BIRDING WITH BENEFITS

Narrators Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Evan Sibley are a winning team in this charming romance. Mom and teacher Celeste is trying to find herself again after a divorce; John is a woodworker hoping to get his idea for a bird-guiding business off the ground. She's a complete newbie to birding, but Celeste agrees to be John's partner in the 42-day Bird Binge competition--and to pose as his girlfriend, though neither is looking for a real relationship. Hutchinson-Shaw ably conveys Celeste's bubbly, positive personality, undimmed even though her ex-husband complained that she was "too much." Sibley captures John's shy outward demeanor and thoughtful inner world. Attraction sparks as John and Celeste add birds to their list in the beautifully described Arizona wilderness. For listeners, it's all a delight. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2024]