Book: One In A Million
Author: Beverly Kendall
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I thank the publisher, Graydon House, for sending me an ARC. This one is a very tricky one to rate. I did have fun with it. However, this is one that you have to suspend your sense of reality on it. If you don’t then this will be a miss for you.

In this one, we follow Whitney and Myles, who have been brought together by a mix-up that was never supposed to happen. Whitney “Sahara” Richardson has it all: Grammys, an Oscar nod, a billion-dollar fashion empire, and a perfectly planned future—including marriage and kids, in that order. But her meticulous life takes a shocking turn when a fertility clinic mix-up makes her a mother before she’s ready. Myles, a successful lawyer, is also reeling from the same mix-up. Already grappling with the failure of his second marriage, he’s determined to hold onto his daughter, Haylee, and fears Whitney will take her away. As their lives intertwine, their mutual devotion to Haylee sparks an unexpected connection, forcing them to question everything they thought they wanted—and needed.

This one delivers a heartfelt and thought-provoking story that deftly combines romance, family, and the complexities of identity. At its core, the book explores what happens when a mix-up at a fertility clinic disrupts the lives of two people from vastly different worlds—Whitney “Sahara” Richardson, a global superstar, and Myles, a grounded lawyer navigating the fallout of his second failed marriage. As their daughter Haylee is biracial, the added layer of race and identity brings meaningful depth to the story.
Whitney initially intends to sign away her parental rights, believing her meticulously planned life leaves no room for the unplanned. But as she meets Haylee and begins spending time with her, Whitney’s maternal instincts and love for her daughter grow, leading her to fight for a place in Haylee’s life. Myles, fiercely protective and determined not to lose another family connection, struggles with the idea of sharing his daughter. His initial resistance to Whitney softens as he realizes there’s more to her than the glamorous perfection she projects.

The novel shines in its exploration of identity and family dynamics. Myles’ fears about Haylee navigating a world where she will be seen as Black, and Whitney’s realization of how much her daughter’s racial identity will shape her life, provide a nuanced look at parenthood in a multicultural context. These moments give the story depth and offer readers a fresh perspective on love and responsibility.

The storytelling excels in developing Whitney and Myles as characters. Both start guarded and set in their ways but evolve beautifully as they confront their vulnerabilities and discover unexpected feelings for one another. The romance, while sweet, can feel rushed at times, and Whitney’s near-flawless persona—world-famous singer, Oscar-nominated actress, and billionaire fashion mogul—borders on “Mary Sue” territory. However, these shortcomings are balanced by the emotional resonance of their journey.
The book is undeniably a fun and engaging read, though it requires some suspension of disbelief—after all, fertility clinic mix-ups and whirlwind love stories aren’t everyday occurrences. Still, Kendall’s ability to weave in humour, heart, and drama makes this one a compelling tale.

Fans of romance that tackle meaningful themes while offering an escape will find much to enjoy here. It’s a story that reminds us love can come in the most unexpected ways—and sometimes, those surprises are what shape us into who we’re meant to be.

Overall, I did enjoy this a lot. It was a fun and quick read. I don’t think it is going to be for everyone, but if you are looking for something quick, steamy, and family-centred, I encourage you to give this a go.

This book comes out on March 18, 2025.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/GPi2cU0VaXE

One in a Million is my first book from this author and it won't be my last. I haven't come across many interracial romance stories that I've enjoyed but I will say that I enjoyed this one a lot. It was a well written story with great characters, dealing with real life problems and handling them in the best way possible in for the baby involved. I enjoyed the interactions between Myles and Whitney and loved it even more when Whitney showed Myles she had just as much power he had when needed although, I loved it even more when they handled the situation like adults and handled things themselves, however, I cannot say the same thing when it came to Holly. I disliked (not the word I really want to use) her from the very beginning, especially when she stated her reasons for not wanting Haylee and then I disliked her even more when I found out the actual truth. Eventually she got what she deserved in the end, which was nothing. I do wish there was an epilogue at the end giving us a glimpse with the entire family, the little bundles included, but overall, it was a great, sweet, and steamy romance read that left me looking forward to reading more books from this author.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House), and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Beverly Kendall’s One in a Million centers around Whitney “Sahara” Richardson, a world-renowned musician who seems to have it all— Grammys, an Oscar nomination, and a billion-dollar clothing line. She’s at the top of her career and has everything in her life meticulously planned. But life, as it often does, has other plans.

Whitney’s carefully controlled world is turned upside down when Myles, an enigmatic lawyer, unexpectedly enters her life due to a mix-up at a fertility clinic where they are both clients. This accidental event sets off a chain of events that forces Whitney to confront not just her personal and professional aspirations, but also her feelings for a man who challenges everything she thought she wanted.

Myles is calm, grounded, and refreshingly different from the high-profile world Whitney inhabits. where a mix-up leads to their paths crossing in the most unusual way, sparks a compelling chemistry between them. As they navigate this unexpected connection, Whitney finds herself torn between her planned future and the emotional pull of a relationship that wasn’t part of the script.


Rating: 4/5
One in a Million is a must-read for those who enjoy a strangers to friends troupe and friends to lovers troupe.

A pretty unique love story. I love there being a strong black female character who is so loved. I also enjoy the way they both compromise in their relationship, and learn to work through conflict in a healthy manner.

I almost just feel like I was never able to truly get into their heads. I understood their emotions on a superficial but this story was much more about the plot than getting into the character’s heads.

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC.

Aside from the grammar errors, unclear passages of time, constant unclear point-of-view changes, and abrupt scene changes, the story has potential. It also left a lot to be desired. More effort could’ve been put into developing the background of these characters, their coparenting relationship, as well as the romantic relationship between the two leads. Instead the reader is left with some unnecessary bouts with random, insignificant side characters that had no importance to the overall plot.

The female lead in this book is also someone I cannot root for. She didn't push for full or equal custody; instead, it seemed like she was willing to let him retain primary custody just to appease him so he would allow her in her daughters life. She was also content on settling for a "situationship” with him just because he was adamant about not being married a third time after being divorced twice. There’s this emphasis of her being this girl boss amazing celebrity star only for her to end up settling for less throughout the entirety of the book.

This book had a decent start, but ended up falling flat for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Harlequin and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

I’ve never read anything like this which is hard to say in romance but the biggest of compliments. This book is Jane the Virgin if instead of a single woman, a married couple’s surrogate accidentally has an egg from not the wife fertilized and implanted.

And the egg used happens to be an egg that Rihanna had frozen.

Yeah, so the meet cute is batshit (as are many elements in the story) but this is some of the most fun I’ve had in romance in forever. I can’t recommend it more!

When Myles and Whitney/Sahara meet it’s to introduce Whitney to her daughter which is a bit surreal. Secret baby never presents as a secret to the mother! What happens next is instalove. Whitney falls in love with their adorable daughter and refuses to give her up. Myles is both terrified that this billionaire will take his daughter away and incredibly lusty over the new woman in his life (and her ass, he’s absolutely an ass man).

The book is an actual soap opera on the page. There’s paparazzi, corporate secrets, insane exes and lots of juicy details to keep you turning page after page. It’s absolutely a fun ride and such a joy to read something fresh.

I didn’t read the first book in the series (Token) and there were moments in the early parts of the book I had to shift through all the people I didn’t know but other than that I didn’t miss a ton by jumping into the series here.

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

One in a million truly had a one in a million occurrence that brought these 2 lovers together. Whitney and Myles meet under the most unlikeliest of circumstances. Whitney is his baby’s mother without having ever met Myles. When Whitney meets her daughter it’s love at first sight. Myles is wary of this as he doesn’t want Whitney to come and take his daughter. Whitney being famous is also a huge turnoff for the life he wants for his daughter. As Whitney and Myles navigate parenthood they realize that their daughter is not the only thing that bonds them together. I won’t spoil the rest, you have to go and read it yourself. I will say the love that unfolds between Myles and Whitney is not only sweet but the chemistry is steamy. Excellent read.

This was fine, for all intents and purposes. I adore a soap opera vibe, and this one very much had it. Haylee was a very cute baby. But there were a lot of weird jumps, the side characters were wayyyy too much, and I ethically cannot root for a billionaire (even if she is the embodiment of Black Girl Magic).

Thank you to NetGalley and Graydon House for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this book but the pacing and story set up felt a bit off. The book cover is fabulous and the premise really held a lot to promise but the finished story just wasn't for me. My thanks to Graydon House and Harlequin Publishing for the ARC!

Quick Summary: A mixed up situation-ship romance

My Review: One in a Million by Beverley Kendall is book #2 in the Token series. It is scheduled for release in March 2025.

About the Book: "Megastar Whitney “Sahara” Richardson has everything planned—including when she’ll have kids. But a mix-up at the fertility clinic makes her the biological mother of a child she didn’t carry and whose father she’s never met."

In My Own Words: A triple threat (singer/actress/businesswoman) suddenly finds herself with a ready made family. Unfortunately, that family comes by way of a bizarre mix up. Can an unexpected oops be a gift in disguise?

My Final Say: What a fantastic story! It was entertaining. It was sexy. It was quite enjoyable. All of the characters proved to be interesting. Every single one. I wanted to know them and see their stories. As for Whitney and Myles, I loved them. Once that spark was ignited and acknowledged, there was no turning back. I know one thing...this couple did not have typical problems. Whew!

* I adored the incorporated nods to the songstresses who have gone on (Whitney and Aaliyah).

Other: Readers who like unusual found family stories, stories with large community/ family circles, stories with off the cuff triangles, or stories with a baby on board scenario will totally get this contemporary novel.

Rating: 4.25/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 💖
Re-read: Yes
Mood: Lighthearted, Emotional
Pace: Medium
Drive: Plot and character driven
Mentions: Fertility issues, endometriosis
Sweet & Spicy Factor: 🍬🌶
Conflict: Yes
Tension: Yes
Chemistry: Yes
HEA: Yes
Series: Yes
Special Note: There were no loose ends with this novel. With that said, there were threads that did leave room for other stories to be explored.

Audiobook Appeal: This would be superb as an audiobook. (Sign me up!)

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this work. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

I wanted to love this book as the plot line was incredibly Intriguing but it lacked layered development and chemistry. I was hoping for more. I loved our leads and their journeys, respected them even, but together the chemistry was stiff and unanchored when it could have been so much more. This modern romance is worth the read though for it's creative plot line, sprinkled with a few surprises that keep you coming back for more.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ONE IN A MILLION originally caught my attention because of its interesting (and slightly terrifying) premise: a baby is born using a surrogate, yet the biological parents have never met because there was a mix up at the fertility clinic. And though the synopsis was enough to lure me in, I had a tough time with this novel.

I requested ONE IN A MILLION not knowing that it was interconnected with Beverley Kendall’s previous books and while it certainly can be read as a standalone—there is a ton of explanation about couples I assume are from previous books—I was having trouble keeping up with all the names and relationships of Whitney’s friends and family. At times, it felt as if I was learning more about those couples than I was about the main characters in the book.

Another issue I found was that it felt as if chunks of important information were either missing completely or simply not explored deeply enough, leading to a disjointedness in the story that had me feeling no connection between the main characters other than the baby they biologically shared.

Ultimately, the premise and quick twists and turns at the end were interesting, and the writing was good.

First, a big thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!

Although I hadn’t read Token before diving into this book, it didn’t hinder my ability to get fully immersed in the story.

The writing flows well, and I enjoyed following the dual POVs of Whitney and Myles. However, the frequent shifts between their perspectives—sometimes within the same paragraph—could be a little disorienting. The premise was refreshingly unique: a baby arriving before the parents even meet? Definitely a storyline I hadn’t encountered before, and it kept me intrigued.

As a young mom myself, I deeply connected with Whitney and Myles’s love for their daughter, which added a layer of relatability and emotional resonance to the story.

The plot delivers a fun little twist toward the end, but it doesn’t detract from the sweet and satisfying HEA (Happily Ever After).

Overall, this was a charming romance with a creative concept and heartfelt moments.

This concept of One in a Million is fascinating: it's like a reverse Jane the Virgin with similar vibes. Whitney is a mega celebrity in her prime who finds out her eggs were accidentally used and boom, she's got a six month old daughter, Haylee, with Myles who is an elite family lawyer (ironically).

Myles is initially married when it all happens, but the ex-wife is awful and out of the picture quickly. Myles had clear flaws and insecurities--mainly, his ability to judge woman's character given that he's had two failed marriages. He's hostile to Whitney at first and wants her to relinquish custody rights and passes judgment on her prematurely before they really connect. But he does have growth in the book.

Whitney I absolutely loved; she's the definition of girlboss. She's an actress and singer with her own business, but she's also smart, self-assured and so devoted to Haylee. She wanted to make sure her daughter, who is biracial, grew up in the best environment with an understanding of both sides of her identity.

Whitney and Myles together, though -- I wasn't super compelled. They have insta-lust but mutual semi-animosity that magically seems to vanish after just one meeting where Myles' twin sister mediates. The book is very well-written, but the dialogue and especially the characters' inner monologues felt clunky/awkward at times.

I liked this book but I didn't fall in love with it and found myself losing interest in certain parts. I still think it's worth a read for romance lovers because of how unique the central plot is-- it's not your usual romance. And Whitney is simply a fabulous character, I adored her!

Thank you so much to Graydon and NetGalley for this ARC!! 📚

Sahara is at the top of her game and a star. A mixed up at the fertility clinic where her eggs are store unexpectedly gifted her a daugther. The biological father Myles is reluctant to share their daughter....

It's an interesting storyline. Myles is a bit too annoying for me at first. He wasn't very understanding in the beginning. The ending was good though.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc

She’s got everything planned—including when she’ll have kids. Until something completely unplanned turns her world upside down.

World-famous Whitney “Sahara” Richardson is at the top of her game. With four Grammys, an Oscar nod, and a billion-dollar clothing line, her career is skyrocketing. Even her headline-grabbing dating life is looking up. And if everything goes as planned, marriage and children are just a few years away—and they will come in that order.

That is…until a mix-up at the fertility clinic where her eggs are stored puts the cart before the horse. Oops. Whitney suddenly has a daughter…whose biological father is reluctant to share her.

One in a Million is a fun celebrity rom-com with the poignancy of Abby Jimenez and a modern twist on “surprise baby” for fans of Jasmine Guillory.

My Take:
I enjoyed the first book in this loosely connected series, starting with "Token." I was delighted to discover that "Sahara," introduced in "Token," was featured in her own book. Although there are cameo appearances from characters in the first book, reading "Token" is not necessary to fully grasp this story. "One in a Million," like "Token," is an excellent choice for book clubs. The premise is thought-provoking, with fertility planning being a significant concern for many, and the elements of race relations and spicy romance add depth to discussions. That said, if the mix-up reminiscent of "Jane the Virgin" that initiates the story bothers you, this book might not be your cup of tea. Personally, I found it engaging and plan to use it as a springboard for discussion.

I have never read a book like this before, and was unsure how all of it would pan out, but it turned out great. The connection between Whitney and Myles could've been explored a little bit more though, because I do feel like it was rushed towards the end. I did love how the book touches on the topic of biracial children and raising them. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read this!

This book has one of the most unique premises I’ve seen in a romance but pulls it off so well. I really really appreciated the realities of a white man raising a biracial child being addressed and how it didn’t shy away from any of those components while also being a fun opposites attract celeb romance.

This is my first book by this author and it will not be the last!

The plot of this story was very ending, new and had me addicted from the first chapter! The many shocks and twists kept me engaged and I absolutely loved Whitney and Myles. Our two main characters were so relatable and I felt their every emotion!

A very beautiful read and one I couldn’t put down till the last word was read!

I thought this started off strong but then I was left with a feeling of wanting more by the end. I wish their relationship had been more developed. For the most part I liked both main characters. The plot is one of those where you have to suspend your disbelief because it's kinda over the top, haha.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!