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Strait Laced
Philip Lomax is a man with ambition. Getting ahead in business doesn't leave much time for fun. Relationships aren’t part of his plan, and falling in love will have to wait.
Go-go dancer and all-round bad boy Ben is his polar opposite but they can't seem to leave each other alone.
While Philip's certain nothing can come of it, Ben is determined to prove Philip isn't as strait-laced as he appears. Will opposites attract in this standalone contemporary romance?
Go-go dancer and all-round bad boy Ben is his polar opposite but they can't seem to leave each other alone.
While Philip's certain nothing can come of it, Ben is determined to prove Philip isn't as strait-laced as he appears. Will opposites attract in this standalone contemporary romance?
285 pages, ebook
First published November 28, 2017
16 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Kate Aaron
36 books338 followersBorn in Liverpool, Kate Aaron is a bestselling author of the #1 LGBT romances What He Wants, Ace, The Slave, and other works.
Kate swapped the North West for the Midwest in October 2015 and married award-winning author AJ Rose. Together they plan to take over the world.
Kate swapped the North West for the Midwest in October 2015 and married award-winning author AJ Rose. Together they plan to take over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 9, 2018
BR review with Lost
2.5 Hearts
Unfortunately, I came down on the other side of the 3 hearts mark on this fence straddler. I struggled with this one for 4 days and while there were things that I liked, it's not one I'll remember.
The quotes above show the sexual chemistry Philip and Ben have. I won't deny that the sex (biting, rough sex but no MANTIES 😢) was hot and their chemistry is undeniable, but there's not enough of it to be categorized as PWP and what happens outside the sex didn't wow me.
Their relationship has very little drama from without or within which I enjoyed along with the realistic progression and sweetly domestic HEA. Aside from Philip's continual loop of unworthiness, they do have a good opposites attract thing happening and I liked that Ben challenges him in all things.
Ben's character is charming and irresistible; he's defiant and unapologetic about his circumstances both past and present. Perhaps if we had gotten his POV my rating would be higher. Who knows? As it stands we only get Philip's POV and he's not nearly as dynamic. Struggling with self-image issues and constantly preoccupied with what others think of him are hackneyed concepts that have to be done exceptionally well for me to connect. There were moments, but there was also a lack of depth.
However, my main criticism is the tedium. Info dumps and pointless conversations that do not add to the narrative in meaningful ways stymied my emotional connection to this narrative. As an emotional reader, that's what I look for in every story I read and if I can't find it chances are high that I'm not going to enjoy the experience all that much.
Perhaps it's the slice of life storyline that doesn't resonate where this author is concerned, since my last foray din't go much better than this. I may give her AU slavefic a shot and see how that goes but I think this is the end of line between me and Aaron's contemporary reads.
I wouldn't recommend but my opinions are my own and YMMV.
A review copy was provided.
2.5 Hearts
Unfortunately, I came down on the other side of the 3 hearts mark on this fence straddler. I struggled with this one for 4 days and while there were things that I liked, it's not one I'll remember.
The quotes above show the sexual chemistry Philip and Ben have. I won't deny that the sex (biting, rough sex but no MANTIES 😢) was hot and their chemistry is undeniable, but there's not enough of it to be categorized as PWP and what happens outside the sex didn't wow me.
Their relationship has very little drama from without or within which I enjoyed along with the realistic progression and sweetly domestic HEA. Aside from Philip's continual loop of unworthiness, they do have a good opposites attract thing happening and I liked that Ben challenges him in all things.
Ben's character is charming and irresistible; he's defiant and unapologetic about his circumstances both past and present. Perhaps if we had gotten his POV my rating would be higher. Who knows? As it stands we only get Philip's POV and he's not nearly as dynamic. Struggling with self-image issues and constantly preoccupied with what others think of him are hackneyed concepts that have to be done exceptionally well for me to connect. There were moments, but there was also a lack of depth.
"After a certain point you have live your own life without worrying what everyone else will think."
However, my main criticism is the tedium. Info dumps and pointless conversations that do not add to the narrative in meaningful ways stymied my emotional connection to this narrative. As an emotional reader, that's what I look for in every story I read and if I can't find it chances are high that I'm not going to enjoy the experience all that much.
Perhaps it's the slice of life storyline that doesn't resonate where this author is concerned, since my last foray din't go much better than this. I may give her AU slavefic a shot and see how that goes but I think this is the end of line between me and Aaron's contemporary reads.
I wouldn't recommend but my opinions are my own and YMMV.
A review copy was provided.
December 21, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Oh you guys, I absolutely adored this one from start to finish. I am a huge fan of opposites attract stories and give me a somewhat uptight hero paired with a bit of a bad boy and I am all there. So I knew this one would be up my alley, but I had no idea just how much Kate Aaron would blow me away with this romantic, sexy, and incredibly absorbing story.
I think that what makes this book stand out from many others with a similar theme is how incredibly well drawn Aaron makes these characters. Both Philip and Ben are so nuanced and layered, I felt like I was discovering new things about them throughout the book. Yes, we have the “bad boy” with the “uptight” guy. And that definitely describes these two on the surface. But there is just so much more to each of them, so many fascinating elements that we uncover as the story goes on, that I was totally captivated. I particularly love the way that these guys not only discover more about each other as they get to know one another, but also by doing so, learn more about themselves and what they want from their own lives. We are in Philip’s POV, but I never felt like this was just his journey. Aaron does a wonderful job making both of these characters incredibly accessible even through Philip’s eyes.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Oh you guys, I absolutely adored this one from start to finish. I am a huge fan of opposites attract stories and give me a somewhat uptight hero paired with a bit of a bad boy and I am all there. So I knew this one would be up my alley, but I had no idea just how much Kate Aaron would blow me away with this romantic, sexy, and incredibly absorbing story.
I think that what makes this book stand out from many others with a similar theme is how incredibly well drawn Aaron makes these characters. Both Philip and Ben are so nuanced and layered, I felt like I was discovering new things about them throughout the book. Yes, we have the “bad boy” with the “uptight” guy. And that definitely describes these two on the surface. But there is just so much more to each of them, so many fascinating elements that we uncover as the story goes on, that I was totally captivated. I particularly love the way that these guys not only discover more about each other as they get to know one another, but also by doing so, learn more about themselves and what they want from their own lives. We are in Philip’s POV, but I never felt like this was just his journey. Aaron does a wonderful job making both of these characters incredibly accessible even through Philip’s eyes.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 23, 2017
*3.5 stars*
I enjoyed this a lot! I had some niggles that didn't let me round up to 4 stars, but overall I'm glad I decided to pick this up. I'll keep an eye out for more stories by this author in the future.
This is a low angst, sexy, poignant, opposites attract story. It's also deliciously British! It's what happens when Philip, a business analyst, falls for Ben, a go go boy.
It took a while for me to warm up to Philip. He really is strait laced, and several things about him rubbed me the wrong way; for example, his shame, guilt and regret after a potential hook up or him being ashamed of Ben. I also never quite understood if he overreacted about his daddy issues, or if there was really a big problem there. In the end, though, he won me over as well.
I loved Ben. The story is told exclusively from Philip's POV, but I think that the author did a good job with Ben's character. He was very well sketched, although he was a mystery for the first part of the book.
Ben is a product of his environment, and Aaron nailed that part of the story. I finally understood him when I met his (lovely) family and learnt about his background. This was one of my favorite parts of the story.
There are plenty of sexy times here. Ben and Philip have great chemistry, and I loved that Philip was definitely NOT straight laced in the bedroom department.
Another thing I loved was how natural and steady paced the relationship development was. From the beginning of the book, to the "I love yous" and the nice epilogue, nothing felt rushed or forced.
I loved the writing although I thought that the narration was somewhat uneven in certain parts of the book. For instance, some (not so important) scenes were overdetailed and took up many pages, and then all of a sudden we 're transfered in a different scene, an important one.
I realise I might sound like I had a lot of issues with the book, but overall I enjoyed it. Don't let my niggles discourage you from picking it up, if you like the author's work. In the end, Ben and Philip won me over.
I enjoyed this a lot! I had some niggles that didn't let me round up to 4 stars, but overall I'm glad I decided to pick this up. I'll keep an eye out for more stories by this author in the future.
This is a low angst, sexy, poignant, opposites attract story. It's also deliciously British! It's what happens when Philip, a business analyst, falls for Ben, a go go boy.
It took a while for me to warm up to Philip. He really is strait laced, and several things about him rubbed me the wrong way; for example, his shame, guilt and regret after a potential hook up or him being ashamed of Ben. I also never quite understood if he overreacted about his daddy issues, or if there was really a big problem there. In the end, though, he won me over as well.
I loved Ben. The story is told exclusively from Philip's POV, but I think that the author did a good job with Ben's character. He was very well sketched, although he was a mystery for the first part of the book.
Ben is a product of his environment, and Aaron nailed that part of the story. I finally understood him when I met his (lovely) family and learnt about his background. This was one of my favorite parts of the story.
There are plenty of sexy times here. Ben and Philip have great chemistry, and I loved that Philip was definitely NOT straight laced in the bedroom department.
Another thing I loved was how natural and steady paced the relationship development was. From the beginning of the book, to the "I love yous" and the nice epilogue, nothing felt rushed or forced.
I loved the writing although I thought that the narration was somewhat uneven in certain parts of the book. For instance, some (not so important) scenes were overdetailed and took up many pages, and then all of a sudden we 're transfered in a different scene, an important one.
I realise I might sound like I had a lot of issues with the book, but overall I enjoyed it. Don't let my niggles discourage you from picking it up, if you like the author's work. In the end, Ben and Philip won me over.
September 25, 2021
A low-key, solid opposites-attract story in which a young tattooed bar dancer and an almost as young uptight businessman find a place they meet in the middle. Both have vulnerabilities, although most of the mistakes are Philip's. This is fairly low-angst, dancing past a variety of moments that might have gone off the angst cliff. Both men take risks they shouldn't have, which work out because they are both good men at heart. Philip needed a bit of a shake-up for some of his ingrained superiority, which he keeps denying and explaining away and then displaying again, but that does happen as they figure themselves and each other out.
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November 15, 2017Available to pre-order now:
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December 17, 2017
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
**3.5 stars**
This story was very different from the usual romances I’ve read. First of all, Philip Lomax, is definitely pretty strait-laced—in his appearance, his dress, his career, and his behavior. So what happens when he meets Ben, go-go dancer and free spirit? Well, throughout most of the first half of the story, he remains pretty strait-laced, i.e., boring.
Philip heads to Manchester to win over a client for his London-based company. When he decides to head to a bar to relax a bit, he of course, wears his suit. It doesn’t matter to him that he’s the one one suited up. He has personal standards to uphold. Obviously, he stands out in the crowd, though, and one of the people who notices him is Ben—sexy, tattooed, flirtatious Ben.
A series of events occur that lead Philip to, correctly, assume that Ben doesn’t actually have a home, and since he just can’t imagine such a thing, he goes back to find Ben and offer to share his own hotel room. This is the beginning of a slow-burn romance between what can only be called “the odd couple.”
It takes quite a bit of time for Ben’s influence to impact Philip’s outlook on life, his mode of dress, his attitudes toward relationships, and more. Ben’s circumstances are not what we see in some books with guys living on the street or roaming from friend’s couch to friend’s couch—his family loves him. The problem is they are so large and so poor that Ben was able to move out on his own without any push by his parents to keep him home. He did it to spare them the expense and they simply didn’t realize it. But Philip does, and as he falls more and more in lust and eventually love with Ben, they find that they each soften the other’s rough edges.
This story takes a while to come to the point where changes can be seen, and as I stated, it’s a slow, slow burn. Yes, there is sex, but the romance, the coming together of goals, the repair of family relationships, including Philip’s relationship with his stepfather—which has influenced much of his career choices and need to please—all take time to develop.
To be honest, I nearly gave up on it because I found Philip to be a boring character throughout the whole first half. Plus, I wasn’t sure whether Ben was going to change enough to accept that someone could love him for himself. It was difficult for his character to accept help—financial or otherwise—when he was constantly rejecting “charity” from those who previously wanted to help him. But eventually, these two got to a point where their relationship blossomed, principally because each of them blossomed under the other’s love and attention and the story turned out to be much better than I thought it was going to be.
**3.5 stars**
This story was very different from the usual romances I’ve read. First of all, Philip Lomax, is definitely pretty strait-laced—in his appearance, his dress, his career, and his behavior. So what happens when he meets Ben, go-go dancer and free spirit? Well, throughout most of the first half of the story, he remains pretty strait-laced, i.e., boring.
Philip heads to Manchester to win over a client for his London-based company. When he decides to head to a bar to relax a bit, he of course, wears his suit. It doesn’t matter to him that he’s the one one suited up. He has personal standards to uphold. Obviously, he stands out in the crowd, though, and one of the people who notices him is Ben—sexy, tattooed, flirtatious Ben.
A series of events occur that lead Philip to, correctly, assume that Ben doesn’t actually have a home, and since he just can’t imagine such a thing, he goes back to find Ben and offer to share his own hotel room. This is the beginning of a slow-burn romance between what can only be called “the odd couple.”
It takes quite a bit of time for Ben’s influence to impact Philip’s outlook on life, his mode of dress, his attitudes toward relationships, and more. Ben’s circumstances are not what we see in some books with guys living on the street or roaming from friend’s couch to friend’s couch—his family loves him. The problem is they are so large and so poor that Ben was able to move out on his own without any push by his parents to keep him home. He did it to spare them the expense and they simply didn’t realize it. But Philip does, and as he falls more and more in lust and eventually love with Ben, they find that they each soften the other’s rough edges.
This story takes a while to come to the point where changes can be seen, and as I stated, it’s a slow, slow burn. Yes, there is sex, but the romance, the coming together of goals, the repair of family relationships, including Philip’s relationship with his stepfather—which has influenced much of his career choices and need to please—all take time to develop.
To be honest, I nearly gave up on it because I found Philip to be a boring character throughout the whole first half. Plus, I wasn’t sure whether Ben was going to change enough to accept that someone could love him for himself. It was difficult for his character to accept help—financial or otherwise—when he was constantly rejecting “charity” from those who previously wanted to help him. But eventually, these two got to a point where their relationship blossomed, principally because each of them blossomed under the other’s love and attention and the story turned out to be much better than I thought it was going to be.
November 29, 2017
Strait Laced is a stand- alone contemporary romance by Kate Aaron. My first introduction to finding this author was her Free Men Trilogy which I loved. This a contemporary romance gave me the view that she can write everything; which I note from Amazon she does!
Not a topic that hasn’t been done, of opposites attracting, Ms Aaron does a fine job of making this book light and fun as two young men, from two very different worlds, find more in common than not!
Philip Lomax is in the business world, grooming himself to make his family, his Father, proud, and to date in his mind….never quite attaining it.
Meeting Ben a male dancer at a club one night, the attraction sparks and Philip’s one night stand becomes something he finds comfort in, besides the sex is great. Thinking a few more meetings won’t hurt, Philip becomes attached to this free spirit, the spirit he would love to be.
The flow of watching Philip unwind, the story of why he is how he is, is so worth the read, while our Ben grows to understand acceptance is a two way street, and he deserves all in life as well as Philip.
Ms. Aaron this story was again a 5 star read for me…Will checkout some of your other books as soon as I have a chance.
Not a topic that hasn’t been done, of opposites attracting, Ms Aaron does a fine job of making this book light and fun as two young men, from two very different worlds, find more in common than not!
Philip Lomax is in the business world, grooming himself to make his family, his Father, proud, and to date in his mind….never quite attaining it.
Meeting Ben a male dancer at a club one night, the attraction sparks and Philip’s one night stand becomes something he finds comfort in, besides the sex is great. Thinking a few more meetings won’t hurt, Philip becomes attached to this free spirit, the spirit he would love to be.
The flow of watching Philip unwind, the story of why he is how he is, is so worth the read, while our Ben grows to understand acceptance is a two way street, and he deserves all in life as well as Philip.
Ms. Aaron this story was again a 5 star read for me…Will checkout some of your other books as soon as I have a chance.
December 28, 2017
A nice straight forward opposites-attract story. Philip is posh and reserved and surprised when the dancer in a club buys him a drink. Ben is always broke and frequently homeless and makes a habit of picking up men so he'll have a place to sleep for the night. Ben and Philip don't get along at first but they spend some time together and slowly get over their differences. There is not a lot that happens, plot-wise, in this story but I so enjoyed the characters and the authors voice that I went along for the ride. Adding depth to the story was the class disparity between Ben and Philip. They grew up very differently and they aren't sure how they will fit into each of their worlds and families. But they work it out and I was totally convinced of their HEA.
March 6, 2018
By about the 25% mark, I was tired of this book and ready for it to be over. I was always on the verge of DNFing, but stuck it out. The writing itself isn't bad - I've really liked other books by this author, so it earned 3 stars instead of 2.
I never really trusted Ben, nor was I convinced it was ok for Phillip to trust him. They were two very different people, but not in a good, opposites-attract way. They didn't seem to be a good fit at all. I saw them both make some lifestyle changes, but not the character development that would give me confidence in the success of their relationship.
I never really trusted Ben, nor was I convinced it was ok for Phillip to trust him. They were two very different people, but not in a good, opposites-attract way. They didn't seem to be a good fit at all. I saw them both make some lifestyle changes, but not the character development that would give me confidence in the success of their relationship.
December 31, 2017
A really nice opposites attract romance set between London and Manchester.
I love how both Ben and Philip grown together and as individuals. The cast and setting is great as are the everyday conflicts of distance and class difference.
It would have been a richer book with Ben's point of view but this is a really lovely romance that I enjoyed every moment of--well written with engaging compelling heroes.
I love how both Ben and Philip grown together and as individuals. The cast and setting is great as are the everyday conflicts of distance and class difference.
It would have been a richer book with Ben's point of view but this is a really lovely romance that I enjoyed every moment of--well written with engaging compelling heroes.
November 18, 2017
I was lucky enough to read this book on Wattpad. I did however wait right until the last minute to read it, and then devoured the whole book in two nights!
I fell in love with Ben almost as soon as I read his first line, Philip however took a while to grow on me.
Brilliant story and wonderful writing!
I fell in love with Ben almost as soon as I read his first line, Philip however took a while to grow on me.
Brilliant story and wonderful writing!
November 28, 2017
I loved Strait Laced, everything, London and Manchester, Ben and Philip, it was all great. They were a sweet couple from two different lives even though they were close in age. I thought they both grew in this story and it was interesting to read their journey. They have great families and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would totally recommend this story.
November 30, 2017
Loved this.
Ben felt incredibly authentic, as if I really know him IRL. Philip was someone I had to warm to, but by the end of the book I felt totally satisfied that he and Ben should be together.
This isn’t an angst ridden story, and didn’t need to be. Sometimes all you need is a slow building love affair and a HEA.
Recommended.
Ben felt incredibly authentic, as if I really know him IRL. Philip was someone I had to warm to, but by the end of the book I felt totally satisfied that he and Ben should be together.
This isn’t an angst ridden story, and didn’t need to be. Sometimes all you need is a slow building love affair and a HEA.
Recommended.
July 24, 2022
So good!
I love this author! She does not disappoint.
Phillip & Ben are such great characters. This story checked all my boxes.
It was long enough for great character development without unnecessary filler.
The perfect amount of angst.
Side characters that made the story work.
Highly recommend!
I love this author! She does not disappoint.
Phillip & Ben are such great characters. This story checked all my boxes.
It was long enough for great character development without unnecessary filler.
The perfect amount of angst.
Side characters that made the story work.
Highly recommend!
January 3, 2019
It took me a while to warm up to this story. Until the 50% mark I was debating on DNF it. Phillip's self-depracation was getting on my nerves but once they bypassed it (well into the second half of the book) I started to like their dynamic and rooting for their HEA.
April 28, 2023
Tediosa y aburrida, de esas historias en las que estás esperando que pase algo que nunca llega a pasar y llena de conversaciones insulsas que no aportan nada.
No me apetece lo más mínimo perder el tiempo!
No me apetece lo más mínimo perder el tiempo!
January 8, 2018
Uptight business guy meets go-go dancer. Good idea but it was just too drawn out to be more than 3 stars.
February 7, 2018
You can read my review of “Strait Laced” at my web site.
June 19, 2019
Abandoned at 28%
Not feeling it.
Meh
Not feeling it.
Meh
June 26, 2021
This was a really sweet book!
April 25, 2019
3.5 stars
Synopsis: Philip works as an analyst for a company in London, but has to travel at least once a month north to Manchester. Even though Philip is very conscientious and is not in at work, he never really does anything but work at home. When he's not in London, he goes to the bars, even though he doesn't really like them. Something draws him there, though.
One night, Philip meets a dancer at the club. He's not anyone PHilip would be interested in normally, and who definitely wouldn't be interested in him, but somehow they end up together that night. Philip says all the wrong things to Ben, but something keeps drawing them together.
Although Philip still has to split his time between London and Manchester, they get to know each other well, and Philip comes to see that there is so much more to Ben, and that Ben brings out a lot of good in him.
Ben and Philip worked so well together. Philip was stuffy and snobby, but human with it. And he made human mistakes, but he worked to fix them. Throughout it all, they talked to each other and got to know one another.
I liked that Philip had to confront the fact that his childhood perceptions were not necessarily what actually went on. Ben and his family were lovely and loving together, and I kind of feel like they would eventually end up virtually adopting Philip as one of their own.
Well written, if a little dry and impersonal.
Synopsis: Philip works as an analyst for a company in London, but has to travel at least once a month north to Manchester. Even though Philip is very conscientious and is not in at work, he never really does anything but work at home. When he's not in London, he goes to the bars, even though he doesn't really like them. Something draws him there, though.
One night, Philip meets a dancer at the club. He's not anyone PHilip would be interested in normally, and who definitely wouldn't be interested in him, but somehow they end up together that night. Philip says all the wrong things to Ben, but something keeps drawing them together.
Although Philip still has to split his time between London and Manchester, they get to know each other well, and Philip comes to see that there is so much more to Ben, and that Ben brings out a lot of good in him.
Ben and Philip worked so well together. Philip was stuffy and snobby, but human with it. And he made human mistakes, but he worked to fix them. Throughout it all, they talked to each other and got to know one another.
I liked that Philip had to confront the fact that his childhood perceptions were not necessarily what actually went on. Ben and his family were lovely and loving together, and I kind of feel like they would eventually end up virtually adopting Philip as one of their own.
Well written, if a little dry and impersonal.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews