For me, the characters-especially the main characters-are the driving factor in determining if I like a story or not.  That's one of the reasons I keep coming back to Cardeno C.'s books...I know I'm going to get wonderful characters who are complex and deep, and with distinct personalities.  I'm also going to get characters that are easy to relate to, and that is clearly illustrated here in Not A Game.

Anyone who's enjoyed Cardeno's other shifter books will like this one.

Zev and Jonah are two very amazing, easy to love men, and I loved the fact they were best friends turned to lovers. Watching Zev give up everything, including his health, so that Jonah could live his dream was a bit painful. The dragged-out love affair slash mating made it all the sweeter when Zev and Jonah finally committed.

This story is part of a series and can be read in any order. This is a brilliant story that tells us the tale of Miguel and Ethan who we met briefly in Wake Me Up Inside. ... Miguel and Ethan are wonderful characters, Ethan with his simple needs and plain words and Miguel with his badass attitude and need to protect Ethan. I can't tell you how much I adored Ethan and his easy attitude, his willingness to forgive others and how he wraps Miguel around his little finger without even trying. I loved Miguel's take no crap attitude and how, when he accepted his feelings for Ethan, he would do anything for him even when it goes against what he wants to do. I loved the easy storyline that has just a smidge of danger and the sex is hot and they are made for each other in every way, it just warms you up seeing them together. The storyline is great and we learn a lot more about the world the paranormals live in, when they were even further removed from humanity and when the animosity between vampires and shifters was high. This story is an easy read with just a touch of danger from jealous vampires, Ethan and Miguel are this story, their coming together, being perfect for each other and providing just what the other needs, both of them helping to save the pack even when they turn their back on Ethan and the discovery…

I enjoyed this story of two men who have grown up in politics and find themselves falling for one another despite their outward differences.