“What you get out of being loved, it’s supposed to be worth the compromise. When it’s good, it makes you want to compromise.”⁣⁣⁣
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I’m a sucker for a fake relationship romance & the second book in the Brown Sisters series delivered, exploring the deep vulnerability of love while portraying the pressures of academia, recovery from acute grief & the odd yet sometimes pivotal role social media can play in our lives.⁣⁣⁣
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What I loved:⁣⁣⁣
- Dani is bisexual, Black & has a beautiful, real, full body. While she’s confident in her appearance & intellect, she’s also secretly hurting & guarding her heart after seeing her relationships fail when they’re strained by her commitment to her work as a professor & researcher. She’s also the one who’s anti-relationships—that’s refreshing to see not being cast in the man.⁣⁣⁣
- The banter: witty, sharp, sarcastic, the repartee between Dani & Zafir is delightfully laced with playful affection.⁣⁣⁣
- Zafir wears his heart on his big burly sleeve. He loves reading romance & believes in happily ever after. He’s a Pakistani teddy bear of a man whose body isn't a Calvin Klein model’s, who wants to teach boys to emote & grow into men free of toxic masculinity.⁣⁣⁣
- Representation: It's empowering & imperative that romance portrays all bodies as lovable, desirable & sexual. On this front, Talia inspires me & knocks it out of the park.⁣⁣⁣
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With her usual wit & sensitivity, Hibbert delves into heavy topics—grief, anxiety, panic episodes & toxic relationships, to name a few. I LOVE seeing this in romance. That said, I personally enjoyed the heaviness & humor balance *more* in GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN, which felt a bit funnier, a bit better at settling into the love & intimacy between its leads. ⁣⁣⁣
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In short: I continue to be in awe of Talia’s writing. While this book’s tenor feels a smidge heavier than Chloe Brown, I still recommend it! lt’s snappy, bright, real & sexy. I'm looking forward to hearing about Eve & seeing where the last Brown Sister takes us.
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Thank you to Avon & NetGalley for the early review copy—all opinions are my own!

So this is second book in Talia Hibbert’s The Brown Sisters series. Dani Brown is a witchy, nerdy college professor working on her tenure….we don’t get much detail of her life on campus outside of occasional lunches with her friend Sorcha and then eventually Zafir Ansari whom is a retired rugby player now security guard who becomes her “fake” boyfriend. Dani and Zafir decide to become a “couple” when they’re captured in a viral video of him “rescuing” her from their work building. Zafir who has a HUGE crush on Dani decides to ask her to fake being his girlfriend to get his struggling non-profit off the ground. What starts off as them having fake dates in order to make their relationship look as real as possible soon turn into more…. BUT Dani being the commitment-phobic woman that she is only wants one thing from Zafir and it isn’t a relationship.

Okay, what was a big turn off in the story for me was Dani herself. Bad enough we had to get through near 80% of the book for these two to even hook up which really isn’t a big deal because the cute funny banter between them eased some of that annoyance. BUT we read through a majority of this book with Dani literally being THAT deer caught in bright headlights. I mean Zafir’s feelings for her were bleeding off these pages but she was running around like “oh I just don’t do relationships", "I’m not good at them” and I was annoyed. And the other thing that rubbed me wrong was that ridiculous break-up towards the end because this man has severe anxiety and for her to just do what she did could have left him in a bad space but the author didn’t go that route so I guess….

Anyways, the book does has some good things within it. Zafir's work with young boys on their feelings, his relationship with the women in his family. He was just a good guy. Love the fact that the IR relationship here doesn’t center whiteness. More stories between Black and Brown people please.

I do feel like the story was unnecessarily stretched. I mean continuing to read Dani flail around this book was a struggle and her lusting after Zafir didn’t…couldn’t save her, at least for me. By the middle of the book, even that got a bit too much.

But I don’t begrudge the story. I think it had a good start and the humor here and there helps but somewhere in the middle…ending, I at least lost interest. Honestly, Zafir deserved better. I mean the man reads romance books...I wanted better for him.

*Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read/review.

Cop this right now!! Seriously, go grab your copy.

Not only is TAKE A HINT, DANI BROWN funny, witty, well written, and has a super cute cover, but Zaf is so effortlessly sexy, that I fell head over heels in love with him! He lit me on fire and had me melting in a puddle! Yup, all at once! He’s that good!

Dani is my spirit animal...right down to her zodiac sign! She’s phenomenal and hilarious. The total embodiment of an amazing friend and epic love interest. She certainly kept Zaf on his toes with her antics. I adored her!

The trope is one of my faves. The writing is beyond fantastic. It’s emotive and flawless. This book freaking rocked!
I absolutely love this series! I’m completely and totally obsessed with this series. I want more right now!! Seriously, if you’re looking for a read that literally has it all:
Amazing writing
Well developed characters
Entertaining plot
Flawless execution with some laugh out moments seamlessly woven into the dialogue
Look no further. This is the book for you!

Highly recommended!

The follow-up to last year's Get a Life, Chloe Brown, which I enjoyed, Take a Hint, Dani Brown follows Chloe's younger sister Dani, a driven Ph.D. student who prefers casual hookups to relationships, and her friend-turned-love-interest Zafir, a former rugby player who runs a nonprofit dedicated to teaching boys about managing their emotions and avoiding toxic masculinity, while also working security at Dani's university. The novel begins with Dani casting a spell (she's a witch!) to find the perfect hookup buddy, because she's afraid to enter into deeper relationships after being hurt in the past and internalizing the idea that she's too focused on her own life to give enough in a relationship. A few months later, Dani's trapped in an elevator during a fire drill at her university, and friend/security guard Zaf stages an overdramatic but sweet "rescue," which is captured on the cell phones of the undergrads outside. They're assumed to be in a relationship and given the moniker #DrRugBae and, although being social media famous is something neither of them are particularly looking for, Zaf discovers that it's actually a great way to promote his nonprofit. Dani and Zaf agree to enter into a fake relationship, but Zaf has been harboring feelings for Dani ever since they met, and despite her aversion to relationships, Dani soon begins to fall for Zaf as well.

I can be picky when it comes to contemporary romance, but I loved this one. I actually liked it a lot more than I did Chloe Brown; not that I didn't enjoy that one, but I wasn't a fan of Chloe's love interest. Both of Dani Brown's main characters are compelling, relatable, flawed, and trying to grow; there's also a strong focus on mental health, as Zafir is dealing with anxiety and grief, and Dani is working on the way she perceives herself after past relationship issues. Although I loved both main characters, I identified with Dani SO MUCH--we're both nerdy, obsessive, career-focused women who have trouble making time and emotional space for relationships. There were so many instances and descriptors of Dani that really resonated with me, and I felt so seen in this character. Like her, I've had a hard time picturing the kind of relationship where someone would not only not be bothered by my devotion to my career, but be supportive of it, and it was great to see a depiction of this on paper.

I also really liked that there was a reversal of traditional gender roles in Dani Brown, with Dani being commitment-averse and Zafir a relationships-only kind of guy; this theme is a constant throughout the novel. There's also a meta discussion about the power of romance novels themselves that I really loved (Zafir is a big fan; Dani doesn't read them and doesn't quite understand the appeal) and great discussion about the importance of work/life balance. The entire book felt extremely current and relevant in its themes; I can't wait to see what the next book, which focuses on youngest Brown sister Evie, will focus on.

I'd highly recommend this one to contemporary romance fans, and in particular to anyone who enjoyed Alisha Rai's Girl Gone Viral, as both books involve fake relationship hashtags that spiral out of control, and also focus heavily on mental health issues.

I received an eARC of Take a Hint, Dani Brown from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Zaf….sigh Zaf is a sweetheart who’s totally cuddly and alpha hotness combined and he completely stole my heart. This is the second book I’ve read of Talia’s and I love that her characters are wonderfully real with real issues they’re dealing with every day. Zaf has been dealing with his anxiety issues since he’s a kid and he continue to improv on how he manages his anxiety as a grown man. Dani has trust issues both with herself and especially with others. And, again, she continues to work thru her issues. At the heart of Talia’s stories are relationships and that Family is everything.

I would encourage everyone to read this book!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is such a fun, flirty and HOT romance 🔥 Loved Dani and Zaf so much. Their chemistry is off the charts and their witty banter throughout the book is perfection. Loved how this book deals with anxiety and brings to light what it’s like to suffer from a common mental illness. Adore this book and can’t wait for this author’s next book in the series! 5 stars!

Take a Hint, Dani Brown is a Friends to Lovers, Fake Dating Romance set in the worlds of academia and professional sports. Dani is a literature professor and PhD candidate and the hero Zafir is a retired rugby player who works as a security guard at her university and runs a non-profit on the side. They have a flirty friendship going until a photo of him rescuing her goes viral and the world assumes they're a couple.

Going viral seems to be a popular theme in Romance this year. I can't help but compare Take a Hint, Dani Brown to the latest in Alisha Rai's Modern Love series, Girl Gone Viral. (See my review here.) My brain just keeps falling down a #CafeBae vs #DrRugbae rabbit hole. In both cases I didn't love the second book in the series quite as much as the first. While Dani is funny, her humor is always a deflection so you can't really laugh with her. That, along with the themes of grief, anxiety and toxic relationships made this book feel not as light as the previous one.

I think the fact that the conflict is all internal, there's no action and the characters never go anywhere, (Okay that's an exaggeration, but still.) also adds to that heaviness. The obstacles in their relationship are his reluctance to acknowledge his past and hers to acknowledge her feelings. Both characters are stunted, but in opposite ways. Dani is all intellect and Zaf is all emotion.

The pairing of a closed off heroine with an emotional, HEA-loving hero is a reversal of expected gender roles, but it's far from the only one. The book challenges gender roles in lots of not-at-all subtle ways. It's literally both characters' job to call out misogyny and toxic masculinity, hers in her classes and his with the boys he mentors. The message is obvious, but it never felt heavy handed.

While I enjoyed Dani Brown and I continue to call Talia Hibbert one of my favorite Romance authors, I just didn't love this book. The first in the series, Get a Life, Chloe Brown, about Dani's sister was one of my favorites of 2019 and I think it had my expectations set too high. Dani just couldn't quite fill her big sister's shoes.

In her second installment of this amazing series, Talia Hibbert once again transports us into a world where the characters are vividly real and fantastically lovely. You immediately root for them to overcome their struggles and have a happy ending. The best thing about Talia Hibbert's books is that the character growth is both aspirational and very believable. There are no fairytales in these romance novels, but there are happy endings, which is what we all want, right?

I emphatically recommend this book, as well as its predecessor, "Get a Life, Chloe Brown." And, of course, I cannot wait for the next!

Take a Hint, Dani Brown is another smash by Talia Hibbert for me. It's snarky and funny and sharp, and I just adore her characters.

One of the best things about Hibbert's M/F romances is that they aren't the stereotypical weak woman needing to be rescued by the domineering man who never treats her as an equal. Dani and Zaf are on equal footing here. They both have issues to overcome, but they never--not once--treat the other as inferior or with little respect.

Their snarky banter disguised as flirting is so damn adorable. One part that was particularly poignant for me was when Zaf and Dani are discussing Zaf's affinity for romance novels:

"...I'll buy you a copy. No spoilers"

"Except for the happy ending."

He laughed.. "That's not a spoiler. That's a safety net."

And safety net it is. We all know, generally speaking, that the main characters in a romance story will find their happily ever after. It's the journey to that HEA and compelling characters that keep the reader interested. Hibbert hits all the marks here.

Another thing I love about Tibbert's stories is the rep you may not normally see in traditional romance novels. Take a Hint has bi rep, person of color rep, anxiety rep, to name a few.

I really do love the Brown sisters, their family, and their friends. I'm definitely looking forward to Eve's story.

To end my review, I leave you with one of my favorite lines form the book:

Faces were for sitting on, not for kissing.

Oh, Dani! You are too much!

I am so thrilled with this book. Witty, sarcastic, sweet, romantic, funny...This was everything I wanted in a summer-time read. It made me grin from the very beginning and I so so enjoyed it. I especially appreciate the diversity in this book...I enjoyed the first one, but I feel like Hibbert is hitting his/her/their stride and has really blossomed into one of my favorite authors. The characters are real, flawed people who are relatable and heartwarming. 5 full stars from me...A perfect beginning to summer!

I liked the first book in this series, but for me, this one was much better.

I really liked Dani. She's confident and smart and knows her worth. Zaf is a straight up marshmallow who loves romance books. Together there's loads of chemistry and support and conversations. I loved seeing the support of Dani's sisters and Zaf's family. It's always great to see a loving and accepting family who pushes the character when they need it.

Plot wise, it did feel a bit repetitive. Even with all of the conversations, there's a crap load of inner monologue and that did get a bit old. Dani's constant resistance to a relationship (even when she acknowledges how she's feeling) was also tiring. I wanted more of them together and in love at the end, not the break up, quick resolution and ending...although, I will say the epilogue was perfection.

Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read with characters who were so easy to root for. I can't wait for Eve's book next.

**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-arc copy of this title.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown is the second in The Brown Sisters contemporary romance series. Set in the UK, the series follows the romantic escapades of, as the series title indicates, the Brown sisters. The previous book, Get a Life Chloe Brown focused on the eldest sister, Chloe but gave a glimpse of the heroine of this title, Danika. I enjoyed Chloe’s story a whole lot, but I have to say that Dani’s blew that out of the water.

Dani is a woman determined to reach her goals. She works hard at her university, teaching classes and earning her PhD. She doesn’t have time or patience for relationships if the past is anything to go on, but she wouldn’t mind someone to mess around with. Enter Zafir, the brooding security guard at the campus building where she teaches. He’s sexy and funny once you get past his gruff exterior. But Dani knows his type. He’s looking for the long term. The whole relationship package, which she is not about to give. But when a swift rescue ends up in as a viral “romance”, the two decide to fake their relationship for the sake of Zafir’s fledgling non-profit. The longer things go on, the less Dani is sure about what she wants out of her connection with Zafir or whether she wants things to end at all.

I was hooked from the get-go with this one. I enjoy some good fake dating if handled well and Hibbert did more than well. The story is told from both Dani and Zafir’s point of view and she does an excellent job making each voice distinct and memorable. Dani was outgoing and brash from page one. I loved how self-assured she was (save for in the romantic partner department). She never falters while going after what she wants and make no apologies for who she is.

Zafir was a swoonworthy hero. He’s protective and thoughtful without coming off as too needy or stalkery. He wants to take care of Dani in the best possible ways, without ever changing anything about her. The dynamic between them was wonderful. Not only was the chemistry off the charts, by they complemented each other so well. Dani brings Zafir out of his quiet shell and he, in turn, is a strong shoulder for Dani to lean on when she needs it.

The thing I think I like most about this series, and Hibbert’s writing, is that she doesn’t rely on cheap tricks or lazy misunderstandings to up the drama. Instead she nurtures her characters to grow with each other naturally. The dramatic moments aren’t just there for the sake of being there. They’re organic to the story and allow her characters to focus inward and become better.

If you’re looking for a sexy, sweet, funny story with lots of heart then I highly recommend Take a Hint, Dani Brown. Maybe you’ll take my hint and read the book?

Thank you NetGalley, Talia Hibbert, and HarperCollins Publishers for giving me this amazing opportunity to read this book.

I remember reading Get a life Chloe Brown by Talia for my book club and loving everything about it. I love romance novels and the way Talia writes, it makes me laugh all the time, all I did was laugh with the first book, and I was so excited when I got the chance to read Take a hint Dani Brown. I knew this one was going to be a hit as well, and it sure was. I had to stop myself from laughing while reading at night, lol, I really couldn’t help it. Dani is so different, she is eccentric, and very Intune with herself, which is very empowering. She is not a character to mess with, and I loved how fluid she is with her sexuality, which is very different for me.

One thing is for sure, Dani and Zaf as a couple was something I would never see coming, they are both so different. But then again like the saying says “Opposites attract”, and they for sure do. I don’t like giving things away, but this book was just EVERYTHING.

I was a huge fan of "Get a life Chloe Brown" by Talia Hibbert so when I found out there was another book coming in this "Brown Sisters" series I was so pumped! This book was the perfect escape and the ideal rom-com!
Can friends turned fake-lovers turn into real lovers? Or does that doom the chemistry?
WOW. Lots of steam (overboard steam!) in this one but what an incredible ride! Both Dani and Zafir were such strong characters I was never really sure who was more insecure or who was more in love. Can we talk about the steam again? Loved it, flew through it in 2 nights and can't wait for the 3rd installment! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Usually when I read a book, I am able to write a review right after finishing it. But that has not been the case with Take a Hint, Dani Brown. I really enjoyed the story, but it is taking me some time to find the write words for this review.

Summary: In the second installment of the Brown sisters trilogy, PhD student Dani Brown has decided that relationships are not for her. When Zafir, the security guard in her building, rescues Dani during a fire drill, and the rescue video goes viral, Zafir and Dani decide to be in a fake relationship to help Zafir's rugby charity. But as their fake relationship evolves into something more, is Dani willing and ready to take a chance on love?

Review: First of all, I loved the diversity in this book! The story is beautifully complex with the perfect mix of lightheartedness and drama. Both Dani and Zafir are layered with well-developed back stories. I love how they challenge each other and both grew throughout the story. I also enjoyed revisiting the Chloe sisters and their antics. Parts of the story were explicit (a bit much at times) and frustrating, but it was another great summer read!

Take A Hint, Dani Brown is the refreshing, diverse rom-com that 2020 needs. Danika Brown, a workaholic academic with no interest in relationships, prays to the goddess Oshun for the perfect partner for casual sex. All signs point her toward her "work friend," Zafir Ansari, a broody former rugby player who reads romance novels and dreams of a happy ever after. What ensues is a mature, dynamic reexamination of the two characters' priorities and views on love, and when the couple finally make it work, the book is all the more rewarding for it.

Somehow, this delightful book even achieves the near-impossible by injecting new life into tried-and-true romance tropes--fake dating, friends-to-lovers--and causing genuine swoon-worthy moments. Even more unbelievable, though, it is never cheesy, and every moment where the characters share intimate details of their lives rings true. The handling of Zafir's anxiety is incredibly sensitive, Dani's insecurities about relationships feel heartbreakingly relatable, and the characters are hilarious too boot. Additionally, the steam-factor in this book is through the roof--one of the sexiest books I've ever read as an avid romance reader. I would recommend Take A Hint, Dani Brown to fans of Talia Hibbert's previous books and newbies alike. It functions perfectly as a continuation in the Brown Sisters series, but stands alone just fine as well. This is my new favorite romance!

I really loved the playful, vibrant writing style in this! It's my first time reading something from the author, but her reputation and that adorable cover drew me in. I'll be the first to admit that friends with benefits-style relationships are not my thing, but Hibbert makes it obvious that there's so much more to this couple than just the physical. And for a book that focuses on a relationship that's supposed to be sex "without" feelings, it's actually a pretty solid slow burn. Readers might be taken aback by just how steamy things get - Hibbert's descriptive writing style translates into some lengthy intimate scenes - but that's definitely not the focus. I think our hero steals the show here, because every time the heroine's hangups over commitment started to grate on my nerves, he would do something to reel me right back in.

The story follows Dani and Zafir, two people who see each other at work every day. They've been flirting for months, but Dani's been burned in the past so she has sworn off any kind of relationship. She'd love to burn up the sheets with Zaf, but only if he agrees to keep feelings out of the equation - and something about the stoic security guy strikes Dani as the relationship type. But when they're caught on video looking like a couple and keeping up the rouse helps Zaf's charity, these two agree to fake it for awhile. Though Zaf would love to start something real with Dani, he knows that he'll take her any way that he can get her.

The absolute best part about this book is Zafir. He is such a protective, loving guy; patient and compassionate as he handles Dani's hangups. She took a lot longer to grow on me, but it's also easy to see that she cares for Zaf more than she's willing to admit. The writing is fresh and distinctive, which also makes this a quick, fun read. Though there are shots of angst, the majority of the book is light with plenty of depth. I can't say that I was 100% onboard with every element of the storyline (Dani practices witchcraft for some reason, she's resistant to a relationship for the entire book, and they continue to insist that there are no feelings between them), but I was entertained and engaged with the story from start to finish. I'll definitely check out more of the author's work in the future, because this made for a dynamic and interesting read. I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review of this fake relationship romance.

Heat Factor: Unapologetically sexy
Character Chemistry: Zaf is a book boyfriend.
Plot: Friends → Fake Relationship → Boning → Meltdown
Overall: This book made me melt.

Now that I’ve read 2/2 books in The Brown Sisters series, I feel comfortable saying that Talia Hibbert is very good at crafting a narrative that is emotionally gripping but also not filled with red-flagged emotional mess protagonists. I’d say that they’re emotionally mature, but in this case Dani Brown is not especially emotionally mature, although she’d certainly like everyone to think so. Basically what I’m saying is that we are not dealing with a full blown “psst, falling in love ≠ therapy, and you need therapy, honey” situation.

It goes a little something like this: Zaf has had a crush on Dani for a long time, and they’ve been friends for all that time, too. But when an evacuation drill results in a viral video of Zaf superhero carrying Dani out of the academic building where they both work, leading the world to believe they’re Relationship Goals, they agree to use the free publicity to promote Zaf’s non-profit. Thus begins a fake relationship. And as we all know, fake relationships lead to real kissing. And real kissing leads to catching feelings. And Dani Brown does not do feelings.

Zaf Ansari, briefly: He’s got his issues, namely lifelong anxiety and, more recently, grief and depression after the unexpected deaths of his father and brother, but he is so emotionally woke I can’t imagine how anyone wouldn’t fall in love with him. He’s totally a cinnamon roll, though not in a saccharine sweet sort of way. In part, it’s that he’s totally checked in to his own emotions because he had professional help dealing with his anxiety and depression. Also, he reads romance novels, so prepare to get meta. But mostly, it’s because he loves Dani exactly the way she is, molding his actions to show he cares in ways that work just for her, without putting any expectations on her at all. Does he want her? Yes. Is he going to push it? Absolutely not. And of course he’s also sex on a stick. It is a romance novel.

So, Zaf has to love Dani exactly the way she is because she is a hot, uncompromising mess where her romantic life is concerned. I identified with Dani in many ways: she works compulsively, she struggles to interact with other people in sociable, empathetic ways, and she maintains rigid control in her life so she can not worry about things. I did not identify with Dani’s militant aversion to romance, but Hibbert got me there in the end. And, without Dani’s emotional struggle, there wouldn’t be much of a story. So there’s that.

I’ve read so many books this year that I’m about 0% excited about the “love ruined me so I’m going to focus on my career goals, and love is a waste of my time and energy” narrative (seriously). I mean, I love a friends to lovers trope, and I love a fake dating trope, but I totally eye-rolled at Dani early in the book. BUT Zaf is adorable and Hibbert’s writing is totally fun, so I was able to get past that initial hump and into the meat of the story, and that’s where things really get good. When all is said and done, this narrative is about an experienced hurt, and a person dealing with that hurt in a pretty human sort of way, and then getting to the point that she is able to course correct to an emotionally healthy means of interacting with romance. Dani Brown is absolutely terrified of being a bad girlfriend, and she can’t see that she’s been a truly wonderful girlfriend to Zaf for their whole relationship, without even trying.

I was not in alt or having my feelings tossed this way and that for most of this book. It was warm fuzzies and sexy sexy. But by the time we’d peeled away layers and layers to get to the heart of our protagonists, everything in the narrative pulled together beautifully, and I melted into a puddle of love goo on the floor of my study. What a great read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Thank you to Net Galley, Talia Hibbert and HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Take a Hint, Dani Brown is the second book in Talia Hibbert's Brown Sister series which started with Get a Life, Chloe Brown. In this installment we follow middle sister Danika, a hard working bisexual PhD student who has a serious aversion to any kind of commitment beyond a casual booty call. Enter Zafir, ex-rugby pro player and lover of, get this, romance novels. When the two end up as unlikely Internet trending #DrRugBae and #couplegoals following a gas drill at the Echo building they both work in, the pair strike up a deal - “fake relationship” in return for exposure for Zafir’s ,Tackle It nonprofit organization, coupled with Dani’s prayer to Oshun for a perfect f*ck buddy. Both come up with some rules and boundaries to protect each other from getting hurt, the rules emphasis that at no point are either of them allowed to fall in love.

I am skeptical about romance novels, but I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoy the writing style of Talia Hibbert. She has an effortless way with humor and snarky banterΩ that is appealing in this type of Rom-Com. However, the voice of Dani, is freakishly similar to her sister Chloe, which you learn about in the first book, Get a Life, Chloe Brown. For me, the voices of the two sisters were too similar. I felt like I was reading an extended version of the first book, rather than a book about her sister. Although the characters are different, I didn’t really get a feel for Dani’s voice because it seemed like I was just reading about Chloe again.

Again, like in the first book, opposites attract, and Dani and Zafir, as opposite as they are, but have a very slick chemistry that melds them together quite well. They banter back and forth with charm and wit, complete with the appropriate amount of sexual tension, and it absolutely works between the two of them. Danika Brown, nicknamed Dani, is a Blerd, who is a bi-sexual, workaholic, and serious goal getter. She also is extremely guarded and protective of her heart and discourages herself and others to feel their feelings for her in any way possible. She is socially awkward in interpersonal relationships, and too afraid to really engage in romance at any level. Zafir, is hopelessly romantic, who reads actual romance novels for fun, but has serious anxiety when it comes to the matter of the heart due to a tragedy in his past. He has learned to be more open and demonstrative in his feelings through the help of therapy and his organization, Tackle It, which also helps youngsters be able to talk about their feelings as well.

The plot, as expected, is predictable because romance novels typically have happy endings. However, the way in which the reader found their way through the story was quite entertaining and good and charming and witty. I laughed out loud so many times during this story! I really enjoyed it. I was also able to reminisce about certain feelings this book invoked about past/current relationships.

One theme that was constant in this book that I appreciated was mental well-being. The author brought up anxiety, work-life-balance issues, career/school/work pressures, interpersonal relationship fears, commitment issues and social media pressure. I am glad this book had some substance versus just being an escapism type of romance novel.

If you are looking for a diverse, rom-com, with steamy sexy scenes, great character development and witty banter and hard-hitting themes of mental well-being and societal pressures to perform, this is the book for you.

Talia Hibbert has managed to write the perfect romance novel. Sexy, hilarious, and heart wrenching, often all at once, Dani Brown captures every intricacy of romance and brings a freshness to the fake dating trope. This installment in the lives of the Brown sisters is a masterclass of the genre and is great for any romance reader, especially fans of Alisha Rai and Jasmine Guillory.