“Always Falling Behind” by Beth Gelman
Posted on by Reader Views
Always Falling Behind
Beth Gelman
Cindy Ziegelman Enterprises LLC (2024)
ISBN: 979-8989946778
Reviewed by Stephanie Elizabeth Long for Reader Views (09/2024)
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 Still, it quickly becomes apparent that Abigail’s outdated, vermin-infested mansion needs some muscle, and Elias willingly offers his services.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!
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