Celeste is embracing a journey of finding herself again after divorce when she meets a new (platonic) friend at a paint night. As they get to talking, he makes a request Celeste can’t refuse: help his friend John save face in front of his ex by being his partner at an upcoming event. Celeste enthusiastically jumps at the challenge, only to realize when meeting John that what he actually needed was a partner for a birding competition, not a fake girlfriend. By the time they realize where their wires got crossed, though, the entire birding competition is abuzz with news of their relationship. Celeste and John agree to fake date for the sake of the competition, but along the way things feel less fake than planned.

Sarah T. Dubb’s debut novel is probably going to be one of my top reads for all of 2024, I loved it that much! This book made me laugh, cry and sometimes both at once. Celeste is so real and so relatable, and as someone currently in the process of rediscovering myself after the ending of a marriage, I find myself so inspired by her bravery and enthusiasm.

I would line up just to take a walk with John, a birder who looks like a lumberjack slash librarian. I don’t even like birds, but I think maybe I could be open minded in this situation. John is quiet and contemplative to Celeste’s effervescent zeal, but they ended up being perfect complements to each other.

I can’t recommend this one highly enough! Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery for the digital copy to read and review. All opinions are mine. Birding With Benefits is available now!

Synopsis: When John needs a new partner for a birding competition, his friends asks a woman he met in a bar to step in. Celeste knows nothing about birds, but is trying to start over following her divorce.

My take: Celeste and John are lovely in this opposites-attract, fake dating romance. I liked reading about older MCs who are trying to start over and still figure out their lives. I think we need more of those kinds of books! The steam in this book was fantastic. My interest wasn't captured by the birding - it's just not my thing - but I enjoyed reading about how John and Celeste fell in love with each other.

Also I adore this cover.

3.5 Stars Birding with Benefits was a really sweet second-chance-at-love romance. It was definitely an opposites attract romance, as Celeste was very outgoing, optimistic, and competitive, while John was the opposite: quiet, reserved. John was such a cinnamon roll hero and was fantastic for Celeste. I loved the idea for this novel and the plot was overall very entertaining. Definitely never thought I'd be reading a romance about birding, but here we are!

Birding with Benefits by Sarah Dubb is a wonderful book about relationship discovery and also a window into the world of a serious birder. I grew up in a family of people who notice birds, their colors, their calls, their migratory patterns and environments. For me, as the author said in her explanation about why she wrote this book, birds bring joy and happiness. I have many memories of very good times in the presence of birds and the people who seek them out. I also enjoy a good romance and Ms. Dubb delivered in that score, too. Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books and Ms. Dubb for the opportunity to read this delightful book.

I enjoyed reading Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

I've enjoyed reading this author's holiday novellas under her penname so I was super excited for this one and it did not disappoint!😍 I might not be an avid birder but I do love watching cute birds though I can't name any of them 🐦😂 and I loved how this one was such a unique romance with the birdwatching aspect! And both of the MCs were in their 40s which was another refreshing aspect!⁣
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After her divorce, Celeste has been trying new things and rediscovering herself so when her friend asks her to be his buddy's partner at an event - she agrees thinking that she needs to play the role of a girlfriend. When she shows up and meets John, she finds out that it's actually a birdwatching contest and he needs a birding partner haha 😂 But she had already started playing her role - since John's ex was present, so Celeste and John end up becoming teammates too and decide to keep the charade going for the remainder of the contest. And John helps her by teaching her all of the things about birding - a practice run for a birding guide business that he wishes to run in the future. At the same time they're fake dating each other too, but what will happen when they find themselves wanting more?😆⁣
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I absolutely loved all of the characters in this one! Celeste was outgoing, optimistic and so funny - with a competitive streak! John is her opposite as he's quite subdued and not too talkative - but not in a grumpy way. He's an adorable cinnamon roll who is so thoughtful and attentive!🥰 I couldn't get enough of both of them and the romance - which was perfect with the fake dating setup! I enjoyed watching these two go from strangers to friends with benefits and more - while being so respectful and communicative! Celeste's friend - Maria and John's friend - Chris were such fantastic characters too and there were many humorous moments.⁣
If you're looking for a funny and sweet romance with some amazing birdwatching moments I'd definitely recommend this one!🐦😆

💭 MY THOUGHTS: The cover of this one is so adorable and so is the romance! Celeste and John are both in their 40’s and have lingering hurts from past relationships. Celeste is quirky, funny and outgoing which is a major contrast to John’s quiet broodiness. But their chemistry is undeniable and they are both what each other needs.

Celeste had me cracking up with her funny humor and witty comments. I’m not usually a fan of cinnamon roll males but John has a quiet confidence that had me swooning. Sweet story with a little spice.

Read for:
⚖️ Opposites Attract
🚻 Fake Dating
🕰️ Characters in their 40’s
💕 Second Chances at Love
👩🏻‍🍼 Single Mom
📍 Southwest Vibes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ / 5

*Thank you to Gallery and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to Simon Audio for the gifted ALC*

Charming, delightful, and educational - basically everything I could hope for in a book. It made me want to go outside (quite convenient since I was listening to it on audio), look for birds, and find some stillness in this on the go world. I really enjoyed that the protagonist was older, divorced, and had a child. I feel like more often than not, all of the romcoms are focused on younger 20 somethings. The fact that she got a scruffy outdoorsy birder (who looks like a lumberjack/librarian) with oodles of sex appeal made it even better. I loved the birding competition, the fake dating, the COSTUME PARTY (seriously so original and on point), just all of it! This is a killer debut and I can't wait to read more.

This was a really refreshing romance to read. It was unique as the couple were mid-40’s and shockingly the entire birding concept was so foreign to me but the author had a way of romanticizing it. This book will be one I remember often especially as I notice birds in my yard.

5 ⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Who knew birding could be so HOT!!!!!!! Oh my god, I ate this book up. I love love loved it and actually screamed when I got the email of being approved for an ARC. Celeste and John were so perfect for each other and watching their relationship bloom during this book was wonderful. There was a lot of growth between both characters during this book but also, a lot of steam!!!!!

Also, if there’s a John out there who’s giving lumberjack librarian, please come find me. Book John was a dream and I need to find one of my own!!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC!!!!

Birding with Benefits is a sweet and cute romance that blends the charm of bird-watching with the thrill of new love. Newly divorced Celeste partners up with John, a bird-watching enthusiast, for Tucson’s biggest bird-watching contest. Their chemistry grows naturally as they spend time together, transitioning from fake-dating partners to "birders with benefits."

Celeste’s journey of self-discovery is as important as her relationship with John. I enjoyed their cute moments, but at times, this was a bit slow for me. I found myself wanting to skip parts because it was a bit difficult to connect. However, I still enjoyed the cute romance, and I think it is still a good read for fans of fake dating romances. Overall it's a charming blend of humor, romance, and personal growth, making it a perfect feel-good read.

I think I'm entering my "average people romance" era because this book has not a single outlandish plot point (okay, there's a little fake dating, but who among us hasn't dabbled?) AND I LOVED IT. The stakes? So freaking low. The pressures on the couple? Their own life plans. No famous people or billionaires or convoluted scheming. Just some lovable middle-aged people with baggage, a nerdy yet endearing hobby and a great sex life. MORE, OF THIS PLEASE.

Has this book convinced me that birding is hot? No. But I completely agree that enthusiasm and competency are indeed hot, so it kind of doesn't really matter what the chosen passion is?

I really enjoyed the writing and pacing and absolutely adored the characters. Even for an ~indoorsy~ person like me, the action was accessible.

This was such a fun read. Celeste is a divorced woman who thinks she’s being set up as John’s date to make a date jealous. She doesn’t realize she’s going to be his partner for a bird watching competition but she is always up for new things. Celeste is fun a quick talker and sometimes can say too much. John is quieter and enjoys teaching Celeste about birdwatching. This book is a perfect slow burn summer read.

Something was just off with this for me. Celeste felt too pushy and John felt too wet blanket like. The relationship felt weird and rushed while being solely based on (uncomfortable at times) sex scenes. I don’t know why the spicy scenes didn’t work for me here they just seemed very fake and overdone. Celeste’s relationship with her dsighter was uncomfortable too, strained at best. It’s no wonder she didn’t see anything about her daughter’s life going on when she’s so focused on herself. Maybe that’s the part that bugged me.

Chris was the best. Give him his own snail related book.

What did I enjoy about it?
I loved all the birding references and how it was always on John's mind, both during their competition walks and when he was just in his house. It was clear Dubb did a ton of research on birds for the character of John and I was really impressed how well-integrated it was to his character! Personally, I saw a lot of myself in Celeste in that she's been told she is "too much" a lot in her life and I feel I can also come on pretty strong and be unapologetically myself. I loved the way John let her be herself but in fact embraced and celebrated how her nature was opposite to him, and I feel my partner does the same - always nice to read a bit of yourself in books.

What did I not enjoy about it?
I was expecting Celeste's daughter and ex-husband to be more present in the book. I know the book was about her new life but she's still a mom who is co-parenting so I was surprised we never met her ex. It didn't negatively impact the story, just seemed a little strange.

Birding with Benefits was such a fun book!

I felt the storyline was unique, especially with the bird watching being a main part of the story. I found the characters to be relatable and entertaining. The dialogue was witty too.

The romance is so sweet and steamy. The romance was well paced. With Celeste and John both recovering from previous relationships, it made sense that they wouldn't jump right into a romantic relationship right away. However, they do become friends with benefits which kept the romance sexy. I think the sex scenes were tasteful and hot.

A fun debut!

Now that I'm middle aged, suddenly birds are everywhere! The premise of the book drew me in and I enjoyed the birding aspects. However, the romance fell flat for me and I wasn't at all convinced. Thank you NetGalley for the advance e-copy.

Loved this one.
Divorced Celeste lost herself in her marriage and now is on an adventure and finally putting herself first. She has a new "say yes" attitude and that is how she meets Joh. Upon her adventure she meets John who is somewhat shy and sensitive. John needs a partner for the annual bird watching competition and in that ends up with a fake girlfriend and partner. Celeste and John have 40+ days on this birdwatching journey and have so much time to build their friendship and so much more.
The two of them are forced to determine if this is love or just a friend with benefits situation.

Love a good story where the characters take control of their lives and strive for what they want. This story is funny, romantic, sexy, and just wonderful. Boy do opposites attract.

I loved this book!! As a person in my 40s it is so refreshing to read romcoms with main characters the same age and these two were great together perfectly balancing each other out. I love the fake dating trope and especially loves the birding aspects.

Can birding be sexy? Yes, especially with fake dating, opposite attracts, and a woodworker ;)

Celeste is newly divorced and is embarking on her year of yes! When a friend asks her to "partner" with his friend John for an event, she think he means as a temporary girlfriend. John is a quiet cinnamon roll who only wants the second part of the word "love birds" but he needs a partner for a bird-watching contest. It's a meet-cute for the ages except neither wants to start a relationship so they will be fake dating for reasons explained in the book (no spoilers).

As Celeste gets ready to become an empty-nester, John is teaching her about bird watching. The chemistry between them is un-bird-able but will they come together or fly apart?

My Thoughts:
This is the first book I read based on my hometown Tucson Arizona. The cover is stunning - look at the mountains and cacti which you would see in the desert. Celeste is a loose cannon who is looking for freedom after her divorce. She can come off as 'too much' but only her person would recognize it as a positive attribute. John is a librarian meets lumberjack who moves at his own pace. He is a cinnamon roll who needs someone to give him a push but also allow him time to make decisions. These two bring the best out of each other.

I also loved Celeste's relationship with her daughter. Her daughter is getting ready to graduate high school and they aren't seeing eye-to-eye on her future. These characters are also older than romance standard (in their 40s) which I loved reading. It didn't feel like a debut book and I can't wait to read the author's next book.


Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to review this book for an honest review.