Birding with Benefits

Dubb’s charming debut finds recently divorced Tucson middle school teacher Celeste Johanssen agreeing to play “partner” to softspoken birder John Maguire. Due to some miscommunication, Celeste thinks she’s agreed to be his fake girlfriend, but what John actually needs is a partner for the area’s annual Bird Binge birding competition. Though Celeste is way out of her depth among the avian enthusiasts, under John’s guidance she quickly develops an affinity for birding, endearing herself to John with her enthusiasm. As they work to show up John’s snotty ex Breena by identifying the most species, explosive chemistry builds between Celeste and John. Both love-shy, they agree to a friends-with-benefits arrangement for the duration of the competition, leading to some red-hot love scenes. But can they really keep their feelings out of it? Dubb pulls off the fake-boyfriend trope with ease and mines her own experiences with birding in Tucson to add authenticity to John’s passion. Celeste’s bestie, Maria, and John’s bestie, Chris, steal every scene they’re in, adding humor and a sense of community to the romance. Dubb is a writer to watch. (June)