Birding With Benefits by Sarah Dubb is a cute and fun fake dating rom-com.

Celeste is a divorced single mom who is trying to find herself and her own interests after years of being a wife and mother.

Celeste agrees to help out John, a quiet avid bird watcher with a bird watching competition and as his fake girlfriend. In return John agrees to be her fake boyfriend at some work events.

A relatable and sweet book full of the birds (and the bees)

Celeste was married to Peter at a very young age, she spent too many years moving around with him and ensuring his career was on the right path. Their loveless marriage wasn’t worth the heartache, so she decided to divorce him and live life to the fullest.

Now she’s newly divorced and they’re co-raising their daughter until she leaves for college, so her new motto in life is “yes!” She wants to fulfill her life with anything she’s offered, so when she meets Chris at a painting event who feels bad because he cannot attend a Bird Watching event with his best friend, John, he asks Celeste if she would be willing to take his place. Celeste agrees to be John’s partner, but Chris didn’t specify what kind of partner she would be.

When Celeste meets John he’s tall, ruggedly handsome with the sexiest body and beard that she’s ever seen. She cozies up with him almost immediately because Chris mentioned that he’s newly single and desperately needs a partner, but left out the part about birding. When John springs the birding competition on Celeste, she enthusiastically accepts the offer because she’ll learn more about birds and get the chance to spend more time with John who sends butterflies throughout her body.

I devoured this book in two days! I couldn’t get enough of John and Celeste’s Birding with Benefits relationship, and wasn’t prepared for all the spicy scenes! 🌶️ 🤭
I cannot believe this is a debut book, it was a quirky romcom that I couldn’t put down! This would be the perfect summer book to read poolside with a drink in hand. 🧉

This was so good! If you love a fake romance and also are interested in birding (as in, what does that even entail?!), you will absolutely devour this book. I loved the characters, the setting, the birding . . . I wished Celeste would have gotten out of her own way a bit but it made sense in the end. Super satisfying ending and just delightful!

Birding With Benefits comes out next week on June 4, 2024, and you can purchase HERE!

She tugged on his arm hard, pulling him toward her as questioning eyes swept her face. "Or we make sure it's all worked out, and kiss one more time." She knew that if she didn't kiss him again-alone, on the street, without an audience, on their own terms-she'd never close this short, complicated chapter between them. "Maybe it won't even be good, and we can just relax."

The smile that lifted his lips was new. She'd seen his quiet, thoughtful smiles as his mind worked, and his quirking grin as he took in her excitement about a bird. But this one-just the slightest twitch on one side—was knowing, wicked. "It'll be good, Celeste."

Hell, yes, it would be.

"So we confirm the theory and move on," she said, her breathing shallow. "I don't want to risk the contest with this stuff, especially when your future is riding on it and when we know this won't go anywhere."

After a quiet moment of deliberation, John spoke. "All right, if you think it'll help." His free hand hung suspended between them for the length of his exhale. "One more, then we put this behind us."

A streetcar clanged past them as a stream of giggling women walked by. Everything was fuzzy around the edges, her only point of focus John's thumb ghosting a spiral on her cheek.

"I'm going to kiss you now." John moved in, so close she felt his hot breath on her cheek. "You're sure this is okay?"

"Yeah," she gasped. "Super okay."

I know the title has the word “Benefits“ in it, but wow was I not prepared for the level of heat! This story felt light on the romance too- it reads more like steamy women’s fiction. And, unfortunately, I just did not buy what little romance there was. John was a sweet character and Celeste was super fun, but, other than their physical chemistry, I wasn’t entirely convinced they would work together. If you like opposites attract, though, you may enjoy this!

I enjoyed the unique plot line with the birding, but I started to lose interest in the story about halfway. Though I was excited to read a book where the characters were older (in their forties), Celeste often acted much younger, and that inconsistency kept taking me out of the story.

I’d still recommend this book, though, if you’re looking for something lighthearted and steamy with characters who are working towards self-discovery and self-acceptance.

2.5 out of 5 (rounded up to 3 on Goodreads) ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Birding with Benefits comes out June 4, 2024. Thank you, NetGalley for an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. It was adorable and so much fun. I really liked seeing the transitions in John and Celeste's relationship. It was very believable to see it from the fake relationship to friends to friends with benefits to the something more. It was nice to see instead of there just being instant feelings. I also love the complete opposites attract relationship they have.

While the birding might have been interesting in the book I can't say that this book made me all of a sudden want to go bird watching though. But I would one hundred percent give another book by this author a try.

4/5 ⭐️, 3.5/5 🌶️, 0/5 💧

I read this because I was influenced by Jessica Joyce (I loved YWAV so I trusted her taste. I don’t think I would have picked this up otherwise as birding is not of much interest to me.)

This was a mature romcom, where two divorced characters fall in love. It felt a little old for me, but the fmc sometimes reminded me of the quirky young Lynn Painter character - which was a confusing.

It started off with a little too much birding for my taste (personal preference) and was a little slow but then as I started to get to know the characters, I started to enjoy bits her and there and found myself chuckling along.

Overall I thought it was pretty well written, the character’s struggles and growth were well developed. There were certain parts here and there where I just felt like there wasn’t enough or like it came out of left field or it just felt incomplete. I ebbed and flowed between really appreciating it and trudging along.

If you’re looking for a light romance that developed a bit of depth along the way for a couple in their second act after overcoming a broken first marriage and also enjoy birding and discovering new hobbies, this might be a good one for you.

Sarah T. Dubb is a MASTER at the romance genre. I adored this book through and through, and learned something along the way. This is one not to be missed.

Birding with Benefits is a women's fictional novel with a romance and some very funny comedic moments and just enough angst to give it tension, but not overdone. Celeste is recently divorced and nearly an empty nester when she decides to start living her life for herself. She pairs up with John for a birding competition after a friend asks her for a favor. It is what I would describe a perfect summer read!

I just reviewed Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb. #NetGalley

Bird watching and romance? Definitely! But you do not need to be a bird enthusiast to enjoy this book. The author cleverly weaves in the hobby of birding, using it as an impetus for the characters' journeys and the beauty they discover in unexpected places. I know little about birds, but that did not impede my reading enjoyment. It made me want to take a moment and notice the beauty of nature in my everyday surroundings.

One of the most endearing aspects of this book is the relatability of the characters' transitional periods. Life is full of unexpected changes, and the author skillfully captures these moments - from navigating the complexities of single life in your 40s, to the joys and challenges of new motherhood, to the daunting task of career change in your 40s, and even the bittersweet transition of a teen's senior year and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

The first half of this book may have been a bit slow, but it was merely setting the stage for the unexpected turn of events. Once the flirting and the romance kicked in, the pace picks up and the story becomes unexpectedly spicy - quite a surprise! The romance between Celeste and John was a slow burn, but their chemistry was undeniable, drawing you in with their opposites attract dynamic.

This was a great debut, and I recommend it if you love - well - love! The author's writing style is engaging and the narrative approach is a mix of introspection and dialogue, which adds depth to the characters and their relationships.

This has to be one of the most unique romances that I have ever read, and it was such a delight! Yes, this really is a romance centered around bird watching, and it totally works! I also thoroughly enjoyed that the main characters are a couple that's older, in their early 40s. So many romances have characters in their 20s/early 30s. It was SO refreshing to read older characters at a different stage of life.

Besides the - very steamy - romance, it is also a lovely book about finding yourself, finding a partner that celebrates you, and starting the second chapter of your life.

Bottom line: Highly recommend!

3.76 stars

Story of a 42 year old woman Celeste who has been divorced for 2 years and is the mom to a teen daughter. Celeste meets a guy at a paint night who talks about how he has to bail on his friend John at something John's ex will be at and he feels bad, so Celeste volunteers to be this stranger's friend's (also a stranger) fake girlfriend. John is quiet and deliberate. He is also quite the birder. And the event Celeste has shown up to is a birding challenge that takes place over 6 weeks. Celeste is very determined to be *alone* and not lose herself in another relationship so when their chemistry can no longer be denied, they decide to be birders with benefits.

Ok, not gonna lie, Celeste's energy - meeting a stranger and volunteering to hang with his friend and then cheering for said friend in his birding business pursuits - felt very me. I was happy to see this 42 year old single mom having that bright energy and for her to have some really really great spice. John is meticulous and attentive in all things and he really brought a lot of care to the sitch. The situation with the daughter didn't quite land for me but I enjoyed the rest.

I had a really good time, it was low angst, high bird content.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Birding with Benefits is out June 4, 2024.

instagram.com/encyclopedia_britanika

First, the cover is the cutest! It’s definitely what caught my attention. The title and the unique premise were also perfect. I loved that the main characters are 40+, and the birding was so interesting to me. What kept me from falling in love with the story was the lack of chemistry. It was missing something, idk. I’d still recommend giving it a try though.

Who knew a book about birding could be so passionate?!?! Sarah T. Dubb's debut romance has such an original premise centered around a birding competition and I'm here for focusing on the older hero and heroine.

Read this for:
- Fake dating
- Forced proximity
- Just a hookup
- Opposites attract
- Single Mom
- BIRDING!

Celeste is looking for new things in her life. She's been divorced for awhile and it's her daughter's last year of college, and she wants to keep experiencing life. When her friend Chris suggests she help out his friend John, she jumps at the opportunity to save John from being in a birding competition all alone with his ex.

John is quiet and reserved and when the big ball of energy Celeste bursts into his life, he's immediately attracted her and her energy. As John teaches Celeste how to be a birder, they grown closer and realize how intense their chemistry is.

They decide that they should be Birding with Benefits friends while the competition is going on and things get heated very quickly once they cross that line. The two spend as much time together as they can, knowing that they have a deadline on their relationship. The only problem is that they didn't expect to fall for one another and neither of them feels like they are in a place for a real relationship.

I loved that this book focuses on an older hero and heroine falling in love. I enjoyed seeing their challenges from the past relationships they had been in and how that effected them with one another. It was sweet to see how they could bring out the best in one another. The support John gave Celest when she had all the issues arise with her daughter was so tender. These two were living their lives and had okay lives, but the way that their lives expanded so much being together was wonderful to watch grow.

I enjoyed this debut and look forward to future books from Sarah!

Thank you to Gallery books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I LOVED this book!! I picked it up because I am a novice birder and I thought the concept sounded really cute, but I was blown away by the fact this is the author's debut novel. The writing is FANTASTIC! Some of the plot was a little cheesy, like John's ex who seemed a little too jealous to be true, but I really appreciated how adult the characters were and how open to every new experience Celeste was after her divorce. I would absolutely recommend this title to anyone looking for a cute romcom and some birding knowledge too!

3 ⭐️. I picked up this books because the cover is just so amazing and adorable… it’s honestly a great representation of what this book is about.. which is lust and birding! I think the story is pretty standard and predictable. My middle of the road rating comes from the predictability and my lukewarm feelings for such long open door spice. Some is fine but this was a lot and found myself missing the story and skimming the incredibly long and frequent open door chapters. So if you like your spice, pick this up! The story was cute, fake dating trope between two people who start off as strangers set up between a mutual friend, Celeste shows up thinking he needs a fake girlfriend when really he needs a birding partner for a 42 day birding competition. It was cute, I learned a little about birds. Celeste is also older, in her 40s, with a teenager graduating and a divorcee, so I liked the more mature fmc but honestly you couldn’t tell she was older. John was also your stereotypical hot lumberjack nerd who loved birds and solitude. Overall, this was a standard romance with lots of spice and unique premise about bird watching.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery Books and Sarah T. Dubb for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars/rounding up to 5
My mom was in love with birding and whenever I think about her, I see those binoculars around her neck, so how could I resist this lovely romance? Even better, the book has a couple of other tropes I love, mature characters, and opposites who attract and bring out the best in each other.

Celeste is the single mom of a 17 YO about to leave the nest. She's divorced after spending years with a man who crushed her spirit and always told her she was "too much". Now she's busy saying yes to any new experience that comes her way in hopes of learning what her (rather than his) true preferences are. John is quiet and introverted, a master birder and woodworker who was pursuing a Ph.D in biology until he realized academia was not for him and dropped out. This caused no end of trouble with his ambitious ex GF and after that relationship imploded, he's been hesitant to reach out to the world in any way.

These two are thrown together due to the meddling of John's best friend and with her zeal for new experiences, Celeste quickly agrees to be John's partner for a birding competition over a 6 week period, never dreaming that she will fall in love, not only with birding, but also with John.

I loved how patient John was with newbie Celeste. He's a wonderful teacher in the field, and just as patient in the bedroom. Celeste had so much joy and enthusiasm for life that was great to read. The only niggle I had with the book was that I wanted more actual birdwatching and more on the competition. The book is set in Tucson, a place that I know fairly well, and it totally inspired me to go back there with my own set of binocs and hit the trails. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This book was freaking adorable. Once I started it, I could not put it down.

First of all, we love main characters who are full on adults - Celeste is divorced and a single mom to a high school senior with all the highs and lows that come along with it. In her quest to know herself as her own person, she agrees to partner with John Maguire in a birding contest (although she thought she was signing up to be his fake girlfriend). Second, this book was far steamier than I expected it to be and we also love to see that for mature main characters! I loved the theme of discovery - discovering your own goals, hobbies, and desires for vocation and relationships. I also loved the development of Celeste's relationship with her daughter and wish we could have seen a little more of it throughout the book.

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

{3.5 stars}

Thanks to Gallery Books for the gifted copy. All opinions below are my own.

Celeste is a divorced woman who throws herself into everything she does. Now that her daughter is going off to college, she is trying absolutely every hobby she can to help her learn who she is and what she wants. When she makes a friend at one activity she ends up fake dating one of his friends during a birding competition. Hilarity and then chemistry ensues. Neither are looking for serious love but they seem unable to help themselves.

I liked the uniqueness of the birding plot. Two people with some emotional baggage looking to evolve and start over is always refreshing. John definitely gave me SATC Aidan Shaw vibes. The only challenge for me was the continual overt sex scenes. I just didn’t need it to be that graphic to enjoy it.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one. It’s a combination of a love for nature and very long detailed spicy sex scenes. Had I realized this before I started the book, I would have skipped this one. I was expecting more of a story about birding with a splash of romance.

I did appreciate a unique story by incorporating the birding aspect. But, overall it didn’t work for me.

Thank you, Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is so much fun!! I loved that the MCs were both divorced and in their 40s. It was such a fun fake dating to "birders with benefits" to more. I loved the growth both Celeste and John went through, and that they both challenge each other. Celeste's teenage daughter, Morgan, was very believable to me. I loved the best friend's of both Celeste and John; Chris was hilarious and Maria was relatable. The spicy scenes were 💯 spicy! 🥵

Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.