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Brothers in Arms #11

Defeated by Love

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Book 11 in the Brothers in Arms series

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.

A Romantica® Regency historical male/male erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

19 people are currently reading
327 people want to read

About the author

Samantha Kane

54 books766 followers
Samantha Kane lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children, two boys and one girl. With a master’s degree in American history, she spent seven years as a high school history teacher before becoming a full-time writer and mom.

Series:
THE BIRMINGHAM REBELS
BROTHERS IN ARMS
THE SAINT'S DEVILS
THE 93RD HIGHLANDERS
MERCURY RISING

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5 stars
141 (39%)
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131 (36%)
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66 (18%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for SJ.
2,019 reviews32 followers
July 6, 2024
A historical romance that sizzles! I haven’t read a menagé book by the author in a while and saw that this was an MM, not an MMF.
There are two stories in this one, intertwined, but separate.
Heartbroken Daniel has been left ten years ago by younger man Harry practically on the battlefield after a weeks long incendiary relationship while in the military.
Daniel has been sleeping his way through London and the first chapter has sparkling dialogue and witty remarks as he is getting rid of a one night stand who won’t go. Daniel’s old friend, Simon, wanders in as he does throughout the book, just making himself at home and helping to move the twink along and out of the house. This was all pretty amusing. This sort of madcap pace continues when a very pretty and heavily pregnant woman comes to Daniel’s door. It is Harry’s estranged wife for whom he left the military to wed, bed, and politely dump and then disappears to America for ten years and is still gone.
I felt for Daniel who can’t even say Harry’s name and now here is his estranged wife asking for help.
Daniel is a cool guy who keeps his equanimity through all of this.
He has an older lover, Barnabas, who practically runs the Home Office and keeps tabs on every move Daniel makes, and as it turns out, was the one who made Harry give up his commission and leave Daniel all those years before. Barnabas sounds hissable, but he’s not. He is a super interesting and hot character. I stopped reading to check if he gets his own book and he does.
This is a great series that I have read a few of. The heat factor in these MMF relationships is scorching. There is a budding relationship between Simon, pregnant Christy, and Robert, a constable friend of Daniel’s who helps to save Christy from Harry’s horrible relatives when Daniel sends her on her way from his house. Christy stays and practically becomes a part of the household. Her scenes with Simon are hot. They, and Robert, get their own book later in the series and it is one that I have previously read and reviewed.
The author is one of the solid romance writers who delivers a very well written story with each imaginative book. This one was no exception. I was invested in the present day characters and was almost startled when Harry shows up, battered, but not broken, and wanting Daniel back.
A very good story with excellent dialogue for each distinct character. Even the servants are well written. I liked anti-hero Barnabas very much. The heat factor in the book was superb.
15 reviews4 followers
January 5, 2014
After reading all of the "Brother's in Arms" Series by Samantha Kane, I have anxiously awaiting Daniel's story, and, as usual, Ms. Kane did not disappoint. Daniel and Harry had previous met and became lovers during the war, but after what Daniel felt as a betrayal, they went their separate ways and do not meet up again for ten years. Loved the interaction between all the characters, especially Simon (whom I hope has his own story coming soon) and Christy. James was kind of a surprise after reading the prequel to this book ("Love Betrayed") and I ended up even liking him and would like to see him get his HEA, too. Daniel was such a troubled soul that I couldn't help but feel his torment, and, even though I was a little bit put out by Harry's deception in the prequel, I became his biggest champion in this book. Loved the banter between him and Daniel and Simon, and felt he really cared for Christy, even after deserting her for ten years. The love scenes between Daniel and Harry are very steamy and hot, so if you are not really into the M/M interaction, then this book definitely isn't for you. I also enjoyed meeting up with the characters from the previous Brothers books and catching up on their lives. Can't wait for more from Ms. Kane
Profile Image for Kassa.
1,117 reviews112 followers
April 22, 2014
It’s been years since I’ve read a Samantha Kane book but I vaguely remember enjoying her Brothers in Arms series. However, to be fair, I only read the first four books and remember absolutely nothing from them, except they were m/f/m threesome books. Oh and reading her books made me long for m/m only instead of the predictable female that was always interesting but pretty much the same. So I chose this Kane book because it’s advertised as m/m and I knew the writing would be good. The book is indeed well written as expected and has some interesting twists to keep the action moving. However, the focus is on the erotica between the main couple – Daniel and Harry – and a secondary couple – Christy and Simon. Because of that I didn’t really care about either couple very much but enjoyed the author’s writing and sense of humor anyway.

The main thrust of the story is that Christy, Harry’s wife, shows up on Daniel’s doorstep pregnant and needing help. Harry abandoned his wife ten years ago and fled to America in search of adventure. In the meantime Christy has tried to live quietly but eventually she got too horny and screwed a coachman, ending up pregnant. Since Harry left Daniel to marry Christy, Daniel has nursed a pretty substantial grudge and wants nothing to do with any of it. Daniel’s best friend Simon is happy enough to screw Christy but due to his own fears of his past, he won’t actually marry her or claim her.

It’s pretty convoluted but not confusing. I could follow the plot easily enough, even with all the seemingly unnecessary added twists and details. Admittedly I haven’t read the previous book with Daniel and Harry and remembered nothing of the previous couples that crop up in overbearing and obnoxious ways so no doubt my enjoyment is tempered by those facts. Long time readers of the series may enjoy these inclusions considerably more. I found the story easy enough to read as a stand alone but perhaps not as enjoyable or entertaining as I would have if I followed the series.

Which may play into the fact that I never connected with the two main couples of the story. I liked all four characters and felt they had enough depth and interest to carry my attention but I never really cared what happened to any of them. I could understand and even empathize with Daniel’s hurt feelings but he goes from hatred to love in the blink of an eye, forgiving Harry easily because his friend told him to. I’m not against the forgiveness, it had to happen for a happy ending, but it was emotionally unfulfilling since someone tells him to do it and he does. It has no real weight and meaning since any emotional turmoil he must go through happens off page. In fact the scenes between Harry and Daniel mostly center upon their chemistry and the sex they have as soon as Harry returns. The erotica is well written and steamy but lacks an emotional impact that made me care whether these two were in love beyond the physicality.

Likewise the inclusion of Simon and Christy’s storyline felt much the same. They have an intense chemistry, and even a graphic sex scene, but no real emotional connection. There’s only one scene where I realized they could even have emotions towards each other – the one where Christy admits she can only be herself with Simon – otherwise I thought it was merely a sexual fling between two overly horny adults. It’s an interesting enough side plot but not one I cared much about nor was it needed to further the main part of the story.

Overall I enjoyed reading Defeated in Love but not enough that I would want to read either previous books in the series or any more to come. Kane is a very good writer and the subtle sense of humor that she deploys in books is perhaps one of the best, if not the best, attributes to her stories. Her characters are always well developed in complex ways with easy to follow, if complicated, plot lines. I’m sure fans of the series will enjoy the interconnected nature of the books more than those random readers like me. In the end I’d recommend this more to fans of the author and series as it remains a well written and enjoyable but unsatisfying romance read for me.
Profile Image for Bewitch_me_please.
55 reviews
March 29, 2021
This is the second part of Daniel's love story and it sets up Simon, Robert and Christy's Mission to Love story.
It's now present time again and Daniel is living half a life still pining for Harry, but determined to ignore his love for the man. Sir Barnabas is his lover, though Barnabas seems to have a lot going on and it feels like he's just trying to keep Daniel happy. Sir Barnabas is still bandied around as this vicious and horrible human among Daniel's friends, we get to see more glimpses into the insight of Sir Barnabas and it is heartbreaking to see how misunderstood he is.
Daniel gets an unexpected visitor, Harry's pregnant wife who's in trouble. Daniel has to protect her, along with Simon, who can't keep his hands off her and Robert, the constable who saves her, and is also in love with her.
Harry finally comes back, bruised and missing an eye to claim Daniel and finds his wife under Daniel's care. Besides all the angst, sex between Harry and Daniel, there is a lot of busybody interfering, especially by Very. Not really a fan of her, even though Ms. Kane tries to build her up and her character etc, she just feels like a bully, superficial and still all around bratty. Very organises a dinner to get Daniel to choose between Harry and Barnabas and tries to force Daniel with Barnabas, even though she doesn't like him, nor does Wolf.
There really is not much of a choice for Daniel though, since Harry is the man for him. Barnabas comes in to save the day again for Daniel and Harry and moves on and it's still so heartbreakingly unfair for him.
This story shows a naturalness, even with some put upon situations, that the rest of this series with the unconventional relationships stumbles through. Or perhaps this could just be wishful thinking, however, there was more in the plot, more in the relationship between the same sex couples than the threesomes seen in this series.

Read this for:
Daniel and Harry
Lots of fun conversations filled with wit, sarcasm and humour
Out of character Sir Barnabas
Poor Barnabas
Interfering secondary characters
Harry and his seducing and wooing
Simon and Christy's wooing
The angst in Christy's pregnant drama
Barnabas to the rescue again
Profile Image for Yomi Mi Ri.
1,181 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2020
Me agradó bastante, hay mucho drama, que casi me tenía llorando, hay romance, que también me apachurró el corazón y casi me hace llorar, y hay acción, lo que no me extraña en estos libros porque están ambientados después de la guerra en los 1800, la mayoría son soldados y tienen cosas pendientes, en fin, que me ha agrado volver a encontrarme con estos personajes aunque no entiendo por qué se hicieron dos libros, y ver lo que fue de ellos luego del doloroso final del anterior, y me agradó.
Profile Image for starsaga.
772 reviews8 followers
January 30, 2014
3.5 stars, something was missing from this story.
I liked this book better than the previous one. But, something was missing for me, I think it was that the buildup in this book was too slow and I can't imagine why it was this way. I love this author's voice, the cadence of her humour mixed with raunchy erotica is excellent and I could not care less for the historical details if I can stay in this world she created, but I think I needed more from this book, more Daniel and Harry that is. I did not like that almost the minute they settled things between them, the book was over. Also odd about this book was that Daniel almost seemed like a spectator to his own life and he had to wait for Harry to return to his life, which happened halfway through the story, to start picking up the pieces and start living, yet he kept pushing Harry away until the last. So, overall, I am glad I read this book but I would not recommend it.
Profile Image for Esra.
Author 49 books88 followers
December 19, 2014
Harry, Sir Barnabas zoruyla savaşta Daniel'ı bırakıp gittikten sonra evlenmişti.. Önceki kitapta okuduğumuz kadarıyla...
Bunun ardından 10 yıl geçiyor ve Daniel'ın kapısı Harry'nin karısı Christy tarafından çalınıyor.. Kadının başı belada ve ondan yardım istiyor..
Daniel hiç istemese de ona yardım etmeyi kabul ediyor ve Harry'i arama çalışmalarına başlıyor.. Sir Barnabas'ın da yardımıyla...
Ancak kimsenin bulmasına gerek kalmadan Harry bir gün ansızın kapısında beliriyor..
Kitabı okurken çok eğlendim.. Özellikle de diğer çiftlerin Barnabas ve Harry'i Daniel'a karşı ayrı ayrı savunurken birbirleriyle atıştıkları, birini seçmesi için dil döktükleri yemek bölümünde...
Sırada ilk kitaptan tanıdığımız Kitty ve doktorumuz Peters var..
Yalnız Simon'a özel kitap yok mu yaa seride başka kitap görünmüyor.. Gerçi Kitty'nin kitabı da bu yıl Temmuz ayında çıkmış.. Neyse büyük bir umutla beklemedeyim artık...
Profile Image for ♥ I’d Rather Be Reading ♥.
2,551 reviews
January 7, 2024
- MMC's: Daniel, Harry
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Daniel, Harry), Christy, Simon
- Book Playlist (Brothers in Arms Book Series Playlist)

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SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)

A continuation of Daniel and Harry's story (which began in Love Betrayed). This takes place ten years after they first met and a lot has changed.

Harry married Christy (a marriage of convenience and not love), but quickly left for America afterwards, leaving her a stipend to take care of herself. But she has found herself pregnant (from another man) and Harry's family is trying to kill her to prevent any of the inheritance from going to the child.

She comes to Daniel because Harry told her to go to him if she needs help. He offers his protection as they try to find Harry.

Once Harry returns, him and Daniel have to work through their betrayals and feelings for each other. Christy is also being pursued by both Simon and Constable Robert Manderley.

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REVIEW:

This took me forever to get through for several reasons. Some personal, some having to do with the book.

As far as the reasons, I had some stuff going on in my life at the time that made it difficult to enjoy reading. But still, the book was to blame for some of it. I was not looking forward to this book because I'm so used to this series being mmf books that I was sad this wasn't. I do like reading mm books, but this is one of my go-to mmf series' and I kind of resented that this one book in the series was the odd one out.

Still, I think I could've enjoyed the book had I liked the characters and the story.

Daniel I did not like at all. He is cold and unfeeling and kind of an asshole (in the bad way, not the sexy way). I didn't understand his motives for being the way he is and I couldn't connect with him.

I liked Harry a little better, personality-wise, but I did not like the horrible choices he made. I get that he and Christy had an arrangement and that didn't bother me so much as him going through with the marriage in the first place. What a waste of her life. I felt bad she found herself in that situation and I didn't like that he didn't tell her everything before the wedding. Also his choices for leaving Daniel in the first place and leaving for America. He was just so wish-washy.

I was also really appalled by the behavior of all their friends (who are all throuples from the last books) -- especially Very -- at the dinner party. It's like they were all just being nosy and rude.

Story-wise, I didn't like that Harry was missing (they were trying to find him) for the first 35% of the book. And then him and Daniel don't even come together until 65% into the book. It's just so much wasted time.

The few sex scenes we do get were hot and steamy (as usual with this series), but it wasn't enough in my opinion. And I don't like that Christy/Simon/Robert's romance bled into this one because it took away from the page time for the main couple. I do LIKE those three and they seem to have good chemistry. I'm looking forward to their book. But I just wish THIS book would've focused more on just the main couple and saved their story for later.

Overall I was not a fan of this one. I'm glad to see the remaining books in the series are menages, because that's what I love about this series the most!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lenna  Wright.
3,317 reviews35 followers
September 18, 2017
Finally two stubbornness men will reunite and deal with their hate/ love relationship that was 10 years in the making. There is more then Daniel and Harry's p.o.v. but as well as Christy and Simon with his demons of why he can marry not fall in love again, I can't wait for his story to come out, will he get the one girl his pinning after?

After book 10 their time during the war, Harry has disappeared for 10 years leaving behind a wife and his heart. Now with threats to her life Christy Ashbury runs to Daniel for protection from her in laws,but Daniel secretly sick with drama especially pregnant women, he denies her and she is almost kidnapped, now Daniel relented and let her stay there. Simon still lurking about even before Christy come to live with Daniel and usually Simon is chasing off Daniels one nighters away with death threats. Daniel is P.off with Harry for leaving a mess behind and needing to find him before a fatherless child is born. If Daniel can find him, last he heard from Michael Kensington (book 8 w/ Very and Wulf) he was due to follow. Will Harry show up alive to fix is family, his heart with the man his left behind, his wife that has the host for not one man but two of their friends and will Daniel ever get that Barbamous, sorry for mis spelling, deliberately send Harry away for him to have Daniel as one of his permanent lovers?
Profile Image for Karen BookAddict.
522 reviews35 followers
February 1, 2019
Bien mieux que les 3 1ers que j'ai lu. Une intrigue plus consistante et réaliste
Profile Image for Cindy Gilleland.
131 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2013
Favorite Quotes:

“Well, your pretty looks certainly don’t reflect you manners,” the blond said, rolling over showing Daniel his back.
“And if I don’t go quietly?” Andrew said, full of false bravado. “Well, then, I suppose you shall go noisily,” Daniel said. “Either way you’ll go, but naturally you may choose the option that best suits your mood.”
“I’m sure I didn’t faint,” she muttered. “I never faint.” “You fainted,” Daniel said flatly. “But under the circumstances, it was to be expected. I nearly fainted.” That earned him a ghost of a laugh. “You lie, but you are a gentleman to do so,” she said, struggling to sit up on her own. Robert helped her and then moved away.
“Good God,” Daniel drawled. “On second thought, I shan’t be leaving her alone with you. It’s like leaving the fox in charge of the sheep.” “Bleat,” Mrs. Ashbury said unexpectedly and stuck her tongue out at Daniel.
Both Daniel and Simon burst out laughing at her unexpected humor. She joined them. Then to Simon’s dismay she stood up. “On that note, gentlemen, you’ll have to excuse me. Good morning, Mr. Steinberg, and thank you once again for your generous hospitality until Harry decides to show up.” She smiled at Simon and there was an abashed embarrassment about it that dashed his hopes. She was not the sort of woman to fall into a man’s bed, despite her current condition.


This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
This is not my normal type of book I read. It is historical and M/M. There is humor in this story that you just laugh along with it. I did like how the story followed and was easy to follow. The story kept you wanting to read more to find out what happen.

Daniel has loved only one man in his life Henry but he left in and now it has been over ten years since he has seen him. Henry must now return and when he does he lets Daniel know that he loves him. But will Daniel let him in his heart again? OH but there is one teeny tiny problem, well maybe a really big problem. Henry is married and not to a man, and his wife is pregnant and not by Henry. Oh what a tangled web we weave. Oh and someone is out to kill his wife and the unborn child. Will Henry and Daniel find their way back to each other? Or will others destroy what they are starting to build together again?
Profile Image for Secretly Reading.
944 reviews
December 23, 2013
Originally reviewed for The Book Vixen

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.

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 read probably eight books in this series and moderately enjoyed them.

What I Liked: I love when one lead publicly 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.
*review copy provided by publisher*
Profile Image for Blondie.
267 reviews31 followers
May 13, 2014
Samantha Kane has a knack for creating passionate and loveable characters. The witty dialogue only completes the package to make her books some of the best historical erotic romances. I recommend reading Love Betrayed first because the characters are introduced in this book.

When Harry was sent away during the war Danial lost his rock. Danial never truly got over that lose and later perceived betrayal. Harry went on with his life but could never forget the love he found during the worst part of his life in the war. He finally decides to come back and win his love back but Danial is not going to make it easy for him, but has he ever made it easy? Can they find a way to put the past behind them and all its misunderstandings and miscommunications to be together where they were always meant to be? These character along with a few more just fill these pages with a great story of love lost and found.

This book also takes place ten years after Love betrayed but it also introduces the reader to a younger Danial and Harry. One of the Reasons I love this author so much is because she always puts the other characters in her books and gives the reader an update on what is going in their world. Each book is a standalone though they make more sense when read in order. Samantha Kane just keeps building on the world she created with the first Brother's in Arms Book.
Profile Image for Katrina Passick Lumsden.
1,782 reviews12.9k followers
December 15, 2014
This is the very first exclusively m/m romance erotica I've ever read, and I definitely wasn't disappointed. After reading about the beginning (and ultimately heartbreaking ending) of Daniel and Harry's romance in Love Betrayed, I couldn't wait to find out what happened and see Harry and Daniel finally happy and together.

This isn't Pulitzer Prize winning stuff. This is erotic fiction. So if you're in the mood for something worthy of a Pulitzer, look elsewhere. If you are, however, in the mood to read a dirty story with hot sex, likable characters, and an engaging plot, you can't really go wrong with this one. So much erotica is focused solely on the sex, and I won't lie and say this book doesn't contain a lot of sex, but what sets Kane's work apart from some others I've read is her ability to actually give her characters personality, and to actually weave a story in between the steamy stuff. I liked this first book quite a bit, but there are a few in the series I will probably be rating higher simply because I liked the storyline and/or the characters a little more.

Contains m/m sex scenes with an insanely high steam factor, so if you're a pearl clutcher, don't bother.
Profile Image for ~ Lei ~ Reading Is An Adventure ~.
1,167 reviews252 followers
January 1, 2015
★★★★☆

Daniel's orderly, empty life is about to undergo a major change and who knew Daniel had so much humor in him?! I enjoyed this story quite immensely and laughed.

Ten years later, Daniel is still pining for Harry from Love Betrayed Love Betrayed (Brothers in Arms, #10) by Samantha Kane . In short order, Harry's abandoned pregnant wife descends upon him and because Harry's family is miffed that the child she's carrying isn't actually an Ashbury, have attempted harm upon her person and, what else can Daniel do but take her in?

Then Harry returns and Daniel has to work through his anger at Harry's abandonment.

Daniel has a full house and his life is no longer boring! We get to see our favorites from the other books and there are still a few characters who need their HEA. Carry On!
Profile Image for Bonnie.
978 reviews
January 13, 2014
Prior Brothers in Arms stories have been mmf, which makes this one a little different in that it is an mm story. This story takes place in 1821 after the wars in Europe. I love stories from this time period because romance seems so naughty. I love Samantha Kane's take on the period and look forward to each release of Brothers in Arms. Like a prior reviewer, I, too hope Simon gets his own story.
Profile Image for Karolyne.
256 reviews16 followers
January 5, 2014
it took me a while as I was detracted by other new releases that I wanted to read more. however that was a mistake on my part as this is actually a very entertaining read. There are a few laugh out loud moments as well as a little suspense and several love affairs thrown in. A thoroughly entertainingly good read once I got going!
Profile Image for Elaine.
410 reviews14 followers
December 25, 2013
This book was just as good as the rest of her series, but I really prefer a MMF or MFM relationship. Straight MM just doesn't do it for me.

On that note, when is the next book coming out?
Profile Image for Bookworm.
58 reviews38 followers
April 5, 2014
When I started reading I wasn't sure who was with who, I really enjoyed this book. Also I would like to see Simon, Christy and Roberts story.
2 reviews
May 18, 2015
Love it

Absolutely loved this book......it had a combination of everything...laughter....emotion.....God some parts of this book made me laugh so hard!! Love it
Profile Image for Amy.
425 reviews
April 7, 2016
I loved this series but I did not like this book. It was very boring and I did not like the characters.
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