Citywide

3.5 stars. The first novella was definitely my favorite of the three, but I enjoyed seeing more of the Queens crew. I also liked that the novellas did not occur simultaneously but slightly linearly.

Edited to Add: I was approved for this book on NetGalley AFTER purchasing this book and reviewing it on my own. My review stands and is not influenced by the book, but I have edited this review in order to add additional details and context.

The first novella followed Chris, a beloved Queens crew character, and his complicated poly storyline with Aiden and Jace. Imagine getting stuck in a building during a heat-induced blackout with two people. Two people who you have a complicated sexual and emotional relationship with. It's really good, and you see how these characters have grown over time. I also loved that this novella starts at Raymond and David's place, because they're my two favorite characters by far. M/M/M poly relationship.

The second novella follows Tonya and Meredith. You don't see a lot of Tonya in the other books in the series, but you get to know her more in this novella for sure. To be honest, I don't love Meredith as a character but I warmed up to her more in this book. Nonbinary/female relationship.

The third and final novella features Stephanie and Angel (commonly referred to as Sharky), and Hassell does something different from his norm here. These two have been the on-again, off-again background couple in the other main Five Boroughs novels, and it's nice to see them highlighted in a stereotypical romance trope – fake romance! They're pushed together on a work trip – camping, of all times – for Stephanie's job, and things get a little hot and crazy. Male/female relationship.

Review and rating removed 10/30/22.