📣 40+ year old leads, great chemistry, & satisfyingly gripping emotional notes that make you cheer both MCs on

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 are you a birder? Do you have a fave bird? Can you recognize any bird sounds? I haven’t done any research into bird sounds so about the only sounds I recognize are a peacock’s wail, a chicken’s bock, & a woodpecker’s drill 🤣. My current fave local bird is a blue jay!

As soon as I read the description of John Maguire in Birding with Benefits, I thought yes. I like. He has calluses, a rumbling voice in Celeste’s ear, & also he is sensitive & quiet & wears wire-rimmed glasses.

He’s a great match for whirlwind Celeste, who enters his life through a bit of a miscommunication & ends up being his partner for a birding competition.

Partners turns into friends & friends with benefits, & as the chemistry builds between them, so do the feelings. Their journey gave me everything I wanted on all the levels, particularly since the author includes backstories for both leads that really lend believability to the emotional obstacles they face.

This book is 🔥—no surprise if you’ve read what Dubb has written under the name Eliza McLane—& the way Celeste & John communicate in all spaces—from bedroom, to text, etc—is part of what makes this book full of joy & empathy & enthusiasm.

[Disclosure: I chat with the author at times & think she is lovely but these are my honest opinions 🥰.]

5 ⭐️. Out 06/04.

[CWs: Reference to being cheated on. Past divorce & references to how spouse made her feel “small.”]

Today I’m reviewing Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubbs. In this contemporary romance, we follow a teacher, Celeste, with a big personality, who is newly divorced and her daughter is going off to college, leaving her with an empty nest. When an opportunity to help a friend’s friend, she decides to take it. But Celeste isn’t ready for the quiet and kind John, a bird watcher whose in need of a partner for the upcoming bird contest he’d love to win.

What an adorable premise!

A bird watcher needs a partner to help him win a local birding competition. Add in his ex being a competitor, who yeah, he’s over, but even though he’s a good guy, would love to be the winner and not her. Enter chaotic and over the top Celeste who is up for the challenge. Little does she know how much trouble she’s in when she and John adventure out into the wilderness to find all the birds to win the competition.

My only concern with this one was the last act breakup. I find authors either hit or miss when it comes to those final moments of will they won’t they in a romance. And if the latter, how the couple comes back together before the very end. And in this one, it felt a little melodramatic to me. That Celeste’s exit from the friends with benefits relationship felt over the top and John’s reaction to all of this was confusing in the way things ended. Like hold on, you just mentioned something profound, can we talk about this??? (I'll let you discover it for yourself)

Although, the grand gesture in the last few chapters, is very sweet.

For bird enthusiasts and romance readers alike, check out this upcoming summer rom-com of opposites attract, forced proximity, fake dating, and grumpy + chaotic sunshine.

This book was something, like I can tell the author has a passion for birds. Like the whole part where she's gonna suck his dick and wants him to say bird facts.. like it was something. I just was not in it. I wanted it to end the whole time.

Not one of my faves.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I blame Birding with Benefits on my newfound interest in birding! While it might not be fully to blame (I just find waterfowl very intriguing), this book came at the right time for me to follow along as our protagonist, Celeste, joins brooding birder John, on a bird-watching (and fake dating) competition in which they both find more than sparrows and wrens along the way. Celeste is peppy and working on healing from a loveless marriage while John has yet to find his path in life but has his eyes on a future of guiding birdwatching. These two are opposites that balance each other well — and who can’t keep their hands off each other! This is a great read for anyone who is maybe looking for something new later in life, has an interest in what is cooing in their backyard tree, or wants a heartwarming romance. Thanks to NetGalley for an early review copy, all opinions are my own.

Hero and heroine in their 40s!!!!! And a beautiful book about discovery and the ways in which we spread our wings in different seasons of life. People will love love love Celeste and her daughter's relationship, our hero John, our delightful side character king Chris, and so much more. I learned about birds, too! Bonus. And can we talk about the cover??

I adored this read! I went in with zero expectations and didn't fully review the "book jacket" and it was well worth it! I devoured this read.

When it comes to the plot, I found the tropes that I tend to lean toward in a romance: close proximity, fake dating, friends to lovers, and opposites attract. But what made it so strong was the mature romance element. This was youthful, fun, spicy, sexy, romantic... and happening for a woman outside of her twenties. I love a story where our FMC has romance and passion and finds her prime "later" in life. Celeste was witty, outgoing, bright, shiny, full of the promise of self-discovery, bold, and FUN! It was the perfect combination with John. He was brooding-esque, sexy, thoughtful, intentional, warm... he is one of my top 2024 book boyfriends, which says a lot because cargo shorts aren't normally what does it for me!

The birding element was also... fun! It made what could be a tropey romance have new life and seem wholly original! This really was sweet, the best friends were loveable, the mother/daughter dynamic was authentic, and it really is a sweet book for summer! I would DEFINITELY add this to your TBR! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This was cute but felt difficult to get through because i was never gripped by it. I enjoyed when we got to see the mother/daughter relationship most of all. I also enjoy when we have a character that is mature in age but not necessarily in all behaviors - Celeste is fun and wild and quirky but still very much a mother and I loved that.

Thank you Gallery & NetGalley for the eARC!

Y'all, there's just something about a romance novel with an unexpected premise. I would never have guessed there'd be a spicy romance novel around birding, but here we are. I adored this one for so many reasons. I loved that the story centered Celeste, newly divorced and trying to figure out where she fits. I loved that she found her way to John, an expert birder, and all she learned from him as their relationship bloomed. I also loved that the story included Celeste's relationship with her daughter and how she navigated the "mom stuff" in her life. This just had so many layers. Truthfully, it also made me want to get into birdwatching (for the actual birding, not the other layers of this one!), and that speaks to the way part of this story is written. I could continue to rave about the pieces of this one I loved, but will stop, so you can go put this one on your list. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this June 2024 release!

When I heard about this book on Bookstagram, I was immediately intrigued. Bird watching as the main focus? Older MCs? Yes to both, big time. Needless to say, I wasn't disappointed at all.

Celeste and John are so damn relatable. I loved watching two people in their 40s fall in love, and the competency kink is HUGE in this book. They spend so much time in each other's company that they bond as friends first, then lovers. It's all of the quiet moments that lead to their HEA, and I am all for it. John is such a sweet, quiet guy that rooting for him was so natural. You want him to win that contest so bad because you know how much it means to him. And watching him fall in love with Celeste was beautiful. I just wanted to snuggle him through the entire book. And Celeste? She's absolute perfection in my eyes. She's an almost empty-nester AND newly divorced, so she's decided to seek adventure for the first time in forever. I loved watching her journey as she learns what it's like to navigate the world with a child attached to you. How can you not love a good story of self-discovery? I was so charmed by her as the FMC. Also, the bird-watching element of the plot was unique. I really liked learning all of these bird facts that Dubb effortlessly weaves throughout the story.

I can't recommend this book enough. I can't wait to see what Dubb writes next.

**A big thank-you to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review++

Overall rating 5/5
Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️/5

Who knew birding could be so sexy and romantic? Definitely not this reader which is why I give a high praise to Birding with Benefits for showing us just how sexy and swoon worthy romantic it could be. The story centers around Celeste and John, two of the best characters I’ve ever had a pleasure reading about, who unfortunately haven’t had the best times in the relationships department. Celeste a divorced mother who is just trying to find herself after losing who she was in a suffering and suffocating marriages. John a quiet birder who is also trying to start a business out of his hobby and get his own life back on track after his ex cheated on him. Take these two, throw in some fake dating, a birding competition and delicious spice and you are in for one of the sweetest romances you’ll read this year. I cannot wait for the romance community to get their hands on this one. Now if you’ll excuse I’m off to doing some birding of my own and maybe find my own John or Celeste on the way.

Firstly, thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this charming book. I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Celeste was so relatable! It is so hard to open yourself up to new relationships and new opportunities while trying to also figure out who you are as an individual.

Overview: After finalizing her divorce, Celeste wants to focus on herself and decides to say yes to new opportunities, including becoming the fake girlfriend/ partner of a local birder named John for a local contest, despite having no birding experience. As John teaches Celeste how to identify birds, they become closer and explore the idea of being “birders with benefits.”

Thoughts: Such a fun and light-hearted book!! I love the cover and it’s rare to see a book title that perfectly describes what the book is about. I was actually surprised that this was a debut book as the writing flowed well. I wasn’t sure what to expect with a book about birding, and it ended up being a classic feel-good “rom-com” (and I mean that in a good way)!

Take home message: This is an adorable debut romantic comedy featuring a bubbly forty-something female main character who enters into a fake relationship with a quiet birder (whose doppelgänger would be a lumberjack librarian). As a heads up, there are several open-door scenes, a couple of which were surprisingly creative 😂 Overall “Birding with Benefits” is a fun, low-angst, springtime read that would be perfect for those who prefer romances with older main characters and are fans of the “opposites attract” trope.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Celeste is divorced and is on a journey of discovery to find out who she is after losing herself in her marriage. She shows up at a park to meet with a guy who's squaring up with his ex. She believes she's supposed to be acting as his new partner, only to find out it's actually his partner in a birding contest. But that's after she's already told his ex that they're dating.

Celeste agrees to compete in a "Bird Binge" with John, bird watching for 42 days to find as many species as possible while also being his fake girlfriend. Might as well bring him along to a few events as her fake boyfriend as well, right?

This book kicks immediately into high gear hilarity. The female MC's personality is so refreshingly all over the place in the beginning. John is a quiet introvert who enjoys woodworking, hiking and bird watching. He comes off as so gentle and caring. They cannot be more opposite but learn to work together well. Both MC's aren't interested in dating due to baggage from their previous relationships but of course, the seem to end up developing an undeniable chemistry that they just cannot run away from.

While I loved both of the characters I have to say that by the end of the book, Celeste was just pissing me off. The argument she has with Morgan (her daughter)... it seems like her daughter has a better grasp on Celeste's life than she does.

John is damn neared flying around this book in angel wings. He is a golden retriever if I've ever seen one. Even when he does act like a dick, I'm cheering him on for some reason. I forever picture him in plaid. I do not know why and please do not ask me to explain.

John's bestie Chris and Celeste's bestie Maria are excellent side characters. They bring an extra comedy element into the story and draw out the main characters a little bit more since their communication can be quite shit sometimes due to their baggage. The Arizona setting is lovely and perfect for the story.

The ending actually turned out way cuter than I imagined it could have turned out. Great light hearted romcom!

How is this a debut author? Like, how?! This is a beautiful story, fresh and energetic and mature and emotional and fun. The phrase “self-discovery” doesn’t even begin to describe the MCs. There’s just so much to love here, and I can’t wait for more from the author.

The book follows newly divorced Celeste as she accidentally ends up in a fake dating situation and a birding contest with her friend of a friend John. This book is absolutely delightful, it was so amazing to see a romance between such wonderfully developed middle aged adults who you can’t help but fall in love with. and all of the side characters are equally amazing. John and Celeste both come into the story with some heavy baggage and the way in which it’s approached both within their relationship and in the book as a whole is incredible! I was a bit nervous going into this book as it was about such an obscure subject that i knew nothing about (birding), but birding is made so accessible within the book and as you read about John’s love for it and watch Celeste fall in love with it you become a little in love with it too. The author is a birder herself and her love for it is so evident within this book. Ultimately this is an awesome debut novel and i can’t wait for it to be out in the world!

This was a fun, sweet book about birding, finding yourself, and finding the people who fit for you.

I really enjoyed the progression of the relationship between Celeste and John. Seeing them start as a blind pair, to starting a fake dating ruse, to becoming friends, to becoming friends with benefits, to figuring out more. I just like how they fit with each other and didn’t push the other to be something they weren’t.

I liked Celeste’s journey of rediscovery. I liked seeing how she dove into different activities and strive to find herself. I am glad she had people around her who were able to help her figure out some balance.

I am not sure what else to say. This was just enjoyable and entertaining. It’d be a perfect summer read.

Thx Gallery books for the complementary arc for review

A sweet rom-com featuring birding and older main characters Celeste and John. High energy, newly divorced Celeste is seeking to find herself again after the slow soul-crush of an icky marriage, and ends up "saying yes" to fake dating quiet birder John. Celeste's journey of unfolding herself resonates for anyone who made themselves smaller for a relationship, and John is just a sweet muffin. For fans of Nora Goes Off Script.

A divorcée embarks on her “year of yes” and crosses paths with a shy and sensitive birdwatcher who changes her life.

Newly divorced, almost-empty-nester Celeste is finally seeking adventure and putting herself first, clichés be damned. So when a friend asks her 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.

Sarah is an author to watch! Birding with Benefits is delightfully quirky and wonderfully written. Plus the spice is 5 stars! Loved loved loved.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery books for this ARC!!

This debut romance from Sarah T Dubbs is GREAT.

It’s realistic without being a downer. It’s cheesy without being too much. Getting in the heads of these characters was SO EASY!

I laughed and was tense and really loved the way the end conflict came together.

Also, it was amazingly filled with birds. Sometimes the internal overshadows the external but this was perfect to balanced!!

(4.5 but as my queen Leigh Bardugo says—always round up on gooodreads)

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommed if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-fake dating
-horny birding
-single parent
-this is just a hookup
-MCs in their 40's
-lumbersexual
-opposites attract

I was lucky enough to read this one early and so glad to dive in again. This is such an easy story to get sucked into. Celeste is living her life post divorce trying everything and ends up in a birding competition with John who is entirley stoic and competent. These two had such incredible chemistry from the beginning and I love that we get to see them become friends too as we watch them fall in love.

This book is horny birding perfection. The secondary characters, the figuring it out no matter how old you are and just trusting in love again. I will read anything Sarah writes and can't wait to get my hands on her next book