Book Review: Defeated by Love by Samantha Kane

Title: Defeated by Love
Series: Brothers in Arms, Book 11
Author: Samantha Kane
Genre: Historical Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: Review copy provided by publisher
Published: December 11, 2013 by Ellora’s Cave

Daniel has both dreaded and prayed for the return of the only man he ever loved. But he is reluctant to give his heart again to a man who already deserted him once.

Harry knew that when he returned to England after ten years, Daniel would be angry. But he expected his former lover to be overwhelmed at his return and his declaration of love. He didn’t count on Daniel’s refusal to forgive him.

The desire is still there between them, however, and Harry will use that to break down Daniel’s defenses one scorching encounter at a time. Daniel’s anger slowly melts under Harry’s seductive persuasion. The passion between them explodes, but they must defeat the memory of Harry’s past mistakes to earn a future together.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: This is a well written book of erotica with an attempt at an emotionally intimate relationship that only passably worked for me.

The Set Up: Daniel and Harry served in Portugal during the war when they were volatile lovers. Harry left Daniel but in the ten subsequent years neither has forgotten the other. Daniel is shocked when Harry’s wife shows up saying her life is in danger and Harry told her to run to Daniel for protection. Daniel knows the only way to get rid of Harry’s wife is to find Harry in America but he doesn’t expect Harry to reappear and want to claim Daniel.

Why I Read this Book: I’m a huge historical romance fan and my favorite kind is when it features two men. I’ve also probably eight books in this series and moderately enjoyed them.

What I Liked: I love when one lead publically acknowledges their feelings for the other and pursues their love interest and that’s what Harry does. Harry admits his mistakes but refuses to give up Daniel. Harry wears his emotions on his sleeve for Daniel and I always like this in romances.

What I Also Liked: This author loves writing erotica and I love reading sexy times so it’s all good here. The intimate moments between Daniel and Harry are the focus but this author loves to spice it up with other sexual escapades and does so often here. MM readers who don’t want any MF sex shouldn’t read this as Harry’s wife enjoys another man since she and Harry are an arranged marriage. I never mind this in my “roman-tica” and enjoy it well enough.

What I Didn’t Like: The flip side of all the sexy times is that it comes at the expense of the emotional intimacy between Harry and Daniel. They’re so horny for each other that they rarely have any meaningful conversations before lust overtakes them. Daniel’s forgiveness happens almost entirely off-page and didn’t provide the emotional punch it could have if the author kept the men’s pants on a bit more.

Also, this is book eleven in the series. I’ve read eight (I think) so the other couples or threesomes aren’t total strangers to me but I did have difficulty remembering them all. New readers would likely be totally lost here and should start with book one.

IMO: As a series reader I knew Defeated by Love would be heavy on sex and light on emotional development and I wasn’t surprised. It was enjoyable enough for what it was.

J9’s Rating:

Add to Goodreads  |  Buy on Amazon