Book Details
Birding With Benefits
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.
Hello Book friends!
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.
A Few More Thoughts
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.
Happy Reading ~ Cece
RATING: 
– Satisfyingly Inked
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.
publication details
| Pub Date | ISBN | Page Count | Publisher | Age Group | Source & Format | Review Posted Online |
| 12-June-24 | 978-1668037836 | 336 | Gallery Books | Adult | NetGalley, Digital ARC | May 5, 2023 |
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Welcome Reader!
I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!
– C
ABOUT THE CREATOR
CECE BECKMAN
Cece holds a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach. She lives in California with her husband and children. When she’s not reading or writing reviews she can be found wandering book aisles at local bookshops, drinking iced cold lattes with cold cream foam, or passing the time with her cats.
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