Celeste is a divorced mom, a teacher, and accidental fake girlfriend and birder after meeting John. John is a quiet and steady man, a birder, and looking for his next step while becoming an accidental boyfriend in the process. Birders with benefits happens. Shenanigans ensue.

I seriously adored this book. THIS COVER ALONE I mean hello!? From the immediate sexual tension, the ages of the characters (more love interests in their late 30s and older please for us 35 year old romance girlies!!), to the hot as hell scenes between these two consenting, communicative adults. 😮‍💨🔥🥵

Things I absolutely loved:
The birding (why do I want to try it now!?)
Celeste. For every girl who has ever been told she’s too much. I loved her I loved her I loved her.
John. A sexy, smart, confidently funny librarian/lumberjack/birder!??!? What’s not to like?
Morgan. The daughter who really wanted to carve her own path.
Maria. My giiiiirl! Told Celeste like it is.
Chris. Loved loved loved!! Charismatic flirt yes.
Finding yourself as a theme, even well into adulthood.
The consent! The communication! The laughter! Sex being hot AND fun at the same time!
The grand gesture 😭😭😭😭

Okay I just loved it. Thank you thank you thank you @sarahtdubbwrites for not only indulging my DMs about my excitement for the book and preordering, but also letting me screech tonight after that first kiss hit. Thank you for this book that had me in tears for the last 20%. The fear. The vulnerability. So real. Also - the acknowledgments and note about birding also had me tearing up. What is wrong with me!?

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher as well for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this book is so fun!

Celeste and John are total opposites with each bringing some baggage along the way BUT they are exactly who the other one needs. Add in they are in their 40s but finding their way on their own again, fake dating, some unexpected spice and a hobby I knew nothing about (but now feel like I would really enjoy it) it all added up to a total delight.

The additional character's stories were great too. Morgan, Maria and Chris really added to the book! Great rounded out characters with their own growth throughout the book.

Definitely a nice light read and I'm excited to see more from Sarah Dubb in the future! Thanks NetGalley for my copy!❤️

LOVED

This was a fun take on a classic fake dating trope, and I loved that the author took a niche hobby like birding and highlighted it so prominently. The story flowed incredibly well, the characters were amazing and fleshed out (I loved that John was a quiet, shy nerd), and the romance shined in the center of it all.

In Sarah T. Dubb's delightful romantic comedy, Birding with Benefits, newly-divorced Celeste embarks on a journey of self-discovery and adventure, only to find herself entangled in a fake relationship with quiet and reserved John, a man who only seeks solace in birds. As they navigate the Arizona wilderness together, their hearts flutter, and their connection deepens. Will their love survive beyond the bird-watching contest, or will it fade away like the setting sun? Celeste, a free-spirited soul, embraces her newfound independence with enthusiasm, eager to leave behind the confines of her past. John, on the other hand, is a man of few words, content with his solitary existence among the birds. However, as they reluctantly team up for the biggest bird-watching contest in Tucson, their lives take an unexpected turn. With each step they take through the stunning Arizona wilderness, Celeste and John find themselves captivated by more than just the avian wonders that surround them. They discover a shared love for adventure, a thirst for knowledge, and a spark that ignites their hearts. Despite their initial resistance to romance, they can't deny the undeniable chemistry that sizzles between them. As the bird count rises and their time together dwindles, Celeste and John must confront their feelings and make a choice. Will they embrace their newfound love and embark on a lifelong adventure together, or will they let their fears and past experiences dictate their fate? Dubb paints a vivid picture of the Arizona landscape, capturing the beauty and tranquility of the natural world. Her characters are relatable and well-developed, each with their own unique quirks and motivations. The romance between Celeste and John unfolds naturally, with plenty of humor and heartfelt moments. If you're looking for a heartwarming and uplifting romantic comedy that celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of second chances, Birding with Benefits is the perfect read. Dubb's engaging storytelling and charming characters will leave you smiling long after you finish the last page.

I am a birdwatcher and romance book lover so I was thrilled to read this one! I did enjoy the story line, but felt like the characters weren't strong enough. I felt like the chemistry was forced between the characters and went by really quickly. Overall, I do love the story line and will recommend it to customers.

Very cute, very quirky read.

Absolutely loved the birding aspect to this book. Loved the "yes man" feel to the FMC's personality.

Would recommend to anyone looking for a quirky romance.

I am OBSESSED with this one!! I need it to go viral because you never see love stories where the main characters are a little older! This story was adorably sweet and I can’t wait for the book to come out so I can buy a copy!!

Okayyyy I loved this? I knew a super niche subject area romance was either going to be the best or the worst- and it was the best. I’m calling it now- this will be in my top reads of the year! The face the main characters were in their forties but that it was never once implied that was old (it’s not) was refreshing. Main characters and side characters were so developed and likeable, the sub plot with Celeste’s daughter was great- honestly this was just a solid, five star read. Also much appreciated as someone who has felt like “too much” sometimes. Bonus is that it’s hella spicy! Add this to your summer 2024 beach reads!

I was really interest in reading this because of the bird watching aspect, as its such a niche topic. Mix that with fake dating and definitely needed to read this. I'm really into birdwatching myself so its always nice to see a romance novel where people fall in love while doing a personal hobby of yours. I love both Celeste and John as characters, and thought their personalitys complimented each other nicely. It was also nice to see a romance with older characters as that can be hard to find. Overall I really enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to my friends!

3 star book but 5 star spice.
I think it's a good book but a bit too niche. Bird watching is niche, Arizona is niche, middle age is niche so it's hard to appeal to a broad audience. I liked that it was different. That this fake dating turned more was a nontraditional topic and and characters. It had some good depth. The spicy scenes was very very good. I didn't love the writing, it felt immature and like the voice was wobbly and underdeveloped.

Birding with Benefits was a good read. Sarah T. Dubb has given us a charming couple in John and Celeste. Both in the forties and still feeling burned by their last relationships. I feel like it is a second chance romance, but the second chance is learning to love themselves again. There is definitely a journey of learning to trust yourself and know that you are enough and not too much. And that the right partner will help you grow, not try and make you something you are not. That it is set the world of birding is fun (I know nothing about that world). There is enough steamy time to make it an adult read but the beauty of it is really is heart. (I read an ARC)

"Birding With Benefits" took me on a delightful flight through the world of birding and romance. While I anticipated more birding adventures, the well-crafted narrative and steamy scenes made it a fun and engaging read. A charming blend of passion for both birds and love, leaving me happy to have picked up this book.

I’m a sucker for a romance about a niche community, and this book delivered so hard. Celeste is a divorced mom in her early 40s, saying yes to everything she can to make up for the years she lost herself in her marriage. She meets John, a birder who needs a partner for a birding contest.

Celeste and John are so carefully drawn - it’s nothing but joy to read about them. And also now I am desperately interested in going birding.

Would love a sequel about John’s best friend Chris too!

Birding? Fake dating? A lumberjack librarian? YES PLEASE!!

There are some wonderful debuts coming in 2024, and Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb is at the top of my list. I obviously have a soft spot for stories with older characters. There's something so vital to me to both read and write stories about people who are in my phase of life. They have experiences, loves, losses, kids to raise, parents to worry about, and the days of meeting new people every weekend are well behind them. In short, it can be a struggle to find your person. So when a story gives me immediate butterflies because yesssss! these babies are getting another chance! I get really excited. And, wow, did Dubb deliver!!

This book is sweet and soft and real and fun and soooo steamy!! It made me feel seen, understood, and validated, and this is the magic of romance. As a parent of a teenager, I was particularly moved by the relationship between Celeste and her daughter, it was so real and so deftly and sensitively portrayed.

I can't thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley enough for this gorgeous ARC.

Book Review
Birding with Benefits
By Sarah T. Dubb
There is so much I liked about this book! Birding, I love birds. The age group- almost empty-nester and the setting. This makes me want to go to Arizona!
After spending so much of her life being a wife and doing whatever she needed to do to support her ex-husband’s career, Celeste finally makes the decision to do something for herself. Ditch the bad marriage and say yes to adventure, new beginnings and experiences. I love that she is loud and excited over everything, not afraid to show her body stretch marks and all and that she is more than willing to explore and try new things in nature and in the bedroom.
Although Celeste and her fake dating birding partner (John) are completely different their personalities complement each other. John is quiet, but not afraid to tell her when he is upset or needs a moment for himself. Celeste is an extrovert but is also self-aware to know when she goes overboard and pushy. I was anxious wondering if the fake dating was going to end after the birding project ended and her attitude was making me mad. I know that she wanted her freedom and not to be tied down with a relationship. All along she made it seem like she would not have a problem ending things. They got along so well, and you must read to find out how the story ends.
John is easy-going, but also set in his ways. He wants to time for his work, bird watching and woodworking. He respects Celeste’s time for her own work and her daughter. He is also very patient. One thing he doesn’t like is being told what to do and how he could be doing better. This makes for an interesting twist, because he is not always compliant with Celeste and it’s good. He needs to do things in his own time without judgement and Celeste likes to jump in with both feet, except when it comes to relationships.
Read if you enjoy:
New beginnings
Fake dating
Newly divorced
Discovering “the new you”
Almost empty nest
Spice

Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb is an excellent contemporary fiction that is fullof romance, second chances at life, and birds!

Celeste and John are such excellent characters. I love that they are not in their 20s. With a little bit of life experience and a chance to find a new path in life. I liked the incorporation of the fake to real relationship and the inclusion of the wonderful world of birding, makes for a fun, entertaining, and sassy romance.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Gallery Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/4/24.

4.5/5

this is the most obscure romance i’ve ever read but i loved it!!!!

i saw this cover randomly one day and then decided to head over to netgalley and see if i could request the arc and i just went right into this book with no expectations. i’ve never heard of anyone writing a book revolving birding but it was such an amazing surprise! every aspect of this book was so pure and sweet and i just had the best time!!

john and celeste were so adorably sweet! i don’t usually read books where the main characters are in the forties but there was something so heartwarming about two people who had struggled with love finding happiness in mid life. i also loved how the two of they had such childlike joy about birding. i love seeing people having fun when they’re doing something they love and i’ve never really been around someone who is into birding so it was also fun for me to learn about it at the same time as celeste. i really liked celeste because i too have been told that i’m ‘too much’ so it was wonderful to see her find a group of people that loved and supported her without fail!! i also relate to john because i like to be alone. seeing them with eachother and being happy and lovey made me want to cry and i love them!!!

this is a great debut from this author and i can’t wait to see what she does in the future!! i will be expecting another romance with a random ass hobby because now i low key want to a birder!! i’ve been influenced!! definitely go pick this book up in june!

*thank you to NetGalley for the ARC*

“I consume romance novels for the same reason I watch birds—for the sparks of joy, because I prefer to be happy when the world gives us so many reasons to be sad.”

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up.


This was heartwarming and definitely a plot you haven’t read before which I loved. The FMC Celeste and MMC John have serious chemistry but also baggage that you can tell heavily impacts them and their actions. The relationship between Celeste and her daughter Morgan was my favorite aspect of the book because of the relatability of it. I think most readers would agree Morgan said what we were all thinking to her mother, though not with the best delivery. I did take away .5 ⭐️ because of the scene between Celeste and John after the art show fiasco. Just wish it had been written differently to reflect more depth in their relationship emotionally as opposed to physically. 🌶️ level felt appropriate while more on the v@nilla side. All in all — HIGHLY recommend and DEFINITELY a book I would gift or recommend to friends/people I think would relate to the overall message. Beautifully done Sarah!

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from “Birding with Benefits” by Sarah T. Dubb. I mean, birding and romance - I guess it goes hand in hand, but … yeah. For a debut novel, I’m impressed with how Ms. Dubb has combined these two main topics so well. The meet cute is different - because it’s obviously a meet cute but the set-up happens, for the most part, off the page. I also liked the complete miscommunication about that meet cute. I think the two main characters were solid and, for once, mature in their outlook of life in general and with what was handed to them during this book. Both main characters grew over the course of this book, which I also liked. There’s steam - in fact, I was a bit taken aback by just how much steam. There’s humor, along with good supporting characters (though I felt that the ex-girlfriend’s apology was a bit out there - and luckily not the drama it could’ve been, thank goodness!). Even if you’re not into birding or live in Arizona, where this book takes place, it’s a very enjoyable read with a bit of information tossed in (I’ll never be a fan of Emily Dickinson, but I love the appearance that she makes in this book).

Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb was blissful! I loved this slow burn with a mature female lead. Seeing romance play out while also learning about birding was so fun. I’ve never been interested in the hobby before, but this book made me want to pick up a guide of my own and hit the trails!