EJ Noyes always delivers. I loved this addition to the series and if you haven’t read the first three novels in this series, you really really should. Noyes does an impeccable job curating such complex and enjoyable characters and this is no exception.

I really did enjoy this book. EJ Noyes has written a good one here, with a lot of background knowledge

I'm not a lover of book written the first person sense but it was really fitting for this story.

Rebecca and Sabine have two things going against them, the fact that Rebecca is Sabine's Commanding Officer and secondly the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that the US enforced (UK were just as bad)

The story is written with passion and its a sad to say that the Government allowed servicing officers could give their lives for their country but could live their lives in their country

Would I recommend ...Yes, if you're looking for an army romance then you can't go wrong with this one

Better Than I Expected
This is the fourth book in this series and having read them all, I was kind of sick of it but I actually enjoyed this perspective from the other MCs POV. It was pretty good! This was a well thought out book that puts a fresh spin on the series. It held my interest, and I loved the characters as well as the settings. I was impressed. I should never have doubted the author!!

If I Don't Ask is Ask, Tell but written in Rebecca's perspective. If you've read interviews with the author, the author actually recommended to read this from a sequential perspective before reading Ask Me Again. Personally, I enjoyed reading this the last, even after If the Shoe Fits. It gives you so much more depth and understanding to Rebecca.

Rebecca was more or less an enigma when I was reading Ask, Tell, Because it was written in Sabine's perspective, I always felt there was a missing piece (or a rushed decision) how Rebecca left her old life behind for Sabine. If I Don't Ask covered a lot of Rebecca's background, life, her circle and you feel her emotions reading through the book.

I love how the 2 book flows together, there are sections where the scene overlaps with leach other in the 2 books, but written in different perspectives, there are scenes which is an extension to the original chapters. This is written in such details and flawlessness when you re-read the other, you wouldn't feel inconsistencies.

If I were to pick a favourite book of 2022 and a favourite character, If I Don't Ask and Rebecca will definitely be among my top 3.

I received an ARC copy of E. J. Noyes’ “If I Don’t Ask’’ (Ask, Tell Series - Book #4) from Bella Books (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
So, here it is !!!

My rating : 5 ⭐️ (because I can’t rate higher ...)

'IF I DON'T ASK' is the perfect title for this amazing & poignant addition to the soulful 'ASK, TELL' series which is, and will stay, one of my all-time favorite series… !!!

It has the exact same storyline as 'ASK, TELL' so it tells us the same great & beautifully crafted LOVE story (beginning under the more than annoying policy of DADT) between Captain Sabine Fleischer & Lieutenant Colonel Rebecca Keane. But that’s an original way we got here since that’s the “flipside” (a technic we can find from time to time in TV series or movies) that the author offers us by retelling the story from Rebecca’s POV. Don’t worry, guys, it’s satisfyingly and expertly done without being repetitive. Seriously, it doesn't feel like a re-read, so, don’t fear to be bored because you definitely won’t !!! As a matter of fact, it’s like having some brand new/fresh material and you’ll want to dive deeply into the book.

The story starts interestingly when we learn how Captains Sabine Fleischer and Mitch Boyd (Sabine’s best friend) came to be needed in Rebecca’s unit at FOB Atlantis Military Hospital in Afghanistan and, so, join the unit of surgeons under Rebecca’s command. In perfect Noyes’ style, this new full-length instalment is written at the 1st person. The book is well-paced, quite detailed (but not overwhelming with useless details) and definitely captivating …It gives us more layers & nuances to the story and fills in all the gaps from the first book, especially by unveiling the “mystery” about who Bec truly is and how wonderful she is ...

I’ve read 'ASK, TELL' twice already so I know it pretty well and let me tell you that I couldn't put 'IF I DON'T ASK' down because I couldn’t wait to know how Rebecca would apprehend this or that situation … In fact, for me it has been an intimate reading because of the author showing us Bec’s deep feelings of love along with the longing & the pining, but also, later in the book her raw emotions, her off-the-charts distress/torment/pain when tragedy strikes first with Linda’s huge health issues and, then (and mostly) “The Incident” …

It was almost physically painful (at least for me who’s a very sensitive person) to witness Bec’s worrying, to witness how she struggles with the entire situation (in the process showing us her vulnerability accentuated by her remorse) until the end of her journey when she’s finally able to make the right decisions she had to regarding her military career not to miss her shot at true LOVE, something she undeniably found with Sabine… Gosh !!! All this was very emotional, poignant with no end, and, well, also … hot as hell !!! 🔥

I deeply love Sabine but, TBH, from the start, I’ve “fallen in love” with Rebecca because I’ve always preferred (non-exhaustive list):
°° her intriguing and adorable personality (the former based on the elements from ‘ASK? TELL’ and the latter based on the new info)
°° her more mature attitude, thoughts and communication
°° how considerate & caring she is to everyone, both in her leadership (she’s a great & respected leader) & her friendship
°° her natural charm & sensuality...
So I’m really very happy that she now has her own book. I loved seeing the scenes through her eyes... It helped me knowing her even better (since we get some more background and history given in here). All the new elements exposed make the entire series whole & way more balanced. What I mean is that, despite having 3 books in the series already, I had the disturbing feeling that something was missing. But now, it’s gone because this 4th novel gives me (and probably a lot of others) a sense of fulfillment...

Among plenty of other little things (too numerous to be listed), I appreciated learning a bit more about Mitch, especially after Sabine has been wounded. Something we couldn’t have in 'ASK, TELL' since Sabine was either sedated or, then, far away from the FOB to recover … And I also liked Linda a lot, how, as Bec’s best friend, she was playing the role of moral support, soundboard and even becoming a temporary sexual partner when Bec was on leave or between 2 deployments (and Linda between 2 lovers) to help her ease some of her needs…

Of course, this book wouldn’t be fully the gem it is without E.J. Noyes’ witty / smart-arse humour … And, thank God, she didn’t leave it behind when she moved to NZ … 🙃🙂😊 (Sabine’s “he will ‘live-r’” lame joke after Bec’s and Sab’s first surgery performed in duo is just an example 😂)

I highly recommend this book, as well as the entire series. Absolutely A MUST READ. 🤯 👍👍 … And, even if, technically, 'IF I DON'T ASK' can be read as a standalone, I wouldn’t recommend it. For me, to fully appreciate the entire series and have the best reading experience possible, it would be best to read the 4 books in the chronological order of their release. So => Ask, Tell (#1, 2017), Ask me Again (# 2, 2018), If the Shoe Fits (# 3, 2019), and, finally, If I Don’t Ask (#4, 2022).

"If I Don't Ask" by E. J. Noyes was an excellent and interestingly well-written book. I enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to those who want a romance, military fiction book with action and sarcastic siblings and puns sprinkled in.

"If I Don't Ask" focuses on the events a little bit before, during, and a little bit after those presented in "Ask, Tell". However, it's from Bec's POV. It's the other side of the story that we've all waited to hear. Readers learn other thoughts, feelings, and opinions on the events of the book.

As someone who started with Sabine and Bec's story back in "Ask, Tell" and then continued it "Ask Me Again" I was interested in reading the events from Bec's point of view. And let me tell you, E. J. Noyes did not disappoint. I really liked the descriptions of both external and internal things, I liked the way the dialogue flowed, and most of all I liked that although this was a story I already knew, and I kind of knew what to expect based on the previous books of this series, it still felt new and fresh. There were thought processes occurring that didn't occur to me when reading Sabine's POV which drew me. If you liked those books, this one is definitely for you.

I have to admit - I didn't realize I wanted the opposite side of "Ask, Tell" but it was great to see everything from Rebecca's POV. I especially found it fascinating how long she had crushed on Sabine before the actual starting point of "Ask, Tell". The whole book was a reminder again of how crazy that time period was for gays in the military.

EJ Noyes is always great, and this series is one of my favorites in the whole genre. I'm glad to see that we got a little bit of a continuation for it. Now, do "Ask Me Again" ...again.

I love EJ Noyes' books and one of my all time favourites is Ask, Tell. If I Don't Ask is kind of a prequel/companion model from Rebecca's perspective. I have loved Rebecca, even more than Sabine, from the start so I loved getting her thoughts and feelings on the events in Afghanistan. The new stuff, like what happened before Sabine and Mitch arrived, Rebecca's time at home is very cool, but at times reading her side of conversations I already know so well was a bit meh. (I know this is the point of the book, I'm not taking off a star for this or anything).

Well worth reading, a must for fans of the series.

Surgeon Rebecca Keane has made a career for herself serving in the Army. She has hidden her sexuality for a long time and plans to keep just doing that. That is until Captain Sabine Fleischer is sent to her base where she now has the job of keeping herself on the straight and narrow. But it’s hard to do when all you can think about is the attractive woman working by your side.
Working with the military means moving, not always together but when they are on the same mission the attraction keeps growing. Long, well written story of love in the forces. Nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books

Lovely story about two doctors in US Army, where loving another is not allowed.....I definitely love the characters and how they approach each other with understanding, respect and love. They think of the future,and the current situation as well.
Definitely a book not easy to put down.

Can this be read as a stand-alone? Yes. Do I wish I would've read the other book first? Also yes. I feel like other readers were more connected to the mains than I was, but that doesn't mean I wasn't fully involved in the story. It was a great read and you won't be able to put the book down til you finish it because every chapter pushes you to know what the next one will reveal. By the end I was exhausted- but what a completely perfect month (Happy Pride) to be grateful for the life I get to have.

A retelling with different eyes wasn't something I thought would be oh so interesting, but in this case, I shall eat my words with a little salt on the side.

E. J. Noyes is one of my favourite authors (Alone is superb) so I trust any future offerings will be up to the mark. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Sabine from Rebecca's perspective. They're both delightful characters. This is definitely a 'can't wait to finish work so I can read' kind of offering and well worth your time.

I have read all the DADT books by EJ Noyes and couldn't wait of this one. Rebecca and Sabine are both amazing characters and to hear the story by Rebecca's point of view was humbling. Rebecca is a LT Colonel in the US Army Med Core. Enter Capt. Sabine Fletcher and her best friend Mitch.. Rebecca feels the attraction right away but has to keep her distance. We have already read when Sabine is injured in the transport but to hear it from Rebecca's point of view was heartbreaking. She had to patch her up, fighting hard to save her life and then couldn't sit by her side while she was healing. This book is a must read for EJ Noyes fans. It will tug at every heartstring in your body. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

Ask, Tell introduced us to Captain Sabine Fleischer and her commanding officer LTC Rebecca Keane. The story was told from Sabine's perspective. The reader also learns about life on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Afghanistan during the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. We read how Sabine struggles to hide her attraction to Rebecca and the moments they shared together. It was emotional as well as romantic. Having read the three previous books in the series, I was looking forward to reading the story from Rebecca's perspective. After reading both sides of the romance, my love for the story grew even more. The story is well worth the read. I also wonder if there will be a fifth book.

If I Don’t Ask was a perfect addition to this series of books. I absolutely loved getting insight into Rebecca’s characters inner thoughts.

I hadn't read the previous books in this series but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. There is some fantastic storytelling in this book that really brings to life the claustrophobic, oppressive, 'Don't ask don't tel ruling for LGBT in the military. The shortsightedness of the policy shines through, as we are shown how excellent service personnel could be dismissed for a reason that has nothing to do with how they do their job. The bond between soldiers comes across well, especially in how well they support each other in a way to get around this ridiculous law. Rebecca struggles with her feelings for Sabine because she is a subordinate and because of the outdated law. There are further personal struggles for her but no spoilers here. I found the story and the characters to be believable. I also liked that there wasn't the usual girl meets girl and then something daft happens to get in their way of happy ever after. It was a pleasure just to be immersed in the story of the complexity of military life.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the fourth book in the “Ask, Tell” series. Unfortunately, I have not read the earlier books and now wish that I had. Apparently, the books are very well written, and reviewers have mentioned that this background is important. I don’t like to read other reviews prior to reading an ARC because I wish to form my own opinion. With that said, I will have to admit that I found the book to be a good standalone book.

The setting of If I Don’t Ask is in Afghanistan in a medical military hospital. The main characters are Lt. Colonel Rebecca Keane and Captain Sabine Fleischer. Rebecca leads a surgical team and loves her job. Unfortunately, she has had to hide her attraction to women because it will mean the end of her career, one that she has worked so hard to build. Until Sabine joins her team, Rebecca has been able to control her desires. But this attraction is hard to deny. Sabine, too, finds that she is attracted to Rebecca but knows that crossing the line will cause major consequences.

Ms. Noyes is an excellent writer! She has created a very emotional story. Having never been in the military, I found this book to be extremely interesting. The characters are affable and well developed. This book is more than a romance. It is a story of individuals who are trying to live and love within very fine lines.

I recommend this book and rate it with 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have been waiting quite impatiently for If I Don’t Ask by E.J. Noyes to land in my e-reader. I believe the “Ask, Tell Series” is one of the best series of WLW novels around and this book is the perfect addition to this group.
What is intriguing about this newest story is that with some exceptions and additions, it covers the same major events as the first book in the series. What makes this novel so different and exciting is that we see the events through the eyes of Lieutenant Colonel Rebecca Keane, a surgeon and the commanding officer of the surgical unit that includes Captain Sabine Fleischer, the main character in the first tale. If I Don’t Ask begins in 2007, two years before Ask, Tell, and of course, DADT has a major influence on both stories.

The romance between Rebecca and Sabine is even more multi-layered as we now get to see it through Rebecca’s perspective, which provides so much more meaning and feeling to their love story. In this book we get to see how they meet. We also get to watch them slowly become aware of the chemistry between them even as they must hide it because of DADT and their positions in the Army. Although I knew when some of the major events would happen, they all seemed new and fresh coming from Rebecca’s perspective. For instance, I knew when “the incident” was going to happen, but seeing it through Rebecca’s eyes had me in tears all over again.

It was great seeing all the characters again that I’d connected with in earlier novels. They are just as real and human as I remember them. The setting of the hospital unit in Afghanistan is so vividly described, I almost felt like I was there. I felt the extreme cold and dry heat. I marveled at the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets the two women shared. I felt like I was there in the surgical rooms during the traumatic events. The author made this story come alive through her descriptions.

This novel and this series has my highest praise and recommendation. If you have already read the other novels, make sure you read this one. If this is a new series for you, then you should read them all. I normally say you should read them in order, but I’m going to change that here. I know this book will be listed as the fourth book in the series, but you might enjoy reading it as the second one, and then finish the rest of the novels as normal. Whatever you do, read this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.

I'll be honest, I've had a crush on Rebecca Keane for years and the fact that I was privy to all of her thoughts, feelings, and emotions has strengthened my crush further. She's classy, brilliant, humble, fierce, empathetic, reflective, and compassionate. Being able to be up close and personal with her as her growing feelings for Sabine conflicted with her morality (and the awful Military rules) was really quite special. This book is raw, powerful, and emotional and it was a truly brilliant ride! Thank you EJ Noyes for sharing Rebecca's story!

I was extremely excited when I learned about the release of this book since Sabine and Rebecca are still one of my favourite fictional couples ever. I loved the first book so much, I didn’t think anything could match it but EJ Noyes proved me wrong.

“If I don’t ask” is the retelling of “Ask, Tell” (the story from Sabine’s point of view) from Rebecca’s point of view. After completing “If I don’t ask”, I re-read “Ask, Tell” to compare the two. “If I don’t ask” also serves as a prequel to “Ask, Tell” and we get to experience the very first time Sabine and Rebecca met and their first tour together as well as the events in the second tour as told in “Ask, Tell” told from an entirely different perspective. This book just works perfectly. It was a treat to revisit these amazing characters and the novel fills in a lot of blanks that the first left out. It feels a lot meatier than the first book. You can clearly see how much the author has grown as a storyteller since writing her first outing.

As with “Ask, Tell” the story was gripping, the main characters intriguing and well-formed, descriptions so vivid you can almost feel the Afgan dust and sweat on your skin. The introduction of new characters such as Rebecca’s good friend works very well and helps you really see Rebecca, her emotions, her motivation, character, and humour for the first time. I loved every page!

I would highly recommend this entire series.