
Author: E.J. Noyes
Genre: Contemporary Romance 🌶️
Tropes: Military, Slow Burn, Workplace
Series: Ask,Tell #1
Pages: 283
Published: March 3rd, 2017
Format: ebook (libby), audiobook (audible)
Started: 01-15-2025
Finished: 01-16-2025
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character
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readability
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writing style
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plot
synopsis
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, Sabine finds that battles raging both inside and outside the perimeter walls are making it more and more difficult for her to deal with her emotions. Dealing with loss and mortality, lack of privacy, sleep deprivation, loneliness and the isolation forced on her by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” are all taking their toll. Plus, her long-term relationship with a civilian back home is quickly becoming another casualty of war.
Colonel Rebecca Keane is an enigmatic career officer who runs the surgical unit like clockwork. Well liked and respected by those who work with and under her, she walks a fine line to preserve the military’s chain of command while connecting with those under her care and supervision. Sabine knows the Colonel is way off-limits, but can’t help fantasizing about her. Especially when she starts picking up unspoken cues—a stolen glance, a secret smile, an “accidental” brush of hands. Or is it just wishful thinking? After all, Rebecca’s wedding ring shines almost as brightly as her deep blue eyes…
rant
- yes, just yes
- I haven’t read this book from back to front yet and I’m glad I finally did bc god this really made me realize how much I love Sabine and E.J. Noyes
- The writing in this was just so fucking good I’ve been craving something where the writing was just perfect like all week and I haven’t gotten it until now
- Honestly I was a bit annoyed about Sabine going on about her ex for multiple chapters even though it was valid af ‐ but I feel like her harping on the cheating aspect was just her internalization of the fact that she was also cheating (emotionally) except she couldn’t do anything about it bc she was in the army and the whole DADT thingy and the whole Rebecca is her superior thingy too
- I still think it added the perfect amount of angst and added to the tension between her and Rebecca though
- This was paced out really well and had me so anxious and worried at the end bc I just love Sabine sm and I didn’t want anything bad to happen to her
- This was the first time reading something so graphic in first person POV from a character who actually knew what was happening to them and the descriptions were very detailed and felt so real like the author had experienced it herself or something I loved it (not that Sabine got hurt but that it was written well)
- The whole book was great to me but the last 40%ish was just amazing and perfect ‐ knowing there’s a book from Rebecca’s POV is crazy too I want to read both of them at the same time at some point
- Would definitely read again will read the whole series if I’m being honest
noted & quoted
- Rebecca showing up at Sabine’s house (both times)
- Rebecca Comforting Sabine after her breakup
- Their lowkey flirting before the breakup
- Rebecca being w/ Sabine after the incident
- Rebecca surprising Sabine after the incident