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Getting Schooled: An MM Romance Novella
Rafael
As principal, my schedule is chock full of mentoring students, coffee (obviously), and butting heads with construction worker Clint. His laid-back parenting style for his detention-prone nephew is making my job extra difficult. And it doesn’t help that whenever he comes in for a meeting, I imagine him grinding me like a pencil sharpener.
The highlight of my day is talking to Mr. Appleseed, my email pen pal. With each message, he worms his way closer to my heart. Is this a one-sided love connection destined for another heartbreak?
Clint
One day, I’m chugging along as a lifelong bachelor. The next, I’m an instant parent to my nephew after my sister unexpectedly dies. He’s hurting, and I can’t do anything right. The last thing I need is for some fancy-pants principal to remind me that I’m floundering in my new role.
At least I have CactiGuy. He’s the one person in this world I can truly confide in, the one person who makes me believe I can do this dad thing.
But now he wants to meet. Will he like the man behind Mr. Appleseed?
Getting Schooled is a sexy, sweet novella containing all your enemies-to-lovers, single dad, anonymous pen pal vibes…plus an apple tree, cacti, and karaoke machine to keep things interesting. It’s a prequel to the South Rock High series, but can be enjoyed on its own. This story is also available to my newsletter subscribers, but if newsletters aren't your thing, you're welcome to read it here.
As principal, my schedule is chock full of mentoring students, coffee (obviously), and butting heads with construction worker Clint. His laid-back parenting style for his detention-prone nephew is making my job extra difficult. And it doesn’t help that whenever he comes in for a meeting, I imagine him grinding me like a pencil sharpener.
The highlight of my day is talking to Mr. Appleseed, my email pen pal. With each message, he worms his way closer to my heart. Is this a one-sided love connection destined for another heartbreak?
Clint
One day, I’m chugging along as a lifelong bachelor. The next, I’m an instant parent to my nephew after my sister unexpectedly dies. He’s hurting, and I can’t do anything right. The last thing I need is for some fancy-pants principal to remind me that I’m floundering in my new role.
At least I have CactiGuy. He’s the one person in this world I can truly confide in, the one person who makes me believe I can do this dad thing.
But now he wants to meet. Will he like the man behind Mr. Appleseed?
Getting Schooled is a sexy, sweet novella containing all your enemies-to-lovers, single dad, anonymous pen pal vibes…plus an apple tree, cacti, and karaoke machine to keep things interesting. It’s a prequel to the South Rock High series, but can be enjoyed on its own. This story is also available to my newsletter subscribers, but if newsletters aren't your thing, you're welcome to read it here.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2025
1 person is currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Truman
33 books1,064 followersWelcome! I’m a gay male author who writes MM romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. My characters fall into bed and fall in love, usually in that order. Think LOL meets DTF.
I live in central Indiana, surrounded by churches and Olive Gardens, with my husband, kids, and cats. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing around a toddler or sneaking off to a movie.
Make sure to sign up for my newsletter The Outsiders to get the latest updates on my books and to start reading free stories.
http://www.ajtruman.com/outsiders/
I live in central Indiana, surrounded by churches and Olive Gardens, with my husband, kids, and cats. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing around a toddler or sneaking off to a movie.
Make sure to sign up for my newsletter The Outsiders to get the latest updates on my books and to start reading free stories.
http://www.ajtruman.com/outsiders/
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 30, 2023
beautiful exquisite fantastic decadent. short, sweet, and fucking HOT. i could’ve easily read a full book about these two like the messaging!? talk about my type on mf PAPER. ugh. anyway i’m diving into the teacher’s series LFG.
January 27, 2025
3.5 stars. A little bit cringey, but also a good setup for the series. I’ll try book 1 and report back 🫡
January 16, 2025
A cute quick read. This novella introduces the characters from the ‘South Rock High’ series.
I loved reading about how principal Aguilar met his partner.
A great little read from a favourite author.
I loved reading about how principal Aguilar met his partner.
A great little read from a favourite author.
February 16, 2025
“Getting Schooled” by A.J. Truman is a fun, short prequel to the South Rock High series, introducing readers to Rafael, the no-nonsense principal, and Clint, the rugged construction worker suddenly thrust into the role of a guardian. Rafael is dedicated to his students, coffee, and online pen pal, Mr. Johnny Appleseed. Meanwhile, Clint struggles to find footing as he cares for his nephew, Terrence, and clashes with Rafael at every turn. Little do they know, the anonymous confidants they have been pouring their hearts out to online are, in fact, each other.
This novella had some great moments, with an engaging enemies-to-lovers dynamic and the added fun of an anonymous pen-pal romance. I enjoyed the setup and the lightheartedness, but it didn't give me enough time to invest entirely in the relationship as a short story. Some moments felt rushed, and I wished for more depth in the interactions before their feelings developed. That said, it was a cute, quick read, and I liked seeing the setup for the South Rock High series. If you are a fan of Truman’s books, this is a nice addition, but I didn't love it as much as his full-length stories. -3 Stars!
This novella had some great moments, with an engaging enemies-to-lovers dynamic and the added fun of an anonymous pen-pal romance. I enjoyed the setup and the lightheartedness, but it didn't give me enough time to invest entirely in the relationship as a short story. Some moments felt rushed, and I wished for more depth in the interactions before their feelings developed. That said, it was a cute, quick read, and I liked seeing the setup for the South Rock High series. If you are a fan of Truman’s books, this is a nice addition, but I didn't love it as much as his full-length stories. -3 Stars!
June 22, 2025
I read the prequel novella Getting Schooled by AJ Truman and it was a great prelude into the South Rock High series (even though I’d already read the first book)!
I highly recommend reading this to add to your experience and get to know the characters.
Raphael, the principal and Clint, who has become a parent to his nephew Terrence 6 months prior, who is a student at South Rock High. They are clashing as principal/parent in real life and are unknowingly pen-pals via email as CactiGuy and Johnny, respectively. They have been each other’s confidants and support person.
This story packs a punch in a sort amount of pages, it’s funny, sweet and touching as they discover each other’s identities and realise they’re the perfect match. I could have had a full novel of these two, however I’m satisfied with their story! Onto book two!
I highly recommend reading this to add to your experience and get to know the characters.
Raphael, the principal and Clint, who has become a parent to his nephew Terrence 6 months prior, who is a student at South Rock High. They are clashing as principal/parent in real life and are unknowingly pen-pals via email as CactiGuy and Johnny, respectively. They have been each other’s confidants and support person.
This story packs a punch in a sort amount of pages, it’s funny, sweet and touching as they discover each other’s identities and realise they’re the perfect match. I could have had a full novel of these two, however I’m satisfied with their story! Onto book two!
March 24, 2025
The only reason I gave this four and not five is because I want more of Rafael and Clint story. This novella was amazing and I want to read more about the two men in it. I am sure they pop up throughout the South Rock High series which I can’t wait to jump into now.
June 18, 2025
nerdな高校教師とjockたちとのロマンスシリーズ番外編。サボテン大好きな高校の校長先生と、彼が園芸SNSで出会ってメッセージのやり取りをする内に好意を持つようになったappleseedさんの中編。appleseedさんが実は…！という筋と、傷ついた子供にどう接するか、という物語も含まれている。中編なのでサッパリとハッピーエンドに行きつく。シリーズで何度も登場してきた校長先生が、シリーズ前日譚としてこんなことがあったのね、と分かってよかった。
September 24, 2025
This is the prequel to the South Rock high series and it's about principal Aguilar and his husband Clint. Them being pen pals was so cute and I wish it had have been longer. May Cactus guy and Johnny Appleseed prosper.
October 10, 2025
I rate this book a bit over 3 stars, rounded down to 3. The story was pleasant but unremarkable. I enjoyed that Rafael and Clint found each other, but wished that the journey had been fleshed out more fully.
November 12, 2023
A cute story. Sweet and steamy with a bit of angst.
May 27, 2024
Una buena precuela de un personaje de una saga de este autor
March 28, 2025
It was fun getting Rafael's experience. He was such a funny character in the other books. Johnny Appleseed and CactiGuy were so cute!
April 21, 2025
3.5 rounded to 4
June 29, 2025
3.5
nothing special but really loved to get to onow the principal more
nothing special but really loved to get to onow the principal more
August 13, 2025
Another great novella by one of my favorites!
September 11, 2025
I would’ve read (and loved) a full length novel about these two!
January 22, 2025
This was such a cute and short novella. You can either read this before or after the series but either way you can read and jump in whenever you want. I read this after I read the main series and it was just as good. I loved seeing how the principal of South Rock High ended up with his man.
Rafael hasn’t been lucky in love and always ends up alone. He decides to just stick with his love for his cactus’s and continuing to write to his online pal that he met through an online forum for gardening and plants. Hoping maybe one day to meet but doesn’t want to lose that companionship that he found with this person.
Clint is having a rough time getting his nephew to go to school. He recently lost his mom and struggling with the lose and surviver guilt and not wanting to go to school. He doesn’t take to Rafael helping at first and takes him some time to come around and start accepting that he might need help. Through his friendship with his online pal who he later finds out is Rafael he starts slowly trying to help his nephew open up and know that no matter what he is there for him, always.
I really loved Clint’s relationship with his nephew and the love he shows towards him and wanting to be a better father figure for him really shines through and towards the end I love seeing them with Rafael and how much his nephew accepts him into their little family. It was really beautiful.
My only problem was since it was a novella it was short and it feels like we didn’t get enough time between Rafael and Clint the way I would have wanted to. I always want more. But still overall I loved getting to know them better and seeing how they ended up together. Clint really was such a perfect man for Rafael and the other way around with Rafael being just perfect for Clint. They understood each other on such a deeper level and I loved that.
Overall it was a nice and short read and I’ll definitely recommend giving this a read if you’re interested in reading the South Rock High series or just want something short to read. With this author you really can’t go wrong. It’s always a good and fun time with a good helping of spice.
Rafael hasn’t been lucky in love and always ends up alone. He decides to just stick with his love for his cactus’s and continuing to write to his online pal that he met through an online forum for gardening and plants. Hoping maybe one day to meet but doesn’t want to lose that companionship that he found with this person.
Clint is having a rough time getting his nephew to go to school. He recently lost his mom and struggling with the lose and surviver guilt and not wanting to go to school. He doesn’t take to Rafael helping at first and takes him some time to come around and start accepting that he might need help. Through his friendship with his online pal who he later finds out is Rafael he starts slowly trying to help his nephew open up and know that no matter what he is there for him, always.
I really loved Clint’s relationship with his nephew and the love he shows towards him and wanting to be a better father figure for him really shines through and towards the end I love seeing them with Rafael and how much his nephew accepts him into their little family. It was really beautiful.
My only problem was since it was a novella it was short and it feels like we didn’t get enough time between Rafael and Clint the way I would have wanted to. I always want more. But still overall I loved getting to know them better and seeing how they ended up together. Clint really was such a perfect man for Rafael and the other way around with Rafael being just perfect for Clint. They understood each other on such a deeper level and I loved that.
Overall it was a nice and short read and I’ll definitely recommend giving this a read if you’re interested in reading the South Rock High series or just want something short to read. With this author you really can’t go wrong. It’s always a good and fun time with a good helping of spice.
November 30, 2025
It’s fine
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews