Hunter’s Treasure

by Olivia Jackson

A brand new spicy forced proximity action adventure romcom set on a desert island!Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Jo Segura and Meghan Quinn. One treasure map. Two total opposites. A romance they never saw coming…

When Sydney York ends up shipwrecked on a remote island, the last thing she expects is to end up on a treasure hunt. But when she meets Hunter Holden, the island’s sole inhabitant, who just happens to be searching for a legendary treasure, she ends up drawn into an adventure that leads across treacherous terrain, fighting venomous snakes and facing an enemy also searching for gold.

Will the two treasure hunters find the gold they’re searching for, or is it possible their unlikely partnership might turn into something more priceless?



Remote desert island Forced proximityChance encounterSpicyPraise for Olivia Jackson‘A fun, spicy adventure romance perfect for readers who adore puzzles and action mixed in with their love stories… a wild ride that had me grinning the whole way through!’ Lauren Connolly, author of PS I Hate You

'Packed with thrilling treasure hunts and sizzling chemistry, this romantic adventure is impossible to put down… a must-read!’ Annie McQuaid, author of Crash Landing

‘A fun, sexy thrill ride that gave me all The Lost City vibes. I dig this book!’ Carlie Walker, author of Code Word Romance

Genres: Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adventure, Audiobook, Adult

376 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

Reviews

[rosie (jason todd's version) · Rating 4 out of 5]

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

.ᐟ.ᐟ 8/01/26 — review:

╰› (⭐4)

⋆｡°✩ 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍

ONE OF MY MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASES THIS YEAR, AND IT ABSOLUTELY HIT 🤭🤭

olivia jackson's debut, digging dr jones is still my favourite book of hers, but i'm so happy that hunter's treasure has the same vibes!!

⋆｡°✩ 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕

i really love this adventure-style romcom subgenre! it brings the stakes higher and adds layers of tension and excitement to the romance!

in a similar way to digging dr jones, the puzzle solving aspect was genuinely really interesting to me! i loved how each little riddle was presented, and i will admit i guessed one of the solutions before the characters did lol!!

the third act conflict was so exciting and interesting! i really couldn't put the book down, i was ENRAPTURED. 🤭

⋆｡°✩ 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔

𝘴𝘺𝘥𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘳𝘬 ⭑.ᐟ 🌊

i mostly enjoyed sydney's character! i admired her love for those around her, especially her late father - and she was really emotionally mature! i loved how she was able to make her choice at the end of the book (no spoilers hehe) regarding her friend! i liked the commentary regarding that part of adult life 🙂‍↕️

the epilogue was soooo sweet too, i'm still kind of in shock that this book was over so fast! i wanna see hunter and sydney happy for longer 🤭

although... she does need to step up her marvel/DC knowledge, because she did say that wonder woman was from marvel... then boasted about being a marvel stan... i, personally, am a DC stan... and i can tell you she's incorrect 🤓☝️ (it's literally the smallest thing. it's the fangirl in me that can't let this slide LOL)

but right at the end, i really liked how she was so strong and had that GENIUS idea. cuz i really did NOT see that coming!! i would trust her to get me off a deserted island 🙂‍↕️


𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 ⭑.ᐟ 🏝️

awww i really liked hunter! he was such a golden retriever man, such a cutie patootie 🤭

THE LITTLE NOTES IN BETWEEN CHAPTERS??? THE LIL DRAWINGS??? oh i'm in LOVE. he's so adorable 😭😭😭 don't even get me STARTED.

i was going to mention how he'd taken so long to untangle the riddles, but then i thought about it for a little longer and found a new appreciation for this couple, because sydney basically had the perfect skillset to help solve them LOL!


⋆｡°✩ 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈

some of the humour didn't hit for me, but overall the writing was really lovely! i could clearly picture the tropical island in my mind, and all of the (slightly creepy) locations and landmarks! ❤️


⋆｡°✩ 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔

(im)patiently waiting over here for olivia jackson's next book... (i need to calm down, this one hasn't even been actually released yet...)

i still crave more hunter x sydney, and i finished this book literal minutes ago... 🤭

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·


.ᐟ.ᐟ 17/11 — pre-read:

THE INHUMAN SHRIEK I JUST LET OUT. OMG.

Thank you so so so much to HarperCollins UK for granting me access to the e-ARC copy of Hunter’s Treasure, which releases on the 12th Feb, 2026.

I’m so incredibly excited. You have NO idea. No, I will not shut up about this. Prepare to be annoyed by me 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

.ᐟ.ᐟ 17/8 — pre-release:
AGH NEW OLIVIA JACKSON BOOK!!! i’m so excited heheh

i absolutely adored her debut — ‘digging dr jones’ — and am so happy to see another work of art start cooking 🤭💕

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ☆

”All I know is when I thought of home, I saw you instead, and that’s when I knew I loved you.”

i liked the idea of this book, it seemed fun at first.. until it wasn’t. Hunter and Sydney’s romance was very unconvincing to me for some reason and i couldn’t even figure out why. the “treasure hunting” side of the plot didn’t have my interest at all, i preferred the first half where they were just trying to survive together on the island. i think Hunter had more personality than Sydney, there’s also this weird fixation on how Sydney looks constantly get compared to Gal Gadot.. interesting choice. overall, this could’ve been a cute little romance but it felt too bare bones without any real connection.

➺ many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collin’s UK for the arc, all opinions are my own.

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first pages, this book felt like being dropped straight into chaos. 😭 There was no warm-up and no gentle easing in, just immediate intensity and motion. I actually paused for a second wondering if what was happening was some kind of dream sequence because it felt so surreal and cinematic. 😭😭😭 But no, it was really happening to Sydney. That opening hook absolutely worked on me, and I was locked in almost instantly. 🤝🏼

What surprised me most was how quickly I got emotionally attached to the dynamic between the two leads. I loved Hunter right away. There’s something deeply attractive about someone who is capable and steady and doesn’t need to make a show of it. He just shows up and takes care of what’s in front of him. The way he naturally protects Sydney, teaches her what she needs to know, and helps her without talking down to her hit all my favorite buttons. 🤭🥹 It felt gentle and strong at the same time. Also, the fact that he’s a cat man… is a major green flag in my book 😌🤚🏼

Sydney’s growth ended up being one of my favorite parts of the story. Watching her go from completely out of her element to learning real survival skills and becoming more resilient was so satisfying. You can feel her changing, not just reacting. She becomes more grounded, more capable, and more aware of what she can handle.

My favorite stretch of the book was the earlier portion, when it’s mostly just the two of them learning how to survive and figuring each other out. The forced proximity, the awkward adjustments, and the slow trust-building really worked for me. 😌 Those scenes had a closeness and tension that made the romance feel natural and rooted. I enjoyed the treasure hunt adventure too, but the survival-together moments were the ones that pulled me in emotionally.

As the story moved forward, the stakes kept climbing and the tension delivered. There were twists that caught me off guard and one section where I felt genuinely nervous about how things were going to turn out. 😬 I love when a romance can create that kind of uncertainty without losing the fun and chemistry between the characters. This one balanced action, humor, danger, and spice really well. 👏🏼

The overall tone felt adventurous, flirty, and high energy, while still staying heart-centered. It’s spicy, playful, and suspenseful without losing emotional depth. It also carries a subtle reminder that sometimes we chase what we think we want and end up finding what we actually need instead.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

“…knowing both love and loss is what makes humans alive. Without love, there is no meaning in life."

“Hunter kissed me like I was the only woman he’d ever wanted to kiss, like he’d die if he didn't.”

“Everything that I was burned for him.”

"I have to warn you," he said, his breathing labored, "I will devour you like you're my last meal, and I've been starving for ages."

"All I know is when I thought of home, I saw you instead, and that's when I knew I loved you."

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

things to know about the book ↓

💎 strangers → lovers
💎 forced proximity
💎 city girl x island boy
💎 treasure hunt
💎 single POV (hers)

A huge thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and Olivia Jackson for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

spice rating:【 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 】
swearing: yes

⸻⸻⸻

・❥・⁀➷ pre-read

i’ve been waiting for this one!! 💚🩷 soooo excited!!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars) If you haven’t read one of Olivia’s books, this is your notice - they are so wildly fun! I fell in love with her mix of rom-com and adventure with her debut, Digging Dr. Jones, and simply could not wait for this one. It didn’t disappoint.

Sydney York is on a global sailing quest to spread her father’s ashes on the trip he planned but didn’t live long enough to take. But during a terrible storm, she’s shipwrecked on an island with one occupant - Hunter Holden. He’s carrying on his late uncle’s quest for hidden treasure. The storm has disabled his boat as well. While they wait for help to arrive, Sydney’s puzzle-loving mind is pulled into the hunt. As they try to piece together long-ago riddles of where the treasure was hidden, Sydney will face snakes, spiders, a lack of indoor plumbing, two chaotic cats, and an intense attraction to Hunter. Then there’s forces outside that also are looking for the treasure.

I adore how perfectly Jackson balances the three corners of the rom-com suspense genre - a compelling suspense storyline, an emotional love story, and hilarious moments that make you laugh out loud. She did the same thing in last year’s Digging Dr. Jones. Clearly, Jackson is carving herself out an incredible spot in the rom-com suspense space and I am 100% here for it.

🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Sophie Schaeffer was so perfect in this one! She captures the chaos, humor, and swoony moments of this solo narration perfectly. (11h 28m)

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Hunter’s treasure is a sun, sea, sand and action feel good book.
I did have a little giggle at the explanation that all woman have, when they think of getting washed up and stranded on a treasure island, with an attractive man.
It was sweet, funny and I liked the cryptic clues around the island.
It was different to Digging Dr Jones, which I’ve read previously. It would be a good, fun holiday read with a HEA.

[Mara Ines · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was light and funny, perfect for a summer read. We have islands, treasure hunt, cats, spice….. 🙌🫢

[Ashley G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frolicking around naked with a handsome man whose island you washed ashore on? Yes, please!

[Megan ✨️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨️ ARC REVIEW✨️

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me early access to this book!

Oh dear, I really really wanted to love this book. The plot line for me seemed right up my ally; forced proximity, some adventure mystery! but unfortunately it just didn't hit.

Belive me, I loved Hunter's character though, as book boyfriends go he was great he was masculine and gentle and just perfect 👌🏻.

But the story just felt like it dragged out for too long. Also, with the current global and political state of the word, referencing that Sydney is meant to look like Gal Gadot on more than one occasion, is possibly not a great idea

[Aleesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very glad I made the decision to continue with this book, even though I didn't love Digging Dr. Jones.

Where DDr.J failed, this one excelled, marvelously.

Sydney was a sympathetic, charming, funny FMC with a useful knack for figuring out code and mathematical equations. Hunter - still a little bland, but he had definite moments of humor Andrew lacked. I wish this had been told in a duet narration, or rather that the book was written in a dual POV arrangement. Because I think we would have benefitted from seeing Hunter's internal monologue. But I'm splitting hairs.

The cypher cracking and riddle solving was much more focused and a much larger part of this book. And it was decent fun to follow it.

The unexpected action in the last 20% was a pleasant surprise and kept what might have otherwise been a lackluster ending from letting me down. When the 'bad guys' show up, the stakes were decently high - but I do think they could have taken things a bit farther than they did. I'm not mad - I just enjoyed it, and wanted more of it.

The relationship shines in this story too. Sydney and Hunter fall for each other slowly over weeks, and it feels like a natural sort of situational connection turned genuine affection between them. While definitely not the MOST captivating story like this one I've ever come across, it's definitely cute.

The spice is better in this story too. By a mile.

Oh! And! The hand-written text messages were super cute! I was glad to see them actually drawn out for us in the text. Adorable.

Now. The thing that jerked me so violently out of the story I'm still reeling.

It's such a stupid little detail that should have been easy to over look - but I can't.

There's a part of this island where some of the treasure is stored that's covered in venomous snakes. Hunter refers to them as Medusa snakes because they paralyze you "turning you to stone". Which is dangerous when you're on a bunch of rocks over the ocean - because if you fall in, you'll drown.

Here's the thing. Hunter insists to Sydney that she needs to let these critters bite her so she can build up a tolerance to the venom.

And while I suppose it's feasible that perhaps Hunter has been able to do it over the years he's lived on the island, ehhhh. That's just not how that works.

To build a tolerance, one needs to be exposed to extremely mild doses over a LONG period of time. And by tolerance, it means that eventually, MAYBE, SOMETIMES but not always, SOME people's bodies can begin to produce antibodies to said venom.

But even then! Building up a tolerance just means a single strike that could kill you under ordinary circumstances probably (PROBABLY!) won't, IF you're also treated in time. Not that you become magically completely 100% immune even if 400 snakes all bite you at once.

That's just now how that works.

And Sydney CERTAINLY wouldn't get bit once and go into full-body paralysis and a 24-hour coma with a fever the first time, and then, on bite #2, she only feels a bit woozy and tingly.

THAT'S JUST NOT HOW THAT WORKS.

Tim Friede - a man who's developed antibodies to deadly snakes, has been injected with venom and/or bitten THOUSANDS OF TIMES and even still, he's only PARTIALLY immune to it. Every bite runs the risk of paralysis, infection, necrosis at the strike-site, coma and death. And it's taken this man DECADES to get this far under heavily regulated conditions!

It's so dumb that I'm this thrown off by this element of the story. In the grand scheme of things it's not really all that important - even though Sydney does utilize this to fight off one of the bad guys at the end.

I just... the rest of the book was going so well, and here we have this one completely out of pocket thing. WHY. One google search could have saved this story from this.

Anyway - In general I had good time with this story. It'll make a great summery sort of read for those who enjoy beachy romances.

[Teresa Souza · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

PT| Tenho de começar por agradecer à One More Chapter por me terem enviado este ARC

Este livro é toda uma aventura, um naufrágio, um tesouro perdido e um romance a acontecer. Este é o meu segundo livro da Olivia Jackason, eu tinha gostado bastante do Digging Dr. Jones, por isso obviamente teria de ler este, especialmente com uma permissa como esta.

O livro entregou exatamente aquilo que prometeu. O meu grande se não foi a primeira metade do livro, onde o Hunter e a Sydney ainda se estão a conhecer, essa parte do livro é um pouco parada de mais e explicativa, mas a segunda é o completo oposto, cheia de ação.

Sobre o romance, gostei da evolução de desconhecidos para amigos para amantes, tenho sempre de agradecer aos autores por fazerem conflito externo na narrativa que não provoque third arc breakups só para estender a narrativa, não é o caso aqui.

Embora não ter gostado tanto como o outro livro da autora obviamente que o vou recomendar, especialmente para quem gosta de romance de aventura, ou quer experimentar o gênero.

EN| I have to start by thanking One More Chapter for sending me this ARC.

This book is an adventure, a shipwreck, a lost treasure, and a romance in the making. This is my second book by Olivia Jackason. I really enjoyed Digging Dr. Jones, so obviously I had to read this one, especially with a pass like this.

The book delivered exactly what it promised. My only complaint was the first half of the book, where Hunter and Sydney are still getting to know each other. That part of the book is a little too slow and explanatory, but the second half is the complete opposite, full of action.

As for the romance, I liked the evolution from strangers to friends to lovers. I always have to thank authors for creating external conflict in the narrative that doesn't cause third arc breakups just to extend the narrative, which is not the case here.

Although I didn't like it as much as the author's other book, I will obviously recommend it, especially for those who like adventure romance or want to try the genre.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, everything about this book was completely up my alley. It was on my 2026 TBR for a reason...and thank you so much to the publisher for offering me an advanced copy!

First off, the title is so witty and clever! Hunter's Treasure...Treasure Hunter...get it? And...his name is Hunter! It was perfect!!!

Anyway, this book follows Hunter and Sydney, two people trapped on a deserted island that might also be the location of a fortune in treasure.

This book put a different twist on the shipwrecked trope in that Sydney is the only one who is shipwrecked on the abandoned isle. Hunter lives there and is basically a hermit. This was a unique spin on the trope, and it also meant they had a little more in terms of supplies, which leant a sense of believability that other similar books lack.

Hunter was giving me Sam Drake energy with his love of treasure and his dogged determination to find it even though those around him have all failed. I loved him. He was a bit rough around the edges from living on his own for so long but was still charming (if a tad roguish).



The romance was really well done, as Sydney goes from not trusting Hunter at all to becoming his ally. I liked both of them as individual characters and I also loved them together.

There were also some adventurous aspects that came into the story later. I loved that too, since I love books that are a mix of adventure and romance. The little notes they wrote each other added a nice touch and were cute as well.

I will most definitely be on the lookout for this author's next book. She does adventure romance really well.
______________________________________
The treasure hunting book of my dreams!

review to come

[Shanna - Cozy Grey Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you HarperCollins for the ARC!

I think my new nightmare is being stuck on a deserted island with only fish, coconut, and pineapple to eat... because I am allergic to all three! (Massive bummer I know)

But being stuck with a super hot man would not be the worst thing. And the buried treasure adventure was honestly so fun!

There are so many twists and turns in this story and the suspense works so incredibly well. I was on edge the entire time wondering what would happen next. The mix of romance and mystery is perfectly balanced and kept me on edge!

I can also see how much Olivia’s writing has grown between her books. I love that this was originally supposed to be her first but she took the time to make it even better before giving it to us. It is perfection!

[Sammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC✨

Its a fun treasure hunter romcom, told from single pov(FMC).

Like this authors last book, the relationship heats up as they search for the treasure and then the tension really ramps up towards the end as things get in the way threatening their safety.

I liked the setting of the deserted island. And it was fun trying to decode the clues with them.

I really enjoy how the FMC is usually inexperienced with the treasure hunting situation but makes every effort to step out of her comfort zone to try to help. Its a great model of competent women who are treated as equal partners.

Thank you to OMC for the advanced copy

[meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok i’m giving this a 2.75 stars ⭐️ simply because i’ve pretty much realized that i don’t really like books that are heavy smut and not alot of plot. not listen, this is not the most smut i’ve seen in a book, far from it, but it also just didn’t super draw me in and i had to really push myself to finish this, but it’s a local author that i wanted to support and read it for book club so 🤷‍♀️ if this is your jam, read it, but it just wasn’t my favorite

[_booktique2_ D Amora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best part was how much it reminded me of the movie fools gold. Iconic. Loved this.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this adventurous romance story. After reading a lot of double pov books it was really nice to follow one character again and completely be able to tune into them.
I enjoyed the mix of mystery, adventure and love and most of all self love.
For anyone wanting a bit more (non romantical) suspense it their romance stories this is an absolute must read!

Thankyou to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the earc

[★Ashli★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read!! I really enjoyed the scavenger hunt aspect and puzzling the characters did. I feel like it wasn’t too-too fast of a fall-in-love scenario, it wasn’t instant, despite seeing physical attraction go the other character. I also feel like you have to suspend your belief just a little to accept the climatic conflict, but mostly it’s understandable, and I just in general really loved this book! There were 2-3 spicy scenes that were easily skippable.

[Nadja]

DNF

I need to start by saying I feel personally victimized by this book, because the cover was done by Leni Kauffman, and she is one of my all-time favorite cover artists. I love her work. I trust her. I see her name and my brain goes “yes, safe, good vibes only.” That trust has now been shattered. This was a full-on catfish. A beautifully styled, aesthetically perfect catfish that lured me in and then completely wasted my time. Once again, I am forced to learn the hard way that a cute cover does not translate to a good book whatsoever.

The premise sounded fun. Genuinely! I was intrigued, I was hopeful, I went in ready to have a good time. And then the writing started. Choppy doesn’t even begin to describe it. It didn’t flow, it didn’t glide, it didn’t move smoothly from thought to thought—it stumbled, tripped, and dragged me down with it. The book absolutely could not hold my attention. The FMC’s inner monologue was like listening to someone think out loud while actively being distracted by every shiny object in the room. She’d start talking about one thing, immediately get sidetracked by something else, then go off on that tangent, then get distracted AGAIN, and then maybe, if we were lucky, circle back to the original point. This wasn’t an occasional stylistic choice—it was constant. At least ten times in the percentage I managed to read. I felt like my brain was buffering the entire time.

And then there’s the beard. Oh my god, the beard. I cannot properly express how badly this book wanted me to know that Hunter is hot despite his beard. DESPITE IT. We get it. She hates beards. Message received. Loud and clear. But do we really need to be reminded every single time he appears on the page?!?! Because I swear, every paragraph was some variation of “he’s attractive but ugh the beard,” “why is he hot even with that beard,” “he’d be perfect if not for the beard.” At a certain point, I stopped being annoyed and started rooting for the beard out of pure spite.

As if that wasn’t enough, the book also decided I absolutely needed to know way too much about the shithouse situation. Not just that it exists, but detailed commentary on how they only use toilet paper for “the big stuff.” I’m sorry, why is this information being shared with me. Why am I being forced to think about these characters’ bathroom habits. I did not sign up to read about bodily fluids in my romance novel. It was gross, unnecessary, and added absolutely nothing except discomfort.

Hunter himself was… fine. He had potential. In another book, with better writing and a better FMC, I might’ve cared. But ultimately, I didn’t, because I really disliked Sydney. She made every scene harder to get through. The characterization across the board was weak and flat, and I never once believed these two people had real chemistry. They were painfully one-dimensional. The romance didn’t spark, didn’t simmer, didn’t even mildly warm up. These two had all the chemistry of tap water—bland, boring, and completely forgettable.

And if you’re a reader who lives for witty banter, this book will absolutely not scratch that itch. The humor and dialogue were painfully derivative and often outright cringey. Every attempt at banter felt forced, like the author understood that banter should be there but didn’t quite know how to make it sound natural. Nothing felt clever, nothing felt sharp, and nothing made me laugh. I just sat there wondering how it all went so wrong.

By the end, I didn’t care about the romance, the characters, or where the story was going. I was only thinking about how betrayed I felt by that gorgeous cover and how many times I have learned—and will apparently continue to learn—the lesson that pretty covers are liars. This book was dull, clunky, occasionally gross for no reason, and completely failed to convince me of its own love story.

Beautiful cover. Major disappointment inside. I’m mad, I’m tired, and I will be side-eyeing aesthetically pleasing books for the foreseeable future. 😒📚

[Lisi Bee (Beth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sydney winds up shipwrecked in the South Pacific while on a sailing excursion to scatter her dead father's ashes. The island where she lands belongs to the handsome Hunter, who is looking for lost pirate treasure on the island, but is also temporarily stranded there from the same storm that affected Sydney. As Sydney heals from her ordeal and joins Hunter in the search for treasure, they grow closer together. But will it be an HEA for Sydney and Hunter, or will danger rear its ugly head and derail everything?

I liked it but I didn't love it, it wasn't quite what I was looking for. It's an interesting premise with great potential but the writing was a bit stiff and dry in parts, and the characters were a little hard to invest in. I found Sydney to be hard to relate to fully. This is described as a rom-com but I didn't find it to be LOL funny, more that it's amusing in parts. This was a relatively quick read, it had a slow start but the pace picked up considerably in the second half. This book had a bit of a grown-up "Goonies" vibe, and I thought the adventure part of the book was more enjoyable than the insta-romance aspect. (The forced proximity and insta-lust vibes are *strong*.) There are a lot of potentially triggering incidents, so if you are sensitive to certain content please make sure you check for trigger warnings before reading. While this wasn't the book for me, I think it would be a great read if you're looking for an open-door forced proximity whirlwind romance mixed with adventure and mystery. 3.5 stars. This review is based on a complimentary DRC of the book, all opinions are my own.

[Tree Dickens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one much more than the first story I read by this author. It had me hooked from the start.

The story begun right in the middle of some already intriguing action and quickly picked up pace. The plot felt fun and unique with characters that I enjoyed getting to know. And characters that I quickly learned to hate (although, those came later on).

I don't want the whole of my review to be a comparison to Digging Dr Jones (the author's previous book) so I will keep that to this paragraph. For starters, this was a significant improvement. The FMC felt like a more established person, with a far more mature approach to situations. There was also far more slow-burn chemistry between the couple and less insta-love (yuck). Unfortunately there was the similarity of hitting the 50% mark, they have their first kiss, and now they can't stop sleeping together (granted I suppose there's not much else to do on a deserted island). It could have done with less sex scenes or at least more spacing so they could catch their breath like normal humans need to.

Anyways, this was still a 4⭐️ read for me because the mystery, adventure and yearning had me hooked and the dialogue felt clever and natural. It was a fun plot and there was NO THIRD-ACT BREAKUP!! They had a little quarrel but that was it really. They talked it out and made up pretty quickly, like healthy adults do. It was refreshing. Although, once again, I suppose there's not much else to do on a deserted island. It would be a bit awkward if you didn't make up with the only other occupant.

The FMC and MMC make for an interesting duo, which is handy since you only get to see interaction with other charcaters at the beginning and end. I loved that the story started and ended with action and intensity but for the most part the story was low-stakes; just the two characters looking for treasure and enjoying island life. It definitely felt like a cosy read at times.

[Sydney Gessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture this: you decide to go on a huge, long boat adventure to scatter your dad’s ashes. Fast forward—your captain is gone, the boat has sunk, and now you’re marooned on an island with a hot treasure hunter named Hunter (really on the nose there, hey). Sydney and Hunter work to survive with no means of leaving or communicating with the outside world.

Let’s talk about the characters. Sydney (who I share a name with) is an IT girly with an analytical brain. I loved how she solved the riddles and girlbossed her way through island life.
Hunter is our off-the-grid treasure hunter whose family has been searching for this treasure for generations. He’s quite the survivalist, and bonus—he’s taller than Henry Cavill.
Sparks fly between these two, and the slow burn, I swear, almost killed me.

Things I loved:
• Tuesday and Monday, the island cats
• Sydney’s inventor’s mind
• Decoding and riddles

Things I would have really loved:
• Dual POV—there’s just something about reading the yearning from both sides

Overall, this adventure-style rom-com delivered on its promises! It definitely gives Fool’s Gold vibes and that peak early-2000s magic that made romantic comedies so good. If you haven’t added this to your TBR, you are seriously missing out.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
Thank you to One More Chapter, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Hunter’s Treasure! I love a fun adventure story, and this certainly delivered.

I will say, you have to get over the unrealistic aspect of Sydney just happening to wash up on an island with a hot single man on it, but once you do this is very fun! I really enjoyed the whole treasure hunting storyline, it added exactly what the story needed in terms of adventure and mystery. I would have loved more history on the treasure and the past hunt for it though.

Hunter was a rare MMC with, in my opinion, no red flags. Some people might say that not telling Sydney about his debts was a red flag but let’s be real, would you tell someone this after knowing them less than a month? Probably not.

I didn’t love how fast both of them suddenly decided they were in love with each other, like I get that there are literally no other options on this island but to me it seemed more like extended forced proximity than love… but what do I know?

This whole situation would be my nightmare but I’m glad Sydney was braver than me!

(Finally I think comparing Sydney to Gal Gadot is a big ick)

[Sorina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hunter’s Treasure" by Olivia Jackson is a spicy adventure romcom set on a desert island.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the digital advance reader copy of the book.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

What you can expect:
- remote desert island
- forced proximity
- strangers to lovers
- chance encounter
- spicy
- treasure hunt
- single POV

Sydney ends up shipwrecked on a remote island where she meets Hunter, the island’s sole inhabitant.
How lucky that Hunter is tall, handsome and looking for a treasure.

This book has a good blend between adventure and romance and I liked the idea of a treasure hunt.
The romance developed slowly, even if they spent all the time together.
Sydney did not have a good experience with her ex husband and Hunter was very different.
He takes care of her, is protective and they quickly build trust in each other.
He also has two adorable cats (Monday and Tuesday).

They have good chemistry and they also work together well while trying to solve the clues of the treasure hunt.

What I did not enjoy were the multiple mentions of Gal Gadot (and Sydney being so glad that she is compared to her) and the uneven pacing.
Also, I would have liked some chapters from Hunter's POV.

Overall I enjoyed the book.

[❤️Tina❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Imagine being stranded on a desert with a handsome stranger and he has dimples?
Is he really as nice as he seems or is he too good to be true?

When Sydney starts her sailing adventure she doesn't expect it to end how it does, she finds herself stranded with Hunter on a remote island with no boat.

I enjoyed the plot, as someone who's enjoys playing games like Tomb Raider and Uncharted the whole treasure hunting had me intrigued.

Sydney and Hunter had me giggling with their 'text messages', rude innuendos and playful flirting. Hunter carried the book for me, he was the sweetest and so thoughtful trying to make Sydney as comfortable as possible.

The puzzle solving and treasure hunting was fun but why are we exploring an island in flip flops? But what's treasure hunting without a little drama and rival hunters too??

Sometimes I felt the chemistry between Sydney and Hunter felt a bit surface based but other times they worked so well together! All in all it was an enjoyable read and I am definitely a fan of a treasure hunting plot!

Thank you to Harper Collins for the eArc through Netgalley for my honest review 🫶🏻

[Síle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Olivia Jackson and One More Chapter for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a wholesome little adventure. Two strangers meeting on a deserted island sounds dramatic, but Hunter already living there gives the whole setup a warm, slightly offbeat charm. And the banter? Absolutely delightful. It’s the kind of teasing that softens your ribs from smiling too much.

The romance itself is more adorable than scorching, though the spice that is there works… clearly, since she walks away pregnant. Honestly, if the man looked like Henry Cavill’s long-lost twin, I wouldn’t be resisting either. Some temptations simply aren’t meant to be fought.

Beyond the romance, the treasure-hunting aspect adds a fun layer. Riddles, clues, little bursts of tension without ever tipping into true danger. It’s a cosy adventure with heart, sunshine, and just the right touch of mystery.

A light, warm story perfect for when you want an easy escape with sweet chemistry, soft moments, and a handsome island man who knows exactly how to charm.

[✨️ Courtney ✨️ (courtneyreads_x) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to One More Chapter, HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the eArc! This was such an exciting read! I loved Digging Dr Jones, so when Jackson said she was doing another action packed romance I was waiting with anticipation!

I am always conflicted whether I need a dual POV or not. It's nice to only focus with one character and really connect with them, all while I wish I could see the other side of the story, like seeing Hunter fall in love and what his reactions were throughout the story.

THE LITTLE NOTES IN BETWEEN CHAPTERS??? THE LIL DRAWINGS??? It was genius! A lovely little extra in how they communicate and seeing their friendship / chemistry grow.

This book has a good blend between adventure and romance and I liked the idea of a treasure hunt.
The romance developed slowly, even if they spent all the time together.

What you can expect:
- remote desert island
- forced proximity
- they look after each other
- strangers to lovers
- spicy
- treasure hunt
- single POV

[Lindsay Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in one weekend! Shipwreck + deserted island + only one beach shack? SOLD.

The book opens with our FMC shipwrecking and washing up on our MMC’s island, which sets up a perfect forced proximity romance. Hunter has been living solo, treasure hunting and surviving just fine on his own—until Sydney shows up and completely upends his life.

Capable, quietly intense island man (competency kink anyone?). Strong, adaptable heroine. Forced proximity. Treasure hunting. Mutual caretaking. One shack. Lots of tension. Olivia Jackson has given us another ride of a romance!

This book gave me big Fool’s Gold vibes, so if your millennial heart imprinted on that film like I did, consider this book a must read! It was fun and sexy and adventurous—exactly the stranded-together escape I was after. Can’t wait to see what Olivia Jackson writes next!

[Bea (beansbookshelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.

First impressions: being lost at sea and stuck in a deserted island makes my anxiety skyrocket! It felt like I was living this experience through Sydney. I guess the book accomplished its puprose haha.

This was an enjoyable read. It was entertaining and fun to read about Sydney and Hunter's treasure hunt, searching for clues, the tales behind the Treasure of Lima, etc. This was the most interesting part for me. I also enjoyed reading about how to survive on an island. I did, however, not enjoy how, after a month of being there, Sydney suddenly just wants to stay there and leave her whole life behind for a man. I understand the situation and reasoning behind it, but it doesn't seem very realistic to me.

Rating: 3/5 stars.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
This one was a fun read. If you love adventure romance, this will be for you. After getting shipwrecked and washing up on a remote island with only a single inhabitant, Sydney ends up on the adventure of a lifetime that includes treasure hunting, surviving without modern amenities, danger, and falling in love through it all. This was a fun and engaging book from start to finish, despite a few cheesier parts. This was my second book by Olivia Jackson, and she is quickly becoming an author I would automatically read. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC.

This sadly just didn’t fully work for me. I actually think I would have enjoyed it far more if it had leaned fully into the adventure aspect instead of the romance (despite knowing it being a romance book), because the relationship never really clicked for me at all.

The adventure elements themselves were fun enough, but I simply could not suspend my disbelief when it came to the treasure hunt. You’re telling me his family has been searching this island for generations, and then she shows up and solves every clue within a month? Be real 😭