Don't Ask, Don't Tell by Miski Harris

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Blurb


Staff Sargent Elijah Jackson, EJ to his friends, joined the Air Force hoping for refuge from the mess his life had become. For almost ten years he enjoyed new life, success, and love, in spite of the closet he was forced to hide in by the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell military policy. One day it all comes crashing down around him. Now he’s back home with serious decisions to make and a very short time to decide how to salvage his life while healing his heart.

Betrayed by his lover and partner, Dr. Dale Chenault left California and his fledgling practice behind. In Sayville, he’s found a home for his counseling service, and on the surface, seems to have his life in order. The truth is some of the decisions Dale made have become a stumbling block in his ability to rebuild the breach in his heart and by extension, his life.

When Dale and EJ meet the chemistry between them is hot but the pain of past betrayals is strong, and trust seems impossible to build. Will they be able to move past what has been to create a future together?

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is a story of love, trust, betrayal and second chances with an HEA.


REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a wonderful romance that takes place during the horrible DADT years.

EJ is home, after being outed in the military, and he has to decide what he wants to do for his future, knowing that every decision has a downside.

Dale is new to town after leaving a cheating partner and has become friends with EJ's best friend, Teddy.

EJ feels like he's suffocating in the closet because of DADT. I love the response he receives after revealing this. "A closet gives you room to breathe. We call Don't Ask, Don't Tell a footlocker, barely enough room for the body." I believe this perfectly sums up DADT. 

When EJ and Dale meet, the sparks are there, but both are struggling with their pasts. Despite this, Dale pushes, asking EJ to just give them a chance, feeling they could be something good together. They grow close quick, are wonderful together and make a beautiful relationship.

This isn't an easy read, as DADT had tragic consequences, and we get to see some of them. Fear of being outed led men to betray those they proclaimed to love, leading to hurt and bitterness.

One of my favorite lines is "I can't change the past, but I can learn from it." Obviously, this sentiment holds true for everyone.

My only complaint is that I want more. I would love to read a version that is longer, with more content. Other than that, I love Don't Ask, Don't Tell and am thrilled to have found this book by Miski Harris.