This book was slow for me to get into but I really enjoyed the pacing, the depth of the characters and how the author wove the story together!

A huge thanks to Gallery Books for sending the gifted copy of BIRDING WITH BENEFITS by Sarah Dubb. What a fun read! And how unique to pair birdwatching with guy-watching. Be sure to read the Author’s Notes and Acknowledgements at the back of the book. Sarah is no novice to either birding or romance, and it shows in her well-crafted narrative.

Sarah’s debut novel is a rom-com featuring recently divorced, Celeste, as she starts living for herself. She’s smart, snarky, and speaks her mind clearly, slinging a four-letter word if the occasion warrants. A friend asks her to partner with John, a birding expert, for a bird-watching competition, and the action begins. Feathers flutter when John’s ex shows up unexpectedly.

This story is engaging, steamy without being crude, and full of the emotions of a woman out on her own for the first time. I loved everything about this book and hope that the author is already penning her next five-star novel.

This was such an enjoyable romance book.

I've actually never heard of birding as a hobby, and it seems so peaceful - this book made connecting with nature fresh on my mind as we enter into summer and I love that.

Written well, featuring one of my favorite tropes (hehe, fake dating) I'd recommend this as a light-hearded, adventurous, emotional read. It feels "coming-of-middle-age (see what I did there?).

Thank you for the gifted copy and the e-copy!

I did enjoy this book, a great effort for a debut author. Overall I would rate this 3.5. I do enjoy birding and for those with no interest in birding this book may not be as entertaining. The book has some open door love scenes that seemed more a check the box add in than a necessary plot point. I thought the author did an excellent job in character development with the male lead but the main female character was not as likable to me.. I found her too much of a hyperactive extrovert.
I will look for the author’s next book as I think she has a lot of potential as a fiction or romance writer.

This love story was unexpected as I absolutely fell head over heels for this romance. Birding with Benefits is a debut novel from Sarah T. Dubb, and its worth the investment.

A divorcee commits to fake-date a birder to help him win a local competition. The emotional depth of these characters builds to a lasting romance. I truly appreciate the middle-age representation, and their communication on the relationship baggage that's blocking their heart.

A mature, witty romance - highly recommend.

Thank you, Gallery Books

Fantastic, fantastic book! I appreciate that the protagonist and love interest were older and navigating different moments in their lives than most romances feature. MORE CHARACTERS IN THEIR 40s AND 50S IN ROMANCE, PLEASE!! I am so ready to start birding now after reading this book, too—something I never knew I needed in my life. I love how this story included friendships, family, and relationships as part of the full arc, rather than focusing only on the romantic arc. Real life includes all of these things and I love experiencing these aspects through Celeste's eyes and mind.

Birding with Benefits was such a cute, light romance perfect for the summer.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I liked the premise and the setting of the book, which started out very well. However, I would have liked more about actual birding and the birds in Arizona and less of the steamy scenes between the two people who meet for a six week birding event. I found the book became boring and repetitive and less interesting, both as a novel and as a romance.

This was an interesting perspective for a introvert/extrovert romance. A misunderstanding and some miscommunication results in our main characters meeting up and forming a plan. I feel like this would translate really well as a cute movie on tv. As a book, it was ok. I’d give it 2.5 stars.

I learned about a new thing called birding! I honestly didn’t know that it was a real thing and I learned the difference between birding and bird watching lol.

Started off strong but felt like it started dragging a bit in the middle and the end. My complaint is that the dialogue and thoughts felt a bit clunky and more young adult than actual older adults talking. And the constant flashback towards being teenagers threw me off. They don’t have any experiences from their 20s, 30s? You’re telling me these people are in their 40’s 🤨? Would have liked to see better communication and maturity from the characters. It felt almost like the author wanted to age up the main characters into their 40s but they came across as young college kids.

John seems like a sweet guy who is working on accepting that there’s nothing wrong with his quietness. Celeste is a recently divorced mother learning how to be single at first then how to fall in love with someone who appreciates her loudness and quirks. She’s learning how to not quiet herself down to make other happy. But also how to accept new love when it comes her way. They both have insecurities, but who doesn’t. Together the two fit. A cute life romance. Overall I’d say this was a decent, quick read.

Birding with Benefits was my first novel by Sarah T. Dubb and I loved it. Both main characters were great and well thought out. I would definitely read other books from this author. Great summer read.

You know the saying “there’s nothing new under the sun”?

Nobody really want to believe it’s true... even though, deep down, most of us know that it is.

We’ve all rolled our eyes about books, shows, and movies, for the “been there, read/seen/heard that before” scenario.

A movie about cop partners? Cue every cop-buddy-trope comparison out there.

A show about a charismatic serial killer? Someone’s gonna make references to lotion, baskets, and fava.

The toughest of them all, though? Rom-coms... where tropes positively thrive.

Enemies-to-lovers. Opposites attracting. Someone needs rescuing. Pretend relationships. Friends-to-lovers. Forced spending time together. False or mistaken identity. Rich person falls for poor person. (Et cetera, etc.)

But here’s the thing...

Just because you’ve seen a thing done before... doesn’t mean someone else can’t come along and put a whole new spin on it.

Sometimes—thank goodness!—magic still happens... as in newbie-author Sarah T. Dubb’s entirely-delightful Birding with Benefits.
____________________

When outgoing, risk-taking, 42-year-old Celeste—who has been happily, fully embracing her “FINALLY, I gotta do ME!” Era for the past couple years, post-divorce—meets an amusing guy at a drink-and-paint event (no, don’t jump ahead, this isn’t about THAT trope), she winds up agreeing to help him out.

Or rather, to help John, a friend of his, out.

Which is how she winds up at a nature park, ready-and-willing to play the unknown John’s new girlfriend... in front of his ex. (Helping someone get over an awkward, in-person first encounter with a bitter ex? Celeste is only too happy to assist.)

Except... the charming guy painting next to Celeste left out one tiny (but important) detail: John is an experienced birder (someone who takes the spotting-and-identifying of birds very seriously)... and is expecting to meet someone to fill in for said charming painter friend—in a role that used to be held by the bitter ex—in a major pairs’ birding competition.

A competition that—if he won—could launch John into the exciting new business of his dreams.

Celeste likes the local Tucson, Arizona outdoors as well as the next person... but she’s never given much notice to, well, birds.

But changing one’s life, mid-stream (or maybe, mid-flight, because, birds), and trying to make a dream come true, well... those are things “Celeste 2.0” can get behind 110-percent!

So just like that, Celeste is a budding birder... with shy, handsome, middle-aged John as her teacher-slash-partner.

It’s no great surprise when sparks begin to fly... but with each carrying a heap of past relationship baggage—her, a long marriage, and him, the nasty breakup of a toxic relationship—neither is looking to start anything permanent.

But for, erm, temporary benefits?

Well, surely that couldn’t hurt anything, right?

Right?!?...
____________________

So, let me be honest. I’m not a frequent romance reader—and by that, I mean, straight-up romance, with a capital R, where the love story is really the whole story.

But.

Something about Birding with Benefits screamed “This is YOU!!!”, so I sat down with it cued up on my Kindle.

And really, really LOVED it.

Yes, it ends up more or less exactly where I—and probably you—expect it will. (That’s not a bad thing. It’s the getting there—the journey—that makes any good story worth reading/watching, after all.)

The author beautifully depicts Celeste’s experience. Finding herself again—after spending years with someone who’d long ago stopped appreciating and valuing her... then vowing never to risk surrendering that hard-won identity for a relationship, ever again—really, really hit home.

Dubb also proves herself a master at drawing believable, meaningful relationships. Whether it’s that of Celeste and her BFF... Celeste and her teenage daughter... John and his best friend... or the one that grows between Celeste and John as they gradually become acquainted, each feels real and special.

And speaking of Celeste and John (because I know some of you are waiting for me to get to “the good stuff”)...

BwB comfortably straddles the line somewhere between sweet, tender rom-com yumminess... and sweaty, titillating “smexy” times between the sheets (on the workbench, against a tree...). Plenty of warm fuzzies... and warm other regions, to be had here.

If you’re a regular romance reader, you should obviously pick up a copy of Birding with Benefits, stat. (Also, if you happen to be a birder, because there can’t be that many novels based around the topic.)

But, if you’re more like me, and don’t usually gravitate toward straight-up bodice-ripping romance—but you do absolutely love a witty, cleverly-written rom-com with appealing characters and a lot of heart—then you should also consider putting this one high up on your list. It’s a real treat.
~GlamKitty

Birding with Benefits inspired me to go BIRDING! To appreciate moments of stillness and just listen and observe my surroundings. Celeste is in her early 40's and a recent divorcee with a daughter that is approaching high school graduation. Celeste is rediscovering herself and open to trying new things and loving life, but NOT into being in a relationship.

She ends up meeting John at a park to be his fake partner, which she assumes meant as a fake date. It turns out that he needed a BIRDING PARTNER, but she already made the moves that made them look like they were in an actual relationship. So that's how the situationship begins!

I enjoyed reading their journey as a couple as well as her relationship with her daughter, Morgan.

Spice Level 🌶️🌶️ !

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun one - with an odd take on romance - birding with benefits (great title). The cover is what caught my eye. This was an easy romance - easy to digest - perfect for the summer. Plenty of spice, fun and sweet characters. Overall a great read. Looks like this is a debut from this author - awesome debut. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

3.5 stars rounded up! I wanted to read this book because I love a good romance book and I love someone who loves birdwatching and I wasn't disappointed! This book took some time for me to get into but I enjoyed the 'opposites attract' dynamic between Celeste and John. I appreciated their character development as they both opened themselves up to more after getting burned by past relationships. Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sadly, I was never able to fully engage with the story or characters, who felt far younger than what they claimed to be. I did not care for the instant attraction. There was no character development, so I was unable to connect with or care about the outcome. I did enjoy the birding angle, as that's not something I typically read in books.

DNF Details:

How far did I get? About halfway through, maybe 150 pages in.

Why did I stop? Despite the fact that I have heard nothing but good things about this book (and that cover is gorgeous!), I feel like I’m the wrong audience for it. I’m not the biggest fan of third person POV, but really I think this appeals to older readers. The heroine isn’t actually that much older than me, but she is newly divorced and the mother of a teenage daughter. I can’t relate to either of those things, and this leans towards women’s fiction a decent amount of the time. Obviously, I knew she was newly divorced from the blurb, but it guides a lot of her decision-making. Paired with third person POV – which made me feel even more like an outsider looking in – and I just never connected to the story or the characters. I got 150 pages in and I didn't highlight a single quote, which speaks volumes to me. It had a lot of potential though, and I’m sure it’ll hit all the right notes for a different reader.

Was I enjoying it initially? I was really, really excited going into this one. That cover is stunning and the book is adored by some of my favorite authors, so I had high expectations going in. I was immediately disappointed by the third person POV, but two of my favorite romances so far this year are in third person, so it’s something I can very much overcome with the right book. I loved the hero and how he was kinda shy, a little nerdy, and definitely on the grumpy side. The opposites attract dynamic works and I’m always up for some fake dating. So this had all the ingredients of a great read, even if it never quite got there for me. I even set it down for a bit and tried the audiobook once it released, but I still couldn’t connect (the audio is pretty standard – no complaints, but nothing special).

Would I finish this? I don’t know, maybe in a few years? My reading preferences and life experiences are changing all the time, so who knows. But I don’t think I’d have any more luck trying it again soon.

Who would I recommend this to? Fans of women’s fiction crossovers who like some spice. I didn’t actually get to anything beyond kissing, but I’ve heard it gets spicy.

Loved! My husband is a big bird nerd so it was sweet being able to learn about some Arizona based bird along the way knowing how much those facts would mean to him. Celeste and John have such sweet chemistry. Despite this being a fake dating moment, their friendship that is built off of this is the real star. Always love seeing post divorcees find their people. John is such a cinnamon roll character. Also, really love how they incorporated his ex into the story, felt so natural and added some much needed conflict.

In addition to their love story, John has some aspirations for his life. I do wish that Celeste wanted more specific things for herself rather than being divorced and empty nesting as her main personality. Overall such a cute summer read! I think bird appreciators of any kind would enjoy this!

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Celeste is a divorced single mom in her 40s. As a favor for a friend she meets up with John on what she assumes to be a date. From there the fake dating commences. I understand the initial need to pretend to be dating but the need to continue the ruse did not make sense to me. The stakes had to be higher for them to commit this hard to a virtual stranger.

This reads more like a young adult novel instead than an adult novel. But I did appreciate the explanation of birding and the various birds mentioned.

The number of times I laughed out loud at this book!!! Honestly I wish I could give it 4.5 stars.
This had the perfect amount of spice mixed with something that I know very little about (birding). But it also follows two people who are in the same stage of life as I am. Forty year old romances are honestly refreshing! I mean we definitely all come with some baggage by this point in life but we also have lots of life experience to draw from.
Celeste and John are the perfect examples of people who are still learning how to manage life and love as mature (but not boring) adults.
Give this one a read if you’re looking for love and laughs with a side of spice.
I received a ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.

Birding With Benefits was a delightful read. Both leads felt real and their individual arcs were very satisfying. I also learned a lot about birds! All around a very enjoyable book!