The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan is a masterpiece of emotion and storytelling! Once again, Ryan weaves a gripping, intense narrative filled with passion, betrayal, and fierce chemistry between Maxim and Lennix. Her ability to create deeply flawed, yet lovable characters and make you feel every ounce of their journey is unmatched. I couldn’t put it down, and her emotional depth left me breathless—You'll want to grab this one.

I won't be reading this title as I didn't enjoy the first book and received both as ARCs. I have enjoyed other books by Ryan but had issues with the ages of the characters in the first book and some of the plot points and will not be returning to read the rest of the series.

I found it quite challenging to get through this book, and I found myself putting it down multiple times. Unfortunately, it felt as though the political storyline took precedence over the romance, with the romance almost feeling like a secondary subplot. The way the romance was hidden for so long, only to be revealed without any of the complications or conflicts Lennix had anticipated, felt somewhat unrealistic, especially after all the tension built around it. This made the resolution seem a bit forced and, honestly, underwhelming after such a prolonged buildup.

This issue was not isolated to just this book – I had the same difficulty with the first installment in the series, which also took me a considerable amount of time to get through. Although I had access to this title via NetGalley, which motivated me to continue reading, I struggled to connect with the narrative.

While the political elements of the story were certainly present, they didn't captivate me the way I had hoped. Maxim's presidential candidacy, in particular, seemed somewhat unnecessary and out of place, ultimately detracting from the core storyline. While I can see how this book might resonate with others, it simply didn't align with my personal tastes. I may not have been the right audience for this particular series, but I do recognize that it might appeal to readers who enjoy a heavier focus on political drama mixed with romance.

3.5 stars!

Still enjoyable and read so quickly, but unfortunately I liked the plot and the meaning behind book one a bit more than here. The plot kinda goes off the rails here, the most egregious being Maxim and how he's a member of the Independent Party (yuck).

The chemistry between Maxim and Lennix was still off the charts and Kennedy once again really shows how they should be together. But overall in this book I missed more of Lennix's personal story and growth. This one focused on Maxim a bit too much for me.

Still so happy I read and can't wait to keep reading Kennedy Ryan's books!

Short Synopsis: Picks up right where book 1 left off. Don’t read out of order!

My thoughts: After that cliffhanger of book 1, I immediately started this one and binged it in a day. Going along with my previous thoughts I loved the emotional connection Maxin and Lennix had. They fought so hard for their relationship, and for each other. But still stuck with their individual dreams and values.

I absolutely adored the way this one wrapped up. It was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Once again, you can expect quite a bit of spice with this one, along with lots of character depth. This is one I will be thinking about for quite some time!

Read if you love:
- Strong female characters
- Presidential candidates
- Second chance romance
- Indigenous rep
- Class disparity and fighting for less fortunate

This book delivers everything you could hope for in a captivating romance and more. Lennix and Maxim, characters we’ve come to adore, shine even brighter in this instalment as we uncover new layers to their personalities and witness their growth throughout the story.

Lennix is a powerhouse—fierce, determined, and unapologetically herself. Her strength is matched by Maxim, who doesn’t seek to dim her fire but instead admires and nurtures it. His unwavering support and encouragement are a testament to their deep connection. Together, they embody the kind of love that challenges and elevates, bringing out the best in each other.

Their chemistry? Absolutely electric. Despite their differences, their shared passion and mutual respect create a bond that’s as undeniable as it is inspiring. They push each other in all the right ways, building a partnership that feels both dynamic and unbreakable.

This book has it all—drama, angst, suspense, action, and a love so intense it leaves you breathless. Add to those themes of forgiveness, hope, and raw passion, and you’ve got a story that’s utterly unforgettable. The Rebel King is a masterful blend of heart and heat, and I couldn’t get enough!

This is Book 2 in the All the King’s Men Duet by this author. It is the perfect conclusion to the passionate romance between Maxim and Lennix. It is a bittersweet, emotional journey that blends romance, politics, science, and history in one complex and compelling read with heart and heat.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

The Rebel King picks up right where The King Maker leaves off (THANK GOODNESS because that cliffhanger... you must read that book first in order for the events in this book to make sense). I will say that I think I enjoyed The King Maker more. This title has a lot of political references and undertones. I usually try to stay away from those types of books since I read to escape the chaos of the current world.

But we are back with Maxim and Lennix and their complicated love story. I really liked the enemies to lovers continued in this one. I love how strong of an FMC Lennix is too. She's a badass.

Please make sure you check the trigger warnings prior to reading this book. There are a couple!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kennedy Ryan and Sourcebooks for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Rebel King" is an exciting continuation of a captivating saga filled with action and romance. The story follows a strong, determined protagonist as they fight against tyranny and navigate complex relationships. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the plot is full of twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. With themes of bravery and loyalty, this book is a must-read for fans of epic adventures and forbidden love!

The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan is an engrossing continuation that had me hooked from start to finish. After the jaw-dropping cliffhanger of the first book, I was eagerly anticipating how the story would unfold, and it definitely delivered.

Maxim was a complex and magnetic as ever. His interplay with the protagonist creates a tension that’s both thrilling and heart-wrenching. The chemistry between them is electric, yet their relationship is tangled with deception and power plays that keep you guessing. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, caught up in the high-stakes drama and emotional rollercoaster.

Ryan’s portrayal of power dynamics and trust is spot-on, making every twist feel both surprising and inevitable. The way the story navigates the murky waters of ambition and betrayal is done with such finesse that it feels incredibly real and immersive.

Unfortunately I was unable to finish the first book, so at this time I won’t be picking up the second

After reading Kingmaker, I immediately had to pick this one up. The romance in this book between Lennix and Maxim is so so good. I really enjoyed every minute of this book. This was an amazing ending to this series.

Can you go wrong with picking up a Kennedy Ryan book?

No.

She always hits. And this book is part of that rule.

Kennedy Ryan is one of my favorite authors and this book absolutely does not disappoint! She weaves a contemporary romance better than most authors out there while also delivering social commentary at the same time. I felt completely engrossed in the second book of this duet and wasn't ready for Maxim and Lennix's love story to come to a close. She had me all wrapped up in the intensity of their relationship while also loving the banter between them. I can only wish there were more books in this universe!

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange of my honest review.

I highly recommend this to all my second chance lovers besties. There was a never a dull moment and I was on the edge of my seat!
Here is the sensitive content that I observed while reading:

Alcohol
Car Accident/Death in a car
Death of a parent
Grief
Gun violence
Kidnapping
Murder
Profanity
Racism
Sexually Explicit Scenes
Violence

"The Rebel King" is an exceptional book that encompasses:

Romance
Revenge
Betrayal
Power and greed
Complex characters
Vivid details of their world
I found immense enjoyment in reading this book; it was difficult to put down at times and return to the real world. Kennedy Ryan has skillfully crafted a story that captivates readers and leaves a lasting impression.

I've heard great things about this author, so I was excited to start this book, however, I am definitely a mood reader, and for some reason, this book just didn't every grab my mood. I LOVED that the FMC is Native American, I loved that she was a strong, independent person. I feel that too often, the FMC is a down on her luck, sad sack, and while Lennix has had plenty of trauma in her life, she is not a weak character. She is resilient and strong. There were spicy scenes in this book, which I was ok with, but I just can not put my finger on why this book missed the mark for me. I guess it just never caught me when I was in the right mood. I will try to come back to it to finish it when the time is right for me.

If Kennedy Ryan has no fans I am ☠️.

One word 𝙀𝙭𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚

Kennedy Ryan's writing falls in it's own category in my opinion. It's a romance but it has so much more depth. You feel completely emerged in the story. And her writing, it's absolutely breathtaking.

It's hard to list tropes on this one and not give spoilers. You have alpha male + alpha female. A long time frame with time jumps. Some second chance. Lots of suspense. A BIG OLE cliffy on book one, book two ends in a hea though! The chemistry and emotion is off the charts.

"𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙚" 𝙨𝙖𝙮, 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙬. "𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙨."

I've heard a lot compare this to the show Scandal, I see it... But it's also SO much more.

This is a series/duet that will stay with me and absolutely be reread.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for the copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So good. The steam is hot hot hot. Very interesting political issues in this series that give it a strong plot.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kennedy Ryan, and publishing for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.