e-ALC, 11:18:45
Narrated by: Kyla Garcia
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: January 2-3, 2026
Raiders of the Lost Heart, #3
Source: PRH Audio App (I received this ALC free from the publisher and their app. This did nothing to influence my review!)
Content Warning: Gun Violence, Kidnapping (of an adult)
For Readers Interested In: 2sLGBTQ+ (MMC is bi), Action, Adult, Adventure, Audio, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fake Dating, Sparkly Cover, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (FMC is Latine/Mexican), Realistic Fiction, Romance, Second Chance RomanceA 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.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This is by far my favorite of the series. And even still I thought I needed to suspend my disbelief in some things lol But for the most part it was ok. And plus, she was a librarian. That made me add a star without even having read it lol
Ok so the first thing was the plot. This was one of the things I liked but also got upset about lol It was weird. So what I liked about it? The adventure of it all. I’ve never been to Greece, but this made me feel like I was there. And the way they were running all over the place and finding all these different things surrounding ancient Greece was hella cool. But the kidnapping part? I had to suspend disbelief so many times because there is no way they were so dumb but also kept that whole operation together. And the way they had the tool and kept threatening to use it but they never did. And they never did anything. I have no earthly idea how Theo and Daniela didn’t just beat their asses and leave lol
The romance was ok. I actually liked the two of them together. It didn’t seem like the others in this series. I guess it was the way they had so much unchecked drama from before. They seemed like so much more somehow. I guess it was the history. And I think it was because it went so fast. They had like less than a week and they ran into all that craziness and still found each other. For some reason I loved that so much lol I guess it was just the heat of the moment.
The historical or archaeological part of this was hella cool tho. Maybe it’s just me and my love for Greek mythology, but this part was so interesting to me. I loved the story that they were doing and using. And being surrounded by all the things that it involved, I loved it so much. This was a lot of fun.
The entire series was all up and down. I really don’t know how I made it to this last book lol But I’m actually glad I did. This one was so much stronger than her others. And since it looks like she’s gaining her footing, I guess that means I’ll be back for the next one!
Overall, I give this
