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The Midnight Pack
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.
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.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2025
48 people are currently reading
1648 people want to read
About the author
Jasmine Kuliasha
3 books31 followersJasmine Kuliasha was born in Peru and grew up in Guatemala. She spent her childhood traveling, and books were her most constant companions. Today, her writing is informed by her adventures abroad and her love of happy endings. She writes from Colorado, where she’s living her own Happily Ever After with her children and husband. When she’s not writing, she’s training for her next marathon, or trying to get her personal assistants (two cats) to do anything at all.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
June 10, 2025
Review originally on JamReads
The Midnight Pack is the first novel in the romantic urban fantasy series Jericho James, written by Jasmine Kuliasha, published by Orbit Books. A smart and feisty investigator who lands in a small town in Maine, ready to find a rational explanation to a murder, in a story full of found family, a bit of drama, tons of banter and a bit of blood; a cozyish read that is also unhinged at moments.
Jericho James works as a private investigator specialized in the "weird" cases, usually debunking cryptid stories; her job takes her to a small town in Maine where a woman has been found killed by a beast. With her usual approach, she tries to find a rational explanation, but oh boy, this case was much weirder than she expected, breaking the lines of what she thought it was real, but also showing her a new face of the reality, including an opportunity to find love.
Let's be honest, Jericho is a total badass of a female main character; sassy and self-sufficient, but also with a soft-spot that the Grey family, and especially Benjamin, knows how to touch. She's a bit too horny for my taste, as I'm not a fan of instalove, but who can blame her, she's young and prone to be in danger. In definitive, a FMC that you don't forget.
The Grey family is a good complement to this story, especially the romantic interest, Benjamin; a good-hearted guy that is forced to isolation with the rest of his family to pursue investigation. They are clearly hiding something from Jericho, but they are helping her to recover after the accident; so it's difficult to get the complete picture about them until the end (something that Kuliasha excels at).
The setting is definitely a successful choice by the author: a remote town with a large forest is the perfect place for weird things to happen; the approach to lycanthropy was also interesting, as it is rather scientifical, but never too hard to keep the page on.
The pacing is also in a great spot, alternating more tense moments with scenes that allow you to catch the breath and also a pinch of spice to complement the dish. It is a lighter read in the fantasy genre, but that also makes it really enjoyable.
The Midnight Pack is a great starter novel, perfect if you want a light urban fantasy proposal with a dash of romance and a badass character taking the spotlight; a promising debut by Jasmine Kuliasha, whose writing I hope to continue reading in next Jericho James' adventures!
The Midnight Pack is the first novel in the romantic urban fantasy series Jericho James, written by Jasmine Kuliasha, published by Orbit Books. A smart and feisty investigator who lands in a small town in Maine, ready to find a rational explanation to a murder, in a story full of found family, a bit of drama, tons of banter and a bit of blood; a cozyish read that is also unhinged at moments.
Jericho James works as a private investigator specialized in the "weird" cases, usually debunking cryptid stories; her job takes her to a small town in Maine where a woman has been found killed by a beast. With her usual approach, she tries to find a rational explanation, but oh boy, this case was much weirder than she expected, breaking the lines of what she thought it was real, but also showing her a new face of the reality, including an opportunity to find love.
Let's be honest, Jericho is a total badass of a female main character; sassy and self-sufficient, but also with a soft-spot that the Grey family, and especially Benjamin, knows how to touch. She's a bit too horny for my taste, as I'm not a fan of instalove, but who can blame her, she's young and prone to be in danger. In definitive, a FMC that you don't forget.
The Grey family is a good complement to this story, especially the romantic interest, Benjamin; a good-hearted guy that is forced to isolation with the rest of his family to pursue investigation. They are clearly hiding something from Jericho, but they are helping her to recover after the accident; so it's difficult to get the complete picture about them until the end (something that Kuliasha excels at).
The setting is definitely a successful choice by the author: a remote town with a large forest is the perfect place for weird things to happen; the approach to lycanthropy was also interesting, as it is rather scientifical, but never too hard to keep the page on.
The pacing is also in a great spot, alternating more tense moments with scenes that allow you to catch the breath and also a pinch of spice to complement the dish. It is a lighter read in the fantasy genre, but that also makes it really enjoyable.
The Midnight Pack is a great starter novel, perfect if you want a light urban fantasy proposal with a dash of romance and a badass character taking the spotlight; a promising debut by Jasmine Kuliasha, whose writing I hope to continue reading in next Jericho James' adventures!
April 7, 2025
Thank you to Orbit and to NetGalley for my advance copy!
Jericho James is my new person to aspire to. One day, I will have her confidence, her smarts, and her calm under pressure.
Until that day, I'll just have her book: a fast-paced and suspense-packed story that kept me hooked start to finish.
Jericho James is my new person to aspire to. One day, I will have her confidence, her smarts, and her calm under pressure.
Until that day, I'll just have her book: a fast-paced and suspense-packed story that kept me hooked start to finish.
September 8, 2025
Longer review to come, but I listened to this as an audiobook. It was fun, cute and fast paced. My cats are notorious for crying in the car unless I can find a female narrator with a midwestern style accent or close enough.
April 30, 2025
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.
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.
April 7, 2025
If you are a fan of cozy campy monster stories, this one is a fast-paced page-turner featuring a sassy female lead with witty inner-monologue. This was such a fun read, and I look forward to seeing what is next on the horizon for the series.
May 20, 2025
This genre isn’t usually in my wheelhouse, but after a string of heavy epic fantasy reads, I needed something lighter and this was the perfect choice. The Midnight Pack gave me all the campy chaos I didn’t know I needed.
It reads like a CW show in book form, think Supernatural meets Teen Wolf, complete with over-the-top drama, witty banter, found family dynamics, and a whole lot of blood-soaked fun. It’s self-aware, wild, and absolutely unhinged in the best way.
I’m not usually a fan of instalove, but I let it slide here because the story isn’t trying to be deep or serious. It’s meant to be fun and it fully delivers on that promise.
Also, if you’ve ever wanted more hot werewolf content à la Jacob from Twilight, this is definitely for you. Abs and biceps? Check.
Overall, it’s a feral, funny, bloodstained romp with heart.
It reads like a CW show in book form, think Supernatural meets Teen Wolf, complete with over-the-top drama, witty banter, found family dynamics, and a whole lot of blood-soaked fun. It’s self-aware, wild, and absolutely unhinged in the best way.
I’m not usually a fan of instalove, but I let it slide here because the story isn’t trying to be deep or serious. It’s meant to be fun and it fully delivers on that promise.
Also, if you’ve ever wanted more hot werewolf content à la Jacob from Twilight, this is definitely for you. Abs and biceps? Check.
Overall, it’s a feral, funny, bloodstained romp with heart.
May 20, 2025
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for my ARC.
All opinions in this review are my own.
When I read the premise, I knew I had to give this book a shot. A little paranormal investigation sounded so intriguing.
Right away, I liked the narrator. Jericho felt down to earth and her thought process was fun to read.
I enjoyed the romance in this because it added a little to the book but it wasn’t overwhelming and it didn’t take away from the overall plot for me.
It was interesting to see things as they got fleshed out a bit more. The things Jericho discovered, how she discovered them and the end result of these things made for a fun read.
Overall, a quick, fun and kind of cozy read.
All opinions in this review are my own.
When I read the premise, I knew I had to give this book a shot. A little paranormal investigation sounded so intriguing.
Right away, I liked the narrator. Jericho felt down to earth and her thought process was fun to read.
I enjoyed the romance in this because it added a little to the book but it wasn’t overwhelming and it didn’t take away from the overall plot for me.
It was interesting to see things as they got fleshed out a bit more. The things Jericho discovered, how she discovered them and the end result of these things made for a fun read.
Overall, a quick, fun and kind of cozy read.
May 27, 2025
I am so excited that Jericho James is now in the world! Jasmine has created a feisty, smart heroine that I absolutely adored and I hope to read many more books in this series.
Jericho James is a private investigator with a knack for solving the “weird” cases. Her gift for untangling these strange, mystical mysteries lands her in a small town in Maine where a woman was killed by vicious beast. Even though Jericho can usually find a logical explanation, this case upends everything she thought she knew.
I honestly can’t even describe how much I enjoyed this book. If you grew up watching Veronica Mars, Supernatural, and love anything with a paranormal twist – this is the book for you! This book sucked me in immediately and was such a fun, action-packed read that I simply couldn’t put it down.
I love a book where I can really just sink in and let the story flow over me. Jasmine really succeeded here with her witty writing and interesting cast of characters. The setting was perfectly spooky, yet also beautiful, and I was invested for every little surprise along the way. And the amount of romance worked so well with the story she told here! I definitely had a few moments of swooning. 😍
The Midnight Pack is a perfect book for the summer – fast-paced, exciting, mysterious, with that dollop of sweet romance. I loved every second. Thank you so much to Jasmine and the publisher for an ARC of this book - all thoughts are my honest opinion.
Jericho James is a private investigator with a knack for solving the “weird” cases. Her gift for untangling these strange, mystical mysteries lands her in a small town in Maine where a woman was killed by vicious beast. Even though Jericho can usually find a logical explanation, this case upends everything she thought she knew.
I honestly can’t even describe how much I enjoyed this book. If you grew up watching Veronica Mars, Supernatural, and love anything with a paranormal twist – this is the book for you! This book sucked me in immediately and was such a fun, action-packed read that I simply couldn’t put it down.
I love a book where I can really just sink in and let the story flow over me. Jasmine really succeeded here with her witty writing and interesting cast of characters. The setting was perfectly spooky, yet also beautiful, and I was invested for every little surprise along the way. And the amount of romance worked so well with the story she told here! I definitely had a few moments of swooning. 😍
The Midnight Pack is a perfect book for the summer – fast-paced, exciting, mysterious, with that dollop of sweet romance. I loved every second. Thank you so much to Jasmine and the publisher for an ARC of this book - all thoughts are my honest opinion.
November 11, 2025
Where has this author been all my life!!?? I am not necessarily the biggest reader, but I could not put this book down! I was hooked from the opening page that was dedicated directly to me - a lover of full moons! There were plenty of serious, emotional, romantic, and heartwarming moments, but my favorites were all the parts that had me laughing out loud :)!!!! (Of which there were many!!). Jericho James is such a fun, flirty, and fierce main character and I can’t wait to read more about her adventures (and supernatural hookups??) in part two! Fans of Supernatural, Buffy, and Veronica Mars REJOICE! This book is for you! Warning: the words on the pages will sweep you away - right off into the backwoods of Maine, so plan (pack) accordingly before you find yourself lost in the woods on a full moon night….
April 17, 2025
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.
May 27, 2025
It’s solidly cute. I got to read the arc and I will almost certainly read book two. But this is aiming for a very specific audience. Do you want your protagonist to be female, tough and special. Would you like a hot love interest? With more plot than bedroom which is a plus in my books… This is a series for you to read. Light escapism sounds meh to you? Not the book for you. I had fun reading it. I did mark the author to follow in Goodreads and I’ll pick up book two for myself more likely than not.
June 25, 2025
I’m a sucker for an urban fantasy and this one was fun to dive into. Jericho is an awesome character and following her on this journey to the supernatural was fun.
This book was action packed with a hint of mystery and a touch of romance.
Can’t wait to see what adventures Jericho goes on next!
This book was action packed with a hint of mystery and a touch of romance.
Can’t wait to see what adventures Jericho goes on next!
May 14, 2025
This book was very different from the usual supernatural, I greatly enjoyed this. The only thing I wish that was change would be the ending but overall this was a great read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
December 29, 2025
Good urban fantasy
But a lot of bad stuff happens; this book wasn't the lighthearted read I was looking for. The story is good, the romance is a little insta-love, and the characters are likeable.
But a lot of bad stuff happens; this book wasn't the lighthearted read I was looking for. The story is good, the romance is a little insta-love, and the characters are likeable.
April 24, 2025
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.
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.
May 8, 2025
RTC!
May 28, 2025
Epitome of a YA romance - simplistic, dumb, and full of plot holes.
April 6, 2025
This book is so so fun. Jasmine Kuliasha found a way to bottle the vibe of an early 2000s cozy paranormal comfort show and inject it in 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!
(Also. Pacing = excellent. The one-more-chapter dance is real with this one!)
(Also. Pacing = excellent. The one-more-chapter dance is real with this one!)
Read
September 1, 2025DNF. Nothing wrong with it, it’s just not my jam.
April 26, 2025
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.
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.
May 20, 2025
DNF
Urban Fantasy was my bread and butter for so many years and I when I saw this pitched as Beauty and the Beast meets Super total I couldn’t request it fast enough!
At first this book seemed campy and fun with a bit of Winchester Logic. But I began to struggle a bit with how juvenile the FMC seemed.
However it became moot when I decided to DNF once Wendigo were brought in. I was under the impression that the Algonquin have requested Wendigo not be used as monster inspiration in fiction. So the fact that a book about Wendigo written by European settlers was mentioned several times and it was implied that they may be feral werewolves made me uncomfortable and I put the book down.
Urban Fantasy was my bread and butter for so many years and I when I saw this pitched as Beauty and the Beast meets Super total I couldn’t request it fast enough!
At first this book seemed campy and fun with a bit of Winchester Logic. But I began to struggle a bit with how juvenile the FMC seemed.
However it became moot when I decided to DNF once Wendigo were brought in. I was under the impression that the Algonquin have requested Wendigo not be used as monster inspiration in fiction. So the fact that a book about Wendigo written by European settlers was mentioned several times and it was implied that they may be feral werewolves made me uncomfortable and I put the book down.
May 1, 2025
Full disclaimer - I am not a book reviewer. I am simply a reader; an enjoyer of books, of the stories and journeys within; and a person looking to be entertained.
With that said, I loved The Midnight Pack! With this debut novel, Jasmine Kuliasha promised to deliver "a werewolf romantic urban fantasy," and she did just that and more! This is not my typical genre so I went into this with an open mind, and I was not disappointed.
Reading this had me smiling, giggling, laughing, oohing and aahing over the characters and setting (and science bits!), and finally, feeling so incredibly seen. I love the MFC, Jericho James! She is such a badass of a person with some really silly thoughts and quirks, which humanizes her. I love that Jasmine Kuliasha delivered a realistic character that I found so relatable! Of course, I will never be out hunting mythical creatures but one can daydream ;).
Another aspect of the book I genuinely loved is the setting. Jasmine Kuliasha managed to describe the setting for this book in such a way that I felt like I was there-I had the site plan in mind; I could feel the materials and textures; and I could even smell some of the areas and scenes! New sensory reading experience unlocked-thanks, Jasmine Kuliasha!
All in all, The Midnight Pack was so much fun for me to read for the MFC, as well as the twists and turns, and how quick paced everything was. This was absolutely a page turner for me! I'm excited to see where Jericho James ends up next and how she'll tackle her next challenge(s)!
Thank you to Jasmine Kuliasha, Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC!
With that said, I loved The Midnight Pack! With this debut novel, Jasmine Kuliasha promised to deliver "a werewolf romantic urban fantasy," and she did just that and more! This is not my typical genre so I went into this with an open mind, and I was not disappointed.
Reading this had me smiling, giggling, laughing, oohing and aahing over the characters and setting (and science bits!), and finally, feeling so incredibly seen. I love the MFC, Jericho James! She is such a badass of a person with some really silly thoughts and quirks, which humanizes her. I love that Jasmine Kuliasha delivered a realistic character that I found so relatable! Of course, I will never be out hunting mythical creatures but one can daydream ;).
Another aspect of the book I genuinely loved is the setting. Jasmine Kuliasha managed to describe the setting for this book in such a way that I felt like I was there-I had the site plan in mind; I could feel the materials and textures; and I could even smell some of the areas and scenes! New sensory reading experience unlocked-thanks, Jasmine Kuliasha!
All in all, The Midnight Pack was so much fun for me to read for the MFC, as well as the twists and turns, and how quick paced everything was. This was absolutely a page turner for me! I'm excited to see where Jericho James ends up next and how she'll tackle her next challenge(s)!
Thank you to Jasmine Kuliasha, Orbit and NetGalley for this ARC!
July 19, 2025
This review was originally posted on my blog: Venus Bloo Books
I was given a free advance reader copy of The Midnight Pack by Jasmine Kuliasha by Orbit Works via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Orbit!
Let me start by saying, unfortunately, I am not able to give a positive review of this book, and the summary above is completely misleading. I did finish it, but the only enjoyment I really got out of it was discussing all the issues and occasionally problematic situations and characterization in this book with friends online. In fact, the real title of this review should be:
"I Read This Book Out of Spite and Here is a Rundown of Everything Wrong With It - What in the Twilight Knock-off Hell Did I Read?"
This may seem like an overreaction, especially considering I try my best to be positive about most books I read. It usually takes quite a bit for me to say anything negative about a book if I at least enjoyed the story. Books are meant to be entertainment after all, and I guess I did get entertainment out of the book. So, allow me to explain why this book in particular is the subject of this treatment.
Jericho James is the main character in The Midnight Pack. It's a cool name for a cool lady, just like her mother intended. She is a private investigator who has made a name for herself by debunking mysterious crimes, deaths, and murders that have been attributed to cryptids. No, Cthulhu was not spotted in the Florida Everglades. That was just a very large python mating ball. Just as disgusting, but nothing paranormal about it (stop dumping your pets in the swamps kids).
This is what Jericho does for a living, and like many private investigators it has turned her into a bit of a loner. So, she's spent her time learning to use a gun and knives better than most men. Her mom wishes she'd date more. She sees herself as cute rather than beautiful, and she's obviously pretty smart when it comes to using her background in biology to disprove all these cryptid claims.
So, sure we have some pretty typical urban fantasy female main character tropes going on, but that's not a deal breaker for me. I happen to enjoy a number of urban fantasy series featuring female protagonists, like the Mercy Thomson series by Patricia Briggs and the October Daye and InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire. However, the first issue I had with this book, that is also problematic in my opinion, is Jericho is built up to be this competent, confident woman, but as soon as the events of the book get underway it's all tossed to the side.
You see, there's been some kind of animal attack in the rural woods of Maine. A lone female hiker has been killed by something that could be a bear or a wolf, but the local authorities aren't totally convinced it was a normal animal. They call in Jericho to have a look into it. As soon as she's in town she's warned off going into the woods alone by multiple people, including a kid who says he's heard a monster in the woods behind his house. She's warned especially to not be in the woods after dark. After all, there is some kind of animal out there killing people.
So, of course what's the first thing Jericho does? She goes tromping off into the woods alone and gets caught in them at night. You'd think a competent investigator with years of experience with wild animals would know not to do this. Additionally, she gets spooked, runs, and falls into a ravine where she severely twists her ankle. She is found by the son of a local hermit.....named Kermit. Yes, that's really his name. Yes, Jericho jokes about it, but it immediately made me take this story less seriously.
Anyway, from this point until near the end of the book, Jericho becomes completely dependent on Kermit and his sons. They insist she stays with them to rest her ankle until she is able to make the hike back into town. They live miles into the woods without any accessible roads nearby, so she's stuck. This is also where the tropes start coming in one after another like the author decided to run through the entire urban fantasy trope encyclopedia, so I'll just do a bulleted list:
Benjamin, the son who found Jericho after her accident, falls for Jericho immediately - Instalove
Jericho, has the hots for Benjamin as well - Instalust
There is a Wildflower Meadow - What in the Twilight Knock Off Hell
Benjamin has lost his mother and a girlfriend to accidents - Tragic Back Story
There is a mysterious Council involved in the story
There is also a monster villain in this story
Trust me there's more, but that's just what I could remember off the top of my head. I do not necessarily mind the insta-love trope on it's own, but when it results in a female character immediately losing agency and respect of other characters I think that's a problem. Jericho still makes a token effort at her investigations while she's at Kermit's house (man I can't get over the name Kermit the Hermit). She snoops around as much as she can, but again. It is so beyond obvious what is going on there, and Kermit is entirely too willing to share information with a complete stranger, for Jericho to take so long in the book to piece things together.
Jericho doesn't earn the respect of the male characters until certain changes take place about 60% into the book, and that was also extremely frustrating. Why couldn't the author just let her be the character that was set up in the first chapter of the book?
Obviously, this was the most irritating part of the story to me, but there were other things.
Kermit shares information too readily with Jericho.
Benjamin is constantly trauma dumping on Jericho in almost every conversation he has with her.
There are way too many story ideas crammed into this one short book. The book needed an editor badly, and there were enough ideas here to write at least two books.
For a book purported to be a romance, there is shockingly little of it. There are a few chaste kisses and a fade to black shower scene 98% into the book.
For a book purported to be an urban fantasy, it all takes place in the Maine woods or in the small, rural town nearby.
I could go into a lot more detail, but I'm trying to avoid spoilers for those that still want to give this book a shot. All of that being said, I'm sure there is an audience for this book out there. It does have some really positive reviews on Goodreads, but it also has some reviews that align with my own thinking. I feel like this is one of those books, you either love it or you hate it. At the very least, it's worth giving it a try.
I gave The Midnight Pack by Jasmine Kuliasha two out of five stars. The only things that kept this from being a one star read were 1) I didn't DNF it, and 2) I did get entertainment from it even if that entertainment was just to talk about what I didn't like with friends. This book has a ton of potential, but I think it needs to be edited into at least two or three books. There were too many plot lines and tropes just smashed together, and many of the actions of the characters didn't make sense. It's still worth giving it a try if you're on the look out for a new urban fantasy series, but this book was definitely not for me.
I was given a free advance reader copy of The Midnight Pack by Jasmine Kuliasha by Orbit Works via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Orbit!
Let me start by saying, unfortunately, I am not able to give a positive review of this book, and the summary above is completely misleading. I did finish it, but the only enjoyment I really got out of it was discussing all the issues and occasionally problematic situations and characterization in this book with friends online. In fact, the real title of this review should be:
"I Read This Book Out of Spite and Here is a Rundown of Everything Wrong With It - What in the Twilight Knock-off Hell Did I Read?"
This may seem like an overreaction, especially considering I try my best to be positive about most books I read. It usually takes quite a bit for me to say anything negative about a book if I at least enjoyed the story. Books are meant to be entertainment after all, and I guess I did get entertainment out of the book. So, allow me to explain why this book in particular is the subject of this treatment.
Jericho James is the main character in The Midnight Pack. It's a cool name for a cool lady, just like her mother intended. She is a private investigator who has made a name for herself by debunking mysterious crimes, deaths, and murders that have been attributed to cryptids. No, Cthulhu was not spotted in the Florida Everglades. That was just a very large python mating ball. Just as disgusting, but nothing paranormal about it (stop dumping your pets in the swamps kids).
This is what Jericho does for a living, and like many private investigators it has turned her into a bit of a loner. So, she's spent her time learning to use a gun and knives better than most men. Her mom wishes she'd date more. She sees herself as cute rather than beautiful, and she's obviously pretty smart when it comes to using her background in biology to disprove all these cryptid claims.
So, sure we have some pretty typical urban fantasy female main character tropes going on, but that's not a deal breaker for me. I happen to enjoy a number of urban fantasy series featuring female protagonists, like the Mercy Thomson series by Patricia Briggs and the October Daye and InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire. However, the first issue I had with this book, that is also problematic in my opinion, is Jericho is built up to be this competent, confident woman, but as soon as the events of the book get underway it's all tossed to the side.
You see, there's been some kind of animal attack in the rural woods of Maine. A lone female hiker has been killed by something that could be a bear or a wolf, but the local authorities aren't totally convinced it was a normal animal. They call in Jericho to have a look into it. As soon as she's in town she's warned off going into the woods alone by multiple people, including a kid who says he's heard a monster in the woods behind his house. She's warned especially to not be in the woods after dark. After all, there is some kind of animal out there killing people.
So, of course what's the first thing Jericho does? She goes tromping off into the woods alone and gets caught in them at night. You'd think a competent investigator with years of experience with wild animals would know not to do this. Additionally, she gets spooked, runs, and falls into a ravine where she severely twists her ankle. She is found by the son of a local hermit.....named Kermit. Yes, that's really his name. Yes, Jericho jokes about it, but it immediately made me take this story less seriously.
Anyway, from this point until near the end of the book, Jericho becomes completely dependent on Kermit and his sons. They insist she stays with them to rest her ankle until she is able to make the hike back into town. They live miles into the woods without any accessible roads nearby, so she's stuck. This is also where the tropes start coming in one after another like the author decided to run through the entire urban fantasy trope encyclopedia, so I'll just do a bulleted list:
Benjamin, the son who found Jericho after her accident, falls for Jericho immediately - Instalove
Jericho, has the hots for Benjamin as well - Instalust
There is a Wildflower Meadow - What in the Twilight Knock Off Hell
Benjamin has lost his mother and a girlfriend to accidents - Tragic Back Story
There is a mysterious Council involved in the story
There is also a monster villain in this story
Trust me there's more, but that's just what I could remember off the top of my head. I do not necessarily mind the insta-love trope on it's own, but when it results in a female character immediately losing agency and respect of other characters I think that's a problem. Jericho still makes a token effort at her investigations while she's at Kermit's house (man I can't get over the name Kermit the Hermit). She snoops around as much as she can, but again. It is so beyond obvious what is going on there, and Kermit is entirely too willing to share information with a complete stranger, for Jericho to take so long in the book to piece things together.
Jericho doesn't earn the respect of the male characters until certain changes take place about 60% into the book, and that was also extremely frustrating. Why couldn't the author just let her be the character that was set up in the first chapter of the book?
Obviously, this was the most irritating part of the story to me, but there were other things.
Kermit shares information too readily with Jericho.
Benjamin is constantly trauma dumping on Jericho in almost every conversation he has with her.
There are way too many story ideas crammed into this one short book. The book needed an editor badly, and there were enough ideas here to write at least two books.
For a book purported to be a romance, there is shockingly little of it. There are a few chaste kisses and a fade to black shower scene 98% into the book.
For a book purported to be an urban fantasy, it all takes place in the Maine woods or in the small, rural town nearby.
I could go into a lot more detail, but I'm trying to avoid spoilers for those that still want to give this book a shot. All of that being said, I'm sure there is an audience for this book out there. It does have some really positive reviews on Goodreads, but it also has some reviews that align with my own thinking. I feel like this is one of those books, you either love it or you hate it. At the very least, it's worth giving it a try.
I gave The Midnight Pack by Jasmine Kuliasha two out of five stars. The only things that kept this from being a one star read were 1) I didn't DNF it, and 2) I did get entertainment from it even if that entertainment was just to talk about what I didn't like with friends. This book has a ton of potential, but I think it needs to be edited into at least two or three books. There were too many plot lines and tropes just smashed together, and many of the actions of the characters didn't make sense. It's still worth giving it a try if you're on the look out for a new urban fantasy series, but this book was definitely not for me.
November 5, 2025
*Special Content only on my blog, Strange and Random Happenstance during An Urban Development (December 2025)
Jericho James has made a name for herself. Not the name she'd have necessarily chosen when she became a P.I. but when you become the foremost investigator in debunking cryptids, you embrace that rep. Also, it's never Cthulhu, it's almost always snakes. Occasionally an octopus. She should know, she's from Florida. Only once before has she investigated a case with a fatality. A case she'll never forget. Which is why when she's called to Stillbridge, Maine, to investigate the death of a college graduate who was hiking the Appalachian Trail who met a gruesome end she takes her job seriously. The locals assume it's a bear attack but the sheriff isn't quite so certain. Neither is the young boy Mikey who approaches Jericho to ask if she's there to kill the monster. In fact Mikey is soon her best source for information in the small town. Though she should have listened to him and never gone into the woods. But she needed to see the scene of the crime. And, according to the sheriff, the local hermit, Kermit, lives out in the depths of the forest, miles beyond the scene of the crime, and might be able to help. So she's off to find Kermit the hermit. Only Jericho has miscalculated the number of hours of daylight needed for her trek and only gets as far as the scene of the crime when she realizes she'll need to turn back. Of course that's exactly when she's attacked. Chased from the clearing she falls into a ravine and twists her ankle before she succumbs to darkness. She awakes the next day to sunlight streaming in through a window under a veritable mountain of blankets. Soon her rescuer makes an appearance. It turns out Kermit isn't such a hermit after all. He lives with his three sons, Benjamin, Theo, and Seth. It's Benjamin that Jericho is instantly drawn to. Neither of them can deny their chemistry. She is reluctantly, by some, welcomed into the Grey family compound. This isn't just a shack in the woods; there's terraces and gardens, patios and a gym, and a state of the art laboratory. Because these four men, who have been living in secret without any female presence since Kermit's wife and the boys' mother died five years earlier, are scientists. They are looking to fully eradicate a bloodborne pathogen. Not just keep it controlled like scientists can now do with HIV, but eliminate it completely. Their work is well funded and secret. Which is fine by Jericho. She can heal, do some research in their vast library, and ogle Benjamin. That is until it's brought home to her by some otherworldly forces that her hosts might be more dangerous than she thought. She really should have listened to Mikey.
This book had such a solid start; Jericho James arrives in Maine and befriends a child who knows all about the monsters in the woods and I literally had goosebumps. The Midnight Pack had all the hallmarks of Stephen King with a hint of Something is Killing the Children and then Jericho went into the woods and it became Twilight. Only somehow not even as good as Twilight if you dare to imagine that. Oh, and if you're wondering, Jericho knows all about Twilight and apparently learned nothing from Stephenie Meyer. Longing looks and losing her brain were what followed for the next couple hundred pages. I literally just couldn't with this book. It's like her desire overrode all capacity for rational thinking. How are they doing research without a computer? Do you think maybe they lied about not having one? Or about not having a phone? Or about exactly how you ended up injured? But then again, she debunks cryptids for a living and didn't even know what a wendigo is. A wendigo! If you Google cryptid it's literally the eleventh cryptid listed. AND might I add, this is with Google totally not working right anymore because of AI. Yes yes, we can argue that technically a wendigo isn't a cryptid, but the fact she'd never heard of one beggars belief. In fact I was hoping the killer would be like a wendigo/werewolf hybrid called a wendiwoof, but no, I did not get my wish, and while other people have done this type of hybrid they didn't name it the wendiwoof so I am claiming copyright. The ignorance of our heroine time and time again is just infuriating. Jasmine Kuliasha could of at least had some fun with Jericho being the personification of a dumb blonde, but she was just wanting to turn this into a romance, cue the heavy petting. And no. This book isn't sophisticated enough for this joke. I mean, it literally took over half the book for werewolf to even be uttered when it's on the freaking cover. And yes, I know that characters aren't self-aware, this isn't Thursday Next, but come on. Then again Jericho isn't even properly kitted out for a walk in the woods, always wearing just exercise tights and a tank top, maybe a light flannel. This is fall. In MAINE! Ugh, she is just too dumb to live. Let Benjamin's brothers have at her. But Jericho is only as ignorant as her creator. I didn't keep track of each and every infraction, it would have ended up longer than the book especially with how the house didn't seem to abide by the blueprints or the laws of physics. So let's go with the biggest one. A werewolf pack has a one out one in rule. So if they lose a member of the pack they have to be replaced. When Jericho kills the villainous brother the pack is worried she will be forced into becoming a werewolf to replace him. But hang on a minute. Five years earlier Kermit's wife, a werewolf, died. No one replaced her. So, um, what's with that? In fact what's with all of this. I just want to forget I ever read it. Sadly the worse the book the longer it remains.
Jericho James has made a name for herself. Not the name she'd have necessarily chosen when she became a P.I. but when you become the foremost investigator in debunking cryptids, you embrace that rep. Also, it's never Cthulhu, it's almost always snakes. Occasionally an octopus. She should know, she's from Florida. Only once before has she investigated a case with a fatality. A case she'll never forget. Which is why when she's called to Stillbridge, Maine, to investigate the death of a college graduate who was hiking the Appalachian Trail who met a gruesome end she takes her job seriously. The locals assume it's a bear attack but the sheriff isn't quite so certain. Neither is the young boy Mikey who approaches Jericho to ask if she's there to kill the monster. In fact Mikey is soon her best source for information in the small town. Though she should have listened to him and never gone into the woods. But she needed to see the scene of the crime. And, according to the sheriff, the local hermit, Kermit, lives out in the depths of the forest, miles beyond the scene of the crime, and might be able to help. So she's off to find Kermit the hermit. Only Jericho has miscalculated the number of hours of daylight needed for her trek and only gets as far as the scene of the crime when she realizes she'll need to turn back. Of course that's exactly when she's attacked. Chased from the clearing she falls into a ravine and twists her ankle before she succumbs to darkness. She awakes the next day to sunlight streaming in through a window under a veritable mountain of blankets. Soon her rescuer makes an appearance. It turns out Kermit isn't such a hermit after all. He lives with his three sons, Benjamin, Theo, and Seth. It's Benjamin that Jericho is instantly drawn to. Neither of them can deny their chemistry. She is reluctantly, by some, welcomed into the Grey family compound. This isn't just a shack in the woods; there's terraces and gardens, patios and a gym, and a state of the art laboratory. Because these four men, who have been living in secret without any female presence since Kermit's wife and the boys' mother died five years earlier, are scientists. They are looking to fully eradicate a bloodborne pathogen. Not just keep it controlled like scientists can now do with HIV, but eliminate it completely. Their work is well funded and secret. Which is fine by Jericho. She can heal, do some research in their vast library, and ogle Benjamin. That is until it's brought home to her by some otherworldly forces that her hosts might be more dangerous than she thought. She really should have listened to Mikey.
This book had such a solid start; Jericho James arrives in Maine and befriends a child who knows all about the monsters in the woods and I literally had goosebumps. The Midnight Pack had all the hallmarks of Stephen King with a hint of Something is Killing the Children and then Jericho went into the woods and it became Twilight. Only somehow not even as good as Twilight if you dare to imagine that. Oh, and if you're wondering, Jericho knows all about Twilight and apparently learned nothing from Stephenie Meyer. Longing looks and losing her brain were what followed for the next couple hundred pages. I literally just couldn't with this book. It's like her desire overrode all capacity for rational thinking. How are they doing research without a computer? Do you think maybe they lied about not having one? Or about not having a phone? Or about exactly how you ended up injured? But then again, she debunks cryptids for a living and didn't even know what a wendigo is. A wendigo! If you Google cryptid it's literally the eleventh cryptid listed. AND might I add, this is with Google totally not working right anymore because of AI. Yes yes, we can argue that technically a wendigo isn't a cryptid, but the fact she'd never heard of one beggars belief. In fact I was hoping the killer would be like a wendigo/werewolf hybrid called a wendiwoof, but no, I did not get my wish, and while other people have done this type of hybrid they didn't name it the wendiwoof so I am claiming copyright. The ignorance of our heroine time and time again is just infuriating. Jasmine Kuliasha could of at least had some fun with Jericho being the personification of a dumb blonde, but she was just wanting to turn this into a romance, cue the heavy petting. And no. This book isn't sophisticated enough for this joke. I mean, it literally took over half the book for werewolf to even be uttered when it's on the freaking cover. And yes, I know that characters aren't self-aware, this isn't Thursday Next, but come on. Then again Jericho isn't even properly kitted out for a walk in the woods, always wearing just exercise tights and a tank top, maybe a light flannel. This is fall. In MAINE! Ugh, she is just too dumb to live. Let Benjamin's brothers have at her. But Jericho is only as ignorant as her creator. I didn't keep track of each and every infraction, it would have ended up longer than the book especially with how the house didn't seem to abide by the blueprints or the laws of physics. So let's go with the biggest one. A werewolf pack has a one out one in rule. So if they lose a member of the pack they have to be replaced. When Jericho kills the villainous brother the pack is worried she will be forced into becoming a werewolf to replace him. But hang on a minute. Five years earlier Kermit's wife, a werewolf, died. No one replaced her. So, um, what's with that? In fact what's with all of this. I just want to forget I ever read it. Sadly the worse the book the longer it remains.
May 9, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded up for Jericho's nail polish selections.
The Midnight Pack follows Jericho James, a PI who specializes in debunking cryptid sightings, as she travels to Maine to discover what kind of animal killed a young hiker. In the course of her investigation, she meets a strange family of hot, reclusive scientists in the woods who are researching a cure for a mystery virus in the woods.
I'm going to bet you can guess what the virus is.
I'm really bummed I didn't enjoy this one more. I was really excited about The Midnight Pack after reading about it in an upcoming titles email and trolled Netgalley for weeks waiting for the ARC to be available to request. On paper, I should've loved this, but it was messy.
Let's start with the things I enjoyed here, because there were some strong positives. First of all, Jericho James is a DELIGHT. I love her. I was so ready for her to be a typical edgy, not-like-other-girls detective, and she's completely not that. She's a basic girl's girl, and I loved how joyful she was. She was confident, comfortable with herself, and she picks her nail polish based on whether the color name makes her laugh. She's relatable and resourceful, and I liked that she had a lot of agency and regularly took action. She's just a fun character to follow.
Along with the great protagonist, this book is very funny. Even at moments I wasn't enjoying the plot, the book regularly made me laugh out loud with its descriptions and snarky quips, and that heightened the overall experience for me. This humor just totally worked for me.
What didn't work for me was the structure and pacing. This book starts off strong with Jericho jumping into action and kicking off her investigation, only to slow down massively in the second quarter, dragging as Jericho and [REDACTED] travel to various different locations, almost kiss, and then don't because they get interrupted or [REDACTED] thinks of something they should go do. But then the books goes from 0-100 in 2 seconds and the middle of the book feels like the finale, and the latter half of the book feels like a completely unrelated plotline. The latter half also gets more and more ridiculous, and it just strayed too far for me from the book's fairly grounded beginning.
A part of the problem here is that this book wants to have its cake and eat it too in terms of explaining everything with science. The science explanations don't quite mesh with what's happening on page. It's okay to just let things be magic, I think.
As a final point, there's a singular POV chapter from [REDACTED], and where I had liked him and how down-to-earth and normal he was in the first half, the POV chapter made me dislike him. His reasons for liking Jericho were shallow and, in my opinion, kind of demeaning, and he just turned into a "chivalrous" fool after that point (e.g., telling Jericho it's too safe for her to follow the villain and he and the others will go alone, when Jericho was the only person who was actually useful in the fight).
I feel very torn on this because I wanted to love it, but ultimately the plotting left me baffled. That said, there were some strong foundations in this book, and I'd be willing to read more in this series in future to see how Jericho moves forward from here.
The Midnight Pack follows Jericho James, a PI who specializes in debunking cryptid sightings, as she travels to Maine to discover what kind of animal killed a young hiker. In the course of her investigation, she meets a strange family of hot, reclusive scientists in the woods who are researching a cure for a mystery virus in the woods.
I'm going to bet you can guess what the virus is.
I'm really bummed I didn't enjoy this one more. I was really excited about The Midnight Pack after reading about it in an upcoming titles email and trolled Netgalley for weeks waiting for the ARC to be available to request. On paper, I should've loved this, but it was messy.
Let's start with the things I enjoyed here, because there were some strong positives. First of all, Jericho James is a DELIGHT. I love her. I was so ready for her to be a typical edgy, not-like-other-girls detective, and she's completely not that. She's a basic girl's girl, and I loved how joyful she was. She was confident, comfortable with herself, and she picks her nail polish based on whether the color name makes her laugh. She's relatable and resourceful, and I liked that she had a lot of agency and regularly took action. She's just a fun character to follow.
Along with the great protagonist, this book is very funny. Even at moments I wasn't enjoying the plot, the book regularly made me laugh out loud with its descriptions and snarky quips, and that heightened the overall experience for me. This humor just totally worked for me.
What didn't work for me was the structure and pacing. This book starts off strong with Jericho jumping into action and kicking off her investigation, only to slow down massively in the second quarter, dragging as Jericho and [REDACTED] travel to various different locations, almost kiss, and then don't because they get interrupted or [REDACTED] thinks of something they should go do. But then the books goes from 0-100 in 2 seconds and the middle of the book feels like the finale, and the latter half of the book feels like a completely unrelated plotline. The latter half also gets more and more ridiculous, and it just strayed too far for me from the book's fairly grounded beginning.
A part of the problem here is that this book wants to have its cake and eat it too in terms of explaining everything with science. The science explanations don't quite mesh with what's happening on page. It's okay to just let things be magic, I think.
As a final point, there's a singular POV chapter from [REDACTED], and where I had liked him and how down-to-earth and normal he was in the first half, the POV chapter made me dislike him. His reasons for liking Jericho were shallow and, in my opinion, kind of demeaning, and he just turned into a "chivalrous" fool after that point (e.g., telling Jericho it's too safe for her to follow the villain and he and the others will go alone, when Jericho was the only person who was actually useful in the fight).
I feel very torn on this because I wanted to love it, but ultimately the plotting left me baffled. That said, there were some strong foundations in this book, and I'd be willing to read more in this series in future to see how Jericho moves forward from here.
June 30, 2025
When I first saw the cover for The Midnight Pack, I literally gasped. It was stunning and the fact that it was a werewolf urban fantasy was an added bonus. I've been reading urban fantasy for as long as I can remember; it's one of my favorite sub-genres. The cover and synopsis both looked and sounded promising. But it saddens me to say that The Midnight Pack unfortunately did not live up to my expectations.
To start, the pitch for this book was completely inaccurate. Beauty and the Beast meets Supernatural? The novel was nowhere near being influenced by Beauty and the Beast. There was ONE line, cheesy as hell and not in a good or funny way. As for the Supernatural comparison, I’m guessing it’s because the main character is a P.I. who takes on bizarre, unexplainable cases? Hard to say. To be frank, I had a lot of issues with The Midnight Pack.
The story begins with Jericho being called to the town of Stillbridge to solve a murder. In the first couple of chapters, she does the usual investigative work' talking to people and witnesses. She gets a tip about a reclusive man in the woods, and on her way to find him, she sprains her ankle and is rescued by his son, Benjamin. For the next 70% of the book, I had to endure endless scenes of Jericho and Benjamin flirting. She stays with him for most of the book, supposedly waiting for her ankle to heal but for someone who's injured, she walks around quite a bit. The murder case is all but forgotten, and whenever Jericho does remember it, she’s quickly distracted by her lust for Benjamin.
Despite being in their late twenties or early thirties, Jericho and Benjamin acted like horny teenagers; immature and ridiculous. The author repeatedly used the word “blushed” to describe their reactions to each other, every few paragraphs and it drove me bonkers.
I wish the werewolf element had been a mystery to the reader, but since it's splashed across the cover, watching Jericho obliviously stumble around the Grey' household, clueless that they’re werewolves, was painful. There was so much missed potential for suspense and discovery, but it was completely undermined by the cover tagline. The worst part of the novel, however, was the romance; it was childish and full of angst. It was instalove in the worst way. They said “I love you” after knowing each other for a week or less. There was no foundation, no buildup; just superficial attraction: she’s hot, he’s hot. If the author had removed the romance altogether, the novel might have been better, but unfortunately, it ends up overshadowing everything and dragging the story down.
There were also numerous plot holes, where things either didn’t make sense or were too easily and conveniently explained, as if the reader was just supposed to accept it and move on. The Midnight Pack was a real chore to get through, but I pushed on just to finish it. I had already invested so much time that I didn’t want to DNF it; though in hindsight, I should have. I do not recommend this book. The Midnight Pack was poorly written, with superficial characters and a subpar plot.
To start, the pitch for this book was completely inaccurate. Beauty and the Beast meets Supernatural? The novel was nowhere near being influenced by Beauty and the Beast. There was ONE line, cheesy as hell and not in a good or funny way. As for the Supernatural comparison, I’m guessing it’s because the main character is a P.I. who takes on bizarre, unexplainable cases? Hard to say. To be frank, I had a lot of issues with The Midnight Pack.
The story begins with Jericho being called to the town of Stillbridge to solve a murder. In the first couple of chapters, she does the usual investigative work' talking to people and witnesses. She gets a tip about a reclusive man in the woods, and on her way to find him, she sprains her ankle and is rescued by his son, Benjamin. For the next 70% of the book, I had to endure endless scenes of Jericho and Benjamin flirting. She stays with him for most of the book, supposedly waiting for her ankle to heal but for someone who's injured, she walks around quite a bit. The murder case is all but forgotten, and whenever Jericho does remember it, she’s quickly distracted by her lust for Benjamin.
Despite being in their late twenties or early thirties, Jericho and Benjamin acted like horny teenagers; immature and ridiculous. The author repeatedly used the word “blushed” to describe their reactions to each other, every few paragraphs and it drove me bonkers.
I wish the werewolf element had been a mystery to the reader, but since it's splashed across the cover, watching Jericho obliviously stumble around the Grey' household, clueless that they’re werewolves, was painful. There was so much missed potential for suspense and discovery, but it was completely undermined by the cover tagline. The worst part of the novel, however, was the romance; it was childish and full of angst. It was instalove in the worst way. They said “I love you” after knowing each other for a week or less. There was no foundation, no buildup; just superficial attraction: she’s hot, he’s hot. If the author had removed the romance altogether, the novel might have been better, but unfortunately, it ends up overshadowing everything and dragging the story down.
There were also numerous plot holes, where things either didn’t make sense or were too easily and conveniently explained, as if the reader was just supposed to accept it and move on. The Midnight Pack was a real chore to get through, but I pushed on just to finish it. I had already invested so much time that I didn’t want to DNF it; though in hindsight, I should have. I do not recommend this book. The Midnight Pack was poorly written, with superficial characters and a subpar plot.
August 9, 2025
Thank you to Orbit and Oliver Wehner for providing me with an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This sounded like an awesome book, and as many of my favorites do, seemed to straddle various genres simultaneously. In this book, the author beautifully merges mystery, romance, urban fantasy, and paranormal events. But the thing that stood out to me the most was that it seemed like a nice, simple read, which we all need sometimes, right? I was also reading a terribly sad nonfiction ebook at the time, and this was perfect to switch to when the ebook got too heavy. Lucky for me, that worked out perfectly!
To start with, Jericho James is a funny, sarcastic, badass. She is a PI that is called in to whenever something supernatural occurs, similar to the Rivers of London series where the Folly is called in for ‘Code Falcon’ crimes, aka paranormal events. Jericho is smart, crafty, perceptive, and determined. While she still isn’t sure about there being any paranormal creature to be found, she still gives it her full attention. Until she stumbles upon one of the family members, Ben. Right from their first meeting, there are sparks flying everywhere. He brings her to his house, and mixed responses from the family members follow. The four men, three brothers and their father, live in an isolated house fairly deep into the forest. Not only are they handsome, they’re scientists working on developing a cure to a virus.
Jericho is more of a go with the flow kind of woman, and doesn’t really question further as I would have expected her to. Maybe it’s because I know what to expect from books—I figured out early on what the ‘mystery creature’ was going to be, and I was right. That didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book, and sometimes I enjoy a book where some of the twists are predictable.
There is a lust-at-first-sight situation, but I appreciated that the characters didn’t act on it until they really got to know each other. It made the relationship feel more realistic as Jericho and Benjamin really became comfortable and familiar together, although the sexual tension was off the charts throughout the book. I loved the way the author wrote the interactions between characters, making them feel genuine, whether it was between Ben and his brothers, their father and his sons, Ben and Jericho, or even Jericho and the other brothers.
Overall, this was a fun read, and the perfect light kind of read for between my heavy fantasy and history reads. I flew through the audiobook, narrated by Sarah Beth Goer, who did a wonderful job with the story, keeping me glued to my phone until I finished reading it. If you’re looking for a good intro to monster romance, this is the book for you, with its urban fantasy, paranormal romance vibes. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to read this one, since I probably wouldn’t have heard of it otherwise.
This sounded like an awesome book, and as many of my favorites do, seemed to straddle various genres simultaneously. In this book, the author beautifully merges mystery, romance, urban fantasy, and paranormal events. But the thing that stood out to me the most was that it seemed like a nice, simple read, which we all need sometimes, right? I was also reading a terribly sad nonfiction ebook at the time, and this was perfect to switch to when the ebook got too heavy. Lucky for me, that worked out perfectly!
To start with, Jericho James is a funny, sarcastic, badass. She is a PI that is called in to whenever something supernatural occurs, similar to the Rivers of London series where the Folly is called in for ‘Code Falcon’ crimes, aka paranormal events. Jericho is smart, crafty, perceptive, and determined. While she still isn’t sure about there being any paranormal creature to be found, she still gives it her full attention. Until she stumbles upon one of the family members, Ben. Right from their first meeting, there are sparks flying everywhere. He brings her to his house, and mixed responses from the family members follow. The four men, three brothers and their father, live in an isolated house fairly deep into the forest. Not only are they handsome, they’re scientists working on developing a cure to a virus.
Jericho is more of a go with the flow kind of woman, and doesn’t really question further as I would have expected her to. Maybe it’s because I know what to expect from books—I figured out early on what the ‘mystery creature’ was going to be, and I was right. That didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book, and sometimes I enjoy a book where some of the twists are predictable.
There is a lust-at-first-sight situation, but I appreciated that the characters didn’t act on it until they really got to know each other. It made the relationship feel more realistic as Jericho and Benjamin really became comfortable and familiar together, although the sexual tension was off the charts throughout the book. I loved the way the author wrote the interactions between characters, making them feel genuine, whether it was between Ben and his brothers, their father and his sons, Ben and Jericho, or even Jericho and the other brothers.
Overall, this was a fun read, and the perfect light kind of read for between my heavy fantasy and history reads. I flew through the audiobook, narrated by Sarah Beth Goer, who did a wonderful job with the story, keeping me glued to my phone until I finished reading it. If you’re looking for a good intro to monster romance, this is the book for you, with its urban fantasy, paranormal romance vibes. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to read this one, since I probably wouldn’t have heard of it otherwise.
June 14, 2025
**I WON A COPY OF THE AUDIOBOOK FROM THE AUTHOR. THANK YOU A TON. THIS HAS NOT IMPACTED MY REVIEW IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. **
*NO MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS REVIEW**
This was a bit of a deviation from what I normally read. I would describe this as a paranormal mystery/suspense with romance. But it was pretty good! I was engaged with the storyline/plotline and the romance. It was almost an insta love romance, but hey, worth it. The storyline is fast pace so you have to suspend your disbelief a bit. It definitely reminded me of an episode of supernatural. Investigator rolls up to a small town, meets some people, hears some stories, goes out into the woods, and stuff happens. Semi paranormal/semi mystery that Jer has to unravel, all the while facing her feelings towards her hot keeper. I mean, I probably would of jumped his bones too. The events in the story are fast paced, almost so if you blink you miss out. But I was happy that the ball wasnt hidden and we got right down to the nitty gritty. With Jer's snarky attitude, this book was quite the experience. I just wish it had more wolves!
I did like Jericho, she was just a normal gal and she told it like it was. I felt like I was on the phone with a friend. Which is a weird thing to say, but she was just so natural. I really liked her character. The only thing I wish she had been more cognizant about, was the men. Like ummm, I probably wouldnt have been as chummy with random strangers in the woods, but maybe it was a survival tactic? Least the one was very nice and it was both an insta connection and like...there needed to be more foundation. But perhaps that can be addressed later on.
Speaking of the boy, I call him blush boi, because he blushes so much. I do not know if normal men blush alot, but this guy was just adorable. His name is Ben and he sees to all Jer's needs. He was like her rugged prince charming. I definitely would not have minded just staying in a seluded cabin with him. Even if he was an axe murderer. Least you would die happy. Blush boi was cute and I wish there had been more of his pov. I was happy with the snippet I got, but I need moreee.
Overall I thought the plot was interesting too, with the mix of science into it and the discussion of science v. magic. I can tell the author definitely took some time to do some research on things before she put them in her novel. But the way it is discussed isnt like...over the top. It is so causal, it is just easy to understand and how it impacts the story. This is not the end for Jer, only the beginning.
Remember, this is all my opinion. If you want your own, read/listen to the book!
*NO MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS REVIEW**
This was a bit of a deviation from what I normally read. I would describe this as a paranormal mystery/suspense with romance. But it was pretty good! I was engaged with the storyline/plotline and the romance. It was almost an insta love romance, but hey, worth it. The storyline is fast pace so you have to suspend your disbelief a bit. It definitely reminded me of an episode of supernatural. Investigator rolls up to a small town, meets some people, hears some stories, goes out into the woods, and stuff happens. Semi paranormal/semi mystery that Jer has to unravel, all the while facing her feelings towards her hot keeper. I mean, I probably would of jumped his bones too. The events in the story are fast paced, almost so if you blink you miss out. But I was happy that the ball wasnt hidden and we got right down to the nitty gritty. With Jer's snarky attitude, this book was quite the experience. I just wish it had more wolves!
I did like Jericho, she was just a normal gal and she told it like it was. I felt like I was on the phone with a friend. Which is a weird thing to say, but she was just so natural. I really liked her character. The only thing I wish she had been more cognizant about, was the men. Like ummm, I probably wouldnt have been as chummy with random strangers in the woods, but maybe it was a survival tactic? Least the one was very nice and it was both an insta connection and like...there needed to be more foundation. But perhaps that can be addressed later on.
Speaking of the boy, I call him blush boi, because he blushes so much. I do not know if normal men blush alot, but this guy was just adorable. His name is Ben and he sees to all Jer's needs. He was like her rugged prince charming. I definitely would not have minded just staying in a seluded cabin with him. Even if he was an axe murderer. Least you would die happy. Blush boi was cute and I wish there had been more of his pov. I was happy with the snippet I got, but I need moreee.
Overall I thought the plot was interesting too, with the mix of science into it and the discussion of science v. magic. I can tell the author definitely took some time to do some research on things before she put them in her novel. But the way it is discussed isnt like...over the top. It is so causal, it is just easy to understand and how it impacts the story. This is not the end for Jer, only the beginning.
Remember, this is all my opinion. If you want your own, read/listen to the book!
August 15, 2025
TL;DR: Not a winner for me, this was very flat
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!
Plot: Jericho goes walking to find a rabid animal and surprise, surprise is chased down by Not-A-Werewolf-Wink-Wink Benjamin.
Characters: The screen I read this on had more interesting qualities than these characters.
Setting: This is set in the woods, with an over the top house. It was… there.
Fantasy: This is Urban Fantasy at it’s most boiled down. Werewolves in the ‘real’ world and Jericho is meant to be discovering it.
Thoughts:
This one was a big disappointment for me. I’ve been a long time fan of detective urban fantasy novels. That is one of the many genres I grew up reading, thanks Walmart book section. So seeing a new one getting released? I was in!
Unfortunately this was definitely not it. Jericho is a private investigator? Possibly, we don’t actually know if she carries a license and I suspect she isn’t. She is called in to investigate a gnarly death after a woman is mauled by a ‘bear’ in the woods. Jericho happily skips off with little to no protection into the woods to look for this bear and is, surprising no one, chased by a strange animal into the mysterious arms of Benjamin. This of course is going to be our love interest, who for all story beats and purposes is a ‘cinnamon roll with a secret’. Bet you can guess the secret!
The mystery is pretty easy to solve from here. There are werewolves, there is a mystery, a big McMansion that of course our men built themselves, a big library, a beautiful garden, etc. The story attempts to make some parallels between Wendigos and Werewolves, which I… didn’t care for. While it looks like the author got the surface level lore somewhat correct, the parallels between the two especially when you take into context the rest of the book and it’s approach to werewolves, is uncomfortable. As an aside as well, these are some of the most unaware werewolves I’ve ever read about. Murder not far from their house? Eh, it’s a bear, never mind that they don’t see any bears.
I could go on and on about the holes and issues I had with his but we’ll end here. Just like Benjamin and his dad Kermit seem to have a large library but don’t actually read the books (especially on bears), this might be one I think you can skip. It definitely wasn’t for me.
Source: NetGalley - Thank you to the publisher!!
Plot: Jericho goes walking to find a rabid animal and surprise, surprise is chased down by Not-A-Werewolf-Wink-Wink Benjamin.
Characters: The screen I read this on had more interesting qualities than these characters.
Setting: This is set in the woods, with an over the top house. It was… there.
Fantasy: This is Urban Fantasy at it’s most boiled down. Werewolves in the ‘real’ world and Jericho is meant to be discovering it.
Thoughts:
This one was a big disappointment for me. I’ve been a long time fan of detective urban fantasy novels. That is one of the many genres I grew up reading, thanks Walmart book section. So seeing a new one getting released? I was in!
Unfortunately this was definitely not it. Jericho is a private investigator? Possibly, we don’t actually know if she carries a license and I suspect she isn’t. She is called in to investigate a gnarly death after a woman is mauled by a ‘bear’ in the woods. Jericho happily skips off with little to no protection into the woods to look for this bear and is, surprising no one, chased by a strange animal into the mysterious arms of Benjamin. This of course is going to be our love interest, who for all story beats and purposes is a ‘cinnamon roll with a secret’. Bet you can guess the secret!
The mystery is pretty easy to solve from here. There are werewolves, there is a mystery, a big McMansion that of course our men built themselves, a big library, a beautiful garden, etc. The story attempts to make some parallels between Wendigos and Werewolves, which I… didn’t care for. While it looks like the author got the surface level lore somewhat correct, the parallels between the two especially when you take into context the rest of the book and it’s approach to werewolves, is uncomfortable. As an aside as well, these are some of the most unaware werewolves I’ve ever read about. Murder not far from their house? Eh, it’s a bear, never mind that they don’t see any bears.
I could go on and on about the holes and issues I had with his but we’ll end here. Just like Benjamin and his dad Kermit seem to have a large library but don’t actually read the books (especially on bears), this might be one I think you can skip. It definitely wasn’t for me.
May 27, 2025
Thank you to Jasmine Kuliasha, Orbit, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of The Midnight Pack in exchange for my honest review.
The Midnight Pack is a mystery-based fantasy novel with a hint of romance in it. It follows Jericho, a private investigator who specializes in weird animal situations. This series as a whole has a lot of potential, however, I did struggle with this first book a little bit. This book feels like a setup book for the rest of the series in many ways. We need to know how Jericho got to where she did at the end of the book for anything else to make sense. However, because of that, even though it was full-length, it felt like a novella in content. I know that the subsequent books will follow the deal that was made at the end of this book, but just how that will happen, I am unsure. Additionally, the romance element of this book felt fast and a little forced. There was a lot that needed to be balanced between the mystery elements and setting up the characters and their motivations. Given the context of what was going on, adding in a romance felt rushed and unnecessary. I can see there being potential for the romance going forward; however, in this book, it felt like an element that could have been done without. I am still unclear if the love interest will even be in future books, as it was left more open-ended. If the romance is going to be this thing that develops throughout the series following this one character, and the purpose was to set the stage for future books on where the attraction started, fine. However, at times it felt like the romance was there for there to be romance, rather than because it was needed. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a romance subplot, however, I want it to feel natural and to see the romance develop over time, not an insta-love that could be done without. I am interested in reading book 2 whenever that comes out, as I can see a lot of potential for this series as a whole. I love the concept, I just hope we get more of the mystery focus next time, rather than the character setup. This was a needed book, I feel like, even if it felt like simply set-up, which is why I am excited to see where the series goes next.
The Midnight Pack is a mystery-based fantasy novel with a hint of romance in it. It follows Jericho, a private investigator who specializes in weird animal situations. This series as a whole has a lot of potential, however, I did struggle with this first book a little bit. This book feels like a setup book for the rest of the series in many ways. We need to know how Jericho got to where she did at the end of the book for anything else to make sense. However, because of that, even though it was full-length, it felt like a novella in content. I know that the subsequent books will follow the deal that was made at the end of this book, but just how that will happen, I am unsure. Additionally, the romance element of this book felt fast and a little forced. There was a lot that needed to be balanced between the mystery elements and setting up the characters and their motivations. Given the context of what was going on, adding in a romance felt rushed and unnecessary. I can see there being potential for the romance going forward; however, in this book, it felt like an element that could have been done without. I am still unclear if the love interest will even be in future books, as it was left more open-ended. If the romance is going to be this thing that develops throughout the series following this one character, and the purpose was to set the stage for future books on where the attraction started, fine. However, at times it felt like the romance was there for there to be romance, rather than because it was needed. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a romance subplot, however, I want it to feel natural and to see the romance develop over time, not an insta-love that could be done without. I am interested in reading book 2 whenever that comes out, as I can see a lot of potential for this series as a whole. I love the concept, I just hope we get more of the mystery focus next time, rather than the character setup. This was a needed book, I feel like, even if it felt like simply set-up, which is why I am excited to see where the series goes next.
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