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“Teach me.”

Two words I never thought I’d say while lying underneath somebody I barely know, yet here we are.



August Moore is one of the sexiest cowboys I’ve ever laid my eyes on, with a flirty smirk and southern drawl that would make anybody weak in the knees.

When I move to the small town of Wolf Creek and get a job at a local coffee shop, he sets his sights on me, and I don’t stand a chance against his charm and filthy mouth.



After an embarrassing run in with him involving hot coffee and a whole lot of flour, he does the very last thing I expect… He asks me out.



Except I’m inexperienced in every sense of the word.

And him? Well, he’s more than happy to show me the ropes as we lie under the stars late at night.



But word around town is August Moore is a one night type of guy… Am I ready for that?

August is a prequel novella to The Moore Men series. It was originally in the Saddles & Sweethearts anthology before it was unpublished.

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2025

63 people are currently reading
417 people want to read

About the author

Ashley James

30 books1,399 followers
Ashley James is a romance author who enjoys writing (and reading) LGBTQIA+ books. She is from Washington State—and no, not Seattle—and currently resides in South Carolina with her two kids and hairless kitties, Goose, Maverick, and Houston. Ashley is introverted and slightly (okay, majorly) awkward. She refuses to make this section sound like a tacky dating app profile, so she won't be telling you how much she enjoys music, how she thoroughly enjoys dancing and singing in her kitchen, despite not being able to carry a tune, and she won't be telling you about her love of toxic and broken fictional men.

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5 stars
202 (27%)
4 stars
260 (35%)
3 stars
230 (31%)
2 stars
36 (4%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Profile Image for Dani.
1,667 reviews317 followers
March 27, 2025
I'm definitely in my cowboy romance era right now but after I read Finn (the book following this one) then I've read every KU cowboy romance on my TBR 😱😱

I really liked this introduction to the Moore Men series. August was so charming and funny, and Tripp was so sassy when he was annoyed! I really liked them together and I'm looking forward to seeing them pop up in the rest of the series too.
Profile Image for Kazza.
1,553 reviews175 followers
April 23, 2025
Quick Sexy Gay Novella

August and Tripp start out The Moore Men series nicely enough. It’s sweet, smutty, what you see in the blurb is what you get reading.
Tripp’s a virgin. Insecure. August is a huge flirt, bedded half of the town, and full of confidence. They have sex. Tripp hears about August’s one and done attitude to sexual partners. Tripp gets in his head over it, cue a smidge of a hurdle over that. Tripp wants more than to be a notch on a belt. August is happy to give Tripp that.
They become boyfriends. End of.
Profile Image for Kaelea Babner.
665 reviews14 followers
August 13, 2025
This was a cute, but very fast MM romance between August, who is the cousin of the Moore brothers and the man who makes him his coffee every morning.

I enjoyed the spice and the flirtation in this novella, but it just didn’t give me much to grip on to. This is my struggle with novellas, I always need more to really enjoy it.

I enjoyed seeing Finn and Hollis again after reading their books, but this occurs before they find their significant others.
Profile Image for Laura Lou.
307 reviews21 followers
March 18, 2025
August is the prequel novella to The Moore Men series. This MM romance is about August and Tripp.

August is the confident, flirty playboy that works on his family’s ranch. Tripp is a shy and awkward virgin that works as a barista in the coffee shop not too far from the ranch. I just loved this opposites attract story and couldn’t get enough of August and Tripp. This novella left me wanting more of them together. I enjoyed August and Tripp so much that I would have loved a full length novel of them!
Profile Image for JɄ₦Ɇ.
61 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2025
Well, it wasn't bad, it was entertaining. It left me wanting to know more about the other Moore men, so I think it serves its purpose. Now I'm going to read Finn.
Profile Image for fortheloveofmmromancebooks.
310 reviews30 followers
April 19, 2025
August Moore loves his morning coffee, which he gets from a cute barista at the cafe that opens early enough for him to go.

Trip Beach works in the cafe and enjoys his job. Every day he serves August and they chat. Eventually August asks Tripp on a date. Tripp is so happy about this.

August takes Tripp to a beautiful part of his family’s ranch where he works and lives. For Tripp, their date is out of this world, as they hook up and he finally discards his v card.
What Tripp doesn’t realise is that August is a one and done guy and never does seconds.
Once Tripp finds out about this, he become very distant with August and avoiding him when he comes in for his morning coffee.
August however, cannot get Tripp off his mind and he wants more with him. He just has to convince Tripp this.

This short novella is a perfect prequel to the Moore Men series from Ashley James. The way it is written makes you be able to see August and Tripp wonderfully described.
I loved the first book in the series Finn, so looking forward to more Moore men.
Profile Image for Rombookfanlove.
339 reviews16 followers
April 14, 2025
3.5 rounded down to 3.

This was a cute and sexy quick read. August was a whole lot of charm and Tripp was a whole lot of awkward cuteness. Loved the “teach me” vibes and how Tripp comes a bit more into himself through August.

I think I would have liked maybe a bit more depth to August. He was mostly a charming, winking sort and I didn’t get much of his emotional thoughts or connection, I just wanted to know a little more about who he is actually- but other than that it was a good read. I just wouldn’t go into it for more than a fun, cute story.

Novellas often leave me wanting more and I would have loved to read more of the two of them but it was definitely a perfect light, hot afternoon read!
Profile Image for Willie Mercedes.
1,456 reviews136 followers
April 10, 2025
August is a charming little novella that once graced the pages of the Saddles and Sweethearts Anthology, before galloping off into the sunset. This story sets the stage for The Moore Men series, preceding Finn, but it stands strong on its own hooves too.

In this story, August is the dashing, smooth-talking cowboy tending to his family ranch, while Tripp is the shy, endearingly awkward barista brewing magic at the local café. When fate shuffles the deck, August decides it's time to saddle up and ask Tripp on a date to uncover the mysteries behind that timid smile. Yeehaw!

Things to know
Virgin MMC, small town, mm romance, novella, “teach me”, cowboy mc x barista mc
Profile Image for Natalie.
520 reviews18 followers
March 10, 2025
After reading Finn, I had to search everywhere to find August & Tripps story.It was a cute novella
Profile Image for Kelsey’s Kindle.
402 reviews21 followers
April 5, 2025
Loved awkward, shy Tripp! August should charm the pants off just about anyone! Adorable novella!
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,607 reviews58 followers
May 2, 2025
Short and spicy. Would have loved it to be just a bit longer, maybe 50 pages more to show more of how/why August changed his ways for Tripp
Profile Image for Amy Woods.
257 reviews14 followers
April 30, 2025
Manipulative MMC in a supposed fluffy novella

DNF at page 48. I was so uncomfortable. Tripp set boundaries and communicated clearly that he didn’t want to talk to August, or see him in a social capacity and August kept ignoring them and doing what he wanted. He went and got Tripp’s ADDRESS from his boss. So creepy! I wanted Tripp to find a better love interest honestly. I would have loved if August had disappeared from the book altogether.

August was manipulative, entitled and ignored boundaries. He gave me the ick so badly. Can we please stop writing men like this in non-dark books? They’re gross. I don’t want to see sh1tty men like this get happily ever afters.

I loved Finn, but this novella makes me hesitant to read Hollis when it comes out.
Profile Image for Amanda.
138 reviews
May 19, 2025
I started the Moore Men series with Finn so when I came back to August I was just expecting more, even for a novella. August came off as manipulative and even went to Tripp's boss to get his address even AFTER Tripp said he didn't want to talk to him. I loved Finn and wanted to much for Tripp and August, but it never got there. The chemistry was just off.
Profile Image for rachelreads22.
357 reviews10 followers
December 16, 2025
The book felt waaaay too short and I didn’t really get what I wanted from the characters. August honestly wasn’t likable and Tripp didn’t have much of a personality other than being nervous around Tripp.
Profile Image for CharlotteAtena.
435 reviews12 followers
November 11, 2025
I have to say that I've read Finn first so I already knew about August and Tripp since we meet them in the first novel of the Moore men series, this is the reason why this is a 4.5✨️ and not a 4. I think if I would've started with this one the rating would've been lower because it is too fast.

I get that August is the cousin, and not really a Moore, but still... I wish this story would've been a full novel instead of a novella. While what we got was sweet and hawt enough, I did wish we got to spend more time with these two. August goes from being a sweet playboy to being a boyfriend in like less than 100 pages, and Tripp goes from an inexperienced v!rg!n to being a top in less... idk. While I did connect with them due to the fact that ( as mentioned ) I meet them before and I already knew they got their HEA, it is sad to just assume this instead of reading about it. I also feel like my connection would've been even stronger if we got the time to properly get to meet them, see them fall in love, etc. I hope that one day the author will reconsider and she will transform this into a full on novel. August and Tripp do deserve this.

I'm not gonna say more because basically the blurb is what you get. There is no time for more, but it is an enjoyable read, it is fast, it is spicy enough, sweet enough, and also a good way to start this series.

Tbh, I don't know if it would be better to read this first or Finn and then come back to this one... I guess both have advantages and disadvantages... do what you feel works best for you. Yeah, this should be it.
Profile Image for XenyMarie.
578 reviews14 followers
July 11, 2025
“I won’t bite. Unless, of course, you want me to.”

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

This book was just so sweet and cute and all those nice feel-good adjectives that can be used to describe a story. Robert Hatchet did a great job with the narration of this story and at bringing both MCs to life.

August prefers to get his coffee from the fancy little coffee shop in town, and Tripp is the barista who always takes his order. All their interactions have been completely platonic, until this one day when Tripp trips while carrying a bag of flour, and well let's just say that August lost his coffee and had to go get a change of clothes before work. After this August asks Tripp on a date so he can make up for the accident and things escalate quickly.

I loved how sweet and innocent Tripp was, the nickname "sweetheart" was definitely made for him. And the way that August wanted to corrupt him, but also took his time to teach him was just swoony and hot. I just wish we had gotten to see more of those lessons.

Quote: “I had this need to spend more time with him, and even when he left later that afternoon after we all got done working, I still yearned for more. That’s new for me, but I like it.”
Profile Image for caffeinated.crystal .
535 reviews11 followers
December 23, 2025
I didn't really love this one. I love the ranch setting and cowboy/barista aspect. Even the "teach me" vibes. But August was a prick. His "charm" came off as smarmy.

I liked Tripp. Adorable, inexperienced and nervous. But under all that he had some fire and a lot of self respect.

I like the idea of a player finding someone that makes them wanna settle down... but August really rubbed me the wrong way.

ESPECIALLY the whole getting Tripp's address from his work "friend". Not only is that super unprofessional, it also isn't safe. And it's definitely not what a friend would do. ALSO it was cringe how August "charmed" the info out of Chloe.

I really wanted to like this one, and maybe I would have if it wasn't a novella and we could have had more time to flesh out the characters. Maybe we could have gotten more of August's inner dialog.

For the record, I'm not shaming a player or someone who is super into hook up culture. My issue was the charm that read as false and the almost predatory nature of August's "corruption kink".

I liked Finn, book one, and wanted to move from this book to Hollis, book 2... but I find myself wanting to take a little breather. If August pops up in Hollis I am gonna want to smack him in the face.
Profile Image for Cat Nunez.
1,050 reviews83 followers
March 28, 2025
I loved reading this short prequel about August and Tripp. In the previous book featuring August's cousin, they were already a couple, so it was nice to explore their interactions and learn about how they met.

August was a rancher and a flirt, drawn from the start to the new guy working in the coffee shop. Tripp was quiet and shy, focusing on his job despite August's typical flirting. After an incident, August decided to ask Tripp on a date to discover more about him.

Tripp was nervous around August, but I enjoyed reading about their moments together, especially when they finally acknowledged their attraction. Tripp lacked experience compared to August, so after hearing about August's past hookups, Tripp opted to distance himself. However, August couldn't get Tripp out of his mind and was determined to show him their relationship was different.

Their story was brief, yet I loved exploring their relationship and how they came together. I can't wait to read the following books in the series to see more of the Moore family and their interactions.
Profile Image for Jenny Talbot.
188 reviews9 followers
April 7, 2025
Audiobook Review

This novella was such a great, fully formed story. Rob Hatchet is flawless as August & Tripp in this small town MM cowboy romance.

I was immediately drawn in by August’s endearing attraction to the barista at his coffee shop, and how he so clearly is open about his attraction to him by calling him “sweetheart”. Rob had me swooning the entirety of his performance.

Though Rob is the singular performer of this story, his character voices for both male POVs is distinct, and speaks to both the inner feelings of each character and their impact on each other. Listen carefully for the subtleties, they are there, and so well balanced.

The story is well-written. There’s plenty of spice and discovery for both characters: August is known as a “player” and starts to realize there is something about Tripp that makes him want to change his ways….and Tripp needs someone to “teach him” if you catch what I’m throwing down. So delicious, I listened to this story in one sitting. 🥰
Profile Image for Mandy.
4,902 reviews46 followers
March 31, 2025
In Wolf Creek, newcomer Tripp finds himself captivated by August Moore, a charming cowboy with a magnetic southern drawl. After a clumsy coffee shop encounter, August surprises him by asking him out. Despite his inexperience, August offers to guide him through new experiences under the stars. However, rumours suggest August is only interested in fleeting connections, leaving him questioning if they're ready for what lies ahead.

This was a sweet novella where the two men met and made exceptions to their normal lives to be together. I'm looking forward to further books in this series to find out what happens to them in the future. Easy to feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.
Profile Image for LGO.
456 reviews
August 12, 2025
3 estrellas

⚪ M/M Romance
⚪ Cowboy Romance
⚪ Small Town Romance
⚪ Virgin MC

August es un vaquero sexy y ligón que no busca una relación seria, le gusta encadenar conquistas de una noche y su último encaprichamiento ha sido el nuevo camarero del bar del pueblo, que ha llegado recientemente, Tripp.
Tripp es virgen e inseguro y no quiere convertirse en uno más de la lista de conquistas de August.

Es una historia corta y por eso no le doy más puntuación ya que creo que se podría haber profundizado más en la trama. Sin embargo, me parece que sirve de precuela de la serie y me ha dado ganas de continuar leyendo sobre estos vaqueros. Además, August y Tripp viven una serie de momentos calientes de August "enseñando" a Tripp.
Profile Image for M. B..
116 reviews5 followers
March 30, 2025
Biggest complaint: the book was too short.
I really wanted to know more about both characters and their past. Ah, the pain of novellas.

August and Tripp have a meet-cute in a coffee shop. (Well they met before, but not met yk)
They go on dates, and even though they do stuff right from the start, it felt slow-ish.
August used to be a player but something in Tripp makes him want to pursue a relationship.
The book really showed that with the right person everyone can turn around and surprise the people who think they know him.
August was very sweet and caring and for a hook-up and done guy he really put thought behind the dates he planned to make Tripp feel good.
Profile Image for Flipping Nap Time.
291 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2025
Cute but way too short…

I read August after reading Finn. Although August is a novella and it’s supposed to be a shorter story, it moved at way too fast a pace for my liking. August and Tripp make a very cute couple and I wish they had gotten a full length novel. The age gap was not addressed. Tripp is a college kid and August is in his twenties? August is painted as this playboy cowboy and Tripp is the inexperienced barista. August takes him on the same first date he takes all his hookups but somehow that makes Tripp different? It was not very believable to me. Tripp standing up to August was great and that portion of dialogue was top notch!
Profile Image for Alicia Meyer.
1,475 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2025
Sort of cute

Honestly, it was rushed. This book came out after Finn and it is a prequel to that book but isn't important to read prior. It is was cute but you don't get in deep with either of the men and it just kind of ends. I'm hoping that maybe this isn't the end if these two,I hope we see them in a more complex situation that lends itself to a second chance romance but I don't know what the plan is. So if you love Ashley James you can check it out and see what I'm talking about and fingers crossed August and Tripp will have a deeper story later.
1,220 reviews45 followers
April 10, 2025
story of Tripp and August

This is an opposites attract romance, featuring August and Tripp, and is prequel novella to the Moore Men series.

This is a super cute story about two opposites knowing their worth, finding someone special and holding onto them, and I loved narration.

Things to expect in this book are:
Prequel novella
MM romance
Low angst
Opposites attract
Cowboy x Barista
Messy meet-cute
First date
Player x Virgin
S*x lessons
First times
Spicy times
Admit feelings
HEA
Profile Image for Andrea.
240 reviews4 followers
July 17, 2025
4 ⭐️
3.5 🌶️

I have a love hate relationship with novellas like this - I loved every single page of it, but I wanted more!!! Especially considering I’ve already read Finn and Hollis (the books that follow this one), I’m left waiting for the final book in the Moore Men series.
This deliciously spicy, opposites attract, MM romance was such a short and sweet read I could not put down. I read it so fast today. If you can’t tell from my recent reads (8) I’ve been heavily obsessed with the Cowboys written by Ashley James!
Profile Image for Sara Heroux.
187 reviews
November 3, 2025
August by Ashley James is a prequel novella for the Moore Men series — and it was the perfect quick read while I wait for Gentry’s book to drop in January! 🗓️
I’ve loved this whole series, and getting August’s story — the ranch hand/cousin who’s always giving Finn and Hollis grief — was such a fun bonus. 😂
Seeing how Tripp catches August’s eye and the two quickly find something real and serious was so satisfying. ❤️ And having Tripp be the inexperienced one gives August some very fun “teaching moments” 😏
⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️ 2.5 spice
📚 Available now on Kindle Unlimited
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