5 thoughts I had while reading this book:
– This is it. I’m going to die from laughter (what a way to go, though).
– How long can I hold the pee in my bladder because I cannot stop reading?
– “Please, for the love of god, kiss already”
– “Bisexual culture is having a crush on both Dani AND Zafir”
– “Why does this book have to end? Give me more. Give me five hundred novellas about Zafir and Dani shopping for cleaning supplies I don’t care just can I have some more, please?”
Have you ever wanted to reread a book while you were still in the process of reading it for the first time? Have you ever read a book that was nearly flawless only to be extremely hesitant to read the sequel because it might not live up to the first one and then it did and was even better? Have you ever squealed on every other page of a book because it was so hilarious and endearing, that there simply needed to be an expression of gratitude or a giggle of laughter leaving your lips at all times?
If you said yes to any of those, then allow me to introduce you to the holy grail of romantic comedy perfection that you are going to want, no, need, in your life: Take a Hint, Dani Brown.
I think the best way to tell you how much I loved this book is by profusely apologising to my friend who I sent copious amounts of voicenotes to whenever something fantastic happened in this book. This might have been on every other page and I’m pretty sure that friend now rues the day she gave me her phone number. I physically could not restrain myself from telling someone how witty, badass, and hilariously relatable this story was. And if that’s not the best point for you to pick up a copy, then I don’t know what will convince you.
But I digress. Take a Hint, Dani Brown, the companion novel to Talia Hibbert’s smashing success Get a Life, Chloe Brown, follows Dani Brown, a young, ambitious, hilarious student pursuing her doctorate. Hyperfocused on achieving her dreams, Dani doesn’t have time for romantic relationships and after a few failed attempts in her past that left either her or the other party heartbroken, she’s determined to only deal in friends-with-benefits territory. Which is all good and great in theory, but when Zafir, the security guard of the university building she works in, dramatically carries her out after a fire-drill gone wrong, rumours and videos start spreading about their epic romance. Making the best out of a cringey situation, Zafir and Dani decide to pursue a fake relationship that throws their world off its axis…and makes for some ridiculously fun times.
Now, let’s talk about the man, my man, the love of my life. Listen, Zafir deserves his own monument. That man is art and I will not take any criticism at this point. Zafir has a tumultuous past and still deals with a lot of grief after a pretty epic loss and you know what he does instead of ignoring all his emotions and mental strain? He creates a charity. A bloody charity that helps and encourages young boys to talk about their feelings, understand the importance of mental health and that it’s okay to be open and vulnerable (Justin Baldoni vibes, anyone?). He is also incredibly kind and generous, has the best love/antagonist relationship with his niece and is just so damn sexy. I mean, a man who is considerate, open to compromise, snarky and stoic, stubborn and vulnerable, and reads romance novels for crying out loud?! Sign me up, please.
And then we have the heroine of this story. The creme de la creme of women. Dani Brown. My spirit animal. The woman who utters the words “faces were not made for kissing, they were made to sit on” all while going into hyperactive mode studying every single subject that could ever possibly come up in a panel and every single thing that never will just so she can be prepared for all eventualities. A woman who isn’t afraid to put herself first, who can be vulnerable and still kick your ass in six-inch heels, who will decimate you in a political debate all while being unashamedly stubborn and flirty and bisexual AF. I want a Dani Brown in my life, I really do.
And the two of them together? I had to actively lie down after some scenes because they are explosive and ridiculously funny. The chemistry between these two? Through the roof. I legitimately bit my knuckles through some of the angsty, pining scenes because they reminded me of fanfics in the best possible way (all the emotions, all the drama, all the pain). Dani and Zafir want completely different things and their struggles of finding their way to each other, Dani overcoming her very valid fears of relationships paired with Zafir’s anxiety and lingering issues of being open and vulnerable had me reeling.
Honestly, this is a book for the ages. Both of these characters are so fleshed out and realistic and I will sob forever because I can’t be with either of them, but I will survive knowing that somewhere, Dani and Zafir are off together and having the time of their lives. Just like I did reading this book.
The perfect combination of hilarious and heartfelt, comforting and caressing your soul, Take a Hint, Dani Brown is an unforgettable game changer of a romantic comedy and I cannot wait for the last Brown sister to get her story.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
Will you be picking up Take a Hint, Dani Brown? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
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 brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and ex-rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Now 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’s 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.
Suddenly, the easy lay Dani dreamed of is 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?
