Wake Me Up Inside (Mates #1) by Cardeno C.

A Mates Series Story

Zev Hassick is surprised and confused when he finds himself attracted to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. Zev is the son of the pack Alpha, regarded as the strongest wolf in generations, born to lead. And everyone knows a male shifter has to mate with a female of his own kind to keep his humanity. So shifters can't be gay, right?

Jonah Marvel wants a relationship with Zev, his best friend, the man he has loved since childhood. It wasn’t easy to maintain that relationship over years spent living apart while Jonah studied to become a doctor. And then things grow more difficult when Jonah becomes his own patient. Before he can make a life with Zev, he has to understand his past and cure the unexplained ailments that plague him.

Zev and Jonah know they’re destined for each other, but they’re facing traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets that may threaten any future together

                                                                   5 STARS 

I love to read a romantic epic love story, this is that story for me. I have read a lot of mate/shifter stories but none as intense and beautiful as this one. First of all it's written by Cardeno C so I knew it would have that wonderful romantic feel to it that I love reading in this authors books second it's a really different take on the whole shifter mating plot line. Third it's more drama involved in this story than in previous books by Cardeno C, but just as intense and emotional.

Zev is an alpha wolf whose mate is not only human but a guy too, and of course that's not acceptable in his pack. This story does have lots and lots of flashbacks to where these two were younger and how their friendship and later their relationship develops which explains each of their characters and why the act the way they do. The ensuing stress of not only keeping Jonah a secret but keeping Jonah from finding out Zev is a werewolf makes for an interesting story that has some severe consequences that Zev & Jonah fight to survive. I liked both MC's in this story and understood where each was coming from easily, the story world is well written to where it felt real and this love story even with its major issues was movie epic.

I so hope to read more to this series, I seriously enjoyed reading it. Through tears, laughter and lot's of sighs this book was awesome, I Highly Recommend.