A review by carina_dreamer
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

adventurous challenging funny hopeful informative 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

Once again, the books in this trilogy win me over! They aren't flawless, but the connection I get with them makes me always cross over to the top score.

📚 This time we get to follow the middle sister, Danika Brown, she is the wildest of the three. She's a college professor, a bisexual plus-size black woman, sassy and a pro in the "friends with benefits".
If in the 1st, Chloe follows a list of out-the-box things she should do, here Dani will ask the help of a goddess to get a new partner in bed. That was a funny and interesting contrast to the older sister.
The goddess led her directly to the arms of the college's grumpy security guard, Zafir, and the incident of the heroic princess carry would get them both in the spotlight.

🏈 In book 1, I wanted more backstory regarding Red and his family, plus, I disliked the rushed 3rd act break-up and its resolution. Nonetheless, I gave it 5⭐.
In book 2, the plot focused more on Zafir and his family than on the Brown sisters (I was a bit sad, but not displeased). The hard topic of anxiety and grief was his, so it needed more focus. Thank goodness, the author also improved in terms of the 3rd act's struggles. It was also quick (Bestie didn't like that again when we had our book club discussion), but I felt like it accomplished the goal of apologising in a way that would swoon the hopeless romantic in question.

📚 I suffer from anxiety and I think Talia showcased it delicately and consciously. There were examples from both characters of overthinking, panic attacks, trauma responses, imposter syndrome, hesitation out of fear, etc. And also coping mechanisms and support. The stages of grief and battle to overcome the loss and mental damage were done very well.

🏈 It was a fake dating, they needed to flaunt their relationship for social media frenzy and gossip, but in terms of actual romance, it was more of a slow burn. As usual, the author describes the tension between them very 🥵 which I love.

📚 Would've liked some footnotes translating the language Zaf and his family spoke together. That absence didn't let me understand the little representation it showed of their origins and religion.

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