The Awkward Agenda

By: Beth Morton

Narrated by: Leanne Woodward

“I guess it’s too late for me to have my awkward phase. It would be funny, but not exactly professional, if my pants split open during a customer meeting.”

“I mean—that’s only one example. We could recreate a few awkward experiences—if you wanted to.”

Cali Barton is sick of playing a background character in her own life. Her plan to rock the world at her new job falls flat after she overhears her co-workers gossiping about her for being standoffish, so her boss decides to coach her on her “approachability.”

Enter Simon Goldberg, her upstairs neighbor. While Cali spent her childhood flying under the radar, Simon’s Tourette syndrome taught him to roll with the punches. Simon believed he had made peace with his diagnosis. But when the company publishing his graphic novel wants him to go on tour to promote his work, Simon is panicked at the prospect. Television appearances? He'll either make a fool of himself or become, ewww, an “inspiring story.”

When Simon comes across Cali, he offers to help her break out of her comfort zone by taking her on a tour of the kind of awkward experiences she’s avoided. Helping her makes him realize just how closed off his own life has become, and having someone to laugh with makes opening up far easier.

In the whirl of their adventures, they learn to see themselves, and each other, for who they really are. But trusting themselves doesn’t come easy, and letting go is the hardest trick of all.

The Awkward Agenda is an open-door romance featuring friends-to-lovers, pirate cosplay, and found family.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Beth Morton (P)2026 Beth Morton

ALC Review

When a girl who missed her awkward teenage years meets a guy who has a lifetime of it, they may learn from each other. Simon has Tourette Syndrome and decides that he needs to help his neighbor Cali through challenges that she missed as a teenager.
It is a fun romantic comedy with some strong lessons about growing up and dealing with the trials life hands you.
I received the ALC from the author.

Such a sweet read!

4.5 ⭐️

This story was so cute, and definitely should be talked about. I got the amazing privilege of receiving an ALC. The story kept me on my toes. It was quirky and silly, but oh so sweet.

There was absolutely INCREDIBLE representation throughout this book. Not only with Tourette's, but also Mental health representation. The MMC was diagnosed as a young boy, it took him a long time to grow into himself and feel a semblance of comfortability, but still struggled. He started a comic that had a superhero with Tourette's. It had become very popular, and he learned a big lesson as to why he chose that. Simon faced many challenges, but always Rose to the occasion.

Cali had a tough childhood with a mother struggling from mental health, so she couldn't always take care of her the way she needed, so the kids constantly bullied her. Eventually her mom reaches out to her father for help and Cali moves to Arizona with her dad, step mom and brother. Cali learned to keep herself hidden from the world.

Cali and Simon are neighbors and do not start off on the right foot, however, they quickly become friends. Simon helps Cali experience her "awkward" phase and she helps him step out of his comfort zone. The chemistry between the two is so beautiful.

There is a 3rd act breakup that causes both characters to reflect on themselves before coming back together, but it was necessary for their individual growth!

I just want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to ARC and ALC read this book!

Vivid, chaotic, and complex… Cali and Simon’s lives

I Loved the dynamic between the FMC, Cali, and the MMC, Simon. She was the snooty hottie from downstairs until Simon got to really know her. He was the guy who grimaced at her when she tried to bring him neighborly treats. Neither realized the other had more going on that meets the eye. It’s an excellently told rom com with meaning. The audio in the book was done so well, very easy to listen to.

Completely Charming, Comfortingly Awkward, and Impossible to Put Down!

I am not okay… and it’s entirely Beth Morton’s fault.

The Awkward Agenda completely took over my brain, my heart, and honestly my daily functioning for a few days. I didn’t just read this story — I lived in it. And when I finished, I immediately picked up the audiobook because I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind yet.

This book is funny, heartfelt, and awkward in the most painfully relatable way — the kind of story that makes you laugh one minute and unexpectedly emotional the next. The romance is soft, genuine, and built on real connection, with chemistry that sneaks up on you while you’re busy recovering from the latest secondhand-embarrassment moment.

Beth Morton, absolutely nails that specific brand of humor where you’re cringing and smiling at the same time. The awkward situations never feel forced; they come straight from character and vulnerability, which makes everything feel real and warm instead of over-the-top. The insecurities, the hope, and the emotional growth all hit in a way that feels honest and comforting.

Our main character tries so hard to follow her carefully planned “agenda,” only for life to repeatedly derail her in the most chaotic ways — and honestly, it felt incredibly relatable. If you’ve ever replayed conversations in your head years later or overthought a social interaction until midnight, you’ll probably feel very seen here.

Listening to the audiobook added another layer of enjoyment. The narration captured the humor and emotional moments perfectly, making the awkward scenes even funnier and the heartfelt ones land even deeper. Experiencing the story both ways just made me appreciate it more.

This is one of those rare books that sticks with you long after the last page. It’s cozy, charming chaos wrapped around a genuinely touching romance, and I found myself thinking about the characters days later.

If you love:
• heartfelt, character-driven romance
• lovable and flawed characters
• humor mixed with emotional depth
• stories that feel comforting and real

— this one deserves a spot at the top of your reading list.

Beth Morton has created something warm, funny, and quietly special here, and I’ll absolutely be picking up more of her work.🫶🏼😍🥰📚🎧

Love these characters

Swoony and sweet. It makes my cynical self feel all the feels. I love the characters, and how three dimensional and messy they are. They are flawed but good, no villains here.

From the start, I care about the characters and I want them to get together. The pacing is good, the author doesn’t drag it out or create unnecessary obstacles to their getting together. Highly recommend, would read again.