28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartbreakingly Beautiful Story, August 27, 2009
This review is from: Laid Bare (Mass Market Paperback)
I loved this book for its brutal honesty. This story confronts many stereotypes from peoples prejudice against pierced and tattooed rock stars to "deviant sexuality". Dane captured the struggle many people feel about their interest in BDSM, the shame and confusion it can bring as well as showing the wonderful possibilities that can occur when it's overcome, as well as the pain of trying to stifle that side of yourself. She comprehends the difference between an abusive relationship and the love and trust that can come from a true partnership.
This story also tackles a m/m/f menage in a situation where none of the players intended. In most m/m/f stories the men have a history of sharing, or have already determined they are looking for a female to complete them. The hesitancy and growing feelings, as well as fears and doubts of all three involved is insightful and touching.
Dane also shows an amazing ability to understand the fear that can live on in someones life after a tragic life altering event. Many people do not understand true Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and how it can affect every facet of someones life. Often people expect you to move on and don't understand how fears can live on and never be truly vanquished.
I fell in love with artsy-fartsy little freak Erin, stoic and tough Todd, and arrogant and sensitive Ben. Lauren Dane did not write a story where every thing was perfect, while there is the happy ending we all love it wasn't perfect. Which is what the best writers do, because life is not perfect. There is joy and laughter as well as pain and tears.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing story, September 3, 2009
This review is from: Laid Bare (Mass Market Paperback)
This was a very long story. But wonderful, nonetheless. It spanned over a length of time and many events. It touched on so many subjects, I have to give author credit for her creativity and her commitment to the overall message in the book.
It seems the first half of the book was basically the love story between Erin and Todd. Then very eloquently, Ben was brought in to the relationship and it became a love story between all three of them. Through it all Erin was finding her way again after such a horrible time in her life. Lots of secondary characters. Lauren Dane is brilliant at bringing friends and family characters together to get us emotionally invested in all of them. I thought it was both realistic and unfortunate how things played out when their respective families found out about their triad relationship. It makes sense that not all of them would be okay with it. Its just sad that they lost some close relationships along the way because of their inability to accept it. And these men, wowza! They were fabulous. A perfect mix of alpha male potency and gentle tenderness and understanding. Side note: when it says "explicit sex scenes", it really means that! Hot hot hot!!!
I absolutely love LD's books. All of them. But I can honestly say I haven't loved the male characters this much since the Chase brothers. Fantastic men!! (no criticism to the other males in her books)....I just haven't felt the warm and fuzzies to this degree for the males since that other amazing series. Well done. Can't wait for Brody's story next!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply awesome, January 13, 2010
This review is from: Laid Bare (Mass Market Paperback)
Lauren Dane did it again! Laid Bare just was released Aug 4th and I was sure to order it right away because I just love her writing and the characters she creates.
Okay enough pimpage on Lauren Dane the author and let me talk about her book Laid Bare. I love Rock Music and in this book the main female character, Erin Brown, is a rock star. This book features a lot of music and you really get the musician vibe. The book starts out when she is just young (24) and just beginning. The book jumps forward 10 years after solidifying the essence of the plot. She is uber cool, confident, has gorgeous tattoos and is an amazing bass guitarist. We are also introduced to the main male character, Todd Keenan at the beginning of the book. They are neighbours and they are crazy about each other. On the outside they appear very different. Her rock star image to his clean cut police officer. They break up as Todd can't admit to who he really is inside and she refuses to allow herself to apologize for who she is.
Todd has this image in his head of a good cop, pretty wife, 2.5 kids and the white picket fence thing.
10 years later, she has left the public view of the music industry and Todd is divorced from the woman that matched his criteria. They meet back up and are immediately drawn to each other. Now Todd is confident with who he is but Erin has changed. Something incredibly awful has happened to Erin and the main reason she left the public eye.
What I really liked about this story is that the couple got together almost right away and the involvement of the book was their growing together to overcome the nightmare that happened to Erin.
The book took a surprising twist as a third male came into the story. Ben Copeland is Todd's best friend and is a long time childhood buddy. He is now Todd's business partner in their security firm because Todd left the police force. Slowly but surely Ben becomes involved with them as a triage and the love that the three share is heart warming. I swear! It's not like sex sex sex and a there, we have a threesome.
I love how Lauren uses sex to enhance the story. If you looking for a dripping wet sex book on ménage, then this is not the book. Yes there are hot ménages, but they are meaningful, loving and even there is some fun. I love that Lauren even inserts arguements.
The book deals with alot of issues. Relationships, dominance/submissive, self esteem, family, sexuality, death, grief, fame, communication, sex...the list goes on because it is all here.
Warning: light BDSM, sex, ménage between M/F/M but it does have some light M/M
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
