Kennedy Ryan is an amazing author that has a way of hooking a reader from the first page to the last and this book hooked me from the start! If you are looking for a book that has all of the spice, this one is for you! 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy of The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan in exchange for my honest review.

Kennedy Ryan is a new favorite for me now. Loved the tension in this book so much I’ll be reading all her others!

"In what world could you possibly think I would below to you? ... In the one we make together." -- This is the entire vibe of The Kingmaker! Soulmates standing on polar opposites sides of everything being attracted to one another like magnets.

Only Kennedy Ryan could make me write an age gap romance with virgin heroine falling for a cocky billionaire centering politics that didn't immediately come off sleazy. That woman has a talent! She takes her craft so serious and makes sure the stories she shares that aren't her own she handles with care. You could see the lengths she went to ensure that Lennix's character was a source of strength and education. She grew into her power and purpose over the course of time that resulted in her being the political powerhouse known as the Kingmaker.

While this story didn't blow me away like I thought it would, I think there is something to be said about their story not being over.

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 made it 39% of the way through the book, and I have going to have to call it. It's taken me over a month to get this far, when usually I can finish a book in 4-5 days. 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.

Overall, I am in awe of this story and this author's immeasurable talent. This story was so emotional, riveting and gripping. I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page and am now convinced that Ryan can not write a bad story. Her passionate heart and compassion for others comes out in her writing and we as readers are always better for it. Bravo! 5 stars!

Maxim Cade comes from an oil empire known for ruthless business practices at the expense of indigenous cultures and land, and he is determined to be better than his father. Lennix Hunter lost her mother years ago, and is determined to fight everything the Cade empire stands for. What happens when their paths cross and they are pulled together like two stars in orbit?

This book was a great romance but had a few unanswered plot lines that left me wanting more resolution. The chemistry between Maxim and Lennix is fantastic, and I’ll be anxious to see what happens in the next few books.

I had SUCH a great time with Kennedy Ryan and she truly is a good author! Lennix and Maxim had the best chemistry I've probably ever read, I'm so excited to get to the second book arrrrgh. It tackled a lot of important themes which I also appreciate in my romance and I was glad it wasn't yet another toxic romance, thanks Kennedy!

I really wanted to give 5 stars, but some of the tropes (that the author may not have even realized??) just knocked off the last star for me. The stereotypical FMC only has bad sex after the time she was with MMC? …but the MMC gets with tons of women despite FMC being The One?

Loved the story between Maxim and Lennix. They both want to make change in the world and their chemistry is undeniable. I loved the time jump where you get the tension held during that time.

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

I love Kennedy Ryan, but this one wasn’t for me. I really liked Lennix but I really disliked Maxim. There were too many times where she said no and he took it as try harder. The steamy scenes are steamy but there was no swoon.

I enjoyed this for the most part but I found myself more interested in Lennox and Maxim’s relationship and the romance didn’t feel like the main component of the story. I know there are important topics that are addressed and I commend Kennedy Ryan for doing a great job at researching and representing this topics.

That time jump and cliffhanger about killed me though. I understand the impact a time jump can have to a story but 10 years felt a bit aggressive for me to still buy into these two being in love.

I will say…Lennix and Maxim are hot and passionate. I’ve seen people compare this series to the show Scandal and I can totally see that. It has the politics, romance and drama.

Good book. I liked the characters and the dialogue. The story kept me interested, so it was a quick read. A good read

Thank you netgalley for this ARC copy. Kennedy Ryan has a reputation for when you read her books and this one fell right in with those. The connection was there, the spice was there, the character development. The writing is beautiful and the story keeps you connected the whole read!

In Kennedy Ryan's compelling All the King's Men duology, readers are immersed in a world starkly divided between the privileged and the marginalized, where power and wealth reign supreme. Maxim Cade, heir to an oil empire, rebels against his family's legacy, striving to carve out his own path far from the shadows of his mogul father.

Lennix Hunter, fierce and unyielding, stands as a symbol of resistance against the encroachment of Maxim's family's oil pipeline on her ancestral land. Their worlds collide amidst the turmoil of a protest, sparking a connection that defies the boundaries of class and circumstance. Despite their opposing backgrounds and the animosity between their families, Maxim and Lennix are drawn together by an undeniable attraction.

As they navigate the complexities of their forbidden love, Maxim finds himself torn between loyalty to his family and his desire for a future with Lennix. Despite the obstacles and the betrayals that threaten to tear them apart, their hearts remain steadfast, united by a bond that transcends time and distance.

In a narrative brimming with passion and tension, Kennedy Ryan masterfully explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of the human spirit. All the King's Men is a captivating tale of resilience and redemption, reminding readers that true love knows no bounds and that sometimes, defying the odds is the only way to find true happiness.

This book had me hooked. It was a unique premise and although I’m already a big fan of urban romances the concept of the political climate for this book was super intriguing.

Kennedy Ryan fills a gap in the romance market. Bringing together the real life injustices people face with the almost still whimsical romances. Both characters were complex which was great as I feel like it’s easy to focus on developing one whilst others are dragged along.

The end made me want to immediately read book 2 and so I have to class this book as a win.

What I wouldn’t give to reread this for the first time.

The Kingmaker spans almost twenty years in the life of a couple, Lennix and Maxim. When they originally meet, Lennix is underage and Maxim admires her from afar. The two attend a violent protest and he sees a spark in Lennix that he is drawn to.

Four years later they meet again by happenstance and realize their instant connection with each other. Lennix has many goals and hopes to be able to make a name for herself while championing the rights of minorities and people of color.

Maxim, while privileged and from an extremely wealthy family, wrestles with his hope of creating a better world with less stress on the planet.

I would be doing this book a disservice if I told too much of the plot. Just know that if you enjoy social justice in a romance story, you will love The Kingmaker.

Thank you to Sourcbooks and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞, 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫?”

Kennedy Ryan's duology The Kingmaker centers on the lives of wealthy Maxim Cade and indigenous activist Lennix Hunter.

Who allowed this book to remain on my Kindle for more than a year? because this book was better than I had anticipated. Don't get me wrong, I loved Kennedy Ryan's Skyland series, but I didn't care for her Hoops series, which is why I was afraid to start this.

My only thought while reading this was that I wanted to finish it so I could find out what happened next. So of course I’ll be starting the next book right away.

Even if I don't always like Kennedy Ryan's writing, I can tell you that her novels are always very educational, which I adore.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and to the author, Kennedy Ryan, for providing me with this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.*

"Kingmaker" by Kennedy Ryan is a compelling contemporary romance that delves into complex themes of power, politics, and love. Ryan's writing style is engaging, drawing readers into the lives of the characters and the world they inhabit. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, and their journey is filled with both passion and conflict. However, while the story is well-written and emotionally resonant, some readers may find the pacing uneven at times, and certain plot developments may feel predictable. Overall, "Kingmaker" earns a solid 4/5 rating for its strong character dynamics and thought-provoking narrative.

4/5 Stars

I'm so happy to see this book become more mainstream. I read this book for the romance of it ( which I absolutely loved) but I liked the social commentary as well. it's an important topic about how the government and companies come and take land that doesn't belong to them. They come in and destroy it and its surrounding indigenous communities to turn a profit for their own gain regardless of the consequences to said people and communities. I loved Lennix, who she is, and what she stands for. Absolutely recommend this book.