I loved this book. The storytelling was so intentional and well thought out. As always, you can really tell that Kennedy Ryan did her research when telling the story of Lennix, an Native American indigenous woman. I thought the pacing of the story was really great, even with the time skips within the book. I enjoyed also the stages of the relationship between Lennix and Maxium with the initial meeting, them coming together, and then coming back together again. The story was extremely reminiscent of the show scandal to me, which was fun. I'm also usually not a cliff hanger kind of person, but I really loved it in this story! It really left me wanting more.

I love me a slow burn romance and this one delivered! Kennedy Ryan has a poetic way of writing and it knows how to leave you wanting more! This storyline was also so unique and the intensity was incredible!

I need more! I immediately went in search of book 2! Amazing story, the writing is phenomenal. Highly recommend

Listen to me Kennedy Ryan...you choose violence in every book you write. What a great book! Ok but I must be missing something because that ending left me SPEECHLESS! You write a man in love so perfectly!! I love that you let Lennix live her life and become a BOSS! I almost gave it a 4 stars because of pacing but that ending and the dialogue between Lennix and Maxim was great! I guess I need to read Rebel King!

Kennedy Ryan's "The Kingmaker" presents a rich and complex love story set against the backdrop of social and political issues. While it tackles important themes and showcases powerful characters, it also has its moments of inconsistency that impact the overall reading experience.

One of the novel's standout features is its commitment to addressing serious social issues. The story delves into topics like racial inequality, corporate greed, and the power of activism. Ryan's willingness to explore these themes within the romance genre is commendable and adds depth to the narrative.

The main characters, Lennix and Maxim, are well-developed and possess strong personalities. Lennix is a determined activist, and Maxim is a charming playboy with hidden depths. Their chemistry is palpable, and their love story is passionate and emotionally charged. Ryan excels in creating intense and heartfelt moments between them.

The writing in "The Kingmaker" is powerful and evocative. Ryan's prose effectively conveys the emotions of the characters and the weight of the themes she explores. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, showcasing the characters' intelligence and wit.

"The Kingmaker" is a thought-provoking romance that doesn't shy away from important societal issues. Its strong character development and passionate love story make it a compelling read. However, the occasional pacing issues and narrative stretches prevent it from reaching its full potential.

This was a struggle to get through, I felt like it dragged for a good amount of the beginning.

I am also not a fan of instant connection so that was a turn off for me.
I loved that they fought for what they believed in.
This could have been a good read, but a lot felt off and the pacing threw me,

This was a definite book of 2 halves for me.

We follow Lennix, a Native American woman who firmly stands for what is right for her people.
She meets the mysterious Maxim on the front line of a protest to stop the infamous Cade family from putting a pipeline through protected native grounds.
Unbeknownst to Lennix, Maxim is a Cade, although estranged from his family. Drama unfolds.

I felt like the first half was more for me for sure.
I appreciated the authors use of the first time jump (something I’m not overly fond of in books anyway - but Lennix was underage when they first meet) however the second one, taking us to ten years later, just totally jarred me out of the characters I’d just got to know and felt as though they were both totally different and I stopped caring 100%

I enjoyed the Native American aspects to the book, and Maxim’s interest in climate change, but over all this wasn’t really for me one we hit 60% in.
3 stars for that first 60%.

The Kingmaker was nothing less than amazing! The Hero( Maxim) and Heroin. ( Lennix) met during a protest and neither has the time to think about anything else. Fast forward and they met again, only this time they can’t seem to get enough of each other. Unfortunately, these two come from completely different worlds which separates them again. Although, their worlds are different they both value making a difference which is one reason they fit together so well even a decade later. But after years of not being together, how will their story end… of course you have to read to find out. Just know I loved how this book in particular highlighted heritage, family dynamics, and ultimately a sultry romance that ends with a nail biting cliffhanger.

I really couldn't get past the main characters meeting when she was 17, it just immediately gave me the ick and I never got over it. I see and appreciate what this book was trying to do but I thought it was just fine.

This book is beautiful in every sense. I was hooked from page one and it never turned me loose until the end. In fact, I still find myself thinking of it and eagerly anticipating more from this story as well as from this author. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to read/review an advanced copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is one of my favorites from Kennedy Ryan. This book sucked me in from the very first page - it was so well written from the beginning. Lennix and Maxim’s story is beautiful, spanning over a decade, it is strong and emotional and everything I need from an epic love story - proving that often good things come to those who wait.

The story again is beautifully written, perfectly paced, and I would recommend this to anyone for a good read.

What a beautiful surprise this book was??

Bit insta-lusty, maybe, but I really enjoyed the slow journey through their lives, the time jumps, the powerful people (but using it for good) and the flow of the book.

Important to note that this is the first in a duology following this couple, so the pacing is slightly different than regular standalone romances.

Kennedy Ryan's writing was bingeable and flowy and I'll be looking forward to reading more of her work!

ALSO THAT CLIFFHANGER WTH

Read as part of my August 2023 readathon 🖤

Thanks to Sourcebooks Bloom Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

4.2/5⭐

a really interesting story!


Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this review copy.

Not for me-- but that's okay! I know these are beloved characters and I appreciate NetGalley bringing this back onto my radar as I had forgotten to read it when it was originally released.

Beautiful story, I can't wait for the next one in the duo. It had everything I wanted from a book. This was my first read from this author and I will definitely read more books from her

I admire Kennedy Ryan so much ! That's why I am not really sure if I am able to write a review as good as her book deserve.
Anyway, I should write a lot of things was written before,or tell you a short version about what is going on, but no! I want to write about how this book made me feel, what it meant to me, how it made an impact in my very existance!

Meanwhile I was reading The King Maker It became very clear for me the writer did a very detailed research regarding the politics also about the fights the main character a young woman Lenix who belonged to Apache tribe had to fight against Cade energy pipeline. She wished to keep their sacred land impact, the tribe she belonged to untouched by outsiders, and honoring their ancestors legacy.
On an event when Lenix is a protestor against the Cade pipeline, she meets Maxim Cade, the youngman who came from a rich and powerful family, but who didn't want anything to do with what was already given.

I red this book full of enthusiasm, even if I am not a person very interested in politics, I enjoyed the way Kennedy Ryan was given quite a detailed kind of events about all, you'll find out for yourself once you chose The King Maker as your next read!
I recomend you this book because this is more than a romantic story, it is enemies-to-lovers, suspense, second chances, steamy erotica, politics, everything you wish for in one book!
It is very important for you to know Kennedy Ryan give us a storry about the value of our traditions, the path we are going on and on, aiming to reach for a goal which we belive it can change the world! It is our choise we follow this path or we remain a victim of this world!
This amazing book is mainly about two people Lenix Moon Shine and Maxim who maybe are destined to be together,or not?!
We say often "Life has other plans" but what if life can make things happen, trough our great vision and aspirations, through the every day fight to have a great career and more..is it right for us to dream about an equal partner, can we imagine this will be the great love of our life, are we bold enough to belive we can have both?
There are a lot of things this book made me wonder about, as if it isn't enough my own mind was questioning.
I am a big fan of Kennedy Ryan and would like to say Thank You for this book of yours because you inspire us to fight for our life, for our birth rights we have, no matter our belief, neither our origin! We hurt we lose we rise and all in between but most importantly we are given the lesson of life and specifically The king maker have it all you are searching for!
This is the reason I would say bravelly this astonishing book is a must- read to others too.
I was lucky to get an ARC from NetGalley and after reading it I wanted more and you will have the next one too, giving that the book is part of a duet and the second book is out too, and I am very happy with The rebel king too!
I will write my review about the second book very soon.
Enjoy!

This is not a typical read for me, but since Kennedy Ryan is an author you just need to read all of, I gave it a shot. As always, it was written so well, and the storyline was phenomenal. I adore all of her writing and this one was no different.

This book was so much more than a romance! Not only were both of our leads strong and showed growth throughout the book, but there was also a strong story line about Native American culture. This was both amazing to learn more about but also heartbreaking. It really fueled Lennix’s motivation for her character and it was beautiful. Lennix and Maxim’s relationship was so wonderfully timed throughout the book and it really shows Kennedy’s gift of storytelling. I loved the “bad timing” of their meeting and growth into their story. Overall The Kingmaker was such a good read and I can’t wait for the next one!

Lennix is a 17 yr old native America girl fighting against a pipeline that digging through her tribe’s ancestral burial grounds.
Maxim is a young college student and the son of the oil guru digging that pipeline, despite protests.
Maxim meets Lennix during a protest, but she is too young to peruse. However, he cannot get her out of his mind
4 years later, they run into each other again in a chance encounter in Amsterdam. For one week they have a whirlwind romance that has to end because both are starting their careers to change the world.
I 100% agree and align with all the political standings in this book but it drug it out for me, however the ending was definitely worth it. The cliffhanger got me.
Thank you to Netgalley for this book for honest review.

Kennedy Ryan is simply fantastic! This was something completely different from what I was expecting. And I love that fact too. I love the fact that these two lead characters stand perfect alone but are great together.