This book is a must read – fun, humorous, unique, full of heart. Birding With Benefits follows Celeste, recently divorced and working on finding herself again and John, a quiet and introverted man just looking to focus on his passion for birding. He needs a partner for a birding contest, so his friend sets him up with Celeste – who thinks she is meeting him for a fake date. They quickly realize that they are not on the same page, but it’s too late. They need to keep up the charade for now in order to make it through the contest!

Celeste is such a relatable, funny and outgoing person – she had me laughing out loud quite a few times, and her desire to find herself, and keep herself, while in a relationship is one that I think many people can relate to. Watching her navigate the situations she finds herself in, and the feelings she has for John, was so heartwarming. John is a quite and introverted man who mostly keeps to himself, but observes everything around him. He can be stubborn, but is also level headed and fair, and is so caring and generous. Seeing him overcome what he went through and also navigating the feelings that he himself is having for Celeste was sweet and I really found myself cheering them on. The side characters are perfection – layered, hilarious and always pushing John and Celeste, they added so much to the story. I really hope that we get to see them again! And on the topic of birding – while I enjoy seeing birds, I don’t really pay much attention and do not have a large knowledge base when it comes to them – but this novel has made me want to change that! I didn’t know birding could be so fun or sexy, but here we are. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book, and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to escape for a while into quirky romance full of laughs, surprises and a lot of heart.

Read if you like:
Birding
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Quirky and Independent FMC
Humour
Fake Dating

This is a fun, light contemporary romance, perfect for a summer read. It starts as a bit of a slow burn, but gets quite spicy and the main characters are super easy to fall for! They're fun and compliment each other well. I appreciated that the third-act fallout was not a stressful event (sometimes I can get so stressed in romance reads!), but this was the perfect balance of enough tension without losing the fun aspect of the read. I also loved Celeste's relationship with her daughter, it portrayed parenting a teen quite well.

As a backyard birder myself, I had a great time going on bird walks with these characters! However, I'm not a romance fan, so please take my review with a grain of salt. I thought the love scenes were overly gratuitous and the diversity of the side characters felt forced at times. That said, more books about birding, please!

✨ ARC BOOK REVIEW ✨ Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb

📝 Thank you @gallerybooks #partner for a free copy of this book!

~ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ~

I was suuuper hesitant to start this book because the birding part just threw me off. My grandpa absolutely adores birding and my mom is one of those people that can identify a bird based off of its calls and so I figured I’d give this a shot… and I am SO glad I did.

This story was so heartwarming 💗 I adored our loud & bold lead, Celeste so much and absolutely loved our quiet mountain-man, John. I appreciated reading a romance involving two adults in their 30s / 40s, one a divorcee with a teenage daughter and the other, a quiet man who’s only ever dated one person. This story was so beyond sweet, I felt like I was just bathing in caramel or something 🍬 And funny enough, the part I was most nervous & hesitant about ended up being some of my favorite parts of the book. It was so fun learning a bit about birds while following these characters on these stunning hikes across AZ. It 100% got me pumped for a summer of being OUTSIDE in the sun & with nature 🌞 🌳

If you’re not into birding, please don’t let that in the title scare you away! 💗 Birding with Benefits comes out May 21st 🦜 !

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Sarah T. Dubb, and Gallery Books for generously providing me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a captivating debut rom-com, brimming with charm, quirkiness, heartwarming moments, and delightful humor, all wrapped up in a steamy package adorned with the most adorable cover imaginable! As I immersed myself in this story, seated upon the sandy shores, basking in the sun's warmth, and serenaded by the symphony of chirping birds, I realized it was the perfect blend of timing and storytelling. "Birding with Benefits" follows two individuals navigating life in their 40s as they embark on a fake dating adventure amidst a competitive birding competition. Against the backdrop of this avian pursuit, the narrative explores themes of second chances at love and defying age barriers. With its authentic portrayal of relatable struggles, the tale unfolds with a mix of tension, witty repartee, sizzling chemistry, and just the right dash of spice! I absolutely fell in love with this book and eagerly anticipate exploring more from this talented author. It's remarkable how birding can be both enjoyable and romantic!

As a divorcee embraces her "year of yes," she unexpectedly encounters John, a shy and sensitive birdwatcher who becomes a transformative presence in her life. Celeste, newly divorced and on the cusp of entering the empty nest phase, resolves to break free from conventions and embrace new adventures. When she agrees to masquerade as John's temporary girlfriend for a social gathering, little does she know it will lead to a profound connection. John, focused on launching his own bird-watching enterprise, requires a partner for Tucson's prestigious bird-watching event. Despite initial misunderstandings fueled by well-intentioned friends, Celeste and John find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other as they traverse the Arizona wilderness. As their time together unfolds, they discover more than just bird species but also the joy of discovering love in unexpected places!

In summary, I was thoroughly enchanted from beginning to end! If you're seeking a unique love story with a satisfying conclusion, then look no further—this book is a gem.

I was given an advance copy in exchange for a review. This is my honest opinion I am giving voluntarily. I love this! It was so emotional and inspiring. I really like the writing style and the communication throughout the book. I can’t wait for this to get into people’s hands so I can rave about it more! Bravo!

I'm loving the plethora of Gen X, Xennial and Geriatric Millennial romances coming to market!

Celeste has spent her life trying to turn herself down and shape shift into who she thought she was supposed to be as a wife and mother and lost pieces of herself. She's trying to find her way back to being her full self and has no desire to lose her sense of self again. But she is open to a friends with benefits situation!

John is quiet, lives in his head and has extraordinary patience. I guess one would have to in order to be a birder. When I tell you that patience and attention to detail pays off in SPADES for Celeste (and the reader). STILL WATERS RUN DEEP Y'ALL!

Last 10% of the story brought on so many feelings. All the characters in this book end up taking a risk that scares them and it pays off for each of them in different ways. Celeste's daughter telling her "I would love to not be your top priority" was such a statement! I did not expect so many moments to converge and try to end me.

Celeste is saying yes, to new experiences and challenges in her life. In saying yes, she ends up being the partner of an expert birder for a competition. John is a lumberjack librarian and Celeste is willing to give birding a try. She discovers that she likes birding and John more than she expected. Celeste and John are both in their forties and navigating a new relationship with previous baggage in tow.

I love seeing older MCs, one who is recently divorced and one who has never married, but both are not new at this. Their banter is age appropriate and they communicate like the grown-ups they are. I was sucked in from the start of this story and enjoyed the lighthearted nature throughout.

Thank you to @gallerybooks and @Netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.


Celeste is a newly divorced, almost empty nester, and she’s not really looking for anything other than adventure. So, when she meets John, she’s a little surprised to find herself volunteering to be his fake girlfriend.

Together they seem to work well and are getting to know one another and ultimately their chemistry is undeniable. When the birding contest they fake dated the duration of is over, they’ll have to decide if they’d like to go their separate ways, or if some benefits should stick around.

Meh? I really wanted to like this book. It had more mature characters, and fake dating. Which are two things I really enjoy; however, I think that my favorite part ended up being the cover. It really just didn’t do it for me and fell flat. The writing wasn’t bad, but it lacked depth and emotion. It felt lackluster and emotion for me, so I never really felt connected to the characters. It just felt like words on the page, nothing really jumped out at me or made me want to feel a certain way. It was rather frustrating. I did enjoy the unique element of birdwatching. I had never read a book with this element, nor did I know much about it, so it was fun to learn more.

📣 40+ year old leads, great chemistry, & satisfyingly gripping emotional notes that make you cheer both MCs on

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 are you a birder? Do you have a fave bird? Can you recognize any bird sounds? I haven’t done any research into bird sounds so about the only sounds I recognize are a peacock’s wail, a chicken’s bock, & a woodpecker’s drill 🤣. My current fave local bird is a blue jay!

As soon as I read the description of John Maguire in Birding with Benefits, I thought yes. I like. He has calluses, a rumbling voice in Celeste’s ear, & also he is sensitive & quiet & wears wire-rimmed glasses.

He’s a great match for whirlwind Celeste, who enters his life through a bit of a miscommunication & ends up being his partner for a birding competition.

Partners turns into friends & friends with benefits, & as the chemistry builds between them, so do the feelings. Their journey gave me everything I wanted on all the levels, particularly since the author includes backstories for both leads that really lend believability to the emotional obstacles they face.

This book is 🔥—no surprise if you’ve read what Dubb has written under the name Eliza McLane—& the way Celeste & John communicate in all spaces—from bedroom, to text, etc—is part of what makes this book full of joy & empathy & enthusiasm.

[Disclosure: I chat with the author at times & think she is lovely but these are my honest opinions 🥰.]

5 ⭐️. Out 06/04.

[CWs: Reference to being cheated on. Past divorce & references to how spouse made her feel “small.”]

Today I’m reviewing Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubbs. In this contemporary romance, we follow a teacher, Celeste, with a big personality, who is newly divorced and her daughter is going off to college, leaving her with an empty nest. When an opportunity to help a friend’s friend, she decides to take it. But Celeste isn’t ready for the quiet and kind John, a bird watcher whose in need of a partner for the upcoming bird contest he’d love to win.

What an adorable premise!

A bird watcher needs a partner to help him win a local birding competition. Add in his ex being a competitor, who yeah, he’s over, but even though he’s a good guy, would love to be the winner and not her. Enter chaotic and over the top Celeste who is up for the challenge. Little does she know how much trouble she’s in when she and John adventure out into the wilderness to find all the birds to win the competition.

My only concern with this one was the last act breakup. I find authors either hit or miss when it comes to those final moments of will they won’t they in a romance. And if the latter, how the couple comes back together before the very end. And in this one, it felt a little melodramatic to me. That Celeste’s exit from the friends with benefits relationship felt over the top and John’s reaction to all of this was confusing in the way things ended. Like hold on, you just mentioned something profound, can we talk about this??? (I'll let you discover it for yourself)

Although, the grand gesture in the last few chapters, is very sweet.

For bird enthusiasts and romance readers alike, check out this upcoming summer rom-com of opposites attract, forced proximity, fake dating, and grumpy + chaotic sunshine.

This book was something, like I can tell the author has a passion for birds. Like the whole part where she's gonna suck his dick and wants him to say bird facts.. like it was something. I just was not in it. I wanted it to end the whole time.

Not one of my faves.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I blame Birding with Benefits on my newfound interest in birding! While it might not be fully to blame (I just find waterfowl very intriguing), this book came at the right time for me to follow along as our protagonist, Celeste, joins brooding birder John, on a bird-watching (and fake dating) competition in which they both find more than sparrows and wrens along the way. Celeste is peppy and working on healing from a loveless marriage while John has yet to find his path in life but has his eyes on a future of guiding birdwatching. These two are opposites that balance each other well — and who can’t keep their hands off each other! This is a great read for anyone who is maybe looking for something new later in life, has an interest in what is cooing in their backyard tree, or wants a heartwarming romance. Thanks to NetGalley for an early review copy, all opinions are my own.

Hero and heroine in their 40s!!!!! And a beautiful book about discovery and the ways in which we spread our wings in different seasons of life. People will love love love Celeste and her daughter's relationship, our hero John, our delightful side character king Chris, and so much more. I learned about birds, too! Bonus. And can we talk about the cover??

I adored this read! I went in with zero expectations and didn't fully review the "book jacket" and it was well worth it! I devoured this read.

When it comes to the plot, I found the tropes that I tend to lean toward in a romance: close proximity, fake dating, friends to lovers, and opposites attract. But what made it so strong was the mature romance element. This was youthful, fun, spicy, sexy, romantic... and happening for a woman outside of her twenties. I love a story where our FMC has romance and passion and finds her prime "later" in life. Celeste was witty, outgoing, bright, shiny, full of the promise of self-discovery, bold, and FUN! It was the perfect combination with John. He was brooding-esque, sexy, thoughtful, intentional, warm... he is one of my top 2024 book boyfriends, which says a lot because cargo shorts aren't normally what does it for me!

The birding element was also... fun! It made what could be a tropey romance have new life and seem wholly original! This really was sweet, the best friends were loveable, the mother/daughter dynamic was authentic, and it really is a sweet book for summer! I would DEFINITELY add this to your TBR! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This was cute but felt difficult to get through because i was never gripped by it. I enjoyed when we got to see the mother/daughter relationship most of all. I also enjoy when we have a character that is mature in age but not necessarily in all behaviors - Celeste is fun and wild and quirky but still very much a mother and I loved that.

Thank you Gallery & NetGalley for the eARC!

Y'all, there's just something about a romance novel with an unexpected premise. I would never have guessed there'd be a spicy romance novel around birding, but here we are. I adored this one for so many reasons. I loved that the story centered Celeste, newly divorced and trying to figure out where she fits. I loved that she found her way to John, an expert birder, and all she learned from him as their relationship bloomed. I also loved that the story included Celeste's relationship with her daughter and how she navigated the "mom stuff" in her life. This just had so many layers. Truthfully, it also made me want to get into birdwatching (for the actual birding, not the other layers of this one!), and that speaks to the way part of this story is written. I could continue to rave about the pieces of this one I loved, but will stop, so you can go put this one on your list. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this June 2024 release!

When I heard about this book on Bookstagram, I was immediately intrigued. Bird watching as the main focus? Older MCs? Yes to both, big time. Needless to say, I wasn't disappointed at all.

Celeste and John are so damn relatable. I loved watching two people in their 40s fall in love, and the competency kink is HUGE in this book. They spend so much time in each other's company that they bond as friends first, then lovers. It's all of the quiet moments that lead to their HEA, and I am all for it. John is such a sweet, quiet guy that rooting for him was so natural. You want him to win that contest so bad because you know how much it means to him. And watching him fall in love with Celeste was beautiful. I just wanted to snuggle him through the entire book. And Celeste? She's absolute perfection in my eyes. She's an almost empty-nester AND newly divorced, so she's decided to seek adventure for the first time in forever. I loved watching her journey as she learns what it's like to navigate the world with a child attached to you. How can you not love a good story of self-discovery? I was so charmed by her as the FMC. Also, the bird-watching element of the plot was unique. I really liked learning all of these bird facts that Dubb effortlessly weaves throughout the story.

I can't recommend this book enough. I can't wait to see what Dubb writes next.

**A big thank-you to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review++

Overall rating 5/5
Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️/5

Who knew birding could be so sexy and romantic? Definitely not this reader which is why I give a high praise to Birding with Benefits for showing us just how sexy and swoon worthy romantic it could be. The story centers around Celeste and John, two of the best characters I’ve ever had a pleasure reading about, who unfortunately haven’t had the best times in the relationships department. Celeste a divorced mother who is just trying to find herself after losing who she was in a suffering and suffocating marriages. John a quiet birder who is also trying to start a business out of his hobby and get his own life back on track after his ex cheated on him. Take these two, throw in some fake dating, a birding competition and delicious spice and you are in for one of the sweetest romances you’ll read this year. I cannot wait for the romance community to get their hands on this one. Now if you’ll excuse I’m off to doing some birding of my own and maybe find my own John or Celeste on the way.

Firstly, thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this charming book. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Celeste was so relatable! It is so hard to open yourself up to new relationships and new opportunities while trying to also figure out who you are as an individual.