I appreciate how much research and thoughtfulness was weaved into this story. Maxim and Lennox innitially had me nervous as I read the book and saw they growth I fell in love with them both.

This was my first Kennedy Ryan book and it did not disappoint. It had all the aspects I look for in a romance and the chemistry between the two main characters is off the charts. It does end with a cliffhanger, so beware of that when reading. You’ll be picking up the next one right after.

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan is an emotional, captivating romance that beautifully blends love with powerful social issues, creating a truly unforgettable reading experience. Ryan’s writing is as insightful as it is gripping, tackling complex themes such as Native American heritage, climate change, and generational conflict while delivering a passionate love story.

The novel centers around Lennix Hunter, a strong-willed woman deeply connected to her Native American roots, and Maxim Cade, the son of a wealthy oil magnate. Their attraction is undeniable, but their vastly different backgrounds—Lennix’s cultural heritage and Maxim’s legacy with the Cade family—create tension that propels the story forward. Ryan handles the deep-rooted cultural history of Lennix’s tribe with care, sharing the challenges they face in a world that often overlooks them. Meanwhile, Maxim struggles with his father’s expectations and the environmental impact of the family’s oil empire, adding an extra layer of complexity to his character.

What stands out in this book is the depth of both Lennix and Maxim as characters. Lennix’s strength and determination to uphold her values make her a character to root for, while Maxim’s internal battle between privilege and doing what’s right adds richness to his character. Their chemistry is palpable, and their relationship is a slow burn that evolves beautifully, with passion, longing, and emotional tension at every turn.

Ryan weaves in important social issues with a deft touch, making sure that the struggles Lennix and Maxim face aren't just personal but also tied to larger, systemic issues. Lennix’s connection to her Native American heritage and Maxim’s conflict with his family’s business add layers of depth and meaning to the romance. The book is a poignant exploration of identity, family, and societal pressures, all while maintaining an engaging, heart-pounding love story.

The only downside is the cliffhanger ending, which leaves readers craving the next installment in the series. The unresolved tension between Lennix and Maxim makes it hard to wait for what comes next, but it only enhances the anticipation for the continuation of their journey.

In summary, The Kingmaker is a beautifully written, emotionally intense romance that delves deep into personal and societal struggles. Kennedy Ryan continues to prove her mastery in creating complex, real characters and thought-provoking narratives. If you love a romance with substance, layered characters, and important themes, The Kingmaker is a must-read. 4.5 stars.

This was my first Kennedy Ryan book, and I will definitely be picking up more. This story had so much more emotional depth than I am used to seeing in current trad pub romance, which made this book feel so new and fresh and special. I will definitely be picking up more of Ryan’s works soon!

I love everything I have read by Kennedy Ryan so ofcourse I coylnt wait to read this book. I am so glad I read it because wow! Such a great book. I couldn’t put it down and ended up staying up way past my bedtime. That hasn’t happened in quite some time.

I do highly recommend.

Kennedy Ryan never misses, the chemistry between Lennix and Maxim was absolutely electric—fierce, passionate, and deeply emotional. I loved how Ryan tackled big themes like activism and identity without losing the heart of the romance. A beautifully layered love story that stays with you long after the last page.

This book deserves all the stars Lennix is chasing.

This is such an elegant read. You know when you wake up in the middle of the night from a bad dream feeling groggy and tired, your limbs hurt as if you were running a marathon, but you don't want water, you want something, strong, that goes through your throat and fight the scratchiness and irritation, so I usually drink a coke or a sprite, (yes at 4am, yes I know it's not healthy). This book was that big gulp of sprite, after having this huge book slump, this book came to the rescue, I wasn't expecting it to go live earlier, and I'm glad it did.

I knew this book would be phenomenal because this is Author Kennedy Ryan we're talking about, but even I didn't expect it to be THAT awesome.

She never fails to deliver, and this book was no exception. It turned out to be something entirely different from what I had expected, and I truly appreciated that surprise.

What stood out most to me was how well the two lead characters were developed—they were strong and compelling on their own, yet even more remarkable together. Their dynamic was both satisfying and beautifully crafted.

Kennedy Ryan has been an amazing writer who I’ve enjoyed reading over and over and this book was no different. It was a great read and emotionally provoking! A good read!

This was a fun read that tugged at the heart strings a bit. I would definitely recommend giving this book a try as I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ebook in exchange for a honest review.

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan is a powerful, emotional story that you won’t forget easily. It’s about a woman named Lennix who’s got big dreams and a ton of strength, and a guy named King who is just as complicated as he is charming. Lennix and King’s relationship is intense, and their chemistry is off the charts. But it’s not just a love story—it’s also about politics, family drama, and trying to make a name for yourself while dealing with a lot of pressure.

I really liked how the book dives into real issues, like race, power, and personal struggles. It’s not just about romance; it’s about characters trying to find themselves and make tough choices. Lennix and King both go through so much, and you can’t help but root for them. The writing is really engaging, and even though it’s a long book, it never feels slow.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title and thank the publisher for providing me with an eARC, however as so much time has passed since this works publication date and my lack of urgency with this piece, I am unfortunately going to move on. I hope to one day read this work at a later time and if I do, I will adjust my review. Thank you again for the opportunity.

Haven’t met a Kennedy Ryan book I haven’t liked! Definitely recommend giving this one a go. I love a full circle moment with a title. I greatly enjoyed Lennix, partly because I love the name and partly because she was such a strong fmc.

first read of 2025 and it was a fun one!

I always think of Kennedy Ryan's writing as being pretty grounded and down to earth, so this was a fun surprise because the plot is INSANE. I was trying to explain it succinctly to my boyfriend and I ended up texting dozens of times in a row going "and THEN..".

So yes the plot is larger than life HOWEVER the magic of Kennedy Ryan in pairing her couples is so strong here. Lennix and Maxim are perfect and imperfect for each other. Kennedy Ryan does such a good job of making you the reader believe they shouldn't be together but then they also should be together.

Kennedy Ryan makes her characters work hard for their HEA and I love it!

Lennix is a powerhouse of a lead and it was so fun watching her grow throughout the timeline of this book.

And Maxim is the perfect hero if you like your heroes more than a bit stalker-y and possessive.

This isn't a perfect five star read for me because as I said the plot is a little too fanciful for my liking and also sometimes I felt the writing to be a little too on the nose but overall I'm hooked!

Hmmmm....

I am a fan of Author Kennedy Ryan, however...I struggled to read this one. It was so confusing in parts, there was so much over-explaining, and there was SO much information that was irrelevant to the storyline that I found myself having to reread or skim through. The main characters, Maxim and Lennox, did not connect with one another to me, and I had a hard time engaging in their "relationship".

Again, I am a fan of Ms. Ryan's, but this was a "miss" for me.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me.. I didn't connect with the characters at all and I even tried reading it a second time.

Great romance full of substance. I enjoyed reading this story that was filled with environmental activism, political games, and two people that fight for what they believe. The author did a great job in delivering well-built characters that were pretty loveable, the storyline and the dialogue were excellently delivered so it was not hard to imagine everything while reading. I can't wait to read the next part of this installment and see how things will continue.

Thank you for granting me access to this ARC. Kennedy Ryan has such great talent and I am always grateful to read her newest content.

I don't even know where to begin??? First let me say I absolutely adored this book. I wasn't sure how if I was going to like it at the start. But I was quickly invested in both Lennix's and Maxim's journey; separately and together. They are both strong characters whose individual journeys were interesting on their own. Kennedy Ryan's writing always has a way of making you feel, and this book was no different. I felt anger, sadness, joy, and defeat throughout the book. Even though this isn't a suspense, i was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the story unfolded. And I was not disappointed AT ALL!! I am so glad that I went out and got Rebel King because the way this ended left me with my mouth wide open and desperate to know what happens next.

One for the best books I’ve ever read and there’s a second one! From beginning to end I did not expect any of that to happen and it was so good. This book is top tier in so many ways but the blending of the serious real world stuff with the romance was phenomenal.