Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: All that Matters
AUTHOR: Felice Stevens
NARRATOR: Kale Williams
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 8 hours and 52 minutes
RELEASE DATE: June 6, 2024
BLURB:
Nico Andretti knows one thing is true: Love is for fools.
Being a tour bus guide in Times Square isn’t his dream job and he yearns for more than living in his mother’s basement apartment, but life is tough in the big city.
At least the men on the bus are eye-candy galore, and they’re one and done. Why bother with seconds when you’ll only get hurt? And Nico knows hurt—he’s got a father he’s never met and an ex who broke his heart and shattered his self-esteem.
Then Dr. Ford St. Claire takes his tour, and Nico enjoys his own personal sightseeing of the gorgeous older man. In a twist of fate they meet again that evening and share drinks, confidences, and a night of flirting. Now Ford is gone for good. Home to Florida.
Until he shows up the next month.
And the next…It’s just a fling.
Right?
But the more time they spend together, the more Nico realizes being broke doesn’t matter. Nor does the distance between them. What matters is how Ford makes him feel—loved, appreciated, and respected. And Nico is determined to give Ford the one thing his cheating ex couldn’t—a loving family.
When secrets and scandals threaten them both, their love is put to the test. Maybe they’ll crash and burn…but Nico doesn’t think so.
All that matters is finding their forever. And doing it together.
REVIEW:
Nico Andretti likes his job as a tour guide in New York. He gets to meet people from all over the world and show them his city. He’s proud of the city and he shares a lot of history with his customers. He also enjoys talking about not only the well known landmarks, but the hidden gems. But when his day is over in the city, he gets back to Brooklyn to work in his family restaurant. His single mother raised him with his grandparents and he and his cousin Joey are taking things over as his mother’s and her sister’s health issues have come up. Joey’s girlfriend Theresa, a nurse, helps out too. Things are good, but Nico drams of more.
Dr. Ford St. Claire is visiting New York from Florida for the first time to provide expert testimony, but he wants to take in the sights too. He’s a dermatologist and he’s excited to take the bus tour. He is friendly with the guide, Nico who is gorgeous. He accidentally leaves his wallet on the bus and Nico goes to return it to the man at his hotel after his shift ends. Ford is shocked to see him, but he’s happy too. They have a bit of an awkward conversation and that’s that.
Nico goes to meet his friends at Stonewall that evening. Nico’s surprised when Ford walks in later in the evening. They end up having a drink and well, Ford has a bit too much on an empty stomach. Nico makes sure he gets back to his hotel and leaves the man with some water and his alarm set.
He know Ford’s name now and he reaches out to him for a telemed check. Ford is shocked! He can’t pursue this. The guy in in NY and he’s in Florida. Weeks go by, but neither can forget the other. Nico’s a bit depressed about it. His friends see it, but he’s unwilling to acknowledge what’s got him down.
An opportunity comes up for Ford to head back to New York to go to a conference, he shows up at the bus again 🙂 And he wants to spend more time with Nico – like every night he’s in town 🙂 Nico takes him to his family restaurant and Coney Island. They have a great time and things go a bit further. They do spend time together. Nico feels like a fish out of water when Ford takes him as his plus one to the dermatology conference dinner dance. But Ford is clearly happy that he’s there and he meets some nice people – as well as some arrogant asses. Neither is willing to let this go. They agree to long distance – whatever that means.
Nico decide that this can’t all be one sided and so he travels to Florida to surprise Ford. They have a wonderful time together. Nico meets some of Ford’s patients, his staff and unfortunately his ex. But they don’t let that get in the way of enjoying time together. Things are definitely getting more serious. Nico still worries that people think he’s Ford’s boytoy and that he’s only with him because Ford has money. Ford, having come from nothing, knows better than anyone that Nico is nothing like that.
Things get sticky with Ford’s practice where he’s still partners with his snake in the grass, entitled, cheater of an ex. It’s definitely time for Ford to cut ties with him and move on with his life. At 42 though, he’s concerned. But there just might be a way.
Honestly this is a delightful and swoon worthy romance! I loved Nico from the get-go. My latest trip to NYC had me staying near Times Square to accommodate my 83 year old mother getting to and from two Broadway shows. Traditionally I avoid this area of the city – I have walked WAY out of my way to avoid the intersection at 47th/7th/Broadway. LOL! But I did get to see the Naked Cowboy off to his place on Broadway on a Mother’s Day Sunday morning – so there’s that. I cannot tell you how many people tried to sell me the hop on-off bus tours. Someday I would love to do it, but I am usually there for work on a quick trip for the theater. After reading this book, I am DEFINITELY going to figure out the time to do it. I love New York and while I’ve seen a lot of it, I’m sure there are many undiscovered and rarely seen gems to find 🙂 Ford is such a sweetheart who has been roughly treated by life – first by his horrible mother and then by his horrible ex, Lenny. God I hated that guy. What an A$$. Ford deserved so much better! And he got it in Nico 🙂 I loved Nico’s family – his mother, his aunt, his cousin. They are all there for each other. There are some wonderful surprises in this story that I won’t spoil. There are some hard and very realistic moments too. Somethings things don’t work out the way we want, but that’s OK. Things have a way of turning out how they should. The epilogue was *chef’s kiss*. I really really hope we get to see more of these guys – and their extended friends in family in the future. Even if it’s a holiday short. Hint Hint!!! Love it! Get it. You won’t be disappointed.
This might just be my favorite Felice Stevens/Kale Williams audio book. First, I just loved Nico. He’s not had the easiest path in life, but he’s doing what needs to be done. He enjoys his job and clearly loves his city. He also loves his mother 🙂 Mr. Williams portrayal of Nico is so heartfelt. Nico’s a young guy who is working his way towards a better future. He’s got his job in the city and his job at his family restaurant in Brooklyn where he’s close to his cousin and the extended family. Hi mother, his aunt, Uncle Frank, his cousin Joey and his girlfriend Theresa, his friends Anthony and Jack and Anthony’s boyfriend Sergio are all clearly New Yorkers in this performance – but not at all in a cartoonish or caricatured way. Ford’s reserve and hesitation are perfectly performed here as well. Ford has had a lot of hard knocks – from his horrific childhood to his awful cheating ex. He holds himself back and doesn’t trust easily. When he opens up to Nico, he really blossoms in this story and I believed the emotional notes in this lovely performance. The steamy moments in this love story aren’t gratuitous either – they truly move the story forward as Nico and Ford slowly let their walls down and learn to trust in each other and most importantly reveal their wounds and fears to one another. Their love for each other shows through in what they do for each other and the support they show and I loved the surprises that awaited them 🙂 Sometime good things happen to good people 😀 What a joy! Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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