At its core, Take a Hint, Dani Brown is a friends-to-lovers, fake-dating romantic comedy that flips traditional romance tropes on their head. When a video of Zafir Ansari rescuing Danika Brown during a building evacuation goes viral, the internet ships them hard under the hashtag #DrRugbae. Zaf, a former rugby player now working security and running a youth charity, asks Dani to play along for publicity. Dani agrees—but only because she thinks Zaf would make the perfect no-strings-attached “stress relief” partner.
But what starts as a performance soon becomes real. And that, for a woman who has long abandoned the idea of romance, is terrifying.
Dani Brown: The Reluctant Romantic
Danika Brown, a sharp-tongued Ph.D. student and literature lecturer, is an unforgettable protagonist. Academic brilliance? Check. Boundaries like a brick wall? Check. A sense of control over everything except her own heart? Double check. Hibbert writes Dani with such intellectual fire and emotional complexity that readers will admire her independence even as they long for her to open up.
Dani’s refusal to consider love as viable doesn’t stem from coldness—it’s a defense mechanism forged through past heartbreak and the pressures of being a high-achieving Black woman in academia. Her conversations are biting and intelligent, her inner monologue equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. You feel Dani’s push-pull with vulnerability and connection.
Zafir Ansari: The Soft Hero with a Big Heart
Zaf is a revelation. A bearded, tattooed, brooding ex-rugby player who is secretly addicted to romance novels and openly in touch with his emotions? Yes, please. He’s not only physically swoon-worthy but emotionally layered. He’s grieving the loss of his father and brother, struggling with anxiety, and working hard to support his youth mental health charity, Tackle It.
What sets Zaf apart from typical romance heroes is his emotional intelligence. He wants more—not just lust, but partnership, safety, and joy. His romantic gestures (many inspired by his favorite romance novels) are tender and thoughtful without being performative.
Their chemistry crackles with every scene, but it’s Zaf’s quiet resilience and Dani’s growing admiration for him that deepen the stakes beyond just steam.
A Love Story with Laughs and Layers
Hibbert masterfully blends laugh-out-loud humor with gut-punch vulnerability. The relationship is sexy—yes—but it’s also thoughtful. Every interaction between Dani and Zaf, from flirtatious banter to deeper confessions, pushes the emotional arc forward.
There’s a delightful contrast at play:
- Dani wants physical intimacy without emotional attachment.
- Zaf wants emotional connection and is wary of repeating past pain.
This tension creates a slow burn that’s incredibly satisfying, especially when the “fake” relationship starts to reveal their very real feelings.
Themes That Go Beyond Romance
While Take a Hint, Dani Brown is undeniably a rom-com, it explores deeper themes that add gravitas:
- Mental health and grief: Zaf’s journey with anxiety and trauma is tenderly and authentically portrayed. His therapy, his coping strategies, and his need for emotional honesty are presented without judgment or melodrama.
- Female ambition and burnout: Dani’s academic life, imposter syndrome, and her struggle to balance personal desires with professional goals resonate with many readers, especially women in STEM or academia.
- Fake dating vs. real intimacy: The trope becomes a way for Hibbert to discuss boundaries, communication, and trust, not just romantic tropes.
These elements aren’t just background—they shape the characters’ arcs and make the happy ending hard-earned.
Talia Hibbert’s Signature Writing Style
Hibbert’s prose is sharp, contemporary, and unapologetically witty. Her voice shines through clever internal monologues, character-driven humor, and sizzling dialogue. She excels at writing strong heroines with emotional vulnerability and men who value emotional labor.
In Dani’s voice, the humor is more cerebral, often academic, yet hilariously relatable. Hibbert doesn’t just write steam—she writes consent, mutual respect, and healing into every flirtation and kiss.
Her narrative pace is brisk, filled with banter and introspection in equal measure. The writing is character-first, always giving space to growth.
Room for Critique: Why It’s Not a Perfect Five
While Take a Hint, Dani Brown is widely adored—and rightly so—it’s not without minor drawbacks:
- The middle act lags slightly. There’s a point where the fake dating scenario runs in emotional circles, and some readers may crave a faster leap toward emotional vulnerability.
- Dani’s emotional arc feels slightly rushed in the end. Though we see her walls begin to fall, the final emotional leap feels compressed compared to Zaf’s more gradual arc.
- Supporting characters like Sorcha and Fatima shine but could use more depth. Their presence enhances the story but leaves you wanting more interaction.
Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise delightful novel.
Series Snapshot: The Brown Sisters
Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters trilogy stands out in the contemporary romance genre for its emotional depth, diversity, and charm:
- Book 1: Get a Life, Chloe Brown – A romance with chronic illness representation and the healing power of love.
- Book 2: Take a Hint, Dani Brown – An academic and a former athlete fall into a fake relationship that feels too good to fake.
- Book 3: Act Your Age, Eve Brown – A free spirit meets her match in a grumpy B&B owner.
Each book functions as a standalone romance while remaining interconnected through the Brown sisters—Chloe, Dani, and Eve—who bring their unique personalities and heart to the forefront of each love story.
Final Verdict: Take the Hint—Read This Book!
Talia Hibbert’s Take a Hint, Dani Brown is the rare romantic comedy that makes you laugh, swoon, and think. It celebrates messy emotions, healthy masculinity, ambitious women, and the healing power of love—with a side of viral fame.
Whether you’ve read Get a Life, Chloe Brown or are diving into the Brown Sisters series for the first time, Dani and Zaf’s love story will stay with you long after the last page. Their intimacy—physical and emotional—is the kind of relationship dynamic readers crave.
Where to Go Next: Completing the Brown Sisters Journey
If you enjoyed Dani’s story, don’t miss the other Brown sisters:
- Get a Life, Chloe Brown – A prickly web designer with fibromyalgia and a grumpy artist fall into love after a near-death experience.
- Act Your Age, Eve Brown – The youngest Brown sister, chaotic and charming, crashes into the life of a buttoned-up B&B owner—and transforms both their lives.
And if you’re looking for similar reads:
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – A neurodiverse romance with sexual tension and heart.
- Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade – Plus-size heroine, fanfiction, and emotional complexity.
- The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Academic romance with fake dating and slow-burn steam.
Closing Thoughts
Talia Hibbert continues to redefine modern romance by centering Black joy, body positivity, and emotional healing without ever losing the spark of desire and humor. Take a Hint, Dani Brown is not just a love story—it’s a celebration of finding someone who gets your weird, supports your goals, and believes in your worth.
In a world that often dismisses romance as frivolous, Hibbert proves—yet again—that love stories are revolutionary.
