A past that resurfaces, literally and figuratively speaking…

Synopsis

What happens in the field, stays in the field. Or does it?

After the disastrous way her first archaeological dig ended, graduate student Olivia Sanchez abandoned her dreams of working in the field. Now, thanks to a last-minute teaching opportunity in Cyprus, she’ll get another chance to explore ancient history firsthand. This time, failure isn’t an option.

But digging up the past takes on a whole new meaning when she’s forced to team up with her ex, shovel bum Rick Langston. 

For years, Rick has proven his archaeological skills all over the Mediterranean. But with no graduate degree—and a habit of attracting trouble—his reputation could use a little rehab. All he has to do is play by the rules while he’s in Cyprus and he’ll secure a coveted recommendation for his next job. Until Olivia resurfaces like a cursed relic from the past.

Given that their last fling nearly led to their academic ruin, Olivia and Rick can’t afford to repeat their past mistakes. But as they work together under the scorching Mediterranean sun, the heat between them proves impossible to ignore.

My review

Olivia Sanchez always wanted to be an archaeologist. But when her first dig, years ago, ended in disaster, she gave up on that dream.
However, now she finds herself in Cyprus, as a last – minute replacement for a teaching opportunity. This time, she is determined to get her hands truly dirty (literally!) and won’t let this opportunity turn into another failure.
Not even Rick Langston, her ex – boyfriend, part of that disastrous first dig, and a reputation that follows him through every new archaeological adventure.
As both being at the same place, not only ancient remains resurface, also old hurt does. But also old feelings…  

I have read several books from this author, and each one I truly enjoyed. So I was happy to have my hands on this new one, even if the archaeological bits are totally over my head. But I put my good faith in the author, trusting her completely!

We all have mistakes we made in the past that we still carry around, but Olivia is still carrying her mistake as a real burden.
While reading the story, I kept wondering whatever happened was truly that awful, and while in the bigger scheme it would seem just minor, I could also see how the aftermath changed Olivia and how she stored her dream away.
Was it because Olivia, just like me, had to give up on her dream she had since little? Because I could so easily relate with her, I completely understood how it feels when your dreams are being crushed… 

Also her insecurity, is she really ready for the task ahead, won’t she just screw up, is she just keeping everyone behind because of her doing? All those questions she is asking herself, make her so human and recognizable.
She isn’t just a heroine, doing everything right the first time around, but she is a normal, real person. So how can you not like her?
But it was lovely to see how her confidence grew through the book. She knows her stuff even if she doesn’t believe it straightaway.
But also how she is there for the students, her determination to no longer accept the bullying and looking down of certain characters. 

Obviously, for us readers it’s not a surprise that once in Cyprus, Olivia is faced with the presence of Rick.
I loved seeing how these two are going from trying to avoid each other as much as possible in the beginning, then slowly are becoming friends and even more again.
After their first encounter many years ago, both their lives took a total different direction. Not only compared to each other, but also complexly different from what they planned.
And I found it bittersweet to read how Rick, despite his cool, laidback attitude, is also a rather insecure man, not knowing where the future will take him and also carrying an unjustified reputation around him. 

It warmed my heart seeing how these two people, despite their ‘terrible’ past, found each other again, unable to resist the attraction that never passed.
In some way, being together, they become an even better version of the persons they already were. They believe each other, trust each other and find strength with just having the other one by their side.

The setting was also marvellous. I have never been to Cyprus myself and now I am intrigued by the place. Although, being single, I may skip a certain temple, as I will always remember some heated moments taking place over there! 

I loved reading every bit of this wonderful book, even if archaeology is not really my cup of tea. But that shows wat a great author Carla Luna is, as she managed to drag me completely in the story with bits of history, the exhilaration of a great discovery with amazing characters whose passion for the past and each other is palpable from each page!