This book definitely reminds me of the television series " Scandal." This book had all the political aspects mixed with romance. I really enjoyed the banter between the two main characters. Throughout the story you could really feel the passion between them and couldn't help but want them to find their way back to each other. The story is told in parts. In one part, the characters are meeting and discovering/exploring each other and in the second half the couple is at odds and the reader experiences a ten-year jump. Where I found myself not loving the story was in the second half of the book. There was this shift in the story, and I felt the story dragged on a bit. I felt as if I was missing so much of who these characters were. I wanted more of an in-depth look into how they came to be who they are now. Overall, the characters were bold and strong, but something was missing to make me completely love it.

Wow! Lennix and Maxim’s love story was truly special.

Spanning over a decade this book is an amazing exploration of diversity and beautifully raw emotions. It’s packed with angst, betrayals and characters you fall in love with.

I couldn’t put this story down.

The Kingmaker was my introduction to Kennedy Ryan and it was definitely intense! It has an intense political tone. The romance is very intense and emotional too.
The prologue opens with a young Lennix partaking in a ceremony to celebrate the transition between girl to woman, an important rite of passage among her tribe. I don't feel the need to comment on this as I have no prior knowledge and as a white British woman it's not necessary. I'm sure others have more knowledge and have written fantastic reviews. All I'll say is, it was lovely to read and Kennedy Ryan's comment at the beginning covered it really perfectly.
At age 17, Lennix is leading a protest against a pipeline through tribal ground. It is here she needs Maxim Cade, son to wealthy fossil fuel business owner Warren Cade. Maxim has worked incredibly hard to distance and change the path paved for him by studying climate change and more sustainable forms of energy. He sees the protestors attacked with tear gas and dogs and runs into the protest to help Lennix. After an intense introduction and arrest all of the flirting ceases when it's revealed she's still 17. Thankfully. I've read more taboo Romance in the past and while some people like it, for me it doesn't sit right so I respect Kennedy clearly setting a boundary and this is where the first time jump takes place. Four years later the two reunite in Amsterdam for a whirlwind insta-romance. The two plan on departing after a week but their feelings have other plans.
After in intense split and a reveal of true identity a decade time jump takes place and we meet a very different Lennix.
I'm terms of plot, it was difficult to maintain interest with short bursts then time jumps. I think the 10 year jump played well with the plot.
Just so the reader is aware, this is not a standalone! Beware of a cliffhanger - and not one you can ignore! I immediately wanted to read the second book. It seems with this couple, as soon as something good happens, it's yanked away almost immediately.
With books like this, they're best experienced without a surplus of prior information. I didn't even read the blurb before jumping into this book.
I haven't rated this higher as I have a pet peeve for miscommunication. The large penultimate blow up these characters face could have been lessened with Maxim explaining why he did what he did.
Thank you for the eARC and I've already requested the next book! I look forward to seeing how Lennix and Maxim's story progresses.

This was my first book by Kennedy Ryan and it did not disappoint. It pulled me right in and while I don't usually like books with so much focus on politics this one touched on subjects that mean a lot to me, and I think are incredibly important for bring attention to.

Lennix is such an incredibly passionate and strong female lead. The way she was described and written was powerful. MMIW and climate change are both huge issues that we should all be talking more about and this book really brought those issues to light, in a passionate story about being true to ourselves and what we believe in, but also allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, to forgive, to love and to hope.

I was so excited to get an eArc of the re-release of The Kingmaker from Netgalley and Bloom books! I had been wanting to read this for a long time so this was the perfect opportunity for once again Kennedy Ryan to put me through the emotional wringer.

There are so many layers to this story and they are all deftly woven together. I enjoyed learning more of the indigenous people’s history, culture, beliefs, triumphs and tragedies. There was also a thread on climate change, sustainable energy, and sustainable business practices. There were also some great moments touching on current political landscapes. And then there is the white hot attraction these two people have for each other as they fall in love.

I love that you get a dual POV, so you know both characters' thoughts. I knew, but had absolutely forgotten that this ends in a HUGE cliffhanger, so be ready to get your hands on book 2, The Rebel King as soon as you finish this one!

Kennedy Ryan is one of my autobuy authors. I trust her to take me on these emotional journeys, and know even with some tough topics, they (and I) will be handled with care.

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

Wow! Just WOW! This story is amazing! This is a powerful, angsty romance, that was empowering, suspenseful, with a story that was inspiring and truly unique that has such fabulous crafted characters that are completely unforgettable.

Lennox Moon Hunter is a unique, gorgeous woman, inside and out. She is witty, intelligent, kind, generous loving, fierce, passionate, a thoughtful and caring daughter, a warrior, an activist and she fights for everything she believes in with her whole heart and soul.
She is truly an amazing woman, she is inspirational and I definitely cannot say enough great things about her.

Maxim Kingsman Cade is unbelievable, a man who chooses to fight for what he believes is right. He is brilliant, charming, determined, and if he wants something he doesn’t stop until he gets it…and he wants her. I swooned so very hard for Maxim!

“we’re lost in a tangle of I am his and he is mine, insatiable, inseparable. Perfect together.”

Lennox and Maxim are…chemistry and passion. They have an instant connection…an attraction that goes soul deep. They come from different backgrounds but they both have the same burning desire to change the world. And they are! I loved their banter, their connection, and their passion. Together these two stole a piece of my heart that I will never get back.

The Kingmaker completely blew me away! I knew that this author was talented, but this was a whole new level of brilliance. I was totally mesmerized by this phenomenal story. I need more and I’m waiting on bated breath for The Rebel King and the conclusion to this well written, powerful duet. The best story I have read this year!!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley, SourceBooks Bloom Books & Kennedy Ryan, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Kennedy Ryan definitely knows how to bring the spice and drama to a romance novel. This book was devoured within a day. The conflict and characters are so real that I could definitely see this as a movie on Lifetime or a daytime soap opera. The story takes place over a decade, and we get to see the two main characters eventually circle each other in a game of cat and mouse. The family drama brings the right amount of conflict to their love story. I'm happy the adventure isn't over for these two because that cliffhanger has me shook.

Kennedy Ryan as always has created a story much bigger than words can express. The attention to detail, character development, and story progression cannot be contended with. This may seem at times as a missed opportunity to love with the right people but at the wrong time. However, the love between Lennix and Maxim is apparent even when they meet at a young age. I also love that we have a strong male character who isn't afraid to be with a strong female.

I can't wait to continue this series.

The Kingmaker is an epic love story that spans over a decade. Their connection is immediate and so on point from their first meeting and even more palpable the second time. There’s no doubt about their chemistry. They’re fascinated and intrigued by one another. How they slowly get to know one another through words and intimacy is written flawlessly. A beautiful and sensual exploration between two souls who are destined for each other but the timing isn’t right. I loved this book. I loved reading a story with a very different background than I've ever read. I loved getting caught up in a gut-grabbing, time-diffusing love that spanned years but never lost it's magnetism. If anything, it grew stronger.

Really enjoyed the first book in this series !! Lennix and maxim had amazing chemistry & I absolutely loved how this story played out. Can’t wait to dive into book 2 !

I love Kennedy Ryan’s books! The first thing I loved about this book is the the author’s note. Kennedy Ryan explains the connections she made and the research she did to provide a realistic Native American story. I feel like the Native American culture was truest appreciated throughout the entire book. It educated readers about what Native American’s have faced and continue to face.
The next thing I loved was of course the love story. I love how both Lennix and Maxim fight for the causes they believe in and they still made it back to each other. I loved the fact that Maxim was persistent, in a good way. He respected her wishes and gave her space.
The cliff hanger was so good! I’m so happy that book two will be about Lennix and Maxim again, because I was not ready to let them go!

Kennedy Ryan's writing is so dang addicting. She writes such interesting characters. I ate this story up, it was filled with so much love and drama. Just how I like it! Soo great!!

I received an eARC from NetGalley and Bloom Books in exchange for an honest review. Maxim Cade is the son of an oil magnate, he's been raised to take over the company, but he doesn't want it. His passion for environmentalism has him at odds with his father. This becomes glaringly apparent the moment they show up at a pipeline protest, and all he can see is her, putting himself in harm's way to protect her from his father's people and plans. Lennix Hunter just wants what her people have been promised, she just wants to keep what is theirs. Warren Cade is the enemy, buying and building on sacred land, sacrificing things that aren't his for the sake of a dollar. When a handsome grad student shows up at the protest, she can't help but be attracted to him. They share a moment before they realize this cannot happen, and she thinks that's the end of it. But what will happen when they meet again, an ocean away, four years later? She still doesn't know he is the son of her enemy, just that she feels a pull to him unlike anything else. He doesn't want to break this precious thing they have, even if it's only for a week, with a little detail like his last name.


This is a rerelease with a new cover. Kennedy Ryan always has the ability to pull me into a book and keep me stuck there. Her research into the tribal customs and traditions seem to be done thoroughly and very respectfully. The indigenous representation was strong, and I loved learning about the Lennix's tribe and ancestors. Lennix is such a beautifully strong and stubborn character. She shows just how we can let a past pain dictate our future joy. The connection between Maxim and Lennix jumps off the page and had a hold on my heart. I could not put this book down and cannot wait to pick up the next book in the series. Just another reason Kennedy Ryan is a must read/buy author for me. I would recommend this to fans of enemies to lovers, secret identity, pining, and steamy romance.
[ID: cover of The Kingmaker displayed on Kindle lying on a purple gradated crocheted shawl]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I simultaneously was hooked from the very beginning and struggled to keep reading. The premise of the story is extremely interesting, and I'm in awe of Ryan's ability to capture such a rich history of Native Americans and teach me more in a few pages than I learned throughout my time in the American public school system. The main characters had an instant, magnetic connection that exploded on the page when they met again. I was drawn to keep reading due to their magnetism, but I found that both characters were VERY repetitive in their thought patterns that kind of took away from my experience. However, I appreciated both main characters' passion and dedication to their goals. I feel like oftentimes in romance books, one of the main characters has to give up something that they're passionate about in order to be with the other person and I appreciated that the character's stayed true to themselves. Overall, a very interesting story packed full with important information, just maybe not the book/writing style for me to give it 5 stars.

I absolutely loved Before I Let Go, so when I saw The Kingmaker I was instantly intrigued. But it turned out to be a little *too* spicy for me 😅🙈

I personally loved Lennix as the MC. An Indigenous woman, following in her missing mothers’s activist footsteps before becoming a sought after political campaign manager.

I also didn’t mind Maxim, I found his career in climate science despite his families oil industry riches, to be interesting.

My favorite parts of the book were when Max and Lennix were apart from each other and we heard about their own personal lives. Because when they’re together.. The. Spice.

But honestly, the cliffhanger will probably still make me read the second book!

If you want spice, this book has it!

Thanks to #netgalley, the publisher and Kennedy Ryan for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Ｂｏｏｋ ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
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The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
Pages: 344
Arc: Yes
Stars: 4/5
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Synopsis: Lennix Moon is an Apache girl following in her intrepid mom’s footsteps of fighting for equality for marginalized people. At a pipeline protest, she is protected from a dog attack by an older, mysterious, and beautiful man. They get arrested together, but quickly part ways. 10 years later, they inexplicably reunite in Amsterdam and spend a blissful week together. Will Lennix be able to be with a man who is the son of the person she hates most?

My thoughts 💭
I had no clue what I expected from this Arc, but what I got? Phewwwwww! The spice be spicin’. Lennix and Maxium’s relationship is beautiful…honestly. The heartfelt character development of Lennix and the way she fights for native Americans and other marginalized groups is amazing and really believable. I love that MMIW is brought to light in a way that was tasteful but still points out the real issues. Lennix is a BA who can take care of herself, but she WANTS Maxium to be everything to her. And that cliffhanger?! Wtaf, man

Top notch smut👍🏻 can’t wait for the next part of the series 😍

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Thank you to NetGalley, Scribechick Media, and Kennedy Ryan for this ARC and my review is my honest opinion of the book in exchange for the book.

Firstly, I’d like to say how much I adore this cover! It’s so lovely and I couldn’t stop staring at it while reading the book.

Secondly—this book! I was nervous because this has been an anticipated read of mine but I had no reason to be. I enjoyed the main characters and their relationships. Kennedy does it again!

I loved these two so much. They were so great. I loved their background history and their chemistry, the love and support for one another, the angst, the push and pull, the sexual tension between them, everything was so well executed by the author. The characters were not perfect, they had their own struggles and obstacles they had to overcome before they came to the realization that they are better together than apart. I’m so happy with how everything wrapped up at the end. It was such an enjoyable book, I love love loved it.

This book is definitely not the genre I’d usually pick up, but I thought it sounded interesting and had gotten a lot of great reviews.

I really enjoy the important themes that are explored in the story, and it was very interesting to learn some more about Native American culture (I don’t think there’s enough of that in books).

The relationship between the main characters is a bit strange to me, they spend so little time with each other, yet they’re completely obsessed and think about each other for a decade. It just seemed a bit unrealistic that they would still have all these feelings, when they don’t reeeeally know each other that well.

All in all I enjoyed the book, though it’s not an all time favorite read. I’d give it a solid 3-3.5 stars. Because of the cliffhanger I’ll probably pick up the sequel!

I always enjoy a Kennedy Ryan novel, and I realize this is a re-released version from about 4 or 5 years ago, but I’m pretty sure this is my new favourite book of hers!

This is only part one of a duet, and I didn’t realize this until I got closer to the end and there was still so much story to be told - and quickly popped over to get the next book. Leaving us on such a cliffhanger (literally) is not a kind thing for any author to do! I thought it was just book one in a trilogy, but it’s the first in a duet with an unrelated book three in the series. Don’t do what I did with going in without the second book lined up (you will be left speechless with nowhere to go, too). Book two is The Rebel King.

This book spans over a decade of Lennix and Maxim, from the day they meet at a protest for her tribe trying to stop his father’s company building an oil pipeline across their land, destroying their sacred burial site and religious grounds. Maxim discovers what an uncaring monster his father is and disowns the family. The pair aren’t meant to be together and meet again many years later, hitting it off until she discovers exactly who he is. Another time jump has Maxim’s brother looking to an extremely successful Lennix for assistance in his bid on the campaign trail, and Maxim not too pleased about any of it.

Ryan has written the entire thing so brilliantly - I don’t generally enjoy stories written in flashbacks so I really like that she told it in chronological order. The whole thing was perfectly paced and done just right… up until the unexpected cliffhanger, and now I’m literally left hanging to find out where it goes next and what the heck happens! I definitely recommend it to everyone, especially her fans, but make sure to have both in the duet before starting…

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, and this is my honest feedback.

First I want to say thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the eARC of The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan in exchange for my honest review.

Well I guess not all reads can be 5 stars right? This was literally my first ever 2 star read. I just was not a fan. The time jumps were not my cup of tea. The insta love that lasted 10 years after 5 days of interaction was just a little too much even for me. I didn’t understand these characters obsession with each other when they had so little in common.

These characters had zero chemistry and zero personality. All of them. There was not enough about them to make me feel connected or invested in their ending. I found myself bored and skimming through pretty much the last 40% & the 10 year jump skipped so much and that’s when my interest plummeted.

Lastly the whole premise of this book was not something I seek in a read. I read escape the real world and this just felt pushy. I respect the authors use of her platform to bring attention to such serious and important topics but it’s not something I personally want to read about.

Overall id politics are your thing, and you don’t want romance as the center of it this is your read! But besides that I wouldn’t recommend this one to even my least favorite person.