Temple of Swoon

Starred review from October 1, 2024

Archaeologist Dr. Miri Jacobs is finally going on an expedition--a big one--to find the Lost City of the Moon in the Brazilian rainforest. Unfortunately, the journey has been plagued with bad luck. First, its experienced leaders had to drop out, then another leader was too injured to continue, and now Miri is in charge by default. She feels out of her depth, and the team morale is quickly declining. Rafa Monfils is the only non-archaeologist on the team. He's been sent to document the search for his magazine, supposedly. In reality, his father has tasked Rafa with keeping the city from ever being found--a promise made to Rafa's Brazilian mother before her death. That means deceiving Miri and convincing everyone that their expedition is doomed to fail. He didn't count on Miri's stubbornness, though. No matter what tricks he plays, Miri powers through. Worse, he's feeling guilty for interfering, and he might be falling for her. VERDICT This fun, well-written adventure romance from Segura (Raiders of the Lost Heart) is unputdownable. Perfect for readers who enjoy a slow burn, witty banter, and plot twists and turns.--Heather Miller Cover

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2024
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.

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October 7, 2024
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.

December 15, 2024
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 Mej�a, 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 � 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.

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