Reviews

Ask Me Again by E.J. Noyes

sarahduensing's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jcurry447's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lezreadalot's review

4.0

“You can ask me again and again, and I will always say yes.”

Just lovely. Since this is a sequel, I won't say too much, but I'm just always impressed by how thoroughly and effectively Noyes manages to convey emotion, and make the reader really feel things. This is a continuation of the romance from book one, following the same characters, and the fall out of some things that happened in the first book. I don't usually like following the same characters over multiple books, especially if they've already gotten together. But Noyes writes this so well, showing us a really heart-rending conflict with this couple, but without leaning hard on theatrics or over blown drama. It's so well-written, and more importantly, realistically written, and I appreciate all the themes that we're dealing with, like mental health and PTSD. I keep thinking about how simple this book is, and how there's not much plot, but nonetheless I really enjoyed it, and teared up several times.

Listened to the audiobook as read by Abby Craden; excellent as always. I love this couple so much, and I'm excited to know that there's more in this series/world.

Content warnings:

Spoiler

PTSD, flashbacks to traumatic event/injury/gore/death

soy_ahoy's review

5.0

Ask Me Again almost gave me whiplash with its shift towards a much more serious and darker tone compared to Ask, Tell, but it was expected considering the events of the first book. What I really liked about this story was the emotional intensity and the deep dive into an established relationship dealing with severe PTSD in one partner and guilt in the other. Sabine's and Rebecca's dedication to each other was touching and their need to protect one another at times frustrating, but I loved how their communication evolved as they adjusted to their new situation and how real it all felt. Rarely I come across romance books that deal with anything beyond the "falling in love" stage, and seeing the two of them tackle major and serious problems while still standing by each other as equal partners was beautiful and heartbreaking. Absolutely in love with this series.

aliu6's review

5.0

4.5 stars

In this sequel to Ask, Tell, we revisit the relationship between Sabine and Rebecca. Rebecca is now working at a civilian hospital, while Sabine has a few more deployments to go until the end of her contract. Things should be amazing, because they're together against all odds (read the first book) and they love each other. But Sabine is struggling with PTSD and flashbacks to the Incident, and she doesn't know if she'll ever be whole again. Can Sabine and Rebecca defy the odds one more time and find strength in their love and each other?

This book really filled in the gaps for me from the first book. It really showcased how deep Sabine and Rebecca's love for each other went, and I liked hearing from Rebecca's POV this time. This isn't a fun, flirty romance, but EJ Noyes shows us real emotion and a devastating depiction of the effects of PTSD.

Definitely would recommend after you read Ask, Tell. It realistically shows what happens after the happily ever after and the meaning of true love.

banrions's review

4.0

Oof. Nobody is having a good time in this one.

This is not a pleasant read or listen, but not because it’s not well written, or the characters aren’t compelling or the narration is bad, just… it’s sad. Everyone in it is some degree of sad, and everyone in it is trying, and everyone in it loves each other and… that’s not always the cure. Love doesn’t solve things. It helps. But it can’t fix anything magically.

This… was a little hard to get through for me. Some of Sabine’s anxiety and compulsions hit a little close to home to one of my own family members and it was… well, frankly it sucked. I know how it feels to be Rebecca and Jana, trying to help, not sure how, and also… honestly, incapable of doing anything because this is the kind of thing that has to come from the person it’s happening to. It’s a really shitty situation to be in. I’m… sort of still in it, with my person, so this was a hard listen in that respect.

I was DELIGHTED that this was dual povs and we got to have Rebecca’s perspective. Abby Craden’s voice for her is just… so dreamy and sexy and I love it so much. I love Rebecca as a character a lot, and I loved seeing her relationship with Jana!!! (When Jana was just like “bye love you” in the beginning my heart soared!! Found family!!! Sisters!! Ahhhh!!) All in all, this was a hard listen, but a really good one and I really liked getting to have a continuation of these characters. It’s so nice to get established relationships and I wish we had them more often in sapphic fiction, honestly. I love to watch people fall in love as much as the next gal, but it’s also realllllly nice to see people build lives together and work through their issues in a totally different way.

sandra_emma's review

5.0

Okay so to all the people who warned me that this book would be even more emotional than the first one.. y'all were fucking right. I can easily listen to a audiobook in one day but this took me over two days to finish because I would get so overwhelmed by my stupid feelings that I have to take several breaks.

It was so beautiful though, I loved the first book but I think I loved this just a tiny bit more. The writing is amazing and the relationship between Sabine and Bec is beautiful. Noyes is definitely gonna become a auto-buy author from now on. I'll happily read anything she writes.

There's not a single thing about this novel that I'd wished been done differently or that I didn't like. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time while listening to this and I will absolutely re-read this in the future.

I listened to the audiobook for this like I did with the first book and it's freaking awesome. I would 100% recommend it if you're thinking about reading this or even if you have already read it.

This book is definitely going to be on my top 10 books of this year. It was simply amazing.

bridance's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

marinagray's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

jennabeebs79's review

5.0

Ask Me Again is the sequel to Noyes's Ask, Tell. The story continues about two years after The Incident when Sabine returns from another deployment, a completely changed person. She's battling PTSD and isn't forthcoming with her partner Rebecca or her family about how bad it has become. This story is told from both Rebecca and Sabine's points of view which gives the reader a full spectrum view of both of their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. The story is deeply emotional and is handled with so much care that I couldn't help but fall more in love with Rebecca and Sabine. Their love runs so deep and the struggle they both endured to overcome so many obstacles is a testament to their love. It's a must-read for everyone who reads Ask, Tell.

Abby Craden did an amazing job bringing EJ Noyes's story to life. The emotions running throughout the story are captured beautifully.