Kennedy Ryan's The Rebel King is a gripping and passionate finale to the All the King's Men duology. It defies expectations by delivering a captivating mix of romance, suspense, and drama. The story follows Maxim Cade, the son of an oil baron, and Lennix Hunter, an Apache daughter with a complicated connection to Maxim's family. Their relationship is fueled by intense chemistry, but when Maxim's true nature as a thief is revealed, Lennix questions the authenticity of their connection. As they confront unimaginable challenges, their love and bond are tested. The book stands out with its exceptional character development, powerful writing, and the seamless blend of action, politics, and romance. While some readers may find Maxim's controlling behavior excessive and the focus on political issues overwhelming, the overall narrative creates an engaging and emotional reading experience.

The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan is a captivating and emotionally charged read that successfully combines romance, suspense, and drama. With its well-developed characters, powerful writing, and skillful blend of action and political elements, the book offers a fulfilling reading experience. The Rebel King serves as a worthy conclusion to the All the King's Men duology, leaving readers satisfied yet craving more of Ryan's amazing storytelling.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eArc of this amazing story!

After the ending of The Kingmaker, I could not wait to go back to Maxim and Lennix’s story. I thought the main obstacles had been overcome at the beginning but, wow was I wrong.

This book was an emotional roller coaster! I was NOT prepared at all. My heart hurt, and then when more obstacles arose, I was really conflicted on how their journey would end.

I love Kennedy Ryan’s writing, every moment between Maxim and Lennix feels absolutely magnificent and passionate. Her words are powerful enough to bring their emotions to life and make every reader live through them. Their relationship is filled with so much love, adoration, and admiration just as much as it is with respect and understanding. I loved their story. I also greatly appreciate Kennedy Ryan’s commitment to telling the story - or at least a fraction of it - of Native American women and the struggles they face of which many of us, myself included, are often ignorant.

This book was so gripping. From the writing, to the development of the relationship, the romance, the family dynamics…I feel like there is so much more I could say but I can’t find the right words. Once again, Kennedy Ryan wrote a beautiful, compelling, heartfelt story that will live in my head for months to come…and now my standards are also through the roof but, oh well.

I am a huge fan of Kennedy Ryan whish is why I read The Rebel King. Unknowingly, it is the second in a series, to The Kingmaker, which didn't make a significant difference in reading this novel as the story flowed quite well. However I do wish I had read the first novel prior. I am just that type of person. Going into the novel I was expecting romance, romantic suspense,.and what I got was political romantic suspense which is not my jam. But I read it and enjoyed the romance/romantic suspense portions and some of the politics played into that. That being said there was a lot of political involvement in this romance book and some of it had to be there for the storyline but it definitely didn't feel super romantic until the spicy (very spicy in some cases, yes please) scenes.

I love Kennedy Ryan's character development and her story telling and writing style. I loved the dual POV in this novel. I just don't think this was the novel for me. But for those who love a little political fight for and against for partner drama this is just the novel for you. Regardless the storyline is amazing.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for selection me to read your book.

Lennix and Maxims story is fanatic. I didn't want their story to end.
Though surrender is what Maxim Cade demanded of my body and heart, I had other plans. We were fast-burning fascination and combustible chemistry, but the man I trusted with everything was a trickster. A thief who stole my love. If what we had was a lie, why did it feel so real? The man I swore to hate will have it all, and wants me at his side. But power is a game, and we’re the pawns and players.

The sequel to Kingmaker was pretty good, I am not the biggest fan of romance books with sequels, but this felt a little more like a romantic suspense story. It didn't have the biggest thrills but the book was still very enjoyable and the spice was top tier. Maxim's controlling behavior was also a little much and just not something I liked all that much but Kennedy Ryan is always a good read.

Thank you netgalley and Sourcebooks bloom for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan is book Two in the All the King's Men Series. This continues the story of Maxim Cade and Lennix Hunter. Their story started in the previous book 'The Kingmaker'. So, you will need to read that one to fully enjoy this book. This book does pick up after that serious cliffhanger. This duet was a really exciting and enjoyable one for me. I am a fan of Ms. Ryan's writing so it was a must read for me.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an ecopy of Rebel King in exchange for honest review!

I was rooting for Lennix & Maxim throughout the whole read, I really adore their relationship. As what we saw in the first read, their relationship was not all rainbow and sunshine as they started on a rocky path.

Although I liked most of the characters, there's a few moments where I can't stand Lennix's character as she was being stubborn and immature with her actions. And, let's not talk about Owen...he deserves better.

Being written in a dual pov allows the readers to have a better understanding of the characters/emotions from both sides. The flow is smooth, it's action packed with some political elements.

Honestly speaking, I wish that there'll be less focus on the politic issues as it ruined most of the fun, since it's a romance read (my opinion it's more like 70% politic, 30% romance)

Rating:3.5

Suspense and drama. It was such a satisfying sequel to the first book. I loved seeing Lennix and Maxim reconnect and get a second chance at love. The dramatic storyline surrounding it was entertaining and had me wanting to know what would happen next at every turn of the page. Very well written, such an interesting plot and a beautiful love story with spice that’ll keep you entertained! I can’t wait to read #3!

This is the conclusion of a two part story but quite honestly, you can read this without having read the first one which is what I did. I plan to get the first part and read it as well, the story is just too good to miss out on it!

Totally unexpected beginning but it quickly moved into a pretty exciting and fast moving pace. Two very strong, mature, and passionate characters create a lot of tension and steamy scenes. Certainly NSFW on your lunch hour! This is such an enthralling story that time just disappears as you read. Maxim and Lennix are meant to be together and by the end, you will agree and wait for the HEA! What a ride it was!

An amazing conclusion to this duology. The main characters have so much tension and the reader is on the edge of their seat for these two!

It was amazing. Just as I expected after the Kingmaker, the Rebel King was no surprise. The writing was definitely more detailed and flowing, I was captured quickly and could not leave. The cover is not revealing the content, not a standard romance pattern and I prefer this, and it is in harmony with the first book. Thank you!

“Pain always carves out two paths. We all have pain. The difference is where it takes you.”

Wow! This duet is fantastic. A beautiful blend of politics and romance, tragedy and heartbreak, and an immense amount of love.

Lennix & Maxim are simply beautiful together. I have never read a couple so in tune with each other, so perfect together. They have such an amazing dynamic. They communicate beautifully and when they disagree on something, they talk it through. I love how Lennix challenges Maxim. It was beautiful watching them navigate their relationship.

Kennedy Ryan’s writing is amazing. Her research impeccable. This story is thought provoking and has great twists! Oh man, there is one major turn of events that blew me away. This story is filled with emotion, and you feel every twist deeply.

Filled with hope and love, this story is a beautiful journey of patience and sacrifice that spans a deluge of time, a love so powerful and complete it leaves your heart full. Simply beautiful!

“I signed on for you, whatever that means, wherever that takes us.”

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my free, unbiased opinion.

I have to be honest, going into this, I knew nothing about the book, I just saw that it was Kennedy Ryan and I have been wanting to read something by her for a while. Once I found out I was approved, I quickly read The Kingmaker (THAT WAS AMAZING) to read this one. That is not how I typically go about reading and choosing ARCS but it worked out.

This book was EVERYTHING. I thought it would be a romance, and there is, but there is soooooo much more to it. There is important talk about climate change, politics, and most importantly, indigenous people and all of the struggles they face (the murdered/missing women, the fight for the protection of their sacred land, etc). This was by far my favorite part of the book because it is something I had heard before but did not know much about. Now, I want to learn more and educate myself on these important matters.

Lennix may be one of my favorite book characters ever! She knows what she wants, she is driven, strong, independent, and so much more. I loved her passion for helping her people and wanting to change the world. I admire her and everything she did in this book.

Maxim was not the morally-grey billionaire I had assumed he would be. He is sweet, caring, sensitive, and truly wants what is best for the world. His adventures, his desire to clean up the world, and his research about climate change were really cool and interesting. And of course, he is mega-rich.

The relationship between these two was impeccable. The growth from their first meeting until the end, as individuals and their relationship, was amazing. The love they have for each other runs deep and I wholeheartedly believe they are soulmates. They always seem to know exactly what the other needs, what they are thinking, etc. Oh, and the SMUT was SO GOOD.

The emotions conveyed through this book were so well written, that as a reader, I was feeling them too. Every struggle and every fear was felt through the pages.

I do not know how to explain my feelings about this book because it is unlike most books I read. It is about growth, struggles, conquering fears, and love. The research and thought that went into every detail really shows, the writing is amazing. I probably sound like a broken record at this point so I am going to leave with this; this may have been one of my favorite books I have ever read.

Also, the thing that happened at the 49% mark WAS EVIL (I cried) but it all works out.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book more than the first one. The Rebel King starts off where Book 1 ended and dives into the action right away.

The spice was amazing. The plot was good. There were some aspects I did struggle with, but I thought the message the story was trying to convey was done well.

I loved seeing Maxim and Lennix grow in their relationship. I love how they fought for eachother, for their relationship until the end.

Wow! What an amazing conclusion to this propulsive steamy duology! The Rebel King picks up immediately after the cliff-hanger conclusion to book 1 (thank heavens!!) so the pace opens at record speed. The connection between Lennix and Maxim was still so smoking good, even as they continued to grow as a couple. I’ll be transparent that I did not foresee the mid-book twist and I was absolutely in my feelings about it….BUT it really did make the journey come full circle for our hero and heroine. I loved every second and highly recommend this book!

The Rebel King is the direct sequel to The Kingmaker in the All the King’s Men series. Since the story in this novel follows the cliffhanger of the previous, it is best to read them in order. I’ve seen other reviews that mention they read this one without reading the previous and either ended up lost or did not enjoy it because they were missing the foundation, so I wish publishers would start making it clearer if a series needs to be read in order or as standalones. The story in this one continues after the cliffhanger ending as Lennix and Maxim navigate the political environment around them. It continues to explore power and trust along with integrating great representation of Native American culture.

As characters, it was great to have the foundation in place for Lennix and Maxim and this novel just further explores them. Ryan is a little more heavy-handed when she wrote Lennix as outspoken. Compared to the first novel where there was a little more balance in Lennix, this one was a bit much at times. She is still not the most likeable character, but she was, at least well-written. As for Maxim, he did become a little more established for me. He is still protective over Lennix, which can be a bit much for many readers, including me. They are a great couple that may have differences, but they work well with each other. Overall, this was a great romance story and I look forward to reading more from Ryan in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Bloom Books, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

An emotional roller coaster that will have you wondering until the very end! It kept me wanting to know more with each page read and I couldn't stop!

The Rebel King is a thrilling and captivating novel that had me on the edge of my seat. This fast-paced and heart-pounding read left me breathless and longing for more.

The Rebel King is the continuation of Lennix and Maxim’s story in the Kingmaker. The first book ended in a dramatic cliffhanger than was immediately continued in Rebel King and the drama is still sky high.
After a traumatic event for Lennix, Maxim also experienced a difficult time and the couple now face me challenges.
It is difficult reviewing this without spoilers but it’s full of tension, drama and romance and it definitely continues with the Scandal-esque setting and drama.
This was entertaining but I found lulls where I was slightly bored. But overall it was fun and full of drama and the perfect escapism filled with tense romance.

I am such a huge fan of this duology and so after re-reading and reviewing the first book, The Kingmaker naturally I wanted to bring you all my thoughts on the sequel. This is a great follow-up, it will bring tears to the eyes of fans as Lennix and Maxim make their way in the world together against every barrier thrown in their way.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
Characters: Lennix has grown into her own so beautifully. She is such a strong character, it is hard not to get heavily invested in her well-being. Maxim is so damn intense, so the romance girlies will love that alpha-ness. I enjoyed his development and seeing how his relationships not just with Lennix but with his family shift as well. Our characters remain remarkably strong in the face of what the world throws at them. I won’t tell you what, it is well worth a blind read.
Setting: This story takes place all over the place, but has a decent presence in Washington, D.C. With Lennix and Kimbra running their own political consulting firm, if you liked the TV show Scandal you will love the Scandal vibes. If you like D.C. political intrigue then Kimbra’s book Queen Move is a natural next read for you.
Pacing: I cannot believe how many things I forgot from my first time through, on this re-read everything felt like I was experiencing it for the first time. This story is an emotional rollercoaster that never gives you a second to breathe. This story seems to fly by and plot point after plot point comes and goes, keeping you on your toes.
Romance: Lennix and Maxim are hot hot hot. Each romantic scene holds this quiet power. The power it takes to choose to be together against all odds. The power of the force of just how much they love each other and are meant for each other. The power for Maxim at least in claiming your person from day one.