Caffeinated Reviewer | Fossil Feud by Maggie North
16th Jul
Fossil Feud by Maggie North is a STEM romance about two paleontologists who work to excavate a site while trying to stop a fraud and discover feelings along the way. Despite a slow start, I loved the ending.
Fossil Feud
by Maggie North
Genres: Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Rating: 
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. . . .
I grabbed Fossil Feud after reading the synopsis. I mean paleontologists, a discovery, fraud and romance? Sign me up. While the setup and romance started slow and the geeky bits were not as in-depth, I ended up having a good time and rooting for Ripley Adams.
Paleontologist Ripley Adams has been in academic exile ever since her then-boyfriend stole her work, betrayed her trust, and broke her heart. She has been working on her own with a crew and she’s discovered that may just restore her reputation. She just needs to get it out of the ground.
She is busy working at the dig site when Oxford professor James Smithson arrives asking for her help. He believes a new discovery is a fraud, and it’s eerily similar to Ripley’s own find. The paleontologist claiming credit is none other than her slimy ex.
When her backer suddenly pulls out to support her ex, Ripley will need James’ help to find a backer for her dig, and she agrees to help him expose the fraud. This story has it all: dinosaurs, workplace rivals, forced proximity, STEM, found family, and flawed characters. I had some issues with the pacing and wished for more dino talk; once I got to know everyone, I became invested.
I enjoyed getting the story behind James and Ripley’s brief interactions in academic circles and seeing them dance around their obvious attraction. James is swoony, complicated, and not afraid to be Ripley’s hero. The story exposes problems with academia in particular, validating men over their female counterparts. Don’t worry, Ripley and her found family are about to set that world on fire.
The romance was swoon-worthy, but not without complications. Trust issues and baggage are at the forefront of those problems, leading to character growth. I loved the secondary characters, the side romances, and the team rallying around Ripley and their common goal.
About Maggie North
Maggie North writes deeply emotional, strangely hilarious novels at the intersection of romance and women’s fiction. Her favorite subjects include introverts at the end of their [expletive] ropes, STEM, Canada, and other overlooked, underrated things you’d love to discover. She enjoys being autistic a lot more since her diagnosis as an adult. She currently lives in Ottawa, Canada with her spouse, The Kid, and a rotating cast of hypoallergenic aquarium friends.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
