She needs to win him at the bachelor auction to save her friend...but didn't plan on falling in love. Cora needs to win the representative from The Refuge in the bachelor auction...it's literally a matter of life and death. But nothing goes according to her plan, and yet, she still manages to find herself in a diner with Pipe, telling him about her best friend who she is convinced has been kidnapped and is being held against her will. She needs Pipe and his former military friends from The Refuge to go to Arizona with her and find her friend, and break her out if necessary. Deserving Cora by Susan Stoker was published in November 2023. This is book four of The Refuge series.
Eeep, the wait was long to get this book from the library. But it was totally worth it to continue reading one of my favorite authors. This book was different then a lot of Susan Stoker's book. Where it doesn't finish and it leaves us with a cliffhanger. Susan....I don't like cliffhangers when the next book hasn't come out yet. Anyways, let's talk about the characters in this book. While you get to see some of the previous characters from the other books in this series they don't have the main part in this book. Yes, you get to hear about Tex in this book as well. Pipe is an introvert who doesn't like being the center of attention and yet he is being shoved on a stage where women try to buy him. Buy him a date. Of course the female lead, Cora tries to bid for him and she doesn't win but she got his attention. Which is a good thing because she needs his help. I thought Cora was really well rounded in this book. I could see how her past which you learn in pieces here and there and also hinted at some of it. But I didn't feel really contacted with Pipe in this book. I needed to know more about this man to be able to see what Cora sees of him. There was a little discontent. I did love the plot in this story though no happy ending for the whole plot. Which I have a feeling will come to end in the next book. I really like how it shows the men planning in this book of their next step on getting Lara out of her situation. I feel like all in all the men at Refuge are developing and opening more in each book in the series. The flow of this book is great and didn't want me to put it down (huge plus). The smut in this book and in a lot of Susan Stoker's books is tame. Which gives me a good breather from other books. Also....the mystery hacker I have a feeling more and more I know who it is...and it's not a male. I can't wait for the men at the Refuge to find that out in the future books. All in all it's a great read and can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Quotes That I Loved
She didn't want a pretty boy. She wanted someone who made people walk the other way when they saw him. Someone who wouldn't put up with anyone talking shit. Someone who looked as if they could, and would, protect their woman.
She was the kind of woman he'd always wanted by his side. Someone who wasn't scared to be with him, who would stick up for him, love him for who he was.
"Stupid woman doesn't realize that if the shit hits the fan while we're here, you'd be the person most likely to run to her rescue."
"....You and your friends...you're protectors."
"She's been here for like fifteen minutes and you guys are already claiming her?"
"...That kind of love and devotion is something people rarely experience. Your friend is damn lucky to have you, Cora. And in my eyes, that doesn't just make you pretty, it makes you fucking beautiful."
The Refuge Series in Order
1. Deserving Alaska
4. Deserving Cora
5. Deserving Lara (February 6, 2024)
6. Deserving Maisy (October 1, 2024)
7. Deserving Ryleigh (TBR)
Tropes
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