bitter taffyRating: 4.75 stars
Buy Link:
Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novel


Brokenhearted, Rico Gonzalves-Macias returns home to Sacramento from what he thought would be his dream internship in New York City. Early. To the apartment he’d offered to his cousin, Adam. Rico is at a standstill—or wants to be. He’s not sure where his life is going now that he’s come clean to himself and to his cousin that he is gay. As much as Rico wants to wallow in the sadness and rejection of his first love, he’s not able to. He has an interview. That’s when he meets Derek Huston.

Derek is confident and passionate and everything seems to break down Rico’s well-constructed walls. He’s also patient. The day that Derek hires Rico, he makes it clear that he’ll wait as much time as it takes for Rico’s heart to be healed up and ready for him. In the meantime Derek becomes is boss and closest friend.

For Rico, giving into what his heart wants means meeting Derek’s family, falling in love, and facing down an angry mob of Mexican females (aka his family). But faced with it all, Rico finds out what it means to have a man by his side instead of one who runs from his feelings.

Bitter Taffy is the second book in the Candy Man series by Amy Lane.

You guys! This book is all that the title promises—delicious and sweet. It’s a balm for the soul and the perfect read for just about any day. I loved the heck out of this book. In the words of Amy, it’s “Amy Lane Lite.” The angst level is pretty much non-existent.

We met Rico briefly in Candy Man when Adam called to wish him a Merry Christmas and discovered he and his only family had more in common than he realized. I have been waiting since that moment for Rico’s story and this book so delivered. Rico’s journey is one of finding his footing. He’s just figuring out who he is and what he wants at the beginning of the book. It takes his Adam and Finn (Adam’s boyfriend) and Derek to show him what he can have. And while he’s brokenhearted, he’s not downtrodden. Rico knows what he wants, he’s just not sure how to get it. In steps Derek.

I am head over heels in love with Derek. Not only is the man strong and powerful in his own right, but he’s got this heart of gold that shines on everyone near him. He’s incredibly patient and… good. Along with Adam and Finn, Derek shows Rico what family means (even though Adam is still learning himself). I love their relationship. How a tentative friendship and attraction turns into so much more. It makes them stronger and more complete. Better able to handle the hurdles they come against.

The story in itself is lovely and about the lengths we’ll go to for those we love. No matter what. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Adam and Finn and Finn’s family once again. They always make a room brighter.

As a whole, Bitter Taffy is a winner in my book. It’s sweet and sexy and charming all wrapped up in fuzzy, warm feelings. I can hardly wait for Ezra and Miguel’s story. I highly recommend it.

A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.

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