spice and the banter between characters was entertaining!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Digging Dr Jones is a thrilling, smartly written adventure with a strong lead and a fun mix of history, mystery, and romance. Olivia Jackson's storytelling is fast-paced and immersive, with just enough detail to make the archaeology feel real without dragging. Some twists were a little predictable, but the characters and action more than made up for it. A solid, entertaining read that left me excited for whatever comes next.

Funny, touching and unique. Indiana Jones meets every romcom ever in this new book by Olivia Jackson. I was hooked since page one and couldn’t put it down even fir a second. The characters are mature people who bring laughter and raw emotions to the table! If you are looking for a fun time that will also make you swoon, this is your next book✨

Thank you Net galley for allowing me to read this book!

I think the idea of this book was amazing. I love the whole Indiana Jones vibe it had. Unfortunately it just fell flat for me. I couldn’t get invested in the story or fall in love with the characters.

Disclaimer I am a mood reader and so I may not have been in the mood for this story

The tension in this book was *chefs kiss* 😘 it was a slow burn ❤️‍🔥 but completely worth it. It was so unique to anything else I've read and I loved the adventure they went on. National Treasure, Indiana Jones and The Mummy were some of my favourite films growing up and I always enjoyed trying to work out the puzzles. This was so fun to read and I had such a laugh reading it. I highly recommend it if you need a nice easy, spicy romance read with a twist of adventure 💰

The concept of this book was great and I wanted to love it so much. The plot was such a great idea and felt very unique but the maturity level of Adriana and her brother brought down the whole book for me and made me want to DNF a few times. This book had so much potential but the writing style, mostly the tone used for characters, made it difficult to want to keep reading it.

I did not dig Digging Dr Jones. Not at all.

I'm not going to write a TLDR post. Here are a few points why it didn't work for me:

- flat characters
- insta-lust
- mediocre adventure plot
- American FMC with daddy issues
- British MMC who just inserts random British words here and there but isn't consistently British at all

The premise of this book is very cute and has a fun Indiana Jones theme throughout. The couple falls in love quite quick in this book and the tension unfortunately doesn't have the time to build and it feels.a bit lackluster. I also found rhe FMC go be very whiny about trivial things and our MMC through money around a lot to get what he wanted. There was a sweet brother and sister dynamic that happened with side characters that was enjoyable however

It’s hard to believe Digging Dr. Jones is a debut novel.

If you love adventure films like National Treasure and Indiana Jones but also enjoy a dose of cheesy romance, this is definitely one to check out.

While it’s probably best not to expect historically or archaeologically accurate details, this book delivers an entertaining mix of action, mystery, comedy, and romance.

The story follows Adriana Jones and Dr. Andrew Jones as they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt through vibrant Colombian towns and lush rainforests.

With a rom-com spin on the classic Indiana Jones-style adventure, the novel keeps the reader engaged with its fast-paced plot, intriguing historical lore, and plenty of lighthearted fun.

The background story behind the artefact was well thought out, adding an immersive depth to the treasure hunt.

Adriana and Andrew’s relationship is a slow burn, with plenty of flirty banter and playful snark along the way.

Their chemistry is undeniable, and when the romantic tension finally snaps, the spice does not hold back it certainly becomes not suitable to read at work!

While Andrew was charming, confident, and funny, Adriana’s character didn’t always land for me.

Her inner monologue was occasionally cringeworthy, and at times she came across as overly sardonic.

I also wasn’t a fan of the body-shaming comments made by Adriana and her brother. While they were mostly directed at themselves rather than others, it was a minor theme I didn't enjoy.

Plot-wise, is this book ridiculous? Absolutely. Adriana receives a mysterious bracelet in the mail, decides to put it on (for reasons unknown), and discovers it’s now stuck—oh, and it just so happens to be the key Andrew needs for his treasure hunt.

Within mere hours, she agrees to join him on his adventure, which quickly escalates into daring escapes, dangerous encounters, and a whole lot of making out in questionable locations. Their priorities were definitely interesting, but the sheer fun of it all made it work.

Despite a few minor issues, Digging Dr. Jones was an exciting and enjoyable read, and Olivia Jackson is definitely an author I’d pick up again. A fantastic debut filled with adventure, romance, and plenty of over-the-top fun.

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

Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC.

The premise of the book was captivating and intriguing. I was sure I was gonna love it… instead I couldn’t even finish it. To be honest, I realized the book wasn’t from me since the first few pages, but I tried to keep going for a bit. Unfortunately, I can’t bring myself to finish it.

For me, the major problem is the writing style. It’s clunky and childish. The FMC and her brother speak and think like teenagers. The story doesn’t evolve fluently and all actions feel forced. I couldn’t get past that. Also, I’ve read only a few chapters but I was already annoyed by how much the FMC mentions their daddy and mommy issues. It was thrown in everywhere.

AND the FMC’s brother is written in very stereotypical way ???? It’s 2025 do we really need to write the basic gay character who can’t go on holiday without bringing an insane amount of suitcases ??

I’m so sorry, but this is going to be a no for me.