For fans of Tess Wakefield's Purple Hearts or Jess Mastorakos' Back to You comes an emotional romance story about wanting to love, but being afraid to get hurt. For readers who crave passion, devastation, and devotion, this is the ultimate protective soldier romance book.
Quin Foster has lived in the shadow of the military her entire life, haunted by the one truth she could never soldiers don’t always come home. When her worst fear comes true and her father, Colonel Michael Foster, is killed in action, Quin buries more than just a parent. She buries any desire to be connected to the army ever again.
But then another soldier crosses her path.
Private First Class Nicholas Hall is persistent, and unsettlingly familiar. There’s something about him Quin can’t shake, and it’s clear he’s not ready to walk away from her either. As their connection deepens, so does her dread. She’s been down this road before, and it ends in a folded flag and an empty chair.
Nick sees her pain, her strength, and the walls she hides behind. And the more they fall for each other, the more Quin fears that loving him will cost her everything. Their journey becomes a military romance with grief and healing, where every moment feels fragile and every goodbye feels final.
The more she cares, the more she fears, because death doesn't discriminate and the army has already taken too much. Now Quin must risk her heart again, or protect it at all costs. But in a life where people vanish without warning, one question haunts her.
Will Nick be the one who stays, or the next to leave?
Elouise Tanghe has always been fascinated by discovering stories. Whether it was a book, a movie, or a couple of Barbie dolls, her imagination ran wild. “Creative” is a good word to describe her. With a passion for photography, she decided to become a graphic designer. Though it was creative, it wasn’t what she was looking for. She gave up her job to pursue her dream: becoming an author.
An empty schedule has never worked for her, so she spends more than eight hours a week jumping the trampoline, with national competitions every few weekends. When she’s not writing, reading or jumping, you can find her sewing for her own small business Ellie-Louise. In the little spare time she has, she loves to travel to warmer places, dance on point shoes and learn about history. She does all of this with country music in the background.
Do and Die or Don't surprised me in the best way. It's not the kind of book I usually pick up, yet I genuinely enjoyed it. The writing is clear and easy to follow. I found myself constantly wanting to know how it would end. The story takes you through a whirlwind of emotions and twists that stays with you long after the last page. It's an emotional rollercoaster and I'm glad I gave it a chance.
Ik heb weinig tot geen boeken gelezen die mij zo hard hebben geraakt zoals ‘Do and die or don’t’. Elouise Tanghe zet in haar debuut sterk in op emoties, die moeiteloos tot bij de lezer overkomen. Hoewel ik niet vaak huil bij films of boeken, kon ik hier mijn tranen toch niet bedwingen.
Het eerste hoofdstuk begon heel sterk emotioneel, iets wat ik niet had verwacht. Maar het zet wel meteen de sfeer en achtergrond die nodig is voor de rest van het verhaal. De emoties van angst en verdriet die Quinn op dat moment ervaart, komen doorheen de rest van het verhaal terug, zonder dat het middenstuk van het verhaal zwaar of deprimerend aanvoelen.
Hoewel het begin me zo hard had aangesproken, bleef ik in het midden wat meer op mijn honger zitten. Er gebeurt weinig spannends tussen Quinn en Nick. De personages misten iets van diepgang. Nick leeft voor het leger, terwijl Quinn de angst voor de dood toont. Verder hebben de personages geen hobby’s of andere karakteristieken. Door de angst van Quinn draaide het verhaal voor mij iets te veel in cirkels van angsten.
Gelukkig maakt het einde het midden helemaal goed. Hier keren we terug naar de sterke emotionaliteit van het begin, waarvoor die angsten van Quinn en de passie van Nick net noodzakelijk zijn. ‘Do and die or don’t’ heeft geen happy end (spoiler) en raakt de lezer extra hard door de gebeurtenissen die er kort voor gebeuren (geen spoilers hier :)) Die inleving komt vooral doordat Elouise Tanghe de emoties en gedachten van Quinn heel mooi beschrijft.
Ondanks het midden, waar de auteur me even kwijt was, is dit boek zeker een mooi debuut. Elouise Tanghe haar sterkte ligt echt in het overbrengen van de emoties van het personage op zo’n manier dat de lezer zich helemaal kan inleven. Weinig boeken starten en eindigen zo sterk.
Some stories don’t just tug at your heart , they grab it with both hands and don’t let go. Do and Die or Don’t is one of those rare books that feels real from the first page. Elouise Tanghe doesn’t just tell a love story; she tells a story about fear, grief, and what it means to keep living when loss has already taken so much from you.
Quin Foster has grown up in the military’s shadow, where service and sacrifice go hand in hand. When her father is killed in action, she’s left with more than grief ,she’s left with the quiet terror that loving someone in uniform means losing them too. Tanghe writes Quin’s pain in a way that feels lived-in. It’s not dramatic or forced; it’s that hollow kind of grief that lingers long after the condolences stop.
And then comes Nicholas Hall. He’s young, stubborn, and wearing the same uniform that’s already broken her heart once. Their connection feels immediate but heavy, weighted by everything Quin’s afraid to feel again. Tanghe captures that push-and-pull perfectly ..the ache of wanting to trust and the instinct to protect yourself from the inevitable.
What stands out most about this book is its honesty. Tanghe doesn’t romanticize the military or the idea of sacrifice. She shows the people who are left behind, the ones still waiting for the knock on the door. The writing is simple but powerful ..it breathes, it hurts, and it feels utterly human.
By the end, Do and Die or Don’t isn’t just about whether Nick will stay or leave. It’s about whether Quin will let herself live again, even when the world keeps taking. It’s a story about love after loss, about courage that doesn’t come from battlefields but from opening your heart when you know it might break again.
Elouise Tanghe has written something quiet yet devastating, tender yet brave. Do and Die or Don’t is a reminder that sometimes surviving love is its own kind of war ,and choosing to feel again is the bravest victory of all.
⚫️If you're looking for a heartfelt and courageous journey through love, loss, and healing, look no further than "Do and Die or Don't" by Elouise Tanghe. This beautifully written war romance dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster of loving someone in uniform. From the very first page, Tanghe pulls you into the life of Quin Foster, a woman grappling with the pain of losing her father, Colonel Michael Foster. She’s made a promise to herself not to let the military take away any more of her heart.
⚫️But fate has a way of intervening. When Private First Class Nicholas Hall steps into Quin's life, her carefully constructed defenses begin to crumble. Tanghe masterfully captures Quin's inner conflict torn between love and fear, bravery and self-preservation. Every moment between Quin and Nick is charged with raw emotion, authenticity, and an unspoken tension that feels incredibly real. Their connection transcends mere romance; it’s a deeply human experience.
⚫️What truly sets this book apart is its seamless blend of romance with profound emotional depth. Tanghe doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of military life the constant uncertainty, the deep sorrow, and the courage it takes to love someone who might not return. Yet, amidst the despair, she weaves in glimmers of hope, vulnerability, and resilience that elevate the story to new heights.
⚫️Fans of "Purple Hearts" and "Back to You" will find "Do and Die or Don't" just as captivating, but with a unique emotional resonance all its own. It’s not just a love story; it’s a powerful narrative about healing, bravery, and the incredible strength of the human heart to love in the face of danger.
⚫️Elouise Tanghe has crafted a stunning debut that stays with you long after you turn the last page a poignant reminder that sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is choose to love again.
Do and Die or Don’t is a romance that wears its heart and its fears on its sleeve. Elouise Tanghe doesn’t shy away from the sharp ache of loss or the paralyzing fear of opening yourself up to someone who could be taken away at any moment. Through Quin Foster’s eyes, readers feel the ripple of grief that comes with losing her father, Colonel Michael Foster, a man whose military career both shaped and scarred her. Tanghe balances that sorrow with the tentative hope Quin finds in Nicholas Hall, a young private whose devotion and sincerity threaten the walls she’s built around her heart.
What makes this story compelling is its duality: every soft moment between Quin and Nick carries a shadow, every kiss is edged with the question of whether love is worth the risk of loss. The pacing builds gently, letting the reader linger in Quin’s fear before offering the balm of connection. Tanghe writes with sensitivity, never dismissing the trauma but showing how love can be an act of courage, not just passion.
This is not a breezy, escapist romance — it’s raw, heartfelt, and vulnerable. By the end, you’re not just rooting for Quin and Nick to find happiness; you’re reflecting on the universal truth that all love is a gamble, and sometimes the gamble is what makes it worth living for.
First novel by a former pupil of mine. She certainly knows how to tell a story. She has written her novel in English as a non- native speaker, which has turned out quite well. She deserves respect for this. I told her I don´t like the title. On the other hand: better a bad title and a good novel than the other way round.
Do and die or don’t shows the touching story of learning to love someone, and learning how to let go. From chapter one you are sucked into the story by the wonderful choice of words. The way Elouise Tanghe describes her story is just wonderful! 🔥🫶🏻
A touching story of coping with loss and letting love in. I loved the author's use of words. And the end was totally surpising, leaving me with many thoughts about life and fears.
Grief has a way of silencing the world, and in 'Do and Die or Don't' I felt that silence echoing through every carefully crafted sentence. Quin Foster's pain becomes a living, breathing entity within these pages, not merely a fleeting sorrow but a devastating storm that fundamentally reshapes everything she once knew and trusted. The death of her father represents far more than the loss of a beloved parent; it becomes the catalyst that strips away her willingness to remain connected to a life that has demanded such an unbearable price.
From the opening chapters, I found myself completely immersed in Quin's emotional landscape. Tanghe masterfully portrays the suffocating weight of military loss, showing how it extends beyond the immediate family to poison every aspect of civilian life. Quin's desperate attempt to shield herself from the shadows of military service feels both logical and heartbreaking. Her determination to step away from a world that has already stolen far too much resonates with anyone who has experienced profound loss.
The introduction of Nicholas Hall creates a fascinating dynamic that kept me turning pages well into the night. His persistence in pursuing Quin feels simultaneously tender and unstoppable, like watching gentle waves gradually reshape a stubborn shoreline. Nicholas doesn't simply burst through her carefully constructed walls; instead, he finds the smallest cracks and slowly, patiently works his way through her defenses. I felt that same mounting tension building within me as their connection deepened, wondering whether Quin would find the courage to risk her heart again.
What sets this romance apart from others in the genre is how Tanghe refuses to simplify the complexity of love born from trauma. The relationship between Quin and Nicholas carries the full weight of her fears, the paralyzing dread of inevitable loss, and that fragile, almost desperate hope that perhaps love might still be worth the terrifying vulnerability it demands. Their conversations crackle with unspoken understanding, and their moments of physical connection feel earned rather than inevitable.
Tanghe's prose style deserves particular praise for its understated elegance. She writes with a quiet power that never feels overwrought or melodramatic, even when dealing with intensely emotional subject matter. The author has an exceptional gift for capturing those small, seemingly insignificant moments that reveal profound truths about human nature. Her descriptions of grief feel authentic and lived in, suggesting deep personal understanding of loss and healing.
The supporting characters add layers of richness to the narrative without overwhelming the central love story. Each person in Quin's orbit serves a specific purpose in her journey toward healing, whether they're pushing her forward or holding space for her pain. The military community is portrayed with nuance, showing both its capacity for support and its potential for additional trauma.
Throughout my reading experience, I found myself aching for Quin in the most beautiful way. I wanted desperately for her to find the peace she sought, yet I also yearned for her to discover the courage to surrender to what her heart truly craved. This internal tension kept me emotionally invested from beginning to end.
The pacing of the romance feels perfectly calibrated. Tanghe allows their relationship to develop organically, respecting both characters' emotional needs while building toward moments of genuine intimacy. The physical attraction between them simmers beneath the surface, but their emotional connection takes precedence in a way that feels refreshing and authentic.
'Do and Die or Don't' succeeds brilliantly as both a compelling romance and a thoughtful exploration of grief, healing, and the courage required to love again after devastating loss. Tanghe has crafted a story that glows with equal measures of heartbreak and hope, reminding readers that choosing to love always requires tremendous bravery.
When I finally reached the conclusion, I felt simultaneously shattered and completely whole, as though I had walked beside Quin through every painful step of her journey toward healing. This book will stay with me long after I've shelved it, and I'm already eager to explore more of Tanghe's work.
Do and Die or Don’t by Elouise Tanghe is basically a rollercoaster for your heart. Quin Foster wants nothing to do with the military after losing her dad, and honestly, who can blame her? But then Nick Hall shows up, and suddenly the “no more soldiers” rule gets very complicated.
Quin’s grief is raw, her walls are high, and Nick? He’s persistent in a way that makes you want to yell at her to give him a chance while also guarding your own heart. The tension between them is the kind that keeps you flipping pages way past bedtime.
What makes this book hit so hard is that it’s not just a romance, it’s about fear, loss, and the terrifying bravery it takes to love someone when you know nothing is guaranteed. Elouise nails that messy mix of heartbreak and hope.
Quin and Nick’s story feels real, not insta-love perfect, but beautifully complicated. You root for them even though you know the risks, and that makes the ending land even harder.
If you’re looking for a love story that makes your chest ache, your eyes sting, and your heart race all at once, this one’s for you. Just be prepared to feel everything.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster… ‘Do and Die or Don’t’ by Elouise Tanghe tells the emotional story of Quin Forster. Her dad, a colonel in the US military, unfortunately passed away, leaving Quin grieving and desperate never to love another soldier. She cannot handle the heartbreak of losing a loved one in battle once again. Yet, she meets Private Nicholas Hall and all promised fly out the window, despite her efforts to remain stoic and distant.
The strenght of this book lies in the emotions specifically. The book starts out kind of dark, with -trigger and slight spoiler warning - emotions of depression, grief and suicidal thoughts. The descriptions and feelings this book conveyed touched me deeply. But also the positive thoughts and the romance are strong. Quin is an emotionally complex character and you cannot help but feel everything right along with her.
And the ending… Well, I am simply not ready to talk about that.
💔✨ Some books stay with you because they’re not just stories—they’re emotional battles.
Elouise Tanghe’s Do and Die or Don’t is one of those.
We follow Quin Foster, a young woman who’s grown up knowing the painful truth: soldiers don’t always come home.
When her father, Colonel Michael Foster, is killed in action, she decides she wants nothing more to do with the military or the grief it brings. 🚫🎖️
But then she meets Private First Class Nicholas Hall.
Persistent, kind, and carrying a familiar spark, Nick isn’t someone Quin can easily push away.
The more they connect, the stronger her fear grows.
Because in her world, love isn’t just vulnerability—it’s a gamble with fate. 🎲❤️
This book is such a heart-tugging mix of romance, grief, resilience, and the impossible choices we make when love collides with fear.
Quin’s journey is raw and real, and Nick’s determination will make you swoon and ache at the same time. 🥺🔥
If you enjoy stories about love tested by loss, military life, and the courage to open your heart again, this one will break you and heal you in the best way. 💌✨
From the first page, I knew this book would wreck me and it did, in the best possible way. Tanghe writes about grief and love with such tenderness that you can’t help but feel every emotion. Quin and Nick’s story is a reminder that love is always a risk, but sometimes, it’s the only thing worth fighting for.
✨ First of all, I’d like to thank the author for sending me a copy of 𝐃𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 , I’d also like to thank the author for warming my cold little heart.
Let me explain, Do and Die or Don’t, is a military romance, is a slow burn, and if you enjoy emotional books (I do from time to time), then you should read this.
I could relate to Quinn, not looking for love, or for a heartbreak, and then finding it in an unexpected place. I felt for Quinn , I wanted her to be happy, and finally get a break from the sadness and pain.
I loved it, and read it in almost one sitting. If you love stories that will stay with you for a long time, you should read Do and Die or Don’t ♥️