At a glance, Take a Hint, Dani Brown is a delightful romantic comedy wrapped in the beloved fake-dating trope. But as you dive into its smart, deeply compassionate core, it reveals itself to be a novel about vulnerability, mental health, boundaries, and learning to love on your own terms.
Talia Hibbert, already known for her witty prose and diverse characters, sharpens her pen here to carve out one of her most complex heroines to date—and pairs her with a cinnamon-roll hero who’s more than meets the eye. This isn’t just a love story. It’s a lesson in softness, safety, and showing up for yourself and others.
The Plot: Hashtag #DrRugbae Changes Everything
Danika “Dani” Brown is a brilliant, bisexual Black academic pursuing her PhD and burning with ambition. Romance? No, thank you. She’s had her fill of relationship disasters and now prefers a schedule of work, the occasional casual hookup, and rituals to honor goddesses and reclaim her energy.
Zafir “Zaf” Ansari is her university’s grumpy, bearded security guard with a past in professional rugby and a soft spot for romance novels. When a fire drill gone wrong results in him rescuing Dani in his arms—and the video goes viral—the internet dubs them #DrRugbae, and a fake relationship is born.
But behind the social media sensation lies a slow-burning connection neither can deny. Zaf has his own reasons for playing along: his mental health nonprofit “Tackle It” for boys needs the publicity. Dani wants to keep things strictly physical. Yet the more time they spend together—holding hands in public, texting late into the night, sharing quiet truths—the less fake the relationship feels.
Meet Dani Brown: The Reluctant Romantic
Danika Brown is refreshingly independent, outspoken, and self-aware. Her aversion to relationships isn’t a defensive wall—it’s a conscious decision shaped by her past. She’s witty, unapologetically sexual, and gloriously smart.
Yet her character arc is deeply human. As the story unfolds, we see her resistance to emotional intimacy slowly challenged—not through grand gestures, but through subtle, sincere connections. Hibbert’s portrayal of Dani is both empowering and intimate, crafting a heroine who’s never asked to change herself to be loved, but who begins to believe she can be loved just as she is.
Meet Zafir Ansari: A Hero for the Modern Age
If Dani is a rebel with a plan, Zaf is a gentle giant with an aching heart. Hibbert resists the archetype of the alpha male and instead gives us a layered, vulnerable man who reads romance novels, meditates, and is unafraid to cry.
Zaf’s backstory—marked by the trauma of losing his father and brother—adds emotional weight without veering into melodrama. His work with “Tackle It” to support boys’ mental health and challenge toxic masculinity is noble and timely. He’s the kind of hero who isn’t afraid of Dani’s power but reveres it.
Their emotional push and pull—especially when their motivations for the fake relationship begin to diverge—feels authentic, tender, and complicated in all the best ways.
Tropes Done Right
Talia Hibbert plays with romance tropes but never lets them become cliché. Here’s what works exceptionally well:
- Fake Dating: A delicious setup that leads to real emotional stakes.
- Grumpy-Sunshine Dynamic: Zaf is gruff and golden-hearted; Dani is sunshine dipped in sarcasm.
- Friends-to-Lovers Energy: Their banter is electric, but the trust and comfort between them is what truly sizzles.
- Mutual Healing: Both Dani and Zaf help each other confront past wounds and redefine love on their own terms.
Hibbert’s Writing Style: Sharp, Sexy, and Soulful
Talia Hibbert writes with a voice that is both breezy and grounded. Her narrative glides between laugh-out-loud internal monologues and profound emotional beats. The banter between characters crackles with intelligence, and the chemistry between Dani and Zaf is magnetic.
Her prose is full of heart, humor, and honesty. She doesn’t shy away from exploring mental health, anxiety, trauma, or the nuances of consent and emotional labor—but she always does so with grace, respect, and just the right dose of humor.
Favorite Moments & Dialogue
Some of the most poignant moments come from quiet conversations, like:
- When Dani says she doesn’t believe in relationships—and Zaf respects that, even when it breaks his heart.
- Zaf texting her in the middle of the night because he misses her, but still giving her space.
- Dani, finally able to say, “I’m proud of you, Zafir”—a simple line that hits like a declaration of love.
And of course, there’s plenty of steam to keep romance lovers fully engaged. The sex scenes are not only hot—they’re intimate, affirming, and rooted in emotional connection.
Where It Shines
- Diverse and Inclusive Cast: From bisexual leads to Muslim representation, Hibbert writes real-world characters with depth and joy.
- Mental Health Awareness: Zaf’s journey with anxiety and therapy is portrayed with sensitivity, normalizing vulnerability in men.
- Empowered Female Lead: Dani is brilliant, independent, and never punished for her sexuality or ambition.
- Laugh-Out-Loud Humor: From awkward family conversations to fake dating antics, there’s a levity that makes the emotional depth even more satisfying.
Where It Falters (Just a Little)
- Pacing Near the Middle: The middle section lags slightly as the fake-dating plot thickens. Some readers may crave a bit more external conflict to balance the internal growth.
- Tidy Resolution: While cathartic, the climax wraps up a bit too cleanly. Emotional walls built over years are dismantled rather quickly.
Still, these are minor critiques in a romance that otherwise hits nearly every emotional and structural beat.
Series Snapshot: The Brown Sisters Trilogy
- Book 1: Get a Life, Chloe Brown – A rom-com with grit and heart, featuring Chloe’s journey toward reclaiming joy after chronic illness.
- Book 2: Take a Hint, Dani Brown – A fierce feminist academic meets a grumpy romantic ex-athlete in this fake-dating turned real-love tale.
- Book 3: Act Your Age, Eve Brown – The youngest Brown sister causes chaos and finds love in a charming B&B setting.
Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters series is a cornerstone of contemporary romance, and Take a Hint, Dani Brown may just be its most emotionally intelligent installment.
Related Reads & Recommendations
If you adored Take a Hint, Dani Brown, here are a few more books you’ll enjoy:
- Get a Life, Chloe Brown (Book 1 of the series) – For more Brown Sister magic.
- Act Your Age, Eve Brown (Book 3) – The youngest sister’s turn at love and chaos.
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – A brilliant neurodivergent heroine and steamy romance.
- Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall – Another fake-dating gem with humor and heart.
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Academic romance with a slow-burn spark.
Final Verdict: Should You Take the Hint?
Absolutely.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown is romance done right—sensual, witty, and emotionally resonant. Talia Hibbert crafts a tale that is both escapist and deeply grounded, proving that love stories can be feminist, inclusive, and fun.
Whether you’re here for the fake dating, the mental health rep, or the smart-and-sassy love interest, this book will leave you grinning, sighing, and maybe texting your crush.