Birding with Benefits

By: Sarah T. Dubb

Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, Evan Sibley

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2024 Sarah T. Dubb (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Birding Is Its Own Benefit

I had no idea what to expect, but when Jess K. Hardy posts about a book, you add it to your TBR. This story was so beautifully honest, that it takes your breath away. To write a believable conflict between two people who communicate as openly as Celeste and John do takes a special author and there’s no question Sarah Dubb has what it takes. These two characters navigate new relationships after heartbreak in a relatable and admirable way. My only complaint is there isn’t a backlist of Sarah T. Dubb for me to get lost in this summer. But, that leaves me more time for my new birding interest, so I can’t be too upset!

Great story

Loved the strong characters and especially the birding. All of the female characters are strong and relatable. Loved it.
Teachers in general are celebrated and I appreciate that.

A Lovely Story of Self- Discovery and Falling in Love Again After a Painful Past

I couldn't stop listening. Absolutely loved their story. It gave me all the feels. So relatable, as I'm currently 40.

Too much sex

I was excited about this book since I haven’t had any novels that included birding, but this one is more sex, less birding.

I like a little spice…in moderation. Usually I’ll fast forward through a sex scene if I don’t want to listen to it. Sadly I found myself fast forwarding through entire chapters, which is really disappointing.

I’m not sure I’ll finish the book (with only 2 hours left).
This review is for others folks who don’t want to deal with this much spice.
Audible has made it a huge hassle to return a book, and they’ve done an abysmal job of properly content labeling/tagging their audiobooks.

How stupid the conversation was between Celeste and John. If they were in their teens would have been more appropriate.

Was not about birding but about how to eventually have sex. So much stupid longing for each other and you knew would end up together. Waste of time!!