Lollipop (3) (Candy Man)

Lollipop is the third entry for the Candy Series. It is getting some rather good attention, as her Knitter series does, because it’s an Amy Lane Lite! Now Lite does not mean silly or easy…It means lower on the angst and pain that Ms Lane is well known for. So after the first two books, Candy Man and Bitter Taffy, the reader is now part of an ensemble, a family, all surrounding a quaint olde fashioned Candy Store set on the boardwalk not to far from Sac State. Darrin, the shop owner, is a clairvoyant, dreaming and making pictures on his counter with the dust of a Pixie Stix. He ‘sees’ people who will enter his establishment and that are in great need. He will take them under his wing as he always does. Darrin has a feeling that Adam Macias might be ‘the ‘one’ who will have this gift. When Adam's cousin Rico comes back from NYC broken and in despair, Darrin hands him an apron to work at Candy Heaven. Not to disturb his cousin Adam’s happiness, he sleeps on his own living room couch. They are the Three Amigos, that is until Darrin stirs the pot and introduces him to Derek Hudson. Miguel Rodriguez also is working at Candy Heaven. He fell head over heels for Adam when he entered the store, but Finn Stewart is The One. Miguel did not have a chance. So when Ezra Kellerman (the NYC in the closet son) pulled up at Rico’s door step to win him back months later, Rico had already moved on with Derek. I know you need a score card, but that’s where Miguel comes in. Rico asks Miguel to get Ezra settled on the couch he is leaving because he has found a happy new life with Derek and Ezra has simply nowhere else to go. It takes some time for Ezra to feel part of something, so we are woven into movie nights, ice cream, sweet conversations and baseball games; Disney Land and family that only Amy Lane can give you, that makes your heart swell. Ezra is so broken, I didn’t know if he would make it, but the ‘always the good boy” Miguel keeps by his side… Does Miguel have it in him to be the one? The wonder, and finally the strength of Ezra first broke my heart, then gave me hope. And Darrin has now found who he can share his dreams and Pixy dust with… Great third story. Review by Gloria Lakritz Sr Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild

Sometimes children and parents want and need the same thing. At other times, their desires are totally different. The question is; will you have the strength to strike off on your own and follow your own heart. When you do, you'll be amazed by what comes to you to make your life richer. This is the third book in 'The Candy Man' series. I love how they've meshed so well. Definitely need to be read in order.

Amy Lane writes romances that do not follow the generic mold. First off, her characters are individuals in their own right. A lot of times other author's turn the characters into adolescents with penises and a sex drive. Adolescent girls or boys, doesn't matter. Amy Lane's characters act age appropriate. They have edges and harshness and softness. They're people, and that makes them interesting. She also believes in dialogue. Smart, sharp, funny, dark, cruel, loving. Dialogue and character interaction. Anyway, this was a good story. It was told extremely well and populated with a lot of interesting characters.

So glad I read this series! And so glad I read them in order (something I don't usually do). This series is definitely that, even though each book has it's own HEA. I'm happy to have seen where the other couples are in their lives, and it really helps flesh out the story to see what is happening with each couple. I don't see this book as a "re-tread", far from it! Each of these books has me laughing out loud, if not at the characters, then at the animals! Thanks Amy, I am so looking forward to the next book (with Cy)!

This is a continuation of the Candy Man series. This story starts when Ezra travels from New York to California to see if he still has a chance with Rico. As we know, if you read the previous book, that he does not. This book is Ezra's story and a great one it is! I recommend that you read the books in order to get the full benefit of the stories.

Amy "Angst" Lane writes a sweet book :)

Amy-azing! Might be my fav of the three, although could totally be read as stand alone. Great read- MC was no whiney complainer about his situation, which he totally could have been. Showed growth, strength, compassion, weakness and more -all around loved it.

Wonderfully written story and my favorite in this series. Amy Lane is a master at taking a fairly simple story and infusing it with delightful characters. I hated to see it end but am looking forward to book 4 in this series.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, boy, that Ms Lane sure can write. This is one of my favourite series and the books just keep getting better ( although the gloriously vulnerable Adam and beautiful Finn, will always be dearest in my heart 😍). I'm not going into detail about the plot. Read the blurb. I don't want to spoil it for you. This is Ezra and Miguel's book. It picks up directly where 'Bitter Taffy,' the second book, ended. Poor Ezra has been broken by his bully and bigot of a father, he's touch and just all round affection starved, he hasn't got a clue about what it means to be liked for himself and is strangely artless. Miguel comes from a big robust family and he's always felt that nobody sees him, that he's just not that special. Ezra comes to Sacramento and is taken under the wing of Adam, Finn and Darrin. Darrin employs Ezra at his shop, Candy Heaven and is handed over to Miguel, so that he can learn the ropes. Ezra and Miguel do get together, but not before they become friends, and mended. I loved the slow burn between these two, as it developed so did the characters of Ezra and Miguel grow, and when they do finally come together, it's hot. Who'd a thought Miguel would be so possessive? Phew! 😨 This is a lovely read, typical Amy Lane, there is some angst, but, even though it makes you sad, you know there's gonna be a happy ending, because it's a 'yellow' book. It has everything, a little heart break, great characters, amazing friendships, fantastic families, ( both blood and not blood), enduring love, hot sex that moves the story on and drama (damn, that ending!) Amy Lane all over. In my eyes Ms Lane can do no wrong. She is definitely up there among the best writers of this genre. Her books are always meticulously written, the stories and the character growth is amazing ( I cheered when Ezra stood up to his bullying dad). This book is no different. I personally don't think that it can be read as a standalone, too much from the previous two books is relevant to this one. And it's lovely to read how they're all getting on, Adam and Finn, Rico and Derek (they're sweeties), Darrin, Clopper, Jake, and the rest of the Candy Heaven crew. You really need to read the whole series, I can't wait for the next one already, there's going to be fireworks. Poor Adam, how's he going to deal with an uber griping, grumpy and green eyed Finn? Go get the first in the series now, you won't be disappointed. 5+*s 😁

I am loving the Candy Man series. Every one so far has the feel good factor and are good to go to when you're feeling a bit down

Great book been looking forward to Ezra's story and I loved it can't wait for the next installment in the series x