Talia Hibbert is a Black British author who lives in a bedroom full of books. Supposedly, there is a world beyond that room, but she has yet to drum up enough interest to investigate. She writes sexy, diverse romances because she believes that people of marginalized identities need honest and positive representation. Her interests include beauty, junk food, and unnecessary sarcasm. You can find her online at taliahibbert.com. You can find more of my reviews of her works here.
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. When big, brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it's an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and former rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact to him, a video of the heroic escape goes viral. Suddenly, half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae—and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse? Dani's plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf is secretly a hopeless romantic—and he's determined to corrupt Dani's stone-cold realism. Before long, he's tackling her fears into the dirt. But the former sports star has issues of his own, and the walls around his heart are as thick as his... um, thighs. The easy lay Dani dreamed of is now more complex than her thesis. Has her wish backfired? Is her focus being tested? Or is the universe just waiting for her to take a hint?
I immediately knew that I wanted to see one thing out of this book, especially with that cover (so cute!): how would Danika and Zaf's relationship be affected by their immediate claim of internet fame? What we get from this novel is so much more. Yes, we do see the immediate impact on their friendship-turned-fake-dating due to the viral video, but there's even more involved in that thrust into the spotlight. Like, Zaf's anxiety, and Dani's aversion to romantic relationships in general. Both of those emotional and mental barriers come up as a reaction to the video and to their new relationship, and Hibbert creates a much richer and more complex story because of it.
I enjoyed how Dani and Zaf don't have "traditional" jobs or past experiences—and yet, they are incredibly relatable. Dani is working towards a PhD, and Zaf was a professional athlete before diving into charity work. I love this exploration of other jobs and life experiences—don't get me wrong, I love the New York rom coms where the leads are businesspeople or lawyers, but I feel like Hibbert gives us a true slice of life by diving into professions and experiences not traditionally depicted in romantic media. This is also true in regards to Zaf's anxiety and depression, which is also thoughtfully and compassionately depicted.
This book is hilarious, that's for sure, and it's all because of Dani's sarcastic humor, and her ability to always say what she means. Dani is the perfect kind of romantic lead, because she is so averse to romantic relationships—and by the time we reach the "safety net" of the happy ending, Dani's character is the one that proves there's always room to grow, without compromising your principles. Dani's voice really spoke to me. Even though I can't think of a book character I've ever been the complete opposite of more than her, her journey to welcome love and joy into her life is a really powerful one that resonates.
Hibbert tackles the last sister's story in the final companion, Act Your Age, Eve Brown. Stay tuned for my review! You can find more from Talia Hibbert online at taliahibbert.com. You can find more of my reviews of her work here.
*This review can also be found on my Goodreads page*
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