jessicasilfenroy's review against another edition
5.0
Kennedy Ryan’s writing never ceases to amaze me! And at only 5 pages in, I knew it was going to be a five star read for me.
This story follows Lennix, an American Indian, and Maxim, son of a wealthy oil businessman. The two meet at a pipeline protest and while their encounter was brief, it left a lasting impression on both of them. Four years later they run into each other in Amsterdam and have a perfect week together however, due their own ambitions and goals, Lennix about to join a political campaign to protect indigenous people and Maxim on a mission to save the climate, their paths don’t cross at the right time.
Lennix and Maxim were two characters filled with such depth and appreciation. They had a mutual respect for the other, which was beautiful see on paper. Besides having an epic romance, I love how this book dived into powerful topics not often represented in romance books, such as environmental advocacy/ climate change and the history of the Apache Nation and the rights of these people. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end but don’t let that keep you from reading!! I’m ordering the sequel ASAP!
Read if you like:
-Hefty romances
-Love story across the years
-American Indian rep
-Climate advocacy
-Instant attraction
This story follows Lennix, an American Indian, and Maxim, son of a wealthy oil businessman. The two meet at a pipeline protest and while their encounter was brief, it left a lasting impression on both of them. Four years later they run into each other in Amsterdam and have a perfect week together however, due their own ambitions and goals, Lennix about to join a political campaign to protect indigenous people and Maxim on a mission to save the climate, their paths don’t cross at the right time.
Lennix and Maxim were two characters filled with such depth and appreciation. They had a mutual respect for the other, which was beautiful see on paper. Besides having an epic romance, I love how this book dived into powerful topics not often represented in romance books, such as environmental advocacy/ climate change and the history of the Apache Nation and the rights of these people. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end but don’t let that keep you from reading!! I’m ordering the sequel ASAP!
Read if you like:
-Hefty romances
-Love story across the years
-American Indian rep
-Climate advocacy
-Instant attraction
maggiestraveledbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Don’t mind me, I’m just going through Kennedy Ryan’s entire backlist of books because I’m obsessed with her writing
ajawritesthings's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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
3.0
macnchz's review against another edition
2.0
This didn’t really work for me. I didn’t love the multiple time jumps, and Maxim was a little too on the possessive/domineering side at times. Also, the fact that this is a cliffhanger really didn’t work for me. I liked Lennix, the representation, and the issues discussed but this just wasn’t quite my jam.
alyraves's review against another edition
5.0
'THE KINGMAKER' is book 1 of the 'All the King's Men Duet'.
I'm not typically a fan of long spanning timelines, however, Kennedy Ryan did it right with this one. The characters and their growth was just so beautifully written I couldn't help finding myself intrigued. Told from a duel perspective, you could quite literally feel the angst and emotion behind both the heroine (Lennix) & the hero (Maxim). Everything about this story was just flawless and was quite a thought provoking and powerful storyline. Just simply unputdownable and I cannot wait to dive into part two of this phenomenal read.
“In what world could you possibly think I would belong to you?”
“In the one we make together.” - Oh man! Gosh. darn. ALL the feels! ♥ Doc & Nix
I'm not typically a fan of long spanning timelines, however, Kennedy Ryan did it right with this one. The characters and their growth was just so beautifully written I couldn't help finding myself intrigued. Told from a duel perspective, you could quite literally feel the angst and emotion behind both the heroine (Lennix) & the hero (Maxim). Everything about this story was just flawless and was quite a thought provoking and powerful storyline. Just simply unputdownable and I cannot wait to dive into part two of this phenomenal read.
“In what world could you possibly think I would belong to you?”
“In the one we make together.” - Oh man! Gosh. darn. ALL the feels! ♥ Doc & Nix
redcupbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
THIS BOOK!!!! I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, because it seemed a bit cliche from the blurb, but I LOVED it! I wasn't perfect, but it was SO well done. The characters felt real, the drama almost over the top (in the best way possible), the romance was sweet, sad and HOT. There were some social issues that were discussed in a very natural way that made sense with the story. It was just really great. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
mrsrbookish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
4.5
missfancyreads's review against another edition
5.0
So I just finished this book and my immediate reaction.. What the hell? The cliffhanger. How on earth did we get here? I’m not sure if I’m annoyed or intrigued by this being thrown into the plot. Overall this book felt very different from other KR books I’ve read.
You can tell KR did a lot of research into Indian culture to add to Lennix’s character. I really enjoyed everything about her story. A lot of it is heavy, but it was rooted in reality and written in a heartfelt way. I loved how much strength Lennix took from her culture, how open and loving she was to all cultures. She seemed like she’d be a great person to be friends with!
Maxim Cade.. I have a love hate relationship with him though mostly love. His character is like a walking contradiction. He’s super green, a proverbial “tree hugger” but also a corporate mastermind unashamed to interject himself in certain places to further his own agendas. Most of his agendas are to help people in the long run but monstrously lining his pockets at the same time. He’s a perfectly written alphahole for me!
I love the girl gang that is Lennix, Vivienne, and Kimba. I’m hoping we see more of Viv pop up in book 2 since she was more of a talked about character in the second half of The Kingmaker. I always love to see strong female friendships in my books and I like the glimpses you had of this crew.
The power and political backdrop of this story is intriguing. I love the individual characters, really love the relationship building between Lennix and Maxim. It’s somewhat second chance but also third and fourth times the charm. It gives the one that got away but I have to get her back before I die vibes. I don’t know if I have all the right words but I loved this. This was a KU read for me but I fully intend to buy the special edition paperbacks when they’re released!
You can tell KR did a lot of research into Indian culture to add to Lennix’s character. I really enjoyed everything about her story. A lot of it is heavy, but it was rooted in reality and written in a heartfelt way. I loved how much strength Lennix took from her culture, how open and loving she was to all cultures. She seemed like she’d be a great person to be friends with!
Maxim Cade.. I have a love hate relationship with him though mostly love. His character is like a walking contradiction. He’s super green, a proverbial “tree hugger” but also a corporate mastermind unashamed to interject himself in certain places to further his own agendas. Most of his agendas are to help people in the long run but monstrously lining his pockets at the same time. He’s a perfectly written alphahole for me!
I love the girl gang that is Lennix, Vivienne, and Kimba. I’m hoping we see more of Viv pop up in book 2 since she was more of a talked about character in the second half of The Kingmaker. I always love to see strong female friendships in my books and I like the glimpses you had of this crew.
The power and political backdrop of this story is intriguing. I love the individual characters, really love the relationship building between Lennix and Maxim. It’s somewhat second chance but also third and fourth times the charm. It gives the one that got away but I have to get her back before I die vibes. I don’t know if I have all the right words but I loved this. This was a KU read for me but I fully intend to buy the special edition paperbacks when they’re released!