Ask Me Again

Ask, Tell Series, Book 2

By: E. J. Noyes

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

What do you do when the source of all your problems is the one thing you don't know how to fix?   

With Don't Ask, Don't Tell nothing more than an unpleasant memory, US Army surgeon Sabine Fleischer is ready to move on with her life - if she can just figure out how to move past her PTSD. Fresh from her first deployment since surviving a vehicle attack in Afghanistan, Sabine is finding the things she's tried so hard to push aside aren't as easy to ignore as she'd hoped.   

Sabine's girlfriend and ex-commanding officer Rebecca Keane is happily settled into her new job running a trauma department in a civilian hospital. Life with Sabine is everything Rebecca ever wanted. But when Sabine's PTSD reappears worse than before, she's left struggling with her own guilt.   

There's no doubt that both Sabine and Rebecca want the same thing. But how do you help the most important person in your life when they don't want to need your help?

©2018 E. J. Noyes (P)2019 Tantor

A great book and brilliant audiobook

This was the highly anticipated sequel to Noyes’ debut novel ‘Ask, Tell’. Although technically not necessary to read the first installment to enjoy this one, I highly recommend doing so in order to fully grasp the dynamics within the story.

‘Ask Me Again’ picks up 2 years after the end of the first book. Surgeon Rebecca Keane is now retired from the Army and runs a civilian trauma center in Washington DC. Captain Sabine Fleischer is finishing her second to last deployment before fulfilling her contract with the Army. Everything should be perfect now that they found a way to be together, however, they are both reeling from ‘The Incident’ and Sabine’s subsequent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Can their love be enough to keep them together?

The mains in this story are very likable and already established from the previous book. Now, this one is narrated from Sabine and Rebecca’s alternating first person point of view. This opens up the storytelling and we get to hear about Bec’s struggles too, which would be too easy to miss if only Sabine was narrating like in the first book. I also got the story of how Bec felt and managed during the immediate period after ‘The Incident’, which I wondered about since reading it.

I also tried to imagine what would be the aftermath of such a traumatic event. PTSD is a term that gets thrown around frequently, but I doubt people in general understand what it means or how crippling it can be. Sabine is an accomplished surgeon with a great support system, yet can not help feel impaired by the disorder. Her struggles taint what should otherwise be a beautiful relationship with Bec, a rewarding career and simply, her independent and capable self.

I had the opportunity to listen to the recently released audiobook. As with the first installment, Abby Craden was the narrator. I can say without a doubt, this one is my favorite performance by Ms Craden. The book is full of high and lows (ok, mostly lows) and the narrator totally enhances the feelings in the story. The happiness and the sorrow, it is all beautifully told with such sentiment, that is difficult to not get totally wrapped in the story and root for these characters to find a way out of their predicament. I most definitely felt more connected with Bec, and Ms Craden simply made her feel as someone any person could love. I’m not a fan of calling someone darling, but I love when Bec calls Sabine that! Somehow it is not stiff and proper but rather sweet and caring. Even amongst all the sadness, Ms Noyes injects her ever present witty dialog and Ms Craden also pulls that off magnificently. The narrator took an already fantastic book and made it even better. This one is a true synergistic collaboration between author and narrator.

At the end of the day, this is a terrific love story and a brilliantly narrated audiobook that will appeal to all fans of the genre. 5+ stars

A must listen!

This is the follow up to Ask Tell, which I thought could not be topped. So I waited a while before diving in. Oh my, was I wrong. Book 2 is even better!
The perspective alternates between Sabine and Rebecca which adds a whole new dimension to the story. Sabine's struggle with the effects of PTSD and the reactions of those close to her, are so well portrayed. At times I would get so frustrated with her and Rebecca's miscommunication, but that was entirely due to becoming so emotionally invested in the events and characters. And just when I thought it was going to descend into cliché or sentimentality, the story would take an unexpected turn, or a deeper level of understanding would be reached.
I cannot say enough about the narration. Abby Craden seems to have truly grasped every nuance in the text. She gives each character a distinctive voice and infuses the audiobook with something special.
If you enjoyed the first book, this is a no brainer. If you haven't read/listened to it yet, what a treat you have in store.

oh my what a ride

Abby Craden, you're seriously magnificent at narrating. Take a bow!

This book was not an easy read and this author has quickly become a fav.

This is a book dealing with mental illnesses. PTSD is not a joke and you shouldn't feel bad or guilty for needing more and more time to get back to feeling more like yourself daily. Don't rush the process, be patient with yourself and let those who love you help. It takes a very strong person to deal with that. If you're struggling, I don't know you but I'm rooting you on! PTSD can happen not just with military personnel.

Most importantly seek professional help, don't try to do it on your own.

To our military personnel, saying thank you for your service doesn't even begin to cover it, but it's all I can say. Thank you.

The story is about our couple from Ask Tell coming back home and dealing with the PTSD that one of them and in actually both of them (to different degrees) have suffered from the last book.

Our captain is no fool so she thinks she knows best and tries to get better by getting ahead of things and doing things on her own. It's frustrating because you know all these people want to help but she lives in her own head and doesn't let people know the thoughts going through them so she ends up isolating herself.

Rebecca doesn't know how to reach the woman she's loves and tries to deal with it by trusting that our captain will talk to her when she's ready. She used military tactics as that's what she knew as her commanding officer to try and get her better. Meanwhile she's also dealing with decisions made in the last book. Leaving the military, and starting a new life was also an adjustment for her, and she's doing it all with grace.

This book also addresses the importance of taking medication to get better and the importance of seeking professional help. This was/ is important!

This book will stay with me for a while. These psychological books always do. If you want to read another book like this, may I recommend 'Alone' by the same author.

I'm going to go watch a marathon of Family Guy and Archer now.

Outstanding

The reality of the content is so stark and well written, addressing PTSD, love, family. The narration is just superb. Noyes and Craden , perfect together, I could not stop listening! Intelligent, sexy, and real. Top notch. Bravo.

Intense

Not the usual formulaic lesbian romance, but the continuation of the story from Ask, Tell.
it also shines a light on the trials and tribulations that or men and women undergo when they have to deal with PTSD.
Strongly recommend it before moving on to If the Shoe Fits.
Equally heart breaking and heart warming, it'll keep you captivated from start to finish

Fantastic roller coaster!!

I was yelling out loud with anger, crying, or laughing, though out this book. I couldn't stop listening because it was so good.

Beautiful story

I love both Ask, Tell and this book. Very emotional and feels very real. I'm not a fan of the narrator, but as I like the story so much I still enjoyed both audiobooks.

Love this series!

I’ve been reading a few of Noyes books starting with Alone. They’re a fantastic read and divulge you into love, life complications and problematic solutions at times but the journeys are always sexy and relatable to me. Especially the PTSD segment. Great work!

Emotional but worth it.

I really enjoyed this book for the second time now. It is very emotional and deals with the heavy issue of PTSD. Ms. Noyes did a fantastic job of putting me on edge. Listening literally made me anxious. I should also give credit to Ms. Craden for the great performance. She really brought the characters to life.
I would highly recommend this audiobook. Tough subject matter done well with a great love story and great supporting characters.

great book!!

I've never been so obsessed with a book that I can't stop thinking about it like this one. amazing story and ending

Wow! Wow! Wow!

This performance of an excellent book is incredible. I was totally immersed in the story. Abby Craden’s skilful switching of the two main character’s narration for each chapter, conveying their differing perspectives and inner turmoil, was perfectly captured. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Amazing.

Another Fantastic book

A great follow on to the first book, again I was hooked & listened when ever I could.
Same sexy narration as the first book.

Must listen for those who enjoyed ‘Ask, Tell’

A great sequel that had me listening for hours on end. The development of the relationship and subsequent tribulations makes the book a compelling read!

Good

I thought it offered a good and realistic representation of ptsd and the impact it can have on a relationship. It was delivered sensitively and will hopefully educate people

Powerful!

This is the third book in the series I have read. I couldn't stop listening to Ask Tell so had to read the others. This book is so captivating, the powerful storytelling really immerses you in Sabine's and Rebecca's worlds. I'd heard of PTSD but have never met anyone who suffers from it, this book really opened my eyes to the true horror of war and the after effects of such a trauma. I'd highly recommend reading this after 'Ask Tell' and 'If I don't Ask' although it's not the order of realise it helps you to gain insight into both characters points of view before starting this book where both women's views are voiced throughout.

Beautiful also the story and the performance

Loved the book. The performance of Abby Craden is wonderful and it would deserve an Oscar if this would have been in film industry!!!!

I just love E J Noyes style

another brilliant book by the talented E J Noyes . I really felt for Rebecca and Sabine in these 2 books in the series, I feel I went through their pain with them the writing was so good . Abby Craden's narration was perfect as ever, really adding to the experience. highly recommended

Absolutely Fantastic!!

This book was utterly fantastic!! I loved every minute if it, I binged it in 2 days. The narrator is honestly one of the best I have ever heard. She has the ability to switch from character to character with ease and convey each person distinctively.

It was awesome to learn more about Sabine and Rebecca and their beautiful relationship. I loved how the author managed to portray the honesty, vulnerability and heartbreak that comes with PTSD and mental illness and how having a strong support system is key to recovery. I can't wait to listen to the next book and see where my 2 new favourite surgeons go next in their lives.

traumatised

ptsd is a terrible affliction, to see what front line troops see, for the thousands upon thousands through history whose war continues in thier own mind, the writing takes place over several months and is extremely intense, but amazingly well written, I felt such emotion throughout as our mcs' are torn with anguish, luckily they had a support network but the story emphasises the need and lack of the nessasary government backing, certainly opened my eyes to veterans who suffer ptsd, brilliant book.

I was hooked!!

I adore these characters. I by mistake started the storyline back to front... but it did not matter...I found them, I loved their discovery of each other, the anticipation of being able to touch... to hold each other... to share those emotions physically that has lived in their minds and through their eyes...

The trauma, how to cope with and live with what has happened... the fight to break free from this fear and the support, courage, love and care that finally won out...

They joy they bring each other, the raw passion they share...the deep love they feel...

Abby Craden... how many different words can I find to express how terrific your narration are... just WOW....