Take a Hint, Dani Brown is a romantic comedy focusing on the relationship between Danika Brown, a PhD student, and Zafir Ansari, a rugby player turned security guard. The story follows their journey from a fake relationship to a real one, intertwined with themes of personal growth, mental health, and the importance of communication. The book is praised for its diverse characters, engaging dialogue, and steamy yet realistic romance scenes. Talia Hibbert's writing style is described as charismatic, funny, and emotionally compelling, making the story an easy and enjoyable read.

Characters:

The main characters are well-developed: Dani is a driven PhD student with commitment issues, while Zaf is a sensitive former athlete coping with anxiety. The supporting cast is diverse and adds richness to the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by smart, sarcastic humor and relatable prose, incorporating engaging dialogue and heartfelt moments that enhance the emotional depth of the characters.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on a PhD student who wants a casual sexual relationship, but after a viral moment with a security guard, they enter a fake dating arrangement to assist in his charity work, leading to unexpected emotional connections.

Setting:

The setting takes place primarily in a university environment, reflecting contemporary British culture and emphasizing themes related to academia and community engagement.

Pacing:

The pacing offers a mix of engaging humor and emotional depth, with a steady progression that allows for character development alongside plot progression.

The student union’s coffee shop was like a bad pop song: painfully repetitive and unnaturally upbeat. Milk was steamed, names were chirped, and baristas beamed as if there were any call for such abomi...

Notes:

The protagonist, Dani Brown, is a PhD student and university professor.

Zafir Ansari, the male lead, is a former rugby player turned security guard.

Dani has a clear focus on her professional career, prioritizing it over romance.

The story starts with a viral video of Zafir rescuing Dani from an elevator.

Dani and Zafir enter a fake dating arrangement to benefit Zafir's charity.

Zafir helps boys deal with toxic masculinity through sports and emotional education.

Dani is a bisexual character, openly discussing her sexuality in the narrative.

The book addresses mental health themes, prominently featuring Zafir's anxiety and grief.

The author, Talia Hibbert, explores diverse characters, including Dani being a plus-size Black woman.

The romcom uses elements of humor to tackle deeper issues like trauma and self-worth.

Dani's character deals with the trauma of a past broken relationship which affects her views on love.

Several funny moments highlight the characters' chemistry and banter throughout the story.

Zaf is characterized as a gentle and supportive male lead, often described as a 'cinnamon roll hero.'

The plot includes elements of magical realism, hinting at Dani's interest in witchcraft.

Readers appreciate the realistic portrayal of emotional struggles and communication in relationships.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include discussions of anxiety, panic attacks, death of loved ones, and past relationship trauma.

Has Romance?

The romance between Danika and Zafir is a significant focus of the story, with strong chemistry and emotional depth.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

Lambda Literary Award Finalist

Ripped Bodice Awards for Excellence in Romantic Fiction

Named one of the Best Romances of 2020 by Apple, Kirkus, PW, Washington Post, NPR, BookPage, OprahMag, EW, Insider, Buzzfeed, Bustle, and Amazon!

USA Today bestselling author Talia Hibbert returns with another charming romantic comedy about a young woman who agrees to fake date her friend after a video of him "rescuing" her from their office building goes viral...

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits-someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom.

When big, brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it's an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and former rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact to him, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Suddenly, half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae-and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse?

Dani's plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf is secretly a hopeless romantic-and he's determined to corrupt Dani's stone-cold realism. Before long, he's tackling her fears into the dirt. But the former sports star has issues of his own, and the walls around his heart are as thick as his... um, thighs.

The easy lay Dani dreamed of is now more complex than her thesis. Has her wish backfired? Is her focus being tested? Or is the universe just waiting for her to take a hint?

"Talia Hibbert is a rockstar! Her writing is smart, funny, and sexy..." - Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Little Bridge Island and Princess Diaries series

Featured in OprahMag, Bustle, Parade, PopSugar, New York Post, Essence, Travel & Leisure, Ms. Magazine, TheSkimm, Betches, Shondaland, Buzzfeed and more...

Ratings (45)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (22)
Liked It (11)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (93):

Read It (48)
Want To Read (24)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (20)

2 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

1 month

I've decided to DNF this book. I know this series is so beloved and I do enjoy contempery romance, but I just can't get invested in these characters and enjoy the story. The book isn't bad by any means but not my cup of tea. My search for a new contempery romance book favourite will continue

chlane689

Did Not Like

9 months

I picked up this book because I was intrigued with the main character's emotional arc: opening up emotionally and accepting romantic commitment.

But what made it hard for me to love this book was the love interest's emotional arc: needs to take sex less seriously. Because I don't really think that wanting a romantic and committed relationship before sex is a character flaw. It feels worse that this character is a Muslim, so it's an arc that goes against his religious/cultural beliefs.

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Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Talia Hibbert

Book 2 in the series:The Brown Sisters