Temple of Swoon

This week, Jo Segura released her second novel, Temple of Swoon. Following in the footsteps of her first book’s characters, this one stars an up-and-coming archaeologist on a make-it-or-break-it assignment in Brazil. Too bad the photojournalist joining this dig is super cute… and secretly trying to sabotage the whole expedition.

Why I Chose This Book:

Just over a year ago, I enjoyed Jo Segura’s debut novel, Raiders of the Lost Heart. Archaeology, Mexico, and a sweltering romance? Yes please! I was excited for the sequel, Temple of Swoon, which follows two all-new characters deep into the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. Full of adventure and a beautiful backdrop for romance to bloom, this was a book I couldn’t pass up on.

What I Liked:

Brazil setting! The Amazon Rainforest!
Searching for the long lost Cidade da Lua (City of the Moon)
Career struggles, sexism, and taking opportunities to finally advance
Family complications
She’s plucky, determined, kind of silly, and always ready with snacks
He’s kind-hearted and family-oriented… with a secret she won’t like
Learning about archaeology and treating ancient civilizations with care

Final Thoughts

I really loved Temple of Swoon! Possibly even more than the first book, truth be told. It has the best setting, deep in the Amazon Rainforest. It’s adventurous, action-packed, fun, humorous, and sweet, with lovable main characters, questions about how to treat ancient civilizations, and complicated family and career paths. This was a quick read, and a joy from start to finish.

Special thanks to the publicists at Penguin Random House, Berkley, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Get the Book

You can buy Temple of Swoon here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura
Series	(#2)
Audience	Adult
Genre	Contemporary Romance
Setting	Brazil
Number of Pages	368
Format I Read	Ebook (NetGalley ARC)
Original Publication Date	January 7, 2025
Publisher	Berkley

Official Summary

A LibraryReads Pick!

Her mission: find the Lost City of the Moon in the Amazon rainforest.
His mission: protect the holy temple . . . and his heart.

While her mentor may be the world’s most badass archaeologist, the only thing bad about Dr. Miriam Jacobs are her corny jokes. But when Miri is charged with leading an unmapped expedition through the Amazon for the fabled Lost City of the Moon, she finally has her chance to prove to her colleagues that she’s capable—and hopefully prove it to herself, too.

Journalist Rafael Monfils has joined the archaeological team to chronicle their search for the lost city. Or at least, that’s what they think he’s doing. Rafa’s real goal? Make sure the team does not reach the Cidade da Lua, stopping the desecration of the holy city and protecting his mother’s legacy. All he needs to do is keep them on the wrong path.

If only the endearingly quirky Dr. Jacobs wasn’t so damn tenacious—each of Rafa’s tricks and purposeful wrong turns only seem to fuel her determination. Even worse, he’s charmed by her goofy attempts to channel Lara Croft as they traverse the dangerous Brazilian rainforest. But they’re not the only crew hunting for the lost city, and soon the untamed jungle—and their untamed hearts—might be the least of their worries…

About the Author

Credit: Sean Hoyt

USA Today bestselling author Jo Segura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her doggo, who vies for her attention with his sweet puppy dog eyes whenever she’s trying to write. Her stories feature strong, passionate heroines and draw upon aspects of her life, such as 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).