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Always Falling Behind
Never hitch a ride with a stranger.
It was never even a consideration until my car broke down and I had an inheritance to collect.
When money was involved, I would pocket my morals and values and do the forbidden things my deceased mother instilled in me – survive.
Only this stranger looked hot, had a sexy smile, a rockin’ body. I didn’t care that he tripped over his words every time he spoke to me. I figured if he was a real killer, he’d be smoother in his script. Elias McGinnis is anything but scripted.
I’m Abigail Farnsworth-Burton. Heiress. Aspiring artist of mediums I’m not practiced in. Aspiring chef of meals I’ve never eaten. And, ADHD. Basically, it means I now own more than I can wrap my head around and limited life experience to tackle this enormous responsibility. My only saving grace is my new friend, Amy. She always knows exactly how to get things done. Too bad she’s a chicken.
I’m always falling behind in my responsibilities, but this time, I will prevail. I’ll make sure of it. If I only had a plan – and some actual money. Oh, and a car.
Always Falling Behind is an inspiring Contemporary Romantic Comedy that illustrates that people with neuro-divergent brains can be smart, successful, and worthy of deep love.
If you love a feel-good romance that inspires you, takes risks, and appreciate all you are, read Always Falling Behind today! Get your copy NOW!
It was never even a consideration until my car broke down and I had an inheritance to collect.
When money was involved, I would pocket my morals and values and do the forbidden things my deceased mother instilled in me – survive.
Only this stranger looked hot, had a sexy smile, a rockin’ body. I didn’t care that he tripped over his words every time he spoke to me. I figured if he was a real killer, he’d be smoother in his script. Elias McGinnis is anything but scripted.
I’m Abigail Farnsworth-Burton. Heiress. Aspiring artist of mediums I’m not practiced in. Aspiring chef of meals I’ve never eaten. And, ADHD. Basically, it means I now own more than I can wrap my head around and limited life experience to tackle this enormous responsibility. My only saving grace is my new friend, Amy. She always knows exactly how to get things done. Too bad she’s a chicken.
I’m always falling behind in my responsibilities, but this time, I will prevail. I’ll make sure of it. If I only had a plan – and some actual money. Oh, and a car.
Always Falling Behind is an inspiring Contemporary Romantic Comedy that illustrates that people with neuro-divergent brains can be smart, successful, and worthy of deep love.
If you love a feel-good romance that inspires you, takes risks, and appreciate all you are, read Always Falling Behind today! Get your copy NOW!
307 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2024
18 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Beth Gelman
7 books40 followersSassy Beth Gelman is a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author who loves to pull your heartstrings, get you riled up, and deliver it all in comedic realism.
In 2025, Never Getting Ahead won two first-place awards at The Bookfest Awards in Romantic Comedy and Multicultural Romance. She has earned honorable mentions at the 2024 Bookfest Awards and Readerviews.com for Always Falling Behind. In addition, Eight Crazy One Night Stands made her an #1 Amazon Best Selling Author. Beth brings the steam in her contemporary romances about women who speak up, take what's theirs, and embrace their wild side. Authentic, resilient, loyal, and spiritual, she’s not afraid to learn, fail, speak her mind, or try new things. More importantly, she loves her husband, twins, and all the dogs in the world!
In 2025, Never Getting Ahead won two first-place awards at The Bookfest Awards in Romantic Comedy and Multicultural Romance. She has earned honorable mentions at the 2024 Bookfest Awards and Readerviews.com for Always Falling Behind. In addition, Eight Crazy One Night Stands made her an #1 Amazon Best Selling Author. Beth brings the steam in her contemporary romances about women who speak up, take what's theirs, and embrace their wild side. Authentic, resilient, loyal, and spiritual, she’s not afraid to learn, fail, speak her mind, or try new things. More importantly, she loves her husband, twins, and all the dogs in the world!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 23, 2024
Abigail Farnsworth-Burton throws everything in Little Red, her temperamental car, and heads to Mystic, Connecticut, to claim the mansion a distant relative bequeathed to her in Beth Gelman’s “Always Falling Behind,” a Dazed and Confused steamy romance. For her life, Abigail cannot fathom why anyone would leave a sizable inheritance to such a scatter-brained-underachiever as herself, but she won’t ask questions! Abigail plans to live it up and claim what is rightfully hers. (So long as her ADHD brain allows the hyperfixation of endless hours behind the wheel!)
When Little Red decides to have a hissy fit and break down on the side of the road, Abigail can’t help but catastrophize the outcome. But through her abundant tears and moans of agony, she finds a silver lining in the shape of a sexy mechanic.
Enter Elias McGinnis, owner of Elias’s Fixer Upper. While there isn’t much he can do about the state of Abigail’s car, he offers the histrionic young woman a hanky (because he’s a classy type of guy) and a ride to Mystic. He planned to leave this cute but annoyingly moody woman to begin her new life. Still, it quickly becomes apparent that Abigail’s outdated, vermin-infested mansion needs some muscle, and Elias willingly offers his services.
The next few days are some of the best. Abigail opens up to Elias in a way she never has before, and Elias’s fondness (and unfettered attraction) for her grows exponentially. She’s stubborn, quirky, and sexy as hell. He’s wondering how he`ll ever return to his life in Pennsylvania. Abigail yearns to spend more time with this brawny but tender man.
Is Abigail and Elias’s connection strong enough to survive a long-distance relationship?
“Always Falling Behind” is an adorably quirky romance that follows Abigail, a spunky, neurodivergent woman, and Elias, a strong, straight-shooter who struggles with relationships. The absorbing novel is told from the first-person perspective, alternating between Abigail and Elias as they navigate mental health challenges and the plight of a long-distance romance.
I am thrilled that author Beth Gelman has chosen a non-neurotypical as the protagonist; this adds a sense of inclusivity for romance enthusiasts who have felt underrepresented in this genre. Abigail is a force to be reckoned with; she’s emotional, scatterbrained, and undeniably lovable. As soon as she began narrating, I felt a sense of joy and solidarity—like, (finally) here is a character I can resonate with. Between the twitchy, tangent-prone internal dialogue and the defaulting to self-deprecation, Abigail is a character for readers who feel misunderstood. Gelman’s book provides us with a sense of belonging.
Abigail and Elias’s fiery chemistry is palpable from the moment they lock eyes, and the author has done an excellent job capturing this. Gelman will keep any romance readers glued to the pages with smoldering stares, explicit dialogue, and plenty of swoon-worthy kisses culminating in some seriously scorching scenes. Beyond the physical connection, Abigail and Elias keep one another in line with playful banter and flirtatious teasing, further elevating the reading experience.
Contrary to the title, “Always Falling Behind” is miles ahead of other novels in its genre. Representation matters and the author has given readers what they want—a steamy romance with an effervescent character who struggles with neurodiversity and mental health. You don’t want to miss out on this book. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my hands on more from this author!
When Little Red decides to have a hissy fit and break down on the side of the road, Abigail can’t help but catastrophize the outcome. But through her abundant tears and moans of agony, she finds a silver lining in the shape of a sexy mechanic.
Enter Elias McGinnis, owner of Elias’s Fixer Upper. While there isn’t much he can do about the state of Abigail’s car, he offers the histrionic young woman a hanky (because he’s a classy type of guy) and a ride to Mystic. He planned to leave this cute but annoyingly moody woman to begin her new life. Still, it quickly becomes apparent that Abigail’s outdated, vermin-infested mansion needs some muscle, and Elias willingly offers his services.
The next few days are some of the best. Abigail opens up to Elias in a way she never has before, and Elias’s fondness (and unfettered attraction) for her grows exponentially. She’s stubborn, quirky, and sexy as hell. He’s wondering how he`ll ever return to his life in Pennsylvania. Abigail yearns to spend more time with this brawny but tender man.
Is Abigail and Elias’s connection strong enough to survive a long-distance relationship?
“Always Falling Behind” is an adorably quirky romance that follows Abigail, a spunky, neurodivergent woman, and Elias, a strong, straight-shooter who struggles with relationships. The absorbing novel is told from the first-person perspective, alternating between Abigail and Elias as they navigate mental health challenges and the plight of a long-distance romance.
I am thrilled that author Beth Gelman has chosen a non-neurotypical as the protagonist; this adds a sense of inclusivity for romance enthusiasts who have felt underrepresented in this genre. Abigail is a force to be reckoned with; she’s emotional, scatterbrained, and undeniably lovable. As soon as she began narrating, I felt a sense of joy and solidarity—like, (finally) here is a character I can resonate with. Between the twitchy, tangent-prone internal dialogue and the defaulting to self-deprecation, Abigail is a character for readers who feel misunderstood. Gelman’s book provides us with a sense of belonging.
Abigail and Elias’s fiery chemistry is palpable from the moment they lock eyes, and the author has done an excellent job capturing this. Gelman will keep any romance readers glued to the pages with smoldering stares, explicit dialogue, and plenty of swoon-worthy kisses culminating in some seriously scorching scenes. Beyond the physical connection, Abigail and Elias keep one another in line with playful banter and flirtatious teasing, further elevating the reading experience.
Contrary to the title, “Always Falling Behind” is miles ahead of other novels in its genre. Representation matters and the author has given readers what they want—a steamy romance with an effervescent character who struggles with neurodiversity and mental health. You don’t want to miss out on this book. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get my hands on more from this author!
May 30, 2025
If you've ever felt like you're barely holding it together, Always Falling Behind will hit home in the best way possible. Abigail is chaotic, brilliant, and totally lovable, and Elias is the perfect soft-spoken contrast. This is a romance for anyone who's tired of perfect protagonists and wants something real. Gelman writes with razor-sharp wit and emotional intelligence, making every page pop with sincerity.
December 28, 2024
I have read all of Beth Gelman’s book and although they are steamy they are good. Can’t wait for your next one!
May 6, 2024
Abigail sets out on a new journey when she learns she has to leave her life behind to claim an inheritance of a Mansion and property in Mystic CT. During her travels her car starts to break down while on the highway and she pulls off to a car repair shop where she meets Elias, the shop owner. Abigail is brought to tears as she explains that she has to get to her destination that is 4hours away by tomorrow without fail. After some begging, Elias agrees to drive the rest of the way as he feels this strong attraction and pull to Abigail. Once they arrive in Mystic, CT Elias sees how much of an undertaking this project is to get the House restored back to an Air B&B as the two previous owners had run the property. Throughout the book Abigail struggles with ADHD and Elias struggles with his mind wondering off into deep thoughts. Elias helps Abigail stay on task, supports her with her self deprecation on top of helping with tasks around the house. Abigail finds a journal with a picture of "Agatha"who has a strikingly similar appearance as Abigail.
The story ends with her learning of a huge financial inheritance that will help with getting the Air B&B running as well as some interesting facts about her ancestors and the people currently living in town. Both Abigail and Elias's best friends meet - my thoughts leaning towards both Riley and Seneca starting their own relationship and both ending up on the property to help run the massive estate.
Spice level is about a 2.5 - weird instances of a Daddy Kink throughout the book but the scenes do get spicy
Overall I enjoyed the book and do look forward to reading the next one in the series to see how the story develops around the progress on the house and other people in town.
The story ends with her learning of a huge financial inheritance that will help with getting the Air B&B running as well as some interesting facts about her ancestors and the people currently living in town. Both Abigail and Elias's best friends meet - my thoughts leaning towards both Riley and Seneca starting their own relationship and both ending up on the property to help run the massive estate.
Spice level is about a 2.5 - weird instances of a Daddy Kink throughout the book but the scenes do get spicy
Overall I enjoyed the book and do look forward to reading the next one in the series to see how the story develops around the progress on the house and other people in town.
May 6, 2024
Abigail just found out that she has inherited a mansion and money from a distant relative, but she must make it there in 48 hours to claim it. After her car breaks down only 4 hours away she meets Elias, a man who will soon change her life in more ways than one. With Elias’ help, Abigail finally makes it in time to “stake her claim”, and begins her new life but will it be with Elias or without?
This book was extremely difficult to finish. There was no depth to the characters, nor any world building. There is an age gap romance that teeters on the edge of a daddy complex. Which can be intriguing if done in the right context. This was not it. Elias is portrayed as a gentleman and old fashioned however, when we get his point of view it is as if he thinks and acts like a teenager who has issues with control. And if a grown man called me princess or cupcake I would definitely not want to take the relationship any farther. The quips and one liners are so unbelievable and made me emotionally detached from the book.
There are major plot holes! Why would anyone accept an inheritance without asking basic questions about her family members, the house, or the history? It is like nobody other than Abigail, Elias and their 2 friends exist in this world.
Having ADHD myself I was really wanting to read a book from the POV of someone who deals with this. But this was a huge miss. It is described more as a “disorder” without really any explanation on the daily struggles or reasons behind certain behaviors. And Abigail is the only person I know with ADHD that can stay on task for multiple days without getting distracted and starting a billion other side projects.
This book was extremely difficult to finish. There was no depth to the characters, nor any world building. There is an age gap romance that teeters on the edge of a daddy complex. Which can be intriguing if done in the right context. This was not it. Elias is portrayed as a gentleman and old fashioned however, when we get his point of view it is as if he thinks and acts like a teenager who has issues with control. And if a grown man called me princess or cupcake I would definitely not want to take the relationship any farther. The quips and one liners are so unbelievable and made me emotionally detached from the book.
There are major plot holes! Why would anyone accept an inheritance without asking basic questions about her family members, the house, or the history? It is like nobody other than Abigail, Elias and their 2 friends exist in this world.
Having ADHD myself I was really wanting to read a book from the POV of someone who deals with this. But this was a huge miss. It is described more as a “disorder” without really any explanation on the daily struggles or reasons behind certain behaviors. And Abigail is the only person I know with ADHD that can stay on task for multiple days without getting distracted and starting a billion other side projects.
May 5, 2024
I would recommend this text to someone looking for mild BDSM and spice. This is an open-door romance.
Abigail’s is a nuero-spicy mid-twenty something just trying to navigate life. Unsupported, unmedicated, and under appreciated she is spending her time trying to prove her worth. Her inner monologue is incredibly accurate. If you are someone with ADHD or Anxiety she is a relatable character. Gelman does a remarkable job navigating between the characters outer world and their inner workings.
Then there’s the “hunky” Elias. He is exactly as he says he is. An honest man trying to figure out his place in the world. Throughout the story, his personality feels like coming home. You can absolutely see why and how Abagail grows to trust him so quickly.
The story itself is interesting. Abigail is on the hunt to uncover more about her inheritance. As she begins her search, she feels both welcomed to the small town of Mystic and as though the townspeople are harboring information. I do wish Gelman would have focused more on Abagail and Elias learning about the history of her family, the mansion and its restoration. At points, the story did leave me wanting more.
Despite wanting more from the history; there is no denying the chemistry between Abagail and Elias. They are electric in every sense of the word. I would reccomend this book to someone looking for a quick spicy romance read.
Abigail’s is a nuero-spicy mid-twenty something just trying to navigate life. Unsupported, unmedicated, and under appreciated she is spending her time trying to prove her worth. Her inner monologue is incredibly accurate. If you are someone with ADHD or Anxiety she is a relatable character. Gelman does a remarkable job navigating between the characters outer world and their inner workings.
Then there’s the “hunky” Elias. He is exactly as he says he is. An honest man trying to figure out his place in the world. Throughout the story, his personality feels like coming home. You can absolutely see why and how Abagail grows to trust him so quickly.
The story itself is interesting. Abigail is on the hunt to uncover more about her inheritance. As she begins her search, she feels both welcomed to the small town of Mystic and as though the townspeople are harboring information. I do wish Gelman would have focused more on Abagail and Elias learning about the history of her family, the mansion and its restoration. At points, the story did leave me wanting more.
Despite wanting more from the history; there is no denying the chemistry between Abagail and Elias. They are electric in every sense of the word. I would reccomend this book to someone looking for a quick spicy romance read.
May 6, 2024
I do get a flutter of excitement before reading one of Beth Gelman’s books . Always awesome characters. This book was no exception. Abigail Farnsworth Burton / Always Falling Behind , finds herself inheriting a Mansion no less as well as a ton of money. There’s a proviso though, she must claim within 48hours and the clock is most certainly ticking. She sets off to face her destiny on her trusty stead …well her car ..that broke down when she’s almost four hours away , no way! She meets Elias the mechanic who gives bad news though he’s not looking trustworthy at first , he’s her only hope to get there…. Things conspire to slow them down and on the journey the two people get to know what makes the other tick. He’s determined to stick by her side and she for once has nowhere to hide. With medical issues addressed I was impressed with the way her anxiety was portrayed. The romance trope is close proximity but it’s so much more. Both of them are vulnerable and have pasts but is their love one that will last? And did they get to claim the steals while grasping at real feels Entertaining storyline with good characters , plot and narratives.. I was forwarded the book and I’m leaving a review voluntarily and in my own words
May 8, 2024
DNF at 56%.
I wanted to like this since it sounded like such an interesting premise. However, I found somethings just too annoying and shoved down my throat as a reader.
Annoyance #1: Abigail CONSTANTLY saying she has ADHD and how the things she’s thinking or how her thought process works. It felt like over kill to me the constant bringing up about it as I have ADHD tendencies and I don’t feel the need to explain all I do/process of thought is because of it. It almost felt like to me an excuse which personally seems like it was not the point of the story.
Annoyance #2: Elias. He gives such teenager vibes yet I wanna say he’s at least in his 30s. And it’s just kinda cringe. Like he’s a gentleman? But every time we get his thought process it’s giving 15-17 age boy who is just horny and likes cars (as he’s a mechanic).
If you’re wondering why I gave 2 stars, it’s because I think the overall premise is very interesting, just for me it did not hit the mark. The extra star is solely for the premise being what drew me in at first.
I appreciate the opportunity to read this arc and this is my honest thoughts even though I didn’t finish the story.
I wanted to like this since it sounded like such an interesting premise. However, I found somethings just too annoying and shoved down my throat as a reader.
Annoyance #1: Abigail CONSTANTLY saying she has ADHD and how the things she’s thinking or how her thought process works. It felt like over kill to me the constant bringing up about it as I have ADHD tendencies and I don’t feel the need to explain all I do/process of thought is because of it. It almost felt like to me an excuse which personally seems like it was not the point of the story.
Annoyance #2: Elias. He gives such teenager vibes yet I wanna say he’s at least in his 30s. And it’s just kinda cringe. Like he’s a gentleman? But every time we get his thought process it’s giving 15-17 age boy who is just horny and likes cars (as he’s a mechanic).
If you’re wondering why I gave 2 stars, it’s because I think the overall premise is very interesting, just for me it did not hit the mark. The extra star is solely for the premise being what drew me in at first.
I appreciate the opportunity to read this arc and this is my honest thoughts even though I didn’t finish the story.
May 9, 2024
ARC Review
Abigail has always felt like a burden to her caregiver, her aunt. At the age of 24 Abigail finds out she has an inheritance, but she needs to leave home and travel to claim it. She only has 48hrs to claim the mansion and money, so she packs up her belongings and decides to leave home. But during her travels, she experiences habit of car trouble and meets a lovely mechanic, Elias. Abigail has hours left to claim her inheritance and begs Elias for help, and one thing leads to another.
Tropes in it: Small Town, Age Gap, Tattoos, Close Proximity, and HEA
The main characters were so well written and I feel like I was right there watching them grow and hearing about their stories. Elias is perfect and anyone would love him, he drops everything to help a random stranger and gets his HEA. Abigail was diagnosed with ADHD that is untreated, she is written so beautifully and the author defiantly took their time learning abut this disorder to create such a perfect lead. This book was a blast to read and I love how the book ends with possibility for hopefully a sequel.
Abigail has always felt like a burden to her caregiver, her aunt. At the age of 24 Abigail finds out she has an inheritance, but she needs to leave home and travel to claim it. She only has 48hrs to claim the mansion and money, so she packs up her belongings and decides to leave home. But during her travels, she experiences habit of car trouble and meets a lovely mechanic, Elias. Abigail has hours left to claim her inheritance and begs Elias for help, and one thing leads to another.
Tropes in it: Small Town, Age Gap, Tattoos, Close Proximity, and HEA
The main characters were so well written and I feel like I was right there watching them grow and hearing about their stories. Elias is perfect and anyone would love him, he drops everything to help a random stranger and gets his HEA. Abigail was diagnosed with ADHD that is untreated, she is written so beautifully and the author defiantly took their time learning abut this disorder to create such a perfect lead. This book was a blast to read and I love how the book ends with possibility for hopefully a sequel.
May 2, 2024
Abigail has always felt like a burden to her caregiver, he aunt. At the age of 24, she receives information that she has an inheritance, but she needs to travel through several states to claim. So, she packs up her meager belongings and decides to move there. On her way, her car breaks down and meets mechanic, Elias. Abigail claims her inheritance and begs Elias to help her, and one thing leads to another and there's a HEA.
This book has some of my favorite tropes in it: Small Town, Age Gap, Tattoos, Close Proximity to name a few. I enjoyed watching the two main characters grow and hearing about their pasts. Elias is very caring and anyone would love him. Abigail has diagnosed but untreated ADHD and it is written with much consideration.
The ending portion, which is probably a set up for a future book, with the two BFFs is weird and didn't seamlessly fit into the story.
Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion.
This book has some of my favorite tropes in it: Small Town, Age Gap, Tattoos, Close Proximity to name a few. I enjoyed watching the two main characters grow and hearing about their pasts. Elias is very caring and anyone would love him. Abigail has diagnosed but untreated ADHD and it is written with much consideration.
The ending portion, which is probably a set up for a future book, with the two BFFs is weird and didn't seamlessly fit into the story.
Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion.
May 6, 2024
This is a cute romance with medium spice (not an expert at rating spice!), and with a happily ever after!
Knight in shining armor Elias saves Abigail from missing a life changing deadline when her car breaks down. The rest is a wild, weird ride. I liked the idea of a story about repping ADHD in a main character but there are several instances where Elias refers to it makes it seem like Abigail was completely incompetent (or was until she met him). I did like how he was supportive of all her big plans and encourages her. I don’t want to spoil the story, but there were some cringy parts of their relationship. Elias seems super conceited and if he hadn’t offered to help Abigail get to her destination on time and been a decent person on the trip (out loud at least) I would’ve said he didn’t deserve a second of Abigail’s attention.
Knight in shining armor Elias saves Abigail from missing a life changing deadline when her car breaks down. The rest is a wild, weird ride. I liked the idea of a story about repping ADHD in a main character but there are several instances where Elias refers to it makes it seem like Abigail was completely incompetent (or was until she met him). I did like how he was supportive of all her big plans and encourages her. I don’t want to spoil the story, but there were some cringy parts of their relationship. Elias seems super conceited and if he hadn’t offered to help Abigail get to her destination on time and been a decent person on the trip (out loud at least) I would’ve said he didn’t deserve a second of Abigail’s attention.
May 27, 2024
This was hard to read. The story line was understandable, and actually a cute story. But like the character Abigail, the ADHD is very apparent. I got lost a lot because the story, and Abigail, were all over the place. As having a bit of ADD myself, I struggled to stay in this book.
Abigail somehow inherits a huge estate, and in the process of racing to meet the deadline to accept it, she meets Elias. He falls head over heels for Abigail, and also tries to be her grounding point and rock in her ADHD world.
Abigail somehow inherits a huge estate, and in the process of racing to meet the deadline to accept it, she meets Elias. He falls head over heels for Abigail, and also tries to be her grounding point and rock in her ADHD world.
May 4, 2024
What in the world? The book starts out lively and fun, then makes a turn for the kinky and weird. (Daddy? little girl?). Like what? Great premise. Loved the overarching story, but could have done without the weird role play.
Abigail earns her freedom from her aunt. Inherited a mansion and wins a guy in the end. Like a said great premise, but end abruptly. I love the mystery of the house and family inheritance but that wasn’t fully fleshed out.
Abigail earns her freedom from her aunt. Inherited a mansion and wins a guy in the end. Like a said great premise, but end abruptly. I love the mystery of the house and family inheritance but that wasn’t fully fleshed out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2024
I felt like there was some plot holes in this book. The main character Abigail is an all over the place person. I was excited to read from the point of view of someone who had ADHD and was a disorganized mess. She was written as someone who could not function and had no control over herself. As I pushed through I just could not relate to her or her situation. A difficult read because the characters lacked depth.
August 15, 2024
Finally! A neurodivergent heroine that cracks me up. ADHD is no joke. Neither is anxiety, but Abigail finds a way to claim her inheritance with the help of the two people who changed her life: Elias and Seneca. Funny, real, compassionate, super-steamy, and a refreshing turn on people, regardless of their life experiences and challenges, get in the driver's seat and make love and happiness a reality. A must read!
May 30, 2025
Beth Gelman’s Always Falling Behind is an irresistibly charming blend of romantic comedy and neurodivergent representation. Abigail is the kind of protagonist you root for — delightfully chaotic, wildly creative, and fiercely relatable. With sharp dialogue, a swoon-worthy mechanic, and a refreshingly honest take on ADHD, this story feels as fresh as it is emotionally grounded. I laughed, I sighed, and I didn’t want it to end.
May 30, 2025
Abigail Farnsworth-Burton is one of the most uniquely charming voices to hit romance fiction in a long time. Her blend of anxious introspection, offbeat humor, and reluctant determination makes for a protagonist who’s impossible not to love. Beth Gelman perfectly captures what it’s like to feel constantly behind and still keep going.
May 30, 2025
On the surface, it’s a story about a hot mechanic and a newly rich heroine with no plan. But at its core, Always Falling Behind is a beautifully crafted exploration of mental clutter, found family, and the awkward art of falling in love. Amy the Great (yes, a chicken) adds a delightful dash of magical realism, and the result is a book that’s as charmingly odd as it is emotionally resonant.
May 15, 2024
I have a lots of thoughts/feelings about this book but I will start by saying I likely would have DNF’ed this book had I not agreed to read it in advance and provide a review.
If you like romance books that are not necessarily “good” in terms of writing prowess or literary achievement but are a fun time, this might be for you! It’s spicy and the characters are unhinged, so this is definitely a rollercoaster if you’re interested in a wild ride! I will compliment the fact that this book is not all spice and provides some depth to the characters.
Here’s a more in depth explanation of some of my critiques (which may contain SPOILERS):
Writing Quality: This book needed another proofread or two. I appreciate that it is a major feat to write and publish a book, but I would like to see the author take more pride in the quality and clarity of her writing. This was wrought with typos and I noticed inconsistency in the tense the book was written in.
Pacing: The book’s pacing was unexpected for me. It started off very fast and gave me the impression it would be a zero-to-spicy-in-5-seconds romance but then the pace almost ground to a halt when I desired for it to pick up most. This aspect made it a little difficult for me to stay engaged with the story.
Characters: Abigail is lucky this is a romance and not a thriller! She was so quick to trust Elias and choose to drive multiple hours (and stay the night!) alone with this man she had never met before without informing anyone who she was with and where. I, personally, did not enjoy this character and don’t feel it’s necessary to list every reason why. Elias, on the other hand, made me very uncomfortable. He stated multiple times that he thought Abigail was underage alongside how much he was lusting after her. Age gaps do not bother me but THIS absolutely did. Elias is also supposed to have graduated and worked for many years as a mechanical engineer, yet I felt like any mentions of his job, knowledge, and experience were inconsistent with actual job duties of mechanical engineers. (This was particularly annoying for me since my husband is an engineer, so the questionable information was highly distracting for me.)
I appreciated the representation of Abigail being someone diagnosed with ADHD, but the way this was referred to as “her condition” and other similar phrases seemed odd to me. I also believe “spaz” is considered a slur and Abigail is referred to in this way several times.
TLDR; Overall, I don’t think this was for me but I think it could have been with refinement! The critiques mentioned distracted me too much from enjoying seeing this romance play out.
If you like romance books that are not necessarily “good” in terms of writing prowess or literary achievement but are a fun time, this might be for you! It’s spicy and the characters are unhinged, so this is definitely a rollercoaster if you’re interested in a wild ride! I will compliment the fact that this book is not all spice and provides some depth to the characters.
Here’s a more in depth explanation of some of my critiques (which may contain SPOILERS):
Writing Quality: This book needed another proofread or two. I appreciate that it is a major feat to write and publish a book, but I would like to see the author take more pride in the quality and clarity of her writing. This was wrought with typos and I noticed inconsistency in the tense the book was written in.
Pacing: The book’s pacing was unexpected for me. It started off very fast and gave me the impression it would be a zero-to-spicy-in-5-seconds romance but then the pace almost ground to a halt when I desired for it to pick up most. This aspect made it a little difficult for me to stay engaged with the story.
Characters: Abigail is lucky this is a romance and not a thriller! She was so quick to trust Elias and choose to drive multiple hours (and stay the night!) alone with this man she had never met before without informing anyone who she was with and where. I, personally, did not enjoy this character and don’t feel it’s necessary to list every reason why. Elias, on the other hand, made me very uncomfortable. He stated multiple times that he thought Abigail was underage alongside how much he was lusting after her. Age gaps do not bother me but THIS absolutely did. Elias is also supposed to have graduated and worked for many years as a mechanical engineer, yet I felt like any mentions of his job, knowledge, and experience were inconsistent with actual job duties of mechanical engineers. (This was particularly annoying for me since my husband is an engineer, so the questionable information was highly distracting for me.)
I appreciated the representation of Abigail being someone diagnosed with ADHD, but the way this was referred to as “her condition” and other similar phrases seemed odd to me. I also believe “spaz” is considered a slur and Abigail is referred to in this way several times.
TLDR; Overall, I don’t think this was for me but I think it could have been with refinement! The critiques mentioned distracted me too much from enjoying seeing this romance play out.
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