"Run. Keep running. You don't stop running because it's hard. You don't stop running because it hurts. Don't you dare stop running because someone says you'll never finish the race or even that it's not your race to run. Prove them all wrong. Blaze your own trail."

I don't know how Kennedy Ryan manages it, but every time I open one of her stories, I am absolutely blown away. The King's Men duet is so impactful and unique that I don't think I'll ever read anything like it again. It's emotional and gives a glimpse into some critically important topics that definitely aren't talked about enough. The passion and emotion put into these stories is astounding.

Lennix is a powerhouse, just like she was in the first book. Her ambition, rage, love, power and connection to herself and her ancestors is something incredible to witness. I loved seeing her and Maxim get together in the first novel, but it was equally as impactful and empowering to see them continue to grow not as a couple, but help one another grow as individuals.

And Maxim... I'll take five. His ambition and drive for life is just as powerful and amazing as Lennix's. They're so perfect together, but part of why I love them so much is how incredible they are as individuals. It takes a really strong person to know who they are and know who their partner is, and support them while not altering their own boundaries.

This duology is perfect. It's an amazing story, and one that will stick with me for quite some time. The Rebel King is set to be published on June 27, 2023. Thank you to Bloom Books, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well, I'm officially a Kennedy Ryan fan.

The things I typically don't like to read, I actually enjoyed in this series and in particular, The Rebel King. I don't usually enjoy stories that feel unbelievable. Hostage situations and presidential romances don't usually tickle my fancy. However, this somehow really worked for me.

I was so attached to Lennix and Maxim after The King Maker that I could have followed them anywhere.

I think the thing that really struck me as important in this series was the way Ryan tackles the issues of trust, power and perspective in a relationship between two people of very different lived experiences. Maxim pushes boundaries, occasionally blinded by his perspective as a very wealthy white man in America. His view on control and protection often comes in direct opposition to the freedom Lennix, an Indigenous woman raised by her father after her mother became one of the far too many missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW), needs and deserves. Lennix knows exactly who she is and pushes back when necessary but is also comfortable being vulnerable and soft. Their love isn't easy (crazy murderers aside) because of the worlds they come from and the one they inhabit but it is strong enough. Because they are strong enough.

I love how unique this story was and in particular, how Ryan gives voice to characters who aren't usually on center stage. A powerful, Indigenous woman taking on the political world? Sign me up! And a cis white man who is not only unafraid to take a stand but is also unafraid of being wrong? Yes please!

This series challenged my own ideas on power relationships and romance. It also reminded me how natural it can feel to have different types of people cast as our leading characters.

Kennedy Ryan does it again! Another book series that has me absolutely hooked from start to finish. This book literally dug its claws into me and hasn't let go of me since I finished it. It was utter perfection.

After book one's massive cliffhanger, it was so much fun to dive back into the world with all our favourite characters and enjoy them again. Kennedy's writing is literally top tier and so utterly perfect. The way her male main characters are a literal dream come true!! All of her books, this one especially is a book where Maxim is quite literally written in the female gaze and this is a woman's kind of man, totally swoon worthy.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Simply incredible.

The chemistry between Lennix and Maxim was so undeniably hot and magnetic. Their strength as individuals was apparent but when they joined forces, they were an unstoppable force. Nothing, and I mean nothing could tear these two apart. Not even a deranged, psychopath out for revenge.

The way book 1 ended in such a dramatic way, I wasn't sure what to expect from book 2. I hoped that Kennedy was going to continue to write a compelling and earth moving story about Lennix's passions and Maxim's drive. The book took a turn I didn't expect and I was left wondering what was going to fill the pages of the rest of the story at about 60%, but the author continued to prove why they're the best in this genre. Plot twists and story derailment threw me for numerous loops and left me agonizing for more! I didn't want this story to end. The alignment this story took to our current reality was both unsettling and motivating. I truly enjoyed the political aspects of the story from both Nix's perspective as well as Owen and Maxim.

I didn't feel that this story was nearly as emotionally draining and mentally taxing as the first but it certainly made me think and feel things I didn't anticipate. The writing was so eloquent yet gritty with honesty and ruthlessness. You could feel the truth and passion bleeding from the pages.

The way this love story wrapped up left it open for more, which I was excited about. I don't think this is the last we'll see of Nix and Max but it ended in a really good place for the couple!

I simply could not wait to get my hands on The Rebel King after having finished The Kingmaker! I was so ready to dive into this one to see where Kennedy Ryan was going to take us and I was not disappointed! The Rebel King is one of the best books I have read in a very long time, if not one of the best books I have read period. The story of Maxim and Lennix is one that will stay with me for a very long time.

We begin where The Kingmaker ended, with the harrowing cliffhanger. We then follow Maxim and Lennix as they navigate their relationship and the highs and lows that go with it. There is no doubt the love that they share for one another, but there is also no doubt there are things that stand in the way of them being together in the way that they wish to be.

I don't want to say too much about the rest of the story because it needs to be read and discovered as it unfolds, but what I will say is that Kennedy Ryan has a true gift in the way she is able to write and bring you into the story and make you feel like you are right there. You feel with the characters; you hurt, you laugh, you cry and you cheer right along with them. The way she is able to paint pictures with her words makes the story so rich and beautiful. This is such an amazing book and I highly recommend you picking up this series; you won't be sorry.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Book 2 in the All The King's Men Duet, it picks up right after the doozy of a cliffhanger from book 1. 

After the major event that happened in their lives, Maxim and Lennix are back to their lives as activists - he as the billionaire who fights to save the planet and she as the protector of the Native lands and heritage. They are also back to their careers as CEO and political campaign strategist. However, they soon start to clash over Maxim's need to fiercely protect Lennix. She's too independent for security details and fancy trackers. He's to terrified for her life to let it go. After all, the threat looming is very real. 
When another tragedy hits, both their careers take an unexpected turn and they'll have to decide if they can face the new situation as a couple. 
I absolutely loved this duet (and yes, you have to read book 1)! The story is enthralling and gripping, the activism in it is not "preachy", the politics are interesting and the romance is oh so swoony. These two belong together. They may have started in a Capulet/Montague fashion, but they have everything to make them reach a beautiful HEA.

Gripping story, superb writing, swoon-worthy romance. LOVED IT.
Rep and possible triggers: FMC is Yavapai-Apache. Death of a parent, life threatening accidents, kidnapping, estranged relationship with a parent , death of a loved one, violent acts on page 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you Kennedy Ryan, NetGalley and Bloom books for the book.

Kennedy Ryan has a way of writing romance that is so relatable but also pulls in drama to keep you engaged. This book has a bit more of a dramatic flair than her other books I've read but it isn't too heavy handed and flows well with the story.

I really couldn't put this down, especially after that cliffhanger ending from The Kingmaker.

With such a fast-paced, rich plot, you'll really feel a rollercoaster of emotions. I must admit I didn't know how it was going to end at some points in the story but this perfectly concludes the duet with a satisfying ending.

Lennix and Maxim were brilliant until the end. They were both strong, principled and determined. They stayed true to who they were but always found middle ground for their love. I didn't think they could make things work... but they did. I just love how they're committed and supportive to each other.

They had their disagreements but they always communicated well, and took each other down a peg.

There were also beautiful portrayals of grief here. Raw and really heartfelt. Ultimately, everything tied up so well.

Great discussions of important international issues, political and otherwise awakened my younger idealist self. I also remembered what it was like to campaign so hard for someone and something you believe in wholeheartedly.

Again, I would like to thank NetGalley, @read_bloom and Kennedy Ryan for the chance to read this book prior to its rerelease.

Tropes: power couple, second chance, billionaire
Other details: Open door, dual POV
CW: life and death situations, slander, strong political themes

The Rebel King picks up right where The Kingmaker left off. You cannot read this book without reading book 1 first.

Maxim starts this story in a mad dash to save Lennix from the men holding her hostage. Lennix starts this story knowing that the men holding her hostage consider her to be expendable and she can't think of any way to survive her captivity. This book is not about that. Seriously. It is a jumping off point to the rest of the story but that is all. I am going to struggle to review this story because I don't want to give spoilers, so I'll stick to generalities and try to give the essence of the story. Maxim and Lennix go through a lot to find their happily ever after.

Both Maxim and Lennix are fully realized humans at the start of the story. With that being said, they both have to make huge changes in order to end up together in the end. Maxim's relationship with his family is complex and the author does a good job showing how is develops from the beginning of book one all the way to the end of this story. I enjoyed Maxim's relationship with his friends. It showed the reader that he is human. I find Lennix to be annoying and somewhat unlikable. That being said, the author does a good job giving Lennix depth and complexity. I can understand why a man like Maxim would find Lennix irresistible.

There are multiple "bad guys" in the story. One of them was handled well and completely. There are others that I really wanted the author to give a bit of suffering because they deserved it. Maybe I'm bloodthirsty. Lennix demands that Maxim keep a secret because she believes it will hurt her business if people find out. I still don't understand her logic given ALL of the events of the story. There is a major turning point in the story where keeping the secret was just lame and it annoyed me because she was written as strategic, and her decision was NOT strategic. I guess it gave the author a chance to write a big moment for the characters, but I felt like it was a bit forced.

A bit of honesty, I do not like fiction stories that incorporate a lot of political themes. I find that it takes me out of the story and makes me want to think about the issues. I opted to read these books because I like the author's writing style. In the end, I found the politics distracting and annoying but I still liked the books well enough to recommend them (if you don't mind a ton of politics in your reading). I will read more from this author in the future.

Kennedy Ryan has quickly become one of my favorite romance authors because of her ability to balance a compelling love story with relevant social issues. I initially went into this duology with hesitation because of Ryan not being from an indigenous background -- however, her acknowledgment at the beginning of both books, where she recognized the potential for making mistakes as well as the folks she consulted, put my mind at ease. Honestly, Ryan's approach is a great example of how authors writing characters from marginalized communities they are not from should be prefacing their work.

Acknowledgments aside, Lennix and Maxim have such an incredible love story that offers room for both to make mistakes, grow, and still choose one another first. The Rebel King starts off with a bang because of the ending of the first book, and that helped propel it into my favorite of the two. Sometimes, 'the one that got away' stories can feel too cliche and unbelievable; and while this book absolutely would be an AMAZING dramatized TV show/movie, nothing ever feels contrived or out of character for this universe.

Even though I'm late to the party, I love this duology and will be purchasing it for my own romance collection ASAP. Many congrats to Kennedy Ryan for being on the absolute up and up!!!

Kennedy Ryan delivers a captivating and emotionally charged finale in The Rebel King, the second installment of the All the King's Men duology. With her trademark talent for crafting complex characters and weaving intricate narratives, Ryan immerses readers in a world of power, passion, and the unyielding fight for justice.

The Rebel King is a gripping and emotionally resonant conclusion to the All the King's Men duology. Kennedy Ryan's masterful storytelling, rich characterizations, and ability to tackle complex themes make this book a compelling read. If you crave a blend of intense romance, political intrigue, and the indomitable spirit of characters fighting for their beliefs, then The Rebel King is a must-read. Ryan's skillful penmanship and ability to create immersive worlds will leave readers captivated until the very last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

This concludes what is an astounding love story. Maxim and Lennix are truly a power couple. Kennedy Ryan has written a story in this duet which will really resonate with readers. The characters are fighting not only for their love, but for what they believe in. It is a story that is easy to read but will be hard to put down once started. There are moments of joy and of grief as you turn the pages. The fight is all worth it as Maxim and Lennix celebrate happiness.

"They buried us, but they didn't know we were the seeds."

That is just one of many, many powerful quotes throughout this duo. I don't highlight a lot when I'm reading but I think there were times I wanted to highlight this entire book. Kennedy Ryan is a powerful, mesmerizing writer. This duo is full of passion, angst, drama and love. I don't know what I expected when I picked this duo up as my first read by this author but I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt she has become a top author for me.

The Rebel King picked up right where The Kingmaker left off and let me tell you, I think I'm glad I got to these stories late so I could read them back to back. That cliffhanger was a doozy. The Rebel King never slowed down with its drama. I thought this ride might be a little smoother than The Kingmaker but Kennedy proved me wrong right away. It's not often I say the second book is better than the first but I can say The Rebel King has this girl's heart.

Now excuse me while I go binge the rest of this author's work.

DNF @ 21%. Unfortunately I haven’t read the first book in the series, and this didn’t work at all as a stand-alone. I’ve read later installments of series before without having read the previous books, and I’ve still enjoyed them, but in this case I needed a lot more context.

The book jumps right into a sticky situation involving our protagonists Maxim and Lennix, who already had their love story play out in the previous book. I mistakenly thought this was one of those series where each installment focuses on a different couple - nope. The story really starts on the deep end, and if you didn’t read the first one you’ll have no idea what’s going on. The first 20% is a full on action movie in book form, complete with kidnapping, ransom negotiations and automatic weapons, so just be prepared for that. There is not a whole lot of romantic tension - the closest thing is Max and Lennix separately lamenting what they didn’t get the chance to say to each other. I assume there’s more relationship conflict coming, but I couldn’t bring myself to keep skimming.

I stuck around for the first sex scene and it was solid, but without really understanding the emotional underpinning of the relationship, it didn’t super hit. The writing was totally fine, if a little dramatic/hokey, and if I were caught up on the series I probably would have been fine with it.

Max is also one of those eye-roll-inducing billionaire protagonists who is a genius, an environmentalist, a perfect shot, and also, of course, great in bed. Again, if I’d gotten to know him in the first book I probably would have enjoyed him. As it was I had no context for who he is and where all these disparate skills came from.

The moral of the story is that I shouldn’t have requested the second book in a series. Lesson learned.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wow wow wow. 5 of the easiest stars I've ever given. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I may have conjured this one with how much I thought about and hoped for it after finishing The Kingmaker.

So this one starts right off following the cliffhanger from book one and basically doesn't stop until the final page. Literally read this is one day. There is action, romance, spice, tears, and angst. I can't say much without spoilers, but make sure you read The Kingmaker first.

Lennix and Maxim will forever be two of my favorite book couples. She is so strong, brave, inspiring (the list goes on...) while he is obsessed, passionate, and determined. Despite their differences, these two are perfect for each other and it's obvious in every scene. And honestly, this book has some of the best spice scenes ever. It's refreshing to read about the MC and FMC both kicking ass and changing the world. They truly were equals and supported each other's dreams. The conclusion to this enemies to lovers/second chance romance was perfection and I couldn't recommend this duet more.

I hear the third book is Kimba's story, but what I really need is more on Grim. Pretty please.

Finally, the author highlights many important issues in this duet, but the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and the injustices being done to First Nation's reserve lands stood out the most. I appreciate the spotlight being put on such issues and the dedication at the end of the book. Education and representation are the first steps to change. Hopefully other readers will be inspired to step up in support after reading.

I can’t believe Lennix and Maxim’s saga is over. This duet was just incredible. The Kingmaker (#1) really twisted what I thought it would be and knocked it out of the park but the Rebel King truly kept that momentum going to a new level. I’ve read too many duets where the characters change or the plot stalls in the second book but that is not the case with this read. This is what I wish all romantic suspense could be. I feel like throughout this whole overarching story I got to see people grow, change, question the world and their place in it, and also reconcile with how much to reach for and what to sacrifice.

Real life topical issues were handled with great care and I was completely bought in. Like I said about the Kingmaker I don’t normally like reading about political romances but this was not something I had to get through, I was genuinely invested. My favorite thing ever is getting some fire, top notch spice AND amazing well paced plot. I can’t recommend this duet enough. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom books for this ARC for the re-release.

3.5 Stars

It was nice to be back in Lennix and Maxim's world again but I think I expected more than what I got. It felt too surface level for me and honestly, Couldn't connect to the couple too much. I hated that Owen died and sort of saw Maxim running for president as a given. Now, It would have been much cooler and better if Lennix had run for it instead - it's a tall order but politics was her world. But it was a well written book

The Rebel King starts right where The Kingmaker left off, which was a stress inducing cliffhanger! However, after that initial adrenaline rush, my interest started to fade. This duet is an epic love story spanning decades and multiple locations.....and it just didn't hold my interest. The MMC crosses the line from fictional hot possessive MCC to off-putting. However, I would still recommend this for readers who gravitate towards political suspense romance.

I loved this story as much as the first book. I’m just sad it’s over and isn’t going past a duet. Kennedy is a great writer and I savor these two books. Her characters are well thought out and I didn’t see their story ending the way it did. The plot was interesting and unique!

This is Book 2 of the All the King's Men Series. Though surrender is what Maxim Cade demanded of Lennix Hunter's body and heart, she had other plans. They come from very different worlds and they seem to just be too different to make it work. When they are forced to face things that they didn't think they would have to, Can they make things work or will everything fall apart?