The DNF Report #25 – December 2023

Posting this a little early this month, because as I said with my L-L-L post yesterday, the end of December is pretty booked with my Top 10 posts. And actually, three of my DNFs this month were holiday books so they are in my Christmas post about Santa’s List, so I only have one to share.

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
Published by Berkley on December 5, 2023
Genres: Adult Contemporary Romance
Pages: 357
Source: the publisher
Format: E-galley
My Rating: DNF
Goodreads

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.

I wanted to love this one so bad! But so much of the writing just didn’t work for me. It was so basic, hitting on so many things you think of with a romance that are just the simplified version, things that more experienced authors know how to put into writing without just saying them. It reminded me of how I loved the Twilight books, and I did love the movies, but I also felt that if I hadn’t read the books I’d have no idea why Edward and Bella fell in love. Because the movie left sooooooo much out. Important stuff to make you understand why they fell in love. And sometimes the dialog, inner dialog or that between characters, was kinda cringey for me. Gah, I loved the idea behind this, the synopsis, the setting, the cover, all of it, and it just didn’t work enough for me to finish it.

I know a lot of other people really enjoyed it, though, so don’t let my review sway you from reading it if you want to!