Goodreads: Take A Hint, Dani Brown (The Brown Sisters #2)
Publisher: Avon
Published: 23 June 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Panda Rating:

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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?

Yes. Yes. YAAAAAS to this book!!! Oh my lordy lordy. MY FEELS. The swooning. I just… THE FEELS! If you love the fake dating trope, witty banter that will have you simultaneously swooning and cracking up, smart AF badass bisexual heroines, super soft hopeless romantic heroes, crackling chemistry and intensely steamy scenes: don’t sleep on this one. Talia Hibbert really brings it all with this romance I’m so here for it!

I honestly don’t think I can say anything else about this book that other gushing reviews haven’t already; not to mention they’ll probably say it 100% better than I ever could. Dani and Zaf ran away with my heart and they can forking keep it! Like… What do I even do with all my feelings for these two? Both were such wonderfully realistic and relatable characters. I loved the diversity of this cast. I love how it gives an honest representation of anxiety, grief and coping with the loss of loved ones. I loved the familial love between Zaf and his mother, sister and niece. I also loved to see more of Chloe and Eve and their connection with Dani. There were also so many times I found myself absolutely breathless with laughter thanks to hilarious internal monologues and of course, cheeky banter.

Dani is a quick-witted, fiercely smart and hard-working PhD candidate who doesn’t believe in things like emotions or relationships. Zaf is an ex-rugby player who lives with anxiety and is the softest, sweetest, most adorable hopeless romantic. It doesn’t sound like something between them could work but oh, how it works SO well! They bring balance and care to each other’s lives that help them grow and heal and while it’s obviously not smooth-sailing the whole time, their relationship was perfect for them. While I loved Dani’s feistiness and I identified with her fear of love and commitment, Zaf is hands down one of the best romance heroes I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. Oh my heart, THIS MAN. My heart broke for his grief and pain but I loved how he found hope through romance novels and he wasn’t ashamed to admit it. I loved how he was so open and honest about his mental health struggles and how he wanted to use his social media stardom to help raise funds for his non-profit aimed at helping young men deal with their mental health. Not to mention the little things he does to take care of and support Dani; simply just to be there for her. All the swooning, my friends, I can’t even!

I can keep gushing about these two and their romance but safe to say I highly recommend it and you should definitely read it! 😉 I’m so excited for Eve’s story and I’m gonna be quite sad when The Brown Sisters series comes to an end because they have been such a joy to read!

Have you read Take A Hint, Dani Brown or is it on your TBR?

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