“Coffee Corral” is an unusual name for a coffeehouse, but it fits both the environment - a small town in Colorado - and the owner’s character. People are curious and intrigued enough to give the new place a try, and that’s all Thomas needs. He has moved back to the town he grew up in and is hoping to start a new life on familiar, peaceful ground. But the quiet time doesn’t last long, and he’s in for a tough time the moment Asher, a cowboy working at the local dude ranch, walks into his coffee bar. Asher isn’t out, and this is the story of Thomas, unwilling to go back into the closet, and Asher, unwilling to come out of it, dealing with an attraction that is so strong that it has both men wondering what’s up and what’s down. Thomas may be running a “fancy” coffee establishment now, but he used to ride bulls and has a far more varied background than his “city slicker” exterior suggests. He may not be telling everyone about his orientation, but he isn’t about to hide it either. He’s fought too long and hard ever to consider going into hiding again. And that is where the problems with Asher begin. Asher is a cowboy who works in the macho environment of a dude ranch. He is scared to death about coming out and losing his job, so he hides who he is to the point that he has a fake girlfriend. Not that Thomas knows this when Asher walks into his coffeehouse for the first time. Asher is as attracted to Thomas as the other way around, and he is disappointed when Thomas doesn’t want to be his “dirty secret”. It gives him something to think about because the longer they casually encounter each other at various events, the more Asher realizes that there is a lot more to the attraction than he thought. If you like stories about men who refuse to ever go back into the closet no matter what the cost, if a man who agonizes over coming out sounds interesting, and if you’re looking for a read that is realistic in terms of what some gay men go through before coming out, then you may like this story. It may just be the beginning of Thomas and Asher’s journey together, but it’s a vital part of them even getting to the point where they can be a couple and consider working on a relationship. It’s a great start

A new coffee shop and a closed gas station bring closeted cowboy and an out of the closet barista together in this novella. Asher wanders into the coffee shop owned by Thomas the day it opens. His regular place was closed and fate led him there. Thomas is immediately drawn to the shy cowboy and sparks fly when they run into each other at a party. Asher asks Thomas out and he thinks everything is going well, until he finds out that Asher is in the closet. DEEP in the closet. This book had a little bit of everything for me. Flirting, angst, drama. Even supporting characters- Thomas’ best friend and Asher’s “girlfriend”. I loved that Thomas is so true to who he is. He refuses to go back in the closet or even wait outside the closet door for Asher. They have such a chemistry together they sizzle, but Thomas won’t back down. Asher has to decide if he can come out. Change his life. And not for Thomas, but for himself. Thomas is willing to sacrifice his heart to not sacrifice his principles. Being a small business owner in a small town is tough, tougher if they know you are gay. But Thomas is who he is and makes no apologies for it. I found myself cheering them both on- it was hard not too! My biggest issue was the quick ending. All of a sudden- BAM! – it was over. Four stars for this novella that didn’t disappoint

It’s a quick read. The plot isn't overly complicated and nothing ground breaking happens to really pull a reader in but it is very well written for a fast, easy romance. I really liked the chemistry between him and his sexy cowboy Asher. I think this is good if you’re in the mood for something sweet and hot.

Cowboys, coffee and a gay romance. What could be better than this? I love this genre and S. C. Wynne has written a wonderful book that brings all the best together. the characters has depth, their issues were complex and it was extremely well written. When an author leaves me wanting more at the end of the book, they have written a winner, and that's The Cowboy and the Barista. I will definitely buy more from this author in the future.