Deserving Alaska

The Refuge, Book 1

By: Susan Stoker

Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood, Aiden Snow

A brand-new series by New York Times best-selling author Susan Stoker.

The Refuge is a place to heal. Where those who have experienced traumatic events can go to heal. It’s run by seven former military men who’ve seen more than their fair share of the ugliness in the world.

Friend-zoned since childhood by the most amazing man she’s ever known, that doesn’t stop Alaska Stein from doing whatever’s necessary—including lying to the military—to be by his side when Drake ends up in a German hospital after a mission gone wrong. The broken man in the bed is not the boy she once knew. Despite that, and despite years apart, when Drake turns his gaze to Alaska, he sees her. Looks beyond the plain-Jane exterior to his childhood friend beneath. He may never be anything more than a friend, but putting her needs aside to see him whole is a sacrifice she’s willing to make.

Drake “Brick” Vandine walks away from the SEALs after his recovery, building a life around helping others struggling with PTSD. But he can’t walk away from Alaska. She was there for him in his darkest moment, and her spine of steel saw him through one of the biggest challenges of his career. And now, although she lives half a world away, she’s still his anchor, his daily dose of support as he and several friends build The Refuge. A place of peace, a place of healing. But, for Drake, also a place of loneliness.

When the unthinkable befalls Alaska during a trip to Russia, it’s Drake’s turn to drop everything and race to her aid. Safely back at The Refuge, he just as quickly realizes what he’s failed to see for two decades—his oldest, dearest friend is the love of his life.

A revelation that may be too little, too late. Because Drake’s brought the enemy right to their door.

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

©2022 Susan Stoker (P)2022 Susan Stoker

I truly enjoyed this story.

another great start to another series by Susan. I always enjoy these kind of books. suspense, love, sex and struggles.

Fantastic!!!

I have read many of Susan Stoker's books and she never fails to create action packed stories with romance, suspense, plot twists, and amazing characters readers fall in love with and Deserving Alaska is no different. Alaska and Drake (Brick) have been life long friends and would no matter how many miles separate them, they are always willing to drop everything to help each other especially if one of those situations calls for a former Navy Seal who will do anything it takes to save those close to him. The men of the Refuge may have demons from their time in the military but they are amazing men who are true alphas who have each other's backs and protect their women at all costs. I'm familiar with Savannah Peachwood and I absolutely loved her narration, now narrator Aiden Snow is new to me but I really his performance as Drake and the others in this audio book. Both he and Savannah nailed the emotions and the overall voices of the characters. I really loved Deserving Alaska and I can't wait for the release of Deserving Henley.

Excellent!!

I purchased because of author Susan Stoker. I’ve never read a book by her that wasn’t good. I found this romance story different. It starts with a little girl and boy growing up together then the male joins Navy and doesn’t stay in touch with his old friend. A tragedy brings them together over 20 yrs. later. Once closure is brought to this event, four years later another serious event brings couple together again. This is where the story really begins with the couple leaning on each other and become more than just friends. The performers did an excellent job at bringing the story to life. I highly recommend!

Great book re: PTSD

It’s nice to see a novel written with the care this novel gave to situations of trauma that have an effect on people. Susan Stoker then developed the plot to gently show how everyday events can be a trigger to those who were effected from the trauma they experienced. She wove all of this around and into her novel. Well done!

He loved her inner beauty and worth first.

The story kept me waiting and anticipating every move. The characters came to life and felt so real.

Exciting new series

Deserving Alaska by Susan Stoker was a page turner right from page one and an exciting start to The Refuge series. I really liked Drake and Alaska’s backstory and that after many years apart, their friendship remained true and that they were able to support each other during their time of need. The author did a wonderful job handling PTSD in this story and the narrators’ performances conveyed all the different emotions that the characters experienced. I devoured this audiobook and could not stop listening until I got to the end.

Amazing!

I have loved all of Susan Stoker's books and the first one of a new series set the tone for the rest of the series. This is going to be her BEST series yet!!!! The next one can't be released soon enough!!!

Laura Dunham

Well written

I don't normally go for the "finally my High School crush loves me too" kind of romance, but this was so much more. First I do love that both main characters were over 30. Second it deals with social and mental health issues in a way that is sensitive and well integrated into the story without seeming like a lecture. The characters were great and it was a sweet love story. There was explicit sex but it did not feel like a major focus of the story. The one thing I didn't like was that the male narrator sounded like the sound quality was off, too much reverberation... like he was too close to the microphone or something.

Amazing

Why do they end so quickly!!
I adore all of Susan’s books, you get so vested in each of the characters as well as the side characters. Can hardly wait for the rest of the series.

Deserving Alaska

I love the story. So we’ll written. Another great series to read. Great job Susan.