This book was such a disappointment. A strong Black woman swooning over a mediocre white man.. truly disappointing.

I requested the book because of the BEAUTIFUL cover and the premise presented but wow this is bad. I held onto hope that maybe this was satire and it was going over my head but no, this is just bad. The premise is misleading and this book should've stayed in the draft phase. The whole book is screaming I'm a pick-me for white people. Yes the book is about tokenism but it felt like it was being embraced and practically lauded. I can't even articulate all the things wrong with this book.

Let's say the above doesn't bother you, even the "love story" is bad. It's not romantic or remotely interesting. This book is truly a lesson in what NOT to do.

The author and editor should really be ashamed.

This book does a great job of showing how racism shows up in our everyday lives and how insidious it is in the corporate office culture. Kendall does a brilliant job of delivering a satisfying romance with a lesson in anti-racism. It’s a well-balanced book that still feels like a romance despite, or maybe because of, its subject matter. These aren’t two characters who are just thrown together for the sake of a romance. They have a history and a connection to one another that rings true from their very first encounter in this book.

I like the dynamic between Kennedy and Nate, too. When they first run into each other after not seeing each other for several years, there is immediate romantic tension that makes you want to keep reading to uncover their story. Kennedy and Nate’s past unfolds throughout the course of their fake relationship that suddenly turns into something real and worth protecting against the media storm surrounding Nate. You really feel the roundness of these characters as they navigate their rekindled feelings for each other. There’s a lot packed into this book, but at no point does it feel forced or overdone. The story flows beautifully right through the last page.

If you’re looking for a smart, insightful book with romance, spice, and a bit of drama then this book is for you.

Book Summary:

Kennedy Mitchell and her best friend founded Token after she had her career path changed in the name of "diversity." This move inspired them to create a company that'll help such companies actually tackle their diversity problem (as opposed to simply pretending they're doing something).

Token is pretty much an instant hit. In fact, it even draws the attention of Kennedy's ex – much to her surprise. His business could use a bit of help from Token, and, therefore, from Kennedy. But she's hesitant to let him back into her life...

My Review:

I'll confess that I don't read much romance (something I'm working on changing!), so maybe all the undercurrents in Token are to be expected. But I just found this book to be so charming! I loved Kendall and everything about her.

There's the classic ex-trope, which was fun. But everything else was a bit of a surprise, and I had a lot of fun reading it. This is exactly what I needed on a dreary winter day, and I couldn't be happier with what I found!

Highlights:
Sense of Humor
Contemporary Romance
Ex's of the Past

I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Beverley Kendall, NetGalley, and Graydon House. I'm excited to be a part of this tour.

Like many other reviewers, I was also drawn to this book because of it’s cover. My interest was further piqued when I read the synopsis. I’m a Gen X’er and I feel like I have come of age professional along side of the focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. I have always been drawn to people who are different from me. Cultural differences have been fascinating to me. I love learning about differences as well as similarities. People truly are people on the inside. I’ve digressed a bit. My point is that I empathize with Kennedy’s character, not because I’ve been in that position but because I’ve done my best to support my colleagues who have been put in this situation.

Kennedy is by far my favorite character, and I love that instead of being marginalized. She chose to empower herself to consult with her company. She is brilliantly written, and I’d love to be part of her inner circle. I also enjoyed the chemistry she shares with Nate, and they make a cute couple. This book included heavy topics (discrimination and interracial relationships) and their complexities with dignity and respect. I hope to read more books like this as I think it’s important to understand our society. Finally, I love how important friends and family are to Kennedy.


I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a strong female lead who is the master at getting everyone (herself included) out of binds using an impressive PR campaign. I look forward to reading more from this author.

As a "token" myself, this book and Kennedy spoke to me in so many ways. I really like the concept of this book and the way it attempts to illustrate the sheer difficulty Black women in the workplace face, especially in certain fields. I really wanted to love this book but for me, there were many missing pieces that didn't quite come together, I wanted a little more. But I will say the writing was spot on and I did appreciate the overall message of a Black woman forging her own path.

I truly enjoy a novel that does a deep dive into a person's career and Beverley Kendall's Token does that extremely well.

As the story opens, Kennedy is working a temp job as a receptionist for a fashion company. She is bored just sitting there day after day until the day she is summoned to the boss' office. The head of HR informs her that they have a very important client coming in that day, Sahara, an iconic singer/actress (think Beyonce or Whitney Houston) who is getting into the fashion business, and the company would like Kennedy to be at the meeting.

The reason they want Kennedy at the meeting is to show Sahara that they are a diverse company. (They are not- Kennedy says "the company is about as diverse as the US Olympic equestrian team.") The company is willing to give Kennedy $10,000 today and hire her permanently. She negotiates a big sign-on bonus and a huge raise, enough to pay off her student loans.

Sahara likes Kennedy immediately, and the company gets Sahara's account. Kennedy's best friend Aurora is thrilled for her, and together they come up with an idea to start their own company named Token, one that provides other companies with programs to address diversity issues. They also help high-profile people clear up any PR messes they find themselves in.

The company is an immediate success, and Kennedy is thrilled to be working hard at a job she enjoys. When Aurora's brother (and Kennedy's first boyfriend) Nate unexpectantly finds himself in need of Token's services, Kennedy makes a PR blunder that puts her in a difficult position.

Token drew me in from page one. The scenes of Kennedy in the HR director's office where she realizes she has the upper hand start this terrific novel off with a bang. The characters are well-drawn, and I found the setting of the story in a PR firm that deals with diversity unique and timely.

While Nate hopes that their pretend romance for the media will stir up old feelings, Kennedy wants their relationship to be all business. Will Nate convince a relationship-wary Kennedy that he is the man for her? You'll have to read for youself- and I recommend you do.

Thanks to Harlequin for putting me on their Winter 2023 Rom-Com Blog Tour.

Title: Token
Author: Beverley Kendall
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4

Warning: There are some scenes in the book that are sexual. (I didn’t expect that, so please don’t be alarmed).

This rom-com is about Kennedy who is very strong, smart, and beautiful and is the only African American woman at her job. She is tired of being the “token black girl”. She strives to be different and diverse. She starts a PR agency called Token with her best friend, Aurora.
Aurora is the best friend of Kennedy and brother to Nate. She is a partner in the PR agency Token. Aurora grows up privileged with her famous parents out of Hollywood. She is a great friend and sister, loyal, and dedicated.
Nate is a multi-billionaire in a tech company and has moved to France. He started his company from the ground up and is doing good for himself. Nate is a hard worker, sexy, and in love.
This story is funny, satirical, flirty, and emotional. This is a story of diversity and inclusion. The dialogue and thoughts of the characters are serious and funny. The characters are likable, realistic, and relatable. There is a lot of sexual heat going on in this novel. The themes are friends to lovers, family drama, interracial dating, and comedy. This story dives into the social issues of today. Also with racial and gender issues within the corporate world. I recommend this book to avid romance readers and book cubs. I haven’t heard anything before from this author but it won’t be my last. I give this book 4 stars.

Pulled away from her reception desk to represent her company acting as if they have a diversity among their employees spurs Kennedy Mitchell to make a major career decision. Instead, she and her best friend create a company which they name Token which will help companies that do not have diversity among its employees to have better PR.

Mainly her job is as a problem fixer, with one of her newest clients who is actually her ex, and he is her best friend and business partner’s brother. On an ethical basis, she wonders if she should take him on as a client, especially since the feelings that they left behind all those years ago quickly resurface, and this soon places Kennedy in a difficult situation.

In a book that I thought would be filled with messages regarding the lack of diversity when it comes to bigger companies as well as smaller companies, this book soon focuses more on Kennedy’s relationship with Nate. His tech company is facing major hiccups and Kennedy is the perfect person to make things right. However, how can she do so when the feelings that she struggles with bring her closer and closer to Nate?

For a book with more than one message, I really did enjoy the second chance romance between Kennedy and Nate and how they found their way back to one another despite distance and time. Just as I enjoyed Kennedy and Nate‘s relationship, I also enjoyed Kennedy‘s relationship with Aurora, her best friend as well as some of the issues that Aurora kept hidden for years. This was a very well-developed story that has humor and heat and delivered a wonderful ending.

Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/xygplNC-TG8

I enjoyed this story and reading through Kennedy POV. But I felt as though hearing the story through Nate’s voice sounded off and unnecessary.

A sensational debut second chance novel its both equal parts sprinkles of romance and women's fiction.
Since the book covers heavy topics like scandals and inequity issues I was shocked to see it conveyed in light everyday conversations.
The FMC very much gave me Olivia Pope from Scandal vibes and her rekindled romance with an old flame was done very well. There was a delicate tip toeing of being professional and possibly giving in to your feelings for someone.
I look forward to more by this author.

I was so excited about this book but a few things let me down:
- the events of the story just seemed unrealistic: Kennedy is working as a temp for a corporate company, she suddenly gets pulled on the spot to attend a meeting with a famous black singer/actress basically because she’s black as the token black girl and is offered $5K, then $7,500 then $10K to attend this meeting— just attend 😒. Then meets this famous actress, they hit it off, she asks her to see her office and they “text” Kennedy where her fake office is 😒 then she gets offered a crazy high salary to join the team permanently and counters for a higher salary & longer PTO
- then it skips to two years and she’s got a man who they apparently been together long enough because he’s proposing to her. This was just weird because there was no other indications she had been dating prior to this specific chapter; it felt like the author was doing a lot of just telling & not showing.

I can go on & on…I got to a point where I started skimming quite a bit because the story was just boring & I couldn’t connect with any of the characters whatsoever.

I overall just felt like this story was LACKING on character & story development. There were far too many holes for me to even say this was executed well— I chose to dnf by chapter 10 cause one thing I’m not doing this year is wasting time & energy on books I don’t like. 😌

⭐️

Again, thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

I knew as soon as I heard about this one that I needed to grab a copy and read it ASAP. As a romcom lover, it was right up my alley. I overall enjoyed this one and I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it! It was a fun read and I think most people will as well. I enjoyed the characters and enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it!

It's an entertaining rom-com but it's also a thought provoking and multi layered story that made me reflect and think about what Kennedy is facing.
A brilliant. skilled and fascinating professional who is laid off by her former employer and land a temp job as receptionist.
This is the tart of a new enterprise and a sort of travel to become a more mature and accomplished women.
There's a lot of humour, there's romance but i was struck by the social remarks and the style of writing.
I can't wait to read another book by this author, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Graydon House for this arc, all opinions are mine

Token is clever and wonderfully written story about a Black woman making her way. Kennedy is tired of being the only Black woman at her company, and she's tired of being used for as the token Black girl to help boardrooms look diverse. She decides to take things into her own hands and starts her own diverse PR agency. Kennedy is faced with many ups and downs while she find her way. Token is a great story about forging your own path in world that doesn't want you to succeed.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read the digital arc of Token in exchange for my honest review!

I have to admit, I wasn't sure about this book at first but the more I read about Kennedy's journey through the PR world as a black woman, I changed my mind. Token is about, well tokenism. It tackles very real experiences that many black and other marginalized communities face in the world of business and practically every where else in this society. I hated Nate at first, especially during their first real conversation in the book. I wanted to throw something at him. But Beverley Kendall did a great job with his character and his relationship with Kennedy. I really enjoyed watching these characters fall in love and tackle real issues along the way.

The book is a perfect balance of social commentary and a strong romantic build up. I'll definitely be making sure we have this title on the shelves at my store.

I support the HarperCollins union so will not post this review to Goodreads until the workers have a fair contract. I liked the career part, didn’t fully believe the romance.

4.5 ⭐️
Great story full of real-world such as flirty banter, rekindled love, discrimination in the workplace, interracial relationships, racism and sexism.

I love the way the author conveys the seriousness and heaviness of issues dealt with within the book in an easy-to-read fashion. It's like you know that what you're reading is serious shit and you are still totally encaptured by the storyline and characters as well.

Our main character is a bright, hardworking, headstrong, young black woman. Growing her business with her friend and doing the leg work of making companies more diverse (as they should already be). She isn't afraid to point out if it sounds racist or sexist.. it probably is!

Thank you, NetGalley, Beverley Kendall, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC of Token.

First, I want to say is I love the cover of this book. It’s beautiful!
I really liked this story about Kennedy Mitchell a black woman who is a PR specialist who focus is to help companies that are having issues with diversity. As I read this book Kennedy kind of reminded me of Olivia Pope in the tv drama “Scandal.” Olivia was a master mind at doing PR and helping individuals get out of precarious positions even ones that included herself. Just like Olivia Pope, Kennedy is brilliant, beautiful, and strong. Kennedy runs a PR agency with her best friend Aurora. Kennedy is hired by Aurora’s wealthy and gorgeous brother Nate to help him with a lawsuit involving diversity issues with the hiring and promotions for minorities at his Tech company. Kennedy navigates this business relationship while at the same time trying to push away her feeling for Nate.
This is a great sizzling second chance romance. I really enjoyed this book, and I also loved the interracial relationships within the book.
I want to thank Harlequin publishing for allowing me the opportunity to review this arc. If you love a sizzling second chance romance with some drama, I recommend Token.

Kennedy’s got it all- brains, beauty, and a successful business. As the cofounder of the PR company, Token, she helps corporate clients recover their reputations after public blow-ups, and assists them in diversifying their staff. After ending a serious relationship following yet another unwanted proposal, she decides to lay low and stay single for a while. When her best friend’s brother Nate is embroiled in a scandal at his company, Kennedy immediately jumps to his defense. But these two have a sexy past that neither has been able to forget throughout the ensuing years. Working on Nate’s case necessitates pretending to be a couple, a situation that becomes more real every day. This smart and steamy novel will appeal to readers who enjoy their contemporary romance with a healthy dose of social commentary, storylines featuring fake dating and strong female friendship themes, and fans of Jasmine Guillory.

If you want a clever, entertaining, and sexy read with insightful social commentary on workplace representation, TOKEN is for you.

Not only did I enjoy Kennedy's hot flirtation and romance with her old flame, I also enjoyed the fact that her friendships were strong key aspects of the storyline.

Many thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.