Take a Hint, Dani Brown: 2 (The Brown Sisters)

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Two talented chess players challenge each other on and off the board in bestselling author Hazelwood’s YA debut. I really enjoyed how it was almost a role reversal of what we find in a “typical” romance, where the male love interest appears to be the one who is pining from the beginning. Huge yes to rejecting gender stereotypes! Dani was more of a struggle for me. I liked her nerdy side and her dedication to her research, but her commitment issues felt... tiresome for me by the end. It took forever for her to admit her feelings, and I grew tired of waiting for her to get there. I understand why she felt the way that she did, but it felt myself skimming and wanting them to just communicate. What kind of romance is this? Contemporary fresh, with sassy and woke dialogue and characters, narrated with British diction that mostly works (I love how classy it sounds when they say “for foox sake” but my American ears cringe at the pronunciation of words like aluminum.) This book gives good trash talking banter and two explicit sex scenes (plus weirdly often use of the word “precum” throughout). Theres also this wonderful conversation about the difference between changing yourself for someone else and someone encouraging you to grow and become a better version of yourself. This is such an important distinction and I was so glad to see it discussed in a romance book, where many times the characters feel the need to change themselves to be with their love interest, which should not be the case!

This book is addictive! Sooooo sweet! I’m mumbling “sweet and swoon” words like a sacred mantra for at least 45 minutes and I cannot stop! Ladies and gentleman: we officially have one of the dearest sweetest and hottest book couple and we’re introduced the best, charming, sexy, romantic, Alpha book- boyfriend Zafir ( Meaning of his name is victor, successful and triumphant one! Well, I may declare he triumphantly stole the most readers’ hearts!)Then what's the murder glare for?" With complete seriousness, he told her, "This is just my face. I have a murder face." I loved how there was no power imbalance. Just two people who really bloody fancied each other having a healthy sexual relationship. However, there wasn’t too much sex I felt. Maybe two or three scenes? But the smut that was there was definitely on the more explicit side of things. I think it’s a good balance for those who might want a little more steam than your typical romance but for it to not overshadow the plot. so Zaf’s dead brother bothered to invade his mind and comment that it’s haram to lie but not on Zaf wanting to know the parts of Dani that aren’t on display??😂😂😂

So yes, there was a lot to love about this book, but I did have some issues! Firstly, the plot kind of stalled in the middle of the book. There wasn't enough drama, and the pace slowed down due to many internal monologues. We knew from the start that Dani didn't do relationships, but I felt like I was being beaten over the head with it, as it was repeated over and over in both character's heads. The friendships were amazing! Dani with Sorcha, and Zaf with Jamal. Zaf and Jamal reminded me of Red and Vik in the first book, and I loved how they provided emotional support for each other. Danika Brown, a clever, witty workaholic doesn't do romance, she's too focussed on her academic career, and has been burnt in the past. She just wants a friends with benefits type situation. When her sexy friend Zafir Ansari, a sensitive, brooding, romantic former rugby player rescues her from a disastrous fire drill, it goes viral, and they embark on a fake relationship to boost Zafir's rugby charity. Will their plan work? Or will it lead to more?! I have so much more that I love about this book but I’m struggling to be coherent about all the little details that made this book so wonderful! I think the best advice I can give is for you to read this book!Talia Hibbert has done it again with the second book in her series about the Brown sisters. I loved this book so flippin’ much! I loved both of the families, Dani and her sisters, Chloe and Eve, plus Gigi, and Zaf with his mum, Kiran and Fluffy! They were all so supportive of each other! I just want to hang out with all of them! I understand this is a trope being turned on its head; Dani is wealthy and alpha-female and anti-commitment but she had very few traits that softened her. A man in this situation wouldn't deserve his love interest so I don't think she deserves her hero Zafir. I enjoyed how Zaf was a sensitive, intelligent, vulnerable romantic man! You don't see that a lot in romance, especially with male sports stars. He was open about his anxiety and grief, about loving romance books, and about wanting his own happy ending. He was so patient with Dani, and really supportive of her, he treated her really well, which just made me fall in love with him! I also liked how Dani was a socially awkward, cynical female with a guarded heart, who struggled with her emotions and feelings, and was slow to open up to people. It was like a role reversal! Together they did make a good pair, they balanced each other out and encouraged each other to be themselves. It was a reoccurring theme throughout the book, that you shouldn't try to change your partner, but accept them as they are.

I have so much more that I love about this book but Im struggling to be coherent about all the little details that made this book so wonderful! I think the best advice I can give is for you to read this book! She was amazing as a character but a little weak as a heroine. Her hero consistently gave gave gave but she rarely reciprocated even the smallest of things(like compliments or reassurance)even the ones that took little effort. Major or minor, if something keeps you human when pressure makes you feel like a volcano, hold on to that thing by whatever means necessary."Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits - someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom. Have you ever started a book, and just known from the beginning that this was going to be a new favorite? Because that’s what happened with me and this book. I read Get a Life, Chloe Brown in the beginning of the year, and immediately added Take a Hint, Dani Brown to my TBR without even reading the synopsis. I loved Chloe Brown enough that just by seeing the cover of Dani Brown I was sure I was going to love it. And I was right!