Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Candy Hearts: An LGBTQIA2S+ Charity Anthology Volume 2 (Part 3)
AUTHORS: Anna Sparrows, BA Tortuga, Becca Seymour, Beck Grey, Bix Barrow, BL Maxwell, CD Rachels, Chantal Mer, D.K. Sutton, David Gray, E.M. Denning, Hinsel Meyer, Jem Wendel, Lee Blair, London Price, Marie Sinclair, Merry Farmer, Minerva Howe, Riley Long, Rye Cox, Stella Rainbow, Susan Scott Shelley, Victoria Gillilan, Zoe Lee
PUSLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 1539
RELEASE DATE: February 4, 2025
BLURB:
What’s sweeter than a low angst queer romance at Valentine’s Day? How about twenty-three of them in one anthology to help support a good cause?
Each novella in the Candy Hearts Anthology, volume 2, is overflowing with red-hot romance and all the good feels. This volume is all about wrong numbers—wrong phone numbers, addresses, office numbers, seats, and more. If you enjoy serendipity, then you’ll love this collection.
The Candy Hearts Anthology will be available for a limited time, and all proceeds will benefit the Rainbow Railroad.
The participating authors in this volume are:
Anna Sparrows
BA Tortuga
Becca Seymour
Beck Grey
Bix Barrow
BL Maxwell
CD Rachels
Chantal Mer
D.K. Sutton
David Gray
E.M. Denning
Hinsel Meyer
Jem Wendel
Lee Blair
London Price
Marie Sinclair
Merry Farmer
Minerva Howe
Riley Long
Rye Cox
Stella Rainbow
Susan Scott Shelley
Victoria Gillilan
Zoe Lee
REVIEW:
It Must be Fate by Lee Blair – 4.5 stars
By far one of my favorite stories of this collection. Lex and Garrison meet when Lex delivers a breakup singing telegram – to the wrong guy. Next they meet at a sandwich shop which is another of Lex’s jobs. Then they meet for a third time at an incredibly unexpected and sexy way. Finally they meet one more time while Lex is working another one of his side hustles and they finally decide fate must REALLY want them to spend time together. So they do. Love everything about it. The setting, the characters, the amusing ways they keep getting thrown together, the friends, the sort of opposites attract vibe. Just a super sweet romance that I adored.
Only Want To Be With You by London Price – 4 stars
This is an adorable story of a mistaken letter shared with the wrong neighbor that ends up with true love. Greg and Nico are neighbors in an apartment building San Franciscoand Greg’s best friend/roommate decides to deliver a note that Greg has written but is too shy to share himself. She unfortunately delivers it to the wrong neighbor – but that neighbor is very interested. It’s in the early days of better internet communications and while Greg is studying music, he really love messing with computers and in facts does a bunch of coding to help Nico with the language barrier to getting his driver’s license. There are some bumps and these two young men have some misunderstandings to get through, but they end up with a lovely life together 
Two Wrongs make Mr. Right by Marie Sinclair – 4.5 stars
Well I really enjoyed this one. Dmitri and Morgan meet at a fancy restaurant for a dinner date. Except neither of them was actually there to meet each other. They were both supposed to be on DIFFERENT dates with different men. One was a setup by friends, one was an escort. Oops. There is a real spark there and they both attempt to find the other – without success. Until another chance occasion where they both happen to be at the same time/same place again Loved these two together.
Sugared by Merry Farmer – 4 stars
This story is not all sweetness and light. Leland is a chef who is getting ready for a big deal sold out event. While getting some last minute supplies, he runs into Ean who is down to his last shred of dignity and is hurtling towards despair. He’s been out on the streets since he parents kicked him out for being gay. Leland recognizes the younger brother of one of his friends. And he’s appalled at what has happened to him. He’s had a crush on the young man who he remembers as an artist. Leland is determined to help Ean get back on his feet Ean’s troubles are compounded by his dyslexia that wasn’t addressed either. Ean misreads Leland’s motives and his actions several times. He’s not used to being treated with kindness or as a person with agency so it takes some getting used to.
Calling from the Heart by Minerva Howe – 4 stars
This is a story of Owen and Jeb. Jeb has accursed Owen of cheating, so he left. But he was pregnant and didn’t want to be with someone who didn’t trust him. But of course the cat’s out of the bad so to speak and now Jeb wants Owen back. Owen’s not so sure however. Luckily Jeb sees the error of his ways and he has some help winning Owen back
Misdialed but Meant to Be by Riley Long – 4.5 stars
Cody gets a text from a wrong number asking to take him to lunch in apology. He doesn’t know this Ben, but sure, he’s up for lunch 
They have a fun text conversation and agree to the lunch. But then Ben doesn’t show 
He begs for another chance. They agree to a dinner. Maybe a real date? And they hit it off! They are close in age, single and not looking for games. Hallelujah! Their chemistry and connection is real and this was the best wrong number text ever! Very sweet and swoony and sexy. I really the entire setup/story
RATING: 
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