Where to Start Reading E.J. Noyes
For readers diving into the emotionally charged and beautifully written sapphic romance novels of E.J. Noyes, the absolute best starting point is her blockbuster debut military romance, Ask, Tell (2017). This book established Noyes as a powerhouse in lesbian fiction, winning both critical acclaim and a massive fan following for its portrayal of love under the shadow of the U.S. military's former "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
If you prefer to start with a standalone contemporary romance or a sports romance, the best option is Gold (2018), a slow-burn romance set in the thrilling world of professional skiing. Starting here also sets you up perfectly to read its companion novel, Schuss (2022).
The Ask, Tell Universe Reading Order
The Ask, Tell series is E.J. Noyes's signature work. It follows the deeply moving relationship between Captain Sabine Fleischer, an Army surgeon deployed in Afghanistan, and her superior officer, Colonel Rebecca Keane. Because the series timeline loops and shifts perspectives, readers have two great options for experiencing this series.
Option 1: The Standard Publication Order
This is the order in which the books were released. It allows you to see the couple's relationship develop organically, followed by a spin-off focused on Sabine's sister Jana, before circling back to Rebecca's perspective of the original deployment.
- Ask, Tell (2017) - The story that started it all, following Sabine and Rebecca in a combat zone.
- Ask Me Again (2018) - The direct sequel that follows Sabine and Rebecca as they return to the civilian world and build a life together.
- If the Shoe Fits (2019) - A companion spin-off focusing on Sabine's sister, Jana Fleischer, a divorce lawyer who begins questioning her own sexuality when she meets Brooke Donnelly. Sabine and Rebecca appear as prominent side characters.
- If I Don't Ask (2022) - A companion retelling of the events of the first book (Ask, Tell) from Rebecca's point of view, shedding light on her internal struggles as Sabine's commanding officer.
Option 2: The Chronological / Perspective Order
Many fans of the series, and occasionally the author herself, suggest reading the books in a slightly different order to keep the timeline of the initial deployment fresh in your mind. This order places the two deployment novels side-by-side before moving forward in time:
- Ask, Tell (2017) - Sabine's perspective of the war zone deployment.
- If I Don't Ask (2022) - Rebecca's perspective of the exact same war zone deployment, showing what she was hiding and thinking during the events of the first book.
- Ask Me Again (2018) - The continuation of their relationship post-deployment.
- If the Shoe Fits (2019) - Jana's spin-off story, which fits neatly as a postscript to Sabine and Rebecca's primary arc.
The Halcyon Division Series
In 2023, E.J. Noyes branched out into romantic suspense and spy thrillers with the Halcyon Division series. Unlike her romance-focused standalones, this trilogy features an ongoing, overarching plot and must be read in publication order:
- Integrity (2023) - Lexie Martin, an intelligence analyst, witnesses a chemical weapon attack and goes on the run with Sophia Flores to protect classified files.
- Leverage (2023) - The stakes rise as Lexie and Sophia try to stay ahead of government conspiracies while navigating their growing connection.
- Loyalty (2024) - The final installment of the trilogy, bringing Lexie and Sophia's high-stakes mission and romantic arc to a thrilling conclusion.
Standalone Sapphic Romances & Companion Pairs
Outside of her two major series, E.J. Noyes has written a diverse array of standalones that can be read in any order. However, there are a couple of thematic pairings and connections that readers should be aware of:
The Ski Romance Duology: Gold & Schuss
While officially standalones, these two sports romances share a universe, a setting, and minor characters. For the best experience, read them in order:
- Gold (2018) - Focuses on former Olympic skier Aspen Archer and her physical therapist, Cate Tierney.
- Schuss (2022) - Serves as a sequel/spin-off. It shifts the spotlight to Stacey Evans (Aspen's student) and Gemma Archer (Cate's daughter). The main characters of the first book appear as supporting characters here.
Standalone Novels
- Turbulence (2017) - A steamy corporate workplace romance about a stockbroker and her private company pilot.
- Alone (2019) - A psychological romance. Celeste Thorne agrees to participate in a four-year isolation experiment for a massive paycheck, but her solitary life is disrupted when she rescues an injured hiker, Olivia Soldano.
- Reaping the Benefits (2020) - A unique paranormal workplace romance featuring Morgan Vance and her immortal boss, who is a minion of Death.
- Pas de deux (2021) - A highly rated sports romance set in the elite world of Olympic dressage. The author has noted this story was loosely inspired by her own real-life meeting with her wife.
- Go Around (2021) - A second-chance romance featuring a Federal Air Marshal and a famous actress, sharing minor aviation themes with Turbulence.
- Merry Weihnachten (2024) - A heartwarming holiday romance detailing the friendship and romance between American Evangeline Phillips and her temporary German neighbor Annika Mayer.
- Make or Break (2025) - A workplace romance set on the set of a television cop drama, focusing on lead actress Stephanie D’Arripe and makeup artist Harper Bell.
What to Know Before You Start
E.J. Noyes's books are celebrated for their strong emotional intensity, mature communication, and high heat. Most of her novels are written in the first-person perspective, which gives readers a deeply intimate look into the protagonists' thoughts and vulnerabilities. If you listen to audiobooks, E.J. Noyes's novels are famous for their narration by the legendary Abby Craden, whose performance has become synonymous with the characters of Sabine, Rebecca, and Lexie. Starting with the audiobooks is highly recommended by fans of the genre.