“To Touch You” by Cardeno C is an interesting twist on the forbidden love theme in multiple dimensions. Not only is there the crossing of the taboo line between shifters and vampires, there is Sal’s initial condition which makes him even more of an anathema, plus the rejection of the bond complicates things considerably. I love seeing how things start with foreshadowing of Yoram’s future role as he is calm and firm even at such a young age. It was fun watching him grow into the predictions for his future and I ached at his determination to care for his mate. 

When I read To Touch You, I didn’t realise it was part of an established series, so I can honestly say that it can be read as a stand-alone novel despite being the fourth book in the Mates Collection.

Oh my gosh, this was a great story. I liked it best of all the Mates collection. Yoram was a doll from the time we first meet him at seven years old when he, in turn, sees Salvatore Rossi for the first time, to the time he’s a mature Alpha leader of the Miancarn Pack and he finally gets to claim his true mate. ... I love the author’s ability to write first-time sex scenes and to infuse innocence in an otherwise worldly character, and Cardeno C does it extremely well in this story. ...If you’ve read any of the previous stories, you’ll have a chance to get an update on those characters as well, but if you haven’t, you can still read this one. Just know that when you finish, you’re going to want to go back and get the others in the series. Overall, though, if you are a lover of shifter stories and don’t mind a little vampire mixed in, this one is a great story to pick up.

This world that Cardeno C has created is as flawed as real life, but she finds a way to make it a better place.