An explosive romance set against themes of racism, classicism, white privilege and misogyny, this story is an enthralling and page-turning read. Main character Kennedy is a great character, and empathetic, I think, to women of all ages and colour. White readers may never have experienced the covert and overt racism she encounters in the workplace, but her strong refusal to be a victim can resonate with all of us. The title Token works on so many levels. Kennedy is a “token” black woman. Her relationship with ex-boyfriend Nate could be seen as “token” to a cynical outside world. But Kennedy is also a token of hope that the world is changing thanks to people like her proving that “you’re no better than anyone else and no-one is better than you”. She’s that rare find – a heroine with confidence, who owns her talent, owns her sexuality and owns her own place in the world, while retaining a vulnerability that makes her instantly sympathetic to the reader. As the story progresses and tensions rise, she becomes ever more her own woman, until a shocking revelation sees her questioning all her achievements. Well-paced, beautifully-plotted, written with humour and passion and strength, this story works as a romance and as a social commentary on the prides and prejudices of our modern world.

Though New York might be known as a melting pot, Kennedy Mitchell is used to being the only Black woman in the room. And she’s had enough. So she and her best friend Aurora create Token, a PR firm that helps diversity-challenged companies and celebrities. But when her ex reaches out for help after becoming embroiled in a scandal, things take a personal turn and Kennedy soon finds herself fighting to save her own reputation. Sizzling, sexy, funny, and entertaining, Token is a second-chance romance brimming with chemistry, banter, humour, drama, angst, and thought-provoking social commentary. Set against the backdrop of the ruthless world of PR, Beverley Kendall explores topical issues such as racism, sexism, and diversity in the workplace. Kennedy and Nate are great protagonists. Kennedy is a gorgeous, smart, fierce and independent Black woman who is passionate about what her company does. While she might despair of the attitudes of some of their clients, she truly believes that they are helping make a difference in the world and I loved her scenes at work because of this. I loved her friendships with Aurora and Sahara, who were also brilliant characters in their own right. I had initially thought Nate was going to be seen only through Kennedy’s lens, so I was surprised when I discovered he was also a narrator. But I enjoyed getting a greater insight into his mind and motivations. It would have been easy for a rich, white man who has famous parents to feel like a vapid and one-dimensional character that no one would like, but Kendall managed to make Nate someone who is compelling. You can see why Kennedy is drawn to him as a person and the spark between them is red hot, making it easy to root for them as a couple. So if you like your romances loaded with tension, wit, intelligence, and spice, then this is for you.