Eye Candy

Candy #3

by Amanda Young

Previous Man LGBT Erotic ContemporaryLove is a fool's game Jake Remora has no intention of ever playing again. He works hard, plays even harder, and leaves a string of easy lovers in his wake. Having his first lover move home and resurrect long-dormant emotions is the last thing he ever expected...or wanted.Just as things reignite between the lovers, a new scandal of sexual impropriety arises. Past and present collide in a clash of rumor and speculation, jeopardizing any hope of a shared future the two men might hope to build.Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, dubious consent, male/male sexual practices.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Gay, M M Contemporary, Friends To Lovers

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

A bestselling author of erotic romance, Amanda Young penned her first romance at eighteen. That novel was promptly deleted before it could traumatize innocent readers. After several years of honing her craft, Amanda went on to receive her first publishing contract in 2006.

A vivid imagination and a passion for all the things that go bump in the night has led Amanda to create provocative stories that push boundaries and dare readers to expand their comfort zones. Since she tends to write whatever strikes her fancy, her novels fall into many different subgenres. Among her available titles you’ll find contemporary and paranormal settings, gay and straight themes alike.

Amanda Young lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and two pampered pooches. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found chasing after a mischievous toddler or daydreaming about the characters in her next book. She loves to hear from her readers, and can be found on Facebook and Twitter. Her website, www.amandayoung.org, is where you can find up-to-date information on all of Amanda’s current and upcoming releases.

Reviews

[Daisiemae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Young is one of my favorite authors. As soon as she releases a book, I immediately buy it. Her characters are always well written, likable and oh so sexy.

Jake Ramora has a reputation of for being a bad boy. His love 'em and leave 'em attitude has been the crutch he has needed to keep the wall he has carefully built around his heart intact. Even with his careless attitude and flirty ways he is is obvious he is keeping a deep buried hurt and betrayal that he can't seem to get over. Just when things seem to be going his way professionally, he runs into his teenaged first love and best friend Kane Sharp moves back into town, Jake is faced with dealing with his demons and past betrayal.

Kane Sharp knows he must right the wrongs he has put upon Jake. He knew when he ran into Jake again, that the old feelings and attraction he and Jake had for one another would blossom again. He hopes that Jake will not only stop running from the past, but be able to find forgiveness in his heart.

I don't want to give up too much on the storyline. You will definately understand why Jake is so hurt and afraid to let anyone into his heart again. On the other hand, it is also easy to understand Kane's side of the story. Often when we are young we make many mistakes and wrong decisions. Even when we are deeply in love sometimes our own self-preservation comes first even if it hurts the one we love the most.

This series was wonderful! I encourage anyone who loves a well written sexy romance to read it. It would be a great way to get into the M/M romance-erotic genre. It starts out with Man Candy...which is Jake's twin brother, Logan, and Aaron's relationship. There is also a short novella called Candy Man which gives a funny and sexy look into Logan and Aaron's relationship at Halloween.

I loved this book and can't recommend these books any higher if you are looking for a great series romance.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this book. Between the interesting storyline and Jake...who I thought was VERY sexy, I hated for it to end!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Ah, Jake, the flirt ... it's nice to read his story. It starts with literally him going at it with a younger guy. Then the story unfolds on the reason why he doesn't seem want to be involve with a commitment. Then the one who broke his heart returns to town and Jake is in turmoil.

While I enjoy the story, I sort of think the ending is a bit abrupt -- which left me a bit unsatisfied. I think there are so much more between Jake and Kane that can be explored. Still, I enjoy Amanda Young's writing. The sex is hot. And boy, Brock, Kane's kid, is pretty cute in trying to matchmaking his Dad and Jake *g*

[clear skies · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this a long time and had a little re-read.

I enjoyed it for what it was, just some harmless fun.

Though the whole you said I raped you vs. I was young thing was a tad alarming and not well dealt with and the fact it's all brushed under the carpet in 70 pages.

But it 2008 kids and we were so young.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story. It felt a little short in one of those "I'd-love-to-see-more-of-these-characters" way. I definitely liked the kid, but the main character Jake... I liked him, I felt for him, but I don't think he made as much of an impression as the characters from his brother's story did.

[Ebook Addict Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book I cried a bit, laughed a little and got angry a lot!!

And for those that want to know the sex was HOT!! A true Amanda Young ertoic romance.

Amanda did it again with this book it will be another one of those books I enjoy reading again and again!!

Theresa

[Ro · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first read this years ago I liked it. I liked Jake in man candy so was happy to see him get his story. On reread though, the whole betrayal and lies told by Jane were not forgivable. I don't care you were young. So was Jake and he had to love with the fall out of your lie.

[blub · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short but well-written clearly laid out novel of high school lovers that separated tragically and reunited later in life. The story seemed short but I don’t think it could’ve been put together any better. All the scenes and dialogue worked seamlessly and gave the reader enough details to build a sense of intimacy with the reader whilst at the same time holding the reader thirsty for more.

Jake is the top who is jaded by the trauma he was put through when they separated in high school. Kane is hoping to reunite the relationship he has never forgotten. Brock is Kane’s son who plays a pivotal role in setting up situation(s) to bring the two lovers back together. Jimmy plays a pivotal role in helping Jake realize that Kane is more than willing to stand up for Jake and in such, eliminating the last doubts that Jake has about getting back together with Kane.

I love the turn of jaded man-whore and learning the depth of Jake’s character despite his one-night stand ways and then turning to seeing a man who is wearing armor to protect his tender romantic heart. Kane is the stalwart gentleman who made a mistake(s) as a scared teenager and who has grown up to be an admirable responsible handsome man.

The love scenes are steamy and tinged with an air of sensuality and rosy je-ne-sais-quoi that just makes the reader’s heart go squee. Logan and Aaron are cute supporting characters and the dialogue between them makes Jake’s initially jaded adult heart yearn for what he has lost.

A free copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story features Jake, Logan’s twin brother, from Man Candy. Hurt by his ex-boyfriend he has become a player and doesn’t believe in love anymore. Then Kane comes back, with his son, to open the old pizza place in town.
It is a short story, so the pace is fast, but it never felt rushed. The writing is flowing and smooth and kept me turning the pages. The characters are well developed. The chemistry between Jake and Kane is off the charts. Even though Jake doesn’t trust Kane he can’t deny the attraction that has never gone away. Seeing Kane again Jake realizes what is really important in his life and he drops his mask to let Kane see the real him. There is some drama that has ties to the past but now the guys do stand up for each other.
I loved the role Brock, Kane’s son, played in bringing them together, although I would have liked to read some more about his opinion.
Aaron and Logan had a prominent role in the story, which was like meeting old friends again.
This is the third book in the Candy Man series by can be read as a standalone. There are recurring characters, so for a better understanding, I recommend reading the books in order.
All in all a sweet short story that is definitely worth reading.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!! We get Jake's story. I was so happy to see his story was next and it did not disappoint. Of course it would have more drama and miscommunication then Candy Man did because it's Jake. He's much more forceful and outgoing than Logan. Plus, Kane and him have major issues to work out. Now I want Jimmy's story. I am so worried about him and I really don't like Sam all that much. I don't know if that old dog can learn new tricks as mean and ugly as he is. I was given the privilege and opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Now I'm back to chomping at the bit waiting for the next one. Amanda Young always leaves me wanting the next as soon as I turn that last page.

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!! We get Jake's story. I was so happy to see his story was next and it did not disappoint. Of course it would have more drama and miscommunication then Candy Man did because it's Jake. He's much more forceful and outgoing than Logan. Plus, Kane and him have major issues to work out. Now I want Jimmy's story. I am so worried about him and I really don't like Sam all that much. I don't know if that old dog can learn new tricks as mean and ugly as he is. I was given the privilege and opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Now I'm back to chomping at the bit waiting for the next one. Amanda Young always leaves me wanting the next as soon as I turn that last page.

[Kendra T · Rating 3 out of 5]

This worked out a little too easy for me. Jake had a lot of difficult stuff from his past with relation to his ex, Kane, and to see forgiveness so quickly after being truly affected and traumatized to where. I appreciated that Jake found happiness, but it didn't feel right. Especially after the "drama at the end". I didn't mind the writing and characters overall, but it fell short for me.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed most of this story. Bitter man reunited with lover who betrayed and abandoned him.
Even in my skimming I noticed a few typos. You move past someone, not "passed" (two instances). Also, it should be "rumors about him and Kane," not "he and Kane."

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

This was a quick and fairly interesting read. Twenty years a situation arose that destroyed a friendship. Both Jake and Kane lives were affected by this incident! Now Kane is back what will happen next!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Jake and Kane's story. Wonderful ending for these first lovers.

[Jaimed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

This isn't a bad story, but we get only a couple scenes with the main characters and none are once they are together.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Good second chance small town romance. Short and Sweet with just enough angst to make you want that happily ever after

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting too much since the previous story was interesting. This one, not too much. And it's not because it's short, it's actually longer than Man Candy. So no excuses.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This was an interesting story, I enjoyed it but it didn’t quite work that well for me. Jake is humiliated and made a pariah when his first boyfriend’s family quickly leaves town while they are in high school. At the same time Kane’s life is made into its own hell by his parents and the quickly added responsibility of his son.

This story is told from Jake’s point of view and he has done everything he can to not get romantically entangled with anyone since Kane left town and is bound and determined to avoid his ex too, however he doesn’t do a very good job of it. I understood his anger and feelings towards Kane but never thought to think about what may have happened to Kane all those years ago. I had some trouble with Kane’s actions after his family moved, I can’t stand when guys try to act straight and then sleep with as many girls as possible.

I will say I loved that he took responsibility for his son and raised him but a lot of that seemed to go back to his parents and he never seemed to move on from what their viewpoints were. Jake just seemed too self-absorbed for me while Kane just didn’t seem to have much of a backbone. In the end I didn’t feel as if they really worked towards a resolution together.

The cover art by Amanda Young is a nice and follows the pattern for the series.

[Shin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kind of excited to be getting a story about Logan's twin brother that we met in Man Candy but the end result was sort of disappointing a little. While it was nice to hear about Jake's past and what made him the way he is now, it was too short and there wasn't really much development. I don't know but I sorta found Jake boring this time around compared to in Man Candy.
His ex-lover and first love, Kane, from high school comes back to town and makes Jake remember his past. Jake was in love with his best friend before and their relationship evolved over time into something more until his friend's mom caught them naked together. Kane got scared of being cast out in the street and told his parents that Jake forced him. They moved away shortly after leaving Jake behind with all the rumors and shit. Naturally this is the big event in Jake's life that made him swear off love and things only get more complicated when Kane comes back in his life with a fully grown son. They have much to resolve between them and forgive and forget is much easier said than done.
As shocking as it is to hear me say this, I think it would have been more exciting if Jake had reversed position with Kane. Especially since the usually confident Jake comes unravelled in Kane's presence. Also after a few interactions with Kane's son, he seems to suddenly disappear. I would have liked to see more of him and his take on his father's renewed relationship with Jake. It felt like the story ended just when everything was sorting itself out and left many things loose. All in all tho, it was still good and the mystery of Jake's past made up some for the shorter read~

[Elisa Rolle]

What happens when the villain of a story becomes the main character of another story?

Actually Jake is not a very villain, but he is for sure a bad boy; in Man Candy he is the bad twin, the one who searches only easy sex without commitment, and instead his twin brother Logan is the one who conquers and wins Aaron's heart.

Now in Eye Candy we have the chance to know some of the reasons behind Jake's behaviour, how he was betrayed by his first and young lover Kane when he was sixteen years old, and how he has chosen long ago to give up to love, preferring heartless sex. But now Kane is back in town, and all the old feelings are still there. Only that Jake has spent too many year behaving like a don juan, and Kane is not willing to accept a quick fuck, he wants all or nothing.

It's strange to see how Kane, who was the first to do wrong, now arrogates himself the right to judge Jake's behaviour. But it is also tender to see Kane's son, tries to matchmake his dad with his first love, giving Jake all the reasons to prove that Kane has loved only Jake in all those years.

Eye Candy is a simple and smooth book, enjoyable and with a good mix of sweet and sex. Maybe the end arrives a bit in a hurry, I'd like to read a bit more on Jake and Kane re-blossoming relationship, and also Jake interactions with Brock, Kane's son. Maybe Amanda Young shold think to write more on these two characters.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1448614120/?...

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eye Candy is another well written and plotted contemporary gay romance by Amanda Young, which follows Jake, a great secondary character we first met in Man Candy. I admit I liked Jake when he was first introduced, wanting him to find the love that his brother Logan and his partner Aaron had found. In this book, Ms. Young shows us what shaped Jake into a man willing to make due with superficial physical gratification instead of pursuing a meaningful relationship. It was a discovery of his past betrayal by his boyfriend which was a totally out in left field twist that I didn’t see coming, which makes it all the more appreciated.

The story is an intense and poignant rollercoaster as Jake and Kane struggle to re-new their relationship after so many years apart. The dialogue is well done, the emotions high, and the sex blistering hot and sensual. It’s a true story of second chances…of love the second time around, and Jake has serious trust issues which make this all the more difficult for him.
These two men have a deep seeded emotional attachment that the years apart haven’t been able to diminish. Watching Jake and Kane comes to grips with their past hurts, while mixing in tenderness, passion and expectation for the future, makes for a great afternoon read.

[Don Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake is a mess when his first love, Kane, moves back to town along with his son. Their history is murky at best until Kane's son tells Jake a few truths about his father. I liked this short, sweet novella. The pacing and the characters were well done. Kane was hot in my mind. Well worth the time. Nice HEA.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story about a playboy meeting up with the man who broke his heart when they were high school friends. Sweet with a touch of angst and some hot sex too. It was also nice to catch up with Logan and Aaron from Man Candy.

[Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake knows that something is missing in his life, but when his first love returns, it's difficult to get over his hurt an betrayal. This was a wonderful sequel to Man Candy. If you want a good m/m romance, then I'd definitely suggest you read this novella.

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3*
I liked the first book in this series better, this one's nice, but it ended abruptly,and Jake and Kane's issues were solved too easily for my taste.

[TT · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok book, not sure Jake was all that liable. A story that could have been good if better fleshed out, but a decent read overall.

[Nakristianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!!!

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Amanda Young's stories and Eye Candy is definitely no exception! We first met Jake in the first book in this series, Man Candy. He's been hurt very badly in the past and accused of things he didn't do as a teen and now the accuser is back in town. Can he forgive Kane? You'll have to read the story to find out! I received an advance reader's copy of this book, but I also purchased it.