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!

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!⁣
⁣
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.