When Jesse Grace-Martin loses his father on 9/11, his charmed life is gone forever. People look menacing, and the streets no longer seem safe. After experiencing a brutal mugging, Jesse retreats to his apartment in the landmark Dakota building. Five years later, his first attempt to walk outside those famous gates again is a disaster—except for meeting the gorgeous maintenance worker who helps … him through his crushing panic attack. Jesse can’t stop thinking about the guy but hesitates to reach out, knowing he has little to offer.
Dashamir Sadiko has big dreams. Money in the bank tops his list, and his glimpse into the life of the uber-wealthy at his job at the Dakota is all the incentive he needs. Struggling to work full-time and go to college, Dash desperately wants to break the cycle of poverty his parents had hoped to leave behind in Albania. When the two men become friends, Dash isn’t sure what to expect but can’t help his growing attraction to sweet and sexy Jesse. It’s nice to see how the other side lives, but his affections can’t be bought; Dash wants to be his own man.
Defying the Dakota’s co-op rules, the two share lunches, their hopes and dreams, and ultimately their hearts. Jesse slowly regains his courage, but he’s worried he’ll never be the person he once was and that he’s not good enough for Dash. And Dash isn’t convinced the son of poor immigrants has a place at the table with a blue-blood, trust-fund man. Jesse needs to realize that money can’t buy happiness and love, while Dash must learn to trust that what they have is real, that he’s more than Jesse’s walk on the wild side with an uptown guy.
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When Jesse and Dash meet the world opens up for them ..
Both have issues that perhaps they can deal with .. Perhaps !!!
Jesse has a wealthy background ( old money ) he has agoraphobia for the last few years he hasn’t left his apartment.
There is a good reason for that.
Dash is from Albania he wants to have a better job than a porter and works hard to attain his goal.
He sees Jesse , meets Jesse and helps Jesse..
How they meet and the struggles Jesse has but with the help of Dash wonderful things can happen.
Such an extremely well written book I fell into the pages and didn’t want to leave.
A wonderful strong story where two guys meet they connect and the rest falls into place.
The strength of Dash is beautiful..
All the characters are absolutely wonderful and the description of the Dakota Building blew my mind , I looked online to see the majestic building .
So much more than five stars ….
All the feels
An Amazing Journey of compassion, hope, and acceptance
Jesse’s world has slowly imploded and he finds himself a bit lost and a whole lot alone – multiple events have left him with agoraphobia – he finds himself at a turning point where he must choose- fight to move forward or abandon hope and let the darkness take him
Dash has a dream to bring him and his family out of poverty and into a life of stability and dreams
I enjoyed the charisma that both the main characters emitted – They were so easy to connect with -I can not tell you how many times I wanted to reach in and shake them and remind them they were worthy!
This was such a sweet and emotionally satisfying romance
A little angst, a little humor and a whole lot of happily ever after
The flavor of New York, the sights, the sounds, the neighborhoods and landmarks are visually imprinted on the reader’s mind, so well depicted by author Felice Stevens in this opposites attract love story. Rarely is a setting so real, with the food, the ethnic and economic differences as presented by this author, in this deeply satisfying journey with Jesse and Dashamir.
Jesse hasn’t been outside of his apartment at the exclusive Dakota for more than five years until his brief but aborted attempt when a nearby employee comes to his rescue. From this meeting, an illicit friendship develops between the Dakota resident and residence employee. The reader can’t help but feel Jesse’s heartbreak and terror. Jesse has no financial worries but money isn’t everything. Unfortunately, to Dash, money feels like it is everything as he has been struggling to support himself and complete his education for even longer than Jesse has been unable to leave his apartment.
Neither man seems to be able to catch a break and sometimes things must get much worse before they can get better. Jesse’s sensitive, caring nature and Dash’s sense of honor and kindness create synergy.
Somehow, each new story by this author is a gift, a fresh look at recovery from loss, journey to overcome differences, perhaps economic, possibly ethnic while on a journey of mutual and self-discovery. Oh, and did I forget to mention the sexy times? Jesse may not have left his house for five years and Dash may pour all his energy into school and work but their chemistry is red hot and a perfect complement to their growing affection.
I simply can’t express how much I enjoyed this story. It was just right like the baby bear, not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
*SIGH* I absolutely loved this story. Felice’s writing is gorgeous. A beautiful, sexy, friends to lovers, slow burn story with an unusual premise, Jesse and Dash stole my heart. Jesse’s story had me literally pushing on my heart at times, and Dash, so sweet and caring, is not without his own struggles. I loved the storyline and the pace, and some of the secondary characters. There were a few, however, I wanted to throat punch!! An excellent, feel good read that left me with a big schmoopy smile on my face!!
This was a fantastic story!! Once again Felice Stevens knocks it out of the ballpark. Jesse has agoraphobia, he hasn’t left his apartment in over 5 years. He meets Dash, a porter at the high-end apartment building that Jesse lives in. They become friends. This was an amazing story, so many emotions and feels. I loved how safe Dash made Jesse feel. He had so much patience with him. Phenomenal story!!
I was gifted an ARC from the author for an honest review. This was solely based on my honest thoughts and views.
Book: 5 Stars
Audio: 5 Stars
Story-line:
Jesse suffers from a crippling fear of going outside. This anxiety disorder of agoraphobia has kept him imprisoned in his luxury apartment in the Dakota. Watching the bustling New York street life from his window is no longer good enough. Jesse has been having urges to attempt going outside despite the tremendous turmoil his body encounters. His father lost his life on 9/11 and Jesse never fully recovered from this tragedy. Couple this with a brutal attack when he was walking the streets one morning five years ago and Jesse has retreated to his apartment and has stayed there ever since.
His mother also fell apart and she fled the city and her son because both are such vivid reminders of her tremendous loss. I couldn’t help feel angry on Jesse’s behalf as I felt his mom should have been there for her son. Jesse is truly suffering and she appears to have put her needs first. She has since remarried which really irked me with her refusal to see her son more than once a year. Poor Jesse misses her but can’t visit.
Dash is a porter at the famous complex. He is very proud and wants to improve his station in life by getting a college degree and becoming an accountant. Working outside he meets Jesse and his wonderful personal assistant Miranda. Jesse has made his first attempt in five years to leave his apartment with a trip down to the Dakota’s courtyard only to have an epic panic attack. Dash helps Miranda get Jesse safely back to his apartment.
A slow friendship ensues and before they know it the men cannot deny their huge spark of mutual interest. The blue collar worker and the rich writer and authority on gems should be mismatched but the longer they hangout together, the more perfect their relationship becomes. Jesse’s debilitating condition complied with Dash’s strong sense of pride weigh down both of these remarkable men.
Ms. Stevens as usual creates a believable story with Characters that will grip your heart. Can a man who has been poor all his life really fit in with someone he considers the upper elite? On the same token can Jesse really believe Dash is willing to take on his crippling issues? This book is so real and I promise you will be rooting for these two to find away around these obstacles. I strongly urge you to give this gripping tale a try. Happy Reading!
Audio:
Nick J. Russo, narrator
Mr. Russo has a very soothing and expressive voice which adds so much to this great story. This evenly paced reading was a delight to listen to. The narrator did a magnificent job transforming this story of the the Dakota and the bustle and life of New York City for me. He effortlessly switched characters and there was never second guessing as to who was speaking. I absolutely recommend this first rate audio to compliment the book. Happy Listening!
There’s a reason why Felice Steven is hands down my favorite author right from the first time I read her first book. She provided what I craved in a book, a little angst blended with with sweetness and a guaranteed happy ending.
His Uptown Guy is a no exception. Jesse is the sweetest man Dash has ever met, Dash couldn’t ask for better man than him. But Jesse has flaws himself that from the first time they met, Dash knew something was wrong with Jesse.
Along the way, Dash become what Jesse need for a very long lonely life he had been through.
Though Dash never realized that he’s one very important person in Jesse’s life, didn’t see what Jesse sees in him. But Jesse is one determine guy, and I loved him for that.
Despite of his fear of going out, he knew what he wanted in his life, and it’s included Dash in it.
This is a low angst sweet adorable heartwarming story, and I couldn’t ask for a better story for Jesse and Dash.
I cannot wait for the next installment.
Felice Steven outdid herself of being my favorite story teller. His Uptown Guy hopefully is a start of an amazing series just like her other previous series. And I am absolutely will devour the series in the near future!
As a fan of a dreamy, sweet and happy ending, I recommend you this book!
What a wonderful and heartfelt story about two young men finding happiness together after having suffered through so many trials and tribulations. Jesse and Dash, two men who come from such different backgrounds and experiences, could not have been more perfect together. These two were made for each other. And the beauty with which Felice Stevens told not just their story of finding happiness together, but the way in which she told each guy’s individual story was sheer perfection. I am not sure which of the guys I loved more, but I do believe Dash gets just a higher level of love from me, and that is because of the way in which he was so supportive, caring and loving towards Jesse, who was dealing with challenges in his life that most of us would not understand or would expect for him to easily snap out of. Dash’s patience with Jesse, and the way in which he encouraged Jesse truly tugged on my heartstrings.
His Uptown Guy is such an emotional read. It may start out a little slow, and you may find yourself asking “what is happening here?” But have no fear. Felice Stevens’ beautiful prose will keep you engrossed as this beautiful story of two men from different ethnicities and status in life unfolds. And let me also just say that Felice Stevens has the unique ability to write such wonderful secondary characters in her books that you immediately want their stories told. Another great read by Felice Stevens
He was a porter, a poor kid from the Bronx, from an immigrant family…
And I’m the guy who can’t leave his apartment without having a panic attack…
“I thought I’d never get put back together. But I must’ve been waiting for you to find my pieces.”
It a very sweet, heartwarming story about two men from two different world who meet by fate. And like long lost pieces of puzzles, they perfectly fit for each others.
This book gave me strong emotional feelings when I read it. The story sounds a bit cliché at first but it gave deep impact in me and touch to the deepest of my heart. Seeing how the two main characters who come from two different social status trying to fit to each others life with all conflicts and all those egos they must faced before finally find their happiness (like always) was written in such beautiful way in Felice’s hands.
9/11 had put Jesse’s life upside down. He the ‘lock’ himself in his apartment for years and must deal with his anxiety and panic attacks each time he’s going outside or meet a lot of people. But then come Dash…
He came to Jesse life and brought back the spark to his lonely life. Their friendship start to grow intensely day by day. Dash with his kindness warm heart had made Jesse feels alive again. It’s like Dash had found him and brought him back home. And with Dash help…Jesse then fight his fear that had imprisoned for years him and ready to fly…
The two main characters are very sweet and lovable. Their story successfully warmed my heart to the fullest and yes, I love both Jesse and Dash equally.
There’s also some secondary characters that I love and successfully stole the spotlight like Jesse’s assistant, Miranda. She’s like a mother figure to Jesse for five years when he’s struggling with his anxiety and panic attacks while ‘trapped’ in his self-made prison that made him feels like a prisoner in a multimillion-dollar jail.
And I was like Miranda when I’m reading this book and have this constant urge to hugs both Jesse and Dash and engulfed them with love. The other character that I love is Dash’s mother, she’s a very lovely and brave woman with so much love in her heart. She successfully made my mouth watering with ALL the food she’s cooked for Jesse almost the entire reading!!!! (Thanks to Felice!)
His Uptown Guy successfully leave deep impression in me. It’s beautiful story about loss and trauma and the journey to finding life again…
“You could have anyone, and yet you want me.”
“You’re not anyone. You’re the only one. My one. The only one I see.”
Highly recommended!
Ever since Jesse lost his father on 9/11, he’s been living in darkness, never venturing out of his penthouse, locked alone with his anxieties. He has a good friend who tends to him and is his assistant, too, but Jesse doesn’t really have love in his world any longer. Until a chance meeting with one of the porter in his building, Dash, during a heart-poundingly anxiety-filled venture out of his penthouse.
Dash is a hardworking guy, just trying to get through college and working full-time all while caring for his mother. Then he meets a gorgeous, but obviously haunted, man at The Dakota, and his life takes on a new dimension. But Dash is supremely wary of starting anything with this obviously refined, wealthy man. The first and foremost reason being that it’s forbidden for employees to fraternize with the residents of The Dakota. The second reason being their obvious class and financial differences bring Dash’s insecurities to the forefront and cause him more than once to push Jesse away. Will Dash let Jesse lean on him or will he allow his insecurities tear them apart?
I was prepared for an angsty, emotionally harrowing read after having read the blurb for His Uptown Guy. What I got instead was a very sweet and sexy, but substantial love story. Dash and Jesse are a fabulous couple, and I loved how much they just fit with each other despite their obvious differences. Dash’s insecurities almost got the better of him, but by then, Jesse had gained enough strength and confidence that he was able to make Dash see reason. I cannot wait for Felice Stevens’ next awesome couple because the two stories of hers that I’ve read are top notch reading!
This is another sweet and sexy romance from an author who can always be counted on for a lovely, satisfying read. Jesse and Dash are both trying to overcome difficulties from their pasts when they meet, and I love watching them support each other’s goals. The discussions of Albanian food, agoraphobia, and even gemstones are very interesting. (I will be looking for a good local provider of baklava soon!) The interactions between Dash and Jesse are usually sweet and very often sexy, and I just love both of them. The ending is sigh-worthy. Considering Jesse’s problems and the fact that he lost his father in 9/11, and Dash’s determination not to let Jesse support him financially, this book isn’t too full of angst. There is humor and lots of heart. There is a lot to appreciate here for romance fans.
I love Felice’s writing and thIs is no exception. Jesse and Dash are as real as you can get. As a sufferer myself of anxiety and panic attacks I could easily relate to this story. I love how the characters build up and learn to love no matter the obstacles that stand in their way. You can’t pass this one up it’s a wonderful heart warming story.
This was a fantastic read! It checked so many boxes for me. I loved how Dash and Jesse came from different ethnic and monetary backgrounds. In learning more about Dash’s background, I enjoyed getting some exposure to Albanian food and with Jesse’s background came learning about the famed Dakota Building! These differences weighed on Dash’s mind as relationship obstacles, but they were the furthest issues from Jesse’s mind as relationship issues. I loved the patience that Dash had with Jesse on his life challenges and how he always supported Jesses’s progress and insisted it was Jesse’s determination that got him to overcome his fears. In turn, seeing Jesse grow and understand Dash’s feelings was wonderful.
5 Sweet and Sexy Stars
There is nothing more enjoyable than sitting down to devour a Felice Stevens story! The slow burn sweet romance between Jesse, a wealthy young man who is held captive to his severe anxiety and fears from a tragic incident years before, and Dash, a proud and honorable man from the Bronx, working in the luxurious Dakota to help himself and his family live a better life.
Jesse hasn’t left his beautiful apartment in 5 years as agoraphobia has ruled his life and made him a prisoner. A chance encounter brings Dash and Jesse together when Jesse tries to break free of his fears but experiences a breakdown. Dash comes to his aid and helps him through it. A friendship develops between them that grows into more. But Jesse’s extreme wealth compared to the modest life that Dash’s family lives causes friction between them. For Jesse, he knows Dash is the reason he wants to break free of his fears so he can live a life outside of his prison.
*****
Without a doubt, Jesse knew that this man, whether as friend or lover, was part of his recovery. When you’ve lived only in darkness, you could choose to either fear the light or embrace it. Jesse was finally ready to accept his light.
*****
Jesse
“You’re not anyone. You’re the only one. My one. The only one I see.”
*****
For five years his mind had made his body a prisoner within these walls of luxury, and while he knew most people would love to switch places with him, he hated it. The spacious rooms closed in and suffocated him. Once his home had spelled safety, and he’d feared what lay outside. But loving Dash had unlocked the iron bars he’d surrounded himself with.
*****
1-click now to begin this wonderful romance and fall in love with Jesse and Dash! But be prepared, you won’t want to put it down!
On the surface this is a sweet, slow burn, opposites attract romance, but it’s got so much more within the pages.
Jesse meets Dash the first time he leaves his apartment in years, and under less than ideal circumstances. This is a huge step for Jesse, and something that’s been coming for the past year. His agoraphobia has kept him prisoner in his luxury apartment in the Dakota for the past five years, but he is finally ready, with the help of both his therapist and his PA/friend, to push back and try to regain control. Dash, the new porter in the building, strikes up a friendship with Jesse after helping him out. Dash knows it’s against co-op rules to fraternize with the residents, but he and Jesse click so well he’s willing to take the risk. This is a big risk too as Dash needs the money to finish school and help support his mother.
The story builds slowly as the men get to know each other as friends. The attraction is there from the start. The two have great chemistry and even after they give in to it, they keep the friendship front and center. There isn’t much outside pressure on their romance; most of what they need to overcome is internalized pressure, misconceptions and, in Jesse’s case, the need to work through his anxiety and fears.
One thing that really got me invested early was realizing that this wasn’t going to be one of those “get better for the guy” stories. Jesse is already working on conquering his agoraphobia before Dash comes along. While his desire to enjoy time with Dash is definitely a factor in him finding the strength to get out of his apartment more and more, Jesse is doing it for his own well-being, not to satisfy someone else and he isn’t miraculously cured.
Jesse and Dash are both such likable characters. Even with Jesse’s money and condition, he is so much a regular guy and Dash is a sweetheart, not seeing himself as a relationship guy, but easily falling into one with Jesse. We get to know both men well, learning how their different upbringings shaped them into the men they are today and meeting their families. The imaginings of the interiors of the shrouded in secrecy Dakota, as well as Dash’s childhood home and apartment, added to that as well. Felice Stevens always excels in this area and it’s no exception here.
Another wonderful story from Felice Stevens. I would love to get a look at these men again, sometime in the future, just to see where their relationship goes.
HIS UPTOWN GUY by Felice Stevens is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, erotic M/M romance story line focusing on thirty year old gem researcher and writer Jesse Grace-Martin, and maintenance worker Dashamir Sadiko.
NOTE: HIS UPTOWN GUY contains scenes of M/M sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Dash and Jesse) HIS UPTOWN GUY follows the building relationship and romance between thirty year old gem researcher and writer Jesse Grace-Martin, and maintenance worker Dashamir Sadiko. Jesse Grace-Martin has lived at the Dakota apartments all of his life but the death of his father in the 9/11 bombings, and the subsequent mugging a few years later left Jesse struggling to survive outside of the walls of his New York abode. Agoraphobic and trapped for five years, Jesse, with the help of his assistant Miranda, battles the demons that have kept him housebound and recluse. Pushing himself to the brink of terror, Jesse attempts the impossible only to come face to face with his future. Enter Dakota apartments’ maintenance worker Dashamir Sadiko, and the man with whom Jesse will fall in love. What ensues is the forbidden romance between Jesse and Dash, and the potential fall-out as the financial divided between the couple may be too large to overcome.
The Sadiko family has struggled to survive; of Albanian descent, Dash and his sister have worked hard to help support the family and the financial difference between Dash and Jesse is the proverbial elephant in the room. Knowing it is against the rules for his conditions of employment, Dash and Jesse begin a secret relationship, one that may jeopardize Dash’s future. Jesse Grace-Martin continues to battle the demons that have destroyed his life. Unable to move beyond the walls of his home, Jesse struggles to be the man he once was and is hoping to be, again.
The relationship between Jesse and Dash is slow to build. There is an instant, palpable sexual attraction that pushes Jesse into wanting something more. Dash is desperate to keep their relationship a secret lest the people in charge force Dash to make a choice between his job and his heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic, language and text.
The colorful secondary and supporting characters include Jesse’s mother and step-father Harry and Leigh Spears; his assistant Miranda; Dash’s sister Drita, and his mother Elira Sadiko, as well as a number of Dash’s co-workers at the Dakota apartments.
The world building focuses on the crippling affects of agoraphobia; the PTSD of one man who struggles to move on from the loss of his father, and the inordinate fear of everything beyond the walls of his home.
HIS UPTOWN GUY is a story of secrets, loss, heart break, insecurities and loneliness. The premise is moving and inspiring ; the romance is tender and captivating; the characters are impassioned and courageous.
His Uptown Guy is an amazing story of loss, despair, hope, strength and love. Jesse has experienced the unimaginable pain when he lost his father in the 9/11 attacks. His world keeps shrinking until he is locked into his home by extreme fear. He is so isolated and lonely. Just as he begins to hope for more a chance meeting with Dash gives him the drive to keep pushing forward.
Dash is full of ambition and hope for a better future. The son of immigrants he will be the first person in his family to receive a college education.
As their unlikely friendship grows into something beautiful and unexpected they each deal with insecurities and doubts. I loved seeing how Jesse opened himself up to life’s possibilities. He took ownership of his recovery and challenged himself. Seeing Dash accept his own worth isn’t defined by wealth but by his strength and integrity was beautiful.
The secondary characters add so much depth and dimension to this amazing story, especially the Dakota, the location where most of this story takes place. I really got a feel for this historic building.
Felice Stevens is one of my favorite authors, and with this book, she managed to awe me once again. A book about grief and loss, about fears and self-doubt, but also about strength, courage, and an undying love. Sad and heartbreaking, warm and uplifting, this book put me through all the emotions.
Everything about this story is just perfect. The writing is beautiful. I kept highlighting phrases that touched me deeply. Seemingly just a few words, but with so much depth and at the right time.
The characters are lovely. Everything about them felt so real. Jesse and Dash come from different backgrounds, and you would never think they work so well together, but they do. They both have their flaws and baggage and are great on their own. Together, though, they are magical. So sweet and understanding and supportive of each other. Not all the time. They have their moments of hesitation and stepping back to gather themselves, but those moments never last long. They never let disagreements fester between them. They man up and talk things out. Their meeting might have been random; their connection is anything but. They have that link that surpasses anything.
This author doesn’t shy away from addressing serious issues, and she handles them with care and grace. Losing your father in the devastating events of 9/11 and then losing yourself in the aftermath and not going out of your apartment for years, it’s almost too much for one man. It tore at my heart how much he struggled. And then I got all teared up by his strength and courage to face his fears and go out there. Literally. It’s not a one-time cure. Every day it’s a struggle to take that first step, and then two and three. With all his issues, Jesse hasn’t become estranged from the world around him. He might not have been outside for a long time, but I still felt he was very much a part of our world.
Dash has his own insecurities. Being from another background than Jesse, he feels is not good enough for him. But just by being Dash, he is perfect for Jesse. He sees Jesse with his heart and his head and instinctively knows how to approach and help him.
And as great Dash and Jesse are, there is a special place for Miranda, Jesse’s PA, and Dash’s mother. Both women are wonderful secondary characters that make this book that extra special.