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Mates #1
Wake Me Up Inside
A powerful Alpha wolf shifter and a strong-willed human overcome traditions ingrained over generations and uncover long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny as true mates.
Regarded as the strongest wolf shifter in generations, Alpha Zev Hassick is surprised and confused by his attraction to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. A male shifter has to mate with a female shifter to keep his humanity, so shifters can’t be gay. Yet, everything inside Zev tells him Jonah is his true mate.
Maintaining a relationship with the man he has loved since childhood isn’t easy for Jonah Marvel, but he won’t let distance or Zev’s odd family get in their way. When unexplained ailments begin to plague Jonah, he needs to save his own life and sanity in order to have a future with Zev.
Zev and Jonah know they’re destined for each other, but they must overcome traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny.
Word count: 74,755
Regarded as the strongest wolf shifter in generations, Alpha Zev Hassick is surprised and confused by his attraction to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. A male shifter has to mate with a female shifter to keep his humanity, so shifters can’t be gay. Yet, everything inside Zev tells him Jonah is his true mate.
Maintaining a relationship with the man he has loved since childhood isn’t easy for Jonah Marvel, but he won’t let distance or Zev’s odd family get in their way. When unexplained ailments begin to plague Jonah, he needs to save his own life and sanity in order to have a future with Zev.
Zev and Jonah know they’re destined for each other, but they must overcome traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets to fulfill their destiny.
Word count: 74,755
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2012
286 people are currently reading
3198 people want to read
About the author
Cardeno C.
70 books2,383 followersCardeno C. - CC to friends - is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) https://gayromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/CardenoC
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carde...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6M...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) https://gayromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/CardenoC
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carde...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6M...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 694 reviews
March 23, 2017
*Price drop to $0.99 today at Amazon US, 3/23/17!*
The entire plot of the book is basically described in the image below:
Okay! That's a wrap...
Wait, you want more of a review? Fine, fine...
I can tell a Cardeno C. book from a mile away. They are sap overload, true-love-fests, and sometimes that works for me and sometimes it doesn't. More often than not, the insta-love that I so often see in this author's books irritates me and I end up with mixed feelings about the story.
However, this is a shifter book, a genre where insta-love tends to be the norm, so in this particular case, I didn't mind it. In fact, most of this book was really enjoyable. I liked the slow buildup to sex (I like to be tortured a bit!) and the banter between the two MCs. The scenes where the guys fooled around in the beginning were pretty hot and I was digging the book as a whole. However, at about 75% things started to go downhill for me.
First of all, the sex scenes became a bit gratuitous, even for me. I found myself skimming the sex a bit (waaaa???). It also became too sticky-sweet-sappy and I had a number of eye-roll moments as everything came together too neatly at the end.
All in all, this was an enjoyable but typically conflicted Cardeno C. experience for me.
Find this review and other like it at My Fiction Nook
The entire plot of the book is basically described in the image below:
Okay! That's a wrap...
Wait, you want more of a review? Fine, fine...
I can tell a Cardeno C. book from a mile away. They are sap overload, true-love-fests, and sometimes that works for me and sometimes it doesn't. More often than not, the insta-love that I so often see in this author's books irritates me and I end up with mixed feelings about the story.
However, this is a shifter book, a genre where insta-love tends to be the norm, so in this particular case, I didn't mind it. In fact, most of this book was really enjoyable. I liked the slow buildup to sex (I like to be tortured a bit!) and the banter between the two MCs. The scenes where the guys fooled around in the beginning were pretty hot and I was digging the book as a whole. However, at about 75% things started to go downhill for me.
First of all, the sex scenes became a bit gratuitous, even for me. I found myself skimming the sex a bit (waaaa???). It also became too sticky-sweet-sappy and I had a number of eye-roll moments as everything came together too neatly at the end.
All in all, this was an enjoyable but typically conflicted Cardeno C. experience for me.
Find this review and other like it at My Fiction Nook
January 1, 2016
4.5 stars
Did. Not. Want. This. Book. To. End.
No one does shifters like CC!
Loved Zev and Jonah, even if I found Zev's reluctance to communicate with Jonah sooner (rather than almost too late) a little frustrating.
But there was so much yummy angst, tenderness, smexy times and soul-baring FEELS, I was swept away.
Bravo!
Did. Not. Want. This. Book. To. End.
No one does shifters like CC!
Loved Zev and Jonah, even if I found Zev's reluctance to communicate with Jonah sooner (rather than almost too late) a little frustrating.
But there was so much yummy angst, tenderness, smexy times and soul-baring FEELS, I was swept away.
Bravo!
February 5, 2017
“It’s just you. It’s always been you.”
I loved the way Zev and Jonah first met:
The human didn't cry, he just reached his small hand out and petted Zev's fur. The wolf cub whined with joy and pressed himself against the human baby, licking his neck and rubbing against his body. Zev's wanted to mark himself with that lemony scent. It smelled so good and right...
So when they first met, they were just babies.
A one year old human baby and a same age wolf cub.
After that they are always together, as best friends, until they become 18. Then, Jonah leaves the small town in order to study and Zev stays behind in order to become Pack's Alpha.
While Jonah is oblivious and he hungers for more, Zev hesitates because:
• He never thought it is possible for shifters to mate with humans.
• He never thought it is possible for shifters to be gay. And...
• True mates are incredibly rare.
Zev and Jonah will be together on and off, but it will take them 12 years to finally be together at last.
An amazing, romantic story! I devoured it in one sitting.
I loved the way Zev and Jonah first met:
The human didn't cry, he just reached his small hand out and petted Zev's fur. The wolf cub whined with joy and pressed himself against the human baby, licking his neck and rubbing against his body. Zev's wanted to mark himself with that lemony scent. It smelled so good and right...
So when they first met, they were just babies.
A one year old human baby and a same age wolf cub.
After that they are always together, as best friends, until they become 18. Then, Jonah leaves the small town in order to study and Zev stays behind in order to become Pack's Alpha.
While Jonah is oblivious and he hungers for more, Zev hesitates because:
• He never thought it is possible for shifters to mate with humans.
• He never thought it is possible for shifters to be gay. And...
• True mates are incredibly rare.
Zev and Jonah will be together on and off, but it will take them 12 years to finally be together at last.
An amazing, romantic story! I devoured it in one sitting.
July 2, 2018
**3.5 Blondie and Pup Stars**
Zev and Jonah discovered each other when they were just babies. Zev always knew there was something special about Jonah. He felt this draw to him, like he was his mate. But his family and the pack said it wasn't possible for him to be gay, much less be mated to a human of all things. Jonah felt his own kind of draw to Zev. They are best friends in all ways. When Jonah final gets the courage to tell Zev how he feels, Zev discovers it is possible for him to be gay and have Jonah as his mate. But Jonah is going away to college.
This was a sweet mate story. I enjoyed it for the most part. I loved how they were drawn to each other so early and how they went through different periods in their life together. So why not rate it higher? First, there is a lot of sex. I'm all for that in my stories. I enjoy the sexy times and the love making between two individuals. But here, I think some pages could have been cut out by eliminating some of the sex scenes. They were at it ALL. THE. TIME.
Secondly...the cheating. And yes, it was cheating IMO. I hated it. BUT...I also understood it. Jonah had no idea what was happening to him. He was sick and left wanting by Zev. He couldn't understand why Zev wouldn't go all the way with him. I wish Zev had at least told him SOMETHING to ease his mind a little so he wouldn't have had to try with anyone else. Nothing happens, but still, he tried and I hate that. So, it did take away the enjoyment of them being true mates for me.
Overall, I enjoyed it and will continue on with the series.
Zev and Jonah discovered each other when they were just babies. Zev always knew there was something special about Jonah. He felt this draw to him, like he was his mate. But his family and the pack said it wasn't possible for him to be gay, much less be mated to a human of all things. Jonah felt his own kind of draw to Zev. They are best friends in all ways. When Jonah final gets the courage to tell Zev how he feels, Zev discovers it is possible for him to be gay and have Jonah as his mate. But Jonah is going away to college.
This was a sweet mate story. I enjoyed it for the most part. I loved how they were drawn to each other so early and how they went through different periods in their life together. So why not rate it higher? First, there is a lot of sex. I'm all for that in my stories. I enjoy the sexy times and the love making between two individuals. But here, I think some pages could have been cut out by eliminating some of the sex scenes. They were at it ALL. THE. TIME.
Secondly...the cheating. And yes, it was cheating IMO. I hated it. BUT...I also understood it. Jonah had no idea what was happening to him. He was sick and left wanting by Zev. He couldn't understand why Zev wouldn't go all the way with him. I wish Zev had at least told him SOMETHING to ease his mind a little so he wouldn't have had to try with anyone else. Nothing happens, but still, he tried and I hate that. So, it did take away the enjoyment of them being true mates for me.
Overall, I enjoyed it and will continue on with the series.
October 18, 2017
***4.5 Stars***
Friends to lovers, true mates, shifters, some long distance angst....
Zev and Jonah were adorably fantastic together!!
The connection...
The friendship...
The humor...
The sex...
Check. Check. Check. Check. Loved it all.
I love the way the story was told. The prologue starts in the present, and then we're taken to the very beginning of Zev and Jonah's friendship until the story catches up to the prologue. I loved that anticipation of finding out why things are the way they are in the prologue.
With Zev being a shifter (a powerful alpha at that) and Jonah being human, there were a lot of things these two needed to overcome to be together. In the middle of the book, the author really had me straddling the line of frustration with Zev for keeping important information from Jonah...especially with where Jonah's inner thoughts took him and what actions he believed he needed to take. That could have all been avoided.
But a big ol' hallelujah that the drama llama didn't show up during a couple of key moments when that bitch could have trampled all over this story.
One of the things that I really appreciated was when things came to a head, Jonah took a lot of things in stride and didn't throw a fit like may have been expected. Was it a little too easy? Yes. But I understood it. Zev was his best friend, he'd never given Jonah reason to doubt him or distrust him...and so many things that had been nagging in the back of Jonah's subconscious finally made sense.
Zev and Jonah were truly perfect together. Blondie and his Pup absolutely melted my heart!
Highly, HIGHLY recommend this shifter book to everyone!
May 9, 2018
DNF @ 52%
It was so slow and I got bored. I read the first half and practically nothing happened so I couldn’t keep reading…
It was so slow and I got bored. I read the first half and practically nothing happened so I couldn’t keep reading…
April 8, 2017
3.5*
A sweet shifter book!
Zev and Jonah were quite the adorable couple. They meet very young and they are sweet from age 1 and on. I liked we got to see how they grew with each other and how their relationship became something more serious than friends. I thought Zev being so naïve about gay sex was kind of adorable. I loved how Jonah made him feel comfortable about it all and how Zev was so accepting on how things were and who he was.
I didn't like how long it took for these two to actually join together as a complete couple and how long it took Zev to fill Jonah in on who he really was and why they had to wait so long to be completely intimate with each other. Then there was the ending. It was rushed for me. It felt to abrupt. I wanted more. I wanted to see Jonah meeting the rest of Zev's family. I wanted to see Jonah's dads reaction to him being a shifter and being mated with Zev. It felt unfinished and that left me unsatisfied.
Still enjoyed it. Just wanted more.
Happy reading dolls! xx
A sweet shifter book!
Zev and Jonah were quite the adorable couple. They meet very young and they are sweet from age 1 and on. I liked we got to see how they grew with each other and how their relationship became something more serious than friends. I thought Zev being so naïve about gay sex was kind of adorable. I loved how Jonah made him feel comfortable about it all and how Zev was so accepting on how things were and who he was.
I didn't like how long it took for these two to actually join together as a complete couple and how long it took Zev to fill Jonah in on who he really was and why they had to wait so long to be completely intimate with each other. Then there was the ending. It was rushed for me. It felt to abrupt. I wanted more. I wanted to see Jonah meeting the rest of Zev's family. I wanted to see Jonah's dads reaction to him being a shifter and being mated with Zev. It felt unfinished and that left me unsatisfied.
Still enjoyed it. Just wanted more.
Happy reading dolls! xx
April 16, 2017
I loved revisiting this universe and this story. It made me just as melty as it did the first time.
--------Original Review 29 Nov 2014----------
4.5 Stars
I don't read much paranormal. Of the 900+ books I've marked as 'read' on GoodReads, only 25 of them are paranormal books. No particular reason, I don't think, I just tend to overlook them. Well, after reading The Half of Us, by this same author, Dani recommended this series. And thank FSM she did. I hate the fact that I would have overlooked this series otherwise!
I LOVED Wake Me Up Inside. In fact, I started reading it Friday night and stayed up way past my bedtime because I Could. Not. Put. It. Down! Even after I forced myself to close my Kindle, I laid awake thinking about it. I really should have just given in and stayed up to finish it, but I digress...
Zev and Jonah meet when they are about a year old. Zev was in wolf form at the time and he and Jonah are inexplicably drawn to one another, even then. This story takes place over the next 30 years as Zev and Jonah grow up and it illustrates just how drawn together they really are. Both when Zev is in wolf form and when he is in human form.
Wolf lore says that a male and female shifter must mate in order to be able to control their shifts. This could be a problem for Zev because he has never been attracted to anyone other than Jonah. Ever. And as he is destined to be Alpha of his pack, he must find a mate so that his pack can prosper. But not only is Jonah male, but he's also human. None the less, their bond is very strong and neither of them can ignore it. While Jonah was away, I feared for him and Zev. Their separation really took its toll on both of them, both physically and mentally. Their courtship, as it were, was so so sweet. And the sex is scorching hot.
I also loved how other parts of the story tied into the main story line. Both small and large, it all ties together and in a clever way.
So, if you like shifter stories (or, hell, even if you don't normally read them), I would definitely recommend Wake Me Up Inside. It's really a fantastic (in all senses of the word) story. I cannot wait to delve into the rest of this series and other books by Cardeno C..
--------Original Review 29 Nov 2014----------
4.5 Stars
I don't read much paranormal. Of the 900+ books I've marked as 'read' on GoodReads, only 25 of them are paranormal books. No particular reason, I don't think, I just tend to overlook them. Well, after reading The Half of Us, by this same author, Dani recommended this series. And thank FSM she did. I hate the fact that I would have overlooked this series otherwise!
I LOVED Wake Me Up Inside. In fact, I started reading it Friday night and stayed up way past my bedtime because I Could. Not. Put. It. Down! Even after I forced myself to close my Kindle, I laid awake thinking about it. I really should have just given in and stayed up to finish it, but I digress...
Zev and Jonah meet when they are about a year old. Zev was in wolf form at the time and he and Jonah are inexplicably drawn to one another, even then. This story takes place over the next 30 years as Zev and Jonah grow up and it illustrates just how drawn together they really are. Both when Zev is in wolf form and when he is in human form.
Wolf lore says that a male and female shifter must mate in order to be able to control their shifts. This could be a problem for Zev because he has never been attracted to anyone other than Jonah. Ever. And as he is destined to be Alpha of his pack, he must find a mate so that his pack can prosper. But not only is Jonah male, but he's also human. None the less, their bond is very strong and neither of them can ignore it. While Jonah was away, I feared for him and Zev. Their separation really took its toll on both of them, both physically and mentally. Their courtship, as it were, was so so sweet. And the sex is scorching hot.
I also loved how other parts of the story tied into the main story line. Both small and large, it all ties together and in a clever way.
So, if you like shifter stories (or, hell, even if you don't normally read them), I would definitely recommend Wake Me Up Inside. It's really a fantastic (in all senses of the word) story. I cannot wait to delve into the rest of this series and other books by Cardeno C..
October 27, 2024
4.5 Stars
An argument could be made that this story was fairly predictable, with an overabundance of sap thrown in, but I'll be damned if I didn't love every second of it.
It was romantic as hell - featuring one of the most beautifully touching mating bonds I've ever read. It certainly provided my inner romance junky with a plethora of "awww" inducing moments, which left me all gooey inside. I'm officially book-boyfriend crushing on Zev and Jonah, that's for damn sure.
I also appreciated Cardeno's original take on shifter mythology (at least, original to me) and I can't wait to dive into the next book, with promises of more adorable shifters, dreamy vampires and another delicious mating bond. Bring it on!
An argument could be made that this story was fairly predictable, with an overabundance of sap thrown in, but I'll be damned if I didn't love every second of it.
It was romantic as hell - featuring one of the most beautifully touching mating bonds I've ever read. It certainly provided my inner romance junky with a plethora of "awww" inducing moments, which left me all gooey inside. I'm officially book-boyfriend crushing on Zev and Jonah, that's for damn sure.
I also appreciated Cardeno's original take on shifter mythology (at least, original to me) and I can't wait to dive into the next book, with promises of more adorable shifters, dreamy vampires and another delicious mating bond. Bring it on!
April 20, 2015
How have I not discovered the world of shifters until now?? Holy crap, shifters are H-O-T!! I think this was a good one for me to start with because it covered all the basics of shifters, most of which I was unfamiliar with. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this series. Also wanted to add, I listened to this one on audiobook. Charlie David is the narrator and he did a really good job.
May 23, 2022
Cute. Sweet. Hot. Kinda angsty since this book takes over two decades (and holy fuck does that make my fingers tremble) andddd enjoyable ENOUGH to not make me want to EAT GLASS.
(although, tbh I skimmed the whole plot twist shit at the end 🤡🤡🤡)
(although, tbh I skimmed the whole plot twist shit at the end 🤡🤡🤡)
September 24, 2019
Audio September 2019
The Narration: 2.5 Pants Off
Charlie David didn’t work for me for this story. I’ve read this story previously but if I had been going off of the narration alone this story would have been 2.5 ⭐️ s and nothing more. I used it as white noise to get through chores today and that’s the only reason i finished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3.75
I haven't read much Cardeno C but the author is quickly growing on me. While the formula isn't always perfect for me in the writing; there is something endearing and engaging about the characters that pull me right in, and this Mates series is pulling me right in. I'm a big fan of shifter books with mates. This overwhelming need to bone and possessiveness that comes with it. It makes me happy to ditch my pants, and leaves me with a girl boner.
Zev Hassick is being groomed to be the next Alpha. He comes from a line of proud wolves whose lead their people with a firm hand and strong traditions. From a small boy it was clear that Zev would be powerful and make a very strong Alpha. His first series of shifts leads Zev to a human boy with an amazing scent and the two begin an unlikely friendship that carries them through the years. Zev knows he shouldn't become attach to humans but there is something about the boy he knows as Jonah and he will do anything to get close to him. So he does what any young boy would do to get his way. A little bit of manipulation with his parents and he gets to spend time with Jonah who is his best friend when he's both man and wolf.
Zev can't quite figure out his feelings for Jonah, and deep down this feels like more than friendship. It feels important, it feels vital, and that scares him. So when a little rough playing leads to an awakening in both body and mind Zev realizes he's found his true mate. Which is crazy as feck cuz Jonah is a man, he's a man and somethings not adding up. But finding a true mate is a gift and Zev accepts it for what it is. Jonah is his, and he must claim him. Easier said than done. Shifter/human relationships is a big no, and alphas are meant to mate only with females and the last time he checked Jonah was all male. Thus begins a long distance relationship and two men almost perishing for keeping it in their pants for a long time. Doesn't mean they can't have a little fun to ease them over.
Alright, so this started off real strong from me and along the way I created expectations. I didn't call anything on the relationship. I was expecting angst and pining but overall it was actually very sweet. Not like anything is wrong with sweet but I really wanted angst. Zev is…he's big, he's kind, and not a horrible character (man is super naïve though). Like I'm talking “what is this butt sex” between males naive. Jonah is Jonah. There's nothing really standout about him and in all honesty he's a very forgettable character to me.
The story would have done amazing with a little sizzle but the conflict was resolved quickly and overall quite predictable. Yet, I did really like it, and enjoyed Zev and Jonah together sometimes those two really brought the heat. While it did get a little draggy at the end I was never bored and remained intrigued. In all honesty I'm a sucker for the true mates shit and this had it in folds. I will say it ended quite abruptly and I never got the crazy that was supposed to come with the Alpha being mated to man, but in all honesty the book had run out of time. Anymore would have been too much.
Overall a very cute story that had some high and very low points. Eye roll numerous was out in full swing for this one. Sometimes I was just like "slow your roll. You asses are being a bit to much". But I still freaking liked it and look forward to reading the others in the series.
April 22, 2017
I really have a weak for hot shifters and this book was right up my alley. I have to be honest though.... I have read this series kind of out of order. This happens to me a lot though, and since these books can be read as stand alones...it wasn't an issue. What can I say....I am a bit weird.
This story skips between present and past time and even though I find this annoying in most books...I didn't in this one.
Zev and Jonah meet when they are both very very young, around 1. Jonah is playing (or more like craweling) outside and Zev is in his wolf-form. He immediately knows that the little boy is important some how...he just doesn't know why. A very important connection excists between the two of them, right from the start.
But Zev wants to get to know Jonah in his human form too. So he does when he is a little older and they become the best of friends, even going to the same school.
Along the way of growing up, Zev learns that the connection the two of them share is because they are true mates. Problem is...true mates are never of the same gender and true mates are also always two shifters. This might confuse Zev, but he is still all in as far as Jonah is concerned. What makes matters more complicated though, is that Zev is the future Alpha of his pack.
Jonah is about to go to college and Zev being the future Alpha, can't leave town. He doesn't want Jonah to give up his dreams, and he knows that once he gives into his feelings and mates with Jonah, he won't be able to separate himself from him anymore. So what does he do..... He decides to keep things to himself. Not telling Jonah is a shifter and not telling him that they are true mates. They do start a relationship, but Zev refuses to take things too far, which of course in turn confuses Jonah....and pisses him off a bit.
These spend a lot of years apart...both hurting. There were times I wantd to smack Zev in the head. On the other hand...I got where he was coming from and why he did it. He just wanted what was best for Johan.
These boys were hot together before they mated but after....phhewwwww :P
I really enjoyed this shifter book and I can't wait to read more shifter goodness by this author.
This story skips between present and past time and even though I find this annoying in most books...I didn't in this one.
Zev and Jonah meet when they are both very very young, around 1. Jonah is playing (or more like craweling) outside and Zev is in his wolf-form. He immediately knows that the little boy is important some how...he just doesn't know why. A very important connection excists between the two of them, right from the start.
But Zev wants to get to know Jonah in his human form too. So he does when he is a little older and they become the best of friends, even going to the same school.
Along the way of growing up, Zev learns that the connection the two of them share is because they are true mates. Problem is...true mates are never of the same gender and true mates are also always two shifters. This might confuse Zev, but he is still all in as far as Jonah is concerned. What makes matters more complicated though, is that Zev is the future Alpha of his pack.
Jonah is about to go to college and Zev being the future Alpha, can't leave town. He doesn't want Jonah to give up his dreams, and he knows that once he gives into his feelings and mates with Jonah, he won't be able to separate himself from him anymore. So what does he do..... He decides to keep things to himself. Not telling Jonah is a shifter and not telling him that they are true mates. They do start a relationship, but Zev refuses to take things too far, which of course in turn confuses Jonah....and pisses him off a bit.
These spend a lot of years apart...both hurting. There were times I wantd to smack Zev in the head. On the other hand...I got where he was coming from and why he did it. He just wanted what was best for Johan.
These boys were hot together before they mated but after....phhewwwww :P
I really enjoyed this shifter book and I can't wait to read more shifter goodness by this author.
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
October 28, 2024
2,5 stars
Shifter romance from 2012.
I enjoyed that I found yet another different take on the wolf shifter genre with a unique plot.
There were things that didn't work so well for me in this story, though:
-We never got to see how Jonah and Zev's attraction developed, they were mates but I didn't feel their chemistry and love.
-Also, way too much sex combined with not enough communication in my opinion. I skipped over many sex scenes, they felt so repetitive and bland.
-I hate it when one of the MCs knows and feels he's in love with the other MC, but because of 'reasons" tries to have sex with someone else (3 times in this case?!?). It just feels off.
-I got that they were often joking but they weren't really funny? The author tried to make them seem funny in the most serious situations, it was strange.
-And: there was a remark about asexuality that didn't age well in my opinion.
Shifter romance from 2012.
I enjoyed that I found yet another different take on the wolf shifter genre with a unique plot.
There were things that didn't work so well for me in this story, though:
-We never got to see how Jonah and Zev's attraction developed, they were mates but I didn't feel their chemistry and love.
-Also, way too much sex combined with not enough communication in my opinion. I skipped over many sex scenes, they felt so repetitive and bland.
-I hate it when one of the MCs knows and feels he's in love with the other MC, but because of 'reasons" tries to have sex with someone else (3 times in this case?!?). It just feels off.
-I got that they were often joking but they weren't really funny? The author tried to make them seem funny in the most serious situations, it was strange.
-And: there was a remark about asexuality that didn't age well in my opinion.
October 4, 2013
Beautiful, warm, heartfelt, sexy and endearing read!
Zev Hassick, a shifter and an Alpha in the making, is drawn to Jonah Marvel, a human, from a young age. They meet before their child minds can understand the importance of the other person. Before they can understand their need to be together. A fierce need that stays with them from childhood best friends, to lovers and mates.
Wake Me Up Inside is a story about soul mates...meeting your other half, your true mate. A story about sacrificing your happiness, for the one you love. Just to see them accomplish all they can be, while you wait out of fear of holding them back. A love story between two compassionate men, destined to be together, from their first embrace.
To love, is to be patient. This is how Zev and Jonah's love grew and survived all the years they needed, to have their forever. Through patients and support, trust and complete faith in the other.
Christina Perri~Penguin
The perfect song to describe the love shared in this book.
I LOVED this book! It kept me smiling and happy all the way...Yes, with lots of dirty smiles too lol
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MATES!
Zev Hassick, a shifter and an Alpha in the making, is drawn to Jonah Marvel, a human, from a young age. They meet before their child minds can understand the importance of the other person. Before they can understand their need to be together. A fierce need that stays with them from childhood best friends, to lovers and mates.
Wake Me Up Inside is a story about soul mates...meeting your other half, your true mate. A story about sacrificing your happiness, for the one you love. Just to see them accomplish all they can be, while you wait out of fear of holding them back. A love story between two compassionate men, destined to be together, from their first embrace.
To love, is to be patient. This is how Zev and Jonah's love grew and survived all the years they needed, to have their forever. Through patients and support, trust and complete faith in the other.
Can you find the time
to let your lover love you
He only wants to show you
The things he wants to learn too
The hardest parts you'll get through
And in the end you'll have your best friend
Love like this may come once
Baby it's fate
Like a soul mate he's your penguin
Baby it's fate
Baby it's fate
Not luck
Can you find the time to let your lover hold you
He needs somebody to hold to
His love is strong and so true
His arrows aiming for you
And he's the one that you were born to love
Love like this may come once
Baby it's fate
Like a soul mate he's your penguin
Baby it's fate
Baby it's fate
Not luck.
Christina Perri~Penguin
The perfect song to describe the love shared in this book.
I LOVED this book! It kept me smiling and happy all the way...Yes, with lots of dirty smiles too lol
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MATES!
July 17, 2013
3,5 Stars for a cute and sweet little romantic love tale
As I expressed it to a friend - "two birds with one stone." Two genres I love to read: M/M and PNR, in a wonderful mix. All at once, with some new interesting variants from the shifter world.
A simple but very cute story about a wolf shifter who already as a boy meets his predetermined true mate, a blond human boy. I enjoyed a lot and loved this boys and later men.
A male shifter can't be gay and don't choose a human mate, or?
Zev Hassick, a wolf shifter, is the son of the pack Alpha, and the future pack leader. Since he was a little puppy and for the first time saw the beautiful human, Jonah Marvel, has this boy/man been the most important person in Zev's life. The love is mutual but many long years of waiting examining both their patience and need for each other.
Over 30 years we will follow these boys, and later men. Sure there are flaws, as a matter of course, slightly sugar sweet, predictable, etc. It wouldn't been wrong with a little longer and improved version of this novel. I had been happy about a little fuller intrigue and rather more about their lives in the years that passed. But we meet two strong, loving and caring men. They know what they want and I know what I get. What more could I ask of in a romance?
A nice romance tale, served on 230 quick-read pages. My heart is warm and I have my silly 'oh, so romantic' smile on my lips. It's sweet and tender, with hot meetings, two lovely characters and so lovingly told. Yum!
I Like - and need this kind of sweet stories now and then.
As I expressed it to a friend - "two birds with one stone." Two genres I love to read: M/M and PNR, in a wonderful mix. All at once, with some new interesting variants from the shifter world.
A simple but very cute story about a wolf shifter who already as a boy meets his predetermined true mate, a blond human boy. I enjoyed a lot and loved this boys and later men.
‘The wolf cub whined with joy and pressed himself against the human baby, licking his neck and rubbing against his body.’
A male shifter can't be gay and don't choose a human mate, or?
Zev Hassick, a wolf shifter, is the son of the pack Alpha, and the future pack leader. Since he was a little puppy and for the first time saw the beautiful human, Jonah Marvel, has this boy/man been the most important person in Zev's life. The love is mutual but many long years of waiting examining both their patience and need for each other.
Over 30 years we will follow these boys, and later men. Sure there are flaws, as a matter of course, slightly sugar sweet, predictable, etc. It wouldn't been wrong with a little longer and improved version of this novel. I had been happy about a little fuller intrigue and rather more about their lives in the years that passed. But we meet two strong, loving and caring men. They know what they want and I know what I get. What more could I ask of in a romance?
A nice romance tale, served on 230 quick-read pages. My heart is warm and I have my silly 'oh, so romantic' smile on my lips. It's sweet and tender, with hot meetings, two lovely characters and so lovingly told. Yum!
I Like - and need this kind of sweet stories now and then.
May 21, 2013
Really liked this one. My first m/m shifter tale. The characters were likeable and the plot was interesting. 4 stars and a big 
I loved Zev and Jonah, and the fact they 'found' each other when Zev was a pup, and Jonah was crawling around at the age of 1. Lots of things conspire to stand in their way, not least of which is that Zev is in line to be the next Alpha of the pack and should obviously be getting mated to a female not a male!!
Jonah goes away to college to become a doctor while Zev stays at home learning to be the Alpha of the Etzgadol pack. He does manage to get away to see Jonah while he's at college by turning the time into a business trip, and increasing the pack's coffers by agreeing contracts with non-wolves for the pack's ceramics and other products. It has to be said that Jonah is blissfully unaware that Zev is a man/wolf...not a werewolf, he has two distinct personalities, and is very comfortable in both skins; Jonah however, starts to have medical problems and such weird dreams about his mother's death involving wolves that the only place he can find any relief from the pain he's suffering is by having close contact with Zev. By this time, both of the guys are around 30, and Zev has steadfastly refused to 'claim' Jonah because he realises that when Jonah is claimed, they will no longer be able to stay apart from one another, and Zev wants Jonah to finish his medical degree so that he can start thinking about becoming the Pack healer one day. Of course, there are all sorts of other threads interwoven in this story, including one concerning the main characters of the next book which I've just downloaded (yippee!!), so I'll leave this review at this point, and say many thanks to the author.
I loved Zev and Jonah, and the fact they 'found' each other when Zev was a pup, and Jonah was crawling around at the age of 1. Lots of things conspire to stand in their way, not least of which is that Zev is in line to be the next Alpha of the pack and should obviously be getting mated to a female not a male!!
Jonah goes away to college to become a doctor while Zev stays at home learning to be the Alpha of the Etzgadol pack. He does manage to get away to see Jonah while he's at college by turning the time into a business trip, and increasing the pack's coffers by agreeing contracts with non-wolves for the pack's ceramics and other products. It has to be said that Jonah is blissfully unaware that Zev is a man/wolf...not a werewolf, he has two distinct personalities, and is very comfortable in both skins; Jonah however, starts to have medical problems and such weird dreams about his mother's death involving wolves that the only place he can find any relief from the pain he's suffering is by having close contact with Zev. By this time, both of the guys are around 30, and Zev has steadfastly refused to 'claim' Jonah because he realises that when Jonah is claimed, they will no longer be able to stay apart from one another, and Zev wants Jonah to finish his medical degree so that he can start thinking about becoming the Pack healer one day. Of course, there are all sorts of other threads interwoven in this story, including one concerning the main characters of the next book which I've just downloaded (yippee!!), so I'll leave this review at this point, and say many thanks to the author.
July 18, 2016
I really, really wanted to love this shifter story of a man who found his mate at the age of one, and that mate was his same gender, which was absolutely unheard of in his pack. But the author just drew out getting these two mates together, and I just kept getting more and more frustrated... It made the pay off a little too anti-climatic for my tastes. *sigh* So, my issue really. The writing was great, the characters fleshed out, hot and fabulous. The sex was fantastic! :)
4 stars from me because of my frustration of keeping these mates apart for so long, even if I do see the reasoning behind it. *shrugs*
4 stars from me because of my frustration of keeping these mates apart for so long, even if I do see the reasoning behind it. *shrugs*
October 23, 2015
I read this in one sitting I am still not sure how I feel about this book. I did like it that’s for sure, but it this entire book was nerve wracking for me. And I don’t really like that in a book.
This book covers the entire life of Zev and Jonah (well, until they're 30). Zev is a wolf shifter and has always known that Jonah, who is human, is his true mate. But since Jonah knows nothing about shifters Zev can’t really jump up and say: tadaaaaa, I’m a shifter.
The boys get involved when they’re 18. That was incredibly cute. They have been best friends forever and they finally both realize it is way more than friendship.
But Zev, as the true Alpha of his pack, cannot leave their home town, while Jonah wants to go to college and medical school.
Zev knows he must let Jonah follow his dream. Even though it means that for the next 12 years they won’t see each other that much. They can’t even have real sex, because after that they can never be apart. They do fool around a lot, but they’re going stir crazy with longing for more. I felt so frustrated!
These guys were so miserable without each other. And because this is for the greater part of the book, it was nerve wracking for me.
They are happy with each other, but they are literally sick because they are not together. This was a bit much for me. I just wanted my boys to be happy!!
When they finally do get together the action seems to pile up all of a sudden. And I thought was going to enjoy some nice cuddly times with my wolves. Nope, no such luck.
It was a real nice shifter story, even though I would have liked it more if my heart stopped racing as if I was running a marathon. I was exhausted when I reached the finish line.
Still, I couldn’t put it down, so 4 stars it is.
This book covers the entire life of Zev and Jonah (well, until they're 30). Zev is a wolf shifter and has always known that Jonah, who is human, is his true mate. But since Jonah knows nothing about shifters Zev can’t really jump up and say: tadaaaaa, I’m a shifter.
The boys get involved when they’re 18. That was incredibly cute. They have been best friends forever and they finally both realize it is way more than friendship.
But Zev, as the true Alpha of his pack, cannot leave their home town, while Jonah wants to go to college and medical school.
Zev knows he must let Jonah follow his dream. Even though it means that for the next 12 years they won’t see each other that much. They can’t even have real sex, because after that they can never be apart. They do fool around a lot, but they’re going stir crazy with longing for more. I felt so frustrated!
These guys were so miserable without each other. And because this is for the greater part of the book, it was nerve wracking for me.
They are happy with each other, but they are literally sick because they are not together. This was a bit much for me. I just wanted my boys to be happy!!
When they finally do get together the action seems to pile up all of a sudden. And I thought was going to enjoy some nice cuddly times with my wolves. Nope, no such luck.
It was a real nice shifter story, even though I would have liked it more if my heart stopped racing as if I was running a marathon. I was exhausted when I reached the finish line.
Still, I couldn’t put it down, so 4 stars it is.
August 20, 2012
I love Cardeno C. books but I think his style did not work for a shifter book, for me. I like sweet, loving, no angst in my human books. But shifter books, I want them faster paced, early claiming and a whole lot of 'mine' language. I don't want it to take forever to get to that.
The flashbacks were killing me too. If most of the books is in flash back, then start the book from there. I don't like a lot of flashbacks and then the last 20 % is present but that is pretty much what happened.
I wanted to see what happens with Zev and Jonah so I kept reading but there was a lot of skimming. I didn't even read the sex scenes in the end. I was just happy it was over.
I did like the take on the shifter world.
The flashbacks were killing me too. If most of the books is in flash back, then start the book from there. I don't like a lot of flashbacks and then the last 20 % is present but that is pretty much what happened.
I wanted to see what happens with Zev and Jonah so I kept reading but there was a lot of skimming. I didn't even read the sex scenes in the end. I was just happy it was over.
I did like the take on the shifter world.
September 28, 2020
A sweet shifter book!
Zev and Jonah were quite the adorable couple. They meet very young and they are sweet from age 1 and on. I liked we got to see how they grew with each other and how their relationship became something more serious than friends. I thought Zev being so naïve about gay sex was kind of adorable. I loved how Jonah made him feel comfortable about it all and how Zev was so accepting on how things were and who he was.
I didn't like how long it took for these two to actually join together as a complete couple and how long it took Zev to fill Jonah in on who he really was and why they had to wait so long to be completely intimate with each other. Then there was the ending. It was rushed for me. It felt to abrupt. I wanted more. I wanted to see Jonah meeting the rest of Zev's family. I wanted to see Jonah's dads reaction to him being a shifter and being mated with Zev. It felt unfinished and that left me unsatisfied.
Still enjoyed it. Just wanted more.
Zev and Jonah were quite the adorable couple. They meet very young and they are sweet from age 1 and on. I liked we got to see how they grew with each other and how their relationship became something more serious than friends. I thought Zev being so naïve about gay sex was kind of adorable. I loved how Jonah made him feel comfortable about it all and how Zev was so accepting on how things were and who he was.
I didn't like how long it took for these two to actually join together as a complete couple and how long it took Zev to fill Jonah in on who he really was and why they had to wait so long to be completely intimate with each other. Then there was the ending. It was rushed for me. It felt to abrupt. I wanted more. I wanted to see Jonah meeting the rest of Zev's family. I wanted to see Jonah's dads reaction to him being a shifter and being mated with Zev. It felt unfinished and that left me unsatisfied.
Still enjoyed it. Just wanted more.
November 10, 2015
Overall book rating 3.8 howling stars
Audio book - Narrator Charlie David - 4.5 Stars
Book cover rating - 4.8 amazing stars
This was my first wolf shifter book and I think it was a nice calm intro to the wolf shifters.
This was quite
It was different but nice. I needed the no drama shit and this book was perfect. I got a little irritated with the time laps but other than that I liked it.
Audio book - Narrator Charlie David - 4.5 Stars
Book cover rating - 4.8 amazing stars
This was my first wolf shifter book and I think it was a nice calm intro to the wolf shifters.
This was quite
It was different but nice. I needed the no drama shit and this book was perfect. I got a little irritated with the time laps but other than that I liked it.
February 27, 2014
4/ 4.5 Stars.
What a great story. I really loved Cardeno's take on the shifter world. A nice spin on the normal lore surrounding Shifters and their mates. There's not much this man writes that doesn't make me smile contentedly. The chemistry is there as always, the love scenes sizzle, the sexual tension shimmers and I'm just glad I've got the next one on my kindle ready to follow up in the near future.
Zev and Jonah's story held me captive now I'm looking forward to seeing how Ethan and Miguel the vamp got together.
Fabulous!
What a great story. I really loved Cardeno's take on the shifter world. A nice spin on the normal lore surrounding Shifters and their mates. There's not much this man writes that doesn't make me smile contentedly. The chemistry is there as always, the love scenes sizzle, the sexual tension shimmers and I'm just glad I've got the next one on my kindle ready to follow up in the near future.
Zev and Jonah's story held me captive now I'm looking forward to seeing how Ethan and Miguel the vamp got together.
Fabulous!
May 5, 2017
This was too sweet ... i now want a true mate.This book made me very happy. My only problem was the time Zev (Pup) and Jonah (Blondie) spent apart otherwise it would have been 5 stars. so 4.5 will do.
November 9, 2019
Stong 4+ stars
Really liked this one. Zev and Jonah were great together. I loved how Zev knew from such a young age that Jonah was his mate.
Really liked this one. Zev and Jonah were great together. I loved how Zev knew from such a young age that Jonah was his mate.
May 15, 2013
Zev and Jonah have been fascinated and drawn to each other since earliest childhood, not knowing or even caring why.
Their friendship and closeness shouldn't be a problem, but it is, Zev is the future alpha of his pack and Jonah is a human child. Zev's family and pack discourage interaction with humans, but Zev can't and won't give Jonah up, until he has to let him go to get his education.
I had a bit of an issue getting used to the way the story is told, at least in the beginning, it switches form the present here and now to flashbacks of their childhood and years together and apart. I did like getting both POVs.
This had a different and interesting take on shifters and their mating and traditions, I read a lot of paranormal stories and like it when something is outside the norm. Although except for Zev being stronger and such I didn't really see all that much alpha in him, but we are told he is, so I'll go with it.
I figured out most of what was up with Jonah and his history pretty early and was impatiently waiting for the big reveal, and I do think Zev should have told and explained things to Jonah earlier, but that's just me.
This is a true friends to lovers story, with long distance relationship thrown in, a bit of mating pull and shifters, some bigots and criminals, a bit of mystery, and some hot smexing.
I am looking forward to Miguel and Ethan's story, since they were introduced at the end of this one, I think we will see their beginnings years ago.
Their friendship and closeness shouldn't be a problem, but it is, Zev is the future alpha of his pack and Jonah is a human child. Zev's family and pack discourage interaction with humans, but Zev can't and won't give Jonah up, until he has to let him go to get his education.
I had a bit of an issue getting used to the way the story is told, at least in the beginning, it switches form the present here and now to flashbacks of their childhood and years together and apart. I did like getting both POVs.
This had a different and interesting take on shifters and their mating and traditions, I read a lot of paranormal stories and like it when something is outside the norm. Although except for Zev being stronger and such I didn't really see all that much alpha in him, but we are told he is, so I'll go with it.
I figured out most of what was up with Jonah and his history pretty early and was impatiently waiting for the big reveal, and I do think Zev should have told and explained things to Jonah earlier, but that's just me.
This is a true friends to lovers story, with long distance relationship thrown in, a bit of mating pull and shifters, some bigots and criminals, a bit of mystery, and some hot smexing.
I am looking forward to Miguel and Ethan's story, since they were introduced at the end of this one, I think we will see their beginnings years ago.
October 29, 2024
Updated for 2nd edition 04/06/2017:
Wow. What a difference the second edition makes! The POVs between Jonah and Zev are much more balanced, the story flows better with some changes to the dialogue, and it all works really well.
I'm still not a fan of the deliberate separation in the story, I mean...I can't help but wonder that there wasn't a school closer to pack grounds that Jonah could have gone to?
But I digress. Regardless of their separation, I love how much Zev loves and lives for Jonah, only wanting him to succeed and be happy. It makes my heart gooey.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
Updated for audio book 05/07/2015:
Ugh, waiting for Jonah is even more frustrating when listening.
I just wanted to strangle Zev slowly and painfully for drawing this out and putting off telling Jonah about shifters. I stand by my original assessment.
Charlie David's narration is good, if a little bland, especially after the voices he does for Until Forever Comes, though it's nonetheless still a good job.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
Read 08/21/2014
When Zev realizes he's in love with his human best friend, Jonah Marvel...and that Jonah is his true mate, it's sweet. The resulting 12 years of waiting for Jonah to finish med school and his residency to return to Zev is simply frustrating.
And I get it.
Zev does explain it somewhat satisfactorily when he and Jonah (finally) talk about it...
So, yes, I get it and yes, it makes sense...but I can't help but wish instead they had a conversation where Zev tells him everything and then puts his foot down as alpha and doesn't allow Jonah to give up his dream. Just sayin'.
That frustrating bit aside, the hotness factor is 7 out of 10, and I enjoyed the story and the world building enough to continue with the series.
Wow. What a difference the second edition makes! The POVs between Jonah and Zev are much more balanced, the story flows better with some changes to the dialogue, and it all works really well.
I'm still not a fan of the deliberate separation in the story, I mean...I can't help but wonder that there wasn't a school closer to pack grounds that Jonah could have gone to?
But I digress. Regardless of their separation, I love how much Zev loves and lives for Jonah, only wanting him to succeed and be happy. It makes my heart gooey.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
Updated for audio book 05/07/2015:
Ugh, waiting for Jonah is even more frustrating when listening.
I just wanted to strangle Zev slowly and painfully for drawing this out and putting off telling Jonah about shifters. I stand by my original assessment.
Charlie David's narration is good, if a little bland, especially after the voices he does for Until Forever Comes, though it's nonetheless still a good job.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~
Read 08/21/2014
When Zev realizes he's in love with his human best friend, Jonah Marvel...and that Jonah is his true mate, it's sweet. The resulting 12 years of waiting for Jonah to finish med school and his residency to return to Zev is simply frustrating.
And I get it.
That’s why I was never willing to do this until you were here to stay. Being separated from you all these years was barely tolerable as it was. I didn’t think either of us would be able to survive it once we tied and connected on a deeper level...
Zev does explain it somewhat satisfactorily when he and Jonah (finally) talk about it...
So, yes, I get it and yes, it makes sense...but I can't help but wish instead they had a conversation where Zev tells him everything and then puts his foot down as alpha and doesn't allow Jonah to give up his dream. Just sayin'.
That frustrating bit aside, the hotness factor is 7 out of 10, and I enjoyed the story and the world building enough to continue with the series.
May 30, 2013
4.5 stars
Really loved this book. There is no doubt that Zev and Jonah are meant to be together. They have known and been drawn to each other since they were one year old. What Jonah doesn't know is that his best friend and lover is also Pup, the wolf he has known all his life.
The relationship between the two men is strong and solid, but 12 years of physical separation, while Jonah attends college and medical school, with only sporadic visits are taking their toll. When Jonah's health begins to decline, his search for answers leads him back to Zev.
This was the first m/m shifter book for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the author's version of shifter lore. The chemistry between Zev and Jonah is off the charts. It took a little bit to get used the writing style as much of the early parts of the book are flashbacks and alternating viewpoints, but it worked well to bridge the long relationship and separation. I am looking forward to more of this series.
Really loved this book. There is no doubt that Zev and Jonah are meant to be together. They have known and been drawn to each other since they were one year old. What Jonah doesn't know is that his best friend and lover is also Pup, the wolf he has known all his life.
The relationship between the two men is strong and solid, but 12 years of physical separation, while Jonah attends college and medical school, with only sporadic visits are taking their toll. When Jonah's health begins to decline, his search for answers leads him back to Zev.
This was the first m/m shifter book for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the author's version of shifter lore. The chemistry between Zev and Jonah is off the charts. It took a little bit to get used the writing style as much of the early parts of the book are flashbacks and alternating viewpoints, but it worked well to bridge the long relationship and separation. I am looking forward to more of this series.
dnf
April 28, 2016Changing this from 'I'll return, mayhaps' to 'no done with, never' DNF no rating.
Bought this as the second book sounded good and series-order-etc, but I didn't like it, since tried the second book and found I really didn't like that one. Declaring this series a wash-out for me. Not going to continue trying them.
Bought this as the second book sounded good and series-order-etc, but I didn't like it, since tried the second book and found I really didn't like that one. Declaring this series a wash-out for me. Not going to continue trying them.
July 25, 2016
This book has been on my tbr shelf for sooo long. It was just a sweet as I expected it to be and I completely enjoyed every minute of it. Also, very creative way of explaining a subject I feel like I've read many times before... but I do still really like it ;)
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