BIRDING WITH BENEFITS by Sarah T. Dubb is adorable. Books about wedding planners or authors are great and all, but birding? So original!

I give this book 7 out of 5 stars, thanks to the automatic star bump of having characters over 40 and being set in Arizona. Sorry, but I make the rules! Maybe I'll award an extra half star for the brilliant cover!!

Plot-wise, we've got the tale of an exuberant, recently divorced novice birder who kind of accidentally becomes the partner of a quiet, reserved experienced birder. And also his fake girlfriend. But they also are really drawn to each other. It's a bit of a slow burn in the first half, but whew, it burns hot as the Arizona sun 🔥.

I was very annoyed that I was reading it during the week, because I didn't want to work, I just wanted to finish it! I stayed up late because I was so close to the end and I couldn't wait!

A very lovely debut, BIRDING WITH BENEFITS is out June 4. Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.

Instant favorite. Celeste and John were such sweet characters that were a bit flawed, and they had both been burned in the past. They grew and developed so much while spending time together competing in a local birding contest. John was a quiet, bearded, aspiring bird guide that exuded such calm confidence while birding, but was much more timid with other humans. Celeste was a whirlwind that may have had a touch of ADHD, but they made a great team while also pretending to date since John’s ex-girlfriend was a fellow competing birder. Chris and Maria were such good friends and side characters. I am a birder and highly competitive, but I absolutely loved John’s dedication to slowing down and showing Celeste the wonders of birding. There are so many things happening before our eyes that we don’t see until we start paying attention, and that’s such a profound part of being a birder. This story really captured that feeling, along with so many others. There is no need to have any prior knowledge or experience with birdwatching to enjoy this story though, and I am impressed with the author’s ability to slide in so many little facets of the hobby without making it too intimidating for romance readers. I’d already preordered this book before requesting a copy through netgalley, and I can’t wait to force it upon people when it releases.

Sarah T. Dubb's debut romance, BIRDING WITH BENEFITS, is AMAZING!!!!!!! The characters in this book are handled with such care as they grow and find each other. I absolutely loved reading about character's in their 40's. The honesty, communication, and trust they share was so raw and real. And the birds!!!!!! This book makes me want to buy some binoculars and go figure out which bird is singing at the park. READ THIS NOW!!!!!!!

Heads up this book is spicer than I imagined. I love the main character Celeste though. Quirky, fun and clever.

I loved this one from start to finish. I loved the birding. I loved the Tucson setting. I loved the gentleness and the theme of cherishing discovery. I loved the sexiness. I loved having older protagonists, including a woman with a teenaged daughter. I loved the writing. This is a beautiful book, and it made me feel at home.

Birding with Benefits by Sarah Dubb is a delightful romantic escapade that takes readers on a journey through the Arizona wilderness, blending humor, heart, and a touch of birdwatching. Newly divorced Celeste, embracing the spirit of adventure, finds herself in an unexpected partnership with John, a bird enthusiast with dreams of starting his own guiding business. The story unfolds with a mix of hilarity and tenderness as Celeste and John navigate the complexities of their fake relationship turned genuine connection. This book is a feel good read that explores love, friendship, and the unexpected paths that lead us to happiness.