A Wheelie Awkward Romance: The Love Story of a Girl Who Is Definitely Not Touchy-Feely and a Quadriplegic Guy Who Most Assuredly Is- By Tess Campbell and Corby Campbell Corby Campbell-Review

 Book Synopsis

Witty, wise, and wonderfully real—a love story that challenges expectations and celebrates possibility.

Tess wasn’t searching for love—and she definitely wasn’t looking for a man with a power chair and a penchant for dad jokes. But when Corby’s clever and correctly punctuated dating profile caught her attention, one message turned into two, then twenty, and suddenly, her carefully predictable world was tilted on its axis.

This story is more than a tale of love. It’s a wildly witty, refreshingly honest look at what happens when an intensely logical woman and a quadriplegic man collide online and discover something neither of them expected: a perfect match. It’s a candid, unfiltered glimpse into the beautiful mess of relationships—where doubts meet hope, where disabilities meet abilities, and where humor, patience, and persistence turn awkward encounters into extraordinary memories.

Tess’s sharp sense of humor and unflinching honesty, paired with Corby’s trademark "wheelnote" footnotes make for a story as endearing as it is unpredictable. From evening wheelchair rides to scarf knitting galore, Tess and Corby’s story redefines what it means to find "the one" and reminds us all that love isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, being seen, and rolling with whatever comes next.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 3, 2026
• Genre: Non-Fiction
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639934693

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and/or authors. A review was not required, and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own. ****

My Review

I was genuinely surprised to learn that Tess and Corby’s story is non-fiction; it flows with the emotional depth and pace of a great novel. Their journey is a raw, funny, and at times heart-wrenching look at what happens when two people choose to be messy and vulnerable together.

They met online, and for Tess, this was her first foray into real romance. There is a fascinating contrast in their energy: Corby is naturally outgoing, while Tess is more hesitant, initially even reluctant to use the word "dating." While the book is told primarily from Tess’s perspective, I often found myself wishing I could peek inside Corby’s head to see the world through his eyes, too.

At its heart, this is a story about the courage it takes to be honest. Both characters carry their own weights, Corby lives with a physical disability as a quadriplegic, while Tess navigates sensory issues and the complexities of high-functioning autism. Much of the narrative follows Tess’s internal tug-of-war as she wonders if she’s "ready" for a relationship with Corby. At times, her internal monologue feels judgmental, but it’s an honest reflection of her struggle. Ironically, Corby often seems to find it easier to accept Tess’s challenges than she does his.

The book doesn’t sugarcoat their path; it captures the grueling ups and downs they faced long before marriage was ever on the table. It provides a vivid, clear-eyed picture of what it means to love someone with a disability, but more importantly, it’s a universal love story. It’s about the hard work of getting to know someone, dismantling your own prejudices, and eventually finding that beautiful place of total acceptance.

****Meet Authors Tess and Corby Campbell****

Tess and Corby wrote this book, but writing isn't usually their thing. They are two ordinary people living their lives—Corby having spent the last twenty years in a wheelchair and Tess having dealt with less outwardly obvious struggles. Corby is a software developer and amateur public speaker on topics such as resilience and gratitude; he even does occasional sit-down comedy gigs! Tess juggles creative projects and side jobs and mostly tries to keep their lives from descending into chaos. They have spent years statistically proving that they are evenly matched at strategic board games. They also play video games, construct Lego sets, and host elaborate murder mystery parties. This list probably makes them sound like nerdy teenagers, but they are, in fact, adults—proven by the fact that someone let them have a Costco membership. They own a house in Utah that is haunted by a sprinkler-system poltergeist.

~*~*~*~*Purchase: A Wheelie Awkward Romance ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

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