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Raiders of the Lost Heart #3
The Lust Crusade
A plucky librarian and an archaeologist on the run fake an engagement to save their lives, leading them into the labyrinth of their own desires.
Daniela Guiterrez has been in love with her brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember—until he went missing a year ago during an archaeological expedition. But on a solo trip to Greece, the intrepid librarian discovers that Theo is very much alive, although judging by the criminals holding him hostage, he is not doing well.
An expert in Ancient Greek archaeology, Dr. Theo Galanis has been abducted by artifact smugglers in search of a priceless gemstone—the Eye of the Minotaur. This ridiculous assignment was supposed to get Dani out of his system, not keep her tied up next to him. But when a little white lie spirals into his captors believing Theo and Dani are engaged, they must utilize her research skills and his expertise to solve the centuries’ old Minoan mystery, all while feigning a romance to keep each other alive.
Now with less than six days to find the jewel, underground societies, mythological beings, and pesky abductors are only half the battle. Because among the ancient ruins and temples they explore is an even bigger falling in love for real.
Daniela Guiterrez has been in love with her brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember—until he went missing a year ago during an archaeological expedition. But on a solo trip to Greece, the intrepid librarian discovers that Theo is very much alive, although judging by the criminals holding him hostage, he is not doing well.
An expert in Ancient Greek archaeology, Dr. Theo Galanis has been abducted by artifact smugglers in search of a priceless gemstone—the Eye of the Minotaur. This ridiculous assignment was supposed to get Dani out of his system, not keep her tied up next to him. But when a little white lie spirals into his captors believing Theo and Dani are engaged, they must utilize her research skills and his expertise to solve the centuries’ old Minoan mystery, all while feigning a romance to keep each other alive.
Now with less than six days to find the jewel, underground societies, mythological beings, and pesky abductors are only half the battle. Because among the ancient ruins and temples they explore is an even bigger falling in love for real.
367 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2026
123 people are currently reading
15875 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love, love Jo Segura, and honestly I know it’s because she perfectly combines my love for romance 💕 with adventure and treasure hunting ✨This is already her third book, and aghhhhh I loved every single book so far 💖
This story takes us to Greece 🇬🇷 and follows our girl Daniela Gutierrez, a librarian 📚 who is grieving her forever crush on her brother’s best friend, Dr. Theo Galanis, who went missing a year ago.. so she decides to travel to Greece to reminisce… and then sees THEO ALIVE 😱!!! Little does she know he was actually abducted, and because of her curiosity 👀, she ends up right in the middle of it all.
I really loved the plot because duh!!!!! Someone going missing but actually being abducted by evil men who want a treasure?? Talk about adventure!!! Not only that, but HELLO the tension between these two was INSANE 😮💨🔥. They clearly both have feelings for each other, but they’re literally trying to survive, so you get these small moments here and there where you can just feel it 🥹💘
It was such an easy read ✨ That said, I do want to be honest and say that compared to the other two books, this one was my least favorite. The characters and the setting weren’t as intriguing for me as the previous ones, but that’s totally a personal preference!
Either way, if you love romance + adventure + treasure hunting, Jo Segura still delivers everrryyy singlee timeeee
tropes
🏛️ brother's best friend
🏛️ fake engaged
🏛️ slow burn
🏛️ only one bed
🏛️ treasure hunting
thank you Berkley for my eARC!
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅
you gotta understand I LOVE JO SEGURA! the way she makes the perfect balance of adventure and romance in a book, like YES IM READY!
This story takes us to Greece 🇬🇷 and follows our girl Daniela Gutierrez, a librarian 📚 who is grieving her forever crush on her brother’s best friend, Dr. Theo Galanis, who went missing a year ago.. so she decides to travel to Greece to reminisce… and then sees THEO ALIVE 😱!!! Little does she know he was actually abducted, and because of her curiosity 👀, she ends up right in the middle of it all.
I really loved the plot because duh!!!!! Someone going missing but actually being abducted by evil men who want a treasure?? Talk about adventure!!! Not only that, but HELLO the tension between these two was INSANE 😮💨🔥. They clearly both have feelings for each other, but they’re literally trying to survive, so you get these small moments here and there where you can just feel it 🥹💘
It was such an easy read ✨ That said, I do want to be honest and say that compared to the other two books, this one was my least favorite. The characters and the setting weren’t as intriguing for me as the previous ones, but that’s totally a personal preference!
Either way, if you love romance + adventure + treasure hunting, Jo Segura still delivers everrryyy singlee timeeee
tropes
🏛️ brother's best friend
🏛️ fake engaged
🏛️ slow burn
🏛️ only one bed
🏛️ treasure hunting
thank you Berkley for my eARC!
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅
you gotta understand I LOVE JO SEGURA! the way she makes the perfect balance of adventure and romance in a book, like YES IM READY!
January 14, 2026
જ⁀➴ 3 stars
HUGE thank you to Berkley Romance, Jo Segura, and NetGalley for the free widget to get this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Lust Crusade will be officially published on January 13th, 2026!
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
This was my first-ever adventure romance and my first book by Jo Segura, and I had a lot of fun reading this! The Mediterranean vibes with the setting taking place in Greece, on top of all of the Greek mythology woven throughout the plot, made it seem like it was right up my alley, and I had to send in a request for it right away. I know the other two books in this series have mixed reviews, but I haven't read them yet to have anything to compare this one to, and I wanted to give this a chance.
Daniela Guiterrez is a librarian in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she spends her days between the bookshelves. She's also mourning the loss of her brother's best friend and longtime childhood crush, Theo Galanis, an archeologist who went missing on an excavation trip a year ago and is presumed to be dead. Deciding to take a trip for herself, she travels to Greece in an attempt to connect with Theo's heritage and to feel closer to him after the loss. When she's there and runs into Theo, who is very much NOT dead and was instead kidnapped by artifact smugglers, she gets roped into helping him find the elusive Eye of the Minotaur in six days, or else they both die. Faking a marriage is what's keeping them alive, but will that turn into love?
The one thing I love about this book is the amount of Greek mythology that was woven througout the story. As someone who's a big fan of Greek mythology (and just any and all mythology in general), I loved how the myths of the Minotaur, Theseus, and Ariadne were incorporated into this story about a mysterious jewel that's allegedly not even real. The atmosphere of Greece and the descriptions of the climate, setting, and the FOOD? I was craving some hummus and spanokopita while I was reading this, I'm not going to lie.
There were so many twists and turns throughout the story, and although predictable, I did have a lot of fun reading this and I found myself rooting for Theo and Dani every time they attempted to escape their captors and throw them off their trails. Like, you'd want to beat a grown man too if he said that he "wasn't above hitting a woman" when Theo and Dani got kidnapped. (That's an exact line, by the way.) I know a lot of people have said this gives Indiana Jones vibes with the adventure romances that Jo Segura writes, and I can 100% agree on that statement!
I also loved how we got background information on Dani and Theo and their past together growing up as kids. Their families are super close and spent a lot of time together, and since Dani's brother, Eddie, is best friends with Theo, they all grew up together. I loved how we got to actually read about it vs. hearing about it in passing and having to take their word for it. It's not like they're full-blown flashback chapters or anything, but there are brief callbacks and mentions here and there of it when appropriate. We got to see exactly how deep their relationship and their ties run, and I liked that we got to see their memories together.
There were two things I took two stars off for:
1. Dani's nickname: If I have to hear the word "Juicy" ONE MORE TIME... I'm sorry, I personally couldn't stand her nickname. Granted, it was a childhood nickname, and there is a backstory behind why her nickname is Juicy, but it's literally the most annoying nickname on the planet. I couldn't stand Theo calling Dani that every other time he talks to her. I think he's said Juicy more times than he's said Dani or Daniela.
2. The miscommunication: Okay, so hear me out here. In 9 books out of 10, I will always say that miscommunication between two characters is entirely unnecessary and avoidable because these characters are fully grown adults. Talk things out, you know? While this book has plenty of that to go around, I do believe, to some extent, that it was warranted....at first. That's the one condition. It was warranted AT FIRST. Obviously, you would be a little concerned and confused if you were in a foreign country just to find that a missing archeologist who's been gone for over a year and had a whole funeral/memorial service for him was actually not six feet under, too. In that, I agree 100% with Dani in that her reaction was completely warranted. HOWEVER, for the amount of bickering and passive aggressivness and the amount of times they went hot and cold throughout the story, there should've been a moment where they just aired everything out at once vs. letting everything come to light as they went along. For two people who got kidnapped, they had plenty of time to talk things out and address things.
Going hand in hand with that, I felt like the ending was extremely rushed. With everything they had going on between them and the fact that they were looking for this giant jewel while trying to keep their abductors off their trail, everything wrapped up way too quickly and too abruptly for me to feel like the book had a definite finish. If the book were maybe one or two more chapters long, I would have a different view on this, but the flip-flop between the last few chapters specifically was almost like night and day.
Overall, this was a fun adventure romance despite its flaws, and if you're a romance reader looking for a little bit of action in your books without it bordering the line of romantic suspense, please check this book out!
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Trigger/content warnings: sexual content (I'd say probably a 1.5-1.75/5 on the spice scale, but this is subjective to everyone's comfort level with spicy scenes in books), swearing, physical assault, kidnapping/abduction
⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ I got a widget for this from Berkley right before Christmas, so I'm taking advantage of that now haha! I think this is my first adventure rom-com, and I can't wait to see what this book is all about. Like, an adventure that takes place in Greece? Sign me up! 🇬🇷🏛️🏺🩷 I actually own the first two books in the series, but I think they're all interconnected standalones, so I'll make my way through the first two books later😂
HUGE thank you to Berkley Romance, Jo Segura, and NetGalley for the free widget to get this eARC in exchange for an honest review. The Lust Crusade will be officially published on January 13th, 2026!
"It has always been you. It will always be you. And now that I've had this time with you, there will never be anyone else. I love you. Nothing will ever change that."
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
This was my first-ever adventure romance and my first book by Jo Segura, and I had a lot of fun reading this! The Mediterranean vibes with the setting taking place in Greece, on top of all of the Greek mythology woven throughout the plot, made it seem like it was right up my alley, and I had to send in a request for it right away. I know the other two books in this series have mixed reviews, but I haven't read them yet to have anything to compare this one to, and I wanted to give this a chance.
Daniela Guiterrez is a librarian in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she spends her days between the bookshelves. She's also mourning the loss of her brother's best friend and longtime childhood crush, Theo Galanis, an archeologist who went missing on an excavation trip a year ago and is presumed to be dead. Deciding to take a trip for herself, she travels to Greece in an attempt to connect with Theo's heritage and to feel closer to him after the loss. When she's there and runs into Theo, who is very much NOT dead and was instead kidnapped by artifact smugglers, she gets roped into helping him find the elusive Eye of the Minotaur in six days, or else they both die. Faking a marriage is what's keeping them alive, but will that turn into love?
The one thing I love about this book is the amount of Greek mythology that was woven througout the story. As someone who's a big fan of Greek mythology (and just any and all mythology in general), I loved how the myths of the Minotaur, Theseus, and Ariadne were incorporated into this story about a mysterious jewel that's allegedly not even real. The atmosphere of Greece and the descriptions of the climate, setting, and the FOOD? I was craving some hummus and spanokopita while I was reading this, I'm not going to lie.
There were so many twists and turns throughout the story, and although predictable, I did have a lot of fun reading this and I found myself rooting for Theo and Dani every time they attempted to escape their captors and throw them off their trails. Like, you'd want to beat a grown man too if he said that he "wasn't above hitting a woman" when Theo and Dani got kidnapped. (That's an exact line, by the way.) I know a lot of people have said this gives Indiana Jones vibes with the adventure romances that Jo Segura writes, and I can 100% agree on that statement!
I also loved how we got background information on Dani and Theo and their past together growing up as kids. Their families are super close and spent a lot of time together, and since Dani's brother, Eddie, is best friends with Theo, they all grew up together. I loved how we got to actually read about it vs. hearing about it in passing and having to take their word for it. It's not like they're full-blown flashback chapters or anything, but there are brief callbacks and mentions here and there of it when appropriate. We got to see exactly how deep their relationship and their ties run, and I liked that we got to see their memories together.
There were two things I took two stars off for:
1. Dani's nickname: If I have to hear the word "Juicy" ONE MORE TIME... I'm sorry, I personally couldn't stand her nickname. Granted, it was a childhood nickname, and there is a backstory behind why her nickname is Juicy, but it's literally the most annoying nickname on the planet. I couldn't stand Theo calling Dani that every other time he talks to her. I think he's said Juicy more times than he's said Dani or Daniela.
2. The miscommunication: Okay, so hear me out here. In 9 books out of 10, I will always say that miscommunication between two characters is entirely unnecessary and avoidable because these characters are fully grown adults. Talk things out, you know? While this book has plenty of that to go around, I do believe, to some extent, that it was warranted....at first. That's the one condition. It was warranted AT FIRST. Obviously, you would be a little concerned and confused if you were in a foreign country just to find that a missing archeologist who's been gone for over a year and had a whole funeral/memorial service for him was actually not six feet under, too. In that, I agree 100% with Dani in that her reaction was completely warranted. HOWEVER, for the amount of bickering and passive aggressivness and the amount of times they went hot and cold throughout the story, there should've been a moment where they just aired everything out at once vs. letting everything come to light as they went along. For two people who got kidnapped, they had plenty of time to talk things out and address things.
Going hand in hand with that, I felt like the ending was extremely rushed. With everything they had going on between them and the fact that they were looking for this giant jewel while trying to keep their abductors off their trail, everything wrapped up way too quickly and too abruptly for me to feel like the book had a definite finish. If the book were maybe one or two more chapters long, I would have a different view on this, but the flip-flop between the last few chapters specifically was almost like night and day.
Overall, this was a fun adventure romance despite its flaws, and if you're a romance reader looking for a little bit of action in your books without it bordering the line of romantic suspense, please check this book out!
⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹ ⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Trigger/content warnings: sexual content (I'd say probably a 1.5-1.75/5 on the spice scale, but this is subjective to everyone's comfort level with spicy scenes in books), swearing, physical assault, kidnapping/abduction
⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: ୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ I got a widget for this from Berkley right before Christmas, so I'm taking advantage of that now haha! I think this is my first adventure rom-com, and I can't wait to see what this book is all about. Like, an adventure that takes place in Greece? Sign me up! 🇬🇷🏛️🏺🩷 I actually own the first two books in the series, but I think they're all interconnected standalones, so I'll make my way through the first two books later😂
January 13, 2026
I REALLY wanted to write this one. This series has been on my radar for a while. It has an Indiana Jones vibe which piqued my interest. Overall, this was a good not great read for me. I was engaged in the adventure of the story and of course LOVED the idea of Daniela and Theo having their moment. As some of you know, I LOVE a good best friend's sibling story. And while I enjoyed the adventure, I struggled with the pacing. These two could not get out of their own way until like 75% of the book. This was a true slow burn with some miscommunication thrown in. At points I wanted to shake these two! Come on people. And then when they finally did get together, everything felt rushed. They got together and then the adventure ended within the last 10%. I just wanted more LOL. I liked the pining that these two had. There was great angst. We kept getting glimpses of the fire these two felt for each other only to have to wait longer. I did like how the fire played out. I liked how these two elevated each other and how much they cared about each other.
Daniela has been in mourning for the past year. Ever since her brother's best friend Theo went missing, she has not felt the same. Especially since they spent that night together and then he all but disappeared. She just wishes that she had had the nerve to tell him how she really felt. And now she never will. Which is how she finds herself in Greece- thinking about Theo. But then she sees him. She actually sees him. Even though he is supposed to be dead. How is this possible? How could he have let his family think he was gone? When she sees him, she has more questions than answered. He has been kidnapped by people looking for a mythological object in hopes that it is real. And now she has been kidnapped too. She never thought she would be so happy to see someone while being so enraged at the same time. But how does he still look so handsome? How does he still make her catch her breath? She wants to talk about what happened between them. She wants to explore this feeling. She is starting to sense he cares about her too, but every time she gets close he pulls away. Until finally she realizes they have been misinterpreting everything. And now that they have a window to escape and things have been cleared up, she wants to lay it all out there. She starts to think that maybe they could have a future. They just have to get out of this country alive.
Theo doesn't know how long he has been gone at this point. He knows it has been several months, but he hopes people are still looking for him. All he wants is to see his people again. And then he does. He sees Daniela. His best friend's little sister. The woman he has loved from a far for years is now here in Greece. She is now being kidnapped with him. He has to save her. He couldn't live with himself if something happened to her. How does she still look so beautiful? He thought she felt the same way about him but apparently he was wrong. But then he sees how she is looking at him. He starts to enjoy this time they are spending together. He starts to realize he can no longer go back to them being the way they were before. He wants her in his life. He just has to get them out of here alive. And now that he knows she feels the same way about him, he is more determined than ever to find this rock and get them home safe.
Like I said, I wanted more out of this but overall it was a fun adventure with some yearning and angst thrown in. I liked the history lessons in there too!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Daniela has been in mourning for the past year. Ever since her brother's best friend Theo went missing, she has not felt the same. Especially since they spent that night together and then he all but disappeared. She just wishes that she had had the nerve to tell him how she really felt. And now she never will. Which is how she finds herself in Greece- thinking about Theo. But then she sees him. She actually sees him. Even though he is supposed to be dead. How is this possible? How could he have let his family think he was gone? When she sees him, she has more questions than answered. He has been kidnapped by people looking for a mythological object in hopes that it is real. And now she has been kidnapped too. She never thought she would be so happy to see someone while being so enraged at the same time. But how does he still look so handsome? How does he still make her catch her breath? She wants to talk about what happened between them. She wants to explore this feeling. She is starting to sense he cares about her too, but every time she gets close he pulls away. Until finally she realizes they have been misinterpreting everything. And now that they have a window to escape and things have been cleared up, she wants to lay it all out there. She starts to think that maybe they could have a future. They just have to get out of this country alive.
Theo doesn't know how long he has been gone at this point. He knows it has been several months, but he hopes people are still looking for him. All he wants is to see his people again. And then he does. He sees Daniela. His best friend's little sister. The woman he has loved from a far for years is now here in Greece. She is now being kidnapped with him. He has to save her. He couldn't live with himself if something happened to her. How does she still look so beautiful? He thought she felt the same way about him but apparently he was wrong. But then he sees how she is looking at him. He starts to enjoy this time they are spending together. He starts to realize he can no longer go back to them being the way they were before. He wants her in his life. He just has to get them out of here alive. And now that he knows she feels the same way about him, he is more determined than ever to find this rock and get them home safe.
Like I said, I wanted more out of this but overall it was a fun adventure with some yearning and angst thrown in. I liked the history lessons in there too!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 31, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Dani travels to Greece to feel close to the man she secretly loved, her brother’s best friend, who went missing over a year ago. But come to find out he isn’t dead, but was kidnapped by artifact smugglers on an excavation trip. And of course, gets herself kidnapped too. Because why wouldn’t she. Now, they have to fake being engaged and find the treasure the smugglers are looking for so they don’t get killed by them.
It was a cute read but between all the miscommunication and the word JUICY, I’m giving it a 3 star rating.
Dani travels to Greece to feel close to the man she secretly loved, her brother’s best friend, who went missing over a year ago. But come to find out he isn’t dead, but was kidnapped by artifact smugglers on an excavation trip. And of course, gets herself kidnapped too. Because why wouldn’t she. Now, they have to fake being engaged and find the treasure the smugglers are looking for so they don’t get killed by them.
It was a cute read but between all the miscommunication and the word JUICY, I’m giving it a 3 star rating.
December 17, 2025
The Lust Crusade by Jo Segura is an adventurous, slow burning romantic romp set largely in Greece, where Daniela “Dani” Gutierrez, a spirited librarian who has been in love with her brother’s best friend for years, unexpectedly reunites with Dr. Theo Galanis, an archaeologist long presumed dead, when she finds him alive but held captive by smugglers searching for the mythical Eye of the Minotaur. To stay alive, they pretend to be engaged and embark on a desperate, high stakes treasure hunt through ancient ruins, with less than six days to uncover the artifact while navigating ignited feelings between them. Their forced proximity and shared history give way to a romance that grows amid action, myth and danger.
Opening this book felt like stepping into a sunlit, salt scented world where humor and heat blend with mystery and heart. What truly moved me was how Dani’s fierce loyalty and Theo’s steadfast intelligence are written with such vibrant energy that their chemistry feels electric even when their own walls are still up. There is a joyful rhythm to their banter, and the way Segura injects Greek mythology into the chase made me smile at nearly every turn: it felt playful, rich, and surprisingly touching.
At the same time the story gave me genuine moments of tenderness when Dani and Theo confront the weight of their long past and what it means to finally face what was never said. Some scenes of their emotional conversations felt especially honest and heartfelt to me, giving the adventure real emotional texture beyond the wild treasure hunt. I felt the warmth, the blend of slow burn romance and good pacing, although some elements of the plot felt lighter than expected in places.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving this book four stars because it charmed me with its blend of adventurous plotting, authentic characters, and slow burning romance that felt both satisfying and full of heart.
I would have loved a bit more depth in certain emotional turns, but overall the experience made me laugh, root for Dani and Theo, and appreciate the way Segura plays with genre in a way that feels fresh and warmly engaging.
Opening this book felt like stepping into a sunlit, salt scented world where humor and heat blend with mystery and heart. What truly moved me was how Dani’s fierce loyalty and Theo’s steadfast intelligence are written with such vibrant energy that their chemistry feels electric even when their own walls are still up. There is a joyful rhythm to their banter, and the way Segura injects Greek mythology into the chase made me smile at nearly every turn: it felt playful, rich, and surprisingly touching.
At the same time the story gave me genuine moments of tenderness when Dani and Theo confront the weight of their long past and what it means to finally face what was never said. Some scenes of their emotional conversations felt especially honest and heartfelt to me, giving the adventure real emotional texture beyond the wild treasure hunt. I felt the warmth, the blend of slow burn romance and good pacing, although some elements of the plot felt lighter than expected in places.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving this book four stars because it charmed me with its blend of adventurous plotting, authentic characters, and slow burning romance that felt both satisfying and full of heart.
I would have loved a bit more depth in certain emotional turns, but overall the experience made me laugh, root for Dani and Theo, and appreciate the way Segura plays with genre in a way that feels fresh and warmly engaging.
January 23, 2026
thank you to berkley for the free copy
The Lust Crusade was a delight - it had me wanting to go to Greece, get kidnapped with my hot friend and eat all the Greek food. I really love the way Jo writes dialogue - the banter is snappy and really fun to read. It was refreshing to see a fun, rompy rom com with people in their 30s. I really hope she writes more of these adventure romances!
The Lust Crusade was a delight - it had me wanting to go to Greece, get kidnapped with my hot friend and eat all the Greek food. I really love the way Jo writes dialogue - the banter is snappy and really fun to read. It was refreshing to see a fun, rompy rom com with people in their 30s. I really hope she writes more of these adventure romances!
January 19, 2026
I have really enjoyed the whole Raiders of the Lost Heart series and the Lust Crusade is no exception. This series feels to me like the best of both an adventure movie and a romance book. It's not too much adventure that I get bored (I regularly get bored reading romantasy books with a lot of world building) but enough that the book feels fast pace and fun to read.
Dani and Theo both think the other is the most amazing person in the world and I love getting to read that especially when we get the comparison of their insecurities in their own POV. I think having someone adore you for your perceived flaws not in spite of them is one of the things that makes a good romance. It definitely makes Theo and Dani easy to root for!
I recommend this series for anyone who likes a bit of adventure with their romance. The series is best read in order but each book could function as a standalone if you don't mind spoilers for earlier books. I will need to go back soon and read all three together to fully see all the connections between the books.
Thanks to Berkley romance for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Dani and Theo both think the other is the most amazing person in the world and I love getting to read that especially when we get the comparison of their insecurities in their own POV. I think having someone adore you for your perceived flaws not in spite of them is one of the things that makes a good romance. It definitely makes Theo and Dani easy to root for!
I recommend this series for anyone who likes a bit of adventure with their romance. The series is best read in order but each book could function as a standalone if you don't mind spoilers for earlier books. I will need to go back soon and read all three together to fully see all the connections between the books.
Thanks to Berkley romance for providing me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.
January 21, 2026
I haven’t read any of Jo Segura’s books before, but I will definitely be reading the rest of this series now! This was a fun fast-paced read with lots of adventure. Theo and Dani were so cute together!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC!
January 16, 2026
If I have to read the word “juicy” again. It’d be too soon.
January 5, 2026
4.25⭐️
Theo—or, as the world knows him, Dr. Theo Galanis, archaeologist—has been missing and presumed dead for over a year after disappearing in Greece. Dani, a librarian, is Theo’s best friend’s little sister and has missed him dearly ever since. Right before he vanished, they shared a moment she believed meant something more, but then he left and never came back. Hoping to feel closer to him and maybe find some closure, Dani decides to take a trip to Greece. While visiting Knossos with her tour group, she spots someone sneaking around who looks suspiciously like her supposedly dead friend. One thing leads to another, and the two end up kidnapped together, trying to escape their captors while uncovering a multi-millennia-long cover-up involving an ancient Greek artifact—all while pretending to be fiancés and navigating their very real feelings for each other.
This one was so fun! You’ve got a presumed-dead MMC being held hostage and a spunky FMC who decides she’s going to rescue him. There’s action, drama, tension born from miscommunication, and a long, complicated history between the leads. I loved how Greek mythology was woven into the story, along with the treasure hunting and gallivanting all over Greece.
The dialogue is witty, and the chemistry between Dani and Theo leaps off the page! There’s just enough action to keep things exciting without overshadowing the emotional romance at the heart of the story. The occasional flashbacks to Dani and Theo’s shared past perfectly complement the present-day storyline, cementing their history without slowing the pace. I honestly could have happily read another 100 pages of this! The Greek Island settings and lush descriptions made me want to drop everything and go to Greece!
Overall, this was a fantastic, action-packed romance featuring hints of best friend’s little sister, forbidden romance, and miscommunication tropes, all layered into an overarching plot of treasure hunting and digging through history and time. If you love Greek mythology and Indiana Jones but always wished for a little more romance, then this one is for you!
This was my favorite of the series, and I had an absolute blast reading it!
At this point, I will read anything Jo Segura writes!
This one is out January 13th, 2026!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Theo—or, as the world knows him, Dr. Theo Galanis, archaeologist—has been missing and presumed dead for over a year after disappearing in Greece. Dani, a librarian, is Theo’s best friend’s little sister and has missed him dearly ever since. Right before he vanished, they shared a moment she believed meant something more, but then he left and never came back. Hoping to feel closer to him and maybe find some closure, Dani decides to take a trip to Greece. While visiting Knossos with her tour group, she spots someone sneaking around who looks suspiciously like her supposedly dead friend. One thing leads to another, and the two end up kidnapped together, trying to escape their captors while uncovering a multi-millennia-long cover-up involving an ancient Greek artifact—all while pretending to be fiancés and navigating their very real feelings for each other.
This one was so fun! You’ve got a presumed-dead MMC being held hostage and a spunky FMC who decides she’s going to rescue him. There’s action, drama, tension born from miscommunication, and a long, complicated history between the leads. I loved how Greek mythology was woven into the story, along with the treasure hunting and gallivanting all over Greece.
The dialogue is witty, and the chemistry between Dani and Theo leaps off the page! There’s just enough action to keep things exciting without overshadowing the emotional romance at the heart of the story. The occasional flashbacks to Dani and Theo’s shared past perfectly complement the present-day storyline, cementing their history without slowing the pace. I honestly could have happily read another 100 pages of this! The Greek Island settings and lush descriptions made me want to drop everything and go to Greece!
Overall, this was a fantastic, action-packed romance featuring hints of best friend’s little sister, forbidden romance, and miscommunication tropes, all layered into an overarching plot of treasure hunting and digging through history and time. If you love Greek mythology and Indiana Jones but always wished for a little more romance, then this one is for you!
This was my favorite of the series, and I had an absolute blast reading it!
At this point, I will read anything Jo Segura writes!
This one is out January 13th, 2026!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Read
January 20, 2026DNF @ 25% kidnapping plot line is too ridiculous even for me
January 22, 2026
I keep reading these books. WHY do I keep reading these books? This one was arguably the worst. You mean to tell me this really smart archaeologist guy has been held captive for A YEAR by absolute bumbling idiots and can’t figure out how to get away? *facepalm* So many plot holes, so many terrible cringey dialogue moments, and if I hear the word “juicy” ever again it will be too soon.
June 26, 2025
STEM MMC: archaeologist. This is a fun action adventure romcom with some drama and suspense! I loved this one so much! Maybe because I’ve been to some of the places this book takes you to, I felt so much more immersed than the other books in the series. The Greek-ness of it (both in setting and in culture) is top tier!
I will say that if you’re not a fan of miscommunication, this book might not be for you, but if you can manage that trope, it’s so good! This is the slowest burn of the three books, and it’s super worth it! Can you say books as a love language?! 👀🔥📚
Jo writes such badass FMCs; I loved Dani’s sass so much, and she’s a bit curvy and Latina. I think she’s my fave FMC of the series.
While you could absolutely get away with reading this book as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading both Raiders of the Lost Heart and Temple of Swoon first. There’s a key player that spans all three books, and I’m not sure you’ll get the full impact in this book if you haven’t read the others yet even though we’ve never met either of the two MCs in this book. Just like the others, it’s well written, has a good plot, and has good spice.
I will say that if you’re not a fan of miscommunication, this book might not be for you, but if you can manage that trope, it’s so good! This is the slowest burn of the three books, and it’s super worth it! Can you say books as a love language?! 👀🔥📚
Jo writes such badass FMCs; I loved Dani’s sass so much, and she’s a bit curvy and Latina. I think she’s my fave FMC of the series.
While you could absolutely get away with reading this book as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading both Raiders of the Lost Heart and Temple of Swoon first. There’s a key player that spans all three books, and I’m not sure you’ll get the full impact in this book if you haven’t read the others yet even though we’ve never met either of the two MCs in this book. Just like the others, it’s well written, has a good plot, and has good spice.
January 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ Daniella Guiterrez (35) has been in love with her brother’s best friend, Dr. Theo Galanis, for as long as she can remember - until he went missing a year ago during an archaeological expedition in Greece. Though he is presumed dead, Dani decides to take a solo trip to Greece to feel close to him again, not knowing that the only reason he left in the first place was because he was falling for her and needed some distance to get Dani off his mind. Much to her surprise, she learns Theo is very much alive and being help captive by artifact smugglers using his expertise in Ancient Greek archaeology to find a priceless gemstone, The Eye of the Minotaur. In his attempt to make contact with Dani and get help, she ends up captured, too, and his white lie that he has a fiancé back home looking for him makes them believe Dani is she. With his knowledge and her research skills (as a librarian with a history of reckless behavior), they have six days to work together to solve the centuries’ old Minoan mystery, navigating their relentless abductors, secret societies, and the miscommunication that has kept them admiring one another from afar for far too long.
Spoiler alert…
I think I liked this one best out of the trilogy! The Mediterranean setting and the way Greek Mythology was interspersed and fueling the plot was right up my alley. While the twists and turns were predictable, I still enjoyed how the adventure brought them together to finally be honest about their feelings.
It was refreshing having the family friends to lovers trope to base the romance around instead of having the MCs be competitors in the same field. However, I would’ve liked more of a friendship between them prior to the events of this book. It seemed like the “it’s always been you” was very lust-driven (I realize the title, obviously), and it would’ve been more balanced with a deeper emotional connection as friends beyond their families ties.
Things that I couldn’t get past:
- I HATED the nickname *Juicy* with a passion. I get that it’s an inside joke about an embarrassing memory from the time they were teenagers, but it’s just icky and got ickier every time he said it. 😖
- Theo being mad at the Good Samaritan trying not to let him take an unconscious Dani from the museum. It would’ve been a green flag for him to recognize (even as he is trying to stay covert to rescue them both) the bravery it takes to look out for someone who isn’t able to look out for themselves - good on that lady to not let Dani be taken away by Theo right away and waiting for Dani to show familiarity with him. 👏🏼
- Miscommunication. SO MUCH of their conflict is based in not talking about the most basic things. These are not characters in their twenties, these are full-grown adults in their mid-to-late thirties who should know and do better. For example, in the time it would’ve taken for Theo to say “Dani, I was kidnapped and held captive for the last year, please trust me so we can both escape,” they would’ve not gotten caught with Dani being annoyingly stubborn about him needing to tell her the truth RIGHT NOW.
- More miscommunication. They absolutely should’ve been able to air out all of their past assumptions and long-felt attraction sooner and more maturely than letting the truth slowly trickle out. Dani assuming Theo actually had a fiancé and Theo assuming Dani had a Beau should NOT have taken so long to resolve. To me, their relationship shouldn’t have been a slow-burn, but because of the miscommunication it was and therefore things between them felt rushed.
- I would’ve liked more closure on how Theo is related to Andreas and what that connection could look like in the future for them and their families. The same can be said for Dani and Theo with their families!
Spoiler alert…
I think I liked this one best out of the trilogy! The Mediterranean setting and the way Greek Mythology was interspersed and fueling the plot was right up my alley. While the twists and turns were predictable, I still enjoyed how the adventure brought them together to finally be honest about their feelings.
It was refreshing having the family friends to lovers trope to base the romance around instead of having the MCs be competitors in the same field. However, I would’ve liked more of a friendship between them prior to the events of this book. It seemed like the “it’s always been you” was very lust-driven (I realize the title, obviously), and it would’ve been more balanced with a deeper emotional connection as friends beyond their families ties.
Things that I couldn’t get past:
- I HATED the nickname *Juicy* with a passion. I get that it’s an inside joke about an embarrassing memory from the time they were teenagers, but it’s just icky and got ickier every time he said it. 😖
- Theo being mad at the Good Samaritan trying not to let him take an unconscious Dani from the museum. It would’ve been a green flag for him to recognize (even as he is trying to stay covert to rescue them both) the bravery it takes to look out for someone who isn’t able to look out for themselves - good on that lady to not let Dani be taken away by Theo right away and waiting for Dani to show familiarity with him. 👏🏼
- Miscommunication. SO MUCH of their conflict is based in not talking about the most basic things. These are not characters in their twenties, these are full-grown adults in their mid-to-late thirties who should know and do better. For example, in the time it would’ve taken for Theo to say “Dani, I was kidnapped and held captive for the last year, please trust me so we can both escape,” they would’ve not gotten caught with Dani being annoyingly stubborn about him needing to tell her the truth RIGHT NOW.
- More miscommunication. They absolutely should’ve been able to air out all of their past assumptions and long-felt attraction sooner and more maturely than letting the truth slowly trickle out. Dani assuming Theo actually had a fiancé and Theo assuming Dani had a Beau should NOT have taken so long to resolve. To me, their relationship shouldn’t have been a slow-burn, but because of the miscommunication it was and therefore things between them felt rushed.
- I would’ve liked more closure on how Theo is related to Andreas and what that connection could look like in the future for them and their families. The same can be said for Dani and Theo with their families!
January 13, 2026
⭐️5/5 And my first 5-star read of 2026 goes to The Lust Crusade by Jo Segura—and its publication day!!
The Lust Crusade is book 3 in Jo’s archeological romance series, Raiders of the Lost Heart. All there can be read as standalones, but I think they’re best read in publication order. And as much as I love the whole series, this one was my favorite! With themes of:
-Missing archeologist and plucky librarian from Michigan
-Childhood friends (brother’s best friend)
-Search for Greek artifacts
-Running from bad guys
-There’s only one bed and they keep getting smaller
-Tattoos with a hidden meaning
-A sexy bathtub scene
-Latina rep
-An amazing side character grandpa named Harold who I now want as my friend
This story had me on the edge of my seat, kicking my feet and giggling, the whole time! Also, I really got pulled into the mythology of it all. Before I found this series, I didn’t know I needed archeology romance stories in my life—but I definitely do! Happy Publication Day, Jo!
The Lust Crusade, the third book in @josegurabooks archeology romance series, is out today! Thanks for the free book @BerkleyPub @BerkleyRomance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram
The Lust Crusade is book 3 in Jo’s archeological romance series, Raiders of the Lost Heart. All there can be read as standalones, but I think they’re best read in publication order. And as much as I love the whole series, this one was my favorite! With themes of:
-Missing archeologist and plucky librarian from Michigan
-Childhood friends (brother’s best friend)
-Search for Greek artifacts
-Running from bad guys
-There’s only one bed and they keep getting smaller
-Tattoos with a hidden meaning
-A sexy bathtub scene
-Latina rep
-An amazing side character grandpa named Harold who I now want as my friend
This story had me on the edge of my seat, kicking my feet and giggling, the whole time! Also, I really got pulled into the mythology of it all. Before I found this series, I didn’t know I needed archeology romance stories in my life—but I definitely do! Happy Publication Day, Jo!
The Lust Crusade, the third book in @josegurabooks archeology romance series, is out today! Thanks for the free book @BerkleyPub @BerkleyRomance #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram
January 17, 2026
⭐️ 5 stars
🌶️ 2/5 spice
🏛️ archaeology rom-com adventure
🇬🇷 set in Greece
🏺 hidden treasure
💙 brother’s best friend
💍 fake engagement
🛏️ one bed
🔥 slow burn
👥 dual POV
Oh my goddddd - I loved this book SO much. I quite literally flew through it in less than 24 hours!
Jo Segura’s archeological rom-coms have me OBSESSED 😍
I loved everything about this from the intrigue of the lost eye of the Minotaur to the tense kidnapping situation to the slow burn of these two finally starting to acknowledge that they had feelings for each other.
Dani and Theo were so adorable together and they felt like two puzzle pieces that just fit. They fought those feelings so hard but it felt like magic when they finally were on the same page.
I’m really hoping this isn’t the end of this series because I NEED to know more about what’s going on in this universe that she has created!
Big thanks to Jo Segura, Berkley and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!
🌶️ 2/5 spice
🏛️ archaeology rom-com adventure
🇬🇷 set in Greece
🏺 hidden treasure
💙 brother’s best friend
💍 fake engagement
🛏️ one bed
🔥 slow burn
👥 dual POV
Oh my goddddd - I loved this book SO much. I quite literally flew through it in less than 24 hours!
Jo Segura’s archeological rom-coms have me OBSESSED 😍
I loved everything about this from the intrigue of the lost eye of the Minotaur to the tense kidnapping situation to the slow burn of these two finally starting to acknowledge that they had feelings for each other.
Dani and Theo were so adorable together and they felt like two puzzle pieces that just fit. They fought those feelings so hard but it felt like magic when they finally were on the same page.
I’m really hoping this isn’t the end of this series because I NEED to know more about what’s going on in this universe that she has created!
Big thanks to Jo Segura, Berkley and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!
January 21, 2026
Another knock out by Jo Segura! This was one of my most anticipated books of 2026 and what a cute book it ended up being. Our stars are on a dangerous archeological adventure (cue Indiana Jones music) across Greece. We have a new trope for Jo, friends to lovers, and the same witty banter she excels at writing.
February 4, 2026
I've had mixed feelings about this entire series. I keep trying them again because I want to love them. This one was better than the last for me, but there were still parts I found infuriating.
Also, I truly hate when there's only one narrator for multiple POVs.
Also, I truly hate when there's only one narrator for multiple POVs.
January 16, 2026
4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars on Goodreads.
There's a reason why I absolutely love a friends to lovers but also brothers best friend romance. Chef's Kiss and the chemistry was off the charts. 10/10 amazing. 10/10 audiobook
There's a reason why I absolutely love a friends to lovers but also brothers best friend romance. Chef's Kiss and the chemistry was off the charts. 10/10 amazing. 10/10 audiobook
February 5, 2026
Worst nickname of all time. It made me physically cringe every time I read it and it’s in there a lot.
January 20, 2026
Ick. While I was intrigued by a new location, I found the writing and characters to be lacking. Upon revisiting my reviews of the previous books, it seems this series is notoriously repetitive and riddled with typos. Does no one proofread? I thought the language in this book was much more crass than in the others. "Juicy" is a gross nickname no matter who you are. Also, it felt like there were more visits to hotels/houses/mansions than to actual historical sites. Much like I said in my review of the first book, do yourself a favor and skip to the second one, and only the second one (if any). 😐
July 21, 2025
Thank you NetGalley! I this was my favorite of the series.
January 3, 2026
Firstly, thank you so much to Berkley Publishers for giving me a free e-arc of this book to read and review in advance! I was SO happy that I was able to read this early!
I AM A HUGE FAN OF THIS SERIES. You can still go find my reviews of the first two stellar books in this world of "Raiders of the Lost Heart"! As soon as I found out that Book 3 was being published, I had to see if I could get it in advance because I want to shout my love for these books and this author from the rooftops.
I am completely not surprised that The Lust Crusade by Jo Segura absolutely delivered on the romance, adventure, and banter that I have grown accustomed to by Jo. This book was as charming as her first two and don't get me started on the Latina FMC. As a bookworm Latina, I LOVE IT.
Once again we go on an absolute adventure and to be honest, I wasn't sure where this one was going to go considering we open up on the fact that Daniela (aka Dani) is only traveling to Greece because she's sort of lost in life after her parents decide to sell their home (and effectively hers too) and move to Florida. Not only that, but she's still pining over the loss of her great love, Theo Galanis, her older brother's best friend that she's been head over heels for... for forever when he has been pronounced dead after having been missing for A YEAR. After reading that intro... I was like "well who the heck is she gonna fall in love with now?!"
WELL LITTLE DID I KNOW.
I loved Dani's fiery personality. As she said, she's often called a "muchacha mala" by her parents because she used to be a bit more reckless and all over the place getting into trouble with Eddie and Theo. She's fun and she doesn't beat around the bush, which is interesting considering this whole thing is a miscommunication trope about their feelings for one another!
Theo is just like the other MMCs of the Raiders of the Lost Heart. A BIG FREAKING NERD. But for Ancient Greece.. and I LOVE IT. I could just imaging his little greek nerdy heart freaking out over everything in Greece. And when he loves being called Dr. Galanis... lol SOLD.
Overall, this story was such a fun ride. Again, I expected nothing else from Jo Segura and this series. We go on a daring adventure that feels like an Indiana Jones movie mixed in with a RomCom and it is exactly what the Romance world needs. A little history nerd, a little banter, a big adventure, and lots of smooching (and other stuff.. yes, there is spice). I am obsessed. Cannot wait for the book to release to get my physical copy.
Highly recommend if you like romance, Ancient Greece, archeology, mythology, Latinx characters, banter, miscommunication trope, and spice.
I AM A HUGE FAN OF THIS SERIES. You can still go find my reviews of the first two stellar books in this world of "Raiders of the Lost Heart"! As soon as I found out that Book 3 was being published, I had to see if I could get it in advance because I want to shout my love for these books and this author from the rooftops.
I am completely not surprised that The Lust Crusade by Jo Segura absolutely delivered on the romance, adventure, and banter that I have grown accustomed to by Jo. This book was as charming as her first two and don't get me started on the Latina FMC. As a bookworm Latina, I LOVE IT.
Once again we go on an absolute adventure and to be honest, I wasn't sure where this one was going to go considering we open up on the fact that Daniela (aka Dani) is only traveling to Greece because she's sort of lost in life after her parents decide to sell their home (and effectively hers too) and move to Florida. Not only that, but she's still pining over the loss of her great love, Theo Galanis, her older brother's best friend that she's been head over heels for... for forever when he has been pronounced dead after having been missing for A YEAR. After reading that intro... I was like "well who the heck is she gonna fall in love with now?!"
WELL LITTLE DID I KNOW.
I loved Dani's fiery personality. As she said, she's often called a "muchacha mala" by her parents because she used to be a bit more reckless and all over the place getting into trouble with Eddie and Theo. She's fun and she doesn't beat around the bush, which is interesting considering this whole thing is a miscommunication trope about their feelings for one another!
Theo is just like the other MMCs of the Raiders of the Lost Heart. A BIG FREAKING NERD. But for Ancient Greece.. and I LOVE IT. I could just imaging his little greek nerdy heart freaking out over everything in Greece. And when he loves being called Dr. Galanis... lol SOLD.
Overall, this story was such a fun ride. Again, I expected nothing else from Jo Segura and this series. We go on a daring adventure that feels like an Indiana Jones movie mixed in with a RomCom and it is exactly what the Romance world needs. A little history nerd, a little banter, a big adventure, and lots of smooching (and other stuff.. yes, there is spice). I am obsessed. Cannot wait for the book to release to get my physical copy.
Highly recommend if you like romance, Ancient Greece, archeology, mythology, Latinx characters, banter, miscommunication trope, and spice.
January 16, 2026
Thank you, Berkley, Netgalley, and PRH Audio, for the gifted e-ARC and ALC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
3.5 stars
Yes, I read this out of order. I didn't seem to find a problem with it. I thought this sounded so fun, and I loved the Greek mythology! This made me want to visit Greece. I loved the romance and adventure aspect. I was excited about the fact that they grew up together through her brother and then kind of did their own thing.
I listened to this in a day. I thought it was fun, and the romance was so sweet. With that being said, I struggled with Daniela. She was so stubborn and wouldn't listen! I am pretty sure if someone I thought was dead appeared and begged me to get to the US consulate, I would be a bit more concerned with what he's saying. Now, this is where I come to my biggest issue with this book. I get that there's a lot of miscommunication in romance books. It's really what makes for all the drama, but it's so bad in this book. It goes way beyond what it needed to be. It became so frustrating and annoying. There's the miscommunication from their past, which is fine, and that makes total sense. The whole entire time they are in close quarters with the kidnappers and later. Did they not think that they should take a minute to set things straight?!
The romance between Daniela and Theo was sweet and a slow burn. There is some good tension as they fight their attraction to each other. I wish they had talked about things earlier, but oh well. There are some decent spicy scenes in this book!! I mean.. the library!! One thing that irked me was the nickname that Theo has for Daniela. I understand that it's a throwback to when they were younger, and she's had it since then. It was really annoying how he said, "Juicy," one hundred thousand times. He used it more than her actual name, and it was not endearing.
I enjoyed the audio, and Kyla Garcia did a great job bringing these characters to life. She did a really good job differentiating between characters. I never got lost or confused. She was really able to get Daniela's tone down. She has me so entranced that I listened to this book in one day!
Overall, I had fun with this one, and the romance was cute. I found a few things a little irksome, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the overall story. I do think the ending was very rushed with all the revelations. I wish we had a few more chapters or that some of the plot twists happened sooner in the book.
3.5 stars
Yes, I read this out of order. I didn't seem to find a problem with it. I thought this sounded so fun, and I loved the Greek mythology! This made me want to visit Greece. I loved the romance and adventure aspect. I was excited about the fact that they grew up together through her brother and then kind of did their own thing.
I listened to this in a day. I thought it was fun, and the romance was so sweet. With that being said, I struggled with Daniela. She was so stubborn and wouldn't listen! I am pretty sure if someone I thought was dead appeared and begged me to get to the US consulate, I would be a bit more concerned with what he's saying. Now, this is where I come to my biggest issue with this book. I get that there's a lot of miscommunication in romance books. It's really what makes for all the drama, but it's so bad in this book. It goes way beyond what it needed to be. It became so frustrating and annoying. There's the miscommunication from their past, which is fine, and that makes total sense. The whole entire time they are in close quarters with the kidnappers and later. Did they not think that they should take a minute to set things straight?!
The romance between Daniela and Theo was sweet and a slow burn. There is some good tension as they fight their attraction to each other. I wish they had talked about things earlier, but oh well. There are some decent spicy scenes in this book!! I mean.. the library!! One thing that irked me was the nickname that Theo has for Daniela. I understand that it's a throwback to when they were younger, and she's had it since then. It was really annoying how he said, "Juicy," one hundred thousand times. He used it more than her actual name, and it was not endearing.
I enjoyed the audio, and Kyla Garcia did a great job bringing these characters to life. She did a really good job differentiating between characters. I never got lost or confused. She was really able to get Daniela's tone down. She has me so entranced that I listened to this book in one day!
Overall, I had fun with this one, and the romance was cute. I found a few things a little irksome, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the overall story. I do think the ending was very rushed with all the revelations. I wish we had a few more chapters or that some of the plot twists happened sooner in the book.
January 28, 2026
4.25/5
Okay, this book was MUCH better that Temple of Swoon. The writing was better (except for that horrible nickname, what the hellw as that), the relationship was more believable, and they had more chemistry than Miri and Rafa. They're not as good as Corrie and Ford, of course, but they're not that far off. I liked them.
I LOVE Greek myths, and while the Minotaur was never my favourite, it was still fun. I loved all the references to gods and myths, although I didn't care about Children of the Minotaur. But I loved seeing all the descriptions of Greece and it made me miss the country! I've been only once and never in Athens, unfortunately (although visiting the Parthenon is on my bucket list, even more now after the book) but I loved it there.
Unfortunately, there were no hot young archaeologists to be found.
I wish the ending was fleshed out a little more. I'm sad for Theo about losing his grandfather's necklace (seriously, why?) nd I'd love to read more about Theo and Dani's lives in USA and how their families took that. I mean there was so much talk about Elliot's reaction and we only saw one line from him and that's it??? Come on. Also, I'd LOVE to read more Andreas and Theo's relationship more. How are they related? Why didn't Theo show Andreas the necklace? What's going to happen next? I was also disappointed that Theo's reunion with his family was off-page. I'd have loved to have seen it.
All in all it was a good book and I enjoyed it. It was definitely better than the last one, although for some reason this author LOVES cringy nicknames. I thought Pringles was bad (especially during spice scenes), but Juicy is even worse. I mean, really? Juicy??? ESPECIALLY during spicy scenes? That's just patronizing and humiliating. There's nothing sexy or fun about it.
I enjoyed this book, though it definitely wasn't perfect nd had many flaws. But I had fun reading it!
Tropes:
- brother's best friend
- MCs on the run
- only one bed
- fake relationship
- adventure
- forced proximity
Okay, this book was MUCH better that Temple of Swoon. The writing was better (except for that horrible nickname, what the hellw as that), the relationship was more believable, and they had more chemistry than Miri and Rafa. They're not as good as Corrie and Ford, of course, but they're not that far off. I liked them.
I LOVE Greek myths, and while the Minotaur was never my favourite, it was still fun. I loved all the references to gods and myths, although I didn't care about Children of the Minotaur. But I loved seeing all the descriptions of Greece and it made me miss the country! I've been only once and never in Athens, unfortunately (although visiting the Parthenon is on my bucket list, even more now after the book) but I loved it there.
Unfortunately, there were no hot young archaeologists to be found.
I wish the ending was fleshed out a little more. I'm sad for Theo about losing his grandfather's necklace (seriously, why?) nd I'd love to read more about Theo and Dani's lives in USA and how their families took that. I mean there was so much talk about Elliot's reaction and we only saw one line from him and that's it??? Come on. Also, I'd LOVE to read more Andreas and Theo's relationship more. How are they related? Why didn't Theo show Andreas the necklace? What's going to happen next? I was also disappointed that Theo's reunion with his family was off-page. I'd have loved to have seen it.
All in all it was a good book and I enjoyed it. It was definitely better than the last one, although for some reason this author LOVES cringy nicknames. I thought Pringles was bad (especially during spice scenes), but Juicy is even worse. I mean, really? Juicy??? ESPECIALLY during spicy scenes? That's just patronizing and humiliating. There's nothing sexy or fun about it.
I enjoyed this book, though it definitely wasn't perfect nd had many flaws. But I had fun reading it!
Tropes:
- brother's best friend
- MCs on the run
- only one bed
- fake relationship
- adventure
- forced proximity
October 11, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
📖 Book Review 📖 Disclaimer: I absolutely adore anything Jo Segura writes. Educated women off to exotic places with danger looming Indiana Jones style…yes please. Daniela has carried a secret torch for her older brother’s best friend Theo since they met. It’s been thirteen months since his boat went missing on an archeological expedition in Greece. Even though they all but declared him dead, Dani travels halfway across the world hoping to find some sort of answer to what happened.
The good news…Theo is alive and the spark is still there. The bad news…he has been kidnapped and now Dani has been too. Will a fake engagement combined with their archeology and librarian degrees provide enough quick thinking to get them out of this mess? They just need to find the Eye of the Minotaur and their way to each other…
Seriously, Jo Segura could have her villains kidnap someone in my own hometown and I would devour that book but Greece is one hundred percent a better setting. The Lust Crusade is a fast-paced adventure that drops the reader right into the action without any of the danger. And Dani and Theo can tackle the ancient world of temples and myths (and the only one bed trope), then Aristotle’s words speak as true as ever that "Love consists of one soul that is living within two bodies.”
📖 Book Review 📖 Disclaimer: I absolutely adore anything Jo Segura writes. Educated women off to exotic places with danger looming Indiana Jones style…yes please. Daniela has carried a secret torch for her older brother’s best friend Theo since they met. It’s been thirteen months since his boat went missing on an archeological expedition in Greece. Even though they all but declared him dead, Dani travels halfway across the world hoping to find some sort of answer to what happened.
The good news…Theo is alive and the spark is still there. The bad news…he has been kidnapped and now Dani has been too. Will a fake engagement combined with their archeology and librarian degrees provide enough quick thinking to get them out of this mess? They just need to find the Eye of the Minotaur and their way to each other…
Seriously, Jo Segura could have her villains kidnap someone in my own hometown and I would devour that book but Greece is one hundred percent a better setting. The Lust Crusade is a fast-paced adventure that drops the reader right into the action without any of the danger. And Dani and Theo can tackle the ancient world of temples and myths (and the only one bed trope), then Aristotle’s words speak as true as ever that "Love consists of one soul that is living within two bodies.”
January 11, 2026
Daniela has been in love with her brothers best friend, Theo, for as long as she can remember but last year he went missing on an archaeological expedition. While on a sight seeing trip to Greece, Daniela discovers Theo being held hostage by artifact smugglers.
Adventure, chaos, research and a fake engagement will have these two busy as they search for a priceless gemstone- the Eye of the Minotaur and try to outsmart their captors!
Book three of the Raiders of the Lost Heart series, another fun and spunky archeological based adventure! You never know what you are getting or where you are going but you know there will be romance, maybe a little danger, banter and a whole lot of fun when it comes to the characters and storyline. This book was no different- Daniela and Theo bring the brothers best friend trope to light as they realize their fake engagement may not be so fake. The ending had me laughing out loud.
And I loved the background of Greece and incorporated back story of Crete and the Minotaur. Traveling and learning while reading on my couch is only second best to doing it in person.
I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!
Thank you to the author, Jo Segura, Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. Thanks for the free book @BerkleyRomance and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Adventure, chaos, research and a fake engagement will have these two busy as they search for a priceless gemstone- the Eye of the Minotaur and try to outsmart their captors!
Book three of the Raiders of the Lost Heart series, another fun and spunky archeological based adventure! You never know what you are getting or where you are going but you know there will be romance, maybe a little danger, banter and a whole lot of fun when it comes to the characters and storyline. This book was no different- Daniela and Theo bring the brothers best friend trope to light as they realize their fake engagement may not be so fake. The ending had me laughing out loud.
And I loved the background of Greece and incorporated back story of Crete and the Minotaur. Traveling and learning while reading on my couch is only second best to doing it in person.
I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!
Thank you to the author, Jo Segura, Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. Thanks for the free book @BerkleyRomance and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
June 30, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Segura and Berkley for the E-ARC!
Actual Rating: 4.5/5
I've spent the last few days binging Jo Segura's "Raiders of the Lost Heart" series, and it's no understatement to say that I'm obsessed! This third book is a great addition to the series, adding new characters, a lustful romance, an adventure of a lifetime, and bringing back a villain we're all much too familiar with.
I sped through this book (like all of Segura's other ones)! The mystery of the Eye of the Minotaur was intriguing, I kept going back and forth on whether it was real or not, and if our main characters would be able to find it before Pierre Vautour. Dani and Theo were such good MCs, their romance very believable and engaging. They're definitely my second favourite couple from this series (which, considering I like them all, should be saying something)! The sprinkle of backstory we got of their lives before Greece helped build their connection in my mind, making me want them to just talk and get together already! Segura keeps a good pace with their romance though, letting it simmer without overdoing it.
I hope more books in this series will be released, but until then, I highly recommend if you're looking for a romance filled with adventure and mystery to pick this up!
Actual Rating: 4.5/5
I've spent the last few days binging Jo Segura's "Raiders of the Lost Heart" series, and it's no understatement to say that I'm obsessed! This third book is a great addition to the series, adding new characters, a lustful romance, an adventure of a lifetime, and bringing back a villain we're all much too familiar with.
I sped through this book (like all of Segura's other ones)! The mystery of the Eye of the Minotaur was intriguing, I kept going back and forth on whether it was real or not, and if our main characters would be able to find it before Pierre Vautour. Dani and Theo were such good MCs, their romance very believable and engaging. They're definitely my second favourite couple from this series (which, considering I like them all, should be saying something)! The sprinkle of backstory we got of their lives before Greece helped build their connection in my mind, making me want them to just talk and get together already! Segura keeps a good pace with their romance though, letting it simmer without overdoing it.
I hope more books in this series will be released, but until then, I highly recommend if you're looking for a romance filled with adventure and mystery to pick this up!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was such a fun, adventurous book! I loved the author's previous books, so I had a feeling this one would be just as exciting, and I was right!
Jo manages to create stories that are both heart-pounding adventures and sweet love stories while also being educational. I learned so much about Greek mythology from this one!
Archeology specialist Dr. Theo Galanis has been presumed dead in Greece for over a year. His best friend's sister, Dani, has been in love with him forever, so she takes a trip to Greece to finally put the idea of him to rest. But not only does she find him very much alive, but she gets kidnapped alongside him, by men who insist Theo find a priceless gemstone.
I loved watching Theo and Dani try to stay alive, escape their captors, solve the mystery of The Eye Of The Minotaur AND fight their feelings for each other while pretending to be engaged. This truly was such a fun, action-packed story. Dani's character was sassy and bold, and I loved how she never backed down from a challenge. Seeing the two of them mutually pine for each other was equally sweet and frustrating. I wanted them to just talk to each other instead of skirt around their feelings! One thing that irritated me was the nickname Theo had for her...for some reason it just didn't work well for me, even after finding out why he calls her Juicy. But that irritant definitely didn't take away from my enjoyment of this story.
If you like romances that are filled with adventurous fun, I definitely recommend this one!
✨️Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted copy of this book!
Jo manages to create stories that are both heart-pounding adventures and sweet love stories while also being educational. I learned so much about Greek mythology from this one!
Archeology specialist Dr. Theo Galanis has been presumed dead in Greece for over a year. His best friend's sister, Dani, has been in love with him forever, so she takes a trip to Greece to finally put the idea of him to rest. But not only does she find him very much alive, but she gets kidnapped alongside him, by men who insist Theo find a priceless gemstone.
I loved watching Theo and Dani try to stay alive, escape their captors, solve the mystery of The Eye Of The Minotaur AND fight their feelings for each other while pretending to be engaged. This truly was such a fun, action-packed story. Dani's character was sassy and bold, and I loved how she never backed down from a challenge. Seeing the two of them mutually pine for each other was equally sweet and frustrating. I wanted them to just talk to each other instead of skirt around their feelings! One thing that irritated me was the nickname Theo had for her...for some reason it just didn't work well for me, even after finding out why he calls her Juicy. But that irritant definitely didn't take away from my enjoyment of this story.
If you like romances that are filled with adventurous fun, I definitely recommend this one!
✨️Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted copy of this book!
January 10, 2026
Dani travels to Greece because it makes her feel closer to Theo, the man she has secretly loved for years, who has been gone for over a year.
I loved Harold because he was a card and added some lightness to the story.
I also loved all the stories about Greek mythology and the vivid descriptions of the Greek landscape.
The romance is a very slow burn and doesn’t happen until the book is well advanced.
I did like how Theo has something very significant affixed to his body. That is a sigh worthy event.
This book is more like Romancing the Stone rather than an Indy movie.
Thanks NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy.
I loved Harold because he was a card and added some lightness to the story.
I also loved all the stories about Greek mythology and the vivid descriptions of the Greek landscape.
The romance is a very slow burn and doesn’t happen until the book is well advanced.
I did like how Theo has something very significant affixed to his body. That is a sigh worthy event.
This book is more like Romancing the Stone rather than an Indy movie.
Thanks NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advance copy.
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