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ahsatan82's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't really care for the name of the agency. And some other aspects left me feeling a way. I'm all for getting to the bag but for the clientele it benefited just felt like they'd buy their way out of bad press but did they really learn or change their ways. It held my attention and I saw the good intention behind the agency. So for that I give this book 3 stars.
jester_reviews's review against another edition
How disappointing for the last book of the month.
Honestly, I don't know what I expected for this book. Part of me wanted a cute rom-com with something intelligent to say about racial diversity in the workplace. But as I started reading it, I was like, "Wait, this should have been a whole satire."
My first hint that something was amiss was that the cover features a woman with medium brown skin, yet the MC is described as light-skinned. That's not inherently the author's fault, but it's still a glaring flaw when covers can't get their main characters right.
As multiple people already pointed out, the company Kennedy started, TOKEN, is more of a PR company focused on racial diversity (meanwhile, I find it ironic only one queer person works at TOKEN...tokenizing HIM) rather than trying to rehabilitate companies to make them overall less racist. Kennedy starts the book acting as the token representation on a board full of white men and starts a business doing just...that? I would have liked to see Kennedy be more ruthless about that. Like she knows what she's doing isn't solving racial diversity, but she's here to get the coin and willing to take advantage of companies. Wouldn't it have been funny if she employed social media plants to help fan the flames when a company's in a scandal, so they come running to her? Like, come on! I would have loved a morally gray main character here. Instead...we got Kennedy. I wanted to like her badly but couldn't get behind her. She's one of those characters where every straight guy is attracted to her in some way, shape, or form. On one hand, a black woman being as romantically desirable is refreshing. On the other hand, there comes a point where this goes too far, and it becomes redundant and cliche. She also knows she struggles with commitment...yet she stayed in a 2-year relationship and was all surprised by Pikachu when he proposed. And this was more commented on as an "oh, Kennedy, you're so quirky." moment rather than a "Kennedy, you need to get your shit together" moment. I hate to say it, I was on Aiden's side for that, even though he was a D-bag.
Nate is...okay. I know a lot of other reviewers commented that he was an asshole, and I get that? But most of my problems with Nate land with my general problems of billionaire romances. I get that it's wish fulfillment, but I was almost 50% in, and there's barely any talk about that insane power dynamic despite this feeling like the type of book where that should be commented on. I skipped ahead and read some of the later chapters, and I was like...girl, you're putting up with this??? And also the fact that he tried to strong-arm Kennedy (who, keep in mind, he wanted to be her client) into helping him by bringing up the fact that he took her virginity???? That whole thing put me off from reading more, and it didn't help that the book was WEIRDLY obsessed with that fact. Other than that, I don't understand what our main couple sees in each other. They banter a bit, sure, but banter doesn't make a good relationship. They seemingly had nothing in common other than the fact they found each other hot, which made this supposed rom com shallow.
Oh well. I'll cope and move on to something else.
Honestly, I don't know what I expected for this book. Part of me wanted a cute rom-com with something intelligent to say about racial diversity in the workplace. But as I started reading it, I was like, "Wait, this should have been a whole satire."
My first hint that something was amiss was that the cover features a woman with medium brown skin, yet the MC is described as light-skinned. That's not inherently the author's fault, but it's still a glaring flaw when covers can't get their main characters right.
As multiple people already pointed out, the company Kennedy started, TOKEN, is more of a PR company focused on racial diversity (meanwhile, I find it ironic only one queer person works at TOKEN...tokenizing HIM) rather than trying to rehabilitate companies to make them overall less racist. Kennedy starts the book acting as the token representation on a board full of white men and starts a business doing just...that? I would have liked to see Kennedy be more ruthless about that. Like she knows what she's doing isn't solving racial diversity, but she's here to get the coin and willing to take advantage of companies. Wouldn't it have been funny if she employed social media plants to help fan the flames when a company's in a scandal, so they come running to her? Like, come on! I would have loved a morally gray main character here. Instead...we got Kennedy. I wanted to like her badly but couldn't get behind her. She's one of those characters where every straight guy is attracted to her in some way, shape, or form. On one hand, a black woman being as romantically desirable is refreshing. On the other hand, there comes a point where this goes too far, and it becomes redundant and cliche. She also knows she struggles with commitment...yet she stayed in a 2-year relationship and was all surprised by Pikachu when he proposed. And this was more commented on as an "oh, Kennedy, you're so quirky." moment rather than a "Kennedy, you need to get your shit together" moment. I hate to say it, I was on Aiden's side for that, even though he was a D-bag.
Nate is...okay. I know a lot of other reviewers commented that he was an asshole, and I get that? But most of my problems with Nate land with my general problems of billionaire romances. I get that it's wish fulfillment, but I was almost 50% in, and there's barely any talk about that insane power dynamic despite this feeling like the type of book where that should be commented on. I skipped ahead and read some of the later chapters, and I was like...girl, you're putting up with this??? And also the fact that he tried to strong-arm Kennedy (who, keep in mind, he wanted to be her client) into helping him by bringing up the fact that he took her virginity???? That whole thing put me off from reading more, and it didn't help that the book was WEIRDLY obsessed with that fact. Other than that, I don't understand what our main couple sees in each other. They banter a bit, sure, but banter doesn't make a good relationship. They seemingly had nothing in common other than the fact they found each other hot, which made this supposed rom com shallow.
Oh well. I'll cope and move on to something else.
ayesuh's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
zoer03's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow, I absolutely loved this book, the MC is just absolutely brilliant, kind, caring, determined and strong she’s also capable even when the shit hits the fan, she can see through to find the best possible outcomes. I also adored her relationship with Nate and how he’s such a good guy, yes he also has flaws and he does own up to some of them but he’s also decent, kind, resourceful and compassionate. There were so many elements that make this feel believable and real. Am author with whom I will definitely be keeping my beady eye on.
welove2read2024's review against another edition
5.0
OMG I loved this book! It was everything that I wanted and more. I have also found a new author that I will definitely be reading more of her books! I love a HEA and this was that. Also it dealt with race, sexism and financial issues perfectly. I would DEF recommend this book to everyone!
mayura29's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
niquee3317's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, and Classism
jaydionne's review against another edition
2.0
This was exactly what the title says…some token black bull. Read it you want to. Just know, this really ain’t it
_parisamour's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
nostalithe's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Why is there so much emphasis on her being light-skinned and having blue eyes, why did her best friend and love interest have to be white, why do they keep talking about the MMC being "her first" like that matters, why is she running a business helping racist companies and celebrity figures survive...