Lollipop (3) (Candy Man)

Okay, so I've struggled with whether to review this book or not. I don't like writing bad reviews and usually if I have a problem with a book, I vent to the book club or friends about how awful a book is. The reason I write this review is that there are so many good reviews and I just want to throw my hat in the ring on why it did not work for me. In addition, I have read all three books in this series so far. So this review may contain spoilers, forewarned etc.First major problem with this book is that it is basically a retread of the first two books, meaning that it is basically the same book with different character names and different character "problems". It really felt to me that the author was just dialing this book in, that she took the plot lines from the prior two books, changed some situations and names, then sent it to the editor and it was passed with flying colors. I don't necessarily have a problem with an author doing something like that, but I guess maybe I expect more from this author. I have read books written by her that are amazing and wonderful and well thought out. This book did not feel like that, it really felt like she wrote it while on carpool to pick up the kids from school or soccer or something like that. One example of this is that ALL THREE books in this series had this major scene in the end of each book between homophobic family members with one of the romantic interests where the homophobic family members drive or fly into Sacramento from long distances in order to "confront the gay male making bad choices, going to Hell, etc" which is really odd. Why would all three books have to have a big confrontation scene, why would Ezra's dad and brother fly from New York City to confront him in Sacramento which is exactly what happened in each of the first two books. That's a really odd thing to occur in each book and seems extremely unlikely.The other problem I had is the Ezra has a business degree from a major university, but in this confrontation with his dad, he hands his dad over a huge cashier's check to pay for his university that his parents had paid for him. Why why why? That seems like it wasn't thought out and as another reviewer said, why not donate it to charity to help homeless LGBT kids or some other charity, why not invest in Miguel's business prospects, buy a house? Why did Ezra think that paying off his dad would get his dad to accept him as a gay man or even just make his dad leave him alone? I would suggest to Ezra to file a restraining order instead of paying his dad a bunch of money. I think the author was trying to say that Ezra has Miguel now, he doesn't need money since he now "knows real love" but still, really? Ezra presumably worked hard at his father's business and earned whatever money was in his bank account and he didn't owe his father anything. Also, how is it that Ezra had never swam in a creek, river, lake or ocean prior to staying in Sacramento? I thought New York State had access to lots of rivers and lakes?I could go on and on about the whole "Papi" thing as a nickname, or that Miguel & Ezra swapped the religious icon necklaces (Ezra's was a Star of David, Miguel's was the cross and yeah, they just swapped them as a symbol of their love), or Miguel's sister letting her brother and Ezra take her three kids to Disneyland for three days when she is 8 1/2 months pregnant (why didn't she have a housekeeper to help her out?), but I think the third thing that I had the biggest problem with is the housing situation. There is no way that a landlord is so stupid as to not realize that the original lease holder on the apartment (Rico) was subletting the unit to Adam, that Adam had Finn move in when they got together (in Candy Man), that Rico moved back in and was sleeping on the couch (Bitter Taffy), then Rico moved out (after the confrontation with his family) and then Ezra moved in. It's a one bedroom apartment. There is no way that a landlord didn't see that if they evicted the guy upstairs for weapon stockpiling or whatever the author called it. I've worked in leasing apartments for 12 years, we do periodic inspections and every lease I've seen has a no sub-leasing clause in it. I just can't see how three men could reasonably live in a one bedroom apartment with one bath and the whole neighborhood wouldn't be telling the landlord about the problems of having too many people in the unit (trust me, tenants gossip about everything and we hear it all whether we want to or not) especially when there are homophobic family members ranting and raving on the front step for all the neighbors to hear it.So, overall, this was a very disappointing read for me by this author. I would suggest that someone looking to read Amy Lane read Gambling Men, The Locker Room, Clear Water or Keeping Promise Rock series, Grambling Knitters series, Winter Ball, those are all winners by her. This one was rushed and felt like it's been written before and did not live up to what I was expecting.

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.

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.

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 😁

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

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