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Ask, Tell
(Ask, Tell #1)
by
Where can you turn when you’re caught in a crossfire of war and passion?
Captain Sabine Fleischer is a skilled and dedicated U.S. Army surgeon deployed to a combat hospital in Afghanistan. She is also one of the thousands of troops who are forced to serve in silence because of the military’s anti-gay policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).”
Usually driven and focused, Sabin ...more
Captain Sabine Fleischer is a skilled and dedicated U.S. Army surgeon deployed to a combat hospital in Afghanistan. She is also one of the thousands of troops who are forced to serve in silence because of the military’s anti-gay policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).”
Usually driven and focused, Sabin ...more
Audible Audio, 9 pages
Published
June 11th 2019
by Tantor Audio
(first published January 15th 2017)
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Second Read Nov 10, 2018: Anyone who knows me knows I don’t reread books often. Actually this is my first reread of 2018. I can only reread a book that I truly love and one that sticks with me and doesn’t want to let go. And this happens to be the perfect description for this book Ask, Tell. This is the best military romance I have ever read and one of my favorite medical romances period. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. Being almost two years since I read this I was wonderin
...more

Having served both before and during DADT, I can tell you it was a terrifying time to identify as anything other than straight in the military. This book is a really good look at what it was like during that time. I very much enjoyed it. An epilogue would have been icing on the cake, but shrug. I'll live.
...more

It's always difficult for me to rate books like this, because once I finish them I'm left with a bitter aftertaste. Books in homophobic environments, wether the family or at work, always demand that the protagonists renounce some personal option to move forward in a loving relationship. And this leaves me sad and spoils other positive aspects that the book may have for me.
In this case it has been like that, although the story is interesting, the characters are attractive and the situations descr ...more
In this case it has been like that, although the story is interesting, the characters are attractive and the situations descr ...more

Review of Ask, tell by EJ Noyes
This is a beautiful love story between two US army doctors (one higher ranked than the other) in times of the Don't ask don't tell policy. Written in first person and in present tense, it takes a couple of chapters to get used to but, despite the potential problems of this stylistic choice, the author pulls it off perfectly. This book goes beyond the typical lesbian romance, it has suspense, action, angst and there is even place for social and political criticism. ...more
This is a beautiful love story between two US army doctors (one higher ranked than the other) in times of the Don't ask don't tell policy. Written in first person and in present tense, it takes a couple of chapters to get used to but, despite the potential problems of this stylistic choice, the author pulls it off perfectly. This book goes beyond the typical lesbian romance, it has suspense, action, angst and there is even place for social and political criticism. ...more

Everything about this book is superbly well done.
All of the characters are great, the military life is accurate, the chemistry between Sabine and Rebecca is excellent, dialogue is perfect, pacing is just right...and, in a super rare instance in lesfic, there is a good amount of drama that is actually realistic without becoming melodramatic.
Despite any intensity this book has, there is a light-hearted quality laced throughout it, too, due to the humorous banter between the deep friendships and j ...more
All of the characters are great, the military life is accurate, the chemistry between Sabine and Rebecca is excellent, dialogue is perfect, pacing is just right...and, in a super rare instance in lesfic, there is a good amount of drama that is actually realistic without becoming melodramatic.
Despite any intensity this book has, there is a light-hearted quality laced throughout it, too, due to the humorous banter between the deep friendships and j ...more

Ask, Tell is about a lesbian surgeon's experience in Afghanistan in a combat hospital, in the dark days of "don't ask, don't tell", as she balances duty, friendships and forbidden love in a stifling and hostile environment. It's a very authentic portrayal that's rich in details, raw emotions and the visceral horrors of war.
Even more powerful is the protagonists' forbidden love story, which, while incredibly sexy, doesn’t get as much attention as I was expecting. (I don't mean the sex, because th ...more
Even more powerful is the protagonists' forbidden love story, which, while incredibly sexy, doesn’t get as much attention as I was expecting. (I don't mean the sex, because th ...more

" War, what is it good for?
Absolutely nothing "
The only person / party who should be making money from death is The Undertaker (should not be confused with Mark William Calaway)
According to Goodreads, there are 127 reviews written for Ask, Tell. Almost everyone either:
z. loved it.
y. captivated by it.
x. wanted Sabine / Rebecca / Jana in their lives.
w. declared Ms.Noyes, a freaking genius.
v. hated one of the most horrible and inhuman policy ever created and implemented to these brave individuals ...more
Absolutely nothing "
The only person / party who should be making money from death is The Undertaker (should not be confused with Mark William Calaway)
According to Goodreads, there are 127 reviews written for Ask, Tell. Almost everyone either:
z. loved it.
y. captivated by it.
x. wanted Sabine / Rebecca / Jana in their lives.
w. declared Ms.Noyes, a freaking genius.
v. hated one of the most horrible and inhuman policy ever created and implemented to these brave individuals ...more

4.75 stars rounded up to 5 stars
Excellent book! And a first time author at that.
Sabine is an army Captain and a surgeon, stationed in Afghanistan near the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). This story is written in the first person - in Sabine's headspace. I haven't read many first person books - I'm not sure if it's because it's hard to do well or if it's just plain hard to do. Nevertheless, Noyes does it well and overall I liked it. Noyes really captures how I imagine it would be at a mo ...more
Excellent book! And a first time author at that.
Sabine is an army Captain and a surgeon, stationed in Afghanistan near the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). This story is written in the first person - in Sabine's headspace. I haven't read many first person books - I'm not sure if it's because it's hard to do well or if it's just plain hard to do. Nevertheless, Noyes does it well and overall I liked it. Noyes really captures how I imagine it would be at a mo ...more

1/22/20: finished audiobook for first time.
ABBY CRADEN. So now I know what the fuss is about. But what really surprised me was how powerful and intense she could be beyond the sexy scenes. Her narration on the Incident nearly pushed me into a real life panic attack. I’m jumping right into her narration of Ask Me Again but I’ll be ready.
Reread on 10/17/19: So glad that I reread this pearl of a book before starting 2 and 3. About 100 Lesfic books under my belt since the original read and I’m in d ...more
ABBY CRADEN. So now I know what the fuss is about. But what really surprised me was how powerful and intense she could be beyond the sexy scenes. Her narration on the Incident nearly pushed me into a real life panic attack. I’m jumping right into her narration of Ask Me Again but I’ll be ready.
Reread on 10/17/19: So glad that I reread this pearl of a book before starting 2 and 3. About 100 Lesfic books under my belt since the original read and I’m in d ...more

When you see a book get rave reviews, over an over again, you rush to read it right. Shoulda, coulda, woulda! I have had this book on my list of to-reads for months now, why the delay, I am not sure, but I am so glad I finally read this one. It was an amazing way to get 2018 started.
Captain Sabine Fleischer is an Army surgeon currently deployed in Afghanistan. Her days are filled desperately trying to save the wounded men and women that are serving in the war. When we meet Sabine she is struggl ...more
Captain Sabine Fleischer is an Army surgeon currently deployed in Afghanistan. Her days are filled desperately trying to save the wounded men and women that are serving in the war. When we meet Sabine she is struggl ...more

Audiobook update
Captain Sabine Fleischer is an Army surgeon serving under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t tell’ (DADT) policy. Things are stale and disconnected from her girlfriend of nine years but nonetheless, Sab is taken aback when Victoria breaks up with her over a letter while Sab is deployed in Afghanistan. This sends her into a tailspin while only able to confide on her best friend because of DADT. While trying to cope with the loss, Lieutenant Colonel Rebecca Keane, her unit supervisor and platon ...more
Captain Sabine Fleischer is an Army surgeon serving under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t tell’ (DADT) policy. Things are stale and disconnected from her girlfriend of nine years but nonetheless, Sab is taken aback when Victoria breaks up with her over a letter while Sab is deployed in Afghanistan. This sends her into a tailspin while only able to confide on her best friend because of DADT. While trying to cope with the loss, Lieutenant Colonel Rebecca Keane, her unit supervisor and platon ...more

May 28, 2017
Pippa D
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
lesbian-romances,
lesbian-fiction
4.5 stars
Captain Sabine Fleischer is a general surgeon in the US Army working in a combat zone in Afghanistan. Dealing with the daily trauma that comes through her operating theatre, Sabine is clever, quick and funny. On her second rotation, she's an old hand, knows the game and plays it well.
Her best friend Mitch is also a surgeon in the same unit. Everyone suspects they're a pair, not knowing that it's safer for them to see that, as both Mitch and Sabine are homosexual. Set during the time of ...more
Captain Sabine Fleischer is a general surgeon in the US Army working in a combat zone in Afghanistan. Dealing with the daily trauma that comes through her operating theatre, Sabine is clever, quick and funny. On her second rotation, she's an old hand, knows the game and plays it well.
Her best friend Mitch is also a surgeon in the same unit. Everyone suspects they're a pair, not knowing that it's safer for them to see that, as both Mitch and Sabine are homosexual. Set during the time of ...more

I had been warned but still, I will never be prepared for how sexy Abby Craden’s voice is. And she also rules in non-sexy scenes. I have to say, she might have ruined me for average narrators.
I listened to this audiobook about a month ago but couldn’t get myself to review it before now. Now that I’ve listened to the sequel – Ask Me Again –, I had to review this one first. I read the book in December 2018, and the review I wrote then is kinda pitiful, so it was no help. Maybe I just have to admit ...more
I listened to this audiobook about a month ago but couldn’t get myself to review it before now. Now that I’ve listened to the sequel – Ask Me Again –, I had to review this one first. I read the book in December 2018, and the review I wrote then is kinda pitiful, so it was no help. Maybe I just have to admit ...more

*Reread in to get full value out of her new release, Ask Me Again. Loved this book the second time through as much as I did the first. *
What a terrific read. I love military/medical dramas when they are done well and Ask,Tell hits all the high notes for me. First person is my least favourite point of view but seeing and feeling the events and emotions Sabine experiences makes the reader feel like they are right there, boots on the ground in a war zone. You can't help but admire her self effacing ...more
What a terrific read. I love military/medical dramas when they are done well and Ask,Tell hits all the high notes for me. First person is my least favourite point of view but seeing and feeling the events and emotions Sabine experiences makes the reader feel like they are right there, boots on the ground in a war zone. You can't help but admire her self effacing ...more

I really enjoyed this book. What a terrific debut novel. I am actually going to immediately re-read it, which is something I rarely do. I just can't leave these two characters behind just yet.
Update: I liked it even more the second time through. And I'm so impressed with her characters. Love them.
It was lovely to read this again. Definitely goes on my all-time favorites list with the sequel. ...more
Update: I liked it even more the second time through. And I'm so impressed with her characters. Love them.
It was lovely to read this again. Definitely goes on my all-time favorites list with the sequel. ...more

Fascinating and educational read - at least for me who have no knowledge of the DADT policy in the US army (or even from where I am!)
Story was told in Sabine’s POV. Would have been more interesting if we get to read Rebecca’s thoughts/POV as well. Plot was well paced and many issues were laid out; infidelity, PTSD, same-sex relationship within the military.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ask, Tell and look forward to reading Ask Me Again. Highly recommended
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story was told in Sabine’s POV. Would have been more interesting if we get to read Rebecca’s thoughts/POV as well. Plot was well paced and many issues were laid out; infidelity, PTSD, same-sex relationship within the military.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ask, Tell and look forward to reading Ask Me Again. Highly recommended
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Jun 18, 2019
Sandra Andersson
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
lgbtqa,
read-in-2019,
lesbian-romance,
wishlist,
5-stars,
listened-to-the-audio,
250-350-pages,
favorites
I think this book broke me. I was literally crying for like an hour straight.
This is a beautiful yet heartbreaking story. Noyes writing is beautiful. I was as always put off when I read there's infidelity involved in this novel, I usually try to stay away from those sorts of stories. Thankfully though it isn't between the main love interests but in one of their past relationships.
The whole novel was beautiful written, the only thing that seemed off to me was how quickly and smoothly Sabine and ...more
This is a beautiful yet heartbreaking story. Noyes writing is beautiful. I was as always put off when I read there's infidelity involved in this novel, I usually try to stay away from those sorts of stories. Thankfully though it isn't between the main love interests but in one of their past relationships.
The whole novel was beautiful written, the only thing that seemed off to me was how quickly and smoothly Sabine and ...more

Just awesome!
A very moving story about the struggle of the two main characters in probably the most difficult time for them in the military. The author gives a well-written, vivid portrait of their lives, their true feelings and their love. Two women who are dedicated soldiers and who are torn between love and serving their country. A beautiful story of friendship, loyalty, living a lie and loving in secret. I highly recommend this book.
A very moving story about the struggle of the two main characters in probably the most difficult time for them in the military. The author gives a well-written, vivid portrait of their lives, their true feelings and their love. Two women who are dedicated soldiers and who are torn between love and serving their country. A beautiful story of friendship, loyalty, living a lie and loving in secret. I highly recommend this book.

This review is for the audiobook of Ask, Tell by E.J. Noyes narrated by Abby Craden. 5 stars for the audiobook and 5 Stars for Craden’s narration. 5+ Stars overall.
It’s been three years since I read this book. I didn’t plan on it being this long between re-reads. But I’m glad I decided on the audiobook. With Abby Craden narrating this first person POV of Army Surgeon Capt. Sabine Fleischer, it is an immersive experience. Sabine is stationed in Afghanistan during “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” or DADT. ...more
It’s been three years since I read this book. I didn’t plan on it being this long between re-reads. But I’m glad I decided on the audiobook. With Abby Craden narrating this first person POV of Army Surgeon Capt. Sabine Fleischer, it is an immersive experience. Sabine is stationed in Afghanistan during “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” or DADT. ...more

What a fantastic debut novel!
I absolutely loved this book. I read it more than a month ago and never got around to reviewing it considering I was dealing with a heavily sprained ankle at the time.
Perhaps when I re-read this (because I definitely will) I will add more details to this review but for now I will just keep it simple, you need to read this!
If there is one thing this book has taught me it's to be even more thankful to those men and women who serve in their country's military. I honest ...more
I absolutely loved this book. I read it more than a month ago and never got around to reviewing it considering I was dealing with a heavily sprained ankle at the time.
Perhaps when I re-read this (because I definitely will) I will add more details to this review but for now I will just keep it simple, you need to read this!
If there is one thing this book has taught me it's to be even more thankful to those men and women who serve in their country's military. I honest ...more

The only reason I haven't given this the 5 stars it deserves is because the military genre isn't my favourite. However, noyes is an awesome writer, anything by her is always a solid gold.
A big shout out to lex Kent for introducing me to her work :) ...more
A big shout out to lex Kent for introducing me to her work :) ...more

🏳️🌈👭📚👩❤️👩🏳️🌈
Review left on April 19th 2019 ....
-------------
Since a good friend of mine offered me the paperback of « Ask Me Again » (I still can’t find the words to say « Thank you » properly so, for now, I’ll go with : 🙃🙂😊🤗). I have no choice, I have to read it, right ?? (yeah, I know ... that’s such a sacrifice … LMAO) … But two years between the reading of a novel and its sequel is a long time gap so I decided to re-read « Ask, Tell » before starting « Ask Me Again »’s reading … I wante ...more
Review left on April 19th 2019 ....
-------------
Since a good friend of mine offered me the paperback of « Ask Me Again » (I still can’t find the words to say « Thank you » properly so, for now, I’ll go with : 🙃🙂😊🤗). I have no choice, I have to read it, right ?? (yeah, I know ... that’s such a sacrifice … LMAO) … But two years between the reading of a novel and its sequel is a long time gap so I decided to re-read « Ask, Tell » before starting « Ask Me Again »’s reading … I wante ...more

May 23, 2018
Alex
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
lesbian-romance,
instant-love
I’m not from the United States and I must say I’m not the greatest fan of their need to send military all over the world getting in other countries business, and maybe that’s why the military romance books aren’t my thing, and I usually avoid them. That said, I really liked this book, I could feel the longing between the MCs, even tough the description of the relationship and the actual time of the relationship was so short.

I wonder why I've been so put off to read this. Maybe it was because the military part which made me imagine people deserted in desert lol.
But really.
It's fantastic. I should've read this sooner..... Noyes really killing it. I'll consider to re-read her other book too. ...more
But really.
It's fantastic. I should've read this sooner..... Noyes really killing it. I'll consider to re-read her other book too. ...more

WOW!
I understand that this is this author's first novel. Well £@@? me.... I seriously want more. It's excellent with a capital E. It's told by the main character. It's funny, it's serious, it will make you laugh, cry and seriously frustrated. It's really well written and you will fall in love with all the characters from Bec's to Amy/Liz. Please make your own mind up. But wow. The author puts you right there, so much so you can see it, smell it and feel it. I'd like to know what happens next, so ...more
I understand that this is this author's first novel. Well £@@? me.... I seriously want more. It's excellent with a capital E. It's told by the main character. It's funny, it's serious, it will make you laugh, cry and seriously frustrated. It's really well written and you will fall in love with all the characters from Bec's to Amy/Liz. Please make your own mind up. But wow. The author puts you right there, so much so you can see it, smell it and feel it. I'd like to know what happens next, so ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I am so very in love with this book! I loved Bec & Sabine they were such a perfect couple.
Noyes just captured the feeling of helplessness that these two felt while trying to forge a future together. It gave me such an appreciation for all LGBT military people during that time. It was something I was aware of but never felt the pain of it the way Noyes brought me in as the story reader.
Only complaint from me is it wasn't long enough. I felt the ending covered a lot in a small space which did fe ...more
Noyes just captured the feeling of helplessness that these two felt while trying to forge a future together. It gave me such an appreciation for all LGBT military people during that time. It was something I was aware of but never felt the pain of it the way Noyes brought me in as the story reader.
Only complaint from me is it wasn't long enough. I felt the ending covered a lot in a small space which did fe ...more

I loved this book. This is one of the best stories that I have read so far.

I just couldn't stop reading!
Just imagine the people who protect and serve us have to hide who they are. Words alone can't express my gratitude and the profound respect I have for the men and women serving in the army, more so for the LGBT men and women who serve. I loved both Rebecca and Sabine, I loved the way they came together, their love blossomed slowly while I was at the edge of my seat waiting impatiently for them to get together. This story touched me deeply became it made me think abou ...more
Just imagine the people who protect and serve us have to hide who they are. Words alone can't express my gratitude and the profound respect I have for the men and women serving in the army, more so for the LGBT men and women who serve. I loved both Rebecca and Sabine, I loved the way they came together, their love blossomed slowly while I was at the edge of my seat waiting impatiently for them to get together. This story touched me deeply became it made me think abou ...more
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