Review by Booklist Review
Dr. Miriam Jacobs is a bit of a hot mess. She knows she was lucky to have been chosen by Dr. Corrie Meja, introduced in Segura's Raiders of the Lost Heart, (2023), and now in Brazil she's missed the bus to meet the rest of the team for the expedition to find the Lost City of the Moon. Fortunately, journalist Rafa Monfils is headed in the same direction. When they arrive, she's surprised to discover that she's leading the exploration and that Rafa is accompanying them to document the trip. Miri has little self-confidence and one mishap after another befalls her, but she keeps forging ahead. Rafa, a descendant of the Moon People, is trying to stop her from finding the holy city. But he is charmed by her tenacity and corny jokes and feels guilty about sabotaging her mission. Readers looking for a thrilling romance with a nerdy heroine, a sensitive hero, and lots of bad guys will enjoy watching Miri become a badass, and maybe, just maybe, fall in love, too.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Segura (Raiders of the Lost Heart) delights with another Indiana Jones--inspired rom-com set in the Brazilian Amazon. Archaeologist Miriam "Miri" Jacobs aspires to make a name for herself, though she lacks field experience. Opportunity arises when she is unexpectedly appointed co-lead for an expedition in the Amazon to search for the ancient Cidade Perdida da Lua, or the Lost City of the Moon. Handsome journalist Rafael "Rafa" Monfils is hired to document the team's journey--but also secretly tasked by his father with sabotaging the expedition in order to protect his mother's legacy as one of the ancient city's guardians. Miri and Rafa are smitten from their meet-cute at a bus stop, but vow to keep their relationship strictly professional. When they learn that artifact thief Pierre Vautour is also searching for the Moon City, it's a race against time to beat Vautour and protect the city's treasures. Segura's narrative packs in set pieces worthy of an adventure movie, including vine swinging and a boat fight. A subplot about Miri coming into her own as an archaeologist is slightly rushed on the way to a too convenient ending, but readers will find plenty to enjoy in the central couple's playful dynamic. It's a diverting romp. Agent: Eva Scalzo, Speilburg Literary. (Jan.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Segura's (Raiders of the Lost Heart) sophomore novel follows archaeologist Dr. Miriam Jacobs, who has been appointed to help lead an expedition to discover the Lost City of the Moon in the Brazilian rainforest. Journalist Rafael "Rafa" Monfils is also part of the expedition. He is ostensibly there to document the journey, but as a descendant of the ancient city's guardians, he is charged with sabotaging the mission. As Miriam gains confidence in her abilities, Rafa begins to feel guilty about the subterfuge; complicating matters is the intimacy that grows between them. This romantic adventure has action, chemistry, and plenty of humor. The audio is skillfully narrated by Kyla Garcia, who provides engaging character voices distinguished by different accents and emotional inflections. Garcia keeps the suspense taut and believable, ensuring that listeners will be captivated throughout. VERDICT This action-packed romance adventure is sure to delight fans of Lara Croft and those seeking an Indiana Jones-inspired romance with both action and steam. Fans of M.C. Vaughan's Romancing Miss Stone or Kerry Rea's The Jewel of the Isle won't want to miss this one.--Shannon O'Connor
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An archaeological hunt in the Brazilian Amazon mixes romance with treasure-hunting baddies. In this spinoff fromRaiders of the Lost Heart (2023), UC Berkeley archaeologist Miriam Jacobs unexpectedly finds herself heading a search for the Cidade Perdida da Lua--the Lost City of the Moon--in the Brazilian jungle. Jittery about her sudden leadership role, Miriam is determined to channel her mentor, Dr. Corrie Mejía, a famous archaeologist, but worries about her ability to succeed. Accompanying the team isGlobal Geography reporter Rafael Monfils, who's secretly trying to sabotage the expedition--his father insists he has a family obligation to keep the city hidden in accordance with the beliefs of his late mother's Brazilian community. From Rafa and Miriam's meet-cute at the station where they've missed the bus to Manacapuru, where their team is meeting, to a series of screwball moments spurred by Miriam's manic-pixie zaniness, the novel is a goofy fantasy à laRomancing the Stone orThe Mummy. Both the protagonists and the villains are lightly sketched and there's little by way of character development or complex motivations. A series of unfortunate escapades culminate in a confrontation with the chief baddie and a revelation of Rafa's duplicity, which is smoothed over by some hurried sex scenes. The epilogue provides a slightly clunky resolution to the preceding events and gestures in passing to the ethics of archaeological excavations in developing nations. A frothy read for someone looking for a Lara Croft--esque rom-com. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
