I can’t say that I’ve ever read a romance where they’re digging for fossils, but Fossil Feud really did sound right up my alley. Today I’m going to tell you all about this book and what I thought.
A big thank you to Netgalley and Dell for providing me with an eARC to read and review. This doesn’t affect my opinion in any way!
The hunt for fossils—and love—is on in this steamy, STEMinist romance about two opposing paleontologists who join forces to prevent a fraudulent dinosaur discovery, but accidentally dig up feelings for each other along the way.
Renegade paleontologist Ripley Adams is this close to digging up a fossil treasure and vindication. She’s spent the last three years in academic exile after her ex-boyfriend stole her work, betrayed her trust, and broke her heart in one fell swoop. If she can unearth a complete specimen of her newest discovery—a never-before-seen missing link between dinosaurs and birds—it will put her back on the map and finally restore her ruined reputation.
But when unfairly hot Oxford professor James Smithson crashes Ripley’s dig site, she realizes she’s not the only one searching for redemption in the Montana dirt. James is convinced a splashy new fossil is a fraud, and he needs Ripley’s help to prove it. She’d tell the buttoned-up Brit where to stick his suspicions, but the fake fossil is eerily similar to hers . . . and the fraudster is her ex.
The race is on to reveal a T-rex-sized discovery. Polar opposites Ripley and James will have to find common ground if they’re going to take down a hoax that could ruin them both. And as they dig deeper into their unlikely attraction, Ripley’s excavation boots won’t be the only things getting a little dirty. . . .
Review
If you had told me I’d end up loving a romance about palaeontologists, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you. Dinosaurs, fossils, and dig sites have never really been something I was interested in. Except Fossil Feud was everything I wanted and then some! Once I picked up this book I just couldn’t put it down.
Ripley has been trying to get ahead in her field, but being a woman has been working against her in this field occupied by men. The dig she’s currently working on could save her career after her ex-boyfriend ended up stealing some of her work. Her passion was so refreshing and just her love for what she was doing. I mean, discovering a new dinosaur does sound amazing.
James seems to be just another man coming in and trying to take credit for her work. So when he offers to help find funding for her dig site, Ripley doesn’t want to trust him. There is just so much more to James. My heart broke for him and he overcame so many struggles in this story. But on top of that, he truly falls in love with this woman and wants to do everything he can for her.
The yearning and tension between these two was amazing! This author gives us a true slow burn and I loved every minute of it. Ripley’s crew is determined to make everything goes successful and this feels like an amazing case of found family. I would love more stories about the characters we meet in this book. I will definitely be picking up more by Maggie North.
Have you discovered any new to you authors this year that you plan on reading more by? Maggie North is definitely one for me! Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
