Another winner from my favorite romance author.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown was an unexpected champion of the 2019 fall semester for me -- the audiobook got me through the worst finals season of my life, and getting approved for and reading the arc a few months prior got my semester started on a high note.

So it means something, coming from me, when I say that Take a Hint, Dani Brown is bolder and funnier and more romantic and easily my favorite romance of 2020 so far. I made a note in my arc every time I felt overwhelmed with emotions over Dani and Zaf, and friends; it was fourteen times. Fourteen times that I felt my heart beat faster with excitement or I swooned over something romantic or I teared up because of something touching or emotional.

The characters, like in Chloe Brown, are the shining stars of this story. Dani and Zaf are so lovable, I just want to give them both big hugs at their earliest possible convenience. I loved the way this story leaned into its tropes in the most delicious ways while still subverting them in others, keeping me entertained and exhilarated. I loved that they both have hobbies and passions and friends and family members that are huge parts of their lives; I loved that Dani would never cancel on her sisters; I loved how close Zaf was with his sister-in-law; I loved that Gigi continues to be iconic; I loved that this book spent paragraphs talking directly to me about how both Zaf and I love romance novels.

More importantly, I continue to love the care and attention Talia Hibbert puts into making her stories authentically diverse. Dani is bisexual, and it meant so much to me that her sexuality is such a huge part of who she is, especially when this story is about her romance with a man. Zaf has an anxiety disorder, and I felt so seen when he spoke about his journey and his experiences and how coping is hard and there is no right way to live with anxiety and how sometimes it's hard to tell what's anxiety and what's just logic and how it will often just be there, under the radar, but that it doesn't have to control you.

I think it's clear that the reason why I loved this book so much is that it has all of the things I loved about Chloe Brown (the humor, the charm, the swoon-worthy romance) with the addition of a few forms of representation that spoke to me, personally. But even if I could step out of my own skin, I would have loved this story -- it made me laugh, it made me grin in front of my probably confused family members, it made me cry.

You are not going to want to miss Dani Brown.

I read Get A Life, Chloe Brown and enjoyed it so when I saw the next book focused on Dani Brown, I couldn’t wait to read it! Take A Hint, Dani Brown was even better for me than the first Brown Sister book. I read it in a day and loved the strong, quirky, unapologetic, confident, uber academic nerd that is Danika Brown! Zafir was also a perfect book hero for me! I loved the broody, secretly sweet, funny, “murder face”, ex-rugby player who was holding out for a happily ever after when he’d dealt with a crippling family tragedy. I LOVED Zaf’s charity that targets toxic masculinity and mental health in the book and I wish that all athletic institutions would jump on this bandwagon to Tackle It! *read the book and you’ll get what I did there* This book had two of my favorite tropes; fake relationship and friends to lovers! Aside from the stellar romance and relationship, I loved the theme in both of the existing Brown Sisters books that recovery and healing aren’t instant and there isn’t a magical point where everything is better and that mental health issues are as real and important as any other illness. In both books, Hibbert makes a point to have a character discuss that getting better doesn’t mean that you always have to be OK. Bravo! I also loved all the cultures represented in this book, I found this series because I was seeking out Own Voices books and diversity in main characters, so this series ticked all the boxes! I will probably reread Take A Hint, Dani Brown, and cannot wait to see what is in store for the last Brown sister!

Talia Hibbert does it again! This was one of my most highly anticipated reads for 2020 and it did not disappoint! Dani was such a great, diverse character and the mental health advocacy and integration was done impeccably well. It had all of the elements of a fun, sassy, STEAMY romance, while staying true to real life issues, difficulties and touched on deeper themes such as loss and anxiety. I love Hibbert's writing style: banter, banter, banter with a touch of sex and cup or two of intentional incorporation of sensitive topics that allow us to connect to the characters and stories more deeply. Bravo!

Hibbert continues her standout romantic comedy series about the Brown sisters. This time, the universe plants the perfect friend-with-benefits in front of Dani in the shape of ex-rugby player Zaf and conspires for them to be together after a faux rescue goes viral. Tackling emotions, including scarring from past events and anxiety, is a theme for both characters. Mental health is discussed with heart, including the fact that staying healthy is a continual process where coping includes struggling. These characters have a hopeful perspective that resonates during the current pandemic; I ended up highlighting MANY passages when I normally don't highlight at all.

The author shows the harmful result of toxic masculinity and the benefit of men having the tools to understand and express emotions. This includes a subplot about Zaf’s attraction to romance novels because they are about people who had “been through the worst and found happiness anyway.” The book slowly builds the steamy, banter-filled, and supportive dynamic between charming, realistic, and engaging characters.

Recommended for fans of Jasmine Guillory, Helen Hoang, and Alyssa Cole. This Own Voices book is the second in a series featuring multicultural characters.

This is just a delight. Talia Hibbert's characters are warm and funny and you root for them to find love.

Dani wants a sign. Zaf checks his email. Hang on, don't think this is random. This is important.

Dani Brown doesn't do relationships. It's not her thing. Not that she has time for them, anyway, as she is a PhD student and gearing up for the biggest moment of her professional life. That doesn't stop her from praying to Oshun to send her someone to, uh, keep her company. Or ogling the hot angry security guard at the building she works at.

Zafir Ansari doesn't mean to look angry all the time--it's just his face. A former pro-ruby player, Zaf spends his time coaching rugby, working on his nonprofit Tackle It, and pining over gorgeous (and maybe gay?) Dani Brown. It doesn't matter. He doesn't really have time for a relationship. He just needs to focus on building Tackle It, and promoting his workshops for helping young men and boys conquer toxic masculinity.

Then a drill happens in their shared building that ends with Zaf heroically carrying Dani out of the building, and then #Dr.Rugbae is all over the internet. Dani shrugs it off while Zaf freaks out as his past is revealed... but is pleasantly surprised when the internet stardom leads to an influx of donations to Tackle It--enough to fully get it off the ground. When Zaf presents the idea of fake dating for a month, Dani agrees; she can fake it for a good cause, and she likes Zaf well enough. What could possibly go wrong? And can Dani Brown finally take a hint?

An amazing second book in the Brown Sisters series, "Take a Hint, Dani Brown" is full of laughs, sass, and fluff. So much fluff. It is a mixture of everything one loves in a romance: friends-to-lovers, fake dating, and, of course, happily ever afters. It was wonderful to return to the Brown sisters and see Chloe and Red again, but even better to get to know Dani beyond the lens of her sister's eyes.

Dani is a fabulous, strong, dedicated woman and Zaf is so supportive of her! Dani wants to be her own person outside of being defined a relationship--fine and healthy!--and she goes through some serious personal growth as she figures out how to mesh her long-term goals and new things that she wants. Namely, something more than a casual relationship. And Zaf. I love Zaf! Zaf is an amazing hero, with an amazing family and best friend, and he's such a big grumpy-faced teddy bear who is an anxious mess who loves romance novels and his niece and helping people. I want a Zaf.

I'm very interested to see what awaits the final Brown sister, Eve, in her book!

Every time I read another one of Talia’s masterful romance novels, I think, “I couldn’t possibly love this one more than the last.” And I always do. Talia writes such real, messy yet charming characters, the kind of characters you wish could be your best friends. Dani Brown is no exception, and while we got a hint of her in Chloe’s story, readers will absolutely fall in love with her here. Smart, strong and resourceful, Dani seems to know exactly who she is and what she wants out of life - but sometimes looks are deceiving, and Dani’s insistence on no-strings affairs might be more complicated than it seems. As for Zafir Ansari, he’s the romance novel-reading, in-touch-with-his-feelings ex-professional athlete (read big, strong and absolutely lovely) of my dreams. Fans of witty romance with a little bite are going to love this latest installment in the Brown Sisters series.

I don't know how Talia Hibbert manages the balance of charm and sheer horniness in her novels, but nobody does it like her! This book, which could otherwise be seen as a pretty standard fake dating narrative, is made special by the specific details she imbues into the world of the book and its characters. I absolutely love how Dani's story is underpinned by her witchy practices. I love the presence of romance novels within the book; I'm always a sucker for that. There's a sort of "newlywed game" scene in this book that is just so, so great. My one ding is that I'm never very excited for tension in a relationship because one of the people just "doesn't do relationships." It's just not a very compelling impediment to a relationship for me. That said, the sheer charm offensive of this book made that a very minor quibble.

***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

Earlier this year I won Get a Life, Chloe Brown in a giveaway and while it was way out of my comfort zone, I did enjoy it. There were lots of scenes that were far to explicit and steamy for my reading preferences. But I enjoyed the story and the idea of someone overcoming their anxieties and barriers in life to find love and success. So when I saw Take a Hint, Dani Brown available for review on Netgalley, I thought I'd like to see where she'd take the story.

Dani and Zafir are much more likable characters than Chloe and Red. I found myself really rooting for them. Dani is quirky and intelligent but emotionally stunted. Zafir is deep and passionate and riddled with anxiety. They are both overwhelmingly relatable. Their banter is fun and I loved the flip flop of the man obsessed with romance and the woman not.

I think if you are not the type to be bothered overtly sexual scenes (borderline porn) and read the story for the characters and their development then you will enjoy this story.

This book was so different than Chloe Brown, but still so incredibly great (I loved Chloe big time) in that Talia Hibbert way. Zaf was adorable, and I loved how he dealt with his issues in such a grown up way. Dani was snappy and wonderful. I wished she talked about her issues just a little bit more, but I still loved her.

Fun and light hearted with a little heat. An excellent follow-up to "Chloe Brown, Get a Life" with appearances from all the sisters. I can't wait to read Evie's story.

Dani Brown is an eminently lovable heroine—driven, nerdy, compassionate, and scared of a relationship. The chemistry in this book was palpable, and I was rooting for the couple to get together the whole time. Charming, funny, sweet, and socially-conscious. Can't wait for the third book with the Brown girls!

Absolutely loved this one! Follow up to Get a Life, Chloe Brown, Hibbert sparkles again. She writes representation into her novels with care and grace.

Talia Hibbert does it again! Such unexpected bits of humor that you can't stop reading for fear of missing even a bit. I think I need to read both of her books again to make sure I didn't! Her characters are so well drawn, you feel like you know them and want them in your living room. I really love that her characters are always true to themselves and willing to look at what is keeping them from moving forward. Can't wait for the next in this series!

A great successor to Hibbert’s ‘Get a Life, Chloe Brown’! I love how the author creates complex characters and allows them to explore mental health issues like anxiety in a way that doesn’t diminish or mock them. The romance is cute and occasionally a little steamy, while also being incredibly funny. A talented writer and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

I read Get a Life, Chloe Brown last year and was delightfully surprised by how much I liked it. I'm not usually drawn to romance, but, as I discovered, Talia Hibbert's books are much more than that.

I LOVE the diversity in Talia Hibbert's books. Dani and Zaf are both people of color, and Dani is bi. Zaf struggles with an anxiety disorder as well as grief from past trauma. He reads romance novels as a way of keeping hope alive and teaches young boys how to be emotionally vulnerable and to prioritize mental health. What?? That's awesome.
Dani is a brilliant academic who is just looking for a friends with benefits situation. She is confident, loves herself as is, and refuses to compromise her integrity for others.
What starts off as a mutually beneficial fake romance slowly turns into the real thing. The chemistry between Dani and Zaf is hot, and I enjoyed watching them fall in love and bring out the best in each other.

I can't wait for the next installment! Talia Hibbert never disappoints.

ake a Hint, Dani Brown
The Brown Sisters #2
by: Talia Hibbert @taliahibbert
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I received an ARC of Take a Hint, Dani Brown from @NetGalley and @HarperCollins. *The Pub Date is 6/23/2020.* I read this immediately after finishing Get a Life, Chloe Brown, and I enjoyed it just as much if not a little more. (Y’all should know by now how much I love series. I blame The BabySitters Club for this.)
Dani is an PhD student, and Zaf is the security guard at the building where she teaches. They go viral as #DrRugbae after a drill leads Zaf to rescue Dani from an elevator. They agree to fake date to help Zaf’s Tackle It program. However, even though Dani doesn’t do relationships, she may or may not break all of her rules for Zaf.
I laughed out loud several times during this book! I thought it was super funny, a little sweet, and a lot steamy.

I loved the first book in this series, "Get a life Chloe brown" and loved this follow up! Talia Hibbert is such a talented author, I will read future books of hers!

Take A Hint, Dani Brown is seriously addictive. The steamy, sexy romance between Zaf and Dani was absolutely FIRE. I enjoyed reading through the fake relationship and watching their relationship blossom. I also love how Talia Hibbert writes with pure humor despite the heavy tones of sensitive topics like general anxiety disorder and family death. She really knows how to mesh so many feelings and topics into one, cohesive piece of writing. Can't wait to read book #3!

Let me tell you about my experience reading Take A Hint, Dani Brown. I've been in a bit of a reading slump. My kids are home with me all the time - my prime reading time used to be the hour before I picked them up from the bus, after I'd gotten all of my work done for the day. For the most part, I read digitally - can't be helped, especially with ARCs and a limited book budget and a very active digital library card. But I spend a LOT of time on my phone in front of my kids - usually, looking up recipes to feed their ravenous hunger (a pandemic is obviously the time for a growth spurt!), trawling Pinterest for ideas to keep them occupied (the sidewalk chalk obstacle course was a big hit) or just trying frantically to keep up with emails, social media, and other communication involved in my life. Also, posting pictures of food on Instagram, which is obviously VERY IMPORTANT. All of this is to say that I'm not exactly a great model of 'hey, you shouldn't be staring at a screen all the time' for my kids, and with them home all the time, staring at a screen in front of them even more to read in solid chunks of time has seemed like maybe not a great idea.

Plus, there's the never-ending dread and existential despair to deal with, you know?

So anyway, I've had a hard time picking up a book to read. Nothing has held my attention, even though some of the books waiting patiently on my TBR pile are ones that I have looked forward to for AGES. Finally I dug out my Kindle (reasoning that a DIFFERENT screen was probably okay? I don't know), and pulled up my library, to which I had downloaded several ARCs from NetGalley right before the entire world exploded. I reasoned that Talia Hibbert would never steer me wrong (spoiler alert, I was right), and pulled up Dani Brown. I read the first sentence, and was deeply charmed and finally! ready to end my reading slump! And then my Kindle battery died.

And then I had to learn how to make homemade bagels, and order meat from local farms, and plant a garden, and approximately eight million other things most of which I have posted about on Twitter and Instagram because I'm a compulsive oversharer. And then eventually I remembered that my Kindle was probably charged by now, and sat down to read while my kids watched TV, because frankly there are some days when Spy Kids: Mission Critical is the thing that keeps the entire household running.

And then I read, and read, and read, and paused to make dinner as quickly as possible, and read some more. I finished the thing in a few hours and looked up and discovered that I was BACK, BABY. If you're going to break a reading slump, this is the book to do it with. I can't imagine another book more perfectly tailored to making me feel good.

First of all, the writing is just so good it makes me want to swear. Like, from the first page, I kept wanting to pluck charming, delightfully-written sentences out of their paragraphs to cackle excitedly about them on Twitter - but there were so many of them that I would have essentially been copy-and-pasting the entire book. Which, uh, is against the rules. Talia Hibbert has always had a fantastic narrative voice but she just keeps getting better and better; I loved Get A Life, Chloe Brown (the first book in this series), but this one is, like, exponentially better. Yes, some of this has to do with the fact that the author apparently read all of my diaries and carefully crafted both protagonists to be EXACTLY MY TYPE, but it's also because the writing is crisp, witty, and just leaping off the page with sensuality in all the right places. (The sex scenes are EXTREMELY GOOD, friends.)

There's a lot to love about this book. Zaf is the hero we all want; he reads romance novels in a much more self-aware way than the boys of The Bromance Book Club - and clearly reads a significantly more diverse selection of them (there's a shout out to Beverly Jenkins right in the text, AS THERE SHOULD BE). He's a brawny former athlete with an anxiety disorder who teaches kids - particularly young athletes - about mental health! Like, I want to hire him to teach at my kids' school. WHY ISN'T HE REAL. And Dani is EVERYTHING. She's kind, confident, and absolutely brilliant - and she's aware that she isn't always in line with social expectations but realizes that she doesn't need to be. Both of the protagonists are damaged in ways that don't necessarily show on the surface - and don't necessarily make them lesser people. They might have issues, but they're still fully realized people who occupy a place in the world that doesn't rely on them being 'fixed.' This is the kind of thing I want to see more of in romance. Make your characters real people who have to navigate a real world, with professional careers and lives that don't revolve around them finding love.

Hibbert does the same thing here she did in Chloe Brown - love improves the characters lives, but doesn't define it. They're able to grow as individuals on their own - there's an incredibly rewarding moment in Dani's professional story arc that made me shriek with glee for her growth as a person, and Zaf wasn't even in the room. And like all of Talia Hibbert's books, this one neither shies away from tough topics nor makes them the basis of the story; mental health, race, religion, and body size are all touched on (thoroughly, in dialogue, narrative, and more) as matter-of-fact parts of people's real lives, because they ARE, but the story isn't ABOUT them. It's about Zaf and Dani.

I honestly didn't have a single complaint about this book (unless you count the fact that the sneak peek of Eve's book wasn't in there, since it was an ARC - I can't wait for book 3!). The way that Hibbert used romance novels as a structure to both emulate AND discard with critical analysis was absolute perfection. My emotions were caroming through an absolute whirlpool of feelings as I read through the climax and finale, and just when I thought I'd caught my breath, the epilogue (the epilogue! not a place you expect to be wrung out to dry!) caught me up and threw me in again. I loved everything about this one.