His Uptown Guy

By: Felice Stevens

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

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.

©2019 Felice Stevens (P)2019 Felice Stevens

Great Story

I really found the story to be so heartwarming! It had me a little emotional at times but in a good way. Nick did a great job with narration.

Wonderful Story

This was fantastic! This is one of my favorite authors and narrators, so this was a must-listen! I first read this in eBook, and the audio of the book was wonderful. Dash and Jesse's story 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 Jesse'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. If you enjoy a low angst, wrong side of the tracks love story, this is a must listen (or read) for you!

a book worth reading I completely recommend it

I love this book because of the sweet story and it was about someone struggling with a disability and in spite of that disability found a Forever Love

Life Changing

Life changing events can be for the good or for the bad and Jesse has had both. We see him emerging into his future. I love that Dash is part of that change but isn't the one that actually set it off. It makes is more real and makes their relationship seem more sustainable as well.

I really enjoyed the audio version I listened to.

poor little rich boy for the win

A sweet heart tugger that captured my interest from the start. and then my heart later as I listened. Jesse's ptsd was crippling and I empathized. He makes the ultimate sacrifice of leaving his sanctuary and going to Dash's home- new beginnings for all. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator brought it to life. Great job.

Perfectly performed

I'm awed. Honestly. This was such a great story, but hearing it performed by Nick J. Russo just added so much dimension and feeling.

I had previously read the ebook when it was published and truly enjoyed the story. It was a unique blend of two different worlds, colliding and creating harmony within each other. Jesse and Dash were so loving and careful. Their story so full of depth and growth in the wake of tragedy.

The emotions were not only captured but enhanced by the narration. I loved the deeper, booming voice of Dash and the sweet tone to Jesse's words. This was so brilliantly done.

This is going in my 'Love' file to be listened to over and over.

Touching Story

This book gripped me from the start. A beautiful story of two totally different men. Complete opposites, yet they’re better together, despite their odds. It was easy to love these men. They’ve both dealt with so much; I just want to hug them, and I’m not a hugger.

This was another well written book by Felice Stevens. Dhe will draw you in if you give her writing a shot.

Nick J. Russo is one of my favorite narrators. Once again, he does a fantastic job giving voice to these men, snd various characters. He’s great at differentiating between characters, so you always know who’s talking.

Perfection!

Felice Stevens stories are just amazing! They are just beautiful written and this is no exception. Jesse and Dash's story is heartbreaking but just so good. These characters are from different worlds but they have such amazing chemistry. Then Nick J. Russo brings every emotion that these characters feel to such a way that I am feel them right along with them. I just couldn't get enough of this story.

Phenomenal as Felice always is!

Once again I am blown away by Felice Stevens and her beautiful words. Because all of her stories are pure perfection, I don't know why I'm shocked anymore when I read her stories. So full of vulnerability, sadness, heartbreak, soul lifting love, and always packs the heat perfectly!

I always need tissues, but that's nothing new either because there is always so much meaning behind every story she writes. I call them, sweet with a huge side of heat! The stories of the trials and tribulations that real people, particularly our LGBTQ, go through is 100% real, and Felice always finds the perfect way to bring light to the situations in a way that those of us who don't personally experience truly understand. Now, with that all said, just know, you still definitely have the heat that can set you on fire but it seems more beautiful because of the underlying story.

These two characters were so easy to love and couldn't be more different. We have Jesse who is a multiple millionaire who has agoraphobia,(the fear of leaving his home), because of the awful things that he's experienced in life. Then we have Dash! Oh how I love Dash. He is the maintenance worker in the building that Jesse lives in. The relationship is forbidden, but once Dash saves him while he is having a major breakdown trying to go outside, there is no stopping it.

The chemistry between these two is instantaneous and extremely powerful! Still Dash knows he could never be enough for Jesse and all of his money. A lot goes down that I won't say because that's the point of reading the story, but I actually listened to it over audio book when I laid down last night, and I couldn't sleep until I heard The End! Now it's almost 7am so no sleep for me, but it was worth every hour of sleep lost.

Nick Russo was the narrator, and as always was phenomenal! He brings out the emotions of the characters so well, letting you feel what they are really going through. I can't recommend this enough!

Great Story and Narration

Jesse Grace-Martin seems like someone who has an easy life, but in reality tragedy has left him incapacitated and unable to leave his apartment. After five years, much therapy, and the encouragement of his PA he finally attempts to go beyond the threshold of his apartment at the landmark Dakota building. Dashamir “Dash” Sadiko works as a porter in the Dakota and studies accounting at night. When he sees Jesse struggling through a panic attack, he rushes over to help him. The two become fast companions, enjoying meals and conversations, and watching baseball games inside Jesse’s apartment. Over time their friendship deepens into more as the two can’t resist their attraction.
I enjoyed this sweet romance and appreciated the culturally diverse Sadikos. I connected with Dash, the child of immigrants working full-time while trying to earn a college degree and improve his life. And Jesse is a prime example of how money can’t solve every problem. There’s great character growth as both Jesse and Dash learn to work past the differences that threaten their burgeoning relationship.
Nick Russo did a good job with the narration of this story, reading with expression and acting out each character. He varies his voice so you know when dialog changes and does a good job with Dash’s mom’s slight accent. Overall an excellent story.