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vicktorea's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ugh, yes! 🙌🏽
I really enjoyed the second half of this duology! I loved the romance, the steam, and the incorporation of important topics surrounding indigenous people that don’t nearly get enough exposure. I listened to this audiobook via Audible and loved the narration, too!
I loved the growth between Lennix and Maxim. Their relationship was mature, healthy, sexy and loving. They were always in each other’s corner, rooting for one another, wanting the best for one another and encouraging each other to follow their dreams and their hearts. You could see them growth and maturity evolve between them from book one to book two and the steamy scenes were also fire af; chef’s kiss 😘👌🏽🔥🔥🔥(had me there like the “alright! Okay!” gif 😂).
I liked the political aspect behind this book (and the duet overall). It’s so important for Americans (and Canadians, as I am Canadian) to truly understand and appreciate the origins of the land we call home. Our indigenous people deserve the utmost respect and the way they’re treated by the government is appalling, in my opinion. I’m glad this book highlighted, not only the mistreatment towards indigenous people but also allowed me to learn more about certain tribes and the sacredness behind the people and their rituals. I loved how in-tune and proud Lennix was of her heritage.
I also loved how this book allowed for two women of colour to be the backbones behind a presidential campaign (yay for BIPOC representation 👏🏽) and this forced the candidates to come to terms with their white privilege (the way Lennix makes Maxim become further self-aware of this privilege - you love to see it!). This felt so relevant right now given the recent emphasis on the BLM movement and the urge for white people to educate themselves.
I think my only reason for deducting half a star was for the events that took place at the beginning of the book when Lennix was in Costa Rica. I get how it got in the storyline, but the way the situation was handled just didn’t feel realistic to me. But it is a book, after all and, perhaps, I underestimated just how powerful Maxim Cade really is.
I really enjoyed the second half of this duology! I loved the romance, the steam, and the incorporation of important topics surrounding indigenous people that don’t nearly get enough exposure. I listened to this audiobook via Audible and loved the narration, too!
I loved the growth between Lennix and Maxim. Their relationship was mature, healthy, sexy and loving. They were always in each other’s corner, rooting for one another, wanting the best for one another and encouraging each other to follow their dreams and their hearts. You could see them growth and maturity evolve between them from book one to book two and the steamy scenes were also fire af; chef’s kiss 😘👌🏽🔥🔥🔥(had me there like the “alright! Okay!” gif 😂).
I liked the political aspect behind this book (and the duet overall). It’s so important for Americans (and Canadians, as I am Canadian) to truly understand and appreciate the origins of the land we call home. Our indigenous people deserve the utmost respect and the way they’re treated by the government is appalling, in my opinion. I’m glad this book highlighted, not only the mistreatment towards indigenous people but also allowed me to learn more about certain tribes and the sacredness behind the people and their rituals. I loved how in-tune and proud Lennix was of her heritage.
I also loved how this book allowed for two women of colour to be the backbones behind a presidential campaign (yay for BIPOC representation 👏🏽) and this forced the candidates to come to terms with their white privilege (the way Lennix makes Maxim become further self-aware of this privilege - you love to see it!). This felt so relevant right now given the recent emphasis on the BLM movement and the urge for white people to educate themselves.
I think my only reason for deducting half a star was for the events that took place at the beginning of the book when Lennix was in Costa Rica. I get how it got in the storyline, but the way the situation was handled just didn’t feel realistic to me. But it is a book, after all and, perhaps, I underestimated just how powerful Maxim Cade really is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
risseandshine's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Grief
emfass's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This picks up immediately at the cliffhanger that left us hanging at the end of The Kingmaker. I think that maybe I just am not a huge fan of romantic suspense. Small spoilers here: I don't like characters' lives being in danger, I don't like solving things with guns, I don't like characters being under threat of violence as a source of conflict throughout the book. I'm learning it's just NOT my thing. I also didn't think the motivation/characterization of the bad guy was especially compelling, which made it feel like it was a plot line solely to raise stakes and make our main characters squirm, instead of adding to the story. And the turn of events halfway through the book that changes the course of the story didn't sit well with me, either. It wasn't what I wanted for Lennix and Maxim: I loved the first book, and this one felt really different in tone and scope.
While I appreciated many of the political, awareness-raising things this book had to say, there were multiple moments where the way it was included felt preachy/hit you over the head with it, and it irritated me and took me out of the story. NOT to say these things shouldn't be included in a story, but it was the way they were included: there were so many of them that didn't really have to do with the scene or the moment, and felt dropped in as an educational soundbite .
I did grow to love the way this couple dealt with obstacles. They fought and reconciled like mature adults, they came up against difficult things but always supported one another and found their way through together. They love each other so damn much and Ryan made that anchor rock-solid throughout their story. Lennix and Maxim were so clear in their characterization and I grew really attached to them. Kennedy Ryan is an incredible writer, especially around the emotional lives of her two main characters.
While I appreciated many of the political, awareness-raising things this book had to say, there were multiple moments where the way it was included felt preachy/hit you over the head with it, and it irritated me and took me out of the story. NOT to say these things shouldn't be included in a story, but it was the way they were included: there were so many of them that didn't really have to do with the scene or the moment, and felt dropped in as an educational soundbite .
I did grow to love the way this couple dealt with obstacles. They fought and reconciled like mature adults, they came up against difficult things but always supported one another and found their way through together. They love each other so damn much and Ryan made that anchor rock-solid throughout their story. Lennix and Maxim were so clear in their characterization and I grew really attached to them. Kennedy Ryan is an incredible writer, especially around the emotional lives of her two main characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism