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wilybooklover's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
I have no words to express how much I loved this book. I think it might be my favourite contemporary romance ever. It is literally perfect.
Dani was so relatable with her nerdiness and focus on work and fear of emotion. I loved how witty and sarcastic she was. Zaf was also relatable with his romance novel reading and anxiety. He was such a soft, adorable hero in the best way. The little ways they cared for each other were just so swoony. They were also both incredibly sexy so like... if they’re ever interested in a third, I’m available.
This is also one of the few romcoms I’ve read that was actually, genuinely funny and romantic in equal measure. Talia Hibbert has such a way with words and I had a giant smile on my face the entire time I was reading this book. I know I’ll be reading it again before the end of the year.
I also love that this accurately represents the racial and cultural diversity of the England I grew up in. So many books set here are incredibly white and it’s so wrong (especially in a big city).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Islamophobia, Misogyny, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Car accident, and Racism
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh Danica Brown, what ever are we going to do with her? Literal cinnamon roll Zafir drops into her lap and she can't see the forest for the trees because past relationship trauma has her head so twisted around that she can't get out of her own way and allow him to love her! The mental health rep of Zaf dealing with his anxiety, grief, and panic/anxiety attacks and creating Tackle It to help young men overcome the social stigma of "having emotions"--be still my heart! Rugby thighs and a heart of gold?? Dani's growth through her relationship with Zaf, him always meeting her where she is at that time, never expecting more from her than she can give him, and her big romantic gesture moment to win him back was so sweet. I also loved her 1 year anniversary gift to him, secretly getting his romance novels signed by the authors was such a delight!!
I loved seeing peeks at Chloe and Red's ongoing happiness and getting a few glimpses at Eve before we get to her book next. I almost wish there had been a bit more Gigi, since she's always a wild ride for advice, but I have a feeling we'll get a bit more of her in Eve's book, since I think she still lives at home with Gigi.
I loved seeing peeks at Chloe and Red's ongoing happiness and getting a few glimpses at Eve before we get to her book next. I almost wish there had been a bit more Gigi, since she's always a wild ride for advice, but I have a feeling we'll get a bit more of her in Eve's book, since I think she still lives at home with Gigi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity
notsobinaryart's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Car accident
amandalorianxo's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loved this one just as much as the first. I loved that this was a interracial relationship with two people of color. Dani and Zaf understood the point of what it meant to have a fake relationship. However, Zaf is also the blueprint for men enjoying romance novels and it made him so much more endearing. I do wish Dani didn’t self-sabotage because Zaf really was meant for her in the best way possible. The buildup and angst were great & im looking forward to Eve’s story. Talia has slowly eased myself back into enjoying romance novels. ❤️💛
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, and Death of parent
imds's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Death, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death
Minor: Infidelity
fleur____'s review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Death, and Car accident
Minor: Islamophobia
lisa_m's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is amazing!
I have already read the books about the other two brown sisters but I think this one is my favourite!
I have marked pretty much my whole review as a spoiler because there are definitely some spoilers in there but nothing massive and I try to keep everything as vague as possible.
Read on your own volition:
I mean this probably isn't a big revelation to anyone else but I realised that the more I can relate to the main protagonist the more I like the book.
Dani is also a literature nerd who is really into learning and feels like the people around her don't really care about her passion and interest in the subject. She is a feminist and super intelligent and organized. She also has a relationship/ commitment phobia. This all hits a bit too close to home..
Also she has loads of qualities I wish I had. She is super funny and has a quick wit, she knows how to handle awkward situations and is direct.
The only think I think I have that Dani could learn from me is that I'm way more in touch with my emotions but other than that she is me.
Also can we pleeeease talk about Zafir?? A man who is not only obsessed and absolutely in love with the main character (which is honestly all I could ever want), he is also super respectful, he actually listens to her and pays attention to her habits, likes and dislikes, he supports her and all her drive and ambition.
And he is sporty, has a strong build and can carry her & lift her up while kissing like it's nothing (even though she is not skinny).
Also he is a romantic and listens to smutty romance books!!!!!
If he isn't the most perfect man I don't know who is..
Also the way he loves his family and especially his niece - so cute!! All the internal monologues about him trying to be respectful and not wanting to seem creepy (while we know how whipped Dani is for him from the start). I am dying for their cuteness!!
I also think that his trauma is handled really well. I could understand it and its importance but it was neither glorified nor made out to be his one sole trait everything revolves around. I thought it was great to see that you can move on with your life after something horrible happens but that doesn't mean your completely over it or that it won't leave scars that are still there.
The ending drama was also done in a way that I think makes 100% sense with the characters and it didn't leave me feeling they don't actually care about each other like in some other books.
I feel like the conflict of that fight was something they had to work through and they both had to do some thinking and in the end they realised how they could be better.
Also I looove to finally read a friends-to-lovers book. They already like each other so much and their relationship only grows. I think that is so beautiful.
I think this is peak Talia Hibbert for me. I loved the other Brown books but this just feels like it could be about me which is such a weird but lovely thing.
I have already read the books about the other two brown sisters but I think this one is my favourite!
I have marked pretty much my whole review as a spoiler because there are definitely some spoilers in there but nothing massive and I try to keep everything as vague as possible.
Read on your own volition:
I mean this probably isn't a big revelation to anyone else but I realised that the more I can relate to the main protagonist the more I like the book.
Dani is also a literature nerd who is really into learning and feels like the people around her don't really care about her passion and interest in the subject. She is a feminist and super intelligent and organized. She also has a relationship/ commitment phobia. This all hits a bit too close to home..
Also she has loads of qualities I wish I had. She is super funny and has a quick wit, she knows how to handle awkward situations and is direct.
The only think I think I have that Dani could learn from me is that I'm way more in touch with my emotions but other than that she is me.
Also can we pleeeease talk about Zafir?? A man who is not only obsessed and absolutely in love with the main character (which is honestly all I could ever want), he is also super respectful, he actually listens to her and pays attention to her habits, likes and dislikes, he supports her and all her drive and ambition.
And he is sporty, has a strong build and can carry her & lift her up while kissing like it's nothing (even though she is not skinny).
Also he is a romantic and listens to smutty romance books!!!!!
If he isn't the most perfect man I don't know who is..
Also the way he loves his family and especially his niece - so cute!! All the internal monologues about him trying to be respectful and not wanting to seem creepy (while we know how whipped Dani is for him from the start). I am dying for their cuteness!!
I also think that his trauma is handled really well. I could understand it and its importance but it was neither glorified nor made out to be his one sole trait everything revolves around. I thought it was great to see that you can move on with your life after something horrible happens but that doesn't mean your completely over it or that it won't leave scars that are still there.
The ending drama was also done in a way that I think makes 100% sense with the characters and it didn't leave me feeling they don't actually care about each other like in some other books.
I feel like the conflict of that fight was something they had to work through and they both had to do some thinking and in the end they realised how they could be better.
Also I looove to finally read a friends-to-lovers book. They already like each other so much and their relationship only grows. I think that is so beautiful.
I think this is peak Talia Hibbert for me. I loved the other Brown books but this just feels like it could be about me which is such a weird but lovely thing.
Also Dani gifting Zaf his own books signed by his favourite authors is just THE most perfect and cutest gift ever. I'm just saying, if you plan to seduce me, take notes! ;)
One final addition: I listened to the audiobook and for a long time I thought the Hashtag was #DrRugby and the narrator had just a really intense british accent when saying Rugby... well I was a bit shocked to find out it was actually #DrRugbae hahah
Oops you thought, this is my actual last addition:
I definitely want to reread all of the Brown Sisters books and annotate the heck out of them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
taata's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Infidelity
dalmavatai's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Another steamy, emotional & funny instalment in the Brown Sisters series - which I have now officially finished! And this may just be my favorite of the series. I loved Dani & her academic background and interests, as a future sociologist I found her deeply relatable. I also ADORED Zaf and the way he openly talks about and addresses boys' mental health and goes against ideals of toxic masculinity, especially as he himself has been through trauma and has needed to embrace mental and emotional health in order to get better. I also loved his entire family and how close they all were, especially with his niece Fatima which was such a wholesome relationship 😭 Yet again this is not a 5🌟 for me because of the constant inner monologue of denial that Talia Hibbert's MC and LI seem to have to have in every one of her books ("No of course I don't love him!!!!! That would be crazy!!!!!" over and over again) as well as the fact that her third act conflicts always seem so unnecessary and her endings are a bit too cheesy for my taste. Regardless I loved the Brown Sisters trilogy and Take a Hint Dani Brown is my favorite of the series so am looking forward to more from this author 😊
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Grief, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity and Racism