Another Highly Recommended Story from The Mates Series by Cardeno C.

Wake Me Up Inside is the first book in the Mate series from Cardeno C and I can't wait for more. Cardeno C has a straightforward narrative that delivers the story in a manner that makes it easy for the reader to follow the timeline of Jonah and Zev's relationship as it grows from childhood to adult. ... Take a good long look at that marvelous cover and it gives you an accurate picture of a scene in the book. Boy and wolf pup and Jonah and Zev, always together no matter the form Zev is in. How does that idea not draw you in? It is the characterizations that make or break a story for me and in Zev and Jonah we get two characters to connect with immediately.

This was such an enjoyable story. I love Eli's vibrant personality. He is in touch with who he is and what he wants. He is sweet, caring, and so young when we first start this book. Seth is the careful one, the one who has his life planned out. Eli calls him "old man" and it fits, as he always plays it safe and has responsible adult advice when Eli talks to him. It was fun watching them both grow and change throughout the story. Cardeno C. has a lovely way of telling a story. It is humorous, sweet and thoughtful. Some of my favorite parts involve the weddings that Seth officiated as a rabbi. After the first one, I realized eating and drinking while reading could be hazardous to my health because I was laughing so much. Even though this was the last book in the series, I never felt I was missing something....I have come to adore Cardeno C.'s work. I know I will enjoy a well-written, thoughtful story with a happy ending. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to going back and reading the rest of this series.

Zev and Jonah are very interesting characters to get to know. To see them grow and mature from children gives you a feeling of closeness that you don't often find in the shifter genre. Did I mention that the sex is hot, hot, hot?! ... I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys shifter books and enjoys a good love story.

It's a nice steamy read for those who are looking for something to fill that need.