Well, my plea has been answered with this story. I recently pleaded for more relationship issues in books where the MC is Hispanic – rather than poverty and criminal behaviour.

Interborough is very much a character driven piece and it is fairly brave of the author to write about the mainly everyday concerns couples have.Ĭoncerns like – Am I good enough for them? – Will they like me if I’m too tired for sex? – Will they get bored if I work all the time? – Are they looking at other people when they are at work?Ī couple of less common issues arise in the novel, but otherwise, most of the conflict and tension is created by Raymond and David’s own insecurities and worries. This kind of empathy for a fictitious couple usually develops over more than one novel.

I said that I did not consider this book to be a standalone because in order to enjoy it, you have to really feel for the characters of David and Raymond. Sadly, the truce doesn’t last long and things go from bad to worse. Happy events on the cruise and a truce between the couple find David and Raymond in a better place emotionally than when the holiday started. This is a break accompanied by close friends, family and exes. The couple is not in a good place when they go on a cruise organised by their friends’ new gay dating site Qfindr. He still feels his concerns are never taken seriously and this, in turn, is leading him to be ultra-sensitive to the attention the very handsome Raymond attracts and jealousy is rearing its ugly head regarding one of his co-workers at the docks. Despite having been a couple for eighteen months, Raymond’s new regime and his hesitance to be completely ‘out’ about the gender of his partner, is causing strain in their lives and relationship.ĭavid has been left a little paranoid after his break up with long term partner Caleb before he met Raymond.

He still lives with David Butler, who is now at the point of submitting his application for tenure at the school where he teaches.

Raymond Rodriguez is now working two jobs and going to college. It re-visits an established pair, Raymond and David, eighteen months on from previous novels in the series. Interborough is the fourth in Santino Hassell’s Five Boroughs series and is definitely not a standalone.

First and First by Santino Hassell