Never Getting Ahead

by Beth Gelman, Dione Benson (editor)

Woman plans, God laughs—Welcome to my life!

My dream college internship is set! I’m packed and ready to become a master gardener—until the program, along with my high hopes, was canceled.

“Not to worry," my mentor says. "We have another great opportunity—on a farm.” Really? I didn’t spend the last three years killing myself to milk cows!

This disaster is causing my OCD to rage. If I have to pivot one more time, my head will explode. But milking cows is the least of my worries, it’s the man I’ll be working with that will be my demise.

We had history, but none of that mattered this year. I wouldn’t let him screw up my chances of finishing this assignment. I had one focus and one focus only. Fix the soil, put in my time, and get the hell out unscathed. Or broken-hearted.

I may be a little stubborn and a little fixated on my plans, but nothing will keep me from graduating in the spring—not even Mr. Valize.

So why aren’t my efforts ever getting me ahead?

Never Getting Ahead is Book #2 (of 3) in the Dazed & Confused Steamy Romance Series, highlighting neurodivergent brains in hilarious settings. Scroll up to grab your copy now!

Beth Gelman Wins 1st Place for the Book NEVER GETTING AHEAD at The BookFest® Awards Spring 2025
The BookFest recognizes and promotes excellence in literature and elevates authors and creatives who contribute outstanding work to the literary world.

428 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2025

About the author

Sassy 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!

Reviews

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Gelman,knows her stuff , she wrote this superb book so that’s enough ,go take a look. A superlative precedence set for her next books and this is exciting and already inviting me to crave another of her books already but I must be brave and it’ll be ready when it’s ready. . There’s nothing this author overlooks. While she’s brewing one of her books. An eye for details and the storytelling sails with ease as the flow of the story is perfect and does appease. Actually in fact this storyline,it certainly attracts. Never Getting Ahead is what it says a bit ditzy and ritzy with a bit of fizz get the gist? But get this , it’s messy ,it’s all up in the air . Well how this story starts is Seneca bless her heart ,she’s keen to graduate and needs a workplace. Reilly is a bit of a grump but here on his farm she is placed and doesn’t take notice as he mumps and groans…. “Holy shit! How the hell did you get in here?” Benny the dog sat up smiling at her. “Aww. Whose da cutest boy? Do you want da scratches? That feels good, right?” Of course, a shirtless Reilly enters her room this morning without warning …phew she’s feeling hot . I don’t blame her maybe she has a flicker of a flame down below huh? “There you are. Bad boy, Benny. You stay out of here.” If it can go wrong it does and she has to sing a different song from her hymn sheet of life . Following her dreams though they cause her such strife . A master of her craft , a gardener extraordinaire who wants to toil the soil and earn her diploma . But getting a placement? Well that’s like being stuck in the mud when there’s freshly turned soil just within reach . Her mentor is helpful ,sends her to work on a farm …where’s the harm in that ,it’ll showcase her skills so there’s that, but things go awry and she needs to pry into what’s going on on his farm. Because this has just gone south and causes more than her to be down in the mouth… There’s serious issues that cannot wait to make right and now,they even have to relocate as quick as tonight! Her friend has a solution of sorts but the resolution with him … she can’t get enough and nor can he but how can they be happy when his livelihood,his home is under threat . Well she will get to the bottom of this yet. And someone must pay… Do they have their day to shine and him say she’s mine at last? Despite their last can they get past it and forge a new life …maybe Sienna becoming a wife….This was a great storyline and such a treasure of a read. The heat was good ,as I knew that it would be and mercy me does this brilliantly talented author deliver. I can’t recommend this book enough. Great writing ,the prose flows and the characters they just keep getting better and the story and its telling is a mighty compelling read and I devoured it with greed.

[Wendy Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a GREAT read. The author depicts real characters so well- you can totally see yourself in them. Unlike billionaire romances (which I love) the situations these people are in feel more realistic and lived. The characters learn and grow throughout the book and you find yourself wanting to reach into the book and help them out.
I love the growth we saw in each of the main character as well as the auxiliary ones (which we grew to love in book one- Always Falling Behind). The pain they experienced felt real and not over exaggerated. It is clear that this author knows what it is like to live with a neruo-divergent person who just wants to feel “normal” and react “normally” to every day challenges.
Reading this book will make you believe in the power of love, hard work, and grit. Definitely worth your time- and the steamy scenes are great too!!

[Xavier Dupont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Gelman has crafted a witty, emotionally resonant story that beautifully captures the frustration of carefully laid plans gone awry. The protagonist, a neurodivergent young woman with OCD, is so vividly portrayed that I felt every twist in her journey. Her reluctant return to a farm and her even more reluctant reunion with Mr. Valize was both hilarious and heart-tugging. This book delivers far more than a love story; it’s about control, growth, and finding strength in vulnerability.

[Martti Orson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Gelman delivers a sharp, emotionally resonant coming of age novel with a strong female lead whose plans crumble but whose resilience shines through. With themes of perfectionism, mental health, and unexpected romance, Never Getting Ahead is a timely, unflinchingly honest story about finding purpose when everything goes off course.

[Susan Butwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh, witty, and heartbreakingly real, this novel captures the angst and ambition of a young woman determined to control her life only to realize some of the best things come when control is lost. Readers will fall in love with the protagonist's fire, flaws, and fierce determination.

[Lauren Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strength of this book lies in its characters. The protagonist is flawed, determined, and incredibly real. Mr. Valize brings a quiet depth that balances her fiery personality. Together, they navigate old wounds and new beginnings with emotional authenticity that kept me glued to the pages.

[Natalie Shattuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, then streamy. Cute, then steamy 😍
Such a fun read and I actually learned a lot about plants and science.
Love the authenticity of the American Indian Michigan tribes.
Fun read!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Gelman delivers a sharp, insightful romantic comedy with emotional depth and humor in equal measure. Never Getting Ahead is a standout addition to the neurodivergent romance genre

[Elowen Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling portrayal of ambition colliding with real-life detours, Gelman’s second novel expertly balances wit, heart, and a nuanced representation of OCD and neurodivergence.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

With razor-sharp dialogue and a strong, relatable protagonist, Never Getting Ahead captures the messiness of personal growth and the unpredictability of love with grace and humor.

[Laran Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gelman’s writing sparkles with authenticity. This book is both a romantic journey and a deeply personal exploration of navigating mental health and high expectations.

[Laran Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant mix of romantic tension and character-driven storytelling. Never Getting Ahead provides more than entertainment it offers visibility and voice to neurodivergent readers.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and thoughtfully written story that defies genre expectations. The romantic arc is satisfyingly slow-burn, and the personal stakes feel real and urgent

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

From heartbreak to humor, Never Getting Ahead charts a deeply resonant journey. Gelman excels at creating authentic characters readers will root for from the first page.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gelman captures the complexities of ambition, anxiety, and connection with both compassion and comedic flair. A refreshing take on the romance genre.