Published by Berkley on January 13, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Action/Adventure, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
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.
Dani had spent years pining for her brother's best friend Theo. Shortly after she confessed her feelings to him, Theo disappeared on an archaeological trip to Greece and was presumed dead. Following his memorial service, Dani booked a trip to Greece to feel closer to him, and she sure was when she discovered he was still alive. Now in a hostage situation, Dani and Theo will search for the Eye of the Minotaur in order to earn their freedom.
Segura is three for three for me. I wouldn't call myself an action/adventure reader, but there is something about Jo Segura's stories that always hook me. Maybe it's the blend of action, danger, romance, and humor that does it for me, but whatever it is, it's a winning combination that never fails to deliver a wonderful reading experience.
This book was a bit different from the previous two. Though there were still a bit of connection to the previous books, but this time, we were out of the jungles and visiting major landmarks in Greece. Don't worry, there was still plenty of shenanigans and precarious situations, and I loved getting into it all with Dani and Theo.
As a big fan of friends-to-more, I was rooting for this pair to finally act on their feelings. Their lives had been entangled for so long, but as Dani's brother's best friend, Theo fought against his desires for her. Now, in a life or death situation, it was time for them to throw caution to the wind, and finally let their hearts lead the way. These two had great chemistry, and their long history provided a strong foundation on which they could build a meaningful relationship.
Dani and Theo were both equally lovely, and I enjoyed their banter and interactions. I admit, I would have liked a little bit more at the end, but wow! What a trip this was! Once again, Segura took me on a fantastic adventure where I got to explore the beauty and myths of Greece while watching Dani and Theo fall in love.
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on January 6, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
Once is chance. Twice is fate.
Sage Collins knows a thing or two about odds. A year ago, she was a data analyst until she burned it all down to pursue her dream of becoming an author. One whirlwind bestseller and a struggling second book later, and Sage isn’t sure she’ll ever write a novel again.
But then an accidental encounter with an irritating passenger on the flight to Comic Con leaves Sage in an untested position. That passenger is Theo Sharpe: a breakout actor on the cusp of fame. And, unfortunately, the paparazzi have mistaken her for his girlfriend.
Armed with signature British charm and a smile that could tame oceans, Theo wears fame like a well-fit coat…though Sage can see there’s something deeper held in his eyes. But his fans are too involved in the drama, the pressure to deliver the next bestseller is on, and Sage and Theo both must agree there’s nothing between them. They don't have to acknowledge that saying it doesn't make it true.
When Sage decides to flee to Scotland to clear her head and write her novel, she expects to find fresh air and the stillness to think. What she doesn’t expect is Theo Sharpe to come back into her life…and how he may be her greatest miscalculation of all.
An emotionally-charged novel in the vein of Ashley Poston and Yulin Kuang, The Odds of You is a smart and sexy first contemporary novel from bestselling romantasy author Kate Dramis.
Sage was struggling while writing her sequel when a stranger chatted her up on the plane ride to Comic Con. This interaction led to unleashing his legion of fans on her in a negative way. In an attempt to escape all the noise and doubt, Sage fled to Scotland where she once again found herself face to face with that chatty stranger. What are the odds??
This story was probably a bit high on the drama scale for me, but the romance and friendship really made it work for me. I felt for Sage on some level. She was battling self doubt and imposter syndrome, and it didn't help that her family was not the most supportive. Not to worry because she was lucky to have some great friends who were there for her and were a wonderful support system. .
Chatty stranger Theo had demons of his own. He was still dealing with his grief while also wanting to breakout of his heartthrob mold. Pretty typical Hollywood story, but Theo was not your typical Hollywood guy. He was actually really sweet and kind, and I loved the way he tried to help Sage work through her writer's block.
It was the scenes Theo and Sage shared with each other that delighted me most. They had great chemistry, a fantastic rapport, and a magical connection. I wanted them to act on that connection so badly. The story really took off for me in Scotland. I loved the settings, the places we visited, as well as the activities Sage and Theo partook in as their affection for each other grew.
Overall, a strong romance and some great characters made this solid read for me. I very much appreciated both Sage and Theo's journeys together and apart.
*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
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