Limecello’s review of Laid Bare by Lauren Dane
Erotic romance released by Berkley 4 Aug 09

It seems to me that Lauren Dane’s writing improves with each book, and Laid Bare really is no exception. It’s an interesting book, and I love the setting. The characters and their lifestyles are definitely outside my experience and not something I’m familiar with, but I did enjoy reading this story. I don’t normally talk about it first, but I really liked the ending to this book too – everything came together just right. It was like the perfect golden moment in a movie.

Erin Brown does not have a personality that matches her name. There’s nothing plain or simple about her. She’s the heroine, and she’s the rock star. Well, former rock star, but I loved that she was the “famous” one in the relationship. Erin is a complicated and difficult character, because she’s lived through a nightmare. Normally I’d be pretty skeptical of that happening to any character, but considering her fame and fortune, I could believe what happened to her. I had some trouble grasping who Erin truly was because she’s so take charge and larger than life in general, but sexually she’s submissive. I know it can work, and that it’s natural, I just simply had some difficulty drawing it all together in my head.

Todd Keenan is a mix – he’s your typical romance hero, yet not. He’s a cop, he’s emotionally stupid initially, and he falls head over heels in love with Erin. Fast. I loved that. I love that he grew up in the decade they were apart, and is determined to live his life, and be who he truly is, not what society dictates. He’s also sweet, caring, knows and is willing to admit that he’s made mistakes, and very close to friends and family. It seems like the years he was gone (and married to someone else) were a fluke, and finally he’s home, and alive again.

It’s complicated because Erin and Todd had a relationship “ten years before the book starts.” It’s at the beginning of the book, but very early on they end and they you go to “ten years later.” Post Erin’s life hitting it big and becoming a tragedy. Todd and Erin both essentially lived entire lives before finding each other again. I know they had to, but they way the met seemed just a bit too convenient. (Maybe I don’t believe in fate or serendipity.)

The book works because the foundation is so realistic. Seattle was a great music scene in the ’90s, so Erin and Adrian really could have gotten their start there. Also, I really like Seattle. (Granted my trip might have been a break in the space- time continuum because it basically didn’t rain while I was there.) I loved the places Ms. Dane mentioned, and it’s clear she knows the area. The book never gets bogged down with details, but there’s just enough so you can paint a picture in your mind, and it fits.

Now… onto the more complicated stuff. I’m not sure if I read too much, or too little of Ms. Dane’s writing, but I found bits and pieces of this book very reminiscent of her book Undercover. Yes, the settings and worlds are totally different… but you have the hero and heroine who had a relationship then split… get back together, he’s dominant, she’s submissive… and – then they enter a triad.

That and I know I’m extremely sensitive to Ms. Dane’s dialogue. It gets better with every book, but every so often a character lapses back into what I think of as “word vomit.” They just say things about their thoughts, emotions, etc, that would never come up in every day conversations. It’s like they’ve constantly gotten out of therapy sessions, or are drunk. (Though ironically, both could be true in Laid Bare, so maybe my complaints there are null.)

Also, if I wasn’t clear- this is an erotic romance. There is a lot of sex, and a lot of it goes straight into what might be termed “kinky.” Todd likes to dominate in bed. Erin likes to submit. Ben, their third, also likes to dominate. Ben also happens to be Todd’s best friend, and the way the relationship develops is very fast, but considering the characters, it does work. It seems all of them are grasping life with both hands and going for it.

I took issue to one scene where Todd uses his belt on Erin – not because he does, but because she says “it won’t hurt me.” (I know she means permanently damage… but I had to put the book down for a bit. That and it was 3 AM.) Also, that Ms. Dane uses the word “gate” for vagina. It completely takes me out of the book, and I usually roll my eyes. I can’t help but picture a white picket fence… complete with a swinging gate, of course. [Not sexy.] But going back to the belt thing – I know it’s a huge turn on for many people.

More importantly, however, the emotions running through the characters and their reactions make it work. While [B]DS[M] is not something I know much about, I think it was very well written here. The fact that theirs is an very emotional relationship with strong connections helps. Todd says “I love you” about one-third of the way in – practically unheard of for a romance, and I thought it was fantastic.

The interaction between the characters, especially Todd, Erin, and Ben was so cute. (Well, outside the sex – that wasn’t cute. That was raunchy, gritty, and dirty – all in the good ways.) I liked that this book took the characters to an unconventional relationship, but it happens in a way that fits all the characters. Todd, Erin, and Ben don’t start having threesomes just because they want sex – they’re all honestly in love with each other. They address the concerns rationally and in a very mature manner. They talk about their fears and concerns, and know it will be difficult, but even more, it’s what they want. And I have to say I’m impressed with Ms. Dane for taking me there.

Nevertheless, there were some parts of the book that seemed rushed, while others were extremely drawn out and descriptive. Although the book covers a good period of time, a lot happens in this book. I’ll let you read about it. I really liked the secondary characters, and I know some of them are getting their own books – and while I generally don’t like series, a character I found interesting was Erin’s ex-husband. I believe he could have a great story of his own.

Lastly, as I mentioned before, I loved the ending. Loved. The characters basically all had their closure and were able to move on, and Erin especially. I really liked that Laid Bare was a heroine centric book – with the very interesting dynamic of her being sexually submissive to two men – and that Erin takes back control of her life by the end and is doing what she loves – performing. It’s a seriously perfect moment, and this time, I’m glad this book is part of a series and that I get to revisit the characters.

Grade: C+

Unexpected Desire…

It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn’t in the cards just yet…

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed—and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

Read an excerpt here.