3.5 rounded up. This was a very cute story that had a lot of elements I really liked - older protagonists, a reasonable set of life experiences, weird hobbies. I don't really know much about birding but I felt like I learned stuff, and I would definitely like to be friends with both of these people. There were times where the writing felt a little stilted or not like real people would talk - lots of extra flowery adjectives. But all in all, a great read.

I received a free ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb
Finally a romance novel about people in their 40s! Celeste is healing from a marriage where she made herself small to fit in her husband's life she is saying yes to as much as she can, including becoming a partner to John (she thinks fake dating, he thinks partner in a birding contest). Ok so I never thought I'd read a novel about bird watching and be so captivated. The way it's talked about made me seriously consider going out myself, but really it made me fall for John and the romantic, purposeful way he approached life. Maybe I should be over the smart lumberjack type in novels but I'm not (which is good cause I married that type!)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Celeste's daughter and best friend were great characters who helped show different facets of her personality. And Chris was so much fun! I was rooting for this pair to win the contest! And moreover, rooting for them to overcome their own self doubt to be together. Benefits scenes were a bit steamy. I would definitely recommend this book. 4.5 stars. Thanks for Net Galley and Gallery Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! I am a birder and I could tell the author knew what they were talking about. I am a nerd for accuracy, and this book did not fail me. The plot was well established, not too many extra characters, steamy sex, all in all a fop pick!

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this arc! Honestly, I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. Birding seemed like such an odd topic to theme a book after. But wow, was I wrong. This was such a sweet romance. The tension was written so well, I was hooked. John and Celeste were an incredibly sweet and playful duo. I will always love the "I see you and I'm not asking you to change, but we can grow together" trope. I can't believe this is a debut! I can't wait to see more from this author!

I loved this book!! I went in totally blind because I thought the title was unique and the cover was cute. I knew there would be some steam with "benefits" in the title but definitely didn't know the degree of spice I was getting into. There were multiple steamy scenes I had to skim/skip to the end of the chapter 😬 but that's just me! Too much spice for this reader, but I still appreciated the story as a whole! The characters, their meet cute, their personal struggles, and their budding relationship created a perfect concoction that was simply fun to watch unfold. And the BIRDING! I looooved reading the bird watching scenes and learning about the hobby of birding. Romance readers, give this one a try!!

Birding with Benefits is out June 4th! Thank you Gallery Books and Netgalley for my e-arc!

This was a cute debut novel about a girl meets boy in an unexpected birding event. The liked the banter back and forth with the main love interest characters. Unfortunately I was only about 60% through and it expired on me. So if I were to finish up in the final copy I could add to my review. For now I’m giving it 4 stars.

A very charming story about finding yourself and saying yes to new things. Our protagonists are a newly divorced single mom and teacher, and a woodworker and aspiring birding guide. Throw in some accidental fake dating and a birding contest and you’ve got the recipe for a really lovely romance featuring people over 40 who have sizzling chemistry and a sweet rapport.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Everything I want in a romance! Older characters, awesome setting, birds birds birds. I can't say enough good things about Celeste and Jon! Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about Tuscon and birding.

Something about the pacing for this one was off for me. Usually we get a chapter or two where we can meet our main character and get to know them a bit before we jump into a meet cute -- in this case, the meet cute happens immediately. It's harder to connect to since I don't know anything about either of these people yet!

I love that we get to learn more about birding, and I know that there are going to be some contrivances for the plot, but nowhere in the world does a birding competition exist. People are competitive, but it's never an actual competition! Everyone would be posting their species on ebird anyway.

I did love that these characters are middle aged, with middle aged relationship baggage. The sex was also great -- consent and humour and talking during sex! Loved it.

Overall, it was fine but didn't quite work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing a DRC of this title.

This was really sweet! Love seeing the representation of a couple in their forties and the specificity of the setting. The only thing that would have made BwB a perfect 5 stars for me would be an acknowledgment from Celeste that she will listen when John tells her she is pushing or an affirmation that he is enough for her— yes, she told him she had feelings for him, but, as it stands without her own promise to change/grow into someone who shows John how much she appreciates him, just as he is, their final reunion seems a little one-sided. Will gladly recommend this one to patrons and look forward to more from this author! 4.25 stars/5.

this book was:
a. hilarious
b. heartfelt
c. made me want to take up birding as a hobby.

Sarah Dubb just set a new standard for unique careers in fictional novels - but I am not mad about it. Such a great debut novel - already can't wait to see what is next!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced review copy - all opinions are my own.

I’ve never found myself a fan of birds but, man oh man, I have found myself an expert on birds now because of this one!

I love romance, but lately I've been romanced-out, but I had ALREADY REQUESTED THIS ARC! So, when I got approved, yes I was happy, but I'll be honest that I wasn't really ready to embark on another romance. The cover was cute, which is honestly why I requested, and I was amidst my romance phase, so thus, Birding With Benefits happened.

I REALLY liked this book. After reading SO many romances with the same type of characters: editors, lawyers, doctors, teachers dating hockey players, doctors, other lawyers, tech billionaires, whatever, it was SO cool to read something SO different.

Like, why did this make me want to go to my local wetlands and go birding?? This was such an entertaining read and cute story. Love a we-were-annoyed-with-each-other first type romance, and LOVE that this setting was different. I learned so much about birds lol.

Really enjoyed this novel :)

Birding with Benefits is the perfect example of fake-dating trope in action. John is soft-spoken and kind with a passion for birding and aspirations to open bird-guide business, and Celeste is 42 year old teacher with a teenage daughter, and straight out of divorce-land. Miscommunication and birding contest (did you even know they had those?) bring them together, and they are stuck with each other as partners, exploring Arizona outdoors, and maybe, not so fake dating after all!

I love when a book brings a geeky hobby to life, and you'll be looking through binoculars, and hiking, and picking up tips on bird journaling. And if you have a soft spot for books filled with sweet characters, good friends, low stakes, and fair amount of spice - this one is for you. It hits all the expected notes of a romance genre, while the characters navigate midlife challenges. It's sweet. It's easy. It's filled with birds. Best title ever, and I'm in love with that cover.

Ive seen lots of hype about Birding with Benefits, and it absolutely delivered. By framing the story in the context of the birding competition, the author both creates a unique framework for a romance novel and introduces the reader to a new hobby or passion. This was so interesting and fresh that I could not help but love it — plus lovely writing, compelling character dynamics, satisfying relationship development, and extremely well crafted sex scenes meant this novel is a winner in my book. Adding Sarah T. Dubb to my list of auto-buy authors!

Birding with Benefits takes readers on a charming journey into the world of birding, blending the enchantment of avian exploration with the familiar fake relationship trope. The dialogue is witty and engaging, and the character development is nuanced. Readers will find themselves rooting for the protagonists as they navigate the challenges of their faux relationship, all the while discovering the true depth of their feelings for each other.

wow I absolutely loved this story!!! Celeste is a breath of fresh air kind of character! I loved her whole vibe right from the start. I love how she was so open and dedicated to exploring and learning and loving everything she comes across, especially since she's felt so held down and held back during the last phase of her life. and I absolutely adored John! he is the most precious cinnamon roll character; he is so kind and compassionate and always willing to try things for Celeste even though its out of his comfort zone.

I loved the way these two come together to help each other, be kind and be each others friends even though they've just met. even though John is a shy introvert, he's willing to try new things for Celeste and be the best and most supportive friend to her. both of them are just so kind and compassionate and patient and loving as they learn more about each other and grow so incredibly close to one another. I understood Celeste's hesitation to be in a new relationship as she's in this new, exploration period of her life, and John's patience and kindness in that is so precious. I loved how they ultimately come together in their beautiful, kind, loving, patient way.

overall just the most beautiful, unique, hilarious, marvelous romcom story! I loved it so much and will def be buying this when it releases!

thank you for the arc!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. This was very fun, and I love that it takes place in Tucson. There was a lot of plot and great writing and I loved the characters so much!

I read this book on a flight to Tucson! I started it at home but knew that I wanted to get in the reading zone on my trip and it was definitely the right thing to do. Dubb's description of the natural areas around Tucson for birding made me so excited to see it with my own eyes.

This is the story of Celeste and John. They accidentally get paired in a bird watching contest. He is eager to win and she knows nothing, but their partnership turns to fake dating and then so much more. I appreciated the honesty of both characters and how they sorted through their past and their hang ups. I liked the side characters and their community. There were a few things that pulled me out of the story, but were personal preferences.

When a newly divorced woman decides to find new hobbies and do new things she comes upon a situation that she said YES to but might have been a mistake. Celeste tried a painting class and met a guy who said he had a friend who was looking for someone and he set the two of them up. Little did Celeste know that she would be spending 6 weeks searching for birds and falling for John at the same time.