Pack of Lies

Monster Hunt #1

by Charlie Adhara, Joel Leslie (Narrator)

Werewolf meets human. Werewolf snubs human. Werewolf loves human?

Julien Doran arrived in sleepy Maudit Falls, North Carolina, with a heart full of hurt and a head full of questions. The key to his brother's mysterious last days might be found in this tiny mysterious town, and now Julien's amateur investigation is starting to unearth things the locals would rather keep buried.

Perhaps most especially the strange, magnetic manager of a deserted retreat that's nearly as odd as its staff.

Eli Smith is a lot of things: thief, werewolf, glamour-puss, liar. And now the manager of a haven for rebel pack runaways. He’s spent years cultivating the persona of a flippant sophisticate to disguise his origins, but for the first time ever he’s been entrusted with a real responsibility - and he plans to take that seriously.

Even if the handsome tourist who claims to be in town for some R & R is clearly on a hunt for all things paranormal. And hasn't taken his brooding gaze off Eli since he's arrived.

When an old skeleton and a fresh corpse turn a grief errand into a murder investigation, the unlikely Eli is the only person Julien can turn to. Trust is hard to come by in a town known for its monsters, but so is time. As they're trapped together in a crumbling mountain lookout, their secrets will have to come out...or both of them may end up buried.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Mystery, Fantasy, M M Romance, Shapeshifters, LGBT

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published August 30, 2022

About the author

Charlie Adhara loves snarky souls with a soft spot, twisty whodunits and happily ever afters. She writes contemporary, mystery, paranormal, queer romance. Or some assortment of that. Whatever the genre, her stories feature imperfect people stumbling around, tripping over trouble and falling in love. Charlie has done a fair amount of stumbling around herself, but tends to find her way back to the northeast US.

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once, I fell asleep reading this book. I was going to leave this review there but I feel like that’s too dismissive, also, I really don’t think this book is terrible. Though, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that I had a hard time reading through each chapter without feeling the need to take a break. I guess I found the writing to be really dense and so packed (ha ha because that word’s in the title ha ha) with detail that I often found myself scratching my head in confusion. Each chapter varied in length, so it was hard to gauge whether or not it was a good idea to enact my “one-more-chapter-before-bed-rule.” Also, I couldn’t for the life of me remember who any of the other characters were other than the two main leads. I stopped myself a couple times mid-chapter to debate whether or not I needed to keep a note sheet just so I could understand what was going on (and I haven’t done that since reading Game of Thrones, the first Game of Thrones). On a more positive note, the book had a bit more sizzle when the two main characters were interacting because there was a good back-and-forth between Julien and… the other guy. I enjoyed the setting (snowed-in ski resort) and I did like the mystery, besides sometimes it’s fine to just be along for the ride. If it seems like I’m not exuding enthusiasm for this book, it’s only because I’m not all that enthusiastic about this book.

“It wasn’t that he’d expected to feel better by now. He’d just thought he might have found a different way to be sad.”

[Snjez · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I'm conflicted about this one. I love Eli – everything about him, really, but I'm not that fond of Julien. For the most part I didn't know what to think of his character. I just didn't find him interesting or appealing enough.

I think it's because of Julien that I didn't feel much chemistry between them. From Julien's POV, I get why he would be attracted to Eli. But it didn't work for me the other way around. I'm happy to say that I completely agree with Eli that it's better not to speak in certain, more intimate, situations. I hope that, in the future, Julien will follow Eli's example.

I felt the same way about the story. It took me a while to get into it and, while it had its moments, I wasn't fully invested in it. I did like the ending, though, so fingers crossed for the next one.

Edit: Rating rounded down

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Hearts!

A satisfying spinoff to the Big Bad Wolf series, but by no means is this recommended to read as a standalone only because one would be missing out on a rich paranormal romantic suspense with a top notch couple who set the stage for this new saga.

Here, Eli, a werewolf with secret shifting abilities even among his own kind, has been granted a huge responsibility by Cooper and Oliver from the aforementioned series. He’s been made manager of a mountainous resort designated as a safe place for rebel wolves who are trying to make a new start. Eli personally has a lot to prove, and it seems that many different parties do not want him to succeed.

Then there’s Julian. His dead brother left him a cryptic message leading him to the very area where Eli resides. Julian simply wants to soothe his guilt and find some answers, but strange things are afoot and he finds that he has no choice but to ally himself with the charmingly enigmatic and alluring Eli. Make no bones about it, Eli is a self proclaimed island, and though he finds Julian intriguing, he deflects like nobody’s business, but that’s because of reasons. So many reasons.

Be reassured that Adhara doesn’t shy away from what provokes these two men - the traumas of their pasts (especially Eli), their hesitance to trust and/or believe that they actually matter, and the drive for validation. The author also always succeeds at delivering a complex mystery with plenty of suspects, compelling characterizations and motivations, and a slow burn that shows off impeccable signature wit and banter.

Action, suspense, and emotional vulnerability run rampant, and thus, this was a definitive win. Adhara has quickly made herself a top favorite author of mine, and though Eli and Julian are no Cooper and Oliver, reassuringly they don’t fall very far from the mark. Thankfully, the conclusion sets up a new mystery that hints at being long in the running, and I’ll be sure to return to find more answers and to see this new duo get their happy ending with each other as well!

Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for a honest review

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't realised how much I missed being in Charlie Adhara's world until I heard she was writing a spin-off from her Big Bad Wolf series.

Eli Smith is the star of this series, the cocky but incredibly vulnerable shifter who's also Oliver's ex, who we last saw helping him and Coop in Cry Wolf.

He's 'happily' managing the retreat for runaway rebel wolves that Coop and Park have set up on the old Neilson lands from one of their earlier cases - even though he has no visitors yet - when he crosses paths with faded Hollywood star Julien Doran.

Both men have secrets to hide, but there's also a kindred connection which sparks between them as they get embroiled in the mystery surrounding Blue Tail Resort tucked away in a quiet corner of the Appalachian Mountains.

I can't tell you how much I loved this plot without giving it away, so I'll just say that these two have as rocky a start as Coop and Park did but with all the added complications of Julien knowing nothing about wolves.

The pacing is superb, starting off with a hint of mystery and a creepy feeling that something isn't right, before it picks up and heads off into heart pounding adrenaline-packed action.

It's also got the same subversive humour, as Eli's smart mouth gets him both in and out of trouble when things start kicking off.

Now, unlike the majority of the other books in this universe, I did actually guess who was the baddie but I didn't have a clue for the 'why' and I suspect that will be part of the series long ARC.

This isn't out until September but I'm already having withdrawal symptoms and desperately needing to know when book two will arrive!

#ARC kindly received from Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[Meep · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointing, the original series is an absolute favourite of mine. My story expectations were actually low, I was simply excited to read more Eli.
Read it as soon as it was released, but found I liked the other books more on re-read so gave it time and tried again. Sadly my opinion didn't change.

A lot of readers seem to like dual pov, I've seen it done well but prefer to stay in one head. Comparisons are inevitable; while I'd love a coda of Park's pov what wow'd me about their books were the misunderstandings - how we slowly learnt to read him and where Cooper's biases led him wrong.

Here we get Eli and Julien but that's two secretive people, it's hard to keep secrets from the reader when getting both povs, it felt wrong.

Julien seemed nice, handsome but insecure. I wanted to get to know him but there's the uncertain him, the polished actor him, then even at the end there's secrets and half truths that somehow were never revealed in his thoughts. Solely his pov would risk being too reminiscent of Cooper learning about Wolves, but this half view didn't quite work.

Eli. Oh Eli. His introduction was pure Eli sass but what happened? I get the flirting is disguise but he's sharp, wily, defensive - here he seemed to reveal too much and I never understood why he was getting involved, that's Cooper behaviour NOT Eli. A few times Julien remarks on Eli's personality but his comments reflected Eli of the other books, nothing here really showed that.

The sex. Was cringeworthily uncomfortable. The dynamic between Park-Cooper was hot because it was so them. Here there's suddenly distance rather than individual feelings, the dynamic could work but didn't feel special to them. There was always the sense Eli was avoiding the corridor not seeking an entanglement, then later the timing was again...

The mystery. It sort of all happened after the 70% mark, when there was action and confrontations. Until then, dull. I kind of wanted some monster mayhem! But there's a vague threat, a bunch of people who don't stand out. The 'shock' reveal was no suprise.

To be honest the best thing was the glimpse of Cooper and Park from Julien's pov. It made me laugh and adjust my image of him.
But that's sad because I still love Eli and want to like Julien, but this book didn't quite allow that. The book's end was lacklustre.

While I've pre-ordered the next book I don't know what to expect and I'm not eager for more of them.

Also hated the audio, the overwrought telling was getting me down and didn't suit the characters, I had to quit it.

-- -- -- --
Not just an Eli book, but an Eli SERIES?!?!?! [insert hysterical screaming here] I am HAPPY.

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new Goodreads is a trip!

Obvs, someone hasn't been around the GR block much lately but since today is RELEASE DAY!!!! I thought I would actually review this book instead of the pitiful excuse for a "review" I dropped a couple of months ago. I even reread it for the occasion!

So let's do this. What I sometimes find in spin-offs is the original couple kind of steals the limelight. No one wants another book featuring Cooper and Oliver more than I, but I'm happy to say this wasn't it. I wanted Eli and his paramour to be the star of this dope show and really get to know Eli better. And I did.

In my opinion, no one does boneheaded characters better than this author and I don't mean that as a slight, I mean it as a compliment because it makes her characters relatable. Eli and Julien both fumble, say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing but despite all the awkward and beneath all the bumbling I believed in their connection. The tender, sweet and vulnerable moments we get to see via the story being told through both of their perspectives was what convinced me of it.

Julien had the absurd, delirious thought that they'd kissed all the way into spring, and the murders and the lies and all of Rocky's secrets that were Julien's secrets now had melted away with the snow and he could just be here with Eli like this.

The murder mystery was a whirlwind and I thoroughly enjoyed trying to sleuth out the killer. My sleuthing skills need some work, evidently but no matter I still enjoyed myself and the atmosphere this author created in this snowy and sleepy North Carolina town of Maudit Falls.

And lest I forget, somewhere amidst all the Hardy Boysing by Julien and Eli they very industriously found time for some fairly kinky seggs that I was not mad at. At all. I'm just going to say their bedroom dynamic *might* prove to be more entertaining than Cooper and Oliver's. We shall see.

At any rate, I am staying tuned to see where their next adventure takes them and plan on being along for the ride as their relationship takes its next evolution.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
===========================================================================
5/30/22

Well, this sucks. I have a book hangover AND idk what to say.

I'll come up with something before release day which I didn't realize was still a coon's age away which also means I'll have to wait a coon's age & a half for the sequel which makes me sad in my face.

Anyhoo, 4.5 (rounded up)

[h o l l i s · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes, I swear you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. In this particular sense, I'm talking about rereads. I made a point to reread the Big Bad Wolf series prior to this spin-off series opener because I wanted everything fresh in my mind for any carry-over plots and characters. And I'm glad I did. I'm also glad I put two weeks between finishing those and starting this, just so there wouldn't be too much of a good thing in my brain. But.. I think it also made me love this a little less.

Don't get me wrong, there's a lot to love here. Eli being the number one thing. Eli was perfect. His dialogue, his wit, his whole being. There was no wrong done. And while I liked Julien, and did think there was some chemistry in their intimacy, outside of it..? It just wasn't as electric. I wasn't desperate for them to interact, to bounce off each other, or even to bone -- though hey, again, those were good times. There was really only one moment, where Julien asked to be friends (if you know you know!), that socked me in some feels.

Having said that, when I did my reread, I knocked some ratings up a star. So maybe this is another one I'll love more in hindsight when it's all said and done? Historically that seems to be the case with Adhara. We might eventually find out.

Oh, what's this all about you ask? Well, it's a queer paranormal shifter mystery! This new series (which, by the way, I would not recommend starting here; go back to the beginning and meet Cooper and Oliver!) features a secondary character from the main series, one who has not had an easy life (some backstory reveals in the main series, hint hint), and who is now part of a new start-up pack and is heading the running of a "retreat" (as far as humans know) which is a front for a shelter, or a safe place, for wolves. He's barely there long enough to get the place running before hijinks ensue that have him threatened by a nearby pack, put a human who is clearly hiding things in his path, and more. Said human, Julien, eventually convinces Eli to team up and try to uncover.. well, more than a few things. How's that for vague and unhelpful?

But yes, while I'm not shouting praise from the rooftops like I expected, this could just be me a little overwhelmed by my own expectations, and also too much Ollie and Coop too recently in my reading (and forever in my heart). It does not mean I am in any way not excited for more. I want Julien to grow on me. I want more hijinks. I want more Eli fullstop. And, in general, I just love this world and Adhara's writing. Also, I'm clearly an outlier; just look at all those five stars! I'm not disappointed by this rating. And you shouldn't be put off, either.

3.5 stars

** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

---

This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.

[alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I have nothing to hide."

"Neither do I," Eli purred. "Look at us. Two open books."

"Sure. Except yours is written in code. And invisible ink. And has one of those paper snakes that pop out and scare the shit out of anyone who picks you up."

Eli made that odd huffing sound again. "I assure you, Mr. Doran, I've never received a single complaint from those blessed enough to pick me up."

ELIIIIII IT’S ILLEGAL TO BE THIS SUAVE, YOU SMOOTH CRIMINAL

>>> technically standalone but i highly recommend everyone first read the Big Bad Wolf series for the ~Total Experience~ <<<

[3.9] welcome back to Maudit Falls, our infamous hush-hush shelter for rebel pack runaways! and what a return this was, with some long-awaited dual pov goodness *dances in the ocean of grief and trauma that comes with having twice the number of perspectives*

we finally get to see the world from the eyes and mind of a wolf character, and it is the one-and-only snarky flirt of a fashionista Elias (Eli) Smith, manager of the new haven and MY KING. i've adored him since he appeared in the original series, and i still laugh at the irony of him falling in love with a human when he said he would never. the human in question? Julien Doran, fading Hollywood actor following his brother's bread crumbs to discover the truth behind his mysterious passing.

Eli and Julien resemble two animals of prey in a dance, gauging each other amongst a crowd of other suspicious characters with witty banter and sneak peeks at vulnerability cushioning the space in between. things take a rapid turn when dead bodies start piling up, and they have no choice but to join forces while keeping their own secrets close to their chests.

i shouldn’t have expected anything less, but color me surprised by the bumbling, shy school boy energy Julien would exude in the face of Eli's flirtations, where his blushing face became indistinguishable from a tomato. but despite any underlying hesitation given a general lack of experience with men, trust me when i say he's a whole new breed of man in bed 😳 it's no easy feat scaling the walls Eli has built up to protect himself, but Julien proves to be a worthy challenger.

i do wish more time had been dedicated to letting the simmering chemistry heat up to a bubbling boil - and i mean to the point of spilling over the sides of the shipping pot, since we're meant to follow them over multiple books. that said, you could also make the argument that things didn't progress quickly enough, so it's all really a matter of personal preference/perception. those who've been with me for a while know that the slower the burn, the better (as a bonafide book masochist encourages, always 😆). while i'm not 100% sold on their connection just yet, there's no denying that they fit into each other's lives in some beautifully unexpected ways. i’m stoked for more tender moments to counteract the oodles of closed off behavior and lying, as the title implies, displayed here.

now, i would be remiss if i didn't mention my biggest niggle, which (i'll put it in a spoiler tag just in case, but i did my best to be as vague as possible) is a certain revelation in the last third of the story that left me questioning in the moment whether a) i'd accidentally skipped a chapter or b) switched over to another book. it came *that* out of left field.after trying to wrap my head around how this character had come to that conclusion and then realizing it was *deliberately* kept hidden from even the reader, confusion turned to mourning over the delicious internal strife we'd missed out on because of this purposeful concealment. i know i was raving about the dual pov, but the levels to which its execution could've been elevated... 😭

however, when all is said and done, Charlie Adhara's writing continues to be as strikingly compelling as ever, and i am already strapped in for the remainder of this thrilling Eli/Julien ride. the unresolved, overarching plot points and promises of more beyond their tentative HFN are calling my name!

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of the book! this is my honest review :)

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to nominate this book for one of the strangest locations/situations to have sex.

Seriously though, I really liked this book. I really loved Eli and excited to see more of him. The mystery was pretty good and I was excited to see Cooper & Oliver again.

Sometimes with these books, so many characters are introduced right in the beginning and it takes a while to get your bearings while you are reading. Some POV chapters purposefully withheld information from the reader which was a bit confusing when the information was revealed, and probably would have worked better in a book that is single POV.

[Ash&#x1f349;]

THE START OF ELI’S SERIES? I NEED IT NOW

Edit: I JUST SAW THAT WE GOT A COVER UPDATE, TIME FOR MORE HYPE

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounded down

This was a super solid start to a series, and an excellent spin-off from Adara's Big Bad Wolf Series. I think that it works okay as a standalone, but I'd strongly recommend reading that series first, where we're introduced to one of the main characters, Eli, as well as the setting and why he's there. Despite having read the series before, I actually wish I'd done a reread of it prior to this one, or at least re-read that last book, just so that some of the context was fresh in my head. I didn't need it, but it's clear that there are things being referenced that I should have been more familiar with.

Eli we'd already met, but it was fun to learn a bit more about him through his POV, though even then he's still pretty tight-lipped. Julian was a new character, whose POV we also get, and I found him quite enjoyable and interesting. His history and backstory were really great, and the way he and Eli come together, and the build between them, was just lovely. An engaging mystery and plot, and some nice twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat. They've both got some trust issues and make some missteps, but nothing that seems unforgivable, and we end the story with a very tentative HFN that feels satisfying for the story, but is clearly not meant to be the end of their romance, considering this is just the start of the series. I think a super solid HEA would not have made sense for these characters at this point so I was really satisfied with where it ended up. The smut was super hot, if not entirely the vibe and dynamic I wanted/saw for them, and I'll be curious to see how that evolves as well.

There are definitely some open threads, both in terms of plot and relationship, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the next book brings us! I don't love these two *quite* as much as Connor and Park (who do make a brief appearance) but the writing was as brilliant as I've come to expect from this author. Can't wait for the next release!

[Vanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Loved it stars!! 🤩❤️ I have to say that I was both looking forward to this one and was apprehensive at the same time. The Big Bad Wolf series is one of my favorites and I'm not even a true fan of this genre. I was afraid that like other authors, CA would fall in the same trap of her MCs emulating the other MCs.. (aka Eli would be like Cooper or Park, talk like them behave like them etc.. )But to my surprise, Eli came into his own in this book 😍.. such a strong character with hidden vulnerabilities which only the reader could see. And Julien; he was the biggest surprise of all.. a character with so many layers. it was like peeling an onion.. 😳
The mystery was riveting, mixed with some mythical folklore and inexplicable events happening in the same Maudit Falls area; a well known area for fans of the first series. This was the same place where everything had happened in The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (book 4-The Big Bad Wolf). Those mountains and woods are hiding even more secrets than previously thought and Eli and Julien form an unlikely partnership to uncover them. But will their closeness unravel more than Eli is ready for? Will they be able to find the Monster before IT finds them?
The answer to all these questions and more is in this highly addictive book. I just couldn't put it down. I'll admit the HFN ending was a tad disappointing, plus I would have loved Cooper and Park's cameo to be longer. But this was Eli's book so I understand that Cooper couldn't be allowed to overshadow him. Nevertheless the ending has left me wanting more.. firstly to get some closure regarding some unanswered questions from this book; and secondly to see Julian and Eli in a real relationship. ❤️
All in all, great book! Highly recommended!! 👍 👍 (I don't think that this can be read as a standalone; I recommend reading the entire The Big Bad Wolf series before picking this up.)

[a_n_i_t_a · Rating 5 out of 5]

• suspense/mystery • paranormal • werewolf shifter • m/m •

Eli’s spin off from Big Bad Wolf series (had to look that up because I just call them Cooper and Park 1 and so on… 😆).

This time we have Julien, unaware skeptic human, grieving the death of his brother. He ends up on a bit of a search for answers in order to come to terms with his grief and winds up stumbling across the retreat Eli manages (which is actually a safe haven for wolves escaping rebel packs).

Julien and Eli have an awkward and entertaining introduction and eventually both end up entangled in a mystery - a missing person, a dead body, a rumoured non-human boogeyman ‘Sweet Pea’ roaming the mountain and scaring off the neighbouring ski lodge tourists. Eli wants to make sure no whispers of any paranormal happenings come back and threaten the retreat.

It seemed absurd, a monster going monster hunting. But why not? Just for a couple of days. What could possibly go wrong?

Famous last words! 😬🫣

I loved the mystery here, I thought everyone was sus! And once again I did NOT solve it before the end of the book - even though I tried 🤣

And then there were the interactions between our two MMCs. Both knew they were keeping secrets.

“I have nothing to hide.”
“Neither do I,” Eli purred. “Look at us. Two open books.”

Both have their reasons for keeping a distance. But they had this way of being … a needed comfort to each other and shared some heart squeezing tender (& spicy) moments.

“You don’t even know me.”
“But I’d like to”

Excuse me while I melt into a giant puddle of goop 🫠 🫶


I loved it, LOVED the wolfy moments, loved the characters and I NEED more 😭
BR with Sarah and now we can cry over no more Eli or Cooper or Park together 😭😭😭

5⭐️
2🌶️

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

After loving Cooper and Park in The Wolf at the Door I kept my expectations LOW and am very pleasantly happy with Eli’s book! I had a great time!

We have typical Eli sass -

“I accept. But you’ll have to take that shirt back off first. I don’t fuck people in flannel.”

And every time Eli slips his ears into wolf ones while he is in skin gave me heart eyes 😍

”Eli got out of the shower and quickly dried off, slipped his twitchier bits back and forth until they were soothed and walked back into the bedroom.”

Book 2 was expected to be published in 2023 and pushed back multiple times, now with an indefinite date and no recent updates from the author. I’d say this can be read alone though and still feel satisfying. It ends on a loose HFN early in the relationship with no cliffhanger. The mystery in this book is complete but there is a main underlying plot that is yet to be resolved and there are still unfinished answers about that so it’s definitely not a standalone. Of course best read after the Big Bad Wolf series.

Loved the Cooper and Park cameos - absolute perfection 🙌🏼

Hoping Charlie Adhara is ok and gets back to writing ASAP because Anita and I NEED THE REST OF THIS SERIES!

[erraticdemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Pack of Lies hit every beat of mystery storytelling I expect from Charlie Adhara through the new character of Julien, an actor being thrown into the world of wolves, and Eli, a wolf from Adhara's previous series who has a dark past and special wolf shifting abilities. The use of dual point of view made the book even better as we finally got to see the wolf side. Don't get me wrong, I usually love a single point of view but since everyone was lying all the time having an understanding of both characters strengthened the narrative.

The setting of Maudit Falls, North Carolina gave me deja vu while reading because it brought me right back to the setting in Wolf in Sheep's Clothing and into this world of wolves. The struggling ski lodge with the small group of side characters made for an excellent backdrop to the mystery (a classic whodunit Clue setting, really). The layering of lies from the characters, the bodies showing up everywhere, and the twists and turns and reveals! I saw absolutely nothing coming (not that I ever do - I am not a very good detective).

The romance was the cherry on top of the bloody mystery sundae of this book with both characters struggling with trust and intimacy in different ways. They both have so much hope but rock bottom expectations and seeing them finally come together at the end made me very excited for the future books in this series. I want to see Julien and Eli grow together as characters and open up to each other so much! And Julien being an older main character discovering the queer life without struggling with his sexuality? Perfect.

A solid romance, a twisty fun mystery, and a set up for future books in the series? Yes, please!

I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.


Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf series) returns with a NEW series, Monster Hunt, featuring Elias Smith (who is Park's ex from that series) and Julien Doran, an 40-something Hollywood (fading) star who join forces with Elias when a murder mystery stumble upon them. Each has their own agenda without the other knowing at first - Elias wants to keep the wolf's retreat secret, Julien wants to uncover the answers behind his brother's death (after visiting Maudit Falls, North Carolina).

First of all, I am SO HAPPY that this time Adhara decides to make the series a two-person perspective. As much as I LOVED Cooper (the prickly porcupine) but I did miss knowing what Park's thought of him. This time, as a reader, I am treated with both thoughts, and I am LOVING it.

Elias feels rather toned down in this book - while he still in a way, flirt with Julien, but what is most important for Eli this time is TO DO GOOD and right for the retreat. I loved understanding Elias more, about his past, about his concerns, his fears. Elias is a complex character, even more so than Park (or maybe because I saw Park from Cooper's eyes), and it was wonderful to discover these layers of Eli.

Julien has this grief (and guilt) hanging over him when he come to Maudit Falls, but I admit, Julien is more observant than everyone think he is (including me!). He sees Eli past the persona that Eli puts to the world. And Julian's a great secret keeper, isn't he? I approve Julien for Eli, honestly... I think he will be good for Eli and it'll be a great relationship between them.

The setting of Maudit Falls is great -- amidst the snow and the forest it adds a touch of cloistered sinister to it. I thought the mystery was good too; Adhara sure delivers the red herrings and the surprising twist.

This book has a HFN ending, but not to worry, book #2 is already listed for publication release in April 2023. I can't wait to see how this relationship goes.





The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this an A at AAR

Charlie Adhara’s paranormal/romantic suspense  Big Bad Wolf  series is one of my all-time favourites. With clever plotting, excellent worldbuilding, fantastic characterisation and a beautifully developed central relationship, those books had it all, and were always going to be a tough act to follow. I was delighted when I learned the author would be writing more books set in this world and that we’d get to spend more time with the snarky, enigmatic Elias Smith – a major secondary character in the earlier series. Eli was introduced in Thrown to the Wolves, where we learned he’d had a very troubled past, running with rebel packs who used and betrayed him until he was rescued and taken in by the Parks. He’s my book catnip – complex, flawed and damaged with a sharp tongue and an attitude for miles.

While this is the first in a new series, I really would recommend reading the previous books first so as to gain an understanding of how this world works; pack politics and how wolves interact (or don’t) with humans are key elements in these stories, and you’ll get a bit of background information on Eli. Plus – they’re marvellous reads and I assure you, you won’t regret backtracking!

Pack of Lies opens just a couple of weeks so after the end of Cry Wolf; Cooper and Park are on their honeymoon and Eli has recently moved to the retreat for runaways they’ve set up in remote Maudit Falls, which they’ve asked him to run. Late one night, Eli makes his way downstairs to the reception desk to find a very bedraggled man crawling around beneath it. Annoyed and suspiciouis, he suggests perhaps his interloper is a housebreaker, but before the man can do more than indignantly contradict him and explain that he’d had an accident a way back along the road, furious knocking at the door heralds the arrival of a woman dripping with blood and frantically insisting she’s seen the monster – she’s seen Sweet Pea, and this time, she’s got proof.

Once the chief of police shows up, Annabelle Dunlop, owner of the ski resort on the other side of the mountain, explains how she’d hurt herself running through the woods and then shows them some very grainy images taken from wildlife cameras that she insists show a figure that is not human. Chief Bucknell is sceptical and says he doesn’t really see much of anything, but Eli immediately recognises part of the image as a wolf in mid-shift. He has no idea who it is or what they might be doing there, but every wolf has a responsibility to maintain the secret of their existence – and clearly, there’s someone out there who isn’t being as careful as they should be. When everyone has left, Eli’s new medic tells him they’ve got their first guest, a young woman named Gwen who has left her rebel pack in search of sanctuary. When Gwen tells Eli that she, too, had felt an ominous presence in the woods and had run from it, Eli realises something is very wrong. Wolves are being hunted, their very existence threatened with exposure – and he decides to get to the bottom of it.

Mid-list Hollywood star Juilen Doran is grieving the loss of his younger brother Rocky, who drowned some fourteen months earlier. At the suggestion of his therapist, Julien goes into Rocky’s childhood bedroom – one they’d shared for a few years – which is where, tucked away in an old hidey-hole only the two of them had known about, Julien finds a flash drive, a notebook and a crudely drawn map of somewhere called Maudit Falls. His brother was forever off on some wild goose chase or other, convinced of the existence of all manner of cryptids and mythical beasts – Bigfoot, the Abominable Snowman, Nessie – and Sweet Pea, a bipedal creature reported to inhabit Blue Tail Mountain, and Julien frequently had to bail him out of trouble. He tried, repeatedly to get Rocky to see sense, but those conversations always ended in an argument. Three days after their last one, Rocky was dead. He’d taken a boat out on a perfectly clear night and never returned; there was no storm that night, the boat wasn’t damaged, and there was no real way of determining exactly how he died. After finding the notebook and map, Julien isn’t so sure his brother’s death was an accident so, filled with guilt and self-recrimination, Julien turns his back on everything – his career, his family (such as it is) and even his common sense – to follow the trail Rocky has left for him.

Eli and Julien’s shared goal of finding out exactly what is going on in Maudit Falls isn’t the only thing that draws them together, but getting to the truth is more important than an inconvenient attraction to someone they can’t afford to trust. When murder comes to their doorstep along with rumours of hidden treasure and more late-night creature sightings, they form a wary alliance – but as the secrets they’re keeping threaten to destroy their fragile connection, Eli and Julien are going to have to find a way to work together if they’re going to stand a chance of survival.

Pack of Lies is a compelling combination of clever, intricate mystery and expertly crafted slow-burn romance, and I was glued to it from start to finish. Eli and Julien are fascinating, layered characters who circle around each other amid half-truths and lies-by-omission, who yet manage to be likeable and evoke sympathy and understanding. I’ve been intrigued by Eli since his appearances in the earlier series (I said in my reivew of Cry Wolf that he was “crying out” for his own story!); his snarky, prickly demeanour obviously hides a deep vulnerability, and despite his appearance of casual confidence, he worries about being the right person for the job at the retreat and about letting Cooper and Park down. Life has been far from easy for him, and although we learn more of his history here, there’s clearly more to be revealed.

Unlike the  Big Bad Wolf  series though, Pack of Lies is written in dual PoV, so we get to hear from Julien also, and while Charlie Adhara is one of those authors who can make a single PoV work spectacularly well, I really appreciated that. I liked Julien and enjoyed the way he so clearly cares for Eli and Eli’s feelings – and that he doesn’t hesitate when he decides to go for it with Eli. Julien has always known he’s bisexual, but has never had the opportunity to act on his attraction to men; what he’s really worried about is letting his inexperience show and not Doing It Right – but Eli soon assures him he doesn’t need to worry on that score! Their chemistry is fantastic, and the love scenes are intense and very steamy, with Julian letting out his inner dirty-talker and Eli prepared to let Julien take control.

The book ends with a firm HFN for Eli and Julien, which feels exactly right; a full-blown HEA would have felt inappropriate and I’m happy with the way things are left – with with promise of more.

Pack of Lies is a wonderful blend of mystery, romance, action and intrigue and is a superb start to this new series. I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for Eli and Julien next!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

Despite having several of this authors books on my to-read list. This is actually the first one I’ve read. And it won’t be the last.

This is a fabulous book, it slowly enthrals you and just doesn’t let go. Julien is on a monster hunt. Well he’s actually following his brothers map trying to discover what happened to him.
Eli (readers of the Cry Wolf series will already know him and I wished I’d been one of them since I loved him) is managing the Retreat a haven for rebel pack runaways. He gets caught up in the happenings around Maudit Falls and gets close to Julien.

That’s all your getting from me since I don’t want to inadvertently spoil anything.

I loved both Julien and Eli and I can’t wait for more.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by Carina Press and NetGalley.

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

And with this, I think I've reached the end of the road with this world. 😢 I was already having diminishing returns with BBW, and this didn't live up to my hopes for it at all.

I wanted to read this one because I enjoyed Eli in the BBW series and was looking forward to learning more about him. Unfortunately, even though I just read a whole book with him in it, half of which was in his POV, I don't feel like I know anything more about him than I did before. The same goes for the other MC, Julien, who is essentially a big large blank throughout the book. We learn some very superficial things about him (he's an actor 🥱, his brother died) but that's about it. We learn these facts in the prologue and nothing much else about him by the end. Indeed, the author holds back some important info (more about the case than him, really, but still dealing with why he's there at all) until about the 75% mark that I felt could have been used much earlier to give him some more depth, but instead she held it back for unknown reasons. It felt like a lazy way to cheat with the plot, forcing intrigue where there really was none, and as a result, we lost the opportunity to examine him further and get to know him better. It's just odd that for a book featuring an actor, I have no idea what his motivation is.



As a result, I couldn't really connect with either character, and I certainly didn't care a fig about their "romance," such as it was. I even skipped the last sex scene entirely. I mean, if you're going to want me to believe that Julien is in shock and freezing his butt off, how am I then supposed to believe he can get it up? Come on, now. 🙄

Continuing the trend set up in the BBW series, Boogie is completely neglected. We see her briefly early on and then she's never mentioned again. Eli doesn't even worry about her once the whole time he's holed up at the lodge in the storm. I hope someone was feeding her, poor thing. Why is this cat even in this series? My hopes for Eli adopting Boogie are shattered, because he's an even worse cat daddy than Cooper is. 😠

The mystery was all kinds of convoluted, which did keep me guessing, after a fashion. I did figure that Cody was involved - he doth protest too much, and he was always too quick to throw blame around - and I can't say I was surprised that Bucknell was involved too. I was surprised by Gwen - she told us who she was, and like Eli, I didn't believe her. That's on me. And no surprise that she worked for the De Lucas. I don't believe their claims of innocence. I can't say I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going on though. Maybe because I wasn't invested in any of the characters, I just couldn't get worked up with the case. And when I tell you that these two brain trusts make Cooper Dayton look like a competent genius, that should tell you something about their investigative skills. Of course, they have the excuse of being amateurs. Though that doesn't excuse them for standing around chitchatting after someone took a shot at them, and then being surprised when more shots kept coming. I'm just surprise that it took that long for more shots to come. Probably the shooter was appalled and annoyed by their lack of reaction too.

Since I have no real interest in reading about actors, and Eli's not holding up to his end of the bargain (he didn't even always read like the same guy we met in BBW), and the next book looks like it's going to be even more about Hollywood than I really care to read about, I'm going to hang it up here.

[Lily Loves &#x1f4da; · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I was so excited that Eli was getting his own series and I cannot wait until we get more of his story, he is a fascinating character and there is a lot to learn about him.

I started reading this as soon as I got the ARC but I couldn’t concentrate on the story for some reason so I waited and then started it again a few weeks later. I am glad I waited until I was in the right headspace because I feel like you need to be aware of everything going on.

Julien Doran is a human who does not believe in monsters, that was his brother Rocky who was always hunting down leads and filming them for his web series. Because Rocky usually only uncovered actual humans in trouble with the law he often got himself in trouble leaving Julien to bail him out. After his brother dies Julien feels guilty about everything and when he finds paperwork in a hiding space his brother left he decides to finish this last monster hunt for him.

If you have already read the Big Bad Wolf series I think you will follow this book much better. I actually read over some of the last book in that series to get a good idea about what was happening in this book. That series is also so good and I highly recommend it. You meet Eli but the setting for this book is also the setting in book 4 of the Big Bad Wolf series. Plus Cooper and Oliver….they are just awesome!!!!

Overall I liked this and I think it has set up what is going to be a really great series. I loved Eli, it’s hard not to. He’s such a character and behind his smart mouth is a vulnerable person/wolf. I think him and Julien will make a great couple.

I did feel like this book lost me at times. How and when exactly did Julien discover Eli was a wolf? We aren’t shown some important aspects but are just told about them and that brought me out of the story. I also thought these were some of the strangest sex scenes, almost uncomfortable, bordering on cringy at times, not sexy at all. I hope that these aspects get better in the next book.

While I liked this I did hope to love it. It seemed to almost get there but stopped a bit short. Being a first book in a new series I find this happens sometimes so it doesn’t hinder me looking forward to what is to come for these characters.

ARC provided via NetGalley for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

First: The audiobook

Thank Goodness for narrators like Joel Leslie. Having a narrator who PERFORMS rather than just reads the book is worth how expensive audiobooks are imho and Joel is right up at the top for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and compared to the less than mediocre narration of Big Bad Wolf by Erik Bloomquist .. I was a happy camper.

Second: The book

This was a great start to the new series.
I absolutely LOVED Eli... and I already liked him in BBW. He was the perfect mix of strong and vulnerable, sexy and sweet. I also loved that CA didn't make him all ripped and stacked but soft and luscious.

I also liked Julian alot. I thought he complemented Eli and their interactions inside and outside the bedroom were entertaining.

I appreciated the fact that they are moving slowly in terms of their relationship. No insta-love here thank all the lords. There is a connection, and a definite attraction but it was written in a way that is naturally progressing rather than full speed ahead.

The cameos!! We get to see Cooper and Park, if only a little.

The steam was HOT! and I can't wait for them to have more of it in the coming books because I loved their dynamic.

The plot was my only niggle here. I immediately knew who the bad guy was and I was disappointed because of it.

All in all... A very entertaining book made only better by JL's superb narration. Eagerly waiting for book 2!

[Diana]

I know, I think I am the odd man out with this one. I read to 49% and I think I am putting it on the "go back to later' shelf. I know it's just me being moody, but I just could get into the story and the characters were just "meh".

I loved the author's previous series, Big Bad Wolf, but this one may be a pass.

No rating

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun and a fast read, but you have to go with the flow for most of the story.
Eli is in charge of the retreat and he find himself in some trouble because he stops thinking with the head that matters... and I think that's something that someone who is hidding a secret as big as Eli is can't afford. I was quite mad about it at times. And then we have Julien who is a liar and it seems, irresistible, even under the hardest circumstandes... I'm so fed up with this kind of plot, really, get a grip, you're almost freezing, hidding from some killer and I can't believe you still want to have sexy times at those moments... Not to mention the logistics of the whole thing... I doubt things were in working order.
I was happy to see Boggie again, but really, I don't know why the author bothers with her, really. She is the most neglected cat in the story of neglected cats. Cats don't work that way, mind you, they might be more self-sufficent than dogs, but they still need stabiliy and care. The opening scene was promising but we didn't see her againg for the rest of the book ¬__¬
What I didn't like was the way we learnt Julien knew all along about Eli. I didn't apprecciate being in the dark about that, not for the fact in itself, but something the way it was writen didn't work for me as it should

[Jane (whatjanereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is anyone surprised that this is a 5 star read for me?
I think not. I could have slapped my 5 star sticker on this even before I read it.
The Big Bad Wolf series is one of my favourites of all time and I reread it not once, but twice already. Charlie Adhara’s way to creat interesting characters that are flawed in ways you simply fall in love with them is unmatched. I love her style of writing, how diverse and against all clichés her characters are and I never see the plot twists coming.
No wonder I couldn’t put this one down either.

I absolutely loved Eli in Cry Wolf, he is such an interesting, multilayer character. He’s mysterious and intriguing. But also extremely sweet and protective of the people he loves.
Now that he found a new pack in Park and Cooper (and Boogie ofc) and responsible of their rebel retreat, he is so eager to show he is good and worth keeping. He wants to belong so badly, my heart bleed for him.
He’s only on the retreat since two weeks and already a stranger appears in the middle of the night under his front desk, he’s got his first guest and a mystical being is haunting the hills. Doesn’t look very good for things to go right.

I loved that this was dual POV, finally we get a glimpse behind the scenes of life as a wolf!
The second MC, Julien, is grieving the death of his younger brother, who he acted as a parent for for most of his life. In search of his brothers last steps and possible secrets, he lands in Maudit Falls.
Julien immediately became a new favourite too. He was so cute and blushing and protective of Eli, even though they only knew each other for such a short time! He fell head over heels for Eli, without even wanting too (who wouldn’t). He was perfect for him!
Also a character in their 40s living out his queer life for the first time? I love it. It was so relatable and I rooted for him a lot!

The story was very gripping, the plot twists were mindblowing and I didn’t see anything coming at all. I suspected everyone and had very wild theories, and in the end I was completely off anyway. I loved the story, I couldn’t put this book down and I am super excited for the next book! Can I please have it now?
Also the cameos? Thank you!!! I couldn’t have asked for more.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a huge fan of her Big Bad Wolf series. While waiting for something else by her to magically appear, I reread the series 3 times and now am anxiously awaiting book #2 of this series... Den of Thieves, which comes out on April 25, 2023. The two new main characters in this series found exactly what they each needed in the other.... eventually. They didn't always see eye to eye, but they complimented one another beautifully and made me want to see more of them. At this point I don't think you have to have read the Big Bad Wolf series in order to enjoy this one, but you will meet a couple of characters from that series, which by the way was fantastic...thank you Ms. Adhara! This is Eli's story. Eli is a snarky werewolf who manages a mountain resort in Maudit Falls, North Carolina which serves as a safe house for rebel werewolves. Eli is a bit unusual in that he possesses secret shifting abilities which I found kinda cute.... and wish I could do that. Eli meets Julian, a grieving young man who is staying at another local resort. Julian is searching for answers about his brother Rocky’s death and was led to the area by a cryptic message about monsters that Julian found in Rocky's room. Both Eli and Julian have past trauma and trust issues, so of course they are leery of getting too close. Eli is afraid that Julian would reject him if he learned that Eli was a shifter...and Julian…well, let's just say that he has his own secrets. The title of this book is perfect since there certainly is a plethora of lying going on, so much so that you’re not sure who to believe. I loved how each character's lies were revealed and the motivation was uncovered allowing us to experience the story from each of their prospective. It was a combination of murder mystery combined with paranormal elements. We get to follow Eli and Julian as they join forces to do some sleuthing, along with some romancing while trying to keep their secrets from each other. Thank you, Ms. Adhara, for bringing Oliver and Cooper into the story. Even though they only had a small physical presence we knew they were helping behind the scenes. Please keep them coming back.

[Bizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved most of this book but found the climax and ending frustrating. Both main characters are compelling and I enjoyed watching their relationship slowly develop. But the book has some structural problems that made much of the tension near the end feel cheap instead of earned, and I'm wary about where the relationship is likely headed in book two. That said, I think most people who liked the Big Bad Wolf series will enjoy this despite its flaws, and there’s a lot to look forward to in future installments.

This review contains spoilers, though I've tried to be vague about the actual events of the book.

First, what I liked:

Both characters are excellent and fit together in some unexpected ways. Eli was intriguing in the Big Bad Wolf books, and his POV here is exactly what I was hoping for: there’s a lot going on under the snarky, irreverent surface, but he’s also not a caricature of a person who uses a flippant demeanor as protection due to previous trauma. He’s more than the sum of his character tropes and has a lot of promise that I hope future books in the series fulfill.

Julien also feels very real, especially his complex feelings on grief and his relationship with his brother, and his musings on his previous romantic relationships and how his needs have changed over time. It’s always nice getting a POV character in romance who’s over forty, and Julien feels like he really is that age, not a twenty-five year old with some gray hairs. His reasons for coming to Maudit Falls make sense for his character and the reader wants to see him resolve the mystery of his brother’s death because of what it will mean for him, not just for the narrative satisfaction of finding the answer.

As someone who was frustrated they never got to know Oliver better through POV chapters in the Big Bad Wolf series, I’m glad Adhara chose to make this a dual-POV book. Julien’s POV adds a lot to the story and there are many aspects of his character we’d have missed out on if we weren’t seeing his thoughts, such as the ways he’s affected by his grief. I’m glad we’ll get to watch his character journey in real-time and won’t have to wait until he and Eli know each other well enough to share their most vulnerable thoughts.

I also liked returning to the location of one of the Big Bad Wolf books (more or less) and the way this book built on everything the reader learned in that series without making this book feel like a rehash or overly reliant on that series. This could be read as a standalone if someone were really inclined to do so. It’s difficult to balance old vs. new when writing a spin-off series and Adhara got it right.

Now for the problems:

I strongly suspect this book was originally written solely from Eli’s POV, similar to how the Big Bad Wolf books are all solely from Cooper’s POV. It seems that by the time the decision to add Julien’s POV was made, the main narrative beats had been decided, and many of them relied on Eli not knowing what Julien knew. Unfortunately, rather than simply keeping Eli in the dark, Adhara chose to keep the reader in the dark too, even when Julien’s POV should have revealed many of these facts.

An early example is Julien’s bisexuality. It’s clear from the outset that he’s attracted to Eli, but his POV chapters are written ambiguously, to create a mystery over whether Julien recognizes the attraction or even sees himself as not-straight. Thus, when Eli first comes onto Julien and Julien hesitates, we don’t know Julien’s reasoning and it’s uncertain how he’ll respond to Eli’s advances. It’s only after the scene concludes that we learn Julien is bisexual and simply nervous about his inexperience with men. In this context, it doesn’t make sense for Julien to be so (seemingly) oblivious to his desires except to create suspense for the reader. It would have worked better if the uncertainty came solely from Eli. It wasn't necessary for the book to keep the reader in the dark as much as Eli was.

There’s also at least one scene where Eli catches Julien saying something he thinks Julien isn’t supposed to know and Julien acts like he’s been caught in a lie, even though we’ve seen in a previous chapter that Julien learned the information in a totally innocuous way he could easily have explained to Eli. By the end of the book it’s clear we’re supposed to feel Julien lied and hid things from Eli a lot, even though the Julien POV chapters don’t show this at all. We actually see Julien coming clean about a lot of things relatively early in their relationship (much more so than Eli, ironically). Again, it makes sense for Eli to be distrusting, but it's out of character for Julien not to take very simple steps to provide his side of the story. Eli could still have chosen to be distrusting, but as the book is written, it feels like the reader is supposed to take Julien's duplicity as a fact instead of just Eli's interpretation of things.

These are relatively minor issues I gladly would have overlooked if not for the deployment at 75% of one of the most egregious uses of the “concealing information from the reader that they should have already had” trope I’ve seen in a long time. We learn at this point that Julien had key information the entire time that he never shared with Eli. Yet despite spending half the book in Julien’s head, the reader is blindsided too. It’s like when movies show a character whispering something unintelligible into another character’s ear at a critical moment, except here the reader doesn’t even get a warning they don’t know everything.

The explanation for why this didn’t come up before (offered in Julien’s POV immediately after the reveal) is unconvincing and illogical. We’re told he didn’t really understand what the information meant and was trying not to think about it due to his grief. But the concealed information is relevant to a number of earlier developments and it’s simply not plausible that a character who’s marshaling every resource to solve the mystery of his brother’s death would never once have thought about this information, even if just in confusion about how it all fit together. We even see him thinking about the information’s source more than once!

The biggest problem with how this reveal is handled is that it undermines the emotional heart of the climax and the aftermath. The reveal leads Eli to feel their entire relationship to that point has been built on a lie and that he’s been used and betrayed. At the end of the book he thinks of Julien as someone who “lies like he breathes.”

But the reader has been given a completely different sense of Julien and was never shown this particular lie, only ever the honest intentions he had towards Eli. From Julien’s POV, it appeared that a few minor facts were hidden but all the important facts were revealed relatively early on. The reader knows Julien has some additional information he hasn’t figured out, but all of this is shown as being so uncertain and confusing he has no idea what to do with it, and certainly never acts on it. Nothing in Julien’s POV supports the idea that he’s used or betrayed Eli.

While it makes sense for Eli to be distrusting, Julien acts as though Eli is right to feel he’s been lied to and betrayed—and the book seems to treat the betrayal as a fact instead of just Eli’s opinion. But if Julien truly never thought the information was relevant and never acted on it, then he should be upset by how Eli has totally misunderstood the situation and want to set the record straight. And because he’s been shown to be kind and compassionate throughout the book, he should want to mitigate Eli’s pain by doing everything in his power to resolve the conflict. Instead, he offers a half-hearted explanation that doesn’t get to the heart of Eli’s very obvious concerns, then gives up. He and Eli spend many hours alone together with nothing to do except talk, and Eli is obviously very upset during this time.

It’s very difficult to feel the true depth of Eli’s hurt when it’s based entirely on events the reader never saw and that are contrary to everything the reader was told about Julien’s feelings and intentions. The conflict felt manufactured and unearned, created solely to separate the characters for the start of the next book. But if mistrust and betrayal are going to be critical to how the relationship develops, then the reader needs to really feel those things themselves. The reader needs not only feel the hurt of the betrayed character but also—crucially—the guilt of the betrayer. Here, there’s nothing for Julien to be guilty about, so when I was supposed to feel righteous anger on Eli’s behalf, all I could muster was frustration.

This is the main reason I think the book was originally written solely from Eli’s POV: The sense of betrayal makes complete sense through Eli’s eyes. But with Julien’s POV added in, Eli’s reactions can no longer be taken as fact. Yet it feels as though the reader is supposed to treat them as fact anyway.

This didn’t ruin the book for me, but it came close. Unnecessarily hiding information from the audience to create suspense is one of my biggest pet peeves, especially when the author is talented enough to come up with a different solution, as Adhara surely is. I don’t understand why the conflict couldn’t have been Eli feeling betrayed and Julien feeling angry that Eli has so horribly misjudged him.

Minor Nitpicks

These issues are minor in the grand scheme of things, but stood out to me at the end of the book because I was already feeling frustrated at that point.

I really wish authors would stop doing the thing where male characters always think of other men they meet (even side characters) by last name until they’re familiar enough with the person to “earn” the right to use their first name, but don’t do the same for women, who are referred to by first name from the outset (or sometimes first name last name, but never just last name). It’s really common in a lot of contexts (it comes up a lot in how politicians/political candidates are discussed, for example), to the point that I don’t think people realize they’re doing it. But once you start noticing, it’s distracting, especially because it originates in misogyny.

In romance, I find this naming convention especially annoying in contexts where people in the real world wouldn’t be referring to each other by last name, or if they were, they’d be using the person’s title or salutation also (such as “Agent Park” or “Mr. Doran”). I know it’s meant to show how well the characters know each other, but in many books it feels like an unnatural affectation, and most of the time the familiarity level is already being conveyed in other ways.

To give a specific example, at the end of the book, Eli is talking to Oliver – his close friend and family member – about Julien, his erstwhile friend and lover. Oliver refers to Julien in this conversation as “Doran.” Who in real life would refer to their close friend’s love interest solely by last name in a heartfelt conversation about feelings? It’s bizarre, and makes even less sense between two wolves, when last names in wolf culture are most often used to refer to a collective and not an individual. In a culture that uses last names that way, you wouldn’t default to referring to individuals by last name because it would be confusing. (Similarly, after Cooper and Oliver introduce themselves to him at the end, using both first and last names, Julien thinks of them as Dayton and Park. They’re his friend’s friends! Who does this? I hate it.)

Finally, the most minor nitpick of all: This book is set during winter and at one point a huge snowstorm occurs. Yet snow seems not to exist half the time and is rarely an impediment or even a consideration (who goes on long hikes in the snow without gloves?). People stand outside in the snow for hours and never think once about being cold. It makes me wonder if this was originally set during a different season and rewritten to be winter because snow was needed for a few of the plot points.

I received an ARC in exchange for my review

[Nelly S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

“Why do I want to see you? Because you’re brilliant. Because you’re beautiful and strange and, well, sort of extraordinary, really. I thought so before I knew you were a wolf and I think it even more now. Because just being around you feels like, I don’t know, like I’m finally waking up.”
“I’m not sure that’s a compliment coming from an insomniac.”

I feel conflicted about how to rate this. This would have been a solid 4 stars had I never read the Big Bad Wolf series, but alas I have. I was so looking forward to reading Eli’s book because he was such an intriguing character in that series. Snarky, mysterious, charming, gorgeous, hot. Like many, I think my high expectations worked against me.

So what did I like about it? The writing is great, although the story starts off kind of slow and it takes a while for the pace to pick up. Once it does however, the mystery is good and it’ll keep you engrossed till the end. I also liked the way the relationship gradually unfolded between Eli and Julien as they worked together to investigate a series of strange goings-on and murders.

However, my biggest complaint is that I really wished for more of Eli. More of an understanding of his psychological makeup and greater depth to his character. In fact, I felt we got more of Julien’s POV than Eli’s. Also Eli’s snark and dialogue often felt forced here unlike the way it was in the Big Bad Wolf series.

[haletostilinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pack of Lies is the spin-off to the Big Bad Wolf series, that focused on Cooper and Oliver.

In this we get the start of Eli's - Oliver's ex - own love story.

His love interest is Julien, a human who used to be a movie star, and is still fairly well known. He's 44, though and his career isn't exactly hopping, especially after 14 months before the start of this story, his younger brother, Rocky, died, and he's been grieving ever since.

His brother was into the whole monster thing, and trying to find out if they existed. Like big foot, werewolves, ghosts, etc etc. Julien never did and is a sceptic, but after his brother's death, he takes off for North Carolina from California, wanting to investigate the last place his brother went before his death, as he left some maps and such that could lead to something.

Julien still doesn't believe in the supernatural, but he thinks if he could solve what his brother was looking into, it could help him in some way.

Of course, a guy who doesn't believe walks right into a murder plot that involves said supernatural.

Although on his first day there, he almost hits an animal and runs his car off the road. When he tries to find the nearest shelter, it turns out to be the shelter, retreat, what have you, that Eli is now the manager of, and which Oliver and Cooper own. It's been turned into a place for wolves needing refuge after running away from their rebel packs.

There is a connection when Julien and Eli first meet, but I do have to say the first 30-ish percent of this was a little slow.

It was setting things up and I get that, but getting all this info and seeing Julien and Eli interact so much more with all these other people I didn't care about made that go a little slow, so I gave .5 off for that slow beginning.

Then after that it started to get more and more into the story, which got more interesting as it went on, and we got more and more of Julien and Eli and I was very into the story.

I do wish we had gotten to get a little deeper into Julien and Eli as a pairing, as a couple. My other .5 stars off is just...not feeling like we got enough of them by the end of this. I understand this is a series and these are just starting their relationship, but I still felt like we barely got anywhere with them by the end of this.

Not to say we didn't start getting a lot more of them, we did and I enjoyed it so much. But by the ending of this I'd say they aren't even in a relationship yep. They're maybe just past the point of casual into "I like you, lets hang out more" territory which isn't much of a start of anything. I guess I just wish they were further along by the end of this. They didn't need to be at "I love you"'s yet, but...I don't, maybe to a point where they wanted to date? Somewhere around there would have been nice.

They don't even have full on sex in this. I mean, there are sex scenes, don't get me wrong and they are hot, and the chemistry was there for sure. But they don't even get to penetrative sex. I guess I just wanted them to be father along in their romance by the end of this. Not much, but a little more.

Instead in this we just got the very beginnings of it. I did like what we got for them in that stage, the feelings they were starting to get, but certainly I wish we had had more. I guess it's a little similar to Oliver and Cooper in the first book of their series, if I remember correctly, so maybe I shouldn't be too surprised, but I guess with Eli and Julien it just felt like..not enough. Especially with the slow start that didn't see them interacting a ton.

But, other than those frustrations, I did love and enjoy this a lot. I felt the chemistry and connection between Eli and Julien and definitely want more, and am definitely excited for book two in this series. I want to see Eli let down his walls completely for Julien, something at this point he thinks he'll never do for anyone. It'll make it all the sweeter when he does for Julien.

The plot became interesting the more we got into this, with the mystery of what was happening and who was murdering and attacking others. It definitely left that plot open ended at the end of this, with more definitely to come. Because really, what is so interesting and important about Neilson's notebook? We didn't get to find that out in this one. I feel like that storyline will be ongoing.

And we got a Cooper and Oliver cameo at the end, which was fun to see. And it made me smile when Eli said he didn't want to disturb the two of them because they were on their honeymoon. Aww 😍

So overall, a strong start, that could have been slightly improved in a few areas, which would have made this a 5 star read to me.

Definitely a strong start, though, and I'm excited for the second book in this series and the furthering of Eli and Julien's relationship. I hope the next book goes more in depth with them.

Still two thumbs up from me, can't wait for the next one! 🥰

***ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

"Pack of Lies" by Charlie Adhara was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I couldn't be happier to report that it delivered on every level.

‘Monster Hunter’ is a spin-off of one of my all time favorite series, ‘The Big Bad Wolf’, where we first met Eli. The wolf has been an intriguing figure from his first introduction, and quickly ingratiated himself to both Cooper (quite against his better judgment) and to me (a willing victim), and I was jumping at an opportunity to learn more about him.

I confess to a bit of trepidation over the other main character in the series. I couldn’t quite imagine another lead who wouldn’t be outshined by Eli’s effusive charisma and mysterious backstory. Safe to say, I was worried over nothing.

Julian Doran, in his grief and goodness, his genuine emotion despite his need to play his cards close to his chest, is a compelling voice who is very easy to root for - and you can’t help but want to give him a hug.

This book had two very pleasant surprises - it has a dual POV! A first for Charlie Adhara. And the glass fogging amount of chemistry between Eli and Dorian from their very first moment. A magnetic pull almost, that feels every bit as intense for the reader as it does for the very aware but unwilling victims of it.

The mystery aspect will have you making suspect lists, grasping at connections and maybe highlighting way too many passages to analyze over and over again - but hey, maybe that’s just me.

“Pack of Lies” had it all. Humor and snark, mystery and suspense, humanity and vulnerability. Did I mention the glass fogging steam? Because it bears repeating. Adhara toes the edge of kink brilliantly as always, with communication and connection, trust and abandon. Oh, and you may be interested to know that a certain Prickly Porcupine and his wolf half benevolently graced us with an appearance *wink wink*.

I can’t wait to see what’s next for Eli and Julien.

[juli✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I made you feel bad. Can I be sorry for that?”
Eli’s heart twisted painfully and he didn’t know why. Maybe apologies were too close to pity. Maybe something else. “If you truly have nothing better to do …”

That was not the rating I was expecting to give, that's for sure. Seriously, when I say I loved the Big Bad Wolf series, well … Let's just say it's that one series that I am always telling anyone who will listen to read.


However, I think sometimes that's the double edged sword with spin-off series. You already know the heights the series has reached, thus you're automatically expecting the spin-off book to be as good. And, well … I think Charlie Adhara somewhat achieved this.


For one thing, Eli is just as great as he was in Cooper and Oliver's series. He's a marshmallow and I want to protect him at all costs. He deserves the world and I will forever be on his side.


Where I think things faltered was, well, Julien. I just could not get a read on his character. I didn't like the way his intentions were murky for almost the entire book. It made it really hard for me to get attached to him.


Moreover, I think the mystery aspect of this book was a little lacking. Or, more like, I think the murder mystery worked a touch better when it was Cooper and Oliver doing the solving, seeing as they're actual detectives.


Idk, I always have trouble suspending my belief when it's two average people dragged into the middle of a murder investigation 🤷‍♀️


Despite me not enthusiastically giving Pack of Lies a full five stars I will be continuing with the series. I have faith that Charlie Adhara can work her magic and make me fall in love with Julien and this spin-off series.