Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Candy Hearts: An LGBTQIA2S+ Charity Anthology Volume 2 (Part 4)
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:
All I Want Is You by Rye Cox – 4 stars
Kevin gets a singing telegram the day after a rousing birthday party for his bestie. He totally misreads the situation because Lance, one of his bestie’s frat brothers that he has a crush on is the one delivering the invitation to be his Valentine. Except it wasn’t from him and it’s the wrong room 
But it turns out there has been a mutual crushing going on, so alls well that ends well 
They are adorable and Lance’s buddies (including Kevin’s bestie) come through to help him as well.
My Demon Keeper by Stella Rainbow – 4 stars
Matthew is in a bad spot. His ex has done a number on him and his bank account. He begs via text for an extension on his rent. But he hasn’t texted his landlord. He’s texted a demon who is more than a little curious. Ten the demon finds Matthew and takes care of the rent situation. He feels like this is his mate and he can’t let it go and so he follows the human He asks Matthew out and they really click. But there’s just one little thing – Matthew doesn’t know about demons and Ten has to share sooner rather than later. Especially since they are mates. This leads to a very special valentine’s day. There is a cute demon dog too!
Smitten by Susan Scott Shelly and Chantal Mer – 4.5 stars
Casimir is out delivering cookies to one Mr. Tall Dark & Handsome and when he’s on his way out of the building he gets a text that the address was wrong apartment number. He goes back to get them and Blaze is already eating them He’s able to have another delivery made so Blaze gets to keep what turns out to be an early birthday gift 
Blaze and Casimir hit it off and it turns out they have friends in common It’s a super cute story with a lot of crossover from another series.
Five Little Numbers by Victoria Gillian – 3.5 stars
Maverick is a SWAT guy and he ends up taking a roommate. Evander, said roommate, happens to be a childhood friend. Who had a secret crush on Maverick all along. This one felt very rushed and a bit choppy.
The Wrong Henry by Zoe Lee – 4.5
Rozen is a bit drunk and he accidentally calls his coworker for a ride home. Henry thinks it’s a bit bizarre to get a call from Rozen since there are exactly friends. Henry finds the whole situation hilarious since Rozen is usually pretty polished, so a tipsy Rozen is like catnip to him Their Valentine’s evening is certainly not what anyone expected but it’s very entertaining. Their banter and sniping is VERY funny and I laughed out loud several times. It was one of my favorite unexpected pairings
Overall, I would recommend this anthology. There are some crossovers or shoutouts to other series from some of the authors, but for the most part, I didn’t mind it even though I haven’t read a lot of those series yet. Each story is a nice respite from the current craziness!
RATING: 
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