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Guarded Treasure
Edith Taylor is ready to explore the ancient tombs she’s only seen in books. Her big break comes at last when she’s hired to act as translator on an infamous crew. There’s just one problem: the dusty, arrogant scoundrel who she’s partnered with. Sure, he’s been ordered to watch her every move… but does he have to look at her like that?
Benjamin Brooks is about to embark on the most important -and most dangerous- job of his career. The one he hopes will be his last. But on the day he’s set to depart, he discovers he’s been demoted. After years of heading his own crew, he’s been replaced by a petit know-it-all whose never spent even a day in the field. It doesn’t help that she despises him from the moment they met- a moment that stopped his heart.
On the outskirts of the remote city of Argo, submerged in a lush sparkling oasis, lies a tomb shrouded in mystery that has remained sealed for three thousand years. It is rumored to hold the mummy of a powerful Pharaoh’s first love who disappeared in scandal, and was completely scrubbed from history. Even the most accomplished archaeologists in Egypt know only this: everyone who has tried to open the tomb succumbs to the curse.
Will these rivals work together to unlock each of the three doors of the Cursed Tomb of Argo? Will the fire of attraction that ignites between them thwart their efforts to break the curse? Or will their shared objective and undeniable passion go up in smoke?
Benjamin Brooks is about to embark on the most important -and most dangerous- job of his career. The one he hopes will be his last. But on the day he’s set to depart, he discovers he’s been demoted. After years of heading his own crew, he’s been replaced by a petit know-it-all whose never spent even a day in the field. It doesn’t help that she despises him from the moment they met- a moment that stopped his heart.
On the outskirts of the remote city of Argo, submerged in a lush sparkling oasis, lies a tomb shrouded in mystery that has remained sealed for three thousand years. It is rumored to hold the mummy of a powerful Pharaoh’s first love who disappeared in scandal, and was completely scrubbed from history. Even the most accomplished archaeologists in Egypt know only this: everyone who has tried to open the tomb succumbs to the curse.
Will these rivals work together to unlock each of the three doors of the Cursed Tomb of Argo? Will the fire of attraction that ignites between them thwart their efforts to break the curse? Or will their shared objective and undeniable passion go up in smoke?
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews
March 17, 2023
A must read for fans of the Mummy and love spice
While this book does give off the perfect mummy vibes with excellent spice, it delivers a unique Egyptian mystery that I couldn't wait to solve!
Highly recommend this book! I will be daydreaming about Ben for weeks!
While this book does give off the perfect mummy vibes with excellent spice, it delivers a unique Egyptian mystery that I couldn't wait to solve!
Highly recommend this book! I will be daydreaming about Ben for weeks!
March 16, 2024
"Uptight, ambitious, gorgeous librarians who don’t like me became my type the day I met you.”
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐,5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This is the first time I've ever read a book like this which is a real shame because I love mummies. This has intense The Mummy franchise vibes. It's not just the Egyptological theme but also the character dynamic. It is clearly heavily inspired by the first The Mummy movie, but not in a way that feels too similar. It's its own story with the best aspects of a fan-favorite film. Besides, this is such a cute read, a little bit cheesy, but the entertaining kind.
As fun as it is, though, I would have liked a little more focus on the archaeological aspect. The romance overshadows it and it's a shame because it's an incredibly interesting story. I understand this is probably intended as more romance than plot, but I think it would be a better story if the two were balanced. I have to admit that the writing is a little unusual as well. The points of view aren't separated like they usually are in novels but instead merged together in every chapter. It was a little disorienting, although it didn't bother me that much. I got used to it pretty quickly.
Furthermore, I loved the protagonists. Edith and Ben are lovely. They are giving Evelyn and Rick in the most delightful ways. Edith is smart, strong, and self-assured. She's completely disregarded in her field of study because she's a woman in the twentieth century, which sucks but also makes her more determined. As for Ben, he seems like a rugged, thieving scoundrel but is actually more than meets the eye. He has a heart of gold and is pretty much the only one who sees Edith's abilities rather than her gender. Neither of them is anything more than your average likable main character, but that doesn't mean they're not fun to read about.
Lastly, as I've already mentioned, the romance between Edith and Ben is a little insta-love, which is my least favorite trope. Ben becomes overprotective of Edith a little too quickly in the story, something I only find acceptable with the fated-mates trope, but at least it's not the red flag kind. It's cute how much he cares. Despite that, the romance is also opposites attract, with rivals-to-lovers and a lot of banter and tension. I love this combination of tropes. What's more, there's a decent amount of spice, nothing too extravagant but still good enough to get you all hot and bothered.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐,5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
This is the first time I've ever read a book like this which is a real shame because I love mummies. This has intense The Mummy franchise vibes. It's not just the Egyptological theme but also the character dynamic. It is clearly heavily inspired by the first The Mummy movie, but not in a way that feels too similar. It's its own story with the best aspects of a fan-favorite film. Besides, this is such a cute read, a little bit cheesy, but the entertaining kind.
As fun as it is, though, I would have liked a little more focus on the archaeological aspect. The romance overshadows it and it's a shame because it's an incredibly interesting story. I understand this is probably intended as more romance than plot, but I think it would be a better story if the two were balanced. I have to admit that the writing is a little unusual as well. The points of view aren't separated like they usually are in novels but instead merged together in every chapter. It was a little disorienting, although it didn't bother me that much. I got used to it pretty quickly.
Furthermore, I loved the protagonists. Edith and Ben are lovely. They are giving Evelyn and Rick in the most delightful ways. Edith is smart, strong, and self-assured. She's completely disregarded in her field of study because she's a woman in the twentieth century, which sucks but also makes her more determined. As for Ben, he seems like a rugged, thieving scoundrel but is actually more than meets the eye. He has a heart of gold and is pretty much the only one who sees Edith's abilities rather than her gender. Neither of them is anything more than your average likable main character, but that doesn't mean they're not fun to read about.
Lastly, as I've already mentioned, the romance between Edith and Ben is a little insta-love, which is my least favorite trope. Ben becomes overprotective of Edith a little too quickly in the story, something I only find acceptable with the fated-mates trope, but at least it's not the red flag kind. It's cute how much he cares. Despite that, the romance is also opposites attract, with rivals-to-lovers and a lot of banter and tension. I love this combination of tropes. What's more, there's a decent amount of spice, nothing too extravagant but still good enough to get you all hot and bothered.
October 1, 2023
I’d rather just rewatch the mummy because then at least I can look at Brendan Fraser
February 9, 2024
the mummy, but they fuck.
September 1, 2023
I think my biggest problem with this book was the fact that the POV would randomly change, like in the middle of a page. It was super irritating, I didn't know whose mind I was in. And the author would include perspectives from random characters not just our MC's, it just didn't make sense.
I don't think I was quite in the mood to read this because everything our MC's did made me mad. This probably was largely due to my mood but I felt like the plot dragged. I was bored, and all the fantasy elements were not explained enough for my liking.
I desperately wanted to like this one because I do really like the 1999 Mummy movie, but I felt there was something lacking in this adaptation.
2 Stars
I don't think I was quite in the mood to read this because everything our MC's did made me mad. This probably was largely due to my mood but I felt like the plot dragged. I was bored, and all the fantasy elements were not explained enough for my liking.
I desperately wanted to like this one because I do really like the 1999 Mummy movie, but I felt there was something lacking in this adaptation.
2 Stars
March 20, 2023
Yesterday I saw a TikTok describing “Guarded Treasure” as a steamy romcom based off the 1999 cinematic masterpiece “The Mummy” and knew I had to read it immediately! Were my expectations high? Absolutely! Did Mae Lovette deliver? 100% yes! “Guarded Treasure” is fast paced right from the jump - filled with adventure, mystery, ancient curses, history, steam (🌶️ ), romance and scenes that will make you nostalgic for one of the greatest films ever made.
Super fun read & great debut novel! Really excited to see what Mae Lovette writes next!
Super fun read & great debut novel! Really excited to see what Mae Lovette writes next!
May 28, 2023
DNF 50%
As a fan of The Mummy, this was (respectfully) not it.
As a fan of The Mummy, this was (respectfully) not it.
March 20, 2023
Great story, incredibly well written, fun and steamy.
This can easily be made into a movie. Might be because the writing brings you right there. It immediately gets you in the thick of it. Immediate sexual tension, immediate intrigue and something bordering on paranormal. I haven’t finished it yet but I’m so enthralled I had to let others know.
This can easily be made into a movie. Might be because the writing brings you right there. It immediately gets you in the thick of it. Immediate sexual tension, immediate intrigue and something bordering on paranormal. I haven’t finished it yet but I’m so enthralled I had to let others know.
July 26, 2023
This is such a sweet love letter to the 1999 Cinematic Masterpiece known as The Mummy, starring Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser.
I frankly need more romance books inspired by the Mummy to be written - I didn’t realize I was into historical archaeology & adventure romance books until I read this one.
Ben and Edith are pretty cute as characters and I loved their dynamic, as well as the initial premise of this book. It all works very well and I would love to read other works like it. I may end up reading more from this author in the future.
As for my criticisms: this needed a little bit more editing. I found several typos and misspellings. I also think it would benefit to have some world building in terms of this being a version of history where the magic of Egypt is very real. We don’t find out why Ben is so uptight about safety UNTIL Edith has her first vision - prior to that it felt kind of weirdly unnecessary the way it was framed. Further, the last chapters don’t really flow well. Ben gets knocked out, but the gravity of that moment is lost because the very next line jumps right to Edith. I think some line breaks would have fixed that issue. Also, the spectacles described in that last moments in the tomb were not described very well - I had difficulty understanding what I was supposed to be visualizing as it happened.
I also do not love how the sex scene in the library was written. It relied extremely heavily upon long established romance tropes and doesn’t do anything particularly exciting. “roaring” with a climax is a turn of phrase that immediately takes me out of the spice of any scene. I would have loved for the scene to be written a little more realistically and less reliant on established romance sex scene conventions. It just wasn’t noteworthy or particularly engaging, which felt weird considering the fact that the romance is a huge component of the book.
Overall this is an excellently written and thought out romance novel. I loved how much it felt like a love letter to The Mummy (1999). You can tell the author did her research into the clothing conventions of the time period and how American Expat and British individuals navigated Egypt during this period of history, and it shows. I only wish it was written slightly better in certain sections.
I frankly need more romance books inspired by the Mummy to be written - I didn’t realize I was into historical archaeology & adventure romance books until I read this one.
Ben and Edith are pretty cute as characters and I loved their dynamic, as well as the initial premise of this book. It all works very well and I would love to read other works like it. I may end up reading more from this author in the future.
As for my criticisms: this needed a little bit more editing. I found several typos and misspellings. I also think it would benefit to have some world building in terms of this being a version of history where the magic of Egypt is very real. We don’t find out why Ben is so uptight about safety UNTIL Edith has her first vision - prior to that it felt kind of weirdly unnecessary the way it was framed. Further, the last chapters don’t really flow well. Ben gets knocked out, but the gravity of that moment is lost because the very next line jumps right to Edith. I think some line breaks would have fixed that issue. Also, the spectacles described in that last moments in the tomb were not described very well - I had difficulty understanding what I was supposed to be visualizing as it happened.
I also do not love how the sex scene in the library was written. It relied extremely heavily upon long established romance tropes and doesn’t do anything particularly exciting. “roaring” with a climax is a turn of phrase that immediately takes me out of the spice of any scene. I would have loved for the scene to be written a little more realistically and less reliant on established romance sex scene conventions. It just wasn’t noteworthy or particularly engaging, which felt weird considering the fact that the romance is a huge component of the book.
Overall this is an excellently written and thought out romance novel. I loved how much it felt like a love letter to The Mummy (1999). You can tell the author did her research into the clothing conventions of the time period and how American Expat and British individuals navigated Egypt during this period of history, and it shows. I only wish it was written slightly better in certain sections.
October 6, 2023
I REALLY didn’t expect to love this one as much as I did! Wow.
Like The Mummy but wanted more steam and less scary? This book is for you.
Wanted a even more swoon-worthy boyfriend than Brendan Fraser (I don’t know how it’s possible but it is)? This book is for you.
It’s 1000% unapologetically fan-fiction, but I gobbled it up and loved it. I have no logical reason for loving this book as much as I did, but I did so here we are 😅
Like The Mummy but wanted more steam and less scary? This book is for you.
Wanted a even more swoon-worthy boyfriend than Brendan Fraser (I don’t know how it’s possible but it is)? This book is for you.
It’s 1000% unapologetically fan-fiction, but I gobbled it up and loved it. I have no logical reason for loving this book as much as I did, but I did so here we are 😅
March 29, 2024
Don’t switch back and forth between POVs with no clear markers your doing it. It’s super annoying.
It gave The mummy vibes and it gave the spice but in the end I’d rather be locked in a sarcophagus with flesh eating beetles than read this.
It gave The mummy vibes and it gave the spice but in the end I’d rather be locked in a sarcophagus with flesh eating beetles than read this.
November 10, 2023
Blatant The Mummy (1999) fanfiction but not in a good way
February 10, 2024
A Feeble Attempt at Adventure and Humor
Guarded Treasure by Mae Lovett promised an exhilarating adventure akin to the beloved Mummy movie series with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. However, it not only failed to live up to this comparison but fell far short in every aspect imaginable.
One of the most glaring flaws of this book is its lack of humor and adventure. While the Mummy movies had a perfect blend of action-packed sequences and witty banter, Guarded Treasure stumbled clumsily in its attempts at humor. The jokes fell flat, and the comedic timing was completely off. It felt forced and unnatural, leaving me cringing instead of laughing.
Moreover, the promised adventure was nothing more than a feeble attempt. The plot lacked depth and substance, with predictable twists and a lackluster sense of danger. I was hoping for thrilling escapades and heart-pounding moments, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested in the characters' journey.
To make matters worse, the book wasted an excessive amount of time on unnecessary steamy scenes between the characters. It was absurd to believe that two people who had known each other for a mere 48 hours would engage in such intense and intimate encounters. These scenes added nothing to the plot or character development and felt gratuitous and out of place.
Furthermore, the characters themselves were poorly developed and lacked any real depth. Their interactions felt forced and lacked authenticity. I couldn't connect with them or invest in their journey because they felt like cardboard cutouts rather than relatable individuals.
In addition to these shortcomings, the writing style was lackluster, with clichéd phrases and generic descriptions. It lacked the vividness and creativity that would have brought the story to life. The pacing was off, with moments of unnecessary exposition and a lack of cohesion in the overall narrative.
In conclusion, Guarded Treasure was a disappointing read that failed to capture the essence of the Mummy movies it compared itself to. It lacked both the humor and adventure that made the films so enjoyable. Instead, it focused on contrived steamy scenes and neglected to develop its characters or provide an engaging plot. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an exciting and well-crafted adventure.
Guarded Treasure by Mae Lovett promised an exhilarating adventure akin to the beloved Mummy movie series with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. However, it not only failed to live up to this comparison but fell far short in every aspect imaginable.
One of the most glaring flaws of this book is its lack of humor and adventure. While the Mummy movies had a perfect blend of action-packed sequences and witty banter, Guarded Treasure stumbled clumsily in its attempts at humor. The jokes fell flat, and the comedic timing was completely off. It felt forced and unnatural, leaving me cringing instead of laughing.
Moreover, the promised adventure was nothing more than a feeble attempt. The plot lacked depth and substance, with predictable twists and a lackluster sense of danger. I was hoping for thrilling escapades and heart-pounding moments, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested in the characters' journey.
To make matters worse, the book wasted an excessive amount of time on unnecessary steamy scenes between the characters. It was absurd to believe that two people who had known each other for a mere 48 hours would engage in such intense and intimate encounters. These scenes added nothing to the plot or character development and felt gratuitous and out of place.
Furthermore, the characters themselves were poorly developed and lacked any real depth. Their interactions felt forced and lacked authenticity. I couldn't connect with them or invest in their journey because they felt like cardboard cutouts rather than relatable individuals.
In addition to these shortcomings, the writing style was lackluster, with clichéd phrases and generic descriptions. It lacked the vividness and creativity that would have brought the story to life. The pacing was off, with moments of unnecessary exposition and a lack of cohesion in the overall narrative.
In conclusion, Guarded Treasure was a disappointing read that failed to capture the essence of the Mummy movies it compared itself to. It lacked both the humor and adventure that made the films so enjoyable. Instead, it focused on contrived steamy scenes and neglected to develop its characters or provide an engaging plot. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an exciting and well-crafted adventure.
March 23, 2023
I have never written a review. I don't even know where to begin. I hate spoilers and think everyone jumping into this book should just hang onto their double holsters and library cards and enjoy the ride because with these two I swear you are in for an adventure.
Sure we know this is "The Mummy" meets spice. And for most spicy romance readers it's really all you need to know. If you're like me and a mood reader on top of that. This is my mood after reading it.
I feel like I could jump in my car and find an adventure that I would remember for the rest of my life. Like my hard work will pay off and I will be recognized for my accomplishments. Like the man I'm going to marry is the star shaft of my life allowing me to breathe painlessly through all of the chaos of the world outside of my books while always having my back. I truly feel like right now I could do anything. That I am so in love with love. And horny as hell.
Thank the Gods for Mae because I will remember this book for a long time to come.
Sure we know this is "The Mummy" meets spice. And for most spicy romance readers it's really all you need to know. If you're like me and a mood reader on top of that. This is my mood after reading it.
I feel like I could jump in my car and find an adventure that I would remember for the rest of my life. Like my hard work will pay off and I will be recognized for my accomplishments. Like the man I'm going to marry is the star shaft of my life allowing me to breathe painlessly through all of the chaos of the world outside of my books while always having my back. I truly feel like right now I could do anything. That I am so in love with love. And horny as hell.
Thank the Gods for Mae because I will remember this book for a long time to come.
March 4, 2024
obviously i will read published the mummy (1999) fanfiction but the third person pov switch WITHIN THE SAME PARAGRAPH is a writing taboo to me and threw me off the entire book.
August 12, 2023
3.5*
This was a fun romp of a book!
I enjoyed the repartee between Ben and Edith, and clear inspiration from The Mummy and The Mummy Returns (and all the good and bad that entails). I will say it could have used a few more rounds of editing to really polish it up, but while it wasn’t perfect, it was nostalgic and an entertaining romcom that felt like an action adventure film from the early 2000s.
This was a fun romp of a book!
I enjoyed the repartee between Ben and Edith, and clear inspiration from The Mummy and The Mummy Returns (and all the good and bad that entails). I will say it could have used a few more rounds of editing to really polish it up, but while it wasn’t perfect, it was nostalgic and an entertaining romcom that felt like an action adventure film from the early 2000s.
April 2, 2023
If you have asked yourself: What would happen if the 1999 adventure film The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser was a steamy, rom com, then look no further than this book! This was lighthearted, fast paced from the get go, fun adventure romance that was a romp to read <3
March 20, 2024
Was this the best book ever? No.
Am I still going to give it 5 stars? Yes, yes I am. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Every woman needs a Ben Brooks 💙
Am I still going to give it 5 stars? Yes, yes I am. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Every woman needs a Ben Brooks 💙
January 20, 2024
I'm a feminist, obviously / but I wouldn't really mind him savin' me / and I know that I'm fine without a man / but I think I would like his protection
- Olivia Rodrigo
~aka~ the song Edie would have on REPEAT if she were a 21st century girly
In Guarded Treasure we follow English librarian Edith Taylor as she seeks to open a cursed Egyptian tomb and prove her worth in the field of archeology, while being hampered by the presence of her appointed 'body guard', American Benjamin Brooks, a seasoned treasure hunter...sound familiar?
Okay. Okay! I'll admit it - while I expected Guarded Treasure to maybe hit some of the nostalgia beats for all the people utterly and rightfully obsessed with The Mummy (1999), I also didn't necessarily have the highest of hopes. I expected it to be exactly what you probably expect it to be upon seeing the cover and reading the synopsis - smutty The Mummy '99 slightly AU fanfic.
Jesus H. Christ was I wrooooooooong. Forgive me, o' goddess Mae Lovette, for ever doubting what I was about to experience.
This is a top fuckin' tier romantic adventure.
On the surface, yeah, it most definitely gives the appearance of the Best Film of My Generation, valiantly helmed by national treasure Brendan Fraser. And while you'll find immediate familiarity within the general character archetypes and premise, Guarded Treasure quickly becomes something wholly its own, while succeeding in having the same balance of humor, romance and action that made the film so charming.
For a debut novel, Lovette wields tension building as skillfully as if she's a seasoned pro. I felt it build throughout the journey to uncover the mystery behind the cursed tomb, and I FELT it in the development of Edith and Ben's relationship. The sexual chemistry between these two is so palpable and believable. How we get from point A (enemies) to point B (lovers) in this action packed, quick but well paced novel, feels incredibly genuine.
There was a seamless depiction of the characters' perspectives that gave me as a reader a real sense of involvement and awareness of the growing emotion between the two that made the connection feel all the more tangible. I believe their development. In fact, they may be my favorite pairing in a long time!
My one critique of this otherwise superb novel . But I'll admit that my annoyance passed very quickly and, ultimately, I was left satisfied as hell!
Sure, this book can be a little tropey and predictable. But this felt like a love letter to something incredibly nostalgic, and it was damn well executed. I can't wait to see what else this author will do!
~aka~ the song Edie would have on REPEAT if she were a 21st century girly
In Guarded Treasure we follow English librarian Edith Taylor as she seeks to open a cursed Egyptian tomb and prove her worth in the field of archeology, while being hampered by the presence of her appointed 'body guard', American Benjamin Brooks, a seasoned treasure hunter...sound familiar?
Okay. Okay! I'll admit it - while I expected Guarded Treasure to maybe hit some of the nostalgia beats for all the people utterly and rightfully obsessed with The Mummy (1999), I also didn't necessarily have the highest of hopes. I expected it to be exactly what you probably expect it to be upon seeing the cover and reading the synopsis - smutty The Mummy '99 slightly AU fanfic.
Jesus H. Christ was I wrooooooooong. Forgive me, o' goddess Mae Lovette, for ever doubting what I was about to experience.
This is a top fuckin' tier romantic adventure.
On the surface, yeah, it most definitely gives the appearance of the Best Film of My Generation, valiantly helmed by national treasure Brendan Fraser. And while you'll find immediate familiarity within the general character archetypes and premise, Guarded Treasure quickly becomes something wholly its own, while succeeding in having the same balance of humor, romance and action that made the film so charming.
For a debut novel, Lovette wields tension building as skillfully as if she's a seasoned pro. I felt it build throughout the journey to uncover the mystery behind the cursed tomb, and I FELT it in the development of Edith and Ben's relationship. The sexual chemistry between these two is so palpable and believable. How we get from point A (enemies) to point B (lovers) in this action packed, quick but well paced novel, feels incredibly genuine.
There was a seamless depiction of the characters' perspectives that gave me as a reader a real sense of involvement and awareness of the growing emotion between the two that made the connection feel all the more tangible. I believe their development. In fact, they may be my favorite pairing in a long time!
My one critique of this otherwise superb novel . But I'll admit that my annoyance passed very quickly and, ultimately, I was left satisfied as hell!
Sure, this book can be a little tropey and predictable. But this felt like a love letter to something incredibly nostalgic, and it was damn well executed. I can't wait to see what else this author will do!
June 8, 2024
What a fun read! This really could've used some heavy editing, but it was really compelling and charming. I've said it before that grammar and spelling mistakes don't bother me overmuch in self-published/indie works. So the book's lack of polish didn't bother me! My bigger issue was with how much of the plot had major aspects that were really underwritten.
For instance, our heroine is half-Egyptian. It's really just a set up for a later plot reveal, but until then, it doesn't amount to very much. Does she speak Arabic? Does being biracial give her a different relationship with high society? We see brief moments of the FMC interacting with a frenemy and one of her situationships. It's clear that social standing is important in these interactions, but her heritage seems like a non-issue. Really, . I had a similar issue with Stalking Jack the Ripper. Just. You know. I don't think this story was at all offensive. (I'm not Egyptian and I've got two black parents. I'm not even biracial.) I just don't like when mixed characters are functionally treated as white until it's convenient for the plot. Like, their nonwhiteness is a plot point but not a part of their character.
There were a couple other elements that I felt similarly lukewarm about. The fantasy elements were a little messy and I wasn't vibing with way the tombs were described. And it was a little jarring for the characters' perspectives to change mid-page. Only at first, though. I got over it pretty quickly.
But there were a lot of positives. I liked the MMC's masterplan to . I wasn't expecting it AT ALL but it made so much sense. Also, his willingness to deviate from his plan for the FMC was really sweet. It really shows his care for her! On that note, I think the way the romance in this book works SO WELL. I adore whirlwind romances. I think the week(-ish) timeframe worked so well.
Another positive-- I've only seen The Mummy once and I knew that it was an inspiration for this book, going in. I completely forgot about the movie after the set-up and think this book was a really distinct and unique work.
I look forward to more from this author!
For instance, our heroine is half-Egyptian. It's really just a set up for a later plot reveal, but until then, it doesn't amount to very much. Does she speak Arabic? Does being biracial give her a different relationship with high society? We see brief moments of the FMC interacting with a frenemy and one of her situationships. It's clear that social standing is important in these interactions, but her heritage seems like a non-issue. Really, . I had a similar issue with Stalking Jack the Ripper. Just. You know. I don't think this story was at all offensive. (I'm not Egyptian and I've got two black parents. I'm not even biracial.) I just don't like when mixed characters are functionally treated as white until it's convenient for the plot. Like, their nonwhiteness is a plot point but not a part of their character.
There were a couple other elements that I felt similarly lukewarm about. The fantasy elements were a little messy and I wasn't vibing with way the tombs were described. And it was a little jarring for the characters' perspectives to change mid-page. Only at first, though. I got over it pretty quickly.
But there were a lot of positives. I liked the MMC's masterplan to . I wasn't expecting it AT ALL but it made so much sense. Also, his willingness to deviate from his plan for the FMC was really sweet. It really shows his care for her! On that note, I think the way the romance in this book works SO WELL. I adore whirlwind romances. I think the week(-ish) timeframe worked so well.
Another positive-- I've only seen The Mummy once and I knew that it was an inspiration for this book, going in. I completely forgot about the movie after the set-up and think this book was a really distinct and unique work.
I look forward to more from this author!
April 11, 2023
4⭐️/ 3🌶️
If you’ve been looking for a book that reminds you of the movie, “The Mummy” staring Brendan Fraser, then you’ll want to read this book. This story followed Edith Taylor, a librarian working in Egypt, who was knowledgeable in Egyptology. Edith also worked as a translator in transcribing ancient hieroglyphs while on archaeological sites. Edith had always felt a sense of purpose in her work, and wanted to do more, especially in setting herself apart as constantly being known as her brother’s younger sister. With the chance to prove to herself and others she was capable of more, and discovering an ancient site, she was set to head her own excavation site. Unknowingly to Edith at the time, she would then be partnered up with American tomb raider extraordinaire Ben Brooks. Edith and Ben didn’t get off on the right foot, with them being complete opposites, they disagreed on a lot, but they had to work together. With action, adventure, untold mysteries being discovered, and of course the steamy romance brewing between Edith and Ben, it was time to jump into this story.
Edith had been working as a librarian for quite some time, working on various texts, and deducing the meaning behind the ones found at archaeological sites. First impression of Edith was she was obviously intelligent, determined, sometimes quick to her anger (mostly due to Ben lol), and kind. Right at the beginning, it was made clear exactly what Edith wanted which was finding her own place, own success set aside from constantly being known as someone’s little sister. Edith’s brother was an accomplished scholar and taught lectures at school. Throughout the book, it was also made clear that due to Edith being a woman, sometimes the men around her such as, Pimsley didn’t give her the respect she deserved. So, with that in mind Edith was always fighting against the sexism around her.
Ben was the rough and tough American that at first didn’t quite get along with Edith. Ben was a well known tomb raider and quite the pick pocket with the sleight of hand. Edith thought Ben was a bit brash, and he got on her nerves sometimes. There were some sweet moments when Ben caught himself admitting Edith, and seeing her smile made him want to do anything to make her smile again, awww! Ben was Edith’s opposite in most ways such as, Ben being the brawn and muscle of the operation, and always quick to push Edith’s buttons, even when it resulted in him saying some flirtatious comments to her. While reading, I couldn’t help but think back to the movie, “The Mummy”, and how similarly the main leads started off not liking each other, but gradually started to develop feelings. Ben and Edith gave off the vibe that while they didn’t necessarily get along at times, they still held respect towards one another.
The tension between Edith and Ben slowly but surely grew through the story, and when it came to THE BIG MOMENT! BOOM! Sparks were flying! Things got steamy and passionate very quickly! I knew there was going to be some spice in the story, but I wasn’t expecting the level of spice to be HOT! Especially with Ben being dominant and being vocal in exactly what he wanted to do with Edith. All I gotta say is, I’m looking at libraries in a different view, as I’m sure Edith did too with the way it went down between her and Ben! That being said, the spice in this book was pretty good from the dominant, dirty talk coming from Ben, but also Edith learning to be vocal in what she wanted too. The sexual intimacy between Edith and Ben actually revealed a lot about what Edith hadn’t had before which was one, fully experiencing true pleasure, and second, Edith realizing that sex isn’t transactional ( with other men she was with before). I especially loved the intimacy afterwards with the way Ben held Edith in his arms and just kissed her, even with all the hot, sexy sexy they had, the aftercare and closeness they had with one another was sweet.
(Sigh) besties, when I tell you that this book took me by surprise, it really did. The mystery aspect of the story was pretty good from Edith and Ben making discoveries about the tomb they were trying to open to even the truth behind what actually happened many many MANY years ago to the Pharaoh’s death, etc. Edith had a knack for uncovering clues, but also there was a layer of dare I say… magic that seemed to play a role in helping Edith along the way. What started out as simply a way of making her mark in the world of archaeology, Edith became more invested in discovering the truth, and willing to go the distance to find out. With Ben at her side, Edith finally found someone who not only understood her process, but also respected her greatly, and wanted only the best for her. Ben was such a great man, and despite the rocky start he and Edith had, as the story progressed, learning about his past and how it inevitably set him on the path he was on revealed a lot of his character. I really enjoyed the mystery, the research aspect that Edith did when it came to her work, and the Egyptian mythology in the story as well.
My goodness this book gave me some heart flutters, especially considering the things Ben said and did for Edith! OMG! This man truly was on a mission, that mission being that he would protect Edith, support her in her endeavors on the archaeological site, do anything to make her smile, show her all the ways she deserved the best of everything *wink, wink passionate steamy moments together! Ben really developed a deep love for Edith over the course of the story, and the way he nonchalantly waxed Egyptian poetry to her was so romantic and made me swoon! Yeah I really enjoyed the romance in this story!
Overall, I had so much fun reading this story! I wasn’t sure what to expect other than reading this story in between waiting for other books to arrive, but oh my goodness! This story took me by surprise in the best way possible. If you’ve been looking for a book that’s very reminiscent of the movie, “The Mummy” staring Brendan Faser, I think you’ll love this story. Edith was a strong character in her own right, paving the way towards her own success, but unknowingly realizing she had a bigger role to play in uncovering the secrets that lay hidden in this long lost tomb. With a little bit of everything from romance, spice, mystery, Egyptian mythology, great banter, and lovable characters, this was all perfect! Edith’s story may have started off one thing, but it definitely got better the more I read about it. Ben was an excellent character and although he was Edith’s opposite, he had such high respect for her and his devotion to her was so strong and romantic. I really enjoyed the way the story ended, and of course, I LOVED THE EPILOGUE! Ben and Edith were amazing! The way their story began and ended was lovely and filled with oh so many deliciously good moments shared between the two. Definitely recommend giving this story a read!
If you’ve been looking for a book that reminds you of the movie, “The Mummy” staring Brendan Fraser, then you’ll want to read this book. This story followed Edith Taylor, a librarian working in Egypt, who was knowledgeable in Egyptology. Edith also worked as a translator in transcribing ancient hieroglyphs while on archaeological sites. Edith had always felt a sense of purpose in her work, and wanted to do more, especially in setting herself apart as constantly being known as her brother’s younger sister. With the chance to prove to herself and others she was capable of more, and discovering an ancient site, she was set to head her own excavation site. Unknowingly to Edith at the time, she would then be partnered up with American tomb raider extraordinaire Ben Brooks. Edith and Ben didn’t get off on the right foot, with them being complete opposites, they disagreed on a lot, but they had to work together. With action, adventure, untold mysteries being discovered, and of course the steamy romance brewing between Edith and Ben, it was time to jump into this story.
Edith had been working as a librarian for quite some time, working on various texts, and deducing the meaning behind the ones found at archaeological sites. First impression of Edith was she was obviously intelligent, determined, sometimes quick to her anger (mostly due to Ben lol), and kind. Right at the beginning, it was made clear exactly what Edith wanted which was finding her own place, own success set aside from constantly being known as someone’s little sister. Edith’s brother was an accomplished scholar and taught lectures at school. Throughout the book, it was also made clear that due to Edith being a woman, sometimes the men around her such as, Pimsley didn’t give her the respect she deserved. So, with that in mind Edith was always fighting against the sexism around her.
Ben was the rough and tough American that at first didn’t quite get along with Edith. Ben was a well known tomb raider and quite the pick pocket with the sleight of hand. Edith thought Ben was a bit brash, and he got on her nerves sometimes. There were some sweet moments when Ben caught himself admitting Edith, and seeing her smile made him want to do anything to make her smile again, awww! Ben was Edith’s opposite in most ways such as, Ben being the brawn and muscle of the operation, and always quick to push Edith’s buttons, even when it resulted in him saying some flirtatious comments to her. While reading, I couldn’t help but think back to the movie, “The Mummy”, and how similarly the main leads started off not liking each other, but gradually started to develop feelings. Ben and Edith gave off the vibe that while they didn’t necessarily get along at times, they still held respect towards one another.
The tension between Edith and Ben slowly but surely grew through the story, and when it came to THE BIG MOMENT! BOOM! Sparks were flying! Things got steamy and passionate very quickly! I knew there was going to be some spice in the story, but I wasn’t expecting the level of spice to be HOT! Especially with Ben being dominant and being vocal in exactly what he wanted to do with Edith. All I gotta say is, I’m looking at libraries in a different view, as I’m sure Edith did too with the way it went down between her and Ben! That being said, the spice in this book was pretty good from the dominant, dirty talk coming from Ben, but also Edith learning to be vocal in what she wanted too. The sexual intimacy between Edith and Ben actually revealed a lot about what Edith hadn’t had before which was one, fully experiencing true pleasure, and second, Edith realizing that sex isn’t transactional ( with other men she was with before). I especially loved the intimacy afterwards with the way Ben held Edith in his arms and just kissed her, even with all the hot, sexy sexy they had, the aftercare and closeness they had with one another was sweet.
(Sigh) besties, when I tell you that this book took me by surprise, it really did. The mystery aspect of the story was pretty good from Edith and Ben making discoveries about the tomb they were trying to open to even the truth behind what actually happened many many MANY years ago to the Pharaoh’s death, etc. Edith had a knack for uncovering clues, but also there was a layer of dare I say… magic that seemed to play a role in helping Edith along the way. What started out as simply a way of making her mark in the world of archaeology, Edith became more invested in discovering the truth, and willing to go the distance to find out. With Ben at her side, Edith finally found someone who not only understood her process, but also respected her greatly, and wanted only the best for her. Ben was such a great man, and despite the rocky start he and Edith had, as the story progressed, learning about his past and how it inevitably set him on the path he was on revealed a lot of his character. I really enjoyed the mystery, the research aspect that Edith did when it came to her work, and the Egyptian mythology in the story as well.
My goodness this book gave me some heart flutters, especially considering the things Ben said and did for Edith! OMG! This man truly was on a mission, that mission being that he would protect Edith, support her in her endeavors on the archaeological site, do anything to make her smile, show her all the ways she deserved the best of everything *wink, wink passionate steamy moments together! Ben really developed a deep love for Edith over the course of the story, and the way he nonchalantly waxed Egyptian poetry to her was so romantic and made me swoon! Yeah I really enjoyed the romance in this story!
Overall, I had so much fun reading this story! I wasn’t sure what to expect other than reading this story in between waiting for other books to arrive, but oh my goodness! This story took me by surprise in the best way possible. If you’ve been looking for a book that’s very reminiscent of the movie, “The Mummy” staring Brendan Faser, I think you’ll love this story. Edith was a strong character in her own right, paving the way towards her own success, but unknowingly realizing she had a bigger role to play in uncovering the secrets that lay hidden in this long lost tomb. With a little bit of everything from romance, spice, mystery, Egyptian mythology, great banter, and lovable characters, this was all perfect! Edith’s story may have started off one thing, but it definitely got better the more I read about it. Ben was an excellent character and although he was Edith’s opposite, he had such high respect for her and his devotion to her was so strong and romantic. I really enjoyed the way the story ended, and of course, I LOVED THE EPILOGUE! Ben and Edith were amazing! The way their story began and ended was lovely and filled with oh so many deliciously good moments shared between the two. Definitely recommend giving this story a read!
August 18, 2024
Ok I chose this as a fun, spicy read because the concept was: ‘What if the 1999 movie, The Mummy, was a romance novel?’ - and it absolutely delivered on that. Edie and Ben were likeable characters, the spice was pretty good, the storyline was fun, if not mostly predictable for a ‘mystery’… and the Egyptian elements were interesting enough (historical accuracy and British colonialism aside). It had some cute romantic bits that had me kicking my feet (for example: “Uptight, ambitious, gorgeous librarians who don’t like me became my type the day I met you.” - so cute!!). Not bad for a debut novel. Unfortunately though, I found the writing odd and I really struggled with the POV switching every couple of sentences. The typos were also difficult to overlook, which was disappointing!! In saying this, I’m now actually settling down on the couch to watch the 1999 movie, The Mummy, so I must thank the book for this inspiration!
January 26, 2024
My first DNF of the year unfortunately and im really sad about it. I really tried to push through with this The Mummy inspired tale but it just didnt raise me from the ashes like the Book of the Dead.
While much better than attempt What the River Knows in a few places, I mostly couldnt get over the constant change in POV mid sentence/paragraph/chapter. It was just really random and kept pulling me put of the story as I had to figure out who was speaking every other sentence.
It was confusing and longwinded and i couldnt get into what could have been such a fun story, inspired by one of my favourite films!
Things felt a little coincidental in terms of the tomb/excavation but from the elusive dialogue and excessive descriptions, anything of substance just got lost.
I skipped ahead to see if the spice was spicing and it gets a solid 🌶️🌶️🌶️but it also didnt really fit with what was going on around it, the settinf etc. which was odd for me cause smut ahouldnt really fit in Regency romance for example but it can and does.
Le sigh, not a great one but feel free to check it out.
While much better than attempt What the River Knows in a few places, I mostly couldnt get over the constant change in POV mid sentence/paragraph/chapter. It was just really random and kept pulling me put of the story as I had to figure out who was speaking every other sentence.
It was confusing and longwinded and i couldnt get into what could have been such a fun story, inspired by one of my favourite films!
Things felt a little coincidental in terms of the tomb/excavation but from the elusive dialogue and excessive descriptions, anything of substance just got lost.
I skipped ahead to see if the spice was spicing and it gets a solid 🌶️🌶️🌶️but it also didnt really fit with what was going on around it, the settinf etc. which was odd for me cause smut ahouldnt really fit in Regency romance for example but it can and does.
Le sigh, not a great one but feel free to check it out.
February 6, 2024
Very entertaining!
Very reminiscent of The Mummy but grounded in more factual Egyptian history. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Edith Taylor is my hero & im super jealous that she gets to be a librarian.
Very reminiscent of The Mummy but grounded in more factual Egyptian history. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Edith Taylor is my hero & im super jealous that she gets to be a librarian.
February 26, 2024
DNF 46%. This was just not it for me
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 10, 2024I made it a chapter. ONE chapter. 😬 The multiple POV switches on a single page with zero clarity or delineation. It’s a no for me dawg.
June 19, 2024
I was hoping for better. It started off cute but then got super cheesy and the flashbacks were hard to picture and keep track of when and where she was. But the banter and romance was cute 🤗
August 24, 2023
To all my The Mummy girlies out there with an obsession for Rick O'Connell: pretend you're Edith and get sweeped off your feet by Benjamin Brooks. Looks like I can add another man to my harem of fictional boyfriends 😉
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 31, 2024DNF at 32%.
June 10, 2024
3.5 Rounded Up!
I’m definitely in that I LOVE THE 1999 MASTERPIECE THE MUMMY reoccurring phase. And so I was looking for a book to aid me in that headspace. There are so few good adventure romance novels out there and while I was not necessarily let down by this book it just wasn’t exactly what I thought it could amount to.
I loved the romance aspects of this novel (minus some of the cringy spice) and the way they openly talked about sex and other topics that would definitely not have been spoken about… is this a historical fiction or contemporary romance??? I wish the author would have picked one or the other.
I did appreciate the story the author created and it definitely recreated some of the magic of the film, but it should have picked a lane when it came to what genre it wanted to be (personal preference) and stayed there to be full 5 stars.
I’m definitely in that I LOVE THE 1999 MASTERPIECE THE MUMMY reoccurring phase. And so I was looking for a book to aid me in that headspace. There are so few good adventure romance novels out there and while I was not necessarily let down by this book it just wasn’t exactly what I thought it could amount to.
I loved the romance aspects of this novel (minus some of the cringy spice) and the way they openly talked about sex and other topics that would definitely not have been spoken about… is this a historical fiction or contemporary romance??? I wish the author would have picked one or the other.
I did appreciate the story the author created and it definitely recreated some of the magic of the film, but it should have picked a lane when it came to what genre it wanted to be (personal preference) and stayed there to be full 5 stars.
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