Thank you for the chance to read this book NetGalley. I know this is a republish after looking it up and this author has been on my to be read list but this book just was not for me unfortunately. I did not realize it was a duet and I don’t mind serials but I don’t love when a book doesn’t finish in one. The writing was almost flowery for both of the main characters and it was a little surprising to me. But the biggest issue is that I was not able to really care about their relationship. He withheld information from her after their second meeting. The first one I understood but come on dude. And I felt like there was a lot of talk about her being 17 when they met and her virginity for far too long it made it gross to me. I found myself just wanting to skip the majority as this was a really slow burn and I think being a duet didn’t help with that. I think I will try a different book by this author as I can see how well written the book is.

While I appreciated the focus on many social issues throughout this book that deserve our attention, at times the story felt disjointed. The huge gaps in time also left some character development to be desired. I was not expecting the ending and am intrigued as to where this new storyline will go as it came of left field.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bloom Books for an early copy of this rerelease. The Kingmaker is written by the same author (Kennedy Ryan) as Before I Let Go (which I loved) so I jumped at the opportunity to read this.
Now, I have to give Kennedy major props. She did so much research on this story about a Native American woman, fighting for the rights of indigenous people and their land and a man who’s passion is clean energy, although he comes from an oil dynasty who put a pipeline on her tribe’s land. A mouthful, I know. The beginning was SO good and the ending had a MAJOR cliffhanger, but I got lost somewhere in the middle because there were such information dumps regarding cultures, energy sources and politics. It was too much.
So overall, giving this a 3.5/5. It does have an accompanying sequel that will be rereleased later this year, and I will definitely read it after seeing where this left off.

📖 Book: The Kingmaker
✍️ Author: Kennedy Ryan
✨ Rating: 5 ⭐️
🌶️ Spice: 3 🥵

Is this my first Kennedy Ryan book? Yes. Will it be my last? No! Usually when reading romance books most of the attention goes to the things the MMC does, but I have to say that Lennix Moon Hunter is what caught my attention. She’s strong, opinionated, passionate and a total HBIC. She’s not afraid of saying what she thinks and doing what’s necessary to achieve it. I didn’t expect to enjoy an FMC as much as I enjoyed her. With Scandal being one of my favorite shows (I’ve watched it two times) I can see why people compare this book to the series and Lennix to Olivia Pope, which I am totally on board.

The way social topics are discussed in this book is done beautifully. Climate change, the burning of fossil fuels, the appropriation of Native American lands by corporations, the struggle that Native Americans have had to endure with their customs and traditions being banned. I’ve loved everything so far about it and the discussions Lennix and Maxim have about it. The fact that this is a romance, but it still touches on important topics is something that I must applaud to the author because she’s done it in a masterful way.

And since this is a romance, we must talk about Lennix and Maxim’s relationship. This relationship is scorching hot. The passion between them, the fact that they’ve known each other for so many years but their chemistry has never fizzled. Truly giving us Olivia and Fitz vibes.

Be aware that this book has mentions of the death of a parent, rape and murder, and there is a scene of violence and kidnapping. Also be aware that the book ends in a cliffhanger.

I am absolutely in love with this book, and I can’t wait to read the second one. Kennedy Ryan has won a new fan.

4.5/ stars
3/5 spice

Fair warning... it ends on a cliffhanger. I had no idea and wasn't prepared. Besides that, OMG, this book was emotionally charged and had a great plot. The cliffhanger sets up the next book for some serious drama.

Tropes:
Insta lust
Soulmates
Political intrigue
Social justice
Secret identity
Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
Indigenous heroine
Non-toxic alpha MMC
Dual POV

Lennix and Maxim are true soulmates but have to go through so much before finally embracing their love. They both are ambitious in their pursuit of their goals and are the epitome of "right person, wrong time." Their story spans 14 years. Which, in my opinion, works well. Allowing them to grow as individuals and achieve their goals. Other than their romance, the political and social issues discussed were integrated very well. There are so many important topics that even if there wasn't romance and spice, I would recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Trigger/Content warnings:
Mentions violence against Indigenous women (MMIW), death of a parent, sexual content

Please note: This review is posted on Goodreads, but I will post on my blog/instagram on the Pub Date. Thank you.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The Kingmaker" by Kennedy Ryan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
✈️ to: Amsterdam, Antarctica, etc...
Re-Release Date (with new cover): 5/23

Is it getting hot in here or is it just Kennedy Ryan's "The Kingmaker"?? When I tell you I flew through this book and was fanning myself the whole way. The main characters just have that electric spark that makes the pages fly by and before you know it it's 2 am. Whoops!

The story centers around the wealthy Maxim Cade, who is trying to establish his own legacy outside his family's notorious drilling company in favor of clean energy, and Lennix Hunter, a Native American activist who fights against everything his family stands for.

This book had the rare ability of making me blush, but also teaching me quite a bit. I was impressed by the research the author did about topics related to the heritage of Indigenous peoples and the care taken in talking about MMIW (Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women).

If you're looking for a steamy romance with depth this might be the next book for you!

New to me author, Kennedy Ryan, COMMANDS your attention with a writing style so silky, thought provoking, demanding you pay attention to each jot and tiddle. Her descriptions are the stuff of epic scores of classicical music. Each note perfectly timed, in tune, blending in to create a sublime picture.

This book shares the story of two power house characters - Lennix Moon Hunter, 13 when we first meet her having completed her Sunrise Dance - an Apache tradition that takes place over four days when a girl becomes a woman. Tragedy strikes when her mother disappears, presumed dead. Four years later our Male Main Character, Maxim Cade, is driven to a drill site by his father, Warren Cade, the powerful owner of Cade Energy, to witness his father's shutdown of a native uprising. Unable to sit on the sidelines and watch the charismatic young leader of this protest be mauled, Maxim physically puts himself between the dogs and Lennix, now 17. He takes the bite meant for her and goes to jail with her. This is their beginning but, since Lennix is underage, it is also quickly ended. Mad respect to Kennedy for drawing a line in the sand.

The characters met up again 4 years later in Amsterdam - Lennix having completed college with several opportunities on the table and Maxim having completed his PhD. Two things become imminently clear - these have an insatiable attraction to each other and Lennix and Maxim abhor Warren Cade. Maxim uses his last middle name Kinsman now. His plan is to go to Antarctica for an extended period of time. Their plan, it's one week and they'll walk away. But can either one do it? Then, it gets interfered with, disaster strikes and they have to deal with the consequences of lies of omission.

This book, these characters, the writing! I was mesmerized. It was like tasting honey each time I picked it up. Lennix is so powerful even at such a young age. She's driven, focused. So rare. Maxim's also single mindedly focus on his goals ... with talking points. As their week goes on in Amsterdam, they both see separately they don't want to walk away. But neither says anything to the other and then it is too late. I love how Lennix is firm but she also becomes willing to become introspective.

I spent half of reading this book annotating it. There are so many passages that are quote worthy but I think this one deserves a nod:

"I'm too preoccupied with a second chance I never thought I'd get. Can it be called a second chance when there was never a chance before?" Maxim Cade

This references the line in the sand Maxim's character makes when he meets Lennix. He's stunned at the incongruity of the strength and power of her words and her maturity but her being only 17 and leading a group that includes her elementary school teacher. Again, as a writer Kennedy Ryan chose this line in the sand and I'm giving her an enthusiastic tennis clap.

This book has some things readers needs to be aware of:

-Death of Parent
-Colonialism
-Obsession/Stalking
-Rape/Murder (not described)
-Kidnapping/Violence

I am very glad I found out this book is part of a series. I thought it wasn't when I finished it leaving me quite stunned. I need more Kennedy Ryan books in my life. Her writing is exquisite.

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Bloom Books for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Can Kennedy Ryan do any wrong? ABSOULUTLEY NOT! She is Queen of romance, but man what a surprise this was to read because it's not just another amazing Romance Novel.

I enjoyed the way the story is told over several years... We follow two main characters from when they first meet to present day as major events are swirling around them. Maxim and Lennix might be my new favorite duo, this relationship had me hooked!

This book is full of delicious character development, pacing perfection and oh while she's at it... she throws in social injustices and pertinent social issues. What an inspirational, beautiful, thought provoking read! I will be re-reading this for sure!

This book was phenomenal. Not only did it touch on indigenous women and American politics, but it was a classic right man wrong time. I love time jumps and second chances and this book gave me everything. Excellent banter and chemistry, suspense, and real world issues and you can’t get anything more. I can’t wait for book two!

Book Name: The Kingmaker
Author: Kennedy Ryan

ARC
Thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, Bloom Books for an ARC of The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

Stars: 3
Spice: 3.5

Book 1 of All the Kings Men Duet
Cliffhanger
Fast Paced
Character Centric
Dual POV
Contemporary Romance

Topics
- Native American First Nations Indigenous Representation
- Climate Change and Ethics of Oil Drilling
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)

- Tropes
- Second Chance
- Political Romance
- Miscommunication & Secrets
- Insta Love
- Slow Burn

- Thoughts.
- Lots of Political and Social Justice Overtones. (Preachy)
- Parts 1 & 2 Felt Juvenile
- Part 3 Really “Grew up” and Hit It’s Stride
- “Scandal” TV Show Vibes
- Wordy
- Jumps the Shark a Tad

4.5 stars out of 5.
This book was such an incredibly well written story with all my favorite things in romance, a little forbidden, a deep emotional connection and of course the angst. I really enjoyed Lennix and Maxim's dynamic in this book I loved seeing them both grow into very conscious people not only of themselves and the world around them but of the careers that they dominate. The romance developed beautifully in this book from an insta-crush to a soul deep connection that was undoubtably the endgame. It is an impressive feat when an author can take polarizing subjects such as climate control and the rights of Native peoples and not only have the reader impacted by the facts but have those facts be an integral part of the story that helps further the belief that the love and mutual respect that the main characters have for one another is authentic. I cannot wait to see how this cliffhanger ends in book 2.

I read this book initially in January 2021 when I was somewhat new to the adult romance genre and was just rediscovering my love for reading that I had lost in my early adult years. The Kingmaker then, like it did again this time, kept me up WAY past my bedtime and again, left me shocked at the (literal) cliffhanger. I just love this duology SO much. It is steamy and fun while also being suspenseful, impactful, and heavy. I love Maxim and Lennox so much and love their individuality and their fire for one another is palpable. Its like Kennedy was like "what would happen if I put 2 alphas in a relationship together?".

I absolutely adore Kennedy Ryan's writing and I am so excited that these are being traditionally published. I highly recommend this series (and literally any other book by KR)!!!

I read the first book in the All the King’s Men series by Kennedy Ryan, The Kingmaker, and it’s about Lennix Hunter, who at a protest for the oil pipeline that threatens to mar her ancestral land forever, meet Maxim Cade in a flurry of stars and sparks, and that one moment changes everything. But Maxim's family is the one stealing from hers, and his father is the man she hates most. However, he'll do anything to keep her. Even though Lennix tries to hate Maxim, too, their hearts are pointed in the same direction. The inexorable pull between them, across miles and years, will not be denied.

So as you noticed, this is a love story. It’s not my usual cup of tea but I was pulled in by Lennox’ will of mind and her fight for her ancestral home. I actually really loved that about her and this book, that it’s a main focus and the the story continues over a decade. The only negative is that the story should have ended before a new cliffhanger was introduced. That just felt forced and disjointed the storyline unfortunately. But up until that point, I liked the book!

-Indigenous Activist Heroine
-Billionaire hero (who signs the Giving Pledge)
-Slowburn Romance
- Spice

I was introduced to Kennedy Ryan when I read Before I Let Go (5/5 stars) and made it my mission to read her other books.

In The Kingmaker, Kennedy Ryan takes care and is culturally sensitive when delivering the FMC,Lennix Hunter, an Indigenous Olivia Pope-esque badass. Between the author notes and the details included throughout the story it’s clear that Kennedy Ryan did so much research.

Through Lennix's story, Kennedy Ryan spotlights the very real injustices that Native people have to deal with everyday, like the epidemic of MMIW (Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women). Indigenous women are between 3 and 31⁄2 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than other women, and the violence they face is often more severe.

So this covers the social justice aspect, but we are talking about a romance.

Maxim Kingsman Cade has no interest in taking over the family business, a major oil empire. Maxim is interested in alternative energy and rejects his father (and his need to control Maxim’s future) and charts his own path, as a billionaire PhD climate activist.

Maxim and Lennix meet at a pipeline protest and have an instant connection, but it isn't until four years later that they meet again and act on it. I loved all the twists and turns and their chemistry is undeniable.

I feel really sorry for everyone who had to wait for book 2 after the original publication because the ending…oh my my my.

The re-release of The Kingmaker (with a GORGEOUS cover) is out May 23, 2023!Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book is so damn powerfully sexy. Phew.
Lennix Moon Hunter: Native American activist heroine turned into political campaign mastermind (nicknamed The Kingmaker because her candidates WIN; envision powerhouse, Oliva Pope from Scandal).

Maxim Cade: Son of oil tycoon billionaire hero who cuts ties with his family to research climate change and create a new dynasty of energy production. Described as a wolf who bleeds ambition and will stop at nothing to obtain his goals.

Maxim’s family is the one stealing from hers, and his father is the man Lennix hates the most. Maxim hides his identity in order to have her once, and despite the truth, he’ll do anything to keep her. Their romance spans years; from their initial heated meeting at an oil pipeline protest, to a post-college tryst in Amsterdam, to hateful/lustful encounters at the zenith of their professional careers. Even though Lennix tries to hate Maxim their hearts are pointed in the same direction and the inexorable pull between them, across miles and years, will not be denied.

I loved every page, two powerhouse unique and driven characters passionate about important social causes. This is the type of romance read I’ve been craving! However, I literally threw the book across the room at that cliffhanger ending; so you’ve been warned this is Book 1 of a duet and you will need Book 2 on auto-buy or download after that last page!!
This new cover on the re-released edition coming May 23, 2023 is gorgeous and I can’t wait to add a copy to my shelves.

Thank you to Bloom Books publisher and NetGalley for my advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I didn't realize it was part of a series so the cliff hanger was a shocker, but overall it was great! I think the character development was good and the slow burn romance was enjoyable. I did feel at times there was a bit too much social/political justice to read about. Overall, I would read another book by this author.

I thought it was a standalone.... That really is my only complaint though. Kennedy Ryan has won me over. An engaging story with complex characters. This story is a romance, but it isn't just about their romance. They both have passions and goals and work hard to achieve those. I cannot wait to read the next book!

Passionate, Insightful, Moving..
This book was everything I was expecting.. drama, power, angsty, passion, romance.
Fighting for your dreams when the world seems to be against you. Love Yavapai-Apache background and how the author mixed real events into this novel.. and the end .. a total and brutal cliffhanger .. well done

I very much wanted to like this book, but I cannot say that I did. Rather than a believable love story, I felt that this was more of an anti-business/pro-Native social commentary. At times I felt lectured rather than swept into a storyline. As a positive, I do appreciate the details and insights into the First Nations culture and the writing itself is lovely. That being said, I am not sure why Lennix is a 17 year old when the relationship with Maxim begins and the 10 year passage of time leaves a lot of things about each character unsaid.

This book leaves me with such mixed feelings. I did like the relationship between Maxim and Lennix, but the age gap and constant references to her being 17 when they met (while he was 24) left me feeling ick. I understood the initial separation because they both had dreams and aspirations which was admirable. I didn’t like the decade long separation as it seemed like overkill. The politics were heavy but worked with their storylines.

Overall 3.5 stars- tough to start, then kept me hooked, ended on a random cliffhanger, but idk if I’ll read the second.