This is a cute, spicy read with nerdy and lovable characters. John is a serious and artistic introvert, while Celeste is an outrageously ambitious educator. Fake dating and birdwatching don’t seem related, but this book manages to combine them in the best way. When John’s yearly birdwatching — or “birding,” as he informs Celeste is the correct term — contest comes around, he and his usual partner, his glamorous ex, have broken up. When John’s friend Chris meets the recently divorced and newly adventurous Celeste at a local event and informs her of the situation, she’s all in — but from there, misunderstandings abound. This novel was cozy and adorable. A little too corny for me at times, but I’m new to romance. Overall a great read.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC to review! This one is out June 4.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Celeste is a divorcee on a mission to try new things when she gets pulled into a bird-watching competition (and fake dating relationship!) alongside John, a woodworker and birder.

I am absolutely AFLUTTER over this book, and all I want to do is CROW about it (see what I did there???) because it is FANTASTIC. Bird puns aside, I was completely blown away by this book, and totally caught off guard by how much I loved it. It’s quirky and fun, with “older” MCs (forties is NOT old at all but on the bell curve of rom-com leads it’s on the top end), and a central premise focused on the somewhat obscure topic of birding, something I knew absolutely nothing about going in and now genuinely want to try for myself.

The journeys of both MCs felt so genuine and were really beautiful to watch—they complemented one another so well and both clearly grew from their relationship. The third act conflict was handled with logic and maturity (a feat in itself) and I was head over heels for the MMC by the end (I actually challenge anyone NOT to be half in love with this man after reading). Also I burst into tears at the French fry scene, IYKYK.

Truly, if you don’t want to hear about this book over and over, you should probably ignore me for the next little while, because I am going to become a full-on evangelist for it until EVERYONE is reading it, as they should.

CW: Divorce (not particularly acrimonious/upsetting)

Thanks @netgalley @gallerybooks and @sarahtdubbwrites for the chance to read an early copy of Birding with Benefits. It releases on June 4, 2024.

This book has my entire heart! Sarah writes such root-worthy characters who are beautifully real. I love the birding competition and how it allowed us not only to see John's expertise but also Celeste's love of learning and sense of adventure. The beautifully rendered setting of Tuscon, AZ is an added bonus. This is Sarah's traditional debut but if you love this book, make sure you pick up her indies--published under Eliza McLane.

Following her divorce, Celeste embarks on a period of self-discovery, trying new hobbies and doing everything she can to avoid a new relationship. When she agrees to pretend to be a partner to quiet, thoughtful birder John, she thinks they're fake dating, but she's actually agreed to participate in a birding competition--and one that John needs to win to kick off his birdwatching business. They couldn't be more different, but feelings develop over hikes and afternoons spent listening to birds. When they start a "birding with benefits" relationship, can they really say goodbye when the contest ends?

Tropes: fake dating, cool activity, divorce, opposites attract
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥

This one started off really fun, but it lost momentum really quick. The relationship was adult for sure and yet the dialogue and writing just felt very reminiscent of YA—so much so that I went to see if the author had transitioned from that to adult with this one. (I didn’t find anything conclusive.)

It was a particular brand of opposites attract that just really didn’t work for me. It all felt very textbook introvert/extrovert which just kinda got under my skin by the end. Like it wasn’t bad! but I was just so bored. The sex felt like it was carrying the plot, and my eyes were glazing over the scenes by the end. (A sad day for us all when that happens.)

Also, I was VERY excited for the birdwatching element…but I don’t think it really translates all that well via the written word. Like I’d watch this movie so fast!! but reading about it was just rather blah. Yet somehow it seemed like there was not enough birding? They started off that competition so slow my eye was twitching. Like get out that gate swinging or not at all!!!

I dunno, I think it was a mix of a lot of different things that just weren’t my cup of tea. However, if I had a nickel for every time I read a book where hot people bang while watching birds, I’d have three nickels. Which isn’t a lot—actually it is because how many birdwatching books has you thought I’d read before this one???? Hah!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5

*I lowered the rating because the sex scenes lost all meaning for me by the end and that’s #nothot


Side note: Why did she put her dirty underwear on that man’s dresser and not just leave them on the floor??? Like who does that!!


I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.

Thank you so much for this free ARC. It was so great! I’ve never read a romance with a couple that were both older before, neither a book about birding, so that very interesting for me and it didn’t disappoint at all.

Opposites attract is one of my favourite tropes and I loved that along with sweet, gradually developing romance there was also deep, tender introspection about insecurities and humour from the respective best friends. It was also such a great way to show that you’re never too old for love or starting over or trying something new.

Who knew birding could be so sexy? In this unique, mature romance, two 40-something strangers share an awkward but endearing meet-cute at the start of a birding (aka bird watching) competition in Tucson. Celeste, a middle-school literature teacher, was asked to partner with John, part-time woodworker and aspiring birding guide, by John’s friend Chris when he has to drop out. Celeste interpreted this to mean being his fake girlfriend to keep his ex at bay while John is just looking for a partner for the 6-week competition. Recently divorced, she’s on a path of self-discovery, so they agree to keep the fake relationship going for the duration while allowing her to try a new hobby. Neither is interested in a future together, but after a while, they realize that “birding with benefits” is a temptation they both want to give into. In the meantime, she draws him out of his shell with her enthusiasm and belief in his dream of turning his special interest into a vocation he’s passionate about, and he helps her learn to be still enough to see and hear the sights and sounds of the birds all around them. John appears autistic-coded, but it isn’t a focus of the story, just an explanation of how he views the world.

This is a lovely story that is a refreshing look at how love in the second half of your life is possible if you’re willing to shed the baggage from previous relationships and trust that partnering up doesn’t mean losing yourself. It’s a very slow burn, friends-to-lovers, dual POV romance between two kind, caring people who communicate honestly (talking through issues rather than building resentment) and slowly turn up the heat with well-chosen words and gentle touches. When their passion ignites, it’s steamy, but the focus remains on the competition and their shared experiences in their hikes through the southern Arizona mountains and desert. Dubb has done a wonderful job crafting characters and painting the landscape that they travel through. Celeste’s relationship with her teen daughter Morgan is an accurate portrayal of the natural distancing that can occur when a parent’s dreams conflict with their child’s own ideas for their future. There is quite a bit of LGBTQ representation in secondary characters as well. This is a great beach read! Fans of Emily Henry, Kate Clayborn, Christina Lauren, and Katherine Center will enjoy this. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Gallery Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Celeste is enjoying life post-divorce, discovering new hobbies and herself. With no real desire to meet anyone or fall in love again quite yet, she agrees to help out John, an avid birder in need of a partner for an upcoming birdwatching contest. If he wins, it could help him launch his business idea of a “backyard birding” service. A miscommunication means that Celeste shows up to meet John thinking he needs her to pretend to be a romantic partner, and now they need to continue the ruse to save face for John who wants to win against his ex-girlfriend, another birder in the contest. It helps Celeste too, because now her ever-helpful colleagues will stop trying to set her up on dates. As John and Celeste meet frequently to bird watch throughout the contest they learn more about each other, sparks fly, and all of a sudden, birding with benefits becomes a real thing. When the contest is over though, can John and Celeste walk away from each other like they agreed on?
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4⭐️ 3🌶️

This was absolutely delightful and fun and endearing. I thought the fake dating/friends with benefits/opposites attract tropes felt fresh with the unique plot of birdwatching thrown in. It was really a unique read that was so, so sweet. Celeste and John were fantastically deep and engaging characters and it was great to read a romance about people my age (in their 40’s) falling in love. Even better that their age wasn’t constantly mentioned and written to make them seem old. I LOVE a cinnamon roll MMC, and I swooned each time John made Celeste feel like she WASN’T “too much.” It had the perfect amount of spiciness, emotional depth and the classic third act break up felt natural and not contrived.

Tropes- fake dating, friends with benefits, cinnamon roll hero, opposites attract, single parent

Yet another FANTASTIC 2024 debut that has a recently divorced woman fake dating an aspiring birding guide to help him win a bird count competition. This was heartfelt, steamy and full of emotional depth. I loved that the two main characters were in their 40s and had to each overcome some relationship baggage in order to take a new chance on love when their friends with benefits situation turned into something more. HIGHLY recommended and I can't wait to read what this author writes next! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Fun characters, cute story with a hallmark ending. Rather spicy with language. Author does a good job building each character.
At the end of the book I discovered one minor character identified as a they/them but without any inclination of that before reading the paragraph (it’s improper english) I had to re-read it a few times trying to figure out where I missed this other person in the current scenario before going ohhhhhh lol

A sweet story of finding love after a divorce. Went in with reservations, as I'm an avid birder. Greatly enjoyed it.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the free electronic advanced reader.

This was actually so amazing! I know nothing about birding and am a sucker for a fake dating trope. This delivered in spades. I loved the whole contest partners who are fake dating but then actually fall in love! The fact that the main characters are middle aged and have experienced so much in life already was a refreshing change from the norm. The usual fake dating couples in their twenties. I did not expect to get so emotional while reading this! I will definitely be recommending this to everyone!

Celeste and John were both great characters and total opposites. Where John is soft spoken and reserved, Celeste was outgoing and outspoken. They did balance each other very well. The banter between them was brilliant and the puns were on the right dad level. This story consisted of just the right amount of sweet and spicy. I lived for the little moments of intimacy between Celeste and John. All the glances and fleeting touches just heightened my emotions.

Their growth over the course of the story was vast and beautiful. Also just they was they helped each other grow was beautiful as well. The way John blossomed and flew the nest of familiarity was everything! And the way Celeste learns to trust herself and be brave was inspiring. I loved how her growth was also reflected in her daughter Morgan as well. Linda, Chris and Morgan were all well fleshed out supporting characters.

The entire birding completion was so freaking genius and I learned so much about it! And the little side quests added just the right touch of comedy. I could do without the third act break-up, but I never let it bother me because they are expected. Overall a stellar book and I’m glad I got the chance to read an arc. Publication date is 6/4/24 so make sure to pick up a copy!

I really really enjoyed this book! I gave me warm, happy, cozy and overall good vibes. Very low angst but still touching when dealing with life and “find oneself” after being in a long term relationship. Celeste has been divorced for a few years, John has been single for +/- a year. She’s been told she’s too much, he basically been told he’s not enough, both have emotional baggage they are dealing with. Celeste is vibrant, full of life, and ready to experienced everything she can which leads her to John and his need of a partner…birding partner! The mistaken assumption leads to fake dating that will benefit them both. But there is an undeniable attraction between them! This a slow burn and let me say the tension and wanting was perfection for this couple. I usually am all for an epilogue but this book didn’t need it; that may be because the MCs are older but for their story I loved being able to decide how I saw them and up. I finished this book with a smile!

DNF @30%. Unfortunately, this book wasn't capturing my attention. I just wasn't captivated by the story....which is a bummer because I liked the main characters! From what I read, Celeste and John were mature and established characters. I liked Celeste's quest to discover herself post-divorce. I'm not sure what made this book feel like such a chore to pick up and read. Perhaps I would have continued on if the pacing was a tad bit quicker? Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC.

I loved this cover and was intrigued by the description of this book but wasn't sure if I'd like it. I was very pleasantly surprised to enjoy reading it, surprised by the spiciness and loved how it ended.
It took me a little bit to get into it but once I did, oh boy was I happy with the story. It's fun to read a book about people that are in midlife and starting over after relationships have ended or are going into a new career. It's was nice to see that in this book in addition to the total Rom-Com moments, birding (which I know nothing about but clearly the author does), a fake boyfriend/girlfriend or are they, a competition and what happens in between. Once I was into it the story flew and I have to say I wanted the story to continue and didn't want it to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I don't think this romance is for me. I loved the idea of "birding" but I found the chemistry between the two main characters to be lacking.

Birding With Benefits is a featherlight romance that feels like taking a nature walk with a friend.

Honestly, that’s probably the weirdest description, but that’s what I got. (Also, I think I have the flu, please excuse any nonsense.)

Celeste is a 40-something teacher two years out of a divorce. She’s a fierce friend, the kind of person you want in your corner, if a little bit take-charge. John is a woodworker and aspiring professional birdwatcher (birder? I’m not sure about terminology.) They meet when Celeste misunderstands a mutual friend and shows up to a birding competition thinking John needs a fake date to get his ex off his back. What follows is an adventure in the outdoors and birding and unexpected feelings. We get the beloved “just once to get it out of our systems” along with the new “identify bird calls while I…perform adult activities for you”.
Anyway. I read this in less than 48 hours, which is a rare occurrence. Highly recommend. BWB is lights and funny, with moderately low stakes and low drama.

Thanks to Gallery Books and Sarah T. Dubb for the advanced copy. This review is my opinion.

Birding With Benefits intrigued me with its unique premise, fake dating and super cute cover art. I love getting into books that show me something new like the bird watching plot featured here. It showed the author was very knowledgeable in this field and that was a big plus.

It was unfortunately a little lacking, missing some spark, whether in the plot overall or the characters. I never really connected to Celeste and John, although I appreciated them being in their 40s, at times their actions were a bit immature. It must be said because many of the cartoon covers are misleading, there were plenty open-door intimate scenes in this book and I know some people are turned off by that. While majority of it was a lighthearted outdoorsy summer read, it just wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for the review copy.

I HONESTLY LOVED THIS SO MUCH AND I DIDNT EXPECT TO! My thoughts are gonna be a bit jumbled so just stick with me😭. As always i went into this book so blind and fell in love with John and Celeste. Its always so refreshing to read about older adults falling in love becuase hey that happens everyday! But it also brings different situations that we don't get to normally see when your MCs are in their 20s or even 30s. Celeste and John were a joy to read. Celeste journey to "say yes" but to also understand her life after divorce and still stay in the loop with her daughters life. and my sweet sweet baby John. Not a man of many words but a man of ACTION!!! Sweetie! I thought id be so bored reading a book about birding but honestly if anything i want to head outside and see what birds i can see🦜 An amazing debut and i cant wait to see what else this author has in store.

Wow. This book left me speechless. Although it took me a while to finish due to life’s interruptions, it had nothing to do with the book itself.

4.5 stars

I’m amazed that this is Sarah T. Dubb’s debut novel. It’s perfect! As a romance enthusiast and novice birder, I had high hopes but was worried that my love of nature and birds might set my expectations too high. I couldn’t have been more wrong! The book strikes a great balance with its cheesy puns, an amusing fake dating trope (the way Celeste and John end up in their situation is hilarious), and just the right amount of spice. Romance readers and bird enthusiasts, alike, need to add this to their TBR stat.

This is definitely quirky but unfortunately I don’t think it will stick with me. I loved that both the MCs were older and that the main story revolves around birds but I had a tough time getting through it.