Deserving Lara

The Refuge, Book 5

By: Susan Stoker

Narrated by: Emma Wilder, Aaron Shedlock

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

She’s a survivor, but it will take someone truly special to make her see how strong she can be.

As a former Night Stalker Army pilot, Callen “Owl” Kaufman has been in his share of dicey situations. Long-since retired from the military, he thought dangerous missions were a thing of his past, but rescuing Lara Osler from a serial killer was definitely one of the most harrowing yet. Now safe at The Refuge, Lara is struggling to heal months later...and Owl is struggling just as hard to hide his growing feelings. But he’ll do anything to help the vulnerable woman recover—even if that means letting her go.

Kidnapped by a boyfriend? Check. Held against her will by a serial killer? Check. Falling in love with her rescuer? Triple check. Lara thought her life was over, until her best friend showed up to save her with one of the most intriguing men she’d ever met. Owl is gentle, considerate, and he makes her feel safe. As time passes, Lara slowly begins to reclaim her life, thanks to the man who opened his heart and his home to a broken woman. But Owl doesn’t see her as damaged. He sees someone who’s gone through hell...and come out stronger on the other side.

But strong enough to face a serial killer? Owl and Lara both know the man who terrorized her is still out there, biding his time. Waiting for his chance to steal back what he views as his....

Deserving Lara is the fifth book in The Refuge Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

©2023 Susan Stoker (P)2023 Susan Stoker

A story line that just makes you feel

I love this book, I love how each book just gets better and better. I love all the characters and how they each grow and continue to grow. You just got to love a Susan Stoker book they rock. I truly can’t come up with the right words to describe how good this book really was I tried but you just have to read to truly know

Deserving Lara had me reaching fir my anxiety meds it was so suspenseful

Mrs. Stoker has done it again. Another amazing story with realistic characters and not over the top situations. Lara and Owl work thru their traumas in an ongoing manner that I'd realistic and Henley's advice is so perfect. Thank you Susan for another wonderful tale of live and life.

My Favorite Stoker Story

Wasn’t expecting this - definitely wasn’t ready for it - but this was my favorite story she’s ever written. Things tend to be predictable, but not in this story! I was so appreciative of that. Didn’t expect those twists. I think that’s why this is my favorite Stoker series.

Aww

Love this series and I love the way Susan brings the characters alive in a hot love story

Her strength to overcome!

Another great read from Susan Stoker! Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Absolutely love all the books in this series

Absolutely love all the books in this series. I can’t wait for the next book to come out in this series

Phew! This one is a whirlwind!

Great story! So many factors to like about this one! From the realistic characters to the trauma they both have to work through and the helicopter. Phew this one is a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions and suspense. My heart really got a wrenched when Stone and Owl’s story came out. It just goes to show how many people are like ducks on a pond. Everything seems normal on top but underneath a lot of work is being done.

I am curious what will happen in the next book after some revelations. I did listen to this on audio. Emma Wilder and Aaron Shedlock are the wonderful narrators.

Conclusions and set ups

This book works as a book end to the previous story. We find out how Lara comes out the other side of the ordeal. We found her in in Cora‘s story. The writing is great, but the story drags a little bit due to working through Lara’s PTSD. So I will think of this story more as an in between to get to Stone’s story, which is coming up next.

Intriguing story

Lara is a strong woman, who with the help from the Henley, Owl, and the others at the refuge over comes her captivity, and becones even stronger to help Owl and herself in their time of need, A surprise for all at the Refuge is finding out the Anonymous computer guru who help save Jazna and track Reese and who even Tex was impressed by... well written Ms. Stoker well written.

Anticipation for Deserving Maisy Book 6 in the The Refuge can't make October come soon enough

just when you thought you knew what was happening, it sends you spinning again. what could possibly happen next.

liked the supence, learned a lot more about PTSD. It made me hope all would turn out okay. But no! Now the suspence begins.