Member Reviews

I really liked most of the book, but the ending ruined it for me. Also, for people who were so concerned about the environment, they really lived lavishly.

Was this review helpful?

The amount of research that went into this novel is first off so commendable. Lennix is probably my favourite FMC ever written. She was strong-willed, knew her worth, cared about her people, but she also could love and knew when she was ready. Maxim is such a hunk. Sometimes he got borderline too possessive for me, but I love the effort he put into showing Lennix how much he cared for her. There were many many moments where I found myself laughing too. BUT THAT CLIFFHANGER THOUGH!!! Come
on Kennedy 😭

Was this review helpful?

3.5 Stars for this second chance romance

I enjoyed the first half of the novel, where we follow Lennix and her whirlwind romance with Max while she was vacationing in Amsterdam. But, the story started to drag in the second half. The story jumped to 10 years later. Lennix is now helping Max's brother run his campaign. I couldn't get over the conflict between Lennix and Max. Lennix, a grown adult, is mad at Max (her supposed true love) for the dumbest reasons. If Lennix wasn't so foolish and the story had a better conflict, this would have been higher rated.

Overall, I like the story. It had a lot of potential. However, I could not get behind Lennix's reasoning and thought process.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Kennedy Ryan, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for graciously sending me a copy to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

Was this review helpful?

I went into this with really high hopes because I love Kennedy Ryan's other books I've read. However, insta-love is not the trope for me which prevented me from really loving this one. The love felt superficial at times because of it and it entirely could have been a personal preference because of how I perceived it. I loved the storyline and the characters, but the romance fell flat for me.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Author Kennedy Ryan for an advanced release copy for an exchange of my honest review/ opinion of the book!

Maxim Kingsmen Cade is the son of the number one fossil fuel company owner, Warren Cade. Warren is a cut throat heartless businessman and wants Maxim to join the family business; but Maxim has other plans. Maxim has his fathers looks, ambition, and dedication but has a heart. He wants to do the exact opposite of the family business and save the world by going into clean energy. Needless to say Maxim and Warren don’t have the best relationship.

Maxim and Lennix Moon Hunter met under false pretenses. She has no idea that Maxim is the son of Warren; who has stolen everything from her family and Indigenous people. Maxim and Lennix share a Dee unexplainable connection. Will this bond be strong enough to overcome family ties?

I absolutely love Kennedy Ryan and her writing! This book was soo good. I loved how time lapsed in this book. The story is a love store but not your average lovey dovey romance… where everything is perfect until there’s a conflict that gets resolved where they live happily ever after. This book has the biggest cliff hanger ever and leaves you wanting for more…but in the best way. Kennedy Ryan handled Indigenous customs and ceremonies with respect and reverence. I loved how she touched political issues as well. If you are looking for passion, yearning, and delight please read this book!

Was this review helpful?

Their story was amazing!!!! Lennix is a bad bitch and I loved her so much!
Enemies to lovers 😍 the romance was perfect, the pacing was perfect, and the conclusion and twists were amazing!

Was this review helpful?

5 stars to The Kingmaker and The Girl Who Chases Stars!

This was an impactful, gripping, and powerful book that tackles roughly about family and passion with the depiction of relevant issues on diverse cultural heritage and disturbances of environmental matters.

Thoughts:
• the native american representation and diverse cultural heritage depiction and thorough research on relevant issues especially the disturbances of environmental and cultural aspects which I thoroughly enjoyed
• political dealings (as implied by its title, Lennix is the Kingmaker, she reminds me of Olivia from the TV series Scandal, tho she is not a lawyer)
• strong, powerful, and tenacious main characters
• impressive writing and wonderfully done premise

Overall, this was a prevalent book everyone should read. It left me with an unforgettable impression!

Disclosure: Massive thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Honestly. Kennedy Ryan just knows what I want and when. I read this then proceeded to buy and plan to re-read it, because Kennedy Ryan just kept me entertained. Involved. And I ate it up. I love her books and can't wait to see where she goes in the sequel.

Was this review helpful?

In the Kingmaker we meet Lennix a Native American women and Maxim who is from a wealthy, old money oil family. The two meet by chance for the first time at an oil pipeline protest where they are both arrested and spend some time in a holding cell together. Although they do not keep in touch after that day they never forget each other until they happen to run into each other four years later. The story spans many years and is broken up into three parts. So it is a slow burn for sure.

The story is told in dual POV. I enjoyed getting to know Lennix and Maxim as individuals and seeing them grow over the years. There is such strong character development among the main and supporting characters as well.

The Kingmaker is an amazing story with complex, diverse characters, an unpredictable storyline up to the very end. It's the first of three books in a series and ends on a massive cliffhanger. You can tell this story was heavily researched. It's politically charged in the way it tackles issues such as climate change and systematic racism. I enjoyed that I felt like I learned a few things along the way. This story was written with care to capture Native American Culture and the many issues that Native Americans are subject to such as racism and violence against Native people as well as the epidemic of missing native women. The writing is simply beautiful. I cannot wait to read the next installment and see where Lennix and Maxim's paths lead them.

Was this review helpful?

This book really took me on a ride. I thought it might be more lighthearted in the beginning, although I should’ve known better since the author writes such amazing, emotional stories. I liked how the story played out, and I really loved both MCs. I was not expecting that ending, and now I need to read the next one immediately!

4.5 stars

Was this review helpful?

The Kingmaker is the first novel in the All the King’s Men duology and my first read by Kennedy Ryan. Maxim Cade is the heir to an oil empire although he has no interest. He meets Lennix Hunter at a protest for an oil pipeline. As Lennix is Native American, I instantly appreciated the representation as it is not included in a lot of stories. This inclusion did not make or break my enjoyment of the story, but it was noticed and well-incorporated. The novel spans over a long time, so there is a great foundation at the beginning to help the reader connect to the characters. The story is a great love story between the two while integrating the push-pull between their pasts/families/heritage.

Lennix and Maxim are written with similar foundations of both being driven, intelligent, and having their own set of principles. The execution of each, though, is different as Lennix came across as more well-rounded compared to Maxim. Lennix was interesting as I still don’t know quite how I feel about her, but I do think her motivations and journey were well-written. Her annoying traits did sometimes overwhelm, but they were balanced by a lot of other traits. As for Maxim, he was not poorly written, but Lennix just happened to outshine him. As this is a romance novel, it is at the center and the chemistry between the characters is undeniable. The journey of their love story, including sexual encounters with others, was a bit much, especially with Maxim.

There are a lot of heavier subjects integrated into this story and their presentation can feel a little bit like an info dump at times. It wasn’t overdone where I wanted to stop reading, but it did feel a bit much. There are a lot of politics and a lot of catch-up with the romance as it was a little insta-love followed by push-pull, so some moments I wanted to skim over more than others. Some moments feel a little preachy with the messaging as well, so I can see this novel not being for every type of reader. For me, I think a little streamlining in the writing would help widen the appeal to audiences as the elements in the content were great. Overall, this was an enjoyable story that need a few adjustments here and there to be perfection.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Bloom Books, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Was this review helpful?

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan follows Lennix and Maxim over the course of 14ish years. Told from both points of view, you follow their adventures, careers, and personal growth.

I couldn't stop reading this book. I was hooked into Lennix and Maxim's stories and personalities from the very beginning. The characters are personable, fiercely independent, intelligent, and principled.

This is a story of being the right people at the wrong time. Sometimes with these kinds of stories, the characters argue immaturely. That's NOT how I felt throughout this book: Lennix and Maxim have valid reasons for doing (or not doing) what they did, and you get to hear their side told from their POV. Sometimes their dialogue can get a little too brainy (there's a big emphasis on being intelligent as well as successful), but it's not obnoxious.

There are lots of open door scenes to be aware of, if you're sensitive to that.

Thanks to NetGalley and BloomBooks for the eARC.

Was this review helpful?

“The Kingmaker” by Kennedy Ryan was an absolute gem that captivated my heart and mind from the very first page. This beautifully written story was an intricate tapestry of love, power, and redemption, that would leave readers breathless and yearning for more.

The author’s masterful storytelling painted a vivid picture of the world she has created. The characters were vibrant and multidimensional, each with their own flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities. Lennix and Maxim, the main protagonists, were brilliantly crafted, drawing readers into their world and making them emotionally invested in their journey.

The romance in “The Kingmaker” was nothing short of epic. The intense chemistry and electric connection between Lennix and Maxim leaped off the pages, igniting a passionate fire that burned brighter with every interaction. Their love story was both tender and fierce, filed with heart-wrenching obstacles and soul-stirring moments that would make readers swoon and clutch their hearts.

It is also important for me to note though, that the book explored intimate moments with a level of detail that might be challenging or uncomfortable for certain readers. Readers who are sensitive to explicit content may want to approach the book with caution.

Beyond the romance, “The Kingmaker” delved into themes of social justice, politics, and the pursuit of power. The author’s ability to seamlessly weave these elements into the narrative was commendable. Adding layers of depth and thought-provoking commentary to the story, it was a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right and fighting for change.

In conclusion, “The Kingmaker” was a mesmerizing tale that deserves every bit of praise it will receive. With its compelling characters, captivating storyline, nail-biting cliffhanger, it is a true masterpiece. I cannot wait to dive into the next installment of this extraordinary series.

(Review is also posted in Instagram, Goodreads, and Wordpress.)

Was this review helpful?

This story was a little hard for me to get into. The timeline through me off a bit. But I am SO glad that I kept reading!

This is a really unique love story that follows two fiercely independent people who struggle through miscommunication and bad timing to give their relationship a try. The main characters are so different but quite alike all at once. Destiny continues to bring them together throughout their lives, as if they are fated by the stars themselves.

The inclusion of indigenous culture and history was so intriguing and was something I didn’t even know I was missing from other stories. The experiences of the FMC feel so authentic and heart-wrenching. The activism of the two main characters inspired me to put in a greater effort to aid in the causes I believe in.

Although the scattered timeline through me off at first, it is also one of the aspects I found most intriguing about this story. Tropes for Kingmaker include:

•age gap
•second chance (although more like 3rd or 4th chance)
•miscommunication
•forbidden love
•instalove
•soulmates

This book overall really impressed me. I am SO upset that the sequel isn’t being released until June 27th! I’m dying to know what happens after that cliffhanger!

Was this review helpful?

BOOK REVIEW

Title: The Kingmaker
Author: Kennedy Ryan
Rating: 3.75/5
Re-released May 23rd, 2023

Read If You Like:
- Second chance romance
- Politics / Current events
- Love story that spans several years

Short Summary:
This book is told from Dual POV between Lennix and Maxim. Lennix is a Native American activist who belongs to the Yavapai-Apache Nation and she is passionate about her culture. While protesting to keep an oil company from building a pipeline on ancestral land, Lennix meets Maxim. It's obvious from the start the pair have eye for one another.

A few years after their first encounter, the pair meet again on Lennix's spring break and explore their chemistry. While their time is short, it's kind of a whirl-wind romance. When their time is up, Maxim still hasn't told Lennix his family owns the very oil empire she hates. The secret threatens to rip apart any chance the pair have at taking things further.

Thoughts:
I appreciate Ryan researching and writing a story wrapped around so many important topics. The inclusion of Indigenous peoples, their culture, and discussion on murdered and missing Indigenous women, a topic not covered enough.

I loved how both characters were strong-willed, goal-oriented, straight power houses. I think this added to how much chemistry the pair had. Honestly, I was so upset when the book skipped forward ten years because I just wanted more and more of Lennix and Maxim together. I kept feeling like their time was cut short throughout the book every time they were together. I will say, when we I found out Maxim had been keeping tabs on Lennix throughout all of those ten years without her knowing, I had all the butterflies! lol.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloom Books for an ARC (digital copy) of this book. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to book 2 after that big cliffhanger!

Was this review helpful?

I hated the romance in this and that’s saying a lot because romance is my genre. It was just a bad connection between the two characters

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. WOW! This was my first Kennedy Ryan book and will not be my last. This book was emotional. moving. and deep. While this is marketed as a romance, there is so much more to the story. It includes the struggles and hopes of Indigenous Women and how their lives are affected by the government's choices. The way Kennedy writes makes you feel the passion of the characters.

Be fair warned this ends on a HUGE cliffhanger and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book The Rebel King. I highly recommend this book to any reader.

Was this review helpful?

Honestly, I was really excited to read this book because I have loved a Kennedy Ryan before and I have heard great things about this book. It just did NOT work for me. Honestly, reading reviews makes me think I just completely read another book than anyone else. I totally didn't vibe with the romance AT ALL. At first I wasn't connecting to it because I just felt like it was mostly sexual attraction, and we kind of skipped over developing some romantic feelings and showing me just how these two fit together. However, as the book continued and we did get to know these characters a bit more the male main character's absolute asshole personality just keep to peep through more and more. In the last part of this book he also was just completely unhinged, constantly crossing the female main character's boundaries, bordering on sexual harassement and stalking but all justifying it because "I've never felt something like this before/since". Newsflash, your feelings aren't always reciprecated and no one owes you anything. It just gave me the biggest ick I've ever gotten from a male protagonist in a romance novel. So therefore I was just completely checked out of the romance. I'm sorry. They weren't made for each other at all, and if they were the author did an awful job at showing me that. I really loved Lennix though (our female main character). I thought she was a great character and I loved the passion she showed for the causes she believed in. The chapters in her perspective were definitely my favourite, especially if our male main character wasn't present in those chapters. So yeah, this wasn't a terrible book. I liked several aspects of it. I just really didn't like the romance. I'd only read the sequel though if you were to tell me Lennix ends up with someone else, but I highly doubt that from the reviews I've read.

Was this review helpful?

Kennedy Ryan does it again.

Before I Let go is one of my favorites, and this might one is working its way up the list as well. The story is moving and touches on real issues. Not to mention the cliffhanger ending. I immediately started the sequel. Five stars for me.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved our FMC; talk about strength, dedication and doing what it takes to make a difference. Lennix was a badass!
The female friendships were great, it really showed sisterhood and showing up for each other.
Maxim was a character that I waffled between liking and being annoyed by. I definitely admired his convictions and carving his own path in the complete opposite direction of where his family wanted him to go. However, he could at times be an arrogant alphahole and his privilege definitely came across on the page. This did not take away my enjoyment of the story though and I really enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?