Guarded Treasure

by Mae Lovette

Edith Taylor is ready to explore the ancient tombs she’s only seen in books. Her big break comes at last when she’s hired to act as translator on an infamous crew. There’s just one the dusty, arrogant scoundrel who she’s partnered with. Sure, he’s been ordered to watch her every move… but does he have to look at her like that? Benjamin Brooks is about to embark on the most important -and most dangerous- job of his career. The one he hopes will be his last. But on the day he’s set to depart, he discovers he’s been demoted. After years of heading his own crew, he’s been replaced by a petit know-it-all whose never spent even a day in the field. It doesn’t help that she despises him from the moment they met- a moment that stopped his heart. On the outskirts of the remote city of Argo, submerged in a lush sparkling oasis, lies a tomb shrouded in mystery that has remained sealed for three thousand years. It is rumored to hold the mummy of a powerful Pharaoh’s first love who disappeared in scandal, and was completely scrubbed from history. Even the most accomplished archaeologists in Egypt know only everyone who has tried to open the tomb succumbs to the curse. Will these rivals work together to unlock each of the three doors of the Cursed Tomb of Argo? Will the fire of attraction that ignites between them thwart their efforts to break the curse? Or will their shared objective and undeniable passion go up in smoke? Guarded Treasure is the debut romance novel of author Mae Lovette. Indulge in an escape to a glamorous golden age hotel at the edge of a tropical oasis. Embark on an adventure with Edie and Ben as they race through the tunnels of a cursed tomb, clash in a clandestine spat aboard a steamer floating down the Nile, and try to stay quiet as their passion erupts in the dark corner of an exquisite library.

Hear what readers are saying about Guarded Treasure by Mae “This good was so good! It had banter, spice, adventure and a beautiful love story. When this ended I still wanted more it was so beautifully written.” -Amber “I literally couldn’t put it down. It was absolutely phenomenal!” -Evelyn Walker “This is a great debut novel, Mae Lovette! And they’re flirting?? Do not get me started!” - Madelyn “The spicy scenes are explicit & well done, especially the first scene! *chef's kiss*” - Jennifer W “I had a blast, Edith and Ben had me kicking my feet and squealing.” -Elizabeth D “THE SLUMP solution! Wow what an absolute JOY of a book.” -Mallory Hunter “When I tell you, I absolutely inhaled this book. Fantastic storytelling in every way.” -Sarah Goyette Uptegraff

Genres: Romance, Adventure, Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction

328 pages, Paperback

Published May 24, 2023

Reviews

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

All you need you need to know is this is 1999 cinematic masterpiece The Mummy + spice. If you’re reading this review and are a fan of The Mummy series (1 & 2 only BECAUSE THAT’S ALL THAT WAS MADE) trying to decide if you want to read this…READ THIS. Don’t ask, just read it.

Also, it’s absolute perfection that this book became my 100th read for this year.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guarded Treasure by Mae Lovette is, simply put, a good time. 4.5 stars, I'm rounding up. I follow the author on TikTok, and from the first time I saw her showing off her book I knew I wanted a copy, but I have some sensory issues reading ebooks sometimes, so I waited for the physical copy to be available before I picked it up.

Is the book technically perfect? No. Is the book flawed? Yes, there are several things I wanted to highlight and fix along the way, as a former copy editor. Will I take criticism on this book from other people? No, I will not. Why not? Because this book was EXACTLY what I wanted it to be, and, flaws and all, it's still a very fun time, and isn't that the whole point of reading fiction?

There was a fictional Egyptian tomb, a hardy curse, two stubborn protagonists who were attracted to each other and based off some of my childhood favorite movie characters, there was spice, there was a way to break the curse not with fists but with brain power, Edie and Ben's characters developed while staying consistent to their character archetypes and didn't run around doing things outside of their nature unlike some romcom-ish books.

[Meg (fiction_gryphon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5… excellent 1999 Mummy vibes! There’s a lot of neat, small nods to “The Mummy” plot and characters, while still being its own delightful adventure. This sucker had some serious spice to boot! That being said, the spicy scenes felt a bit similar to me (even down to the actions/things said), but other than that, this was a great summer blockbuster style of read!

[Dreary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Smut is not for me. It wasn't then and it isn't now when I tried to give it another go. There's no depth to the characters or plot, and the spicy scenes (what we're all here for) weren't anything I haven't read a hundred times before. The book needed another round of editing. The end of the story was wrapped up in a rush and a lot of the plot was very convenient and easy for a mystery novel.

I don't believe the two main characters "fell in love" after knowing each other for only two days. They fell in lust; let's call it what it is. Ben thinks he's God's gift to Edith - especially when he thinks he can't stand the thought of Edith having to fake orgasms under another man for the rest of her life if she doesn't choose him... How does he know she won't find a man who could give her more orgasms (and more earth-shattering ones) than him? It's a big world out there. Besides, Edith wants to be known for being a world famous archeologist and for her intelligence; is she really more concerned about who can give her more orgasms? SIGH

I digress.

[Sharayah Preman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author borrowed lightly from the first two movies in The Mummy series but truthfully there’s so much media about Egyptian culture and lore that this can easily be seen as its own stand alone story. Don’t expect it to be retelling of the romance between Evie and Rick just with sex scenes though. Edith and Ben is full enemies to lovers will they won’t they trope. Edie is more naive and more of a goody-two-shows than Evie and Ben is actually more arrogant than Rick. What I think is supposed to be charm from Ben’s jokes and sense of humor got old really quickly for me. I always appreciate very detailed sex scenes but things god a little too dom barking orders for me at times.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mummy was my first crush movie as a preteen so when I saw the author pitch it on TikTok as based on The Mummy I was intrigued. The book is exactly that and I was hooked from page one. I even fell asleep reading it and I haven’t done that in a while.

It is a great action comedy romance with adult spice and sizzling chemistry. The characters fall fast and actually communicate really well. It is a relief after reading a very emotionally heavy series. I needed a palette cleanser to remind me that reading is fun and this was perfect.

This would make a great beach or airport read!

[Melissa Lozano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I was just watching The Mummy the other day, so I loved reading about Ben and Edith (Rick and Evie), but with a spicy twist.

The Egyptian culture and curses and magic kept me turning page after page, and I was so sad to see it end.
I honestly don’t know what else to say other than I liked this a lot and I would love to read more adventures for Edith and Ben!

[Cassie'sBookCorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you love The Mummy? Specifically, Rick O'Connell? Yeah...you will LOVE THIS!!! And get an overwhelming urge to re-watch that series!

Edith is fiesty, brilliant and determined. Ben is swoony, charming and constantly driving Edith crazy. Together, they are explosive!

Content warnings: death, violence, kidnapping

My rating: 4.5/5

Spice: 3/5

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mummy but better! A badass female heroine, who is just trying to prove herself. A MMC with a heart of gold buried under tin.
I genuinely LOVED this book and will be reading others by this author

[Glorianna Klingensmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I read it in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down! Amazing!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will forever be thankful to an author who took the movie that raised me and gave me a new (and steamy) story to hold onto.

[Reema · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have ever read!!

[Noelia Alonso]

Tengo que dejar de fiarme de Booktok.

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because I thought it would be fun but the plot happened too quickly and the changing povs mid paragraph were really confusing.

[Robin Nancarrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally just re-read this book again. I love it so much. I was obsessed with The Mummy growing up so when a friend suggested this book I knew I had to borrow it. It definitely did not disappoint. It has everything about the mummy movie that I loved and definitely so much more 🥰