Uptown

by Virginia DeBerry, Donna Grant

ENTER THE WORLD OF UPTOWN

Uptown . . . where money rules
Uptown . . . where ambition trumps tradition
Uptown . . . where politics come before everything
Uptown . . . where a family’s secrets will bring them together—or down

After twenty years away, Avery Lyons returns to New York when her mother and uncle suffer a serious car accident. The tragedy brings the family together, but Avery is not happy about the impromptu reunion. She no longer recognizes the Harlem of her childhood, but the same old family dynamics and secrets are all too familiar . . .

Heir to a real estate empire, Dwight is willing to do anything to realize his aging and demanding father’s dream: Dixon Plaza, a luxury high-rise development on Central Park North that will change the face of Harlem forever. There’s only one thing in his way: his cousin Avery has inherited a share of the property. She’s more than willing to sell until a reporter uncovers the truth behind the rumored shady dealings . . .

In Uptown a prominent Harlem family is strained to the breaking point by the high-stakes world of the Manhattan real estate industry, and one woman searches for her identity and the will to forgive. Steamy, provocative, and sexy, Uptown is a turbulent and triumphant read.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

We are best friends who’ve been co-writing women’s fiction since 1990. For more information about who we are, what we do and...what we did, please visit deberryandgrant.com. We can also be found online at: Facebook.com/deberryandgrant
Instagram @deberryandgrant

Reviews

[Leon Faber · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel offers a compelling examination of family loyalty under pressure. The relationships feel authentic, with love expressed imperfectly and often at cross-purposes. The authors allow tension to build naturally, trusting readers to engage with the emotional and ethical questions raised. It’s a novel that respects its audience’s intelligence.

[Anja Lehrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uptown is a thoughtful and emotionally grounded novel that examines how success can complicate, rather than resolve, long-standing family tensions. What struck me most was how Harlem itself feels alive in these pages, shaped by history, memory, and competing visions of the future. The authors do an excellent job of showing how personal ambition intersects with community responsibility, and how returning home can force uncomfortable reckonings. This is a book that invites reflection long after the final chapter.

[Gwen Klug · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book examines the cost of reinvention in a way that feels both timely and timeless. The novel raises important questions about who benefits from progress and who is left behind. Harlem is not simply a backdrop but a force that shapes every choice the characters make. I found the pacing deliberate and effective, giving space for emotional moments to land without feeling rushed.

[Torsten Schmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strength of this novel lies in its restraint. Rather than relying on dramatic twists, the story unfolds through gradual revelations and shifting perspectives. The characters are complex and flawed, shaped by history and circumstance. I found myself thinking often about how much of our past we can truly leave behind, and what it costs to try.

[Jessica Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how the story resisted simple moral answers. Every character is shaped by trade-offs, and the narrative allows those choices to unfold with realism and emotional weight.

[Lena Gerber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that benefits from close reading. The authors carefully balance social commentary with intimate character moments, creating a story that feels grounded rather than didactic. I was particularly drawn to how ambition is portrayed not as inherently good or bad, but as something that carries consequences for relationships and self understanding. The novel encourages readers to sit with complexity rather than seek easy conclusions.

[Sophie Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its exploration of success, displacement, and moral compromise feels especially relevant. The authors show how personal advancement can come at a cost not only to others, but to one’s sense of self. I found the character development thoughtful and the emotional arc satisfying.

[Steffen Hoffmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the strongest elements of the book is its exploration of generational tension. The past is not treated as distant or resolved; instead, it presses constantly against the present. The family dynamics feel lived-in, with affection, resentment, loyalty, and regret all coexisting. The authors handle these relationships with nuance, allowing readers to empathize even when they disagree with certain decisions.

[Manuela Bosch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uptown examines the intersection of personal ambition and collective memory with impressive restraint. What resonated most for me was how the narrative allows space for contradiction characters can love Harlem deeply while still contributing to its transformation in uneasy ways. The authors trust the reader to sit with that discomfort, which makes the novel feel honest and mature.

[Marina Werfel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how the book foregrounds questions of place and memory. Harlem is portrayed as both a source of pride and contention, evolving in ways that challenge those who claim it as home. The authors skillfully weave personal narrative with broader cultural change, making the story resonate beyond the immediate plot. This would be an excellent choice for group discussion.

[Florian Zimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel succeeds in blending social realism with intimate storytelling. The stakes are both personal and communal, which gives the narrative depth. I appreciated how the authors avoided caricature, instead presenting characters shaped by competing desires and obligations. This is a book that invites rereading.

[Melanie Zweig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reflective, character driven novel that explores what happens when past and present collide. The authors are particularly effective at showing how place can influence identity. Harlem feels integral to the story, shaping both conflict and connection. I found the narrative engaging and thoughtfully constructed

[Ursula Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uptown is a rewarding read that deepens with discussion. The themes of ambition, family, and community are handled with care and complexity. Rather than offering neat resolutions, the novel invites readers to grapple with ambiguity. I appreciated its honesty and emotional restraint.

[Marcel Drechsler · Rating 4 out of 5]

What impressed me most about Uptown was its balance. The story addresses serious themes without losing sight of character and emotion. The writing is measured and confident, allowing moments of tension and reflection to coexist. It’s the kind of novel that sparks conversation rather than closing it down.

[Nadine Kunze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Uptown to be a compelling meditation on legacy. Family history isn’t treated as a static inheritance, but as something continually rewritten through choices and compromises. The novel’s strength lies in its attention to emotional nuance rather than spectacle.

[Melanie Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pacing of this book worked particularly well for me. Rather than rushing toward conflict, the story builds gradually, allowing readers to understand what is truly at stake. By the time tensions come to the surface, they feel earned and believable.

[Lisa Lemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel that rewards patience. The emotional payoff comes from accumulation small moments, quiet confrontations, and unspoken histories. Harlem’s presence in the narrative feels organic, shaping the characters’ identities rather than merely framing the plot.

[David Eisenhower · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel captures the emotional complexity of returning to a place that no longer feels entirely yours. Avery’s journey highlights how success can create distance rather than resolution. The authors skillfully portray how power, money, and influence reshape relationships, often in subtle but lasting ways

[Marco Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how the authors balanced public and private conflict. Political ambition and real estate pressures intersect seamlessly with family dynamics, showing how large systems affect intimate lives. The result is a story that feels grounded and socially aware.

[Andrea Baum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quietly confident novel. The writing is controlled and purposeful, allowing themes of identity, power, and belonging to emerge organically. I appreciated the authors’ trust in the reader to engage deeply with the material.

[Yolonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

BFF's for more than 25 years and New York Times bestselling author Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant have graciously brought us another authentic and heart-wrenching novel filled with truth, lies, demons, secrets and family. Uptown, their seventh novel will be available for purchase March 2nd and is sure to be a New York Times bestseller and at the top of many wish lists.

Uptown tells the story of Dwight Dixon, the perfect man for any woman or so she thinks. On first look, Dwight fits the bill. He has an Ivy League education, a beautiful wife and daughter, is a former city councilman and U.S. Congressman and is now making a name for himself in the real estate realm as a power broker and heir of The Dixon Group. What many won't see at first sight is his constant battle to Trump his father's legacy, the self-named King, or his struggle to discontinue living in his father's shadow. Unfortunately, Dwight will do anything to get where he deserves to be, at the top, looking down on the Trumps, the Kennedys and King.

Then there is Dwight's cousin, Ms. Avery Lyons and his former BFF. For those on the outside looking in, Avery appears to have it all together and is living the life. She has no children, no husband and her boyfriend Van plays on her terms. Traveling from continent to continent tending to world peace, Avery also thinks she has it all together but when she returns to New York after 20 years she is forced to face the demons and juggle around with truth, forgiveness and love.

After reading this novel all I can say is, "Ladies (Deberry & Grant) take a bow because you have done it again!" The author never fails to bring "real" issues that "real" people can relate to. They also introduce the world to the "new-Harlem." I appreciate how the author strategically uses Harlem and Manhattan as the setting for Uptown, but unfortunately, they address issues facing so many Americans around the country. Again and again, media outlets cover the stories of so many people that have been hit hard by the recession resulting in foreclosures that force many to bring up the g-word, gentrification. Gentrification usually takes place in downtown and uptown areas in cities throughout the country that were once homes of African Americans and other economically disadvantaged people that can no longer afford to live in their homes. This conversation is continually leading to debates in cities all around the country including Harlem, which is known for its rich African American culture and history that opened doors for authors, musicians and artists.

My favorite character:

My favorite character is Dwight. Yea I know what you are going to think and say after you read this novel, "Why Dwight?" Well I will tell you now. In most cases, I always cheer for the underdog. I like Dwight because like so many of us we are our parent's children. No matter whether we love or hate them we want them to acknowledge and love us and most of all be proud of us. In spite of Dwight wanting to out-do his dad, he wanted his dad's love and acceptance. So no matter what you think of Dwight after you read this novel, he is my favorite character, yep, my guy. I must add, we all have that piece of us that wants to succeed by any means necessary and some of us may even be willing to go to the extremes like he did. The only difference between him, you and me is that his transgressions are in black and white for the world to see and ours are hid away in a little box that we hide when company comes. Ha Ha Ha. :)

[Chevonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I expected. Really good read.

[Efundunke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty friggin amazing like everything else from these authors. Wow.

[Jada Prater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot.

[Lena Achen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional core of Uptown lies in its exploration of loyalty what we owe to our families, our communities, and ourselves. The novel illustrates how these obligations can come into conflict, often without clear resolution. That ambiguity felt realistic and effective.

[Angelika Urner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book excels at portraying moral gray areas. No character is entirely right or wrong, and motivations are layered rather than explained away. I found myself reconsidering my judgments as the story unfolded, which made for a rich reading experience.

[Florian Adler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uptown feels especially relevant in conversations about gentrification and cultural memory. The authors avoid heavy handed commentary, instead embedding these themes naturally within character arcs. The result is a novel that invites reflection rather than instruction.

[Jennifer Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the novel’s strengths is its attention to emotional consequence. Success comes with a cost, and the authors are careful to show how that cost accumulates over time. The characters’ inner conflicts feel as significant as the external pressures they face.

[Sarah Fenstermacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was struck by how Uptown handles the idea of return not as nostalgia, but as confrontation. The past is present in every interaction, shaping expectations and disappointments. This tension gives the story much of its emotional weight

[Cynthia Wellhock · Rating 4 out of 5]

What distinguishes Uptown is its refusal to simplify social change. Progress is shown as both necessary and disruptive, beneficial and harmful. The authors portray this duality through characters who are deeply human, flawed, and driven by competing loyalties.