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.

Stylistically unique and deeply emotional ... It was more than a book, it was a sweeping emotional journey through time and across two very different cultures and I thoroughly enjoyed it. ... With touches of gut-clenching angst, gentle humor, and searing passion, the path of Zev and Jonah's romance is fraught with a myriad conflicts and hazards both internal and external that were woven together into a very powerful read.

Wow this is such a great and unique shifter story that gives you a swoon worthy romance with amazing characters. ....This story was the perfect blend of childhood best friends turned adult lovers. It was a perfectly sweet romance that had a twist of mystery and suspense. ...Cardeno C. has written a story that keeps you interested till the very end. By mixing shifter elements, prejudice, love, friendships and secrets together, we have a story that is part sweet with elements of mystery and danger. ...I will highly recommend this to lovers of shifters, and enduring love. You'll get mysterious happenings, a touch of danger and a very satisfying happy ending.

This story ensnared me from the beginning until the very end. The complexity of the plot and the characters brought the story to life as it unfolded... This is one story that I will never forget and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great love story!