Fossil Feud: A Novel

by Maggie North

The hunt for fossils—and love—is on in this steamy, STEMinist romance about two paleontologists who join forces to prevent a fraudulent dinosaur discovery, but accidentally dig up feelings for each other along the way.

Renegade paleontologist Ripley Adams is this close to digging up a fossil treasure and vindication. She’s spent the last three years in academic exile after her ex-boyfriend stole her work, betrayed her trust, and broke her heart in one fell swoop. If she can unearth a complete specimen of her newest discovery—a never-before-seen missing link between dinosaurs and birds—it will put her back on the map and finally restore her ruined reputation.

But when unfairly hot Oxford professor James Smithson crashes Ripley’s dig site, she realizes she’s not the only one searching for redemption in the Montana dirt. James is convinced a splashy new fossil is a fraud, and he needs Ripley’s help to prove it. She’d tell the buttoned-up Brit where to stick his suspicions, but the fake fossil is eerily similar to hers . . . and the fraudster is her ex.

The race is on to reveal a T-rex-sized discovery. Polar opposites Ripley and James will have to find common ground if they’re going to take down a hoax that could ruin them both. And as they dig deeper into their unlikely attraction, Ripley’s excavation boots won’t be the only things getting a little dirty. . . .

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction, Stem

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 28, 2026

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

RAWWWWRRRRRRRR! THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING!

I’m obsessed with this book. This is a dinosaur-loving romance readers wet dream in book form.

Seriously. Whats better than two idiot (complementary) paleontologists falling in love during a dinosaur bone dig!

This book is sweet and swoony. The characters are perfectly flawed with emotional depth for days. The prose is gorgeous and utterly quotable. The side characters attempt to steal the show (complementary). The character growth is top tier. It is just SO FREAKING GOOD!

He is so down bad and would do anything to help her succeed! Everyone deserves a supportive down bad man like James Smithson!

She is wounded and flawed and watching her character growth was almost as good as watching these idiots fall in love.

DID I MENTION THE DINOSAURS! because… DINOSAURS!!!!!!!!

(brace yourself this is a long list…)

Whats to love…
- STEM romance
- SLUTTTTTTTTTTTYYYYYY MMC
- slutty little glasses
- Slutty thigh tattoo
- Slutty forearms.
- slutty little glasses
- slutty little hands
- slutty little accent
- slutty little bike shorts
- lovable af side characters
- found family
- “just for the summer” agreement
- beautiful prose
- HE TIES HER SHOES
- mommy trauma (complicated family dynamics)
- coming into your own/learning to love yourself so you can love others.

Honestly I could probably keep going and give you a million reasons you should read this but instead I’m just going to say GO READ THIS RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

🌶️- a few open door scenes. I really loved the way the author did these. They are explicit but not overly so (if that makes sense). I’d let my teen niece read this!

| IG | TikTok |

Thank you Dell for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Berry ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ (Updating Reviews!)]

♡ pre-read ♡

y'all. i wanted to be a paleontologist when i was a kid. this book called to me. SOOOO excited to start this one!

Thank you to Maggie North, Dell, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am this book's number one fan and i can't wait until people fall in love with the badass that is ripley adams and her beloved mr. darcy-esque mmc, james smithson. with found family shenanigans and a scene in the rain that i will forever be thinking about, this book is a delight.

[✨Poppy✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good. So fun. And such an original concept!

A STEMinist romance about paleontology?? Immediately yes and this absolutely delivered.

I loved how fresh and unique this story felt. Fossil hunting, academic drama, professional betrayal, and romance all woven together in a way that felt smart, engaging, and genuinely exciting. Ripley is a fantastic heroine, brilliant, determined, and deeply wronged and rooting for her to reclaim both her work and her confidence was incredibly satisfying.

James was the perfect foil: buttoned-up, frustratingly attractive, and exactly the kind of rival-turned-ally that makes for delicious tension. Their chemistry sparked from the moment they teamed up, and the banter, forced proximity, and shared mission kept things moving at a great pace.

The plot itself was just as compelling as the romance. The fraud storyline added real stakes, and I loved how the science and emotional arcs complemented each other instead of competing for attention.

Smart, steamy, and refreshingly different, this was such a win for me. If you’re craving a romance with a truly original theme and strong STEM vibes, this one is a must-read!
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for the ARC!

[Annie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

She’s a private paleontologist ousted from academia. He’s one of the most distinguished paleontologists in the world. On paper, they couldn’t be more different — but he needs her expertise to expose a fraud. And maybe, along the way, some feelings will surface as well…

Maggie North is a phenomenal writer. Women diagnosed with autism later in life seem to have a special knack for understanding human behavior, and Maggie’s insight shines through in her characters. As someone who masked for a long time myself, I felt an immediate kinship with her perspective. Her characters are always a little odd, a little out of step — until they find the right people and the right place for them. And it’s not just romantic connections she writes beautifully; her characters also find family, belonging, and a sense of home. That, to me, is Maggie North’s greatest gift. Her books are full of people who were misunderstood, overlooked, or misjudged — and finally, after so many false starts, find the people who see them for who they truly are. It’s quietly uplifting and deeply satisfying.

The story itself was fun and immersive. I loved the dig site setting — being outside, working together, uncovering history — it felt adventurous in a way that grounded the romance in a real, tangible world. James was sweet, honorable, and easy to root for, a perfect complement to Ripley’s guarded intelligence and wit. But the heart of the story is Ripley finally letting people in after years of hurt and disappointment. Watching her open up, trust, and accept connection felt genuinely moving.

This book isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about growth, trust, and finding the people and places that make life feel complete. Maggie North does this beautifully, with depth and warmth.

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa (honeybee.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fossil Feud is an utterly original, super fun and bingeable romance that absolutely consumed me. Fans of Jurassic Park and Night at the Museum, you will fall madly in love with this swoony book. I was looking for something fun, this delivered on every single front. As much as I had a blast reading this one there was also a lot of emotional depth, healing and growth throughout the novel that I highly appreciated. This book does not solely focus on romance, the plot is plotting and it is super fun to follow along. It added stakes to the story and made me even more hooked. Once the romance is thrown in it just adds another layer and makes it that much more enjoyable. What I have to applaud North for is her amazing research for this book, absolutely outstanding. The terminology, the dinosaur names, the history, the paleontology (which she took some liberties in), but ultimately everything felt so real and true to life.

Ripley & James are two highly flawed characters with a lot of baggage. They each bring their struggles to the budding romance but eventually learn to overcome them together. The blending of the spice which is not overly spicy with the plot, it was honestly perfection. I absolutely commend the author on how she approached the spicy scenes. It never overshadowed the plot but it made the relationship and physical part of their relationship evolve and feel authentic.

Overall, I loved how unique and fresh this story felt to me. It was so different from anything I've read before and I needed it. The fun I had reading this book will definitely be marked in my brain. Having read all of Maggie's books this is by far my favorite of hers. Her prose was beautiful, her storytelling skills immaculate and the originality of the storyline chefs kiss!

✨️ Thank you to @netgalley, @dellromance & @maggienorth for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO GOOD! So so so good! This was the paleontologist romance novel I never knew I needed! I loved nearly everything about it: lovable, complex characters with realistic flaws, a griping plot, beautiful writing, a unique setting dripping with atmosphere, feminist themes, and YEARNING! Add this to your TBR immediately!

So often characters in romance novels can feel a little cartoonish or one dimensional. Riley and James were the exception. Both were so fully formed with distinct personalities, voices, past mistakes and flaws to overcome. The conflict keeping them apart was both based in reality and high stakes.

I loved the way Maggie North described their attraction. Very poetic writing. Lots of showing versus telling.

My only minor criticism is I would have liked a little more conversation between the main characters before their feelings developed. It was the tiniest bit love at first sight (admittedly).

I maybe loved the plot even more than the romance??? Who am I???

This romance novel leans more heavily towards the angst side of the emotional spectrum. I, personally, am usually seeking more of a giddy/banter feeling. But if you love longing and bittersweetness—this will probably be 5 stars for you!

Publishers: send more Dino books immediately!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dell for the advanced reader copy.

[Em]

I read this book. For science. And I think it might be one of my favorite romances ever.

As a big fan of STEM romances - this book does not disappoint. This book is about Ripley Adams and James Smithson as they try to uncover a bird fossil and take down a rival paleontologist who is lying and stealing Ripley Adams and others work.

There are so many elements of this book that make it stand out. Trying to stand up to the messed up system that is academia and science was one element, as a person in STEM, that I found was so tragically and wonderfully done. Ripley Adams is brave and courageous but also has been stepped on over and over again. She needs this dig money. She needs to accept support. And she is fighting for it not only her own family troubles but her entire dig teams’ as well.

What else stood out? The romance. The banter. THE LOVE. The slutty forearms. Making sure shoelaces are tied. The references to her favorite dinosaurs and movies. THE PUNS. The boning (sorry I had to).

I don’t know how else to say I absolutely loved this book and I think you will too. I kicked my feet giggling and I cried and got ma. This was campy and funny and a true joy when I needed it most. So much love to Maggie North.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romance between two paleontologists isn't something I ever thought I need in my life, but I'm so glad I found it.

Incredibly refreshing to see romance in an original setting, and personally one I haven't seen before. As someone that loves dinosaurs this was very fun. I'd have loved to give it 4 stars, but the real life references were really throwing me off, mainly the Jurassic Park ones, which makes sense, but it felt like it was too much.

Also, love a strong woman in STEM standing up for herself!

Thank you to NetGalley, and the Publisher for this ARC!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the arc!!!

I really really liked this. Do I know anything about paleontology outside of Jurassic park and vague terms Ross mentioned on Friends? No. Did I still read this in its entirety? Absolutely. She built such an atmosphere it felt like I was there dusting off the bones with them. The buildup and slow burn between the two main characters was amazing. Once released I will add some of my favorite quotes since she really hit it out of the park.

[Mai | mai.readingnook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the absolute joy and privilege of reading a new Maggie North book. I swear to you, her writing just sings to my soul. I love how immersive it is, this is. Complex characters. Emotional depth. Found family. Slutty little glasses. I mean?! Dinosaurs. Drawings?! Tattoos. Like… Do you need me to go on or are you finally convinced?

I had an absolute blast reading this. I dig it. Deep.

Thank you so very much for the ARC!

[Julia Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book from this author, and I was happily impressed with it! The plot is definitely different than my usual niche (sports romances), but I was so intrigued by the blurb that I wanted to know more. There’s nothing like a smart and tenacious FMC, a sexy (and smart!) MMC who’s down bad, and a whole host of lovable side characters to round out the story. Oh! And dinosaurs! Who doesn’t freaking love dinosaurs?!

I thought the pacing was good, the banter was fun, and the dino facts were interesting. Gotta say, this book had me googling lots of dinosaur names so I could picture them just right, lol! If there were errors in the science writing of this book, I’m not knowledgeable enough to have noticed or even mega cared; I mean, I’m reading this for enjoyment and escape, not so I can reference it when defending my paleontology dissertation. If I have one quibble about the book, and this is why I rated it 4 and not 5 stars (I’d give it 4.5 if I could!), it’s that I wasn’t over-the-moon convinced about the MMC’s insta-love of the FMC based on a handshake and 90 second convo 3 years prior. That felt just a touch far fetched for me. And in an extension of that, I think one or two more scenes showing them actually conversing with each other, learning each other, would’ve been in crafting how they actually fall in love. Otherwise, I was pleased with everything else.

TLDR - A definite recommend; pick this up if you like a smart and sassy FMC, a sexy British nerd MMC with a melt-worthy creative streak, interesting science-based intrigue, and a found family who makes you wish you were the one who found them. A dino-rawring fun read!!

Fun things to find inside:

- a smart man who’s down bad for a smart woman
- lots of drool-worthy forearm talk
- semi-secret sexy little tattoos
- swoon-worthy declarations from the MMC
- DINOS!!
- good friends who stick by you, even when you try and keep your distance
- righteous redemption for past wrongs
- what doesn’t kill them makes them stronger style past traumas and fam dynamics
- annndddd he wears glasses and why is that sooooo hottt?!?!


Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Dell for the ARC! The opinion above is all my own.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always dreamed of a romance novel centered around dinosaurs, so honestly? Fossil Feud already had me before I even read it, and somehow it still exceeded every expectation. This book was SO good.

First of all: dinosaurs. Fossils. Paleontology. Academia. Absolute perfection. I loved how deeply rooted the story was in the science without ever feeling overwhelming. The plot itself was genuinely intriguing and was honestly just as compelling as the romance, and that’s hard to pull off. I was fully invested in the mystery, the academic stakes, and the race to expose the fraud just as much as I was in the relationship between Ripley and James.

One of my favorite parts was how real and brutal the portrayal of academia felt, especially as a woman in STEM. The sexism, the politics, the reputation damage, and the sheer toughness required to survive it all were handled so well. Ripley’s journey of reclaiming her voice, her work, and her confidence was powerful and deeply satisfying.

And the romance? SO. GOOD. The chemistry between Ripley and James crackled from the start. James is basically Mr. Darcy if he were a scientist; reserved, principled, quietly intense, and absolutely gone for her. Perfection. This wasn’t a light, fluffy romance, and I loved that. It was angsty, emotional, and simmering, and it fit the story perfectly.

Ripley herself is an FMC who truly stands out. She’s fierce, brilliant, flawed, and resilient in a way that made me admire her so much!

Maggie North is a fantastic writer, and Fossil Feud was everything I want in a romance novel: smart, emotional, meaningful, and sweet in the best way. Dinosaurs and depth? YES PLEASE. I loved this so much. 🦖❤️📚

Thank you to NetGalley, Maggie North, and Ballantine/Dell for the eARC of this book.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I’ll admit the main reason I wanted to read this book was for the dinosaurs. I’ve read a few STEM romances, but not one focused on paleontology. And it was as excellent as I was hoping. The romance was sweet and I loved both of the main characters. But I think what really made Fossil Feud stand out was the science and the side characters. Sure, the romance was the main point but this was also a story about the bonds between Riley and Cara as well as their crew. The novel dealt with the issues of paleontology, academia and the way women are treated in science. I also liked the way it delved into the world of private fossil hunting versus scientific discovery.

Ripley (points for her name) is a woman who has strived to make a name for herself in a world she feels doesn’t want her. She wants to make money to help her father out as well as prove her theories. Since she was basically forced out of academia, she turned to private fossil hunting. She’s passionate about her work even as she struggles to let people in. Her friendship with Cara and her crew was a nice side plot.

James is a bit stiff and proper, but he clearly cares for Cara. Although he isn’t as passionate about his work as she is, he works hard to help Cara and her crew do what is necessary to secure funding. He’s helpful, supportive and adorable. I loved him.

I absolutely recommend this story for anyone who likes a bit of STEM with their romance reads. I read the entire book in one sitting because I wanted to see Riley and James fall in love despite the obstacles while also taking down Will, Riley’s ex and possible faker of fossils. The writing was solid, the story was fun and I’m a sucker for some paleontology romance.

5/5 stars

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like home in the best ways. The romance wove its way warmly, calmly, and then all at once around my heart and gave it the absolute best hug. It was the small moments between Ripley and James that burrowed deep into my soul and kept me captivated as I experienced their love alongside them. Fossil Feud had some absolutely amazing lines that I had to highlight and save because those are the lines you want to look back on when you feel at your lowest and remember that grand romance still exists.

I love when a book and its characters make you feel - when you can feel that adoration, want, need, and desperation right along side them. Maggie did an excellent job of making me feel everything Ripley did, including loving every awkward, real, endearing piece of James.

And I of course, have to mention the dinosaurs, fossils, STEM aspects, and scientific facts. I gobbled it all up and loved every second (do I need more paleontology books in my life?!? Absolutely! Send them all to me!). The plot balanced out so nicely with the character development, the romance, the spice, and even the side characters. I truly enjoyed this read and it made me want to take my time while reading, to take a minute and reflect, to slow down, and to feel like I was falling in love with the characters as they feel in love with each other.

When you're looking for a world shattering romance, that leaves you with the warmest feelings begging for a love that will outlast the fossils - this is the book you pick up.

I received an eARC of this book, but any reviews are entirely my own. Thank you to Netgalley, Maggie, and Ballantine/Dell for the copy.

[Corrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so thankful to #NetGalley for the ARC of this book. **Releases 7/28/26**

I love books with women in STEM, and this one was fantastic! It starts as a seeming “rivals to lovers” book, but we learn that it is more miscommunication than anything.

Ripley Adams has been burned before by her ex, who continues to work to burn her. So she is understandably hesitant to trust any other men in the paleontology field. But when James Smithson comes to her with a plea, she agrees…with conditions. Particularly because his concerns are also with the work of the aforementioned ex.

The yearning throughout the book is a masterpiece, and I LOVE what the author did with James’s arc—particularly as it relates to his feelings for Ripley. I like how the relationship developed organically given their mutual interests, and that they never really shied away from the fact that they were interested in each other. The only major hiccup was that he is from England, and she is from Montana.

The investigation into the academic fraud, alongside with the work Ripley is doing on her own discoveries, was brilliant. The author wove their developing love story in extremely well with the side plot of the story, and both story lines were better because of it. I believed these two had a deep and lasting connection and would continue their relationship into the future.

Tropes I loved: STEM field, he fell first, forced proximity

This was my first book from Maggie North, and I look forward to reading her other stories.

[Mary Gosse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book! It was my first read by Maggie North, and now I’m definitely adding her other books to my TBR list!

The plot of this book was fresh and interesting - two paleontologists, working on a dig site, trying to unearth a new one-of-it’s-kind fossil before the season ends, while also investigating a colleague’s sketchy “discovery”. The author included a note at the beginning of the story, giving readers some interesting background on the history of frauds in the paleontology field, and really helped to set the stage the rest of the book. I felt like I was really immersed in the story and enjoyed learning a bit more about field work and dig site culture along the way!

I loved how excited Ripley was about dinosaurs and bones and her work, even as we learn about her backstory and how she was pushed out of academia. The character development of Smithson was also so great, as we first meet him through Riley’s eyes, and then see how she slowly changes the way she thinks about him. Their romance was slow to develop on the pages, but so heart-tingling good! I loved everything about both characters - it was obvious they cared about each other from very early on (even if they didn’t want to admit real “feelings”), and complemented each other so well.

Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it! The plot, character development, and romance were all written seamlessly and kept me turning the pages until the very end. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advanced copy - this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Amy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book really went above and beyond my expectations. A cute book about paleontology with some fraud? Yes, but don't forget about the heaps of social commentary about women in academia and traditionally male dominated fields. I absolutely adored the way Maggie North had our MMC acknowledge his privilege and try to weaponize it for good, only after he got approval from the FMC.

Ripley works as a fossil hunter after leaving her PhD program due to an ex trying to get credit for her work. When the same ex claims to have found a new species of dinosaur, a familiar face comes asking for her help to investigate if it is a fake. James is everything Ripley hates about the field: rich, entitled, and condescending. Or is he?

The plot was fun with the digging and chasing clues, but James' portrayal really stood out in this book. The author is able to acknowledge that privilege exists and uses it to support Ripley instead of it manifesting as a hero complex. He never tries to save the day because he trusts that Ripley knows what she is doing. He offers quiet, unwavering support that allows Ripley to shine on her own instead of in his shadow. I really loved seeing them grow together and individually. The bromance between Griff and James was cute and It was sweet seeing Ripley try to open up to Cara more and build deeper friendships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the free eARC.

[tinny · Rating 2 out of 5]

this, simply put, fell short for me

it’s my second time reading this author’s work and unfortunately i am realizing my patience for the kinds of characters she employs fizzles out at the 60% mark nearly every time (or at least twice! so you know if i had a nickel for every time…)

i enjoyed the dinosaur speak but unfortunately that was probably the highlight & most memorable aspect and even that felt not meant to be absorbed earnestly (if that makes sense?) and though i enjoyed the fmc, i didn’t really feel very compelled by the couple’s hesitation to be together (especially when long distance relationships are not like impossible and they are…adults) and i found james/smithson a little bland (don’t get me wrong i was endeared to him but something about him felt oddly 2d) which did not help once their relationship got in the oddly repetitive cycle of knowing they wanted each other and like pretending they didnt (for the sake of no one)

i did enjoy the side characters a ton (i feel like i remember feeling that way about the author’s other book), and the musings on surviving academia as a woman in STEM (though it felt a bit heavy handed at times in regards to why they couldn’t be together) so that kept me reading for as long as i did but unfortunately this was still a dnf at 80% once i realized i just wasn’t moved

thank you so much nonetheless to netgalley & ballantine for this arc to review!

[Brittany Steminist Booknerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

STEM FMC: paleobiologist; STEM MMC: taxonomy paleontologist
This book was so fun! If you have read and enjoyed Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura, this book reminds me a lot of that book: professional STEM rivals to lovers, he wears slutty little glasses, and there's some forced proximity dig site cabin shenanigans. Raiders is one of my favorite books, so this comparison is not just in terms of trope similarities but also overall vibes and the message that women in STEM are badasses and fully belong there.
I love reading a STEM romance in a field that I'm not super familiar with because it gives me a chance to learn a little about a topic that I wouldn't normally have dived into on my own. Fossils are so freaking cool!
Ripley is strong and resilient, and James is down so bad. As a woman in STEM myself, I love seeing these types of romances where not only does the HEA apply to her love life but to her professional life as well (and James's professional life, too). The discussions between the MCs about academia and the pursuit of happiness in their careers is incredibly real. The HEA is complete; I love a well tied-up story!
This is my first book by Maggie, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was well-written, had an engaging plot, and the spice was perfect. I'll be digging into her backlist to read more from her!

[Dallas Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Ripley, with her cool name and fossil finding company, aptly called, "Clever Girl," was pushed out of academics thanks to a bad boyfriend and a rumor about her stealing his work. She's now working as a private paleontologist trying to make her own big discovery. When a charming British professor seeks her out, to take down her ex and his fossil fraud, she agrees to help as long as he helps her find more funding for her fossil. "Yes, love at first dig site."

This book grabbed my attention with its' cute title/cover and promise of dinosaurs even though I am not a cutesy romance reader. Needless to say, I came out the other end quite smitten. Fossil Feud has witty fossil humor, charming characters (especially the side ones) and a predictable, but really refreshingly original storyline. All's well that ends well.

If you like both character and plot drive, a romance and main characters that have depth (even though they do fall in love instantly) and dinosaurs, you'll enjoy this one!

Also, I was extremely impressed by the amount of research the author did to write this one! I love when I get to learn alongside my fiction fix and I definitely got my fill on paleontology here.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. I dig it. 🧑‍🔬⛏️🦴🦖
Pun absolutely intended. Seriously go add this to your TBR right now.

It’s giving early Ali Hazelwood vibes while being completely new and original. And Riley and James. I’m dying. Their love for each other was perfect. James!! The loyalty!!

Synopsis: Paleontologist Ripley Adams is one fossil away from saving her career and sticking it to her terrible ex who stole her research and wrecked her reputation. Three years in academic exile is long enough.

Enter James Smithson: unfairly attractive, maddeningly proper Oxford professor who crashes her Montana dig claiming a headline-making fossil is a fraud. Ripley would happily bury him in the dirt… except the fake looks a lot like her own discovery, and the fraudster just happens to be her thieving ex.

Now Ripley and James, total opposites with zero chill around each other, have to team up to expose the hoax before it ruins them both. As the digging gets deeper, so does the chemistry ✨

What to enjoy:
🦖STEM romance
💚He falls first
🦖My darling
💚Shoe tying, who knew that could be hot?
🦖Forced proximity
💚Slutty little glasses
🦖Slutty thigh tattoo
💚Tension and yearning

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc!

[Natalie Intihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I found out that Maggie North’s latest book, Fossil Feud, was available, I absolutely sprinted to request it. Having helped with the cover reveal, I’ve been obsessed with Ripley and James long before this book actually wound up in my hands. And now that I’ve finished it- be still, my sweet dinosaur-loving heart!

This is one of the most unique settings I’ve ever read for a romance- a fossil dig site. But the romance between Ripley and James truly bloomed throughout their season of exploration together. A British man with a dinosaur obsession?? Sign me UP. Having been to the Royal Tyrrell museum in Alberta, I especially loved seeing Ripley and James venture there! It’s seriously the coolest place.

Ripley’s own history as a woman in STEM is less than ideal, and I’m glad that Maggie told that part of the story as well. It’s not a spoiler to say that Will is the WORST. Justice for young Ripley and for all the women in STEM whose voices feel minimized by their male counterparts. And I’m so happy she has her own happy ending- in more ways than just romantic!

Thank you to Ballantine and Dell for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kayne Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique STEM romance with fossil hunters and I sure enjoyed it! Ripley is a private fossil hunter who has leased land in Montana where her team is searching for the fossil of a missing link between dinosaurs and birds. She was burned in the past by her ex-boyfriend, Will, when he took credit for a paper she had written in college so now she is secretive about her work. She is wary when James, a world-famous paleontologist, comes to her dig site (riding on a horse!) and asks for her help to expose Will of fraud. (Will has submitted a paper about a new fossil he says he found and wants to present it at the next Paleontology Society meeting and James thinks it’s suspicious). Ripley decides to help him and they take a road trip to the Royal Tyrrell Paleontology Museum in Alberta to ask for help from an expert Ripley knows. It’s fun when they accidentally get locked in at the museum overnight! While I didn’t love the third act break up, I did love their road trip romance and Ripley’s friends and helpers at the dig who added to the fun with their fossil humor. James is so sweet, especially with his dinosaur drawings and Ripley is caring and brilliant. Thanks to the author, Dell and NetGalley for this advanced copy. 07/28

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

You know that nostalgic feeling when you watch Jurassic Park, if your chasing that feeling then this book is for you.

This book is focused on two paleontologists, who are both trying to find themselves while actively trying to avoid their tension and attraction to each other. As someone who loves the Alien movie series way too much, I fell in love with Ripley. She is a woman who has so much heart and grit, fighting for her chance in the male dominated world of Paleontology and doing so by going after what she knows to be true in her with her fossil dig site. Then you have James, the world famous British paleontologists who on paper has everything that Ripley ever dreamed of and has only met her ONCE and is now busting into her town to get her help.

The story is so intriguing and entertaining, the world of fossil digs, the private vs scholar division and the overall drama was a thrill to read. The romance was absolutely top notch, the tension and yearning from each side was award level. I loved the fossil dig crew, each bringing their own personality and like a young duckling to Ripley and becoming her found family.

Highly recommend this one, its one of my favorites that I have read because its new side of STEM romance that I have never ventured into but the 90s kid in me who loved dinosaurs (and still does) feels like this hit all the marks.

[Trischia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating: 5 ⭐️, 2.5 🌶

One of my guilty pleasures and comfort movies is the Jurassic Park series. There's just something about dinosaurs that grabs me and all these years later, I'm still in its claws.

This book has a lot of references to Jurassic Park... which I thoroughly enjoyed. The FMC Riley definitely gives off vibes for a female Alan Grant and I am here for it!

One of the reasons I loved this book was how it handled others expectations of our main characters. Both Riley and Jamed had a parent with dreams they couldn't accomplish, which they then felt compelled to fulfill in their place. This is shown to have consequences for them, however, and the book does a fantastic job of acknowledging that it's ok to chase after your own dreams despite others expectations.

Typically I'm complaining about whether or not a book handles the passage of time correctly. This isn't an issue for this book. Several of the chapters are dated and include a countdown to the end of the summer excavation season. This is a fantastic way for us to see how the summer progresses along with the relationship between Riley and James.

I have no complaints for this book. It's written very well and the characters are relatable. It's also easy to see how the characters grow and change over the course of the book. If you love dinosaurs, steamy romance, and witty banter add this one to your TBR. You won't regret it.

[Kat Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

warning: contains a fraudulent dinosaur debacle with a romance plot line that should have gone extinct

୨ৎ 3 stars, excellent stem atmosphere. I thought palentology was such an original concept for a stem romance, and I love how it contributed to the microtrope where the male love interest falls for (rather than is intimidated by) the female protagonist's intellect.

However, I felt that the male love interest, despite being a hot British Oxford professor, was quite lukewarm, and the academic politics were not used to their fullest potential. as a women in stem, I felt that it had all the puzzle pieces for a smash hit, but in reality it failed to sell me on the love story and the chemistry, primarily due to the lack of banter and flirting. In addition, some of the interpersonal conflicts were overdramatized and farfetched.

thank you to Ballantine for the ebook arc in exchange for an honest review

source: netgalley ebook arc

[Vivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I already knew that I would enjoy this book just because the topic and setting is already something I love a lot (also having lived half of my life in Montana that also swayed me ahaha) but this easily became one of the best books that I have read this year so far. I enjoyed the writing style as it was less uptight and rigid than a lot of books and while I don't often read contemporary romance due to main characters thought processes kind of throwing me off a lot, I really loved Ripley's inner world and how flawed and hilarious she is. I think that's another thing I loved a lot is that the characters did have flaws even through the "better" parts of their relationships and it does affect the story and plotline which is something I like to see in a work. Throughout the whole thing I was VERY invested in the main relationship and really enjoy how it was built up as well as the highs and lows of it. All in all what I mean to say is that I really loved this book!

[Sarah Sjodahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC.

This is my first Maggie North novel and first STEM romance novel.
I can now say I am a fan of both.

There were so many fun elements to this book, and so many that rang true.

Academic rivalry and banter blend together so well, and the author excelled at it.

The romance between the two main characters, Ripley and James, is balanced between aching and admiration, and I couldn’t get enough.
Even when tensions were high, there was no gut-sinking feeling that things were gonna completely crash.
I couldn’t put it down.

I highly recommend this to anyone who’s a fan of the romance genre, likes dinosaurs, or both.
Really, read this. For science.

[Aish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, unique concept! Paleontology romances NEED to be a more widely written trope in the romance genre. This book was intriguing and exciting from the start, blending science, academia, and romance in a way that felt both engaging and heartfelt. I don’t know much about paleontology, so it was really cool to learn more about the field, and the connections to real-life cases were especially interesting. I loved the chemistry between James and Ripley, though the slow burn was a bit too slow in my opinion.

Overall, this was a great book and definitely one to pick up if you love STEM romances - 4.5 stars!

Thank you to Maggie North, Ballantine | Dell, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!

#FossilFeud #NetGalley