Deserving Henley

The Refuge, Book 2

By: Susan Stoker

Narrated by: Ramona Master, Aaron Shedlock, Teddy Hamilton

She never expected to fall for a client, but now that she has, she needs him more than ever.

Years of adversity have molded Henley McClure into the attentive, conscientious psychologist she is today. She lives for her daughter, Jasna, and her work at The Refuge, an exclusive retreat for victims of PTSD. Her life is fulfilling...if a little lonely. But the only man who’s captured her interest, the most standoffish of the mountain retreat’s seven owners, lives in self-imposed isolation. It will take a little vulnerability on her own part, a dead car battery, and the surprising help of her daughter to break through Finn’s defenses.

His Coast Guard career ended in a tragedy that ground Finn “Tonka” Matlick’s life to a halt. For years, his only solace has been the animals he tends to at The Refuge...and admiring Henley from afar. He had no plans to risk potential heartache ever again, until an incident at the retreat had him clinging to Henley like the broken man he is. The kind, patient therapist and her sweet, thoughtful daughter may be the only ones capable of putting him back together.

As Finn slowly heals, and he and Henley grow ever closer, someone is watching. Waiting. Planning. Evil in the making who ultimately wants to watch the world burn, one victim at a time. And they’ll start by targeting one of the people Finn loves most.

Deserving Henley is the second book in the Refuge series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliff-hanger endings.

©2022 Susan Stoker (P)2022 Susan Stoker

One of the best !

This was a very good book . Live the interaction with all the animals . The meantion of Tew , was to short .

overall ok

I enjoyed the story however as an animal lover it was difficult to listen to some of it but I'm glad that it didn't go into too much detail

A surprising ending

As always, SS never fails to delight. BUT, this is the first time there’s a bit of a cliffhanger ending, a first for her. She always leads with a lead end to the next book in the series, but those aren’t at all considered cliffhangers. I really, really hate cliffhangers! The usual HEA, but with identity of the true possible savior/enemy is left hanging. Also, narration was good, but since I have so many audible books with Teddy Hamilton as the H, it’s a bit disconcerting to have him as the voice of the bad guy. I know, I know, a change in character quality expands the star’s repertoire, but Teddy Hamilton as the bad guy is a little off putting. His talent easily overcomes the initial shock at portraying the villain, though. And the cliffhanger in no ways takes from the HEA.

Great story!

As usual Susan Stoker didn’t disappoint! Of course I love the hot steamy romance with alpha heroes. I also appreciate Susan Stoker is not afraid to tackle real world sensitive issues. It’s also not lost on me how she threads words of caution about our online presence through her stories. When my husband starts to make fun of me because of my reading choices, I remind him that not only is it educational but it’s got a public service message!

Love Henley & Finn (Tonka)

I enjoyed this story very much! The narration was very good too! Although I do like a good fall fast and hard story, I like a friends to lovers even more which this falls under. But Henley and Finn are so much more than lovers because of the trusting foundation they’ve built since he is one of the owners of The Refuge and she is the Psychologist there. Henley’s daughter Jasna is a sweetie who has Finn wrapped around her finger very quickly but in a sweet way not bratty. Henley and Finn’s story is about two people who have been through extremely traumatic events that have definitely shaped who they are but do not define them. I love their love for each other and Jaz. They have quite a scare there but they all get through it! That’s what it’s all about! I loved this book and getting to know more of the others who work at The Refuge. I am really enjoying this series.