Ain't Doin' It

Book 4 in the Simple Man Series is about Coke, a former drill instructor, and Cora, the daughter of Game and Ember from Highway Don't Care. It begins with Cora's move to a new town, Hostel, TX, where we know that girls from the previous books in the series already live. Coke has had a rough life. He was brought up poor, but with good parents, a loving home. As a teenager, he got his girlfriend pregnant, married her, then found out she was straight up crazy. For years, she made his life miserable. When his daughter went off to college, he finally divorced her. Unfortunately, she didn't accept that, and still tried her best to make his life miserable. Cora, on the other hand, had a happy childhood, for the most part, even if it was a bit unconventional. Even though she had issues that she had to deal with, she had a very supportive, loving family. Now, even though she has moved away from home, she has her dream job, and a home she loves. She has managed to figure out how to deal with her issues, for the most part, and is happy. When Cora and Coke meet, there is an immediate attraction. I like the fact that even though things did move pretty quick, they established a friendship first. I love how accepting Coke is of Cora's differences, and how supportive Cora is of the crazy that is Coke's life. I love the glimpses we get of characters from previous books, and the hints that we get of things to come. The laughs, the action, adventure, family and love that is so prevalent in previous books is still in this one, and when you add in the crazy that follows Coke around, it makes for a story that sticks with you, even after you are done!