Take a Hint, Dani Brown is a smart, sexy, and refreshing novel by Talia Hibbert, author of Get a Life, Chloe Brown. As you might have guessed from the title, this book is the second in a series — each installment featuring a different Brown sister as the heroine — but they’re just as enjoyable as one-off books. I read Take a Hint, Dani Brown first based on a friend’s recommendation, and it’s a fabulous place to start. The book begins with Dani making an offering to her favorite goddess, partly in seriousness, partly for the fun, witchy vibes, with one request: she is in need of the perfect friend with benefits. Though charismatic, curvaceous, and perfectly capable of finding a partner on her own, Dani needs help from the universe because she keeps attracting people who want more than she’s willing to give. She’s a proud workaholic, working toward her PhD in literature with her sights set on a professorship, and can’t afford the distractions that come with a relationship. Enter Zafir: a former professional rugby player who works at Dani’s university and may or may not have a huge crush on her. When a misleading photo of the two goes viral with the hashtag #DrRugbae, Dani and Zaf realize they have an opportunity on their hands. If they pretend to be dating and keep the hashtag alive, Zaf can gain some publicity for his fledgling youth charity and Dani can have a boyfriend without any of the commitment. Thus, a fake relationship is born. As the two grow closer and things become more complicated, Dani begins to wonder if the universe sent her Zaf as the perfect no-strings-attached partner… or as a sign to let herself fall in love.

I’ll admit that I’m sometimes wary when picking up a romance novel. I’m the genre’s biggest fan when a romance is witty and well-written, has characters with depth and a plot that’s at least semi-realistic; however, too many end up feeling flat and superficial. Take a Hint, Dani Brown is definitely one that ticks all the right boxes. Hibbert’s diverse characters flip the stereotypical narrative in so many ways. Dani is a woman who loves her full-bodied figure, proudly vocalizes her ambitions, and unapologetically enjoys sex. And Zaf, a former rugby player who coaches kids how to reject the toxic masculinity often present in sports, is a gruff man who loves reading romance novels. There’s plenty of flirtation in this fun read, but Hibbert’s characters also deal with anxiety and insidious insecurity, and she addresses these topics with deliberate care. On the topic of flirtation… here’s your fair warning that the bedroom scenes are steamy. Like Dani, Hibbert does not shy away from sex, and her characters enjoy a couple of delightful, highly detailed romps. Take a Hint, Dani Brown is bighearted, surprising, and so much fun, and I can’t wait to read whatever Hibbert writes next.

I’d recommend this book to…

• Anyone looking for a modern romantic comedy that you’ll want to read in a single sitting… it’s similar in style to Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
• Anyone who adores all the mayhem that ensues when two people pretend to date… it’s similar in theme to To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
• Anyone who appreciates a hearty serving of British sarcasm in a sweet, uplifting romance… it’s similar in tone to The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary