Birding with Benefits

by Sarah T. Dubb

A divorcee embarks on her “year of yes” and crosses paths with a shy but sensitive birdwatcher who changes her life in this charming rom-com that is perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Ali Hazelwood.

Newly divorced, almost-empty-nester Celeste is finally seeking adventure and putting herself first, cliches be damned. So when a friend asks Celeste to “partner” with his buddy John for an event, Celeste throws herself into the role of his temporary girlfriend. But quiet cinnamon roll John isn’t looking for love, just birds—he needs a partner for Tucson’s biggest bird-watching contest if he’s ever going to launch his own guiding business. By the time they untangle their crossed signals, they’ve become teammates…and thanks to his meddling friends, a fake couple.

Celeste can’t tell a sparrow from a swallow, but John is a great teacher, and the hours they spend hiking in the Arizona wilderness feed Celeste’s hunger for new adventures while giving John a chance to practice his dream job. As the two spend more time together, they end up watching more than just the birds, and their chemistry becomes undeniable. Since they’re both committed to the single life, Celeste suggests a status upgrade: birders with benefits, just until the contest is done. But as the bird count goes up and their time together ticks down, John and Celeste will have to decide if their benefits can last a lifetime, or if this love affair is for the birds.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Fake Dating

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 2024

About the author

Sarah T. Dubb is a writer, public librarian, parent, and activist living the dream with chickens and desert tortoises in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona. Birding with Benefits is her debut novel; she is currently working on her second romantic comedy. Visit her at SarahTDubb.com.

Reviews

[DIVINITY🌙 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t amazing 😏

———————————————-

Eeeeee I’m so happy I got this ARC!!

I’m so obsessed with the cover 💛 and will be starting soon

[Hannah B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started off really fun, but it lost momentum really quick. The relationship was adult for sure and yet the dialogue and writing just felt very reminiscent of YA—so much so that I went to see if the author had transitioned from that to adult with this one. (I didn’t find anything conclusive.)

It was a particular brand of opposites attract that just really didn’t work for me. It all felt very textbook introvert/extrovert which just kinda got under my skin by the end. Like it wasn’t bad! but I was just so bored. The sex felt like it was carrying the plot, and my eyes were glazing over the scenes by the end. (A sad day for us all when that happens.)

Also, I was VERY excited for the birdwatching element…but I don’t think it really translates all that well via the written word. Like I’d watch this movie so fast!! but reading about it was just rather blah. Yet somehow it seemed like there was not enough birding? They started off that competition so slow my eye was twitching. Like get out that gate swinging or not at all!!!

I dunno, I think it was a mix of a lot of different things that just weren’t my cup of tea. However, if I had a nickel for every time I read a book where hot people bang while watching birds, I’d have three nickels. Which isn’t a lot—actually it is because how many birdwatching books has you thought I’d read before this one???? Hah!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5

*I lowered the rating because the sex scenes lost all meaning for me by the end and that’s #nothot


Side note: Why did she put her dirty underwear on that man’s dresser and not just leave them on the floor??? Like who does that!!


I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Birding with Benefits is a sweet and steamy romance following Celeste, a recent divorcee, and her journey of living life to the fullest as she begins fake dating John, an avid bird watcher, and agrees to become his partner for a birding competition. As the two get closer, Celeste and John find themselves falling for each other but are unwilling to take the next step as they are healing from their previous relationships. I loved this romance and how both John and Celeste grew for themselves. They truly brought out the best in one another and it was so sweet to read about them slowly falling despite their hesitance. The romance was light, airy, and fun being centered around birding and I loved diving into a world I knew almost nothing of. Sarah T Dubb did a wonderful job with this warm and inviting romcom and I will absolutely be exploring her next book!

Read If You Like;
🕊Later in Life Romance🕊
🕊Sweet and Witty Dialogue🕊
🕊Forced Proximity🕊
🕊Fake Dating🕊
🕊Opposites Attract🕊
🕊Birds, Birds, and More Birds🕊
🕊Friends w Benefits🕊

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

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel duped! Based on the total package of book cover and the synopsis, I thought this would be a cute rom-com. Boy, was I wrong! I did like the beginning chapters and thought there were some cute and flirty bird-related innuendos. But it soon turned to lengthy descriptions of their physical encounters which were excessively drawn out. It wasn't what I expected, and I much preferred the novel bird-watching setting and plot, but that was more often overlooked to focus on the passion instead.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be completely honest, I expected to hate this book. I don't read romance novels and I'm an avid birder, and I assumed the birding aspects of this book would be cheesy and fake. Instead, the birding was sweet and incredibly realistic - I learned the author is in fact a birder herself. The romance part of this book was relatable and very well written - I was rooting for the characters while simultaneously wanting to strangle them for their stubbornness. But that's real life. Hurt people are scared of being hurt again. Also, the steamy parts were excellent 🥵🥵🥵
Am I going to become a romance novel reader? Who knows, maybe.

[Kerry Crabbs · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have permanent second-hand embarrassment. How can I un-read this?

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

For “mature” 40 yo characters, this book felt like two 20-somethings trying to do the fake dating-not dating thing. The bird watching dialogue was quirky and the sex scenes were definitely steamy- heads up for that!

[Deniz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice Rating: Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Read the full review on my blog!

This book had me wondering why I ever bothered with online dating when I could have just joined my local birdwatching community and snagged myself a sexy lumberjack woodworking boyfriend. Talk about a missed opportunity (sorry hubby)!

"Birding with Benefits" is a delightfully quirky romance that caught me off guard—I mean, who knew birding could be so romantic? I devoured this book in just a few sittings; it's the kind of easy romance you can't put down, perfect for lounging on the beach with a cold drink in hand.

Thank you Goodreads for the opportunity to read this ARC! ❤️

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much cringey dialogue, not enough birds

[Erica Gabel · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this started out pretty ok; and slowly got worse. Main characters were midlife crisis, jaded, 40 yr old adults. But I think the author wanted them to be college kids, cause that’s how good the dialogue was. The books done and I know nothing about the characters and they know nothing about each other because they have no conversations with one another. Also, breena is the worse apology giver in the world. And Celeste owes Morgan an apology everyday for the rest of her life.

Anyways. This was not good.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okayyyy I loved this? I knew a super niche subject area romance was either going to be the best or the worst- and it was the best. I’m calling it now- this will be in my top reads of the year! The fact the main characters were in their forties but that it was never once implied that was old (it’s not) was refreshing. Main characters and side characters were so developed and likeable, the sub plot with Celeste’s daughter was great- honestly this was just a solid, five star read. Also much appreciated as someone who has felt like “too much” sometimes. Bonus is that it’s hella spicy! Add this to your summer 2024 beach reads!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for the arc!

[Jane Wiewora · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not for me at all. Too few birds. Too much cringey romance. Characters were juvenile.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Per usual, I wish there were more birds.

[Camryn O'Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HONESTLY LOVED THIS SO MUCH AND I DIDNT EXPECT TO! My thoughts are gonna be a bit jumbled so just stick with me😭. As always i went into this book so blind and fell in love with John and Celeste. Its always so refreshing to read about older adults falling in love because hey that happens everyday! But it also brings different situations that we don't get to normally see when your MCs are in their 20s or even 30s. Celeste and John were a joy to read. Celeste journey to "say yes" but to also understand her life after divorce and still stay in the loop with her daughters life. and my sweet sweet baby John. Not a man of many words but a man of ACTION!!! Sweetie! I thought id be so bored reading a book about birding but honestly if anything i want to head outside and see what birds i can see🦜 An amazing debut and i cant wait to see what else this author has in store.

https://instagram.com/p/C7zhVpdAmY3/

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounding up to 4 because it's a debut

Is there a more perfect book for me? I don’t think so! When I saw a romance book with bird watching it was a must read! I’m happy to say, this was a really great debut and I’m really happy because I very much wanted this to work. I loved both Celeste and John as individuals - definitely your textbook extrovert/introvert and what also was great was this was another book with older main characters. Celeste is 42 and getting over a divorce and I’m really into normalizing romances with characters in their 40s!

My critique is very similar to other reviews I’ve seen. I didn’t feel as invested in the romance as I wanted to be. I can’t really put my finger on why, especially since I loved both characters alone, but it seemed a little too forced and fast. Also, hope you like open door!

With that said, I think there is a lot of good here. The birding scenes were so fun to read and it’s so refreshing to have this be in a book. I didn’t feel like I’d read this romance 100 times already. I also liked how each character grappled with being happy with themselves first before they went into a relationship and Celeste’s daughter Morgan and that storyline was great too.

If you’re looking for advice on which format to choose - either would be great. The book has a cute little House Sparrow at the beginning of every chapter, and I’m pretty sure the male narrator of the audiobook is related to THE David Allen Sibley. The narrators read a little slower than I’m used to so I was able to listen to this story on a higher speed than normal.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the gifted arc copy and Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: 06/04/2024
Review Date: 06/13/2024

[abby :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

this is the most obscure romance i’ve ever read but i loved it!!!!

i saw this cover randomly one day and then decided to head over to netgalley and see if i could request the arc and i just went right into this book with no expectations. i’ve never heard of anyone writing a book revolving birding but it was such an amazing surprise! every aspect of this book was so pure and sweet and i just had the best time!!

john and celeste were so adorably sweet! i don’t usually read books where the main characters are in the forties but there was something so heartwarming about two people who had struggled with love finding happiness in mid life. i also loved how the two of they had such childlike joy about birding. i love seeing people having fun when they’re doing something they love and i’ve never really been around someone who is into birding so it was also fun for me to learn about it at the same time as celeste. i really liked celeste because i too have been told that i’m ‘too much’ so it was wonderful to see her find a group of people that loved and supported her without fail!! i also relate to john because i like to be alone. seeing them with eachother and being happy and lovey made me want to cry and i love them!!!

this is a great debut from this author and i can’t wait to see what she does in the future!! i will be expecting another romance with a random ass hobby because now i low key want to a birder!! i’ve been influenced!! definitely go pick this book up in june!

*thank you to NetGalley for the ARC*

[CatsBnB · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an enchanting rom-com with a captivating blend of charm, quirkiness, heartwarming moments, and delightful humor, and with the most adorable cover imaginable!! As I indulged in this book, seated upon the sandy shores, embraced by the sun's warmth and serenaded by the symphony of chirping birds, it dawned on me that it was the epitome of perfect timing paired with the perfect book. "Birding with Benefits" showcases two individuals navigating the complexities of life in their 40s, as they embark on a fake dating escapade. Set against the backdrop of a competitive birding competition, the narrative delves into themes of second chances at love and overcoming age barriers. With its authentic portrayal of relatable struggles, the story unfolds with a blend of tension, witty banter, and chemistry. I absolutely adored this book so much and can't wait to explore more from this author. It's amazing how birding can be both fun and romantic!! 🧡🧡🧡🧡

As a divorcee embraces her "year of yes," she unexpectedly meets John, a shy and sensitive birdwatcher who becomes a transformative figure in her life. Celeste, newly divorced and on the brink of becoming an empty nester, decides to break free from conventions and embrace new experiences. When she agrees to pretend to be John's temporary girlfriend for a social event, little does she know that it will lead to a deeper connection. John, focused on launching his own bird-watching business, needs a partner for Tucson's major bird-watching event. Despite their initial misunderstandings of well-meaning friends, Celeste and John find themselves drawn to each other as they explore the Arizona wilderness. As the two spend more time together, they end up watching more than just birds, but also the joy of finding love in unexpected places!

Overall, I was totally enchanted from start to finish! If you are looking for a unique love story with a happy ending then this is the book for you. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this novel with hope but kind of expecting to be disappointed. Is the author a birder or is she someone who thinks that birding is a ridiculous pastime that will make a funny romance subject? At first I was worried because Celeste has never birded before and she has committed to participating in a contest with John without any knowledge of what such things are like. I mean there are always uber-serious competitors who treat these contests like matters of life and death. A complete beginner is an unlikely partner for someone like John.

I couldn't help liking Celeste because of her enthusiasm for trying new things, for plunging into activities, and for trying to find out who she is when she's not being a wife or mother. Her divorce has left her wondering what she has missed out on and she's exploring her options. John is a sweetheart, a quiet, intense guy who is kind and thoughtful. They agree to pretend to be a couple to get the other people in their lives to quit hassling them about their reluctance to date. We all know where things will end up, so the question becomes how will the author get them there?

I really liked that these are not people in their twenties. Celeste has a college age daughter and John has a bit of gray in his beard. After all, it's not just the young who are interested in relationships. Celeste struggles with her desire to be single and find out her own preferences without being influenced by a partner. John is unsure that he can handle a casual relationship as he needs real connections.

And, as for my initial fears, the author is an experienced birder. The book should please birders and romance readers alike. As she states in the note at the end, “I consume romance novels for the same reason I watch birds—for the sparks of joy, because I prefer to be happy when the world gives us so many reasons to be sad.” Both aspects made me happy. I recommend the book for other romantic birders.

[Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. And a very unique plot!(also a very pretty cover)

Birding with Benefits is a fun rom-com following newly divorced, almost-empty-nester Celeste as she starts living for herself. After a friend asks her for a favour to partner with her friends John. She joins forces with birding expert John for a birding competition.

It's a light romance with some angst. I enjoyed it but personally the spark was missing and I couldn't really connect with it. I would however recommend it!

[Beary Into Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one isn't for me. Full review to come.

[guiltless pleasures · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This one got off to a rocky start for me. The FMC, Celeste, bursts onto the page in a way that is a little manic pixie dream girl for me. She ends up not being a MPDG, but I recoiled a little, because that is my way. There was also an Evil Ex, which is a trope I loathe, because it's a little "the FMC is not like other girls" and also perpetuates the idea that there is only one perfect person for each of us. It's OK that we have exes in our past, and chances are they aren't all shrewish Type As.

BUT, everything soon calms down, and the sexual tension between Celeste and her fake date-slash-birding partner, John, soon ratchets up.

I am a fan of Sarah T. Dubb's holiday novellas, which she wrote under her Eliza McLane pen name, and BwB is as blazing hot as they are. I think it's actually hottest BEFORE they have penetrative sex. Dubb can write a can't-keep-my-hands-off-you-even-though-we-really-shouldn't scene like nobody's business.

There are a LOT of sex scenes in this book, but I think she got the level right between story and spice. I especially liked Celeste's relationship with her 17yo daughter, and how Dubb not only gave us a character in her early 40s with an almost-grown child but also a new mother--her best friend Maria--who is struggling with the very real challenges of new parenthood.

As for the birding, and I say this as a non-birder: I actually wish there had been MORE birding. The most magical parts, both writing-wise and in terms of the relationships arc, were on the trail during the birding competition they were participating in, but yeah. I wanted that to play a larger role in the narrative. I also wanted more humor. Give us a romcom cover and we'll expect laffs.

But overall, a pretty solid, very hot summer read.

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many benefits, not nearly enough birding. When a friend asks Celeste to partner with his quiet, bird-obsessed buddy John, she dives in headfirst as a fake girlfriend—only to realize that's not what he meant at all. Whoops! She’s actually joining him for Tucson’s biggest birding competition!

I never thought I'd say this, but I loved the birding aspect of this book. The competition, the treks, the sheer nerdy delight of spotting birds! I was surprisingly hooked and could have read an entire book just about that adventure.

It was also so nice to have characters in their 40s. I loved seeing Celeste explore who she is outside of a relationship post-divorce, all while managing a teenage daughter about to head off to college. And John was such a sweet love interest. He’s quietly ambitious, tender, and kind, with a heartfelt dream of starting his own birding business.

But it lost me with the friends-with-benefits shift. I know “benefits” is literally in the title, so I should have known, but I just wasn’t expecting this level of spice. It really felt like it took over the plot in the second half, and I sadly started to lose interest.

(heat level: 4 open-door scenes, explicit details)

[Janssen]

Meh

[Abigail Bok · Rating 3 out of 5]

A romantic comedy about birding in my favorite place in the world to bird, southeast Arizona? Of course I had to read it. And especially in the early going, I found it all I’d hoped—fun, insightful about both its characters and the semi-spiritual experience of spending quality time with birds. Some of the writing in the early chapters is quite beautiful and evoked for me the special magic of birding.

The heroine, Celeste, is a divorcee in her early forties, left lightly damaged by her marriage—nothing traumatic, just the drip-drip-drip of indifference and impatience, a sort of failure to thrive—but striving mightily to overcome its impacts on her psyche. She throws herself impetuously into new experiences, trying to find who she is when she is not being erased by a spouse. I could definitely relate. She gets paired by chance with a quiet man who needs a partner in a birding contest, though she knows nothing about birds. Okay, the premise is quite a stretch.

Neither she nor her birding partner is in the mood for a relationship, but of course, sparks fly. Despite the artificiality of their meeting, I felt both characters were quite well realized and their issues with intimacy made a lot of sense. I enjoyed that the author took her time working through those issues.

I try to judge books based on how well the author achieved what they were trying to acieve, so I am probably penalizing the book unfairly because for my personal taste, the ratio of birding to sex was way off. I admit to having the soul of a priggish schoolmarm but I can tolerate a little sex in a modern romance, despite preferring the anticipation. But here the sex completely took over chapter after chapter, while the birding pretty much fell off the map. The birding was so lovingly described at the start that its disappearance disappointed me, and the endless catalog of touches and reactions to touches became something I resented. Other readers would have a very different experience no doubt.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved John! He was a sweet cinnamon roll and I could relate to his passion for taking in the beauty of the outdoors and birding. Celeste was mostly likable, but she tried my patience with her resistance to being in a relationship. Blaming all relationships and love for how she ended up muting her true self. I wasn't a big fan of her life decisions.

I'm a wanna-be-birder so I was hoping there would be more birding in the story, but Birding with Benefits is mostly romance of the spicy variety. There were a lot of sex scenes, and I ended up skimming them to get back to the story.

If you're looking for a spicy romance, this is your book.

A copy was kindly provided by Gallery Books. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another FANTASTIC 2024 debut that has a recently divorced woman fake dating an aspiring birding guide to help him win a bird count competition. This was heartfelt, steamy and full of emotional depth. I loved that the two main characters were in their 40s and had to each overcome some relationship baggage in order to take a new chance on love when their friends with benefits situation turned into something more. HIGHLY recommended and I can't wait to read what this author writes next! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Monica Warg · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a book club pick and I will never get those hours of my life back

[Leigh Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a healthy fear of birds so I was dubious about a birding romance but this debut quickly won me over! After a misunderstanding where Celeste believes John needs her to be his fake girlfriend to make his ex jealous, when really he just needs a partner for a birding competition and to keep his ex at bay, they decide to team up for the competition, even though Celeste has no birding experience. It’ll give John a chance to practice his guiding skills and it’ll be another post-divorce adventure for her. All while continuing to fake date.

Celeste’s irrepressible energy pairs well with John’s steady, kind presence and it’s not too long before they’re taking advantage of the chemistry between them. John isn’t good at casual but Celeste is gun-shy about losing herself in a new relationship. And so…they’re birding with benefits. (Couldn’t resist.)

This was an incredibly charming and moving contemporary romance with a great cast of secondary characters. John’s friend Chris was a standpoint (Lonely Days!); I would love a book for him. The emotional arcs could have used some fleshing out. Celeste’s only example of losing herself in a relationship is her marriage and it’s not clear how it happened or if it’s even true, particularly since it seems like her ex was not a good husband. I really wanted her to go to therapy. She could be a smothering mom, self-imposing her plans on her daughter Morgan and even John to a lesser degree. Meanwhile, I wasn’t clear how John planned on launching either his part-time woodworking business or plans to start teaching people how to birdwatch. He was stuck in inertia, I guess, but his savings would only last so long, right? I also didn’t have a sense of why he dated Breena for so long when they were clearly mismatched.

I’m looking forward to whatever this author writes next!


Characters: Celeste is a 42 year old white middle school language arts teacher. She has a 17 year old daughter named Morgan. John is a white woodworker and birder who wears reading glasses and is around 40 years old. This is set in Tucson, AZ.

Content notes: past divorce, toxic ex, past infidelity (MMC’s ex-girlfriend cheated), acephobia (not countered), recent layoff, MMC’s mother has been cancer-free for 15 years, on page sex, sexting, edging, alcohol, gendered pejorative, ableist language, hyperbolic language around addiction, mention of boy who misgendered daughter’s person

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ | TikTok | IG |

[Maria Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and warm read about people in their 40’s falling in love over birds. So refreshing to read a book about adults with real adult problems. AND BIRDS. My senior-year ornithology class and subsequent bird obsession has all been for this moment. 🩵🐤