After the first two books being so different to each other (although I liked them both in different ways), I didn't really know what to expect here.

The answer is "somewhere in the middle, with a bit of both". It has some of the tenderness and gentle characterisation of the first, but with pacing a bit closer to the second, and this is the book that finally develops large-scale plot in a way that makes both of the earlier books more worthwhile.

I didn't enjoy the romance in this book as much, but I think that's simply that it didn't match my tastes so well - it was still written with great nuance and character-realism. Plus, especially compared to the first book, the romance here is not the central focus - it is important, but is one of a number of things that are going on with what is, by this point in the trilogy, quite a large ensemble cast.

An excellent book rounding out an excellent trilogy that is worth reading for more than the three excellent queer romances. Recommended!