First of all, this book hit on important topics and I’m glad! I enjoyed learning! I really liked Lennix and Maxim. There was good character development that I enjoyed. I just really enjoyed this book and I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to read it!

The first half of this book is entertaining and i love every interaction between maxim and lennix but i don’t know it’s somehow evolved into something that quite off all of a sudden. I do love the aspect of injustice that the author highlights in this book and i’m mesmerized and inspired by lennix. But, more than that i don’t really think that this book is for me.

Oh my god, I don't think Kennedy Ryan is capable of missing. This is only my second novel of hers and I can confidently say she's one of my favorite, auto-buy authors. I am so entranced by her writing style that, so far, has been consistent through her backlist to her most recent work (which happens to be where I started). I could go wax poetic about her imagery and the way she beautifully strings together words that makes certain scenes and dialogues special. Like I'm reading an actual piece of art, I'm immediately transported to the scene or in the eyes of the characters and how they want to be seen. And this is apart from the story itself, which was also quite brilliant.

(I've given up on writing eloquent reviews so I'll continue with my bullet points)

- This is my first "political" drama/romance and WOW did it not disappoint. I tend to compare book vibes with show vibes, and if I could give this book one I'd say "Scandal" is pretty close. Lennix is like a bad ass Olivia Pope.

- If there's also one thing Ms. Ryan is gonna do consistently is serve up some smut. The spice was indeed spicin'. 😮‍💨 Lennix and Maxim were complimentary powerhouses, not one overshadowing the other.

- But even more this book manages to transcend the romance genre. You're gonna sit with some uncomfy truths; What was taken from the Native people- their land, language, traditions, the real life effects of fossil fuel and need for clean, sustainable energy, and the roles of politics and power. DEEP CUTS, people. I hope Kennedy Ryan continues to take us to church 😂
"Besides, it's the dreamers, the inventors and entrepreneurs who change the world the most. Gutenburg, Edison, Stephenson, Jobs- something about the present wasn't good enough, so they made the future." ... "What do politicians make? They make war. They make profit off the misfortune of others. They make mistakes they won't take responsibility for and decisions they never have to feel the impact of."


I am beyond ecstatic that the All the King's Men Duet is being re-released in traditional publishing and will be in the hands of more readers on May 23rd.

(Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and the author for the ARC.)

Kennedy Ryan's books never miss. She easily incorporates romance, real world issues, and character growth in such beautifully woven narratives. She writes strong, independent female characters that are flawed and vulnerable. While this book is ultimately the story of a relationship, her storylines are so well researched and thorough.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for providing me an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

While the plot itself is very interesting with this book, the romance felt a little flat to me. While there is certainly some spice to this book, that feels like the only thing keeping these characters together. Yes, there is physical attraction and some of their ideals overlap, but I just didn't see what they offered the other person. Through time skips, we see the main characters grow professionally, and that's pretty much the extent of it. I felt that there wasn't a lot of personal growth or desire to be better for the other person. Like, the only impact the characters had on each other was their physical attraction, which just doesn't scream romance to me. I needed something more.

Again, the overall plot was interesting, and I will likely read the next book as this one does end on quite a cliffhanger! I do hope we see more development between the two main characters outside just their lust.

Maxim Cade is determined to break free from his family's oil empire and build his own business, even if it means leaving everything behind. But when he meets Lennix Hunter at a protest against the oil pipeline that threatens her ancestral land, he is instantly drawn to her. Despite the fact that Maxim's family is responsible for the harm to Lennix's community, they cannot resist the powerful attraction between them.

As Maxim and Lennix navigate their complex and forbidden relationship, they are faced with difficult choices and dangerous consequences. Maxim will do whatever it takes to keep Lennix by his side, even if it means lying to her and betraying his own family. But as their love grows stronger, they must confront the harsh reality of their differences and the challenges of their divergent paths.

In the end, Maxim and Lennix are left with a choice: to follow their hearts or to succumb to the pressures of their respective worlds. The fate of their love hangs in the balance, and Maxim is determined to fight for it, no matter what.

I just…am not on board with this love story. The time jumps are excessive and some of the scenarios are completely unbelievable. The main characters were also completely unlikable and immature. This book just didn’t keep me hooked at all. Not a fan. Wouldn’t recommend.

this book is absolutely AMAZING! I devoured it within a day. When this book was up for grabs I know I had to have it because of Kennedy Ryan. This did not disappoint. The plot, the characters, the will they won’t they..CHEFS KISS!!!
Going to need book two ASAP

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Maxim and Lennix. Their chemistry is beautiful. Their story is so complex, yet real. Political and economic differences really affect relationships, especially those with minority individuals. I found myself rooting for these two. The twists were great, and I loved my experience reading this book.

The chemistry between Lennix and Maxim is so good! It is a bit of an insta-love, which is not typically my thing, but they were so good together that I fell fast right along with them.

I really love Lennix! She’s ambitious, intelligent, and she stands up for herself and what she believes in. I love a strong FMC! Maxim was all charm. I don’t know how Lennix managed to resist him at all because wow. Slightly depressed that he’s fictional.

The angst! This was both a pro and a con for me. As someone who is typically slightly disappointed when a novel is described as “low angst”, I enjoyed the way Lennix made Maxim work for it. I like a little drama and yearning with my romance! However, even for me, it got to be a bit much. The characters spend a good part of this book apart from one another and after a while, I need more romance and less angst.

That cliffhanger though… I will be immediately downloading book #2 because I need to know how this ends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Kennedy Ryan is amazing and I recommend her books to everyone!

As always, Kennedy Ryan writes a book that draws you in and keeps you interested. Her character development is always on point and this book is no exception. I did struggle more with this book though due to all of the hot topic issues and politics weaved throughout it. I’d just prefer to leave most of that out if the fiction I read. Overall, the story and writing were good and what I expect from a Kennedy Ryan book. Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC of this rerelease.

I absolutely loved this book. These characters were written wonderfully i adored them from start to finish. I had a deep connection with the characters , something that i have yet to come across with other books that I have read this year. I love the diversity in this book as well as the different information that i never knew about the Apache tribe. I really appreciate the amount of research the author has put into this. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series because there’s no way that was it. I know this is a re-release but I’ve never read this book and i absolutely love it. Kennedy Ryan is now officially added to my auto buy list. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Thank you NetGalley & Bloom Books and a special thanks to Kennedy Ryan for granting me the opportunity to receive an ARC copy of this this book.

I am in awe ... and at a loss for words.
I don't know how to put into words what I felt while reading this story.
It is intense, emotional, heartbreaking from start to finish. It enveloped me like a hug, pulled me into its depths on a visceral level.
It's an epic love story as old as the universe, yet as new as a new day at dawn when anything seems possible.
This is because of the way Ms. Ryan uses her words to bring the characters to life, to make them tangible and relatable. Her writing style is masterful in a way that few other authors will ever achieve.
Every book of hers I've read so far feels like a new revelation, with its depth, its multi-faceted characters, and the way she tells their stories, her pictorial language ...
The way she breathes life into her characters is simply unique!
I can't wait to read the continuation of Lennix and Maxim's story. This exciting book is a page-turner par excellence, and if you plan to read only one book this year, this is the one you should choose!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 🌶️🌶️🌶️

My first read by this author & it will not be my last! just WOW! Everything about this book captured me!

The storyline of the characters was beautiful, the way you get so many pieces of their lives together and apart! BEAUTIFUL!

Really enjoyed Lennix + Maxims characters, both so head strong with very important life goals that ultimately drives them into opposite directions but always find their way back to each other! Their chemistry was incredible and I need more of them!

BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT CLIFFHANGER. I was not expecting that but so excited for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the author, Bloom Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t know this book would end on a cliffhanger?!? Kennedy Ryan, you fantastic author you, what have you done to me?!?! I am so shook right now. I read this in a day. I could not put it down. I need to read the next book asap. Maxim and Lennix are so great, and I loved the expansiveness of their relationship and how far it stretches in their lives. They come together, orbit each other, come together, orbit each other, etc… until Maxim asks for a second chance again. Will he get it? You’ll have to read to find out.

Both of their careers were so awesome! I loved diving a bit into both worlds, and the passion and drive they have to accomplish their goals and help others/the planet.

OH MY WORD. I don’t have much to say, except this book is excellent and I can’t wait to read more. I’ll be on the lookout for an ARC of the next book!!

I loved this one. As soon as I finished this book, I immediately downloaded the next one to my kindle. This story gave me Scandal vibes and I was into it. The political intrigue, the shocking murders, and the romance had me invested until the end. This story takes place over ten years and the characters have a bit of a rough time but once the romance heats up, its unputdownable. This does end on a cliffhanger so beware. Overall, five stars from me.

So much more than just a contemporary romance, The Kingmaker is a breathtaking story of love, loss, hope, and forgiveness.

Maxim and Lennix are two, ready-to-change-the-world people who equally repel and attract one another like magnets. They have spent a bulk of their life orbiting one another, occasionally crossing each other’s paths in passionate bursts. After almost 15 years since they first met, they finally have a chance to walk alongside each other, sharing a common goal. But how long will it last before danger separates the two?

This book is, in a word, phenomenal. The Kingmaker was my introduction to Kennedy Ryan and she has since become one of my absolute favorite authors.

Kennedy has mastered the art of creating extremely complex (and flawed!) characters that you cannot help but root for and Maxim and Lennix are no exception. This story, the first in the All the King's Men duology, follows the early days of Maxim and Lennix's relationship as they each navigate becoming an adult and facing all of the challenges the world throws at them. Their chemistry is palpable and you will want to read The Rebel King as soon as you finish The Kingmaker.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for a copy of this book.

"The Kingmaker" by Kennedy Ryan is an emotionally charged, thought-provoking, and beautifully written romance novel that will leave you breathless.

The chemistry between Lennix and Maxim is undeniable, and I think the author does an excellent job of building the tension and angst, which I really enjoy reading. Their relationship is complex, and the obstacles they face are significant, but the author handles their struggles with care and sensitivity. The political backdrop of the story adds depth and nuance to the narrative, and the themes of power, privilege, and social justice are woven seamlessly into the plot.

Overall, "The Kingmaker" is a captivating and engaging read that will stay with you long after you've finished it. It's a story about love, sacrifice, and the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most significant obstacles. If you're a fan of romance novels that are both heartwarming and thought-provoking, then this book is definitely worth checking out.