Lollipop

Once again dreams are dreamed and love is found. And because it always seems to happen we have our share of drama from family both good and bad. The best part is how these people continue to support one another. And I love the hints of what might be next.

Again, I'm turning to Amy Lane and her wonderful 'Candy Man' series for some sweet, gentle, heartwarming, a little angst, and a beautiful happy ever after story. Believe me, if you knew what I read before this that had me sobbing for hours, you would understand why I need the comfort of Finn, Adam, Rico, and Derek.
\"It wasn’t the religion, because Jews on the whole were pretty damned forgiving—no. It was Martin Kellerman, who gave credence to any idea that allowed him to control the world to his exact specifications. He was the micromanaging monster of every office worker and the thundering bogeyman in every child’s nightmares. He’d been the nightmare of Ezra’s waking life, that was for sure.\"
Poor Ezra. Even though he doesn't get Rico back in the way he wants, he gets something so much better. He gets the chance to figure out who he really is, what he wants for his own life, and the opportunity to think for himself. A freedom Ezra has never experienced before. Poor Miguel. He definitely has middle child syndrome, or just the \"I'm lost in this huge family\" syndrome. He feels like he's been ignored his entire life. Hell, he's even upset that Darrin has never had a dream about him, or seen Miguel in his pixy stix powder. He's frustrated, but also a little fascinated with this new guy and his plight.
Watching Ezra begin to open up was much like seeing a caterpillar turn into a butterfly. He was the youngest child, with an emotionally and mentally abusive father and a disinterested mother. He never really had any friends, and he did as he was told, until it got so bad after Rico left, that he had a breakdown at the office and spent a month in a psychiatric hospital. Now, he's beginning to learn that he has value as a friend, as an employee, as a human being. If only he could get Miguel to see him as something other than a responsibility.
\"There’s nothing special about me,” Ezra said. “I… haven’t earned this place here. I mean, you bring home a stray cat and feed it, you’re not going to love it like one you went out and picked just for you.”
Miguel has been seeing Ezra as something \"not a responsibility\" for a while now. How can he not? Ezra is so earnest, so willing to learn, and he's not jaded, or snobby. Ezra thinks Miguel's big family is awesome, and he's a little in love with Miguel's Mami. What do you expect from a young man who has never been cared about, who has never had people like him just because he's Ezra. So no, it didn't take long for Miguel to fall in love.
Another stunningly gorgeous addition to the series, with a little surprise at the end involving Ezra and his future at Candy Heaven. Ezra and Miguel were so beautiful together, it made my eyes well up a few times. Exactly what I needed tonight! Thank you, Amy, for always giving me perfection.

I do love this series. With each book the characters grow and grow. In Lollipop we have Ezra and Miguel. Ezra comes from a rich, luxurious past. That past however was also loveless, hatred filled, obsessive, and it nearly killed Ezra. He comes to Sacramento in the hopes he can get Rico back. Of course we know Rico is taken and in his quest he falls in love with the other half of himself… Miguel. Miguel gives Ezra the life he deserves and in turn Ezra shows Miguel that he is seen and together they love epically. I adore this book, this series, and Amy Lane has knocked it out of the park (something only Adam could do) Bravo!!