Starring Andrew & Adrianna in adventure, rom com. Adrianna receives a package of a bracelet. That bracelet just so happens to be the key a certain Andrew needs, but it stuck to her wrist. As a result, she ends up on the adventure with him. Adventure and danger is about to ensue but there is always so time for some fun. And a make out.

This book was so much fun with the dynamic between Andrew and Adrianna. But the book didn’t only focus on that, it had the wide plot which made the book that much more entertaining and engaging to read. Andrew has such a kind heart, being supportive to Adrianna while also valuing the help and skill which she can provide.

DNF

DNF

I have never wanted to close a book so quickly in my life. Digging Dr. Jones promised the kind of fun, globe-trotting adventure I usually eat up—something in the vein of action-packed archaeology with a touch of romance and humor. But what I got instead was a clunky, juvenile mess that made me cringe within the first few pages.

Let’s start with the characters. I’m still in awe (and not in a good way) at how instantly annoying everyone was. The fmc agrees to travel to a foreign country with a man she just met—within a single page of him suggesting it. No hesitation, no concerns, just blind enthusiasm for a mission he’s not even sure will pan out. Who does that? Literally no one with a brain cell or basic self-preservation instinct. And it only goes downhill from there.

The dialogue? I’ve read frat bros’ Tinder profiles with more depth and coherence. “Wowza”? At 2% in? I got the ick so fast I practically whiplashed myself. I actually recoiled. Every interaction feels like it was written by someone who just discovered TikTok and thought “this is how young people talk.” Spoiler: it’s not.

And don’t get me started on the archaeology. First off, museums don’t auction off artifacts. That’s not how it works. That’s not how any of this works. The book reads like someone skimmed an Indiana Jones movie while half-asleep and thought, “Yeah, that’s probably how archaeology works.” Spoiler alert: IT IS NOT. Real archaeologists don’t swing from vines wearing fedoras...

The FMC and her brother are written with the emotional intelligence of high school freshmen. There’s a constant mention of “mommy and daddy issues” that gets old real fast. And her brother? He’s the walking stereotype of the over-the-top gay best friend. It’s 2025. Can we not? He can’t go on holiday without dragging a ridiculous number of suitcases, of course, because that’s apparently still a personality trait. It’s tired, lazy, and borderline offensive.

The biggest issue, though, is the writing. It’s clunky. It’s immature. It’s trying way too hard to be cute and quirky, and it fails at every turn. Nothing flows naturally. The plot is forced, the dialogue is painful, and the story doesn't evolve—it jerks around like it’s being dragged against its will.

I genuinely don’t know who this book was written for, but it wasn’t me. I had to DNF it before I spiraled into a full reading slump.

Final verdict? I did not dig Digging Dr. Jones. Not even a little.

Disclaimer: I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review— thank you! 🤗

The cover drew me in and then the synopsis sold me. After reading it, I think that using The Lost City as a litmus test is most accurate- if you loved that movie, then you will love this book! The humor, banter, romance, and adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat made this book at least 4.5 stars for me!

I loved how close Adriana and her brother, William, were. William was hilarious and I loved all of his nicknames for Andrew. I don't know why I found it so funny but I cackled out loud.

Adriana and Andrew... let me tell you what. It's kind of a slow burn, will they won't they, kind of vibe. But Andrew is just a huge flirt! And once it gets spicy, well, it never cools down. So be prepared for some SHPICY open-door scenes.

I just had a really enjoyable time reading this book, and I would highly recommend it to those that would like a National Treasure/The Lost City-type of humorous adventure in a book!

Adriana, recently left financially high and dry by her ex-business partner, is wallowing in her fiscal grief with her brother William on a self-care trip to Costa Rica. Hijinks ensue when she accidentally puts on a bracelet meant for the rakishly handsome archeologist Dr. Andrew Jones. Hot nerd alert! I liked Adriana and Andrew together, and I love that Adriana is also intelligent and a better match for Andrew than she thinks she is. I also loved the sibling relationship, William and Adriana gave me strong Evie/Jonathan vibes. Tropes abound:
• Meet-cute
• Insta-lust
• Forced proximity
• Misunderstanding/miscommunication
• Fake marriage
• HEA

This was a fun book, just suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. The pacing was a little uneven for me, but things definitely pick up towards the end. I think I would have preferred more adventure and less relationship angst, although there was a good amount of tension about the whole quest to find the treasure and the dangers they encountered along the way. Also, once things get hot and heavy between Adriana and Andrew it's very open-door so pay attention to where and how you're listening to your audiobook. This was a pretty solid romance read for me, 3.5 stars. This review is based on a complimentary copy of the book, all opinions are my own. Publishes May 2, 2025.

I am part of a niche fandom that loves a historical action adventure with a healthy dose of romance! Think the Mummy or National Treasure (both were what I was imaging the entire time I was reading this book). I loved every second of Digging Dr. Jones - it was the perfect break from real life and such fun.

This was my first Olivia Jackson and definitely won't be my last! Even if you are not someone who normally gravitates to adventure fiction, Digging Dr. Jones is easily readable and doesn't get bogged down in the historical aspect of the storyline. There is the ideal balance of romance, steaminess, and an actual substantive plot that had me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review..

Romancing the Stone in book form - loved it! Fun and sexy and suspenseful plot, with richly drawn side characters as well.

For fans of Indiana Jones, adventure, unique destinations and resourceful women!

Some tropes in the book:
- forced proximity
- destination romance
- opposites attract

After a mix-up with the labelling on a package delivered to her holiday hotel, Adriana Jones is stuck with Dr Andrew Jones as they hunt for clues on how to remove an ancient bracelet and find hidden treasure. With her brother accompanying them as a sort of bodyguard/treasure hunting fan, they travel to many unique locations avoiding rival treasure hunting groups. I found this romantic adventure story to be quite interesting with the back-story of the bracelet and I really liked Adriana’s relationship with her brother. There’s a bit of insta-love and some moments where you have to suspend belief, but that usually happens in adventure stories.

I had hoped that this would be filled with adventure and romance, but was let down on both accounts. The romance was okay, but the adventure aspect was deeply overshadowed and ultimately forgotten. I found this to be bland. This improved marginally around 70%, for me. Up until then, I was not really enjoying it. This might not have been the book for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for access to this ARC in return for my honest review.

After a mixup with a bracelet, Adriana is forced to accompany the super handsome archeologist Andrew Jones on his quest to discover ancient treasure, buried deep in the jungles of Colombia. Except they aren’t the only ones looking for it…

Andrew and Adriana must work together in a race against time to be the first to find the treasure before it falls into the wrong hands but they end up finding more than just treasure in the jungle. 💕

This was such a funny, cheesy and swoony read and I loved the adventure element. I think this would be perfect for fans of films like National Treasure, Indiana Jones and The Lost City.

3.75 stars, rounding up! I was really ~digging~ the vibe of this book, from hidden treasure to newfound love to adventures galore!!

A small world indeed has Adriana Jones and Dr. Andrew Jones (of no relation) staying at the same Costa Rican resort. When a delivery mixup ends up with Adriana wearing a bracelet Andrew needs to find treasure (don't worry, he's doing it for science and not $$), the two reluctant allies (+ her brother) are off to Colombia to find some treasure!

I thought this was a very FUN FUN FUN book, as I'm a sucker every single time for an adventure mystery, especially one that name drops Rick O'Connell, the man that started it all for me. The story was a good mix of solving mysteries and feelings developing, exactly what I'm looking for in an adventure romcom!!

Thanks so much to Olivia Jackson, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

First of all I have to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

“Digging Dr. Jones” is a novel full of humorous moments and action and adventure, with an Indiana Jones inspiration.
Andriana and Andrew find themselves involved in a mess. Adriana Jones ends up receiving a package by mistake that actually belonged to Andrew Jones, a package that contained a bracelet that is an ancient artifact. Adriana thinks the bracelet was a present for herself, puts it on and can't get it off. So together they embark, along with her brother, on an adventure in Colombia to recover a treasure.

The narrative is very fluid, rhythmic and immersive. The language is very accessible, especially for me as English is not my first language. In terms of plot, I liked that the element of adventure is not lost when the couple get together. But in terms of narrative, I didn't find it revolutionary. It's the typical romance we've come to expect, but I'm grateful that the author didn't make a third arc breakup just for the sake of it.

Now about the characters. Adriana got on my nerves a bit, because she didn't act and I just hoped that Andrew would make the first move halfway through the book. Now about Andrew, I liked him in terms of romantic interest, he demystified some things that are expected of men or not, such as eating problems and the age at which you lose your virginity. I really liked William, he was great comic relief. I felt that all the relationships between characters were well done, from the romance, to the brothers' relationship, to Andrew's relationship with the antagonists.

In conclusion, I would definitely recommend this book. And I plan to read more by the author in the future.

This was a different kind of read for me! Romance mixed with archeological adventure. Overall, I liked the mental escape of this book, taking the characters through Colombian jungles and hidden passageways in churches. It felt very Indiana Jones-esque and the clues were fun to follow. Lots of close proximity shenanigans with Adriana and Andrew. If you love adventure stories ala Jo Segura, or have seen Romancing the Stone a dozen times, this is the book for you!



Special Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC!

Have very mixed feelings about this one!

I enjoyed the adventure/Indiana Jones vibes and it is a very fast-paced romance, so if you're looking for something quick and easy look no further!

However, the biggest issue I had with the romance was it felt just a tad too insta-love for me. I wanted angst, tension, the pininggggg and we didn't get any of that. Insta-love just doesn't do it for me like a flushed out and well developed story. The humour was also a little too cheesy for me and I didn't connect with the characters, particularly the FMC which is usually not a good sign.

Would I recommend this book? Honestly, no. Is it a quick and easy palate cleanser? Absolute.y

DIGGING DR JONES is a charming and sizzling adventure romance that had me hooked from the moment Adriana snapped that mysterious bracelet onto her wrist. What starts off as a quirky vacation detour quickly turns into a thrilling jungle expedition filled with ancient secrets, sizzling chemistry, and laugh-out-loud banter.

Adriana is the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for—smart, sarcastic, and just the right amount of stubborn. Pair her with the brooding and irresistibly handsome Andrew Jones, and you’ve got a dynamic duo that brings both heat and heart to the story. Their clashing personalities and forced proximity create some genuinely fun moments, and the tension between them is chef's kiss.

The plot moves at a good pace, balancing steamy romance with treasure-hunting thrills. There were a few predictable twists, and I wouldn’t have minded a little more depth to the mythology behind the bracelet, but those are small bumps in an otherwise enjoyable ride.

If you love your romances with a side of Indiana Jones-style adventure and a healthy dose of flirty chaos, this one’s a gem—pun absolutely intended.

Absolutely flawless, no notes, tongue-in-cheek, spicy little romance novel about an archaeologist named Dr. Jones (yup) who takes our heroine, Ms. Jones (yup) on an adventure treasure hunt through the jungles and waterfalls of Colombia. 100% would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

THERE'S NO THIRD UP BREAKUP EVERYONE STAY CALM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Real rating: 4.75 stars

What a superb debut novel from Olivia Jackson! I was shocked to find out it was her first novel because it's just so good. Also not a native? Perfection, please give me more.

Digging Dr. Jones is the perfect read for rom-com, adventure-seeking lovers. Adriana Jones mistakenly opens a package for Andrew Jones, and puts on a bracelet she can't take off. As it turns out, the bracelet was vital in finding a long-lost treasure.

The whole book was absolutely thrilling, with a lot of adventures, and lots of spice.

I've seen many people calling out the insta-love, which, I agree, they fall in love incredibly quick but also forced proximity, you know what I mean? The two also make real efforts to get to know each other before pursuing anything, although their lust for each other is obvious.

I loved their chemistry, I loved how fun the whole adventure was, and most of all, I loved that there was no third-act breakup. I hate them. They're useless, and 99% can be solved with a simple conversation, WHICH THIS BOOK HAD! The two were at crossroads, and right when any other rom-com would break them up for nothing, they talked it out. Absolutely refreshing.

I felt like Andrew was a bit too infatuated with Adriana, who didn't seem as great as he saw her, but while she was an interesting character, she could've used some improvements and therapy. I'll forgive everything for the lack of a third-act breakup.

Please, give me more of this.

Digging Dr Jones... First off I can not say this title without breaking out into song... I know! I loved this novel, it gave me Tomb Raider/Indiana Jones vibes and I really enjoyed the way it developed. It had it all, chemistry, banter and giggles.
Digging Dr Jones was so refreshing to read, I found it humorous and it was a delight!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As someone who enjoys gaming and loves Tomb Raider and the Uncharted series, this book was right up my street!

We have:

🪙 Forced Proximity
🪙 Opposites Attract
🪙 Fish out of water
🪙 Destination romcom
🪙 Spice 🌶

Im more of a mood reader, and this was perfect for a comedic, romcom-esque fix. Adriana, our FMC, has been going through a tough time lately, so in a bid to cheer her up, her brother William takes her on an all-inclusive Costa Rican holiday. When a surprise package is delivered to Adriana's room, she can't help but put on the beautiful bracelet within. In a bizarre twist, this package was not meant for her but someone else, our MMC.........

""de·i·ty | ˈdēədē | NOUN:
The handsome, tender-hearted, intelligent, virile, living, and breathing god, Andrew Oliver Jones, with the body of an ancient Greek statue, only with all body parts attached.""

Dr Andrew Jones enters Adriana's life with an offer she can't really refuse given her current circumstances, and this is where our adventure begins!

I loved this book. It had me giggling at the banter between the siblings and also between Ariana and Andrew. It was blended perfectly with all the action and adventure you'd expect from this kind of story! And of course what treasure hunting would be complete without rival hunters looking for the same prize. In a race against time to solve the clues, who will get there first??

Thank you to Harper Collins / One More Chapter along with netgally for the arc of this book for my honest review.

This book was so entertaining and I loved the romance. It was a great adventure book, where the main female character gets thrown into an adventure with a very hot archeologist. I thought their chemistry was amazing, and there was just the right amount of build up to them finally getting together around the halfway point. I also thought the actual mystery/treasure hunting plot was very well done, with all the twists and turns needed for an engaging story. Honestly my only complaint with this book was her brother—I found him extremely annoying and just wanted him to stay back at the hotel the entire book (I was very happy when he finally did).

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

DNF at 75%. I was so excited for this (I love adventure romcoms) but unfortunately I found myself mostly bored and mildly irritated throughout.

Reasons for DNF:
- the characters fell really flat for me. Adriana has all this past trauma that we constantly hear about in her inner monologue but then the book has such a silly lighthearted tone and the romance between her and Andrew felt quite shallow. It was just a weird dichotomy that didn’t come together for me. Andrew seemed like a cardboard cutout of Prince Charming - just zero depth and the cringiest lines.

-William seemed to be in a stereotypical “gay best friend” role which came off a bit ridiculous. Also why are siblings divulging so much about their sex lives to each other??

-The mystery/treasure hunt was hard to follow and bizarrely so much of the book seemed to be taking place in hotel rooms

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for providing a digital ARC.