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!

A fast-paced adventurous romance!
A fun and exciting read that is as much an adventure as it is a romance. Bursting with humour, Jackson's novel is the perfect summer read that will keep you entertained right the way through. Jackson's protagonist is witty, inquisitive and ready to investigate the mystery of a hidden treasure as well as her own growing fondness for Dr Andrew Jones. A truly funny and quirky read that must not be missed! Throughly enjoyed from start to finish!
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for an early reading copy.

This book is a chaotic, steamy, laugh-till-you-snort kind of ride that absolutely delivers on the adventure and the swoon. The jungle setting brings all the delicious forced proximity you could want, the banter is fire, and the sexual tension crackles like a cursed artefact waiting to explode. If you love your romcoms wild, spicy, and full of unexpected treasure (literal and emotional), this one’s an absolute gem.

Thank you One More Chapter for this ARC!

The story was cute and the MCs were fun and hilarious. I have come to love slow burns but this felt like it dragged on based on the circumstances and interactions they had throughout the book. I think there were too many subplots that the ending was not completely satisfying and did not feel quite there. Adrianna has a lot of trauma and we keep getting told of her trauma but she doesn't really work it out in the story. You kind of assume she does. Once they get together, all their main interactions together is just spice. The issues that Andrew had with his rival & ex felt childish and not something that would be happening at his age of 35. It is definitely a book that tells instead of show. I also didn't really care for her brother and whatever journey he was on. It just felt like he was an interruption to the main book. Overall, not my favorite read.

📖 Title: Digging Dr. Jones

✍🏾 Author: Olivia Jackson-debut author

📅Publication date: 5/2/25 | Read 5/1/25

📃 Format: e-Book 384 pgs.

Genre:
*Rom-Com
*Adventure
*Adult Fic
*Mystery

Tropes:
*slow burn romance
*a quest/journey companions
*forced proximity
*opposites attract
*lost treasure
*Indiana Jones-type H
*LGBTQIA+ rep

👆🏾POV: 1st person

⚠️TW: parental abandonment, toxic parent, sexual harassment, H cheated on-in the past

🌎 Setting: Costa Rica to Santa Marta, Colombia

Summary: When vacationing with her brother William, Adriana Jones takes a package meant for Dr. Andrew Jones. He confronts Adriana about the bracelet because it will help him find ancient treasure. Adriana can't get the bracelet off, so he asks her to come with him. Financially strapped, Adriana agrees to come with William in exchange for $50,000.

👩🏾 Heroine: Adriana Jones-33, quit her job @ at Salzburg Wine Distributing and tried to open a new business selling wine, olive oils, and vinegar supplied by women-owned. businesses. Her silent investor bailed on her after she refused his advances.

👨🏾 Hero: Dr. Andrew Jones- 34, Associate professor and academic director of Archaeology at University of Cambridge. Also works at Octavian Global to see that cultural artifacts go to a museum instead of the wealthy.

🎭 Other Characters:

* William-Adriana's brother owns a non-surgical beauty treatment clinic in Atlanta.

*Charlotte +Lulu-Andrew's sister + niece

*Dr. Carlos Garcia- works at the Museo de Historia, Andrew's mentor

*Augustine Perez- a pirate who had a wife Maria and brother Jorge who hid all the treasures. They had 2 kids Simon and Gabriel-the chest was a wedding gift to Gabriel that could contain something from the Asiento de Padua ship.

*Dr. Richard Head-Andrew's Cambridge rival who is now a black-market antiques dealer who works with private collector Nicolai Kolesnikov- the 2nd wealthiest oligarch in Russia. He hired Richard to lead the exploration w/ Andrew's ex-girlfriend Brie.

🤔 My Thoughts: I love a good quest and Adriana and Andrew got steamy in the jungle. They faced betrayal while braving the elements under threat of death. I even liked William as Adriana's wingman.

Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level 4/5 🌶️

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter, and Olivia Jackson for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

A super sweet summer romance - Indiana Jones vibes with plenty of banter, laugh out loud moments and lots of spice. I loved Adriana’s relationship with her brother, and the chemistry between Adriana and Andrew was *chefs kiss*.

You’ll like if you love
🌺Adventure
🌺Forced proximity
🌺Opposites attract
🌺Spice

Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC!

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Out May 2nd 2025!!!

This book follows Adriana, on vacation at a resort with her brother, as she gets a bracelet delivered to her hotel room. She puts it on, but quickly finds that she cannot unlock it when Dr. Andrew Jones, an archeologist, comes to her to retrieve the bracelet that was meant for him. They embark on a perilous journey through the jungles in Colombia in search for the treasure that will unlock the bracelet and on this journey, they fall in love.

This book was a really fun time! It was nothing like I've read before and I found it very original. One of my dreams has been to become an archeologist so it was really nice to read about a fun quest like this. I liked the mix of romance and adventure and I thought it was well-balanced, though I did think some of the spicy scenes were unnecessary as they are repetitive.

The spicy scenes were not my favorites, but they could be someone else's! I had trouble with the writing style in the spicy scenes and how they were described.

Also, there were a bunch of inconsistencies in the plot which I had trouble getting past such as forgetting that they already talked about something or how the archeologist missed obvious clues. Writing-wise, it was cringey at times; I don't like when OMG and WTF are used in a book, but otherwise, I liked the writing and the setting descriptions. Although, I thought some physical descriptions were strange and I did not like the "blood" thing Adriana kept going on about. The dialogues could have used a bit more work to make them flow better and be more realistic.

Even though I have some qualms with the writing, I loved the story. I loved how their relationship developed and I was really invested in their adventure. I did not expect the thrill of the end and I was very engaged. The book started off a little slow but had a strong ending. I fell in love with Andrew; he was such a gentleman and I loved the Indiana Jones vibe he had going on. AND I'M OBSESSED WITH THEIR FIRST KISS!!! The setting was magical and so beautiful; I loved reading their love story through the jungles.

Overall, I recommend this book if you want to read a romance with an Indiana Jones-like MMC where they go on a treasure hunt!

Social Media Posts on May 2nd!

3.5 ☆

or a debut novel this is a good insta-love rom. There's vibes of Indiana Jones and The Lost City although for the latter there could have been a bit more banter and a bit more angst for my taste.

I did find the second half better than the first but I did like the the way in which our main duo meet with the bracelet mishap.

There were fun moments with William and I loved that he tagged along on their adventure, he'd be a lovely brother to have.

A pretty easy read, slow burn adventure romance

DNF @ 35%

Well. It seemed promising to begin. A woman in a messy situation accidentally accepts a package meant for someone else and is stuck, and I mean stuck, with it.

Now, I'm an archaeologist by training but I can suspend my disbelief very well for an Indiana Jones or a The Mummy. But not this. What the MMC describes as archaeology is much more straightforward treasure hunting. The point where they break, enter, and do major property damage really reinforces this.

But I could handle that if I care about the characters. And I don't. A third into the book and you've got to give me something. There are some longing looks, but it's not convincing me.

And another thing. The promo copy doesn't mention the brother coming along for this whole adventure. And it becomes clear at about where I quit that the sibling relationship is going to be a major point and I'm not here for that today.

So yeah. Clearly this one's not working for me. Could work for someone else though.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.