The plot of this book sounded so interesting to me. Whitney is a superstar and such a strong fmc. She's a singer, actress, and business owner, saving motherhood for later. Then she finds out there was a mixup at the clinic and she's a mother to a six month old girl, Haylee, with a man she's never met. Sharing custody with Myles is full of tension as he demands she give up her parental rights and in general makes things even more difficult than they already are. I liked the story but got a little lost with all the side characters, some of them totally unnecessary to the story. I loved their HEA, but the romance was rushed toward the end of the book and could have used more focus.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

DNF @ 41%

I loved the unique premise but unfortunately this book isn't working for me so I'm gonna put it down. I really didn't like the implication that the baby needed a mother for her psychological health (implying that anyone who doesn't have a female parent is part of an incomplete family unit). Besides that I just really didn't love how Whitney needed to constantly prove to Myles that she was good enough for her daughter. He acknowledges that he has unfair standards but it just rubbed me the wrong way to have her trying to gain his approval so he would allow her to have a role in her daughter's life. She did nothing to deserve that distrust and I also hated that her having a career seemed to be a disqualifier but his career wasn't. It's also kind of icky that the plot revolves around a Black woman proving herself to a White man. On top of that, I'm also feeling no romantic connection at the 41% mark. This book was really not for me but I think it will find its audience with Jane the Virgin fans.

My first impression when I requested this book was that the FMC looks just like Aaliyah 😍 when it was mentioned in the book, I was like “she must have been her inspiration”.

“One in a million” was the perfect title for this book because what are the odds that Whitney is the biological mother of a 6 month old child that she didn’t know existed due to a fertility clinic mixing up her frozen eggs with another woman’s.

The whole situation was unique and surreal. I applauded Whitney for stepping up and taking care of her child regardless of what the father wanted from the very beginning. She definitely had a right to know her child and “co parent” with a total stranger. With her being a celebrity made things 10x more difficult but her and Myles did a great job navigating parenthood. Their chemistry was intense from beginning to the end. I love how the story unfolded and it was well paced. Once Whitney came into the picture I knew, they were going to be together. Beverley Kendall storytelling was amazing and I’ll definitely read another book written by her.

Happy Publishing Day to Beverly Kendall!

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

What are the chances of being the biological mother of a married couple’s 6 month old child you had no idea existed?

“Had to be one in a million. Or more.“ - Whitney

Whitney Richardson, better known to the world as Sahara, just received the news of a lifetime. There was a mix up at the fertility clinic and her frozen eggs were used in place of another women which resulted in the birth of a beautiful six month old baby girl.

Talk about you only see this onscreen. Hello Jane the Virgin, with a lovely twist!!

Now Whitney has to decide what role, if any, she wants to play in this little girl’s life as she gets down to the bottom of this fertility fiasco.

I wish I could say I loved Daddy Myles from the start, but I absolutely despised him and his holier than thou attitude. He was rude, condescending and put so much blame on Whitney who truly played no parts other than a concerned biological mother who wanted the best for her child. And yet, he kept dishing low blows her way. She handled every one with grace and allowed him to process his feelings and make amends, but he seldomly held space for her to do the same. I was happy with the ending for Whitney’s sake, but wish Myles had taken out those frustrations on the appropriate parties throughout her transition into immediate parenthood.

Wow! I was not expecting that plot twist towards the end, it took a rather nefarious turn. Some people needed to face more dire consequences for their actions. Something about that not happening dampened the ending for me. That triggered an interesting feeling, the Black woman grins and bears it. Makes do with what she’s dealt and makes magic out of the sticky situation she was put in. While her white counterpart causes a muck of everyone’s life, gets a slap on the wrist and is free to move on without further consequence and the ability to commit similar acts. This aspect is the only thing I wish were a bit different, but otherwise a strong and unique plot.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Warning: This book does involve the discussion of infertility, medical negligence, divorce, parental rights, fertility fraud

2.5

I finished this book yesterday, and it was such a fun, fast-paced read! It puts a unique twist on the surprise baby trope—a fertility clinic mix-up turns a superstar into a mom, and now she has to co-parent with a complete (and very sexy) stranger.

The premise hooked me right away, and I loved how entertaining the plot was. The characters were okay—I really admired Sahara’s determination and how she always found a way to spend time with Haylee while still respecting Myles’ boundaries. And Myles? I loved how much he cared for Haylee and how he would do anything to be a great dad and give her the world.

That said, I felt the romance fell a little flat. I was hoping for more focus on the co-parenting dynamic, but their relationship felt a bit rushed, and there weren’t many standout moments with their daughter. This was a bit of a letdown because, as I mentioned before, I think both Sahara and Myles are great parents. However, instead of showing us this through actions, the author mostly just told us they were.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read! If you’re in the mood for something light and fun, this one is worth checking out.

One in a Million had such a unique and captivating premise! It follows Whitney, a world-famous celebrity, and Myles, an attorney, brought together by an unexpected twist—a mix-up at a fertility clinic. The forced proximity between them, combined with their very different lifestyles, makes for a truly immersive slow-burn romance.

The chemistry between Whitney and Myles was electric, I loved how their story unfolded and loved watching them grow closer despite their differences. Whitney’s strong, driven character perfectly balanced Myles’ hesitation and resistance. And of course, the surprise baby trope added an emotional depth that kept me invested until the very end. Plus, I did an immersive read, which made the whole experience even better.

Tropes you’ll find:
Surprise baby
Forced proximity
Celebrity x attorney
Interracial romance
Slow burn

The storyline was well-paced, and the emotional journey of both characters felt authentic and satisfying. If you’re into stories that mix fame, family, and romance with a slow burn, you’ll enjoy this one!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House and Harlequin Audio for providing an e-ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review!

What a yummy romance!
Such a unique premise I was hooked right from the begging. Reverse surprise baby trope?! yeah I was captivated.
This book was a great mix of over the top-only works in romance happenings, and real life parenting and falling in love feels.

Will be recommending to friends and followers.

This was a fun read, and I loved Whitney/Sahara as an FMC. Life threw her for a loop with this mix up and while she wasn't sure what she wanted to do she didn't ignore the situation and adapted as she went and did her best and once she knew she wanted to step up and be a mom there was no hesitation on her part. I also really liked Miles because from the start he was all about his daughter and when his wife offered him an ultimatum for her or the baby, he didn't even hesitate because that was his daughter. Which is why I can understand how standoffish he was with Whitney bc his baby was essentially abandoned by her first mother within weeks of being born and now here is this woman who he doesn't know and didn't consent to be the mother of his child who could have a claim to his daughter and take her from him. So, I can understand why he was the way he was, and it actually endeared me to him a little because he just wanted to keep his daughter safe. I also liked the two of them together once they hit that point in the story. I think they had cute chemistry and the ability to talk through the issues that popped up without letting egos get in the way too much. It was refreshing.

This book was a little fast paced which made for a quick fun story, but I just wish there had been a slower transition or indications of the shifting in mood for Miles the MMC. For a good portion of the 1st half, he is very grumpy you're not taking my baby from me and very standoffish to her even with his internal musings. But all of a sudden, he is saying that he had been resisting her for weeks and it just seemed like a bit of a sudden change.

Overall, a sold fun read that I enjoyed and would recommend it.

This book is about Whitney "Sahara" who is an amazing singer, businesswoman and movie star who has a plan for her life which involves having kids... later on that is. That is until she receives a call that changes everything. Turns out the fertility clinic that was storing her frozen eggs made a mistake and fertilized them and implanted them into another couple's surrogate without her consent. Now she has a daughter who the moment she laid her eyes on her knew she wanted to be in her life even if this was not a part of her plan. The thing is the biological father who is a newly single father is being very reluctant to share her. But she didn't get where she is today by giving up when things got hard. So, she is going to prove to him that she is around for the long haul no matter what even as she ignores the feelings that start to develop every time, she is around him and sees him holding their daughter.

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Published 5/18/2025

One in A Million by Beverley Kendall is a whirlwind romance that proves life rarely goes according to plan. The story follows Whitney "Sahara" Richardson, a Grammy winning and actress superstar and a billion-dollar business owner. Everything is calculated in Whitney's life - she knows exactly how everything will unfold… until an unexpected fertility clinic mix-up shatters her carefully crafted plans. The clinic mistakenly implants someone else’s sperm, resulting in an unplanned pregnancy. Not only does this throw her timeline into chaos, but it introduces Myles Redmond big shot California lawyer her daughter’s biological father, a man who wants nothing to do with Whitney. Whitney is now a part of his life whether he likes it or not. Whitney and Myles dynamic adds tension when they clash and find common ground. This story touches on the following themes:

Accidental pregnancy/baby tropes
-Forced proximity
-Celebrity/Hollywood romances
-Interracial romances (Black FMC/White MMC)
-Single Dad
-Third person POV

If you love a story with pregnancy/baby trope and single dad then One in A Million is a must-read for you. I definitely found this story unique, however it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House for the Arc via NetGalley.

First of all, thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. The synopsis and hype around this book had me so excited to read it. I loved the kind of story that’s similar to Jane the Virgin, but slightly different. However, I think the book was just okay. I liked the characters but I didn’t really love them. Well, I did love Whitney. I really liked her and how her character grew throughout the novel. I also love reading about Hollywood and I enjoyed how the celebrity lifestyle is in this book. Regardless if my neutral opinions, I would still recommend this to romance readers.

But WAIT, the plot twists?

Imagine this: You’ve meticulously planned your life—your career, your future family, everything. You even take control of motherhood by freezing your eggs, ensuring everything happens on your timeline.

But then… oops. 😳

A shocking phone call from the fertility clinic flips your world upside down. Due to a mix-up, you’re now the biological mother of a baby you didn’t carry—one who already has a loving (and totally unsuspecting) father.

And when you finally meet him? He’s gorgeous, charming, and completely unaware that fate (and a lab error) has tied you together forever.

So… What would YOU do?

The surprise baby trope has been a romance staple for years—usually involving an unexpected pregnancy from a one-night stand, secret baby reveals, or second-chance romances. But One in a Million by Beverley Kendall gives this beloved trope a modern, high-stakes twist with a fertility clinic mix-up.

Instead of an accidental pregnancy, the heroine, Whitney “Sahara” Richardson, consciously planned her future by freezing her eggs—only to have science (and human error) throw her a curveball. She didn’t carry the baby, but biologically, she’s the mother—and now, she has to figure out what that means.

This take on the trope taps into real-life fertility advancements while keeping all the emotional tension, drama, and romance we love. Instead of just dealing with an unexpected child, Myles and Whitney are thrown into an unconventional co-parenting situation with a stranger.

💖 Why I Love It:

✨ A Fresh Take on the Surprise Baby Trope – Forget secret pregnancies—this twist brings all the drama with a high-stakes mix-up that ties Whitney and Myles together in the most unexpected way.

✨ Whitney is a Boss – As a megastar with her life meticulously planned, she’s fierce, successful, and not about to let fate (or a clinic error) derail her future. But when she meets the father of her biological child? Let’s just say, things get complicated.

✨ Myles = Certified Cinnamon Roll – A lawyer who should be jaded about love but is a total sweetheart? Yes, please! Myles is kind, patient, and protective—the type of man who steps up when it matters most. Even as he’s navigating legal and emotional chaos, his warmth and devotion make him completely swoon-worthy.

✨ Romance with Heart & Heat – The chemistry between Whitney and Myles is 🔥, but it’s their emotional journey that truly steals the show. Watching them go from unexpected co-parents to something real is an absolute delight.

📚 Final Verdict: This book moves FAST—like, buckle-up, no-time-for-slow-burn fast. And honestly? I loved every second of it! At 300 pages (aka my sweet spot 📏💖), it delivers drama, romance, and swoony moments without dragging things out.

Some readers might want more character development, but personally? The chemistry, banter, and emotional stakes were more than enough to keep me hooked. If you’re in the mood for a fun, fast-paced romance that feels like a binge-worthy Netflix movie—One in a Million delivers.

3.5⭐️ | 2🌶️

The second I read the blurb for this book, I was instantly intrigued, and honestly, I’m really glad I picked it up.

The characters were so interesting and unlike anything I’ve read before.

I loved how independent and strong the FMC was. She’s a successful woman, and even after her whole world changes, she continues to be that same person.

The MMC? Easily one of the best dads I’ve ever read, and that was really attractive.

That said, the book wasn’t perfect.

Listen, I’m not usually a fan of third-person POV, but I’m starting to get more into it. However, in this book, it wasn’t executed well. It was really hard to keep up with locations and characters, especially when the main two main characters weren’t together. The transitions between scenes weren’t smooth, and I found myself lost more than once.

This book has so much potential—I just wish it had flowed a little better.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Hive for the ARC and ALC!

I thought this book was an okay time. The concept of the book being a surprise baby trope but mix in the idea of the fertility clinic is what really grabbed my attention. It was kind of similar to Jane the Virigin, which I can appreciate.

I loved Whitney and simply seeing her character development. Going from being really famous and having your entire life planned out... to having a six-month-old baby was surely a big lifestyle change. I think she took it on with grace and I enjoyed seeing her fall in love with being a mother.

Myles, on the other hand, took too long to come around for my liking. I feel like he despised his wife so much for not wanting to be a part of his daughters' life and genuinely was upset. Because of that, I didn't understand why he was so hesitant for Whitney to be there. She was willing to be there in every aspect, but he was consistently pushing her away.

I also don't think their romance was as believable as I would have hoped. I kind of just wish they agreed to simply co-parent and the book be more focused on that journey. It seemed a little too forced to me.

I will say, the concept is really cool, and I did enjoy the twist of the fertility clinic. I also did an immersive read and while I do prefer dual narration, I think the narrator did a good job of keeping me engaged.

I received an ARC (digital) of this book thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing.
I had read the plot summary and thought this would be a fun spicy read. Sadly, it didn't all pull together for me. I felt like I didn't believe the characters would behave in ways that they did. I also didn't fully buy into their lifestyles and don't feel like the baby plot worked entirely.
I think that the book had the bones for a solid read but it wasn't quite what I had hoped. I will say that I enjoyed BIPOC representation with the FMC and her daughter and I enjoyed the bit of diversity to the book.

3/5

Title: One in a Million-standalone

Author: Beverley Kendall-new to me author

Publication date: 3-18-25 | Read 3-14-25

Format: eBook 304 pgs.

Genre:
*Rom-Com
*Multicultural Interests
*Women's Fic

Tropes:
*surprise baby
*celebrity romance
*interracial relationship
*enemies to lovers

POV: 3rd person, dual Whitney and Myles

TW: fertility issues/endometriosis, divorce, surrogacy

Setting: Hollywood, CA

Summary: Whitney has her billionaire business and personal life planned out-career success then marriage and children. She has frozen her eggs due to a medical condition, but the fertility clinic mistakenly uses her egg for a married couple-Myles and Holly. When the clinic admits it's blunder, Whitney wants to meet her daughter, six-month-old Haylee. Myles is not thrilled with Whitney being a part of his daughter's life, but he agrees to meet Whitney and come to an agreement they can both live with for Haylee's sake.

Heroine: Whitney "Sahara" Richarson-30, a famous actress and musician.

Hero: Myles Redmond-36, a lawyer, President of CA Bar Association

Other Characters:
*Haylee-their daughter
*Holly-Myles's wife
*April-Whitney's co-owner of Oasis-their fashion company
*Cheyenne-Whitney's cousin, a family lawyer
*Natalie-Myles's twin sister

My Thoughts: Even though the plot was a little far-fetched I loved it. Whitney and Myles had a rocky start while being attracted to each other. I loved that Whitney had an all-female crew and was so down to earth considering her success. I have to go back and read [book: Token|61155411] which features Whitney's other BFF Kennedy's story.

Rating: 5/5
Spice level 5/5

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing |Graydon House and Beverley Kendall for this ARC❤️️! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

This was such a fun read overall, I enjoyed the characters and felt that the story kept my interest.

The main characters had major chemistry, I really enjoyed the friend group. However the prose just wasn't for me I just wasn't a fan of it and that threw me off. Other than that there was plenty of action, and drama.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review as always, all words are my own

3.25/5 stars - I love books with a celebrity/Hollywood romance trope, so I was immediately drawn to read this. The premise is very interesting and isn't similar to anything I have previously read. I liked seeing how Whitney juggled being a pop icon, movie star, and fashion mogul while also trying to be an involved parent. I appreciated how Whitney and Myles addressed the realities of raising a biracial daughter in today's society. The plot twist was also reminded me of a soap opera, but it was still entertaining to read!

Whitney and Myles are likeable characters, but I didn't buy into their romance. There were also many secondary characters introduced, and the author provided us with a lot of details on their backstory, which ultimately wasn't necessary to move the story forward. Overall, this was a unique spin on the pregnancy trope! Read if you enjoy:

-Accidental baby tropes
-Forced proximity
-Celebrity/Hollywood romances
-Interracial romances (Black FMC/White MMC)
-Third person POV

ONE IN A MILLION – Beverley Kendall
Graydon House
ISBN: 978-1525830327
March 18, 2025
Contemporary Romance

Los Angeles, California – Present Day

Whitney “Sahara” Richardson is a multitalented singer and actress who is known all over the world. A few years ago after a diagnosis of endometritis, she put her eggs into storage at a fertility clinic in case she decides to have children. One day, she gets an urgent call from the clinic. Whitney’s eggs were inadvertently used in an IVF procedure, and she is now the biological mother of a six-month-old child. The father is the biological father and he is married. Oh, and as Whitney is Black and the father is white, the child is biracial. She is stunned, to say the least, to learn she has a child and asks if she could at least see the child before she signs off on relinquishing parental rights.

Attorney Myles Redmond thought he was building a family with his wife, Holly. She is unable to carry a baby, so they paid for a surrogate using his sperm and Holly’s egg. But something happened because Haylee is clearly biracial. They learn from the fertility clinic that there was an unexplained mix-up. Myles is Haylee’s father, but another woman is the mother. The news has destroyed his marriage because Holly isn’t happy having a biracial child. Now Myles learns that the real mother wants to meet Haylee as part of the conditions to sign away her rights. They meet, and Myles is stunned to learn that Haylee’s mother is the legendary Sahara (Whitney’s stage name). While things are tense at first, they click and then become friends. Will Whitney sign away her rights, or become Haylee’s mother in reality?

Oh, yeah… ONE IN A MILLION is a bit of a different tale and readers will end up finding it intriguing. Whitney might be rich and famous, but she is also down to earth. Myles is understandably protective of Haylee, which is why he is wary of letting Whitney into their lives. Will she attempt to lay claim to his daughter? He soon learns that all she wants is a chance to know Haylee and is okay with Myles being the custodial parent. The little family of three gets along and hopes to keep their connection secret so that the press doesn’t get wind of it. Will something happen that exposes the truth? Will Myles and Whitney end up falling in love?

Whitney and Myles are a good couple together. Both care about people and want to protect Haylee. She must hide her relationship with her daughter but manages to spend time with Myles and Haylee. A few inside their inner circles know the truth. Is that going to be a problem? Myles’s ex-wife, Holly, hangs around on the fringe, especially when she learns who Haylee’s mother is. Will she cause problems? There is no longer any love lost between the former couple and Holly is derisive about Haylee. As it turns out, Myles and Whitney spend a lot of time together and they enjoy it because they’ve come to like each other. Readers will be rooting for them to find love. You will have to read this tale to find out if that comes true.

An enjoyable tale for readers who like a secret baby tale and a couple who are sizzling together. Don’t miss ONE IN A MILLION.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

I really wanted to like this book, I really did. It just seemed too far fetched in some ways, a bit scary how easily something like the "mix-up at the fertility clinic" could happen, how terrible the villains of the story were, and how wishy-washy I found the MMC to be (he had his reasons, but still). While this was almost a do-not-finish book, the end did redeem it a bit for me. Three stars.