They’re an inter-racial (Black and Pakistani) and inter-faith (witch and Muslim) couple. The set-up as to why they are fake dating is for a good cause (his charity) not something inane like tricking extended family at a wedding. Dani and Zaf are equally funny and complicated. Ok, so if you’re not a bisexual reader desperate for that type of representation in a romance novel, why might you be into this book? Well, it’s hilarious. I also want to note that, Dani isn’t an aromantic convinced into romance – she’s a romantic whose heart was shattered who’s pretending she’s not into romance to keep her heart safe. Because honey, that perfectly describes this book. Listen, if you are looking for a romance novel with a bisexual leading lady who actually uses the word “bisexual” to describe herself AND says it to the hero AND it’s no big deal to him AND there’s no cheating betwixt them AND the happy ever after is monogamous then stop what you are doing and pick up this book.

But somehow slowly the pretending feels less and less like pretend. Dani is game to pretending to be a couple until the viral attention goes away. Then the video goes viral as #DrRugbae, and his niece realizes this could be the solution for his charity. When there’s a fire alarm in the building and Dani doesn’t evacuate, he can’t help going back in for her and carrying her outside.

Zafir, once pro rugby player, now security guard at the university and founder of a sports charity for kids that’s still getting off the ground, knows he has feelings for Dani. But she certainly doesn’t have a romance problem, because she keeps her sexual relationships devoid of romance. Danika Brown, PhD student, might have a workaholic problem with her all hours of the day research, writing, and teaching.

Dani brown