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.

A very unusual pairing in the shifter genre and I soon learned that the two authors happily left behind any shifter cliche I could think of :) The hawk alpha may be strong, but he's also small like avian shifters in this book tend to be. He is also a control freak, who craves to release the control in bed. The bear shifter is even stronger and dominant in his human form when he is in bed with his lover, but he is usually completely tame and couldn't hurt a fly as it seems. He's even a vegetarian (like me – yay!) and it makes for very striking oppositions between the characters! …I loved that they aren't just opposites, they complete each other and there was a lot of chemistry from the very first time they met… One of my favorite aspects was the different take on bonds. Well, let's say the different perspective one of the MCs had. Insta-love is usually not my cuppa, so I applauded him for not letting fate determine his destiny but for wanting to take destiny into his own hand and make his own decisions… The animal halves seemed to be a big part of the characters and I loved the mythology of this world and the heartbreaking backstory of one of the MCs. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters in this town and it was fun to watch the characters interact ;) … I can really recommend this book. Try something that's…

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!

Loved, Loved, Loved this book! It was the perfect Valentine's week read and hit all my squishy feelings.

Cardeno writes with emotion and I have learned that is a characteristic of his prose. In fact, he does so in a way that we do not even realize that he is doing so....There is a lot of humor in the story also. ...There are also some very hot sex scenes and Seth's sexual prowess may surprise you. ....This is one of those books that you read for pure pleasure and I am pretty sure that Cardeno wrote it with pleasure. I am still smiling.