It was thanks to some lovely authors I follow on Instagram that I first heard about Raiders of the Lost Heart, the debut novel by Jo Segura. Set in the Mexican jungle, it follows a team of archaeologists as they search for the long-lost remains of an Aztec warrior. However, the two leading this dig have some personal history and do not get along… well, apart from their chemistry and mutual attraction. But there are some big secrets being kept in this camp, and they’re in danger of losing more than their hearts.
Special thanks to the publicists at Penguin Random House and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
Summary
Dr. Corrie Mejía is a leading archaeologist, known for her adventurous and daring spirit. But she’s also battling against sexism and how her peers see her more for her looks than her smarts. When she’s invited to join a mysterious dig searching for an Aztec warrior—possibly her ancestor—Corrie is all in. But she’s not excited that she’ll be working for Dr. Ford Matthews, a man she knew in college and whom she’s hated since he stole her career opportunities. Despite their antagonism, Corrie and Ford are there to make one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of their time, so they’ll just have to get along. But in the sweltering heat and close quarters, Corrie and Ford may also need to finally give in to their mutual attraction… and the what-if that’s hung over their relationship for the past decade. That is, if the secrets and jungle dangers don’t get to them first!
Review
Perhaps the title makes it pretty evident, but Raiders of the Lost Heart takes a healthy amount of inspiration from the likes of Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, The Mummy, and similar action-packed, archaeological franchises. If you’re familiar with any of those, this book is a must-read. While I’ve seen at least one Indiana Jones movie and the first of The Mummy series, I’m not an expert on this realm, but I enjoyed it here all the same!
Raiders of the Lost Heart whisks readers away to the Lacandon Jungle of Mexico, where Dr. Corrie Mejía, Dr. Ford Matthews, and their team of archaeologists are searching for Chimalli, the ancient Aztec warrior who may have lived and died in this area. I love the setting, with its tropical climate, lush green vegetation, and proximity to rivers and waterfalls, not to mention the many animals who make their home there. Not enough of the books I read are set in jungles! I also love that the characters are archaeologists, dedicated to better understanding and preserving our past. Here, we get to see them thrown into some adventurous scenarios, complete with unexpected rapids, snakes, and some man-made danger towards the end of the book.
Both of the leading characters are captivating, especially Corrie. Frequently compared to Lara Croft, Corrie is a woman known for her daring, bravery, and thorough outdoor skills. She can steal back priceless necklaces, outrun jaguarundis, and uncover treasures that have been lost for centuries. She’s incredible, with a wicked sense of humor, too. However, I also appreciated the extra depth in her experiencing sexism within the industry. Despite all of her accomplishments, why do her peers so often reduce her to her looks and perceived sexuality? She’s extremely smart and deserves far more respect than she gets. Ford, on the other hand, has had life pretty easy, at least until the last couple of years. He might come off as cocky at first, but underneath some lies and pettiness, he’s actually sweet and deeply caring, especially for his sick mother. Ford grew much more likable the more I got to know him here.
Corrie and Ford are a great pair of enemies to lovers, and it’s grounded in their shared history and the “what if” they never got to explore. During this dig, what starts off as harsh remarks and jokes soon turns into something more. They have physical chemistry for sure, but I also liked the more tender moments between them, the heart-to-hearts that make for true emotional connection. Ford has some bad secrets, and Corrie has her reservations, but will their time in the jungle be enough for them to see a future together after the dig is over?
The book ends with some exciting action and danger that I wasn’t expecting. The whole ending sequence is thrilling and a quick read! I also loved the clues left in the epilogue… is there going to be a sequel? In the Amazon? Yes please, sign me up!
Final Thoughts
Raiders of the Lost Heart is an exhilarating romance, full of details about Mexico and the Aztecs, a healthy dose of adventure, and a love story that feels well earned. What a stunning debut this is, and if it’s the start of a series, I already can’t wait to read the next installment.
Get the Book
You can buy Raiders of the Lost Heart here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.
| Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura | |
|---|---|
| Series | (#1) |
| Audience | Adult |
| Genre | Contemporary Romance |
| Setting | Mexico |
| Number of Pages | 368 |
| Format I Read | Ebook (NetGalley ARC) |
| Original Publication Date | December 5, 2023 |
Official Summary
An Indie Next and LibraryReads Pick!
Rival archaeologists must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, or it could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.
Archaeologist Dr. Socorro “Corrie” Mejía has a bone to pick. Literally.
It’s been Corrie’s life goal to lead an expedition deep into the Mexican jungle in search of the long-lost remains of her ancestor, Chimalli, an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire. But when she is invited to join an all-expenses-paid dig to do just that, Corrie is sure it’s too good to be true…and she’s right.
As the world-renowned expert on Chimalli, by rights Corrie should be leading the expedition, not sharing the glory with her disgustingly handsome nemesis. But Dr. Ford Matthews has been finding new ways to best her since they were in grad school. Ford certainly isn’t thrilled either—with his life in shambles, the last thing he needs is a reminder of their rocky past.
But as the dig begins, it becomes clear they’ll need to work together when they realize a thief is lurking around their campsite, forcing the pair to keep their discoveries—and lingering attraction—under wraps. With money-hungry artifact smugglers, the Mexican authorities, and the lies between them closing in, there’s only one way this all ends—explosively.
About the Author
Credit: Sean Hoyt
Jo Segura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and doggo, who vies for her attention with his sweet puppy dog eyes whenever she’s trying to write (her dog, that is… though sometimes her husband, too). Her stories feature strong, passionate heroines and draw upon aspects of her life, such as her love of good food, her Mexican heritage, and her fascination with archaeology. When she’s not writing you can find her practicing law, shaking up a mean cocktail, or sitting out on the patio doing Buzzfeed quizzes (though she doesn’t care what the chicken nugget quiz said–her favorite fruit is not banana).
More Books Like This
Thank You for Sharing
All of this year I’ve been looking forward to Thank You for Sharing, the debut novel by Rachel Runya Katz, and this week it’s finally…
Written in Starlight
It was almost exactly one year ago when I read Isabel Ibañez’s debut novel, Woven in Moonlight. Its sequel, Written in Starlight, was one of…
A Lot Like Adiós
It was a full year ago when I read You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria, and I ended up really loving it. The first…
Discover more from Amanda's Book Corner
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Amanda's Book Corner 