This book looked so good even if I’m a little off of wolf shifter books. I was immediately drawn into the story, and I really liked Jericho and her jobs. I was excited to see how she was going to solve this latest adventure. Except, that is where this book didn’t go where I thought it was going to go. This became much more of a paranormal romance with very little investigating in it. Not that this is a bad thing, but I wanted a detective/suspense/mystery book. This is engaging and entertaining, but it just wasn’t what I expected. Those who love paranormal romance almost exclusively will love this. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

When I learned there was a new paranormal investigator series coming out, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I’ve always had a soft spot for the genre, and lately I’ve been missing werewolves in my life. So I was very eager to dive into this.

Unfortunately, this didn’t quite live up to the expectations I had going in. For one, the detective aspect was so quickly sidelined I forgot that was even a main point of Jericho’s identity. Jericho arrives in Stillbridge to investigate a mysterious animal related death. However, the day after she arrives she injuries herself in the middle of the woods and is taken in by the reclusive Grey family. As she rests up, she takes a shinning to the middle son, the very sweet and handsome Benjamin.

Most of this book focuses on Jericho and Benjamin’s budding romance. They quickly become attached and Jericho essentially forgets all about her investigation in the meantime. I wish there was more of a slow burn, especially since Jericho knows the Greys are hiding something from her about the elusive “cure” they’re researching and the council that funds it. For a detective, she is way too trusting and it destroyed any tension we could have gotten.

I’m still a little confused about what kind of werewolf lore this book was going for. The Greys are trying to find a cure for their lycanthropy since they hate being beholden to the moon. But every description of their shifts are described as quick and fluid. There is no hint that this is a painful uncontrollable change. So I’m a little confused as to what about it is making them so miserable. Especially since they like all other aspects of being a werewolf, to the point they created a concentrated serum to retain those other abilities after they have the cure.

Another thing, one of my favorite scenes in werewolf romances is when the main character sees their love interest in their wolf form for the first time. The awe and wonder as they describe how beautiful and majestic they look. And I feel so completely robbed that we didn’t get that. We get the briefest description of Benjamin’s wolf form, and then it’s just treated as normal. I wanted to see more of Jericho’s struggle as she is put face to face with everything she build her life around disproving.

I think this would have worked better as a prequel to an already established series. From the way this book ended, I can see how the rest of this series is going to have the paranormal mystery I wanted. This book was mainly background to establish Jericho as a soon to be iconic paranormal detective. But that just means I am soo excited for the sequel since we’ll finally get to follow Jericho on some investigations and run into other paranormal creatures. And I hope Jericho gets some more love interests too.

Thank you Orbit for the NetGalley ARC.

This one was a mixed bag for me. It had a lot going for it. Werewolves, murder mystery, and romance with Beauty and the Beast vibes? Say no more!

The problems started pretty quick, though. If you squint, there are some elements that sort of resemble Beauty and the Beast. It’s got insta-love. Insta-cuddles? Insta-awkward-high-school-crush? It was not a mates situation, which is fine (sometimes works as a viable explanation for insta- situations I think), and lacked chemistry. I thought it read more like a YA. A lot of what the characters did wasn’t logical, the plot was easy to foresee, and I prefer more world building.

Probably a me thing, but I really struggled with how they had electricity and a phone line all those miles into the woods. Or how they had such an extensive setup without any outsiders knowing. A lot of things had explanations; this was one I needed.

This isn’t a read-on series for me, but I think the premise is great and there’s an opportunity to develop the setting and characters into something solid. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the invitation to read this ARC!

Jasmine Kuliasha bottled the vibe of an early 2000s cozy paranormal comfort show and dumped it straight in the veins of her fast-paced, twisty (and a little Dresden-coded) debut. If you love Supernatural, X-files, and an FMC with cackle-worthy inside thoughts and gusto for miles, grab this book!

I genuinely laughed out loud so many times while reading TMP - Jasmine’s humor and vibrancy come through so well & the one-more-chapter dance was REAL with this one.

2.5 / 5.0

The Midnight Pack is a paranormal murder-mystery with the tiniest bit of close-door romance. This is not Why Choose or Omegaverse.

Jericho James is a PI from Florida specializing in debunking mysterious monster sightings, except she’s human so she doesn’t really know. She’s in Maine on the case of a dead college-age hiker when she comes across a quad of men living in the woods off grid. Enter the paranormal, supernatural, and downright ridiculous.

First off, the FMC is a complete ditz. She is cavalier and careless. I liken her to Elle Woods from Legally Blonde up until she realizes she’s always going to be the butt of the joke and it’s time to get serious. Jericho is the same and then her POV ends in the middle of the story… we get a quick cameo POV (I guess since the voice sounded the same…) but don’t worry, the FMC isn’t gone and the story can continue. Really, she wasn’t strong enough going into the plot to carry it off without significant growth, which she doesn’t do.

The other characters are all equally messy and weak. I couldn’t connect to any of them and had no emotion for when things happened. It didn’t help that the exposition is long-winded and ongoing throughout the book. There is no showing or meaningful dialogue, it’s all just explained that ‘this person talked about this’ or ‘we flirted lightly’. Ok, so write the flirting. Give me conversations that explain what’s happening with the “science” behind werewolves, because the FMC doesn’t know so you can explain to her and the reader at the same time. That’s a valid way to write the story.

And for all that explanation, we never have a good setting of the town, the people and lore of the town, the “cabin” in the woods, or even the general landscape. It is all glossed over. For example, looking out the window… she’s in this strange place and we never once hear about what’s outside the window. Or for all the modern language and vernacular, the pop culture references are kitschy when you could use it to reference the surroundings. Is it a The Shining vibe or more of a Misery locale? It makes it very hard to care about the drama or the action or the mystery. There are plot holes that I think the author believed were filled, but because nothing happens that isn’t just explained, there’s no mystery to solve. It is literally just handed to us as though it is meant to be twist, but really it’s like a speed hump. Have some faith in the reader, we’re not idiots.

Lastly, the romance. Um… no. What romance? What chemistry? I didn’t get it at all. There was no passion or feeling of soulmates, just a lot of exposition on cuddling and being constantly interrupted. The whole thing was awkward.

Really that’s the best way to describe this book: Awkwardly Written.

I am not interested in the series. I think this author needs to hone their craft a bit more. The idea is good, that’s what drew me in, but the execution is extremely lacking.

Until Next Time,
MC

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Orbit for the advanced copy.

I was drawn to this book because of its setting (I think Maine is one of the most beautiful places), and I was intrigued by the description. However, it didn't quite meet my expectations. I found the characters and their actions illogical and difficult to relate to. It was distracting how much the main character disregarded her own safety and seemed to have very little concern, if any, about her dangerous situation or being totally disconnected from friends and family. The romance did not make sense to me since it was so instant yet they lacked chemistry. I was curious enough about what happens next to continue reading, but I would have enjoyed this more if the characters were more developed.

The Midnight Pack is a dark, emotional fantasy that grips you from the very first chapter. Jasmine Kuliasha crafts a richly atmospheric world filled with tension, loyalty, and raw vulnerability. This ARC already feels incredibly polished, and I’m excited to see what the final version brings.

What I loved:
• The moody, immersive setting makes every scene feel vivid and charged with emotion.
• The pack dynamic is the heart of the story—complex, messy, and beautifully human (even when the characters aren’t entirely human).
• Kuliasha does an excellent job of exploring trauma, healing, and identity, grounding the fantasy elements in something emotionally real.
• The pacing keeps things moving, with a good mix of action and quieter, character-driven moments.

What held it back from 5 stars:
• The cast is a bit crowded, and I occasionally found it hard to keep track of everyone’s arc.
• Some emotional beats felt repetitive in the middle, slowing the momentum just a touch.
• I was left wanting more clarity on the world’s rules and lore—a few parts felt underexplained.

Overall, this is a captivating read that fans of found-family, supernatural elements, and emotionally complex characters will absolutely enjoy. I’ll be keeping an eye out for what Jasmine Kuliasha writes next!

A smart, fast-paced, witty debut. The Midnight Pack offers a quick-tongued heroine whose inner monologue is clever and relatable, particularly to the "millenial-aged" female audience. It blends a swift-moving, thrilling storyline, an intriguing new take on werewolves, and a he-falls-first romance. I couldn't devour this page-turner quickly enough and cannot wait for the next adventure Jericho James takes us on.

3 stars

This is the first book in the new Jericho James series by Jasmine Kuliasha. We meet Jericho as she arrives in Maine to investigate the death of a young lady who appears to be torn apart by a large animal. Ms. James specializes in finding rational answers for what appears to be otherworldly animal attacks. As Jericho enters the woods to investigate what happened to Katherine, she finds herself face to face with 3 men.

As the story progresses, you meet Benjamin Grey and his brothers, Seth and Theo, along with his father Kermit. They all live together in this remote forest, and so much about the Grey family just isn't right.

I found the beginning of The Midnight Pack to be very thrilling, and I kept reading to see what would happen. I really enjoyed several chapters from Benjamin's point of view - that was fun. Around the halfway mark is when the story started to fall apart a bit. I do believe that the author has built an interesting world with lots of possibilities for future books.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for sending me this ARC for my honest review.

Jericho James is a PI who investigate (and debunks) supernatural cases. When she investigates a case of a woman mauled in the woods, she draws the attention of something that chases her into a ravine. Jericho wakes up in an isolated cabin surrounded by attractive scientists who are working on a mystery cure. What's really going on in the backwoods?

Although I really liked the premise of this novel - the pacing of the plot was off. The big reveal happened too early and it felt like two books were made into one. I did like the characters even if Benjamin seems too good to be true.

This was FUN!! What a wild ride. Jasmine has come up with such a great concept here. It was such an easy read - I really enjoyed Jasmine's writing style and thought that it flowed nicely.
I would have really loved more of a lead up to the main part of the story as I think it got jumped into quickly. However, I really enjoyed myself reading this book. It kept me guessing, had me laughing and often had me at the edge of my seat.
I can't wait to see what comes next!

Thank you so much to Orbit for the arc via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on the book.

An awesome take on a fast-passed, page turner of a werewolf story with murder, mystery, family secrets, intrigue, and of course angsty romance. This was such a fun read that me LOLing many times.
Jericho is a badass, brave, FMC with loads of sass and sarcasm... she can totally be my new BFF!

The ending left me a bit empty, but I cannot wait to see how the story continues in book 2.

I love a good werewolf story! This was different than most werewolf books I’ve read. There was romance, but it wasn’t the main/only focus. There was some mystery and suspense too. I like that it gave some romance but had the suspense/mystery element too. I did really enjoy getting to know the characters. Our MFC the kind of strength I like in a character. She’s brave that’s for sure. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. I think I need to read book two before deciding. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC. Can’t wait for book two.

After reading the book, I am still not sure what I thought of it. There were parts I loved and parts that left me cold and even a part that felt a touch creepy. Let's start with the positive, Jericho is a strong female lead who understands that showing emotion and kindness is also a strength. To illustrate that the author gave us Mikey, a 10 year old boy who came to care for Jericho but was bullied by other kids. She treated him with respect and kindness and listened to his stories even if they sounded far fetched. Mikey was a terrific addition to the story. The kid had style and was not afraid to be himself. The stories of past cases sounded like they would have been a blast to read about. It might have been fun to hear a little more about the other cryptids she debunked as normal animals. Had the tone of the whole book followed that beginning, I would be giving the book 5 stars but things did not continue in that tone and things got a bit uncomfortable. Jericho woke up in a strange house with a strange large man who had removed the bullets from her gun and instead of feeling fear she was fantasizing about his body. Maybe find out the guy is not a killer before you picture him undressed. Then things get absolutely creepy when it turns out that Benjamin is one of 4 strange men living in the house. A normal woman would feel a healthy amount of fear after hearing the comment about you can't keep her for yourself. Yipes, I think that would be where I would try to climb out the window and take my chances in the woods. The book does recover some after that with the werewolf reveals but it never returns to 5 star territory. Parts of the book would get five stars like Jericho and her debunking past and Mikey, other parts would get two stars like the creeper comment. The premise was excellent and some of the story was enjoyable and perhaps this series will hit its stride with another book under its belt but for now for me, I give this book three stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books | Orbit for the opportunity to read this ARC.

"Beauty and the Beast meets Supernatural in the first book of this new urban fantasy detective series!

Jericho James is in over her head.

She's a Private Investigator famed for debunking mythical creature sightings, and she expects her latest case in Stillbridge, Maine to be just another instance of "town who cried wolf." But instead of finding a poorly judged animal in the Northeastern woods, Jericho discovers a family of reclusive scientists. Handsome scientists, no less, working on a cure for a mystery virus.

Intrigued by the virus and utterly captivated by Benjamin - a man with cheekbones that must have been chiseled by God himself - Jericho finds she's dying to learn more about the family and their work.

And when she accidentally discovers the family's secret, she might just get her wish.

Follow Jericho James as she solves cryptid crimes, stops mythical misdeeds, and blocks otherworldly outrages. And maybe, if she has time, find love along the way."

Oh, urban fantasy with cryptids!

As far as werewolf romances go, this one was definitely different than the many others I’ve read which kept me interested. I liked the story tale themes and the little bit of mystery involved. Jericho was a perfect leading lady and I liked her from the very beginning. She has a lot of heart and is just someone you can’t help but want to be happy. Benjamin has a complicated life but falls enamored with Jericho the second he sees her regardless of the secrets he keeps in order to keep his family safe. Loved all the aspects of this romantasy with some mystery elements- would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC.

I really enjoyed The Midnight Pack. I loved Jericho's voice: she's clever, confident, and self-assured. This is the perfect read for anyone who's looking for a cinnamon roll of a man and some fantastic fight scenes.

This was a fast-paced thriller with twists, turns, and high drama. I loved that it wasn't what I expected going in, and overall I had a great time with the read!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Orbit for the ARC of The Midnight Pack by Jasmine Kuliasha.

When I saw this was an Orbit published novel, I think it raised my expectations and may have left me more disappointed after completing The Midnight Pack than if it had been self-published or from a smaller indie print. I'm a huge lover of urban fantasy - and I read this book the same day I completed a separate book in the Charlaine Harris Southern Vampire mysteries, so I had a good, solid marker of a successful book from a top publisher in the genre paired directly against this.

Unfortunately, The Midnight Pack is all over the place. It has absolutely no depth in its characters or in the plot - just random actions and plot twists, most of which either directly contradict character motivations/story stakes or are just completely unbelievable even with the bounds of this urban fantasy world. The sentences seem to run on and on without actually saying anything -- it feels like it still needs a lot of editing. The romance is both insta-love and feels forced -- I think this was because we're meant to believe these men are all isolated in the woods and don't know how to talk to strangers/have never seen a woman, but then it turns out they're all close to 30 or older and only moved there ten years ago with advanced degrees from Johns Hopkins they all received before they turned 20? Like, none of the details about anyone or anything ever seemed to add up or make sense - it was all a jumble. There is a general storyline, but it's hard to follow, and the main character is so inept at thinking of her own safety or survival (and then her own big plot twist around 50%) that it's really hard to even want to root for her.

I don't think this series or this author is for me.

As I was reading this book I initially thought that maybe it just wasn't for me but the further I got the harder it was to ignore that it's just...not good. Even if the book had a little more of the depth I was looking for, there were just so many issues that I was never going to be okay with.
Jericho Jones is a private investigator focusing on potential cryptid sightings but thus far in her career everything has proven to just be strange or misunderstood animal encounters. While investigating a mysterious death in the woods of Maine, Jericho is chased by a mysterious growling animal and ends up falling into a ravine. She wakes up in a cabin in the woods that is occupied by an older man and his 3 adult sons. This is about where the book lost me - a girl wakes up in a cabin with 4 strange men and she is...fine with it? It was so hard for me to get past the fact that this girl should be terrified or at least skeptical of these men until they prove themselves not crazy, not violent etc. but instead she pretty much instantly falls in love with one of the men and is at best suspicious of the others. This was just the first in a series of completely unbelievable plot points that just kept dragging me out of the story. The characters lacked depth, the plot was all over the place, and the writing style felt very juvenile. I would probably be willing to give the book a little more grace if it was self-published but Orbit is an imprint of one of the big 5 publishing houses and generally puts out books I truly enjoy so this just felt like a huge miss on their part.

I loved the premise and the first 15% of this book - I don't know why cryptid hunting is big right now, but please I want so many more books with this premise. Unfortunately we don't get any of that in this book - we just get teasers about other cases she worked, which I knew from the blurb that this was going to be more than that, but that 15% was so appealing. I just had such high hopes. Then after that initial set up the book is very slow - it takes over 50% for Jericho to get the werewolf reveal - which for a book subtitled werewolf urban fantasy and the werewolves are revealed in the blurb felt like a waste. Then there is a whole second plot that honestly felt like a Twilight plot remake (which could have been fine, but felt like a weird tonal shift and like a whole new book was starting). I honestly question if this book was written by multiple people (or AI - please please I hope not) because the variance in tone and plot and even characters felt like different books smooshed together. I could literally section it out to be 3 different books - all of which I think would have been better than this one mash up. Again there are parts o this book that I really liked, and parts that I think readers of other genres would love, but I am just feeling a bit lost about what I actually read instead of what could have been. If this had been from an indie or self published author I don't know that I would even be this harsh, but this is a book from one of the Big 5 and I don't understand how the editors thought this book felt cohesive. Maybe it's just me. I don't know, but I'll be interested to see what other reviews see.