A review by unsuccessfulbookclub
The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book is bonkers - just absolutely bananas - and it ends on a huge cliffhanger that had my heart pounding at 1030pm, and not in a good way. I was *not ready* for Kennedy Ryan, y’all.

There’s a pipeline protest! There’s an Antarctic expedition! There are missing and murdered Indigenous women! There is a trip to Amsterdam (complete with tulips)! There’s a PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?!? A trip to Central America to distribute vaccines! A billionaire boyfriend who can provide private jet dates! There are lies of omission! There is sex! There is swoon!

I loved Lennix, the heroine. She is brilliant and brave and so resolved in her convictions. Maxim, well, he’s okay. He has a possessive streak that borders on invasive, and despite very clearly knowing that this is a book about the super wealthy, I picked it up and was once again reminded that super-wealthy protagonists piss me off. Try all you want to make him a “good” billionaire, I’m just envisioning Elon Musk. 🥴

👍🏻 All told I think this is definitely worth your time if you’re looking for a book with love in it but also with a LOT of other stuff going on. Anticipate the cliffhanger and mind the CW (I’ve put them in the comments).
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