Book: The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: Star-crossed lovers, Enemies to lovers, Cliffhanger
Publication: 23rd May 2023

Kennedy Ryan is one author I can truly rely on for coming back with yet another powerful and diverse series.

The Indigenous People have always fascinated me and to see our FMC from her tribe and fighting for their tribe land is beautifully portrayed. Our MMC is the heir of an oil tycoon and while not happy being a part of their recent plans of expanding their business, he has no choice but to go forward with it for duty. The chemistry between the characters and the angst was through the roof. This series ends off in a cliffhanger but readers don’t let that discourage you as the second part is releasing soon in a few months time.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS bloom for giving me the opportunity to review this ARC copy.

I have read a ton of Kennedy Ryan books and they don’t disappoint. This one was way different then all her other books though. We follow Lennix who is fighting for Indigenous People’s rights and scared land. We also follow Maxim who is the heir of an oil tycoon who continues to bulldoze his way through Tribal Land. The two don’t know that as they find an instant attraction towards each other and keep meeting up through out their life. Will the attraction continue to burn as Lennix finds out who Maxim really is or will it end and combust? I really enjoyed this book and the look we had into Indigenous People and the sacrifices they have had to make. It reminded me a lot of Scandal when it came to the politics of the book. I really enjoyed that part. I also enjoyed Lennix as a main character. She was tough, smart, and just a baddie. The book left off on a huge cliff hanger and I need to get my hands on the second one.



**Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.**

i am late to the kennedy ryan fan train but i am fully on board. i loved the blend of romance, politics, and social issues. my only flag is a couple of places in dc were misspelled or the descriptions didn’t line up with what the area is actually like.

This book was so freaking GOOD. I normally am not a fan of insta-love, it always feels far fetched to me. Not this time. No one on this planet can convince me Lennix and Maxim were not absolutely meant for each other from the second they met. I also loved seeing a strong demisexual woman who was not ashamed of her need for an emotional connection but instead proud and sure of it. So good. BRB, diving into The Rebel King now.

Whoa. This book has a robust timeline (nearly over a decade), chemistry, lust, and heartbreak. Even over years, differences, and distance, this book shows true love and passion doesn't die. I love Ryan's writing style, dips into important political issues, and how she honors the Native American story and history.

Maxim Cade and Lennox Moon Hunter cross paths while she is protesting his father's latest pipeline development on sacred Yavapai-Apache land. Although the two are drawn to each other, their timing isn't quite right. After a chance encounter in Amsterdam, the two rekindle the flame that ignited between them years prior. 

This is far from your average contemporary romance! It was not at all what I had been expecting and has a really interesting storyline while also discussing extremely important topics--ones that I had never read about before (this brings attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women, pipeline developments on Indigenous land, etc). If you like romances with a bit more substance (and spice lol), this one's for you! Be forewarned though, if you pick this up have The Rebel King, book 2, at the ready because woah boy was that a wild cliffhanger.

This was a great book. I definitely ordered the other two books . I loved that i picked this book up while i was in a environmental science class. I was able to enjoy and appreciate everyone's perspective. I'm totally team clean energy. Okay. I love Lennox, she's so strong minded and she was determined to stick to her guns and not get distracted by Maxim and all his heat. The spice was definitely spicing. I can't wait to see Maxs brother become president . Max was the perfect mix of someone who was so charming and at the same time i couldn't stand him at times.

Yeah, no. I’m sure people who read this enjoy it. But I just cannot read it lol. I feel like I can’t give an honest review because I just skimmed most of it.

A BIG thank you to Kennedy Ryan, Bloom books, and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of The Kingmaker. Although this book was published previously, it was a great read and I had never picked up the book before that so every experience was new to me.

Wow, where do I even begin. I hate to admit that this book sat in my TBR way longer than it should have. When I first downloaded it, I had no idea what the book was about. And it sat for months before I finally was able to dive in and become enamored with this beautiful novel.

Some back story, Lennix Moon Hunter is an Apache woman who has dealt with great adversity and difficulty in her life. Her mom was taken from her at a young age as well her people’s cultural land in Arizona. When we first meet Lennix, she is seventeen and has a fierceness that I cannot say I knew at that age. While I was watching Grey’s Anatomy, cuddling my dogs, and drooling over boys, Lennix was making a difference in this world. She is an incredibly strong FMC who is constantly standing up for what is right and making efforts to bring awareness to missing indigenous woman. She is strong in her convictions and doesn’t compromise her belief and values for the sake of others pride.

Maxim Cade is a strong tree hugging environmentalist with his own agenda that is far from his rich family's company. He is a brilliant, attractive man with a plan to save the country no matter what daring feats he must complete. The beginning of the book he is nothing, if not a gentleman. He asks for consent, considers Lennix’s feelings, and is constantly listening to what she has to say. Towards the middle of the book he becomes a bit possessive and forceful in his convictions, which was hot (I love a good Alpha male) but also got a little bit intense at times.

After ten years of ups and downs Maxim and Lennix are brought back together in a situation that forces them to analyze their past and find a way to move forward.. They past they shared is brought to light and they must figure out how to navigate their new identities while also preserving the memories of their cherished past together.

Now let’s get to what I liked about the novel. This novel had me gripping the edge of my seat and turning pages so quickly my eyes stung near the end of every reading session. I couldn’t put it down. The story is gripping, visceral, and believable to the point where I wished these characters existed in real life. I had no problem believing these characters accomplished their hopes and dreams because Mrs. Ryan set their personalities up in a way that perfectly aligned with their drive to change the world. This story has the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat and although I semi predicted the plot twist at the end, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment while reading this book. The chemistry between characters in this book is outstanding. I liked how Mrs. Ryan fleshed out the side characters' personalities as much as the main characters.

Now, here I was thinking this is a stand alone HEA. I was ready to jump into my next ARC read on NetGalley when I realized this book was going to end on a cliffhanger and I had no choice but to go to amazon, buy the second book, and make it my personality and only hobby for the next two days. Here I was thinking I had free agency in what I choose to read but I literally cannot wait to see where the story takes them next.

This was new to me author & it won’t be the last! I really enjoyed this one! I’m looking forward to the next one in this series! This book was so heartfelt & all the angst! The characters had great chemistry! I don’t want to ruin anything, so I highly suggest reading this one asap!!!!

This is a book that I probably would not have picked up on my own, but I am looking forward to reading Kennedy Ryan's backlist. I loved how the story went over time and focused on the struggles and inequities that Indigenous People have. I could not wait to go back to the story and find out what happened next, I have recommended this book to my friends.

Kennedy Ryan can do no wrong in my eyes. Lennix is one strong female main character! This book right from the beginning was very different than I was expecting but that was not a bad thing at all. Second chance romances are one of my favorite book tropes. The way the author mixed romance with political topics was spectacular. This book truly had me on the edge of my seat!!

I was so drawn into this book. The cover is absolutely stunning and caught my attention right away, and then the writing is beautiful with the storyline. I couldn't put this down.

Well, I wasn’t expecting this outcome, my first Kennedy Ryan book was Reel and I fell in love with her style of writing and the way she centered romance in her stories. Then I read Before I let go this year and it was an easy 5 stars. When the news dropped that her older series was being republished I was so excited but I didn’t love it the way I was hoping. It’s unrealistic to expect authors to hit a home run with every book and this book just wasn’t for me.

Kennedy Ryan will pull at your emotional strings with this one because it’s not an easy romance but man was it a worthwhile one. I loved it so much!!

Kennedy Ryan is an amazing author. The book brings emotions, social issues, and love all into one place. I love that the character is such a strong spoken female and that she continues to fight and recognize her culture.

I love swoony men as well! This is a high,y recommended read. The representation is so amazing.

4.5 stars!! Wowee!! Kennedy Ryan's books leave me wanting more! Lennix and Maxim's story is intriguing, spicy and entertaining. Beyond the romance there's social issues, grief and family drama/trauma that are highlighted too. This book ends with a huge cliff hanger so you'll want to have the second book lined up!

This book is spicy chance meeting after spicy chance meeting that keeps you immersed in the story. I couldn’t put it down. The only eye roll moment for me was some of Maxim’s ‘entitlement’ moments, no spoilers so I’ll leave it at that.

Another KR book for the win!!! While I don’t think any book by the author will top “Before I Let Go” for me this was another great book to add to the list. It was heartfelt, passionate, and full of steam. The pacing was fair with compelling characters, an interesting plot, and a thought-provoking cliffhanger type ending.

Kennedy continues to prove why she’s a must read author. Her writing is sharp and compelling, there’s always diversity within her characters, and a unique style in the way she tells a story.

I enjoyed both MC’s throughout the book for the most part I mean the intensity of their connection was hard to deny. I’m not one to believe in love at first sight but Ryan does a great job reeling you into their growing relationship. Now Maxim did annoy me a bit with his egotistical ways and putting his career before everything yet still longing for Lennix.

They met when she was 17 and he was about 21 or 22 nothing happens between them until about four year later. Lennix losing her virginity to him was odd considering she didn’t really know him in my opinion. I found it hard to believe she saved it all that time just to give it up so quickly like he didn’t even have to work for it.

There were also a few cheesy, stereotypical, cliche moments thrown in but nothing was overdone so the story is still wholesome. What I did notice was that most of the conflict within the book arises mainly because of Maxim and the fact he lied about who he was.

Overall, the book was great not a fav but still worth reading. I think she wove the political aspects in perfectly with the romance and steam so the premise was well-executed. I don’t care for cliffhanger endings but the way she ended things will make you want to hurry up and read the next book in the series. Special thanks to the author, @read_bloom , & @netgalley for my advanced copy!!!

"The Kingmaker" is the first book in her captivating All the King's Men duology. This story takes us into a world of privilege and struggle, where Maxim Cade wants nothing to do with his family's oil empire and is determined to make his own mark. But when he meets Lennix Hunter, a woman fighting to protect her ancestral land from his family's business, everything changes. Despite their opposing backgrounds and the lies that separate them, their hearts are drawn together in an undeniable connection.

Kennedy Ryan weaves a gripping tale of love, power, and determination in this book. Maxim's rebellion against his family's empire and Lennix's fight for justice create a dynamic backdrop for their intense romance. The chemistry between them crackles with intensity, igniting sparks that leap off the pages. The author skillfully navigates their complex relationship, exploring themes of family loyalty, sacrifice, and the power of love.

"The Kingmaker" showcases Ryan's talent for crafting multidimensional characters. Maxim and Lennix are both strong-willed individuals who challenge societal expectations and fight for what they believe in. Their growth throughout the story adds depth and authenticity to their connection, making readers truly invest in their journey.

While the story immerses readers in a world of privilege and struggle, some may find the pacing slow at times. However, the emotional depth, richly drawn characters, and the palpable chemistry between Maxim and Lennix make up for any minor pacing issues.

First of all, I really enjoy anything Kennedy Ryan writes and this book did not disappoint. I was engaged from page one in the story of Lennix and Maxim. The history between them lays a really good foundation for the storyline. Maxim is ruthless in business and makes it is mission to make Lennix his. I can't wait to read the second book in this duet.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bloom Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.