It was everything I had hoped for in this love story and I wasn't disappointed at all.

This is a great way to start, end, or continue the series so I would recommend you pick it up if it strikes your fancy.

Cardeno C tells great stories. They're sexy, sweet, moreish and satisfying and that's why they get high ratings from me. A Cardeno book is my go to happy place when I want to read something really feel good. ...I always know that I'm going to get loveable characters, a great (hot) romance, a well thought out back story, just the right amount of conflict to stop the story going into the realms of saccharine, tummy rolling love scenes and last but not least; the perfect happy ever after that never fails to leave me sighing happily. ...I'm getting really enamoured with these recent paranormal, shifter books that Cardeno has started writing and the 'Mates' series is turning out to be a very addictive read. ...There was a fulfilling build up of sexual tension but this was when the passion and romance side of the story came into it's own and as always it was pure Cardeno magic.... The chemistry between them sparked, the heat level reached boiling point and the sex was cold shower worthy, but still, always bolstered by a real sense of romance and love.

a really enjoyably sweet yet hot romance between ... endearing characters. ... What I loved about Cardeno's version of this type of fantasy romance ... was that for a good part of the story we just see these two guys actually getting to know each other as friends. No instant lust or love with these two. That slowly filters into the plot as the book rolls along...The yummy sexual tension is still there, but its paced out brilliantly across the book, getting stronger and more steamily sexy as the initial easy friendship between the MC's starts to turn into something deeper and more realistic as they spend their time together. The banter and conversation between JJ and Reg showed the depth of their chemistry together at each stage of the relationship. ....When that time arrives in the book, the heat level rockets and those love scenes that you've waited patiently for will definitely get you all hot and bothered and wanting to cool off in a cold shower!...There's some conflict and a touch of angst thrown in here and there but ultimately this is just a really endearing love story that makes you feel good and gives you the warm and fuzzies.

The fact that we get to see them grow up together; it was just precious and enthralling and like an inner tube ride down a long and winding river on a warm day with a great breeze. You just know this is a once in a lifetime journey you are never going to forget. ... Some authors I just connect with immediately and this is one of those authors. Wake Me Up Inside is about the "who" not the what or the why or the how. A wonderful story that should be savored like the best chocolate. There is no better place to lose yourself for a few hours than in this author's fine words!