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rosie_valadez's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Hate crime, Misogyny, and Murder
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Gun violence, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
koistyfishy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
2 Amsterdam Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
I am not the right reader for this book. I know that might sound like an excuse but every single problem I have with this book is because it does exactly the opposite of what I am looking for in a romance. It felt like pulling teeth as I progressed through the pages. The only thing that made me see the light at the end of the tunnel was that this was a relatively quick read and that I was doing this as a buddy read. Which meant I could bitch and moan the whole time about every single aspect that frustrated and irritated me to be four corners of the Earth.
This book is a second-chance romance that follows Lennix and Maxim. It starts with Lennix as a 17-year-old leading a protest to boycott a new oil pipe being laid on native American land. However, the protest becomes heated and the police are called in, bringing in attack dogs and tear gas. On the sidelines of this protest, we find the owner of the pipeline Mr Cade, who brought his son to discuss his future. Maxim notices Lennix, is moved by her profound speech and decides to run into the protest to protect her from being bitten by a dog. They share a brief connection and then part ways. A couple of years later they coincidentally reunite in Amsterdam, where they have a ridiculously romantic week filled with passion, romance and everything sweet that you could imagine. The only problem is, throughout all of this, Maxim has not told her that he is the son of the man she hates most. So when situations happen and she finds out about it, she cannot forgive Maxim for lying.
Now the reason I was not the right reader for this book is I prefer reading books where I can escape reality. There are a lot of issues in this world. A lot of things need visibility, need support, need volunteers and voices to highlight those causes and make a difference. However, I don't want to read a book and be reminded about those situations. I am reading a romance book to escape that life.
Unfortunately, this book has three main aspects that are very prevalent in today's society. It felt like I was reading the news, instead of reading the romance. The first aspect was the Native American plight and the loss of their heritage. Now, while Kennedy Ryan did a very clinical and detailed approach on how she broached the subject of Lennix coming of age and the lack of awareness of missing Native American women, it felt too clinical and detached. It was bordering on an info dump and while trying to ensure that no aspect was missed, in being so careful it was lacking emotion and I battled to connect to it.
The second aspect is the plot is heavily influenced by climate change and the war against natural fossil fuels versus green energy, and this is already a big social debate in today's society... But I don't want to read about those global issues in a romance. I'd rather pick up a newspaper or a scientific journal. I don't want them littered in the pages of a romance and causing conflicts in the book.
The Third Aspect is POLITICS! I am not American...I don't follow American politics or how their presidential campaigns work. Again - I AM NOT THE RIGHT READER FOR THIS BOOK...as this HEAVILY INFLUENCES THE PLOT AND I COULDN'T CARE LESS!
The only thing that made this book good was Maxim. He was the biggest green flag I have ever seen. If he was waving one, you would see it from space! He is perfect and sweet and thoughtful, and I adore him. He was an excellent character and carried the book.
Lennix was a frustration in human form. She was so hypocritical, so too minded and frankly, borderline childish and immature. I wanted to climb into the pages and physically slap some sense into her. I called the main conflict ages before it happened and could feel my anger bubbling to the surface BEFORE it transpired on the page. In the juxtaposition of all the ACTUAL world issues, this book tries to HIGHLIGHT it was such a small and insignificant issue.
The weight of issues just didn't pan out. Somebody who is that passionate about doing the right thing should very easily be able to realize that a person is not their family and actions speak louder than words or bloodlines. And the fact that it took so long for her to realize that she forgave him and when she finally did realize this, brushed it off as an excuse instead of apologizing for the complete and utter child she was.
So overall, I will not be picking up the second book. I did not enjoy this and it wasn't the type of book for me.
Trope Summary:
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Virgin FMC
▶ Age Gap
▶ Dual POV
▶ Dual Timeline
▶ Instalove to Enemies to Lovers
▶ Social Issue Representation (Native American Issues, Climate Change and Politics)
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
I am not the right reader for this book. I know that might sound like an excuse but every single problem I have with this book is because it does exactly the opposite of what I am looking for in a romance. It felt like pulling teeth as I progressed through the pages. The only thing that made me see the light at the end of the tunnel was that this was a relatively quick read and that I was doing this as a buddy read. Which meant I could bitch and moan the whole time about every single aspect that frustrated and irritated me to be four corners of the Earth.
This book is a second-chance romance that follows Lennix and Maxim. It starts with Lennix as a 17-year-old leading a protest to boycott a new oil pipe being laid on native American land. However, the protest becomes heated and the police are called in, bringing in attack dogs and tear gas. On the sidelines of this protest, we find the owner of the pipeline Mr Cade, who brought his son to discuss his future. Maxim notices Lennix, is moved by her profound speech and decides to run into the protest to protect her from being bitten by a dog. They share a brief connection and then part ways. A couple of years later they coincidentally reunite in Amsterdam, where they have a ridiculously romantic week filled with passion, romance and everything sweet that you could imagine. The only problem is, throughout all of this, Maxim has not told her that he is the son of the man she hates most. So when situations happen and she finds out about it, she cannot forgive Maxim for lying.
Now the reason I was not the right reader for this book is I prefer reading books where I can escape reality. There are a lot of issues in this world. A lot of things need visibility, need support, need volunteers and voices to highlight those causes and make a difference. However, I don't want to read a book and be reminded about those situations. I am reading a romance book to escape that life.
Unfortunately, this book has three main aspects that are very prevalent in today's society. It felt like I was reading the news, instead of reading the romance. The first aspect was the Native American plight and the loss of their heritage. Now, while Kennedy Ryan did a very clinical and detailed approach on how she broached the subject of Lennix coming of age and the lack of awareness of missing Native American women, it felt too clinical and detached. It was bordering on an info dump and while trying to ensure that no aspect was missed, in being so careful it was lacking emotion and I battled to connect to it.
The second aspect is the plot is heavily influenced by climate change and the war against natural fossil fuels versus green energy, and this is already a big social debate in today's society... But I don't want to read about those global issues in a romance. I'd rather pick up a newspaper or a scientific journal. I don't want them littered in the pages of a romance and causing conflicts in the book.
The Third Aspect is POLITICS! I am not American...I don't follow American politics or how their presidential campaigns work. Again - I AM NOT THE RIGHT READER FOR THIS BOOK...as this HEAVILY INFLUENCES THE PLOT AND I COULDN'T CARE LESS!
The only thing that made this book good was Maxim. He was the biggest green flag I have ever seen. If he was waving one, you would see it from space! He is perfect and sweet and thoughtful, and I adore him. He was an excellent character and carried the book.
Lennix was a frustration in human form. She was so hypocritical, so too minded and frankly, borderline childish and immature. I wanted to climb into the pages and physically slap some sense into her. I called the main conflict ages before it happened and could feel my anger bubbling to the surface BEFORE it transpired on the page. In the juxtaposition of all the ACTUAL world issues, this book tries to HIGHLIGHT it was such a small and insignificant issue.
The weight of issues just didn't pan out. Somebody who is that passionate about doing the right thing should very easily be able to realize that a person is not their family and actions speak louder than words or bloodlines. And the fact that it took so long for her to realize that she forgave him and when she finally did realize this, brushed it off as an excuse instead of apologizing for the complete and utter child she was.
So overall, I will not be picking up the second book. I did not enjoy this and it wasn't the type of book for me.
Trope Summary:
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Virgin FMC
▶ Age Gap
▶ Dual POV
▶ Dual Timeline
▶ Instalove to Enemies to Lovers
▶ Social Issue Representation (Native American Issues, Climate Change and Politics)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny
sdupont's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed The Kingmaker! Kennedy Ryan is so good at writing emotional connections between love interests. She’s particularly great at second chance romances where she builds a strong foundation, realistic conflict, and then a strong connection when they reunite. I love how strong willed and determined both Lennix and Maxim are. They are so passionate about their causes and each other. I easily found myself rooting for them. And this cliffhanger?! Thank god I can immediately download the next book to my Kindle because I need to know what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Kidnapping
Moderate: Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Murder
krystalframe's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Misogyny and Murder
apolen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Hate crime, Misogyny, and Racism
emfass's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.75
I mean, I just, I can't....PHEW. Kennedy Ryan has been at the top of my list of Authors I Need to Check Out and my friends, the rumors are fuckin' true. She is writing on another level.
The intense emotionality, the crystal clear characters, the consent--my god, the CONSENT! The way Maxim checks in with Lennix, over and over again, while still making it abundantly clear all the ways he wants her. *fans self*
I was also SO INTO the political discussions in this book, and the awareness raised by making the heroine, Lennix, "a proud member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation."
I loved the way both Maxim and Lennix were uncompromising and ambitious in going after what they wanted for their lives. The way that (small spoiler) Ryan uses time in this story to track a relationship over many years, and the ways people grow and change and come to know themselves and hold onto the memories that matter most was just...UGH. SO GOOD.
That's all the words I have for now. Please note this one ends on about as high stakes a cliffhanger as they come, and you will want to have The Rebel King teed up and ready to go.
The intense emotionality, the crystal clear characters, the consent--my god, the CONSENT! The way Maxim checks in with Lennix, over and over again, while still making it abundantly clear all the ways he wants her. *fans self*
I was also SO INTO the political discussions in this book, and the awareness raised by making the heroine, Lennix, "a proud member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation."
I loved the way both Maxim and Lennix were uncompromising and ambitious in going after what they wanted for their lives. The way that (small spoiler) Ryan uses time in this story to track a relationship over many years, and the ways people grow and change and come to know themselves and hold onto the memories that matter most was just...UGH. SO GOOD.
That's all the words I have for now. Please note this one ends on about as high stakes a cliffhanger as they come, and you will want to have The Rebel King teed up and ready to go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Misogyny, and Racial slurs
Lots of references to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
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