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Ghost Pack #1
Mate Market
A mating of convenience even a lone wolf can't refuse.
I'm Wren, a shifter without a pack in a world where unclaimed females are considered property. Luckily, friendly ghosts keep me one step ahead of greedy alphas while also helping me free other women before they’re sold to the highest bidder.
Then a battle-scarred alpha who can banish ghosts with a single touch rips into my carefully controlled world. Locke offers me a become his mate in name only, and he’ll fight by my side to free lone females.
I try to refuse. I should refuse. But when one of my ghosts becomes trapped in Locke's territory and the next mate market looms, I realize I can't win this battle alone.
I need the help of someone living—even if it means binding myself to an alpha like the one who turned my friends into ghosts.
Mate Market is the first book in the slow-burn romantic urban fantasy Ghost Pack series, set in the unforgiving arctic wilderness where forced proximity, found family, and fierce werewolves collide.
I'm Wren, a shifter without a pack in a world where unclaimed females are considered property. Luckily, friendly ghosts keep me one step ahead of greedy alphas while also helping me free other women before they’re sold to the highest bidder.
Then a battle-scarred alpha who can banish ghosts with a single touch rips into my carefully controlled world. Locke offers me a become his mate in name only, and he’ll fight by my side to free lone females.
I try to refuse. I should refuse. But when one of my ghosts becomes trapped in Locke's territory and the next mate market looms, I realize I can't win this battle alone.
I need the help of someone living—even if it means binding myself to an alpha like the one who turned my friends into ghosts.
Mate Market is the first book in the slow-burn romantic urban fantasy Ghost Pack series, set in the unforgiving arctic wilderness where forced proximity, found family, and fierce werewolves collide.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2025
About the author
Aimee Easterling
123 books633 followersAimee Easterling is a USA Today Bestselling author writing on the boundary between urban fantasy and paranormal romance. She specializes in spunky shifters and invites you to dive into her werewolf world in the Wolf Rampant trilogy, the spinoff Bloodling serial, and her new Alpha Underground series.
Studying biology and working as a naturalist have both informed Aimee's writing, but she's quite willing to let reality slide in favor of a good story. When not writing, she loves to read and always keeps books by Robin McKinley, Patricia Briggs, and Elizabeth Peters on her shelf. You can learn more at www.aimeeeasterling.com.
Studying biology and working as a naturalist have both informed Aimee's writing, but she's quite willing to let reality slide in favor of a good story. When not writing, she loves to read and always keeps books by Robin McKinley, Patricia Briggs, and Elizabeth Peters on her shelf. You can learn more at www.aimeeeasterling.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 25, 2025
meh
The premise showed promise but everything was underdeveloped, the plot, the characters, the relationships and just the story as a whole. I feel like I could share the whole story with someone in 5 minutes. It’s like all the highlights of a good story were hit but in a very basic and quick way and everything was one note. It just needed a lot more development and it could have been good. This was one of those where the cover and the summary drew me in and I feel like neither were really what I got.
The premise showed promise but everything was underdeveloped, the plot, the characters, the relationships and just the story as a whole. I feel like I could share the whole story with someone in 5 minutes. It’s like all the highlights of a good story were hit but in a very basic and quick way and everything was one note. It just needed a lot more development and it could have been good. This was one of those where the cover and the summary drew me in and I feel like neither were really what I got.
September 21, 2025
Not good
This story was not well written. There was jumble of things going on, but everything was just surface level.
Nothing was truly explained about -Wren's parents
-the ghost ability (why it was so coveted-which we were told not shown)
-no real explanation of werewolf culture, history, etc
-no romance at all- didn't kiss or even hold hands
-no world building, is there more creatures or magic
Wren seemed like a 16 year old, not 26 year old woman.
I did not enjoy and I will not continue this series
This story was not well written. There was jumble of things going on, but everything was just surface level.
Nothing was truly explained about -Wren's parents
-the ghost ability (why it was so coveted-which we were told not shown)
-no real explanation of werewolf culture, history, etc
-no romance at all- didn't kiss or even hold hands
-no world building, is there more creatures or magic
Wren seemed like a 16 year old, not 26 year old woman.
I did not enjoy and I will not continue this series
July 12, 2025
Ever since the outpack fell, Wren and her ghost pack have been working to free women who have been captured and offered for sale as mates to unscrupulous alphas. It’s at one of these markets where she meets Locke, who turns everything she thought she knew about alphas upside down.
I really enjoyed this book, Wren had a very traumatic past, but she and her ghost pack have been doing an amazing job freeing women from the Mate Markets. However, I have to admit that Locke was probably my favorite character. He was perfect for Wren, he’s strong, but incredibly patient and accepting of her demands, regardless of whether they made sense to him or not. He’s really the perfect mate to help her heal from her past trauma. In fact, if you liked Locke, I highly recommend reading the prequel short story, Alpha’s Guide to Lost Wolves, to learn more about him—I love that the prequel title fits nicely with the book titles that Wren references throughout the story, it definitely made me smile. This new series is off to an awesome start and the book ends with a great hook for the second book, which I am eagerly awaiting! I am a big fan of Ms. Easterling and I cannot wait to read what happens next!
I really enjoyed this book, Wren had a very traumatic past, but she and her ghost pack have been doing an amazing job freeing women from the Mate Markets. However, I have to admit that Locke was probably my favorite character. He was perfect for Wren, he’s strong, but incredibly patient and accepting of her demands, regardless of whether they made sense to him or not. He’s really the perfect mate to help her heal from her past trauma. In fact, if you liked Locke, I highly recommend reading the prequel short story, Alpha’s Guide to Lost Wolves, to learn more about him—I love that the prequel title fits nicely with the book titles that Wren references throughout the story, it definitely made me smile. This new series is off to an awesome start and the book ends with a great hook for the second book, which I am eagerly awaiting! I am a big fan of Ms. Easterling and I cannot wait to read what happens next!
July 2, 2026
2.5 stars rounded down. This book had a unique concept but the execution was poor.
Everything lacked depth. There was literally no worldbuilding; readers are thrown into the deep end and expected to sink or swim.
I started off liking Wren but quickly grew to dislike her. She wasn't all that competent on her own and constantly threw herself into questionable situations that she would then need saving from.
I also wasn't a fan of how the relationship between the main leads developed. In my view their dynamic was totally one sided: Locke was a perfectly patient and understanding alpha guy but Wren's inability to get out of her own way was beyond annoying.
She finally lost me when she walked into a trap of her own accord without calling any backup, knowing damn well her man would go crazy looking for her. At that point I decided Morgan was right about everything.
The writing style was fine, but had far too much telling instead of showing. Certain words were also oversaturated in the text, for example, "Luckily" and "ufortunately".
Summary: Easterling's concepts are always new and exciting but unfortunately the execution for this book left a lot to be desired.
Everything lacked depth. There was literally no worldbuilding; readers are thrown into the deep end and expected to sink or swim.
I started off liking Wren but quickly grew to dislike her. She wasn't all that competent on her own and constantly threw herself into questionable situations that she would then need saving from.
I also wasn't a fan of how the relationship between the main leads developed. In my view their dynamic was totally one sided: Locke was a perfectly patient and understanding alpha guy but Wren's inability to get out of her own way was beyond annoying.
She finally lost me when she walked into a trap of her own accord without calling any backup, knowing damn well her man would go crazy looking for her. At that point I decided Morgan was right about everything.
The writing style was fine, but had far too much telling instead of showing. Certain words were also oversaturated in the text, for example, "Luckily" and "ufortunately".
Summary: Easterling's concepts are always new and exciting but unfortunately the execution for this book left a lot to be desired.
July 22, 2025
A new heroine! Wren has had a tough life. Her current pack consist of one person, Morgan, and five ghosts. Two of the ghosts, Braden and Chloe, are friends who are killed right in front of her by a former alpha. Wren shares a connection to her ghostly pack members through objects from their past lives and her blood. You'll see. Wren, Morgan, and the ghosts have been working to free the unwilling female shifters of so-called called mate markets. The females are captured and sold to alphas who need mates or, more likely, pups. The ghostly members of the pack provide much needed support to Wren who is usually locked in a cage as a decoy. When Locke shows up looking for a mate, his touch breaks Wren's connections to her ghost pack members. That's how it all starts.
I won't spoil the story for you. If you read 'Alpha's Guide to Lost Wolves,' you will recognize a few of the characters in this book since that was a bit of a prequel. Don't worry if you didn't have a chance to read it, this book stands alone. Wren will find something she never expected and lose some things she wouldn't have ever imagined. Locke will prove himself to be a worthy ally, even when Wren is hiding things from him. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
I won't spoil the story for you. If you read 'Alpha's Guide to Lost Wolves,' you will recognize a few of the characters in this book since that was a bit of a prequel. Don't worry if you didn't have a chance to read it, this book stands alone. Wren will find something she never expected and lose some things she wouldn't have ever imagined. Locke will prove himself to be a worthy ally, even when Wren is hiding things from him. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
August 31, 2025
Audiobook: I enjoyed this first book in this new series a lot. This story captured my attention from the opening until the end. I admired the use of the arctic wilderness as the backdrop for this story, and how several times descriptive words about feelings or some of the dialogue pointed towards that environment. I liked Wren and her fierceness as she worked to free captive females. I was astonished by the idea of a ghost pack, and I thought the idea was very creative. I enjoyed Grace Noble's narration as her performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
July 3, 2025
I’ve been reading this author for quite a while now, and I think her writing is getting better and better. This latest is a series starter, and what a starter it is. Poor Wren has so much trauma from when she was a teenager, and she saw something and did something that has scared her for a long time. I love how patient Locke is with her, and how that helps her with her trauma. Add to that, this is a pulse-pounding, action-filled, and interesting book sure to please fans and newcomers alike. I just loved this, and I can’t wait for the next one. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
July 23, 2025
Mate Market (Ghost Pack book 1) by Aimee Easterling is a heart wretching trip into the world of kidnapping and selling unmated female werewolves reminiscent of human slave trafficking. Wren, AKA Robin Hood of the Cages, is determined, with the help of her ghost pack, to free these women and put an end to this inhumane practice. The problem is, Wren doesn't trust people, especially the living kind. And she really has hang ups about Alphas. But when she meets Locke, she begins to realize that maybe things could be different. Or not. Maybe she is better off alone with just her ghostly friends. After all, to trust again just may mean more heart break.
The storyline is fast-paced and very well written, filled with danger, kidnapping, intrigue, subterfuge, Alpha wars, trust issues and absolutely adorable ghosts 👻. True to form, the author once again creates an unusual twist on folklore with the addition of the ghost pack. The characters are well developed, unique and engaging. Wren is very hard core, while Locke is the perfect Alpha. But can they overcome their differences and learn to work together, or are mate markets going to continue despite their best efforts? Overall, I thoroughly appreciated reading Mate Market and highly recommend it!
The storyline is fast-paced and very well written, filled with danger, kidnapping, intrigue, subterfuge, Alpha wars, trust issues and absolutely adorable ghosts 👻. True to form, the author once again creates an unusual twist on folklore with the addition of the ghost pack. The characters are well developed, unique and engaging. Wren is very hard core, while Locke is the perfect Alpha. But can they overcome their differences and learn to work together, or are mate markets going to continue despite their best efforts? Overall, I thoroughly appreciated reading Mate Market and highly recommend it!
September 7, 2025
WOW! WHAT AN INTERESTING CAST OF CHARACTERS AND PLOT LINE!
Another unique premise for a werewolf book by Aimee Easterling, who always delights with a new twist on werewolf life with every new series, and never disappoints! I enjoyed the narrator and the audiobook version and thank the publisher for my advanced listener copy. This is my honest and heartfelt review. I am eager to continue listening to this series and highly recommend Mate Market to you.
Another unique premise for a werewolf book by Aimee Easterling, who always delights with a new twist on werewolf life with every new series, and never disappoints! I enjoyed the narrator and the audiobook version and thank the publisher for my advanced listener copy. This is my honest and heartfelt review. I am eager to continue listening to this series and highly recommend Mate Market to you.
July 18, 2025
Fun concept. Yes, everyone (in the story) is a werewolf but Wren also has a pack bond to a group of ghost werewolves.
BUT... Young female werewolves are being trapped and sold to alphas. Wren and her friends (living and dead) are doing their best to rescue the females and disrupt the Mate Markets. Wren's life gets complicated.
ARC from the author.
BUT... Young female werewolves are being trapped and sold to alphas. Wren and her friends (living and dead) are doing their best to rescue the females and disrupt the Mate Markets. Wren's life gets complicated.
ARC from the author.
December 14, 2025
when you read the description of this book it makes it sound like the MMC intentionally rips her ghosts away from her. Its much more of an accidental contact and he doesn't know he has that ability type deal. I really thought he was going to be a bit of an A hole to the FMC or that he would be trying to save her from the ghosts or something and that's not even close.
August 15, 2025
I was given this ebook by the author to read and since I enjoyed it so much decide to Review it. This is one of the most enjoyable Werewolf and ghost stories I read to date!! Highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to the next book when it comes out.
May 3, 2026
Mate Market
Interesting story with wolves in the cold North. Packs vying for territory, a Council that did little and a small group rescuing female captives. Oh, and ghosts that one wolf sees.
Interesting story with wolves in the cold North. Packs vying for territory, a Council that did little and a small group rescuing female captives. Oh, and ghosts that one wolf sees.
July 6, 2026
I liked this book; it was very different to these sorts of books I have read before, but I do wish we knew more about this ghost thing and Locke's past. I know there are more books in the series, but I don't think I will finish the series.
April 28, 2026
This book was hard to put down. Looking forward to the other books in this series. Just great!
May 6, 2026
Great story
Great characters, love the story line. Looking forward to the next book to see what else happens. Want to see more.ghost pack.
Great characters, love the story line. Looking forward to the next book to see what else happens. Want to see more.ghost pack.
May 23, 2026
no more mating/shifter shit, no more! i cant, this is just not for me. I tried, I really did, but this books are just not for me.
June 24, 2026
Aimee is awesome!
So to put it simply, Aimee’s ability to tell new and exciting stories is awe inspiring. Live all her work
So to put it simply, Aimee’s ability to tell new and exciting stories is awe inspiring. Live all her work
June 14, 2026
interesting AND FRESH TAKE ON A SHIFTER STORY
I found this story funny, interesting, and intriguing while keeping my attention and wondering what would happen next. Love the twins and hated the friends who took advantage of the whole situation. Highly recommend to all lovers of shifter books. Thanks for not inserting sexual scenes as many writers seem to want to do.
I found this story funny, interesting, and intriguing while keeping my attention and wondering what would happen next. Love the twins and hated the friends who took advantage of the whole situation. Highly recommend to all lovers of shifter books. Thanks for not inserting sexual scenes as many writers seem to want to do.
June 4, 2026
3.5 stars
August 27, 2025
This is the first novel in Aimee Easterling’s Ghost Pack series of contemporary paranormal romantic fantasy. Although this story can be enjoyed on its own, I recommend reading the entire series in order, starting with the prequel short story, “Alpha's Guide to Lost Wolves.” This story takes place after the Rune Wolf series and has some references to that series, but you don’t have to read that series first to enjoy this.
Wren is a young werewolf with a traumatic past who is committed to rescuing other female werewolves who have been kidnapped and are being auctioned at mate markets. She’s assisted by one living friend and a small pack of ghost werewolves. When she meets Locke, a very attractive alpha in need of a mate, he offers her an unusual proposal: a mating of convenience where she will act as his mate to settle his pack, and he will fight at her side. What results is a very exciting, action-packed story with a slow burn romance.
I liked Wren and adored Locke, as well as many of the secondary characters. I couldn’t quite grasp the metaphysics of the ghost pack, but I was enjoying the story enough to just roll with it.
The audiobook production was good, and Grace Noble’s narration was fine. Her pacing felt a little off to me at times, but her pronunciation is clear, and she’s able to convey mood and emotion effectively. She mostly did well with character voices, although I occasionally found it hard to distinguish between some of the voices. I wish she had used more diverse accents and speech mannerisms.
If you enjoy paranormal romance, contemporary fantasy, and shifter stories, you should give this a try.
The author provided me with a free ARC and advanced listening copy. I am voluntarily posting this honest review.
Wren is a young werewolf with a traumatic past who is committed to rescuing other female werewolves who have been kidnapped and are being auctioned at mate markets. She’s assisted by one living friend and a small pack of ghost werewolves. When she meets Locke, a very attractive alpha in need of a mate, he offers her an unusual proposal: a mating of convenience where she will act as his mate to settle his pack, and he will fight at her side. What results is a very exciting, action-packed story with a slow burn romance.
I liked Wren and adored Locke, as well as many of the secondary characters. I couldn’t quite grasp the metaphysics of the ghost pack, but I was enjoying the story enough to just roll with it.
The audiobook production was good, and Grace Noble’s narration was fine. Her pacing felt a little off to me at times, but her pronunciation is clear, and she’s able to convey mood and emotion effectively. She mostly did well with character voices, although I occasionally found it hard to distinguish between some of the voices. I wish she had used more diverse accents and speech mannerisms.
If you enjoy paranormal romance, contemporary fantasy, and shifter stories, you should give this a try.
The author provided me with a free ARC and advanced listening copy. I am voluntarily posting this honest review.
November 24, 2025
Wren is a female wolf shifter without a pack which makes her vulnerable to capture and then being sold to the highest bidder. But with the help of some ghost, she has become a vigilante of sorts, by freeing other woman from the greedy alphas who would own them. When one of her missions to free a group of women who are being sold goes terribly wrong, she will be faced with a nearly impossible decision, become Locke’s mate or be sold to the highest bidder.
Wow, this is an exciting and action-packed urban fantasy with an unexpected twist that kept me engrossed in this book from the very first page. I loved this book! The characters are absolutely fascinating, and their personalities are so realistically portrayed that they seemed to jump off the page and kept me engaged in their story to the point that I could not put this book down. A must-read book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC received from the author.
Wow, this is an exciting and action-packed urban fantasy with an unexpected twist that kept me engrossed in this book from the very first page. I loved this book! The characters are absolutely fascinating, and their personalities are so realistically portrayed that they seemed to jump off the page and kept me engaged in their story to the point that I could not put this book down. A must-read book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC received from the author.
September 16, 2025
Partnermarkt ist das erste Buch der neuen Serie von Aimee Easterling die anknüpft an die Runenwolf Serie.
Wren und ihre Verbündeten haben zum Ziel Märkte auf denen Frauen meißtbietend verkauft und gegen ihren Willen zur Paarung gezwungen werden abzuschaffen. Spannend und aufregend begleitet man Wren auf ihrer Mission und erlebt mit ihr Enttäuschung, Freude, Freundschaft und Zusammengehörigkeitsgefühl. Ich freue mich auf die Fortsetzung.
Wren und ihre Verbündeten haben zum Ziel Märkte auf denen Frauen meißtbietend verkauft und gegen ihren Willen zur Paarung gezwungen werden abzuschaffen. Spannend und aufregend begleitet man Wren auf ihrer Mission und erlebt mit ihr Enttäuschung, Freude, Freundschaft und Zusammengehörigkeitsgefühl. Ich freue mich auf die Fortsetzung.
September 16, 2025
Partnermarkt ist das erste Buch der neuen Serie von Aimee Easterling die anknüpft an die Runenwolf Serie.
Wren und ihre Verbündeten haben zum Ziel Märkte auf denen Frauen meißtbietend verkauft und gegen ihren Willen zur Paarung gezwungen werden abzuschaffen. Spannend und aufregend begleitet man Wren auf ihrer Mission und erlebt mit ihr Enttäuschung, Freude, Freundschaft und Zusammengehörigkeitsgefühl. Ich freue mich auf die Fortsetzung.
Wren und ihre Verbündeten haben zum Ziel Märkte auf denen Frauen meißtbietend verkauft und gegen ihren Willen zur Paarung gezwungen werden abzuschaffen. Spannend und aufregend begleitet man Wren auf ihrer Mission und erlebt mit ihr Enttäuschung, Freude, Freundschaft und Zusammengehörigkeitsgefühl. Ich freue mich auf die Fortsetzung.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews