Lennix is a Native American woman with a passion for supporting minority and underrepresented groups, and she's found a niche in politics running campaigns that has earned her the title of Kingmaker.

Maxim Cade is the son of an oil magnate and brother of a likely future US president, though he's made his own path in the realm of clean energy and climate change.

Their lives are very different. But that week in Amsterdam a decade ago has linked them in ways neither can overcome...

Slow burn, told over time, with a friend to lover to enemy to lover vibe. Huge cliffhanger so be ready to feel angsty until the sequel is in your hands!

Thank you to Kennedy Ryan, NG, and Bloom Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Grief is its own kind of intimacy, a bond of sorts between you and the one you lost.”

Kennedy Ryan is an author I really like and admire. The kingmaker is a serie I didn't pick up first but I gave it a chance with its re-release.
Unfortunately, even though i love forbidden romance and age gap doesn't disturb me as long as the characters are adults, I was really uncomfortable with this one because Lennix was a minor first and even though nothing happened, the comments afterwards about it really annoyed me.
Besides, I felt like the romance was a bit superficial and lack some character development.
Therefore, this book was a little deception, my first for a Kennedy Ryan.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for this arc.
I am so incredibly happy that I was able to read this beautiful story! I instantly fell in love with both characters. Not only that, but I was able to relate to them, as I live near the San Carlos reservation.
This book was so refreshing with its plot, I have not read anything like it before. Yes, Maxim represents the typical rich guy trope, but Lennix is strong and passionate in her own right.
Though it is a love story, there are far deeper meaningful themes present.
It was a gorgeous story and I can not wait to read The Rebel King. I’ll be starting it right now!

So, apparently, I have to run out and buy every book Kennedy Ryan has ever written because this book is amazing and I'm hooked. The Kingmaker is the first in a series.

Lennix Hunter comes into womanhood just as her mother leaves the world, one of countless missing or murdered Indigenous women. It sets the course for the rest of her life. She'll fight for the rights of Indigenous people, this much is clear for Lennix. What she doesn't see coming is falling in love with a man who turns out to be connected to everything she's fighting against, Maxim Cade. But what does a legacy mean when you've given it all up? And what will his name and legacy mean when he decides it's Lennix he's fighting for?

Lennix and Maxim as characters have so much depth. They are entirely tethered to the world they're in and to one another. They're written with such ease, they feel so ... real. I can feel Lennix's passion, Maxim's ambition.

Kennedy Ryan is masterful in the way she wrapped romance up with heavy, painful topics like the MMIW, climate change, racial injustice, etc. It was so entangled that I was both outraged and excited, in love and furious all before turning the page.

I am absolutely clamoring to get my hands on a copy of the next installment, The Rebel King.

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan had me completely hooked from the first page. I fell in love with with Lennix and Maxim individually and together. Seeing the journey — full of incredible challenges and heartbreaking moments — begin to unfold was beautiful. This book had so much to actually say and so much packed into its pages, I couldn’t put it down.I’m

Thank you for this arc. I loved the humor through this book but I just felt like it was so much going on within the writing. I felt like they didn’t spend a lot of time together to be a “couple.” I didn’t seem like a romance novel. I was hoping for more plot and different twist because of the title .

This book was so good! I was taken by the first page and entertained throughout. The world building was so good and I felt really emersed in the story. I loved the characters and how the author made them so powerful and loyal. There were so many different, amazing elements to the book and I can’t say much more without going into spoilers. I would definitely recommend this story.

From the cover, I could not guess the genre and I confess I have never read from the author before. I am so glad that I have now and this was really a nice surprise. As an avid sci fi or fantasy reader, this book is now a dominoe that has started. The characters were amazing and their love was so beautiful. Loved every sentence!

Really excited about this book. It was an Absolutely phenomenal read. High will recommend to others to pick up as soon as it is released.

This book highlights many of the injustices that need to be brought to light in today's society regarding our Indigenous Americans (in particular, women). This part of the story was the true heart of the book for me, and I appreciated it being told. I can only speak from my viewpoint, which is not relevant, so I will not expand while others who face this every day firsthand would be better resources. I very much enjoyed reading about the Apache Sunrise Dance and Ceremony; it was beautifully written and sounds like a much cherished and sacred tradition.

Now, for the romance...I could not get connected with the two main characters as a couple. I liked them better individually, especially Lennix Moon Hunter. What a fierce, brave, passionate character. These types of characters are one of my favorite people to read. While I can rationally understand why her and Maxim Kingsman Cade would be drawn to each other; the pairing was disenchanting for me.

All of this to say, the ending! And yes, I will be reading book two. I have to know what happens and I genuinely want to love these two together.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Kingmaker

Plot: 1
Writing: 1
World Building: 1
Characters: 1
Plot: 1
5/5

Spice: 3/5 (medium descriptions)

Kennedy Ryan writes romances that make me YEARN for that once-in-a-lifetime type of love. Maxim and Lennix are the prime example of "right person, wrong time" and we get to see them clash over the years. I loved being able to see their story start and get to who they ultimately become. I'm over here so proud of everything they accomplished! lol. I'm also so glad this isn't a standalone. I need MORE of them!

I absolutely loved everything about this book. The timeline jumps, the yearning, the angst, the anger, all of it! It's so hot and passionate, I couldn't put it down.

This one is a MUST READ! I'm so glad Bloom books picked it up and that it gets to be more readily available for readers to find. Kennedy Ryan is quickly turning into an auto-buy author for me. I love the depth and care that's put into the themes and topics in the stories.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bloom books for an eArc of this story. This is my honest review.

Well researched! Not only is the story very relevant, but also beautifully written. You’re immediately pulled in by the character building and background. As the relationship between the MCs develops and grows over a few years, you become emotionally invested and further sucked in. Their connection is deep and their love powerful. You keep rooting for them to figure it out despite forces working against them.
The cliffhanger at the end will make you run for the next book in the series!

Kennedy Ryan is always amazing, and this rerelease cover is absolutely beautiful! Maxim and Lennix were super steamy. While not one of my favorite Kennedy Ryan books, the underlying angst and focus on social issues made for a really moving book!

Rating: 4 stars ⭐️

I had a great time reading this book and would recommend it if you like the second chance and enemies to lovers tropes!

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks and the author for providing me with this arc.

This book kept showing up on my feed, so I requested a copy of the ARC and was not disappointed. This is the story of two people from opposite sides of the track who have an instant connection. They get alllll of the obstacles thrown there way and somehow still find there way back to each other.

Lennix Moon Hunter is Apache. Her mother went missing when she was young. She has been raised by her surrogate mom (her mom's best friend), her grandma, and her dad off of the reservation. However, she is invested in her people and what happen to them. The book opens up with a 17 year Lennix running a rally to stop a pipeline from being installed on sacred land.

On the other side of the equation is the Cade family who is installing the pipeline on the sacred land. Maxim Cade, finishing grad school at the time, sees that his father is about to tear gas and set dogs on the people protesting and jumps out to protect Lennix from a dog. They both get arrested and have a true connection in the holding cell until Maxim realizes that she is only 17. They both get bailed out not realizing that that connection they felt will make all other relationships fall short.

4 years later- they run into each other on a trip in Amsterdam. Maxim has disowned his family and is finishing his masters degree in climate science. He has a path that he is following to prove his father wrong. When he sees Lennix at the bar, it is like no time has past BUT they both realize that she is old enough now to dabble in whatever they were feeling for each other. Lennix is on a girls' trip trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. They both agree- no attachments. They will have a few days together and then walk away but will they be able to resist this pull? After a few amazin days and nights, Maxim has to go to London to pitch his deal before being shipped to Antartica for 8 months. When he gets back to Amsterdam they will have one day BUT Lennix gets pulled home for a family emergency. They are not really able to say goodbye. She leaves him a VM pronouncing her feelings. He flies back early hoping to catch her but doesn't. He then leaves her a VM letting he know he can't walk away. He wants to explore this further when they get home. However a few things happen that lead Lennix to find out that Maxim is actually Maxim CADE. Her number one enemy's son. She has given her body and her heart to someone she now thinks she doesn't know. They fight, and she tells him she never wants to seem him again.

10 years later- Maxim's brother is now running for president. Maxim has recommend Lennix who is known as the Kingmaker and Kimba to help with the campaign. The one rule that Lennix has is that she wants nothing to do with Maxim. Maxim told her he wasn't going to let her go. That he was going to come back for her when the time was right. Is that time now? Is she ready to open her heart up again?

This was a rollercoaster read. I loved how deep the author went into the social and cultural challenges of the Apache and Lennix's people. This was not a light read at all which I appreciated. The chemistry was off the chain. The cliffhanger was totally not called for LOL. I went online to buy book 2 only to find that the new version isn't out until the end of June. Hopefully my ARC request will come through (fingers crossed).

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I can't wait for the conclusion of this connection between Doc and Nix.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with this arc for The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan. This is my second book by this author when I see her name I immediately think of her as a romance writer but, this book was not entirely romance but a story of friendship. The story is based on two characters who paths cross and they develop a friendship. This story kept me turning the pages and wanting to see what happened.

Love, Power, and an Unputdownable Adventure: "The Kingmaker" by Kennedy Ryan

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Kennedy Ryan's "The Kingmaker" takes you on an electrifying ride that seamlessly blends love, politics, and self-discovery. With power struggles and international intrigue as the backdrop, this book hooks you right from the start and keeps you engrossed until the very end.

At its heart, "The Kingmaker" is a sweeping love story between Lennix Hunter, a passionate activist fighting for justice, and Maxim Cade, a charming and mysterious politician. The sparks between them ignite from their first encounter, and Ryan expertly crafts their relationship, leaving you eagerly flipping pages to see what happens next.

What sets this novel apart is its exploration of complex themes. Ryan delves deep into the world of power dynamics, both personal and political, shedding light on the sacrifices, compromises, and moral dilemmas that arise when love entwines with the pursuit of influence. The author's meticulous research shines through in the richly portrayed political landscape, adding authenticity and thought-provoking depth to the story.

Ryan's writing style is a poetic treat that paints vivid images and stirs a range of emotions. The prose beautifully captures the characters' intense feelings and the weight of their choices. The author skillfully balances tender moments of intimacy with gripping political intrigue, ensuring that you're emotionally invested in every twist and turn.

While "The Kingmaker" excels in many aspects, a few minor flaws can be found. Some readers might feel that the pacing slows down at times, as the intricate world-building and character development take center stage. Additionally, a seasoned romance reader might predict certain plot twists, but they don't diminish the overall enjoyment of the story.

All in all, Kennedy Ryan's "The Kingmaker" is a testament to her storytelling prowess. It showcases her ability to create complex characters and narratives that effortlessly engage readers on multiple levels. If you're a fan of romance, political dramas, and stories that push societal boundaries, this enthralling adventure of love, power, and self-discovery is a must-read. Get ready to be swept away!

Ok, let me start by saying I love Kennedy Ryan's writing. I love that no matter what the topic is or what's going on, you feel like you're in the situation, you visualize everything, and you feel all the emotions from it.

In this story, though, I just could not get myself to connect to the main theme of the story. There was lots of environmental and political type talk, and for whatever reason, my brain just was not connecting to that aspect of it.

Also, the spiciness of the romance just didn’t seem like it fit the story to me. It went from 0 to woahhh and felt a little unnatural.

But even still, I loved the relationship between the main 2 characters and how they came together. How it spread across many years. Everything flowed really well.

Even though I didn't connect with that main theme, I wanted to see what happened with these two, and let me tell you the ending of the story made me want to jump out of my seat. I knew there was a cliffhanger and that this is a duology, but oh my goodness, i was not expecting that. So will I be picking up book 2? Absolutely. I want to follow out their story and see where it goes, and just because I didn't like this main theme, so many others do and will, and I hope you try it out for yourself.

This book was addicting. The writing did a wonderful job bringing the story to live in a way that made me swoon. I would love to see this one on the big or small screen. It was sexy and hot and I could not get enough.

I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get into it. There are too many holes and I really hated the 10 year time jump. I'll still be reading this author's other work per recommendations, but I don't think I'll be reading this one again.