When you live a pretty bookish lifestyle, you’re bound to become friends with a lot of bookish people. This is twofold when you’re not just a big part of your local reading community, but you’re also a librarian. So when you have a friend who is not only a romance reader friend but a librarian friend, and they’ve written a book—a romance novel, nonetheless—you’re kind of expected to read it! (You also want to read it, because it’s a romance novel! Written by your friend! Set in the city where you both live!)
(It helps that this is not said friend’s first book, though it is her debut under that name. So really, the “oh thank God, it’s good!” vibes happened two years ago when I picked up her sexy novella featuring a woman and her brother’s best friend getting snowed in while filming an…adult film. It’s a masterpiece, okay?)
Anyway.
So, if you hadn’t gotten the gist, I happen to be friends with Sarah T. Dubb, author of Birding With Benefits. Even though I had an ARC with a beautiful note in the front, I waited to read it until the audiobook was available, because she had been raving about how great the narrators were. Also, because I have been having a much easier time finishing books on audio than with my eyes, for the most part. So on June 4 when my Libro.FM preorder dropped, I hit play and dug in.
Dual narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Evan Sibley (and yes, he is related to that Sibley), Birding With Benefits tells the story of Celeste, a newly divorced mom looking to rediscover herself, and John, a quiet birder whose world she whirlwinds into. Celeste meets John’s friend Chris at a paint and sip and gets quietly drunk, which is why she doesn’t completely remember what Chris has told her about his friend John, who needs a partner to show up his ex. Celeste assumes he means romantic partner, and so pretends to be John’s girlfriend when they meet up at a park early one morning.
But of course, comedy of errors! Chris really just meant birding partner at a competition that was starting at the park that day. Celeste, a master at rolling with the punches, decides to sign on anyway, to help John achieve his goals of winning the competition so he can start his local birdwatching business. Along the way, an attraction grows, but neither is looking for anything permanent or serious, so they decide to engage in a little bit of casual sex. Because they’re both so good at sex without emotions.
(We know what happens when people think they can Just Have Sex without getting attached, and their journey through this issue is exquisite.)
All in all, I really loved Birding With Benefits. It’s a quiet, leisurely story that digs into the inner lives of Celeste and John, both of whom have past triggers to get over before they can leap over the hurdles that will get them where they really want to be. We learn about Tucson, and birds, and two people and their loving inner circles. It’s got a lovely romantic story, where two strangers become friends become birders-with-benefits become true lovers.
And I don’t have to hide from a very good friend. Thank goodness for small favors.