Get your facts straight when you publish something, Mary Tyler Moore did not throw her hat in new York she threw it in Minneapolis. The show was based in Minneapolis, Minnesota not New York

I enjoy Kennedy Ryans writing from the other titles of hers that I have read. The Kingmaker sadly was not the story for me.

All thoughts are my own. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and opportunity!

From the moment Maxim sees Lennix, he knows she's something special. The first time he see her, she's protesting the placement of his father's new pipeline because it's going to run directly through her people's sacred lands. While her being the leader of the protest is merely an inconvenience to Maxim, the bigger problem is that she's only 17. But their meeting that day, will forever alter the course of their lives...

This was my first title by Kennedy Ryan and I really enjoyed it. I loved the conflict that kept you on the edge of your seat AND the spice. Boy does Maxim have a mouth on him... I went back and forth between the e-book and the audio and both were great.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kennedy Ryan and Sourcebooks for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

"Kingmaker" is a compelling tale of power and ambition. The characters are well-developed, and their struggles for control create intense drama. The romance is both steamy and complex, adding depth to the political intrigue. The pacing is brisk, making it hard to put down. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy stories about strong characters navigating love and power in a richly built world!

Loved it enjoyed it flew through it. This is an auto read author for me through and through. Read this book

i picked this up to read on multiple occasions. I keep getting in about 3 chapters and i just can’t get into it! I adore Kennedy Ryan’s writing so i think i just am not in the mood right now and i don’t want to rate it unfairly cuz it is not resonating right now. ALSO / the formatting on this version of the book is absolutely awful. It’s really hard to find where the chapters actually start. I’m sorry! I hope to pick it up again at a later date & rereview! 🙂

Omg the cliffhanger at the end!! Immediately running to book 2. This book was good from the very first page and everyone should give it a chance!

*The Kingmaker* by Kennedy Ryan is a powerful blend of romance and political drama. The novel follows ambitious politician Lex Campbell and passionate activist Raven Rivers as they navigate a world of high stakes and intense emotions. Ryan’s sharp writing and complex characters make the story both compelling and poignant. While some plot elements are predictable, the chemistry between Lex and Raven and the exploration of their personal and political struggles make for an engaging and memorable read.

Lennix and Maxim's story is both intense and inspiring, offering readers a blend of steamy romance and meaningful narrative. All of Kennedy Ryan's books are so compelling, but this one draws you into a world where love and activism collide. The characters are well developed, and their journey is as thought-provoking as it is passionate. This book is a must-read for those who enjoy a love story with depth and substance.

This wasn’t my favorite, but it wasn’t bad! I liked the premise of the storyline. Maxim and Lennox had an interesting relationship and I liked following their characters!

Kennedy Ryan's debut in the All The King's Men duology strikes a powerful chord, deftly weaving heart-wrenching emotions with richly developed characters and a vividly imagined world. Her meticulous planning shines through in the seamless narrative flow, ensuring readers are effortlessly drawn into the story's depths and eager for the sequel.

From beloved, RITA-award-winning author Kennedy Ryan comes the first in her gripping All the King's Men duology.

In a world of haves and have-nots, Maxim Cade's family and their oil empire have it all…and he wants nothing to do with it. At odds with his mogul father, he's determined to build his own empire, even if it means traveling far from home, painted as the black sheep.

Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of Maxim's rules. At a protest for the oil pipeline that threatens to mar her ancestral land forever, they meet in a flurry of stars and sparks, and that one moment changes everything. But Maxim's family is the one stealing from hers, and his father is the man she hates most. He has to lie in order to have her once, and despite the truth, he'll do anything to keep her.

Even though Lennix tries to hate Maxim, too, their hearts are pointed in the same direction. The inexorable pull between them, across miles and years, will not be denied.

And neither will Maxim.

The subject matter in this book is so well developed omg. I ate every second up.

Kennedy Ryan never disappoints and I never doubt her way to story tell amazing stories and I just love these characters because they are just so cute the caring that Kennedy just makes amazing story she puts os much thoughts and patience and it makes you cry just thinking about these charathers

Kennedy Ryan knows how to write truly compelling romance that also makes you question something larger. Her writing is superb.

"The Kingmaker" by Kennedy Ryan is a powerful and deeply moving romance that tackles important social issues with grace and sensitivity. The story follows the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Lennix Hunter, a dedicated activist, and Maxim Cade, a wealthy and influential businessman. Ryan's writing is both lyrical and intense, drawing readers into the emotional depths of her characters. The chemistry between Lennix and Maxim is electric, and their journey is filled with poignant moments and thought-provoking themes. With its rich character development and compelling narrative, "The Kingmaker" is a standout novel that resonates long after the last page is turned.

Kennedy Ryan is an amazing author that has a way of hooking a reader from the first page to the last and this book hooked me from the start! If you are looking for a book that has all of the spice, this one is for you! 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy of The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan in exchange for my honest review.

Kennedy Ryan is a new favorite for me now. Loved the tension in this book so much I’ll be reading all her others!

"In what world could you possibly think I would below to you? ... In the one we make together." -- This is the entire vibe of The Kingmaker! Soulmates standing on polar opposites sides of everything being attracted to one another like magnets.

Only Kennedy Ryan could make me write an age gap romance with virgin heroine falling for a cocky billionaire centering politics that didn't immediately come off sleazy. That woman has a talent! She takes her craft so serious and makes sure the stories she shares that aren't her own she handles with care. You could see the lengths she went to ensure that Lennix's character was a source of strength and education. She grew into her power and purpose over the course of time that resulted in her being the political powerhouse known as the Kingmaker.

While this story didn't blow me away like I thought it would, I think there is something to be said about their story not being over.

I've heard great things about this author, so I was excited to start this book, however, I am definitely a mood reader, and for some reason, this book just didn't every grab my mood. I made it 39% of the way through the book, and I have going to have to call it. It's taken me over a month to get this far, when usually I can finish a book in 4-5 days. I LOVED that the FMC is Native American, I loved that she was a strong, independent person. I feel that too often, the FMC is a down on her luck, sad sack, and while Lennix has had plenty of trauma in her life, she is not a weak character. She is resilient and strong. There were spicy scenes in this book, which I was ok with, but I just can not put my finger on why this book missed the mark for me. I guess it just never caught me when I was in the right mood. I will try to come back to it to finish it when the time is right for me.

Overall, I am in awe of this story and this author's immeasurable talent. This story was so emotional, riveting and gripping. I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page and am now convinced that Ryan can not write a bad story. Her passionate heart and compassion for others comes out in her writing and we as readers are always better for it. Bravo! 5 stars!