I love Cardeno C. Her mates series is one of my favorite shifter series.

I love that Cardeno writes stories with characters who aren’t perfect and they have flaws and problems just like real people. The characters are realistic and the storylines are interesting plus the sex is hot as hell. I love Cardeno and jump at the chance to read every one, these keep me reading into the wee hours to finish them.

I loved this book! When Abel and Kai reunite and talk through their misunderstandings you can see these two Alphas are meant to be together. The tender care Abel shows towards Kai and the passion between them will melt your heart! As usual, Cardeno C., captured me from page one, and kept me enthralled until read I the last page.

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.

This story is stunning in a way that all Cardeno C's stories are. ... I loved the non-linear way this novella was written. It was new and interesting and really the perfect way to tell Shiloh's story. It is beautifully and concisely written, but the characters are complex and fully developed. I didn't feel like I missed out on anything the way I have in the past with some novellas. The story itself reminded me a little bit of It's A Wonderful Life, one of my favorite Christmas movies. Although there were elements of the story that could have made it a little gloomy, the mood instead was endearing and warm. There was the perfect balance of realism and fantasy. I loved these characters, especially the way that they seemed to be confident and vulnerable at the same time. This was a beautiful story of second chances and the power of love. Highly recommended.