Fossil Feud, Maggie North (Review by Stephanie Rowitz)
Rating: 4.0/5 Stars
Paleontologist Ripley Adams is on the verge of the discovery of the century, which will help her restore her ruined reputation at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. This fossil would also be a huge career booster as it would serve as the missing link between dinosaurs and birds, and she’s determined to unearth this fossil for the masses to enjoy. However, when the swoon-worthy Oxford professor, James Smithson, arrives with a proposition to help her get the funding she desperately needs to finish her project in exchange for helping him confirm a colleague’s fraud. Can these two polar opposites work together without killing each other, or will they unearth more than frauds and fossils in this contemporary romance?
Fans of Ali Hazelwood and Helen Hoang will love this STEM-focused romance. Ripley and James are relatable and engaging. The story is well-paced and fully fleshed out. I appreciated that the loose ends got tied up in the end, coinciding with the traditional “Happily Ever After” romance lovers expect.
I like that the reader gets to see and understand Ripley and James’s individual motivations for the work they do and how they uncover those similarities that feel natural and authentic. It’s always hard to show how two totally different characters find commonality without it sounding forced or shoe-horned in, but North accomplishes this very well. The only thing I would’ve liked to see more of was James struggling with his feelings for Ripley. He seems to feel everything for her right away, and I would’ve liked to see more of him discovering who she is and slowly falling for her the way she did for him.
Overall, Fossil Feud is a fun, summer romance full of STEM controversy, American/British banter, and flawed characters who learn how to trust again. If you’re looking for your next favorite romance, this book is it.