Love in the time of war. Love in an atmosphere of prejudice.
Ask, Tell is an extremely well done romance set in the context of the US
Army and its ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy which purportedly safeguarded
people with alternative sexualities but in reality served to isolate them even
more.
Captain Sabine Fleischer is a surgeon deployed to a combat hospital
in Afghanistan. She is in a nine-year long relationship with a civilian, Victoria,
but her job is taking its toll on that relationship. Sabine’s boss in
Afghanistan is Colonel Rebecca Keane, a lady who grabbed Sabine’s interest from
first sight. First Sabine’s existing relationship and then the army’s rules do
not allow the Captain and the Colonel to take any steps to build on their
mutual attraction in any way.
The author also builds some other lovely relationships
between Sabine and her best friend in the army and particularly between Sabine
and her sister. Rebecca comes across as a very strong woman willing to take
more risks than expected in pursuit of where her heart is leading her. Any
character who follows their heart always wins our affection.
This is one of the best books that explores the reality of
rules via a truly touching romance. Definitely recommended.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
