I originally requested this book because I knew it was a romance and the cover was beautiful. Yes, I judged it by the cover and I am so glad I did.

Age gap, second chance romance. I was far from disappointed. Lennix is a determined woman to fight for her Native American heritage as well as other marginalized communities. Maxim is simply dreamy. He is determined to make a difference on this earth and to make a name for himself, not just be known by his fathers last name. I loved them both and need to know how their story ends.

I loved learning about Native American history since it’s something I haven’t looked much into. Maxim’s passion about climate change was palpable although not usually something I enjoy reading about but it didn’t take away from the story. Neither did the political element which is usually something I stay away from.

The ending had me gasping for air and running see when the second book will be rereleased. ✨update: it’s June✨

This is good!!! But the ending!!! Major cliffhanger but not for long because I'm going to start the next book asap!

I loved the author's note describing the amount of time and effort they put towards representing Native Americans, particularly the Apache.

This was sizzling hot but with a very full plot that carried this story.

A masterful storyteller that puts the heart in touch with the soul and delivers explosive results. From haunting to enchanting, The Kingmaker dares to be different, but awakens emotions all the same. Temptation at it's most mesmerizing.

Maxim Cade wants nothing to do with the family business, his father or his name. Lennix Hunter is a young indigenous girl from whom his family stole. As soon as they meet, they connect in a deep way. Through this book, we follow their story through the years.
This story is told in dual POVs and multiple parts several years apart. I loved their first meeting, and their week in Amsterdam. The rest... not so much. It was very cliché and predictable, and I'm not the biggest fan of insta-love romance.
I didn't like Maxim, nor did I feel a real connection between them. But I loved to read about Lennix's Appache heritage. However, the story got too political, and there was too much info dumping, so much so that it got a bit boring and repetitive at times.
I think it was amazing that it touched base on a lot of very important topics (missing and unsolved murders of countless indigenous women, climate change and fossil fuel issues, injustices the First Nations had/still have to face). And I'm still not sure how I feel about this quite litteral cliff hanger of an ending... now I wish I had the second book of the All the King's Men's duet to see what happens next...
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is only my second Kenndy Ryan book, but after reading Before I Let Go I knew I needed to read more. The Kingmaker was another success. I loved the strong and smart Indigenous main character. I loved that Lennix didn't let a man come between her friends or her goals. Maxim was a great character. He respected her boundaries and waited for her to choose what she was willing to give. They had amazing chemistry. Their love story felt very kuch like a fated love and the 10 year time span really elevated that feeling. I really appreciated the inclusion of information about MMIW and for that alone I'd recommend everyone read this story. My only issue was that dang Cliffhanger. I need book 2 asap. Five stars.

Reading the book description did not prepare me for this book. I thought it would be a romance of opposites attract and instead it was a patched up plot that heavily involves politics, climate change, and capitalism. The connection between Lennix and Maxim seemed forced at times and immature at others. Grown adults relying on jealousy to attract each other was not doing it for me. I didn't care for creepy stalker Maxim or the volatile Lennox. I still am not sure if the title The Kingmaker is a good one as they briefly mention it as a nickname that felt confusing to me.

The plot is hard to follow at times because it focuses on their bonding (for a week), then on Maxim's Antarctic Adventure, then it's mentioned that he also has to go to the Amazon but there is barely a reference to his time there. There is a lie by omission which leads to a gap of ten years where Lennix goes from being a grassroots protestor fighting to save lands that they are building pipelines on to Louboutin shoes and debating on a news show. It seems like the author had a hard time focusing on one concept so they just threw all of the concepts into the story. And then had the audacity to end it on a cliffhanger. Is it a romance? An action-packed adventure on climate change? A potential presidential candidate political campaign story? A story about indigenous women going missing and the lack of action about it? The answer is e. All of the above.

(3.5/5) I'll start by saying that I am a Kennedy Ryan super-fan and will read anything she graces us with, but this was not my favorite of her books. I adored the characters, the core message, and the overall plotline... but the connection between the main characters was not hitting for me. Insta-love and forbidden love are two tropes that I struggle with and both played a role in their love story, so for me it wasn't a great fit.

The writing and depth of research is classing Kennedy Ryan though so if you enjoy those tropes, PLEASE don't let me stop you. The writing is exquisite and the heart is there. This will be a 5 star for someone, that I am sure of. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you so much to SourceBooks Bloom Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book - I am so grateful!

I have read other Kennedy Ryan books and ADORED them. She spares no punches, digs deep at your heart leaving it weeping and bruised, but so fulfilled and satisfied in the end. This is the Kennedy Ryan I was looking for in The Kingmaker, but it's not the Kennedy Ryan I found.

This felt less like a love story and more like...activism. And that's fine - but it's not what I signed up for. I felt like the nuance and the character and plot development that have existed in other books were missing for me here.

In the end, this one didn't work for me and I will not be reading the sequel. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

4 stars//

thank you netgalley and bloom books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

kennedy ryan has done it again ladies and gentlemen!!!! i read the Grip trilogy last year and fell head over heels in love with her writing and how captivating her characters are. this book was actually similar plot-wise (second-chance romance, they meet again years later, insta-love-to-enemies-to-lovers).

it had me hooked from the start with such bold and interesting characters. both characters had values and political views that contradicted each other at times and it was so intriguing how they had actual real meaningful conversations despite their age gap. i did find maxim a bit overbearing at times, but nevertheless, the groveling gave hjm enough points to make up for his personality flaws.

kennedy also does an amazing job at raising awareness about really important worldwide issues in her novels which is something i personally admire. i find her books not just entertaining and steamy, but also informative. in this book, she discusses climate change, the importance of sustainable energy, and the importance of preserving Native Americans' sacred lands and listening to the indigenous people's voices when they demand their rights. it is difficult to weave such serious topics into a romance novel, but kennedy does it flawlessly in my opinion.

lastly, that ending???? i actually cannot wait to pick up the next book just to find out what happens because my curiosity is killing me. this book is definitely worth a read!!!

Kennedy Ryan's The Kingmaker is a gripping and emotionally charged contemporary romance that delves into the complex world of politics and power. With her eloquent prose and engaging storytelling, Ryan takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of passion, ambition, and personal sacrifice.

Both MCs are flawed and vulnerable, yet their strength and resilience shine through. Their chemistry is palpable, and the slow-burning romance between them is both passionate and profound. Ryan explores their individual journeys with depth and sensitivity, tackling themes of power dynamics, social justice, and personal growth.

The author's skillful portrayal of the political arena adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative. The complex web of alliances, betrayals, and power plays keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Ryan's meticulous research and attention to detail shine through, making the political backdrop feel realistic and compelling.

Wow. This book had everything; from history to romance to powerful women. It had me hooked from the very start all the way to the end. I loved Lennix, the main female character. with her strength and determination.

I personally dislike books that end of a cliffhanger (quite literally in this book). However, I’m slightly happy it didn’t end all happy and rainbows as I don’t think it would suit this story.

“There’s a language between our heartbeats I have no translation for - no words, just a thumping communion.”

This was my first political romance and it was so good! This story touches heavily on the mistreatment of Indigenous people, the fact that they are often abused and go missing, and nothing is done about it. About land that was stolen. I loved every second of this. It was informative, heartbreaking, and just a good story.

You spend the entirety of the story feeling so many emotions for Lennix. Heartbreak because of her mom, and also because of how Maxim dealt with everything. I often don’t enjoy stories where the relationship is built on a lie, but I kind of understand where Maxim was coming from when all was said and done. This story shows that it is okay to end toxic relationships whether the person is blood or not. Maxim and Lennix are a perfect match, both wanting to change the world for the better.

Not only do we get a great story, but we get some spicy scenes to lighten the mood. The scenes were well timed and didn’t take away from the story, and I loooooved it. This story ends on a cliffhanger which was unexpected, and I’m excited to dive into book 2 to see what happens next.

Overview:
- second chance
- indigenous rep
- political
- age gap
- virgin fmc

✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

First off all, holy CLIFFHANGER (literally). This is book one in KR’s “All the King’s Men” series and the ending definitely entices you to immediately pick up book two.

Right off the bat you can tell that KR did some major research for this book. I loved the spotlight shown on missing Indigenous women. Admittedly, I did not know a ton about it and I learned a lot! It was so heartbreaking to read about and I really felt for Lennix and everything she went through with her mom.

Unfortunately the romance portion was a little bit of a miss for me. Insta-love is one of my least favorite tropes and this one had a lot of the “love at first sight” “I can’t live without you after a week” vibes so I just felt a bit disconnected. Some of Maxim’s dialogue threw me off too - while I love a man that knows what he wants, he came off as pushy and rude and entitled at times.

Read if you’re wanting:
🌺 to learn more about the Native American culture and missing Indigenous women
🌺 big themes on climate change
🌺 insta-love
🌺 second chance romance
🌺 strong FMC who knows their identity
🌺 estranged family drama

Overall this wasn’t my favorite by Ryan but I’ve seen a ton of good reviews so it might’ve just been the wrong book for me for my current mood. For now, I’m going to continue with the Hoop Series from KR!

This one is out 5/23!!! Thank you to @netgalley & @read_bloom for the eARC! 🖤

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars

The Kingmaker was a much needed Romance featuring a diverse cast of characters. I enjoyed that the MC was indigenous, and though her story is tragic, it is necessary and I appreciate how Ryan is unafraid to delve into the depths of Lennix's experiences as the daughter of a woman who has been added to the ranks of the MMIW, entwining it with who she has become, without making it her entire story. It is a driving force throughout, but Ryan has left us room for love and laughter and friendship and ambition beyond Lennix's trauma. This book handles so well many social and cultural issues that lack representation too often.
The love story in this book is absolute gold. The Kingmaker jumps between several well known romance tropes, including the hard to perfect Second Chance, which Ryan has done superbly well, delivering a sweet, passionate romance without sacrificing a character's likability to do so. Both Lennix and Maxim are characters to root for, and I truly enjoyed how she handled bringing them back together without making that age gap creepy.
The Kingmaker shows us that, sometimes, love also has to wait on timing.

Kennedy Ryan can write a Romance like few others that I’ve read. She writes in a way that makes you feel like you’re a fly on the wall, hearing everything happening in real life, rather than reading it on a page. This story snagged my attention from the first page to the last, and I loved every bit of it. It had some great spice, amazing dialogue, and an engaging plot. I can’t wait to read Part 2. Thank you to NetGalley, Kennedy herself, and the publisher for this ARC!

I got an arc of the republication of this book and also snagged the second in the duology. The new covers are *gorgeous* I never keep books (yes, I give them all away when I've read them) but I considered keeping these because I thought they were so pretty.

Unfortunately, this story wasn't for me. It has 3 parts, across 14 years, which was interesting but the rest didn't work for me. Frankly, as a mom, I just was 500000% turned off in part 1 when the FMC is 17 and in high school and the MMC is 24 and in grad school. NOPE BIG NOPE. Yes, they age up in the next part (4 years later), but I was already out.

It's the story of Maxim Cade, son to an oil and gas tycoon but who is the black sheep son who is a treehugger, and Lennix, an indigenous girl (later woman) whose mother is one of the many indigenous women who disappear every year and the police just shrug at, and who also protests the pipelines Maxim's dad puts in place. There's insta attraction, there's secrets and betrayal, and long years away pining for each other. But I truly did not care for the age gap of it all and I did not like the alphahole possessiveness of Maxim. I didn't want to read anything he said by the end of it.

Also I didn't realize it was a duology and not a series with a second book about someone else. This book ends on a cliffhanger and while I have the second book, I can't make myself read it, because I was like I'm sure it's fine.

It could be for some, the spicy scenes were indeed spicy, it just hit a bunch of my no's.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is not my usual genre but after reading the synopsis I had to read it. WOW!!!! I'm so glad I did. I couldn't put this book down. I loved the dual point of views and the main characters. I can't wait to read the second book after that cliff hanger of an ending.

Kennedy Ryan has a way of drawing you in and making your fall head over heels for her characters. Lennix and Maxim are no different! I think people who love her books are going to love this. The only think they might dislike is the cliffhanger this leaves you on…literally.

My first read from Kennedy Ryan and I’m now hooked. Also this book ending in a cliff hanger my heart cannot take it!
Really enjoyed this book especially the characters the good and bad ones. Super invested in Lennix and Maxim’s love story. Something I really appreciated about this book aside from the incredible storytelling was also I learned things through this book, about Apache culture/traditions, more about the ugly side of history that is necessary to know to grow, change, and adapt as a society, and environmental/climate change. This book inspired me to do more research, learning, and growing. So thank you Kennedy Ryan for not only providing a entertainment but sparking education and betterment. Definitely going to be diving into other works from this author and look forward to her future works.

I am a HUGE fan of everything Kenndy Ryan writes, Reading her books is like reading poetry. Her writing grips you from the first chapter and does not let you go until the very last word. This book starts with a short encounter between Maxim and Lennix which starts what will become a beautiful story. The level of research and detail that goes into these books is impressive. I love that the female leads are strong, confident and empowered but not scared to show some vulnerability. Do not even get me started on the men! Maxim is an ultimate book boyfriend. A shot of alpha hotness with an intelligence chaser. This book is a must read for everyone. I am a huge fan, there is always a book by this author on my most recommended list.