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All she needed to pack was a few bikinis, a toothbrush and some sunscreen. This is what Ben told Erin when he presented her and Todd with tickets to Fiji and the promise of ten days of nothing but sleeping until whenever they wanted, sex without having to lock the door and lots of alone time.

And that’s what they have. Long days and nights filled with pleasure. Long enough that the stress and exhaustion drops away and the three can simply enjoy each other.

They’ve got heat. More than ever before. Recharging their batteries has also brought new levels of intimacy and connection. But when Erin stumbles over the pain of her past, both men band together to not only help her through, but to help each other as well.

80 pages, ebook

First published October 2, 2012

102 people are currently reading
2772 people want to read

About the author

Lauren Dane

112 books4,996 followers
Lauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!

The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
Profile Image for Jess.
1,075 reviews158 followers
October 4, 2012
Review posted:

It’s always a treat to get to revisit favorite characters and I’ve been looking forward to seeing what Erin, Todd and Ben have been up to recently. They’re raising their son Alexander in Seattle, living their lives that are full of love and surrounded by family. This novella, Laid Open, gives us a small peek into their relationship, as the trio takes a much needed vacation for some alone time.

Their vacation in Fiji is full of sun, beach and lots o’sex! They’re in a secluded location and they’re free to show all the love they feel for each other without getting stares or having to be concerned with the public perception. The sex is hot. I really have nothing more to add about that, Lauren Dane brings the sexy every time and Todd, Erin and Ben enjoy each other completely.

Two things stood out to me, the first being Ben. I’ve always had a soft spot for this man because legally, Todd and Erin are married, Alexander is Todd’s son, but the trio is living as a married unit. That still leaves Ben on the outside when they’re not in their home or surrounded by family. He puts his fears out there to Todd as they’re helping Erin deal with the anniversary of her daughter’s death. Ben’s moment of voicing his fears to Todd was very emotional, real and it’s a little heartbreaking in that there’s no answer. This is how he feels, there’s no fix because things are what they are, but there was something sweet about this tough guy putting his heart out there to Todd in this way seeing the two of them share this moment.

Along those same lines, Erin is beating herself up over waking up and forgetting that the day was the anniversary of her daughter’s death. It’s the moment that sets her off on an emotional day and she deals with it as best she can. Todd and Ben are there, never forcing her to talk or deal with it. They’re just there, showing her love and support and it’s exactly what she needs to get through. Again, there’s no easy fix for this, she’ll always have a strong reaction to this day and to thinking about how she’s moved on and is happy in her life while her daughter will never have that. She has guilt and sadness but Todd and Ben are there to help her through and support her no matter what.

Fans of Laid Bare will definitely want to pick this novella up. Coming in at around 80 pages, it’s a fast read that of course had me wanting much more. After years together, Ben, Todd and Erin wanted to reaffirm their connection and they strengthened their relationship over the course of this vacation and it was a sexy and emotional ride.
Profile Image for Mariann {at} Belle's Book Bag.
549 reviews167 followers
October 2, 2012
Oh...Lauren Dane. WOW...I had to wipe the drool off of my chin and put my Kindle in the freezer after I finished reading Laid Open. LOL ;)

I have been anxiously waiting for this novella and I was so not disappointed!!! I got everything that I wanted and more from Todd, Ben, and Erin!! There was romance, love, laughter, tears, and of course HOT SMOKING sex, sex, sex!! *sigh*

Ben has always been my favorite of the trio but oh, how I loved Todd in this book too!! I absolutely love these 3 and I was so happy to read about their relationship again. I love how Lauren Dane wrote the growth of Ben and Todd's relationship as a couple and how much closer they became to each other without losing the bond that all three of them share.

Laid Open was so much more than just a book about Ben, Todd and Erin's sexcation. It was such a heartwarming look at how their relationship has progressed since the beginning. I only wish that the story was longer because I didn't want to leave!!

Laid Open is a great example of why I am such a HUGE fan of Lauren Dane and why her books continue to fill up my keeper pile. This is definitely a reread and easily on of my favorites!!!

Thanks so much Lauren, for continuing on with the story of Ben, Todd and Erin. I can't wait for more. BEST OF THE BEST rating!!
Profile Image for Amy.
631 reviews
August 17, 2012

I've never been much of a fan of Erin and even less so after reading this short story. Her melodramatic behavior and constant need for shelter and protection is so unappealing to me. I would have loved it if Todd and Ben had escaped to Fiji for sexy times and Erin stayed home with their son, Alexander. Alexander was a cutie. I could have stayed with him and enjoyed his visit with Brody more.


Profile Image for Kaetrin.
3,204 reviews188 followers
October 15, 2012
3.5 stars.

Why I read it: My favourite book in this series is Laid Bare - where this threesome got together so it was a no brainer that I was going to pick this one up.

Warning: Series spoilers ahoy.

What it's about: (from Goodreads) All she needed to pack was a few bikinis, a toothbrush and some sunscreen. This is what Ben told Erin when he presented her and Todd with tickets to Fiji and the promise of ten days of nothing but sleeping until whenever they wanted, sex without having to lock the door and lots of alone time.

And that’s what they have. Long days and nights filled with pleasure. Long enough that the stress and exhaustion drops away and the three can simply enjoy each other.

They’ve got heat. More than ever before. Recharging their batteries has also brought new levels of intimacy and connection. But when Erin stumbles over the pain of her past, both men band together to not only help her through, but to help each other as well.

What worked for me (and what didn't): When I read Laid Bare, I loved how the relationship between Todd and Ben developed - from being best friends to being lovers too. By the end of Laid Bare, they had started making out and I believe there was even a BJ scene. I know from the subsequent books in the series that they were together and happy and had had a baby boy (Alexander) together (deliberately choosing not to identify the biological father). Erin and Todd are legally married and Todd is Alexander's legal father however. And, one of the things which always struck me about the triad, even though their relationship was developing, was that the centre was Erin. By the end of Laid Bare, I wondered if Ben and Todd would stay together if Erin was out of the picture for some reason and I thought, probably not.

I should probably talk about the novella now...

Laid Open is a novella featuring this threesome and I was hoping to see that the relationship between Todd and Ben had developed further and that their relationship was more "equal" (in terms of emotions). And, I got it. Sort of.

But. The second paragraph of the story is:

"His entire life was right there and it filled him with joy."

'Right there' was Erin and Alexander - Todd wasn't home yet. It's possible I put too much emphasis on that as I read the book, but hey, it was on the first page. When Todd does go home, Erin and Ben both get some alone time to greet him "properly" and it is clear that Ben and Todd's relationship has indeed progressed. They are more physically comfortable with each other and, as becomes apparent later in the book (in delicious detail), their sexual comfort zone has also extended.

The trio go on a lovely holiday to Fiji to have some alone time together, without the pressure of work and without (the delightfuly distraction of) Alexander (who stays with Brody). Then we have lots of lovely sex between Erin and Todd, Erin and Ben, Ben and Todd and all three of them together.

About 2/3 through I was thinking, 'well this is nice and all but where's the conflict?' - and right then, Erin's demons about the death of her daughter Adele come back to bite her. I had mixed feelings about this. First, I absolutely get that such a tremendous loss can and will surge from time to time and sometimes, with unexpected viciousness. It's not something Erin will ever "get over" - it's something she had learned to live with but it doesn't mean it won't bite her in the ass from time to time. And I'd never judge the way someone grieves - there is no timetable. I get that. What jarred me was Erin's over-reaction to not realising the date at first. I say over-reaction because as is clear from the text, she had actually forgotten nothing and had prepared (prior to holidaying) for the date. What she was actually beating herself up for felt like an excuse for conflict in the story rather than real. I'll say it again - her being upset over the anniversary of her daughter's death was completely understandable. Absolutely. But, something about the way it was expressed in the story felt manufactured.

Erin needs a little alone time and Todd and Ben try to plan how to help her. It is Ben who urges Todd to hold back a little. He uses as his example, how he feels left out sometimes - he's not legally married to Erin and he's not on Alexander's birth certificate. He doesn't have an acknowledged place in their relationship according to the wider world. And sometimes, it bothers him. Now this. This was a real conflict. I could happily have read more about this. For me, that was the natural conflict in the story that was left basically unresolved. Todd gives Ben some reassurance but that's about it.

The chemistry the trio has is off the charts and I like the way they are together. I believe that they are all happy in their relationship together and short of Erin's death (which I do not wish for), they will all be together for the long haul. But, if something happened to Erin, would Todd and Ben say together and raise Alexander as a couple? I have no doubt that if something happened to either of the men, Erin and whoever survived would grieve, but they'd stay together as a couple. I guess my sense of equality (? balance?) is somehow bothered by this discrepancy - which is ridiculous but there you go. Still, I did feel that the balance had increased in their relationship as compared to the first book, so there's that.

What else? In many ways for me, this book was a bit of a stroke-fest. The part where Erin loses it seemed a bit obviously hurt/comfort and somewhat forced but I can't say that it was a hardship to watch these 3 scorch the sheets.

Grade: B-

http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
Profile Image for Awilk -never sleeps- .
1,033 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2012
This was a really quick read, and I got pretty much what I was expecting.
Erin is still a character that I can't stand. I do not know why Todd and Ben love her so much. If I was them I would get rid of her and just be the two of them.
What I enjoyed about this book was seeing how the relationship between Todd and Ben has progressed. Dane has teased us readers for quiet a while with little snippets of these two together, but never delivered. Well at long last she did in this story.
What annoyed me was, surprise, surprise, bloody Little Miss Perfect Erin. I jut don't like her. I really can't explain why.
The drama in this novel was also about something we have known about since the first book, so it seemed a little bit overdone to me.
I was happy enough to read this book, as I like me some Todd and Ben, but it didn't bring anything new to the storyline, so I wouldn't of missed anything if I hadn't read it, and that seems a bit of a shame to me.
Profile Image for Magen.
198 reviews
April 9, 2013
Let me first say that I love this genre of book. I am hooked big time. But there was something unique about this series that had me rolling my eyes and I finally just realized what it was that was bothering me. Well, I have only read the two books involving Erin, Todd and Ben so with regards to those two here are my thoughts: The sex and passion are great, however I found it really annoying just how PERFECT everyone was. Nothing was ever wrong with the three of them. They all walked on water and were constantly bursting into song about how wonderful the other two were. I mean, honestly. Not that these books are ever really that realistic, but at least add some basic human character annoyances into the relationship. No relationship is ever that rosy and full of sex nonstop with drop dead, gorgeous men begging to fulfill your every wish and crying over the fact that you frowned once during the day. Or maybe they are and I am just living in the wrong world?
359 reviews
November 14, 2012
There is absolutely nothing new about this book since Laid Bare except they have a kid. But they go on vacation almost immediately, so you really don't experience that part either. I guess Todd and Ben are more into each other in this book as well, but you don't get to see that develop, so it just sort of becomes fact.

I didn't think this book was bad necessarily, but I think it should have been offered for free on the author's website and not $2.99 on amazon. It is SO short. It ends at 80% and there is a preview for another book.

The only conflict in the book is the same old, she freaks out about Adele and then the boys make it better. It was fun to read about them again, but honestly, you could just read Laid Bare again. Not that $2.99 is a lot of money, but it just seems that they author threw a bunch of sex scenes together to make a few more bucks off of people. It takes about 2 hours to read.
Profile Image for Norma.
716 reviews
October 8, 2012
This book was like visiting old friend whom I haven't seen in a while. I was so excited to see them and catch up--until they became those friends that just wouldn't leave. After a while I got bored. Nobody in the history of the universe has ever loved anybody more than Erin, Ben and Todd love one another. NOBODY. LIKE EVER. EVER. I feel like I need to really emphasize this point because seriously nobody has ever loved anybody more--NO REALLY. So have I made my point? Ok good. Did that get old? Well then you get the feeling of the book. It was great to see them but it got old fast. A chapter to themselves in Adrian's book would have been better. If you're a huge fan of the Browns, then read this. I hope you enjoy it. Me? I was mostly bored.
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,524 reviews321 followers
March 24, 2015
This was a pretty good book. Todd, Erin and Ben go on a vacation to get away and reconnect with each other. This was a short quick read. I loved how connected they were with each other and it was good to see more sex between Ben and Todd and more BDSM scenes. Erin who flips out over not remembering the death of her daughter. I really liked Ben was able to be the calm one in the relationship. Overall I thought that this book was well written with no errors in spelling or grammar. This was a good read.
Profile Image for heather ♥.
121 reviews
October 29, 2012
Short story about Erin, Ben and Todd at the end of the series a few years down the line. It shows the things they still are dealing with withing their relationship and how Erin handles her grief now. This kinda annoyed me that she STILL pushes them away. I don't wanna sound cold when I say "get over it", but this takes place at least three years after she gets together with Ben and Todd (they have a 2 year old named Alexander) and it was four years prior to that, that Adele was killed. I'm not unsympathetic, and I'm aware grief sometimes just catches you the wrong way, but she still is sitting around blaming herself, still wallowing and beating herself up. I would've liked to see her progress a bit more, that she would've at least been able to not fall completely apart, or at the least, to lean on her husbands for strength when she does instead of being mad at them and herself over it.

I did love how you got to see how much closer Ben and Todd's relationship as gotten, and there's a few sex scenes just the two of them, or with Erin watching. I'm happy Todd was able to explore his sexuality and that they made it a safe environment to do so without any judgement.

It's a bit saddening to see that in their normal lives back home, Ben is still outwardly "the best friend" and people assume Todd is Alexander's father, when in fact it's Ben. I was hoping they'd be more open about it, even publicly so that none of them felt they had to hide anything. I'd have at the VERY least liked to have seen that they all wore a matching ring to show that bond to people who know them best.
Profile Image for Jennifer  E.
429 reviews41 followers
October 4, 2012
Short and quick but was not a waste! I devoured every word like a great piece of chocolate. What happen between Todd/Erin/Ben - now that's what I was talking about however I still wanted more. I know what that says about me but whatevs.


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I truly love all the Brown siblings and I am looking forward to "Tart". That Chapter 1 "Tart" teaser for that had me thinking about Chris Hemsworth a la Thor as Gideon.

Profile Image for Bryanna Nicole.
716 reviews34 followers
October 4, 2012
Sweet, sexy and short. I missed this trio and I'm so happy she gave them a novella. My personal favorite parts of Laid Open were the Ben & Todd moments because I am such a sap for them. Oh, and Todd's dominating ways..... Lets just say Fji should have burnt up in flames. I also like that Erin has grown from her trauma but Lauren didn't sweep her tragedy under the rug and all was forgotten. Now she should do one for Ella and Cope because we get a glimpse of Brody and Adrian's respective relationships but I want more on those two.
Profile Image for Kate.
124 reviews3 followers
October 4, 2012


Oh Em Gee!!!! Absolutely loved this hawt, steamy, sexy, romantic novella!! My favorite triad characters at a private resort having so much naughty and erotic sex!! Lauren Dane knows how to write the dirty dirty!!! If you have read this series this is a must read..if you haven't read it yet..what the heck are you waiting for??!!
Profile Image for Kimberlee.
941 reviews46 followers
October 3, 2012
I just love the Brown Family, each and everyone. I fell in love with Erin/Todd/Ben in Laid Bare and there story is still sweet steamy and sexy. This is a wonderful fun short read, returning to a little vacation time for just the three. Definite reread.
Profile Image for Kim.
2,157 reviews62 followers
August 8, 2017
While it was wonderful to see how Todd, Ben, and Erin had progressed together as a triad, I was surprised to see still how stuck Erin was. For as much as she makes about how her relationship with Todd and Ben has helped her heal and find joy in life again, she jumps back into a dark depression that pushes them away fairly quickly. I'm not saying she should be over the loss of her child, but I was surprised that all these years later, she's still pushing Todd and Ben away.

I would have liked their conflict to have been something new, instead of something along the same vein as their original ones.
Profile Image for Cocktails and Books.
4,145 reviews323 followers
October 2, 2012
I will admit, as soon as my iPhone dinged with an email last night, I knew it was my notification that this book was now on my various Kindle related devices and ready to download. I was giddy with anticipation and was glad I only had 10 more pages to read in the book in my hand so I could jump right to this one. An hour and a half later, I was glad I choose to forego sleep so I could spend the wee hours of the morning with Todd, Ben and Erin.

For those that may not have read picked up any of the Brown Sibling books, Todd, Ben and Erin are from the first book in the series, Laid Bare. The threesome have had to overcome personal and family prejudices, emotional devastation and learning compromise between friends to lovers in order to get to their HEA. As Laid Open begins, we can see that everything they went through made them a stronger unit and created a family that is filled with love. And in any family unit, no matter how strong, mommy and daddy (or daddies in this case) need some alone time to solidify those bonds.

Laid Open gives us an opportunity to see how Todd, Ben and Erin decompress from the trials and tribulations of home and reconnect with each other. Let me tell you...it's freaking hot. Not only do they strengthen their ties as a threesome, but Ben and Todd take their relationship to a higher level of closeness.

It was wonderful catching up with the three of them and seeing just how much they have grown from their book. There are still emotional scars they must deal with, but they have truly built a unified front that could probably withstand just about anything...together.

This was the perfect 'taste' of the Browns to tide me over until Tart comes out. One I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Francesca the Fierce (Under the Covers Book Blog).
1,886 reviews505 followers
October 4, 2012
This review was posted at Under the Covers

Oh Erin, Todd and Ben...how I've missed you! LAID OPEN is a snippet into the lives of three of my favorite characters. We saw them meet and fall in love, then we saw them grow as their relationship became stronger. They even had a baby. And when little ones come into the picture, there's less time to focus on the grown up relationship. Especially with some of the more extreme requirements these three have.

So they are going to Fiji. And I can really just summarize this review by telling you O.M.G. that was freaking HAWT!!! In such a short amount of time this novella had me burning up. Todd and Ben are a lot more comfortable around each other and with each other. They have all adjusted to each other.

Things are not always perfect and there is a little bit of conflict, but it shows how vulnerable they still are. How human they are. And for the record, Erin is a lucky bitch and I'm jealous as hell.

I do believe this puts a good ending to the Brown Siblings series and it makes me even more anxious to continue the Delicious series.
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
October 25, 2012
I liked this short that looked back in on some of my favorite characters. I like that this story is far enough in the future that you can see how everyone is doing and how these 3 have settled into their lives together. I really liked how the boys take care of Erin, that I really expected, but what surprised me was how much closer Todd and Ben have gotten. I liked that Ben was able to expose his dark secret about their relationship to Todd and how Todd responded. I am sure that he will be thinking about it in the future. I also really liked how Ben and Todd dealt with Erin's mini breakdown. They handled her the right way. I think the best part of the book was those scenes with Alexander and how all three of his parents interacted with him.
Profile Image for BookAddict  ✒ La Crimson Femme.
6,917 reviews1,440 followers
February 8, 2015
Returning back to see Ben, Erin and Todd with a kid now is great. I loved these three characters the first time around. Seeing them throughout the Brown Sibling series as cameos is not the same as a book just about them.

This one is a bittersweet vacation as a mother comes to terms with moving on after a child dies. The erotic part of it is so good and what I enjoy most from a Lauren Dane book. I wish more of her books can be subtly sexy with D/s involved. Recommended for those who love this series. It's a nice glimpse into after the happily ever after.
Profile Image for Lacy.
134 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2013
In all honesty this was not one of my favorites in this series but not too bad. ERin is over emotional and her two husbands are clueless they think Sex cures everything smh. But Lauren is one of my favorite authors so it will do.
Profile Image for Ilene.
1,140 reviews19 followers
December 27, 2014
Short, sweet and hot but really just filler with nothing new.

Todd always seemed the more dominant of the two men but it really seems like Ben has taken over and Todd is almost non-existent.

What is with the abrupt endings???
Profile Image for Holly.
441 reviews340 followers
October 25, 2012
Oh how I have missed Erin, Todd & Ben!! They are such a HOT trio!!
Profile Image for Nadia.
260 reviews
March 6, 2022
The sex was amazing! Needed an ice bucket by my side!
Profile Image for Sunny☼.
171 reviews15 followers
August 13, 2012
Characters we have aready met and frankly just more of the same only a few years later. I skipped through a lot of it. Bit of a disapointment.
Profile Image for Trish.
34 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2012


Short & oh so delicious! Absolutely loved catching up with this trio again.
Profile Image for Rachel Abel-klimala.
41 reviews19 followers
November 14, 2012
Even after suffering through the first one, I am a glutton for punishment and read this one! It went from bad to worse. Angry at myself for paying the $2.99 and giving up 2 hours of my time.
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