His Uptown Guy
(The Landmarks Series)
(The Landmarks Series)
Author: Felice Stevens
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: January 24, 2019
Release Date: January 24, 2019
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.
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 peek 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.--
Carra's Review
His Uptown Guy features main characters with a class difference (rich/poor), something that doesn’t matter to Jesse but does become a bone of contention with Dash later on in the story. Their meet-cute was more of an awkward introduction as Jesse—who suffers from agoraphobia—isn’t coping too well with a short trip outside, and it’s Dash who comes to his rescue. But that winds up being the start of a great friendship which eventually turns into more.
This has a hurt/comfort/healing aspect to it as Dash helps Jesse face, cope with, and eventually begin to overcome his condition. It’s definitely a bit of a journey for Jesse, who I found to be sweet if a bit oblivious to what others might think of things he does or his matter-of-fact outlook. Jesse’s character gets to go through a lot of growth not just by conquering his agoraphobia, but also by realizing the issue that money and privilege creates between him and Dash.
Dash and Jesse fit wonderfully together, and nothing felt rushed about their relationship. The physical chemistry is absolutely present—these two guys are scorching between the sheets. There is plenty of passion between them, but they also have a good emotional connection as well.
There are some really good secondary characters in Dash’s mother and Jesse’s assistant, both of whom offer their own opinions on love. Miranda is a great support for Jesse, and her interpretation of the conflict that arises between Dash and Jesse is spot-on—as is her advice.
Overall, I thought His Uptown Guy was a solid 4-star read, and I really liked Dash and Jesse together. Though I knew nothing about the famed Dakota building in which much of the story is set before I read this book, I’m still intrigued by the series and my interest is piqued to see which landmark comes next. This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, Her characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.
Felice has written over twenty books in the gay romance genre. Her books been translated into German, French and Italian. Her novel. One Call Away, part of her Soulmates series, was mentioned in Buzzfeed as one of the best “Out for You” gay romances of 2017.
Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. She recently retired from the practice law and now daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there are bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
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