Coming Undone (Brown Family, #2) in Alpha Heroes & Spitfire Heroines

Jul 19, 2009 Auntee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: erotic-romance, contemporary-romance, 2010_reads, husband-worthy_hero, part-of-a-series, made_me_cry

Very, very nice read. I really enjoyed this one. There was nothing particularly unusual about the plot, no sudden twists or turns or nothing overly melodramatic, or no big hidden secret revealed (okay, there was a secret revealed, but I doubt readers will be shocked by the secret)--this was just a beautifully detailed character driven story, and what wonderful characters they were! I absolutely fell in love with the hero, the heroine, and their extended families. Although this book is part of a Very, very nice read. I really enjoyed this one. There was nothing particularly unusual about the plot, no sudden twists or turns or nothing overly melodramatic, or no big hidden secret revealed (okay, there was a secret revealed, but I doubt readers will be shocked by the secret)--this was just a beautifully detailed character driven story, and what wonderful characters they were! I absolutely fell in love with the hero, the heroine, and their extended families. Although this book is part of a series, it's not absolutely necessary to have read the first book (Laid Bare), but I suggest you do. A couple of the characters from that book have pretty big roles in this one, and you'll also want to get the hero's full backstory from that book. In fact, I'm so hooked on this book's hero (Brody Brown), that I just might have to pick that book up again and reacquaint myself with all his sexy wonderfulness!

Basically the plot is this: Elise is a petite, blonde, beautiful, 30-something divorced star ballerina, until a recent traumatic event derailed her career and nearly her life. Afterward, things are so bad in her native New York with her ex's vindictive parents, that she's packed her bags and moved herself and her precocious 7-year-old daughter far, far, away, to Seattle, Washington. Elise wants to start all over, forget about some horrible times in her past, and raise her young daughter in peace and quiet. She's not looking for a man, she's not looking for a relationship, all she wants to do is work hard teaching at her recently opened dance studio, and provide a stable life for her daughter. And if there just so happens to be a big, sexy, tattooed, motorcycle riding hottie living right across the street from her...well, he can be a part of her fantasies--that's good enough for her.

Brody Brown is big, bad, and sexy as all get out, works as a well respected and very successful tattoo artist and has his own shop. When he was 18 his parents were killed in a car accident, and he had to put his promising career as an artist on hold so he could get a job and raise his younger brother and sister. Brody is an alpha protector, always looking out for his family and taking care of those he loves. No sacrifice is too big for this gentle giant who puts his family's welfare first. Now that his brother and sister are adults with successful careers and lives of their own, his responsibilities have lessened, and he basically has a life of his own. He's got a nice house, enough money, friends and family, and the occasional lover. He's not looking for a wife or a relationship, but fate has a way of handing you stuff when you least expect it. One day while getting the mail from his street-side mailbox, he's sideswiped by a drunk driver, and his across-the-street-neighbor runs over to administer first aid. Such is the beginning of a beautiful friends-turn-into-lovers turn-into-something-much-more story.

I won't get too much further into the plot, except to say that Brody and Elise's initial mutual attraction turns into "why don't we be 'friends-with-benefits'" and lasts a good long while before they both realize that they've done the unthinkable, and have fallen in love (although both are reluctant to admit it). These two were perfect for each other, and it's testament to LD's storytelling that she can keep the reader engrossed in a story that basically just tells what's going on in the H/h's day-to-day life while their love story slowly develops. Everthing is told in a totally natural, believable way and time frame. Elise meets Brody's family, and starts hanging out with them and Brody's circle of friends. Brody meets Elise's energetic daughter Rennie, and they hit it off and develop a strong bond. Brody and Elise talk, revealing intimate things about their pasts as couples in a meaningful relationship do. Elise has to deal with a jealous former girlfriend of Brody's out to wreck their relationship while dealing with issues of trust and with feelings of guilt about past decisions. And all the while Brody is right there by her side, trying his best not to be too controlling (Elise hates that) but still being the protective guy that he is. The longer this couple is together lovingly helping each other over life's little (and one big, annoying hurdle near the end of the book that threatens Rennie's future), the more the reader wants them to realize that "hey, can't you see you're in love".

Sex scenes? Hot, romantic, erotic, yet tastefully done. And oh my, the things they do in Elise's dance studio...and their first 'encounter'...whew! Have a fan nearby because you'll need it!

Readers of the first book in the series about the Browns ( Laid Bare) will be happy to know that siblings Adrian and Erin (and her husbands) are back to offer friendhip and support and encouragement (and some razzing) to their beloved brother. This family may be a bit unconventional, but they are a loving and supportive bunch, much like in Ms. Dane's exceptional Chase family series of books.

I do love a story where either the hero or heroine, who's made a sacrifice or put their life on hold for some reason, finally gets their own well-deserved HEA, so this one was very satisfying to me in that respect. Readers looking for a hot contemporary about a couple of strong, deserving characters falling in love, and a story that's well developed, well told, and at times very emotional, will love this one. These characters are ones that you will strongly root for and admire, and they'll tug at your heart strings. I hope LD plans on writing younger brother rock star Adrian's story, because that guy needs a woman to love too! 4 1/2 stars

Warning: This book contains explicit language and sex (including oral); a m/m scene of oral sex, and a m/f/m menage scene--neither scene involves the H/h. Not for the faint of heart. ...more

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Aug 03, 2009 Shawna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance, hero-stud-mantel-hall-of-fame, hero-my-romancelandia-husband-harem, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, a-all-time-favorite-hero, hero-gentleman, badasses-hunks-in-leather, hero-im-gaga-over, heroine-classy-lady, hero-husband-worthy-swoonalicious

5 stars 鈥� Contemporary/Erotic Romance

I'm behind on my reviews, so I'll just keep this short and simple and say that it's a beautiful, sexy, sweet, hot romance and I loved it!! Hot bad boy with a soft, tender side, Brody, is flat-out yummy, sex on a stick, and I just couldn't get enough of him!

My only complaint is that I really dislike Brody's b*tchy ex girlfriend Raven and kind of just want her to go away. And I certainly don't want her paired up with Adrian in a future book. If you're reading t ...more

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Nov 22, 2009 jenjn79 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: info-full, reviewed, stars-5, genre-romance-erotic, author-lauren-dane, format-trade-pb, series-brown-siblings, 2010, published-2010

This is the third book I've read by Lauren Dane, and I think I'd probably say it's my favorite so far. It was a great read all around and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Series Note:
This book is the 2nd in Dane's unofficial "Brown Siblings" series. For the most part I'd say it's not necessary to have read the previous book, but there are a references and situations that would be clearer if you did read it. Plus, it's a great book also so you should read it anyway.

Summary:
Elise Sorenson escapes to Seatt This is the third book I've read by Lauren Dane, and I think I'd probably say it's my favorite so far. It was a great read all around and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Series Note:
This book is the 2nd in Dane's unofficial "Brown Siblings" series. For the most part I'd say it's not necessary to have read the previous book, but there are a references and situations that would be clearer if you did read it. Plus, it's a great book also so you should read it anyway.

Summary:
Elise Sorenson escapes to Seattle after her life pretty much falls apart. Her abusive ex-husband is dead...after he injured her so badly that her dance career is over, and she's just won a court battle with his parents over custody of their daughter. So to start over she moves to Seattle and opens a ballet studio. Everything is going well for Elise and her daughter...and they only get better when she meets hunky neighbor Brody Brown.

With his tattoos, bad boy looks, and Harley-riding ways, Elise wonders if she should stay away. She's had her fill of bad boys, but once she gets to know Brody, she realizes he's one of the few genuinely good guys out there. It doesn't hurt that there is a blazing chemistry between them. Neither, though, are looking for a relationship so they settle on a friends with benefits compromise. But as the two grow close, feelings grow and each secretly wants more. First, though, Elise has to settle some issues from her past before she can hope to move on with Brody.

Review:
The absolute best thing about this book was the character of Brody. He is like my ultimate Alpha Bad Boy-Good Guy. I mean, he's got the whole bad boy thing going with all the tattoos (and being a tattoo artist), the overall look, the Harley, the attitude and all that...but he's is such a nice guy. He's kind and caring, genuine, sweet, loving, etc. Just an all around fantastic character. I loved reading about him.

I liked Elise as well, but not nearly as much as Brody. Elise got on my nerves now and then with her semi-lack of trust in Brody about her past and how she seemed to blame herself for every little thing. But she was still a strong woman to have made it through what she did.

On the romance front...great chemistry between these two characters. I thought they fit really well together and the development of the relationship throughout the book was fantastic. Plus, they had some smoking hot sex together! Seriously hot stuff there. And I liked how even though the scenes were erotic and hot, they didn't take over the book and make it a sex-fest. The story was very well-rounded.

I would say this book falls solidly into that contemporary romance genre where the book is all about the characters and the relationships and the trials and tribulations of life. It's a pretty basic story, but the way Dane tells it...the characters, the emotions, the relationships, the sex...all make it stand out and keep it from being boring.

And I loved that the H/H/H from the last book (Erin, Todd and Ben) had a good sized role in this book. I loved those three together and Dane gave us a nice peek into their life (a very vivid peek, at that....)

I just enjoyed this book all around. It had just about everything I love in a good romance book. I think Brody will be a character that stays in my mind for a while...not sure if he can beat out Tara Janzen's Christian Hawkins as my fav, but Brody's up there near the top.

WARNING, this book contains: explicit sex and language, oral sex, light ass play, masturbation, and a scene with m/m oral sex and m/f/m sex (not involving the H/H). ...more

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Oct 13, 2009 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: steamy-hot-romance-comtemp, lauren-dane, ebook, favorites

First Read January 22 2010

This book was freaking awesome!!!!!

I just finished it and I am just really at a loss for words except, it was just awesome!!!!

Re-read 9/2011

Brody Brown remains the #1 hero in my opinion. Everything about him was just so, so swoon worthy. He is every woman's fantasy, hell probably some men too.

This book was just as good if not better the second time around. I loved the camaraderie among the Brown siblings and the other people in their lives. I also have to admit I still ...more

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Oct 19, 2010 Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: dane

I really liked this book because of Brody. He is a wonderful character. He was solid and steady yet a bad boy hottie with a tattoo parlor! I also liked that we got to see Erin and her men again. I hope we see more of the baby and maybe Brody/Elise having one of their own in Cope's book.

I am pretty much over Raven. I know the question was out there about her being Adrian's HEA but I don't see how that could have happened. She was a petty bitch in this book. I can't see her changing her stripes. ...more

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Apr 17, 2010 Tiffany Danner rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010-reads

Coming Undone focuses on Brody Brown, Erin Brown鈥檚 (from Laid Bare) brother. Brody is the ideal big brother, if you can still say that about a sexy 40 year old tattooed biker guy. He took up the reigns raising his siblings when he was just 17 and has been their protector for all of his life. He runs a successful tattoo shop and has little time for more than a casual fling here and there. His world is reshaped when he starts up a casual relationship with his new neighbor, Elise Sorenson. Elise is Coming Undone focuses on Brody Brown, Erin Brown鈥檚 (from Laid Bare) brother. Brody is the ideal big brother, if you can still say that about a sexy 40 year old tattooed biker guy. He took up the reigns raising his siblings when he was just 17 and has been their protector for all of his life. He runs a successful tattoo shop and has little time for more than a casual fling here and there. His world is reshaped when he starts up a casual relationship with his new neighbor, Elise Sorenson. Elise is a single mom who has to worry about her daughter first and foremost, she has no time or desire for a full time boyfriend鈥�.. but that doesn鈥檛 mean she can鈥檛 have herself a piece of man candy here and there. Famous last words in any romance novel鈥�.

Just like Laid Bare, Coming Undone will have you wishing you had a strong breeze blowing through your living room鈥� or maybe a cold shower. Brody is strong, admirable, loyal, and devoted to his family. He is also sexy and confident enough to turn any woman into a melted pile of goo. I really enjoyed this book, tho not as much as Laid Bare. That isn鈥檛 because the writing or story isn鈥檛 as good, but it is solely based on the male leads鈥�. Todd is just more my kind of guy than Brody is鈥�. but Brody is a very close second.

The growth of relationship between Brody and Elise is sweet and timed perfectly. I really enjoyed the way Lauren Dane incorporated Elise鈥檚 daughter into the story, giving her just as much importance as the other characters and doing so realistically. As with Dane鈥檚 previous book, the theme of family and friends is a strong support to the plot and only adds the depth of the story. There were a few time when I felt scene transitions were a bit off or done too quickly, but it was easily overlooked.

Lauren Dane writes erotic romance novels that feel realistic. The characters deal with real problems, real threats, and do it with real courage and bravery鈥�. yet they get smoking hot love making to go along with it. If Lauren Dane isn鈥檛 on your auto buy list, she should be. Excuse me while I run off and stalk her mercilessly on twitter. ...more

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