Book Description 

Elfreda Marsden has finally made a major discovery—an ancient amulet proving the Viking army camped on her family’s estate. Too bad her nemesis is back from London, freshly exiled after a scandal and ready to wreak havoc on her life. Georgie Redmayne is everything Elfreda isn’t–charming, popular, carefree, distractingly attractive, and bored to death by the countryside. When the two collide (literally), the amulet is lost, and with it, Elfreda’s big chance to lead a proper excavation. Now Elfreda needs new evidence of medieval activity, and Georgie needs money to escape the doldrums of Derbyshire. Joining forces to locate a hidden hoard of Viking gold is the best chance for them both. 

Marsdens and Redmaynes don’t get along, and that’s the least of the reasons these enemies can’t dream of something more. But as the quest takes them on unexpected adventures, sparks of attraction ignite a feeling increasingly difficult to identify as hatred. It’s far too risky to explore. And far too tempting to resist. Elfreda and Georgie soon find that the real treasure comes with a steep price… and the promise of a happiness beyond all measure.

My Review 

This is my first Joanna Lowell book, but she has been on my radar for awhile, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read her latest book. I follow both a mudlarking on the Thames page and a UK metal detecting page on social media, so needless to say, I was thrilled to pieces when I found out that this book was—in part—about archaeology. 

Elf and Georgie were never particularly friends in their youth; their interactions were based on proximity rather than affection. Their reunion as young adults begins catastrophically when Georgie knocks the amulet that is supposed to change Elf’s life into a cowpond. Their mutual decision to put aside their differences turns out to be the best decision of their lives. 

This book highlights a key sociological theme: Elf’s family—the Marsdens—are old and genteel, although lately, it’s been more like genteel poverty. Georgie’s family—the Redmaynes— are wealthy, but relative newcomers to the district. Can we just take a moment to appreciate the surnames? Chef’s kiss! Brilliant! 

Elf’s father is an antiquarian who refuses to believe that there might be evidence of Northmen (Viking) activity in his own backyard, and dismisses evidence from his late mother’s notes as fanciful fiction. Nor does he seem to notice or care that his six year old twins are feral and his teenage daughter thinks she’s a locked princess in a tower. He appreciates Elf because she is like him, but similarly refuses to acknowledge that she is intelligent enough to be capable enough to be his successor. 

So that is why Elf agrees to accept help from Georgie in proving her theory about the winter camp of the Northmen. Coming into Georgie’s circle is eye-opening for Elf who encounters new people and ideas, chiefly that maybe Georgie Redmayne is not such a horrible person. 

I have focused on Elf, but Georgie is equally delightful for living their life genuinely and without (much) concern of scrutiny or censure. They are bold and brave and the perfect foil for Elf, who would never have truly dreamed for more without Georgie telling her that she didn’t have to accept the place she’d been assigned. Georgie is kind and loyal and just an absolute sweetheart.  

I loved everything about this book: the characters—both main and side, the banter, the archaeology…everything! But the best thing about this book is that there is no Big Misunderstanding in which the protagonists separate because of something that could have been resolved easily with one conversation. When books exclude the Big Misunderstanding from the story arc, it proves that it doesn’t need to be an essential part of the arc. 

I would absolutely recommend A Rare Find. Like I said at the beginning, this is my first Lowell book, but it’s not going to be my last. When I really like a book, I make sure to acquire print copies and audiobooks in addition to the e-book. This is one of those books. I’m not sure which Lowell book I’ll read next, but I already know I’m going to enjoy it. 

I received a digital ARC of this book from Berkeley/NetGalley