Unfortunately, Temple of Swoon fell short for me. While I was excited to dive into a high stakes, adventurous romance set in the Amazon rainforest, the execution left much to be desired.

The premise had promise—Dr. Miriam Jacobs, a determined archaeologist, leading an expedition to find the legendary Lost City of the Moon, paired with journalist Rafael Monfils, who harbors a secret agenda to sabotage the mission. However, this storyline featured a trope I personally struggle with: the male main character purposely undermining the female main character’s career. This is the second time Jo Segura has written a hero who actively works against a heroine's professional success, and I truly hate it. Why must women forgive and fall in love with men who sabotage their hard work and ambitions? It’s a frustrating and tired dynamic that feels dismissive of the female character’s worth and accomplishments.

Beyond that, the pacing of the book was off. While a lot technically happened—jungle exploration, rival teams, and dangerous encounters—it also somehow felt like nothing really happened. The emotional weight of the story lacked depth, and the romance felt rushed and unearned. The chemistry between Miri and Rafa had potential, but Rafa’s deceit overshadowed their connection.

Compared to the first book in the series, this one didn’t measure up. Dr. Jacobs’ quirky humor and tenacity were highlights, but even those weren’t enough to carry the story for me. Instead of being swept away in a swoony, action packed romance, I found myself annoyed and disappointed by the lack of respect for the heroine’s goals.

If you’re someone who enjoys adventurous romances with lush settings and can overlook a problematic male lead, you might still find some enjoyment here. For me, it was a miss.

⭐️⭐️/5