Fossil Feud by Maggie North 
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Setting: Montana
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Goodreads
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 love a nerdy romance, and Fossil Feud delivers! Ripley is a talented scientist and a go getter. James is brilliant, adorably dorky, and artistic. These two are adorable together. You know that anime image with the character squeezing their hands together with stars in their eyes? Thats what I thought of every time these two interact. Thankfully, James did NOT make me think of Ross from Friends (I seriously hate that guy).
I have always thought paleontology was cool. Most kids do-dinosaurs are fascinating. I must say, the story does a good job of including lots of fun dino bones! James was so supportive of Ripley. He knew what a dirt bag her ex was and that he was probably committing fraud. He understood that Ripley was closed off after what her ex did. But, he doesn’t leave her behind, or try to take over. It was very sweet. There were fun side characters too. I thought this was just a cute, lighthearted romance with light angst (my favorite). I really appreciated the attention paid to the struggles of female academics without it being the entire plot. More people need to understand that being the best at what you do isn’t enough when you are a woman in a mans field; but I don’t want to read a whole romance about it!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: STEM
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: standalone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood, Ellie Hayes and the Himbos by Vanessa King, Stay Toxic by Lani Lynn Vale…then you will probably like Fossil Feud!
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I agree. The dinos were an actual part of the story and featured well. James really was a doll too.