Review by Booklist Review
Hibbert continues her wickedly funny romantic comedy series, The Brown Sisters, by following Get a Life, Chloe Brown (2019) with a magical friends-to-lovers tale that brings together a brainy and bewitching PhD student who is afraid of commitment with a gruff and husky security guard who is a hopeless romantic. Despite their obvious chemistry and the fact that they flirt every day at work, they are fundamentally unsuited. Fate intervenes when Zaf gallantly rushes to rescue Dani when she is trapped in an elevator, resulting in a heart-melting viral video of him carrying her out like a knight holding his ladylove. They decide to capitalize on their sudden internet fame by faking a relationship so that Zaf's children's charity can get some much needed funding, but soon their public displays of pretend-affection transform into private moments of intensely hot passion. Dani and Zaf's ability to finally push past the fear of rejection and cope with depression and anxiety, as well as their devilishly good dialogue, make for engaging and authentic diverse characters. Hibbert is a rising star, and this tale will appeal to all contemporary romance fans, including those who enjoy British romantic comedies.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Hibbert's phenomenal second Brown Sisters contemporary (after Get a Life, Chloe Brown) strikes a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Danika Brown, a witchy, bisexual academic, is on the hunt for a friend with benefits who won't try to morph their fling into a relationship. Enter Zafir Ansari, former rugby player turned security guard at Dani's university. When Zaf rescues Dani from a mishap during a fire drill, Dani instantly believes he's perfectly suited to her needs. But behind his burly exterior, Zaf is an anxious hopeless romantic. When a video of him saving Dani goes viral and sets the internet buzzing about their obvious chemistry, Zaf asks Dani to fake a relationship with him in order to generate publicity for his non-profit. Hibbert doesn't use this rom-com staple as an easy shortcut to a happily ever after, instead allowing plenty of time for the development of emotions. The mutual respect that grows between them is a joy to witness, as Dani realizes that committing to someone doesn't have to mean giving up on her own dreams. Their loving, supportive dynamic is simultaneously realistic and aspirational, and Hibbert's characterizations, especially her careful handling of Zaf's anxieties, are masterful. Tender, joyous, and hot as all get-out, this is sure to make readers swoon. Agent: Courtney Miller-Callihan, Handspun Literary. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
This second entry in Hibbert's "Brown Sisters" series is a winner. After a sweet video of friends Danika and Zafir goes viral, they decide to capitalize on their sudden social media popularity. The attention benefits Zaf's nonprofit program, which uses sports to help boys process their feelings and prioritize their mental health. Dani, a witch, believes that Zaf is literally the answer to her prayers for an uncomplicated sexual relationship. The pair see pretending to be in a romantic relationship for a month as a way to achieve both of their goals. As they grow closer, they navigate Zaf's anxiety disorder and mental health challenges and Dani's wariness of romance and discomfort with emotions in general. It is impossible not to root for this heroine who will do anything for the people she loves and her hero, who is an unabashed fan of romance novels. Narrator Ione Butler does an excellent job giving distinct voices to the diverse cast of characters. VERDICT This delightful novel, worthy of all the superlatives, features one of the funniest, sexiest, sweetest romances in the genre. This audiobook is sure to be popular and is recommended for all general fiction collections.--Nicole Williams, Englewood, NJ
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Can a bearded, romance-reading, retired rugby pro convince a Type A grad student to make room for love? Zafir Ansari has been through hell and come out the other side. Seven years ago, his professional rugby career was cut short when he lost his brother and father in a car accident and sank into a clinical depression. Today, he works security at a university while volunteering for a youth rugby team and building his nonprofit, Tackle It, to help destigmatize mental illness and teach coping skills to young athletes. He has a major crush on workaholic, hyperrational Ph.D. student Danika Brown, who teaches in his building, but Zaf is pretty sure she's gay. They become a social media sensation thanks to a viral video of Zaf carrying pink-haired Dani to safety after an elevator mishap. Zafir asks Dani to pretend they're a couple to gain exposure for his charity, and the temporary arrangement is perfect for Dani, who is bi and only does "situationships" anyway. While bantering hilariously and having sex whenever possible, they both catch feelings, but Danika buries hers. As for Zaf, "his feelings for Dani were like sunlight: they'd always find a crack to slip through, a way to light things up." Zafir treads carefully, introducing balance to Danika's life with home-cooked meals and insanely hot sex. Dani's support helps Zaf reclaim his minor celebrity as a Muslim former pro rugby player (a rarity in Britain) and share publicly the personal tragedy that led him to found Tackle It. With Danika, Hibbert playfully subverts expectations, elevating the "too busy for romance" trope by giving her challenging personality traits that won't disappear with a good shag and a few "I love you"s. She also wisely gives Zafir more to do than love Dani unconditionally, as deliciously swoonworthy as that is: He has to embrace his tragic past, as it's part of the man he is today. Funny, deep, and romantic as hell. Will leave you smiling for days. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
