Now a Top 30 Amazon Bestseller! “This story sets a new bar in the genre . . . Exquisitely written, meticulously researched, tender, yet oh-so steamy–this is the Mary Poppins of Contemporary Romances: practically perfect in every way.” — Natasha Is A Book JunkiePower. Passion. Betrayal. Raised to rule, bred to lead and weaned on a diet of ruthless ambition. In a world of haves and have nots, my … world of haves and have nots, my family has it all, and I want nothing to do with it.
My path takes me far from home and paints me as the black sheep. At odds with my father, I’m determined to build my own empire. I have rules, but Lennix Hunter is the exception to every one of them. From the moment we meet, something sparks between us. But my family stole from hers and my father is the man she hates most. I lied to have her, and will do anything to keep her. Though she tries to hate me, too, the inexorable pull between us will not be denied.
And neither will I.
THE KINGMAKER is the epic and powerful first installment in the All The King’s Men Duet by USA Today bestselling and RITA® Award winning author, Kennedy Ryan.
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The Kingmaker is everything you expect from author Kennedy Ryan! It’s exceptional, groundbreaking, and thought provoking. It warms your heart, sets a fire to your soul, and will have you reading on the edge of your seat!
Kennedy Ryan’s characters in The Kingmaker are unique and dynamically written. I could not get enough of their connection, and the fire that burned between them! With a strong and compelling hero, an unstoppable heroine, and intense and undeniable chemistry, the fire works are explosive!
True to a Kennedy Ryan book, this story is distinctive in the romance genre. It’s infused with culture, and doesn’t shy away from issues whether they be social, political, economic, or global. An author and person to be admired, for sure.
Soul stirring… Unputdownable… Unfathomably good! With an incredible first installment to this duet and a heart stopping cliffhanger, The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan will leave you dying for more – I know I definitely am!
The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan is book one in the All the King’s Men Duet. It ends on a cliffhanger so be ready to salivate for the next installment.
Maxim hates what his father stands for–oil pipelines and the desecration of sacred Indian reservation land. It’s at a protest of his own father’s destruction that Maxim meets Lennix. And Lennix is on a mission to fight for the rights of not only the people on her reservation, but everyone who fights suppression and needs a voice.
What begins is a drawn out love story that happens over time and burns smoldering hot.
Kennedy Ryan can write the hell out of unrequited love that spans time, and I am here for it. This had the additional timely topics of pipelines and corporate greed churning up sacred lands and ruining the environment. Amid protests and politics and dreams, we have Maxim and Lennix’s story. I loved these two together. Both so passionate about making a difference and changing the world but in their own separate ways.
Maxim, battling climate change and going on expeditions and Lennix, protesting for the rights of those marginalized.
I highlighted so many great lines. It’s like reading poetry sometimes and others, so intense with longing that you hold your breath. I loved reading this book. It was an experience. And reading, for me, needs to be that–to breathe life, and The Kingmaker does that in spades.
There were some laugh out loud moments (more of these epic friendships, please!), and downright swoony lines (warn a girl, will ya, Maxim?!), and plenty of romance. How their story unfolds and shifts is beautifully done, well-crafted, and so perfect I cried.
Highly recommend!
4.5 stars!
Sometimes it’s really hard to put into words how I feel about Kennedy Ryan’s writing. I shouldn’t be surprised that everything she does is pure gold, but each time I read something new by her I’m simply in awe. I’m in awe of her pure and raw talent to engage her readers, me, on such a level that her stories become all-consuming. Her words are original, and that may sound simple, but I never feel like I’m reading the same story twice! The time and effort she puts into researching certain aspects of her characters lives, personalities, ethnic backgrounds, shows on every turn of the page. The Kingmaker is all of these things and more.
The story of “Nix” and “Doc,” their journey and struggles was simply marvelous. Again, Kennedy had no trouble pulling every emotion imaginable from me while reading this epic love story. This story is about power, sacrifice and a connection so strong even time and distance can’t break it.
I didn’t just read a book, I experienced this love story and felt it in my heart every step of the way. To say I’m anxious to see how it all unfolds between Lennox and Maxim in The Rebel King is an understatement of epic proportions. I’m ready to continue this journey
I loved this story so much, I couldn’t stop reading! Lennix, “The Girl Who Chases Stars”, and Maxim are vibrant and richly developed characters, the plot is smart, riveting, poignant, emotional. Kennedy Ryan is an exceptional storyteller, I went through so many emotions reading this story.
I loved the main characters, I was captivated by their fierce battle of wills and their undying love for each other. Lennix is strong-willed and determined to protect her Apache heritage and traditions threatened by powerful corporate interests. Maxim’s family represents everything she wants to spend her life fighting. They cross paths when Maxim joins Lennix during a protest against the building of a pipeline on Apache sacred land and takes a dog bite that was intended for her. Lennix is brave, smart, ambitious and dedicated. Maxim is brilliant and ruthless. He really is my kind of alpha hero. Sparks fly between them right away but they live in different worlds and have different battles to fight. Building a healthy relationship is not easy for either of them and Maxim’s family nearly drives them apart for good. Their romance, their deep feelings and all the impediments to get their happy ending felt real. The bond that forms between them brings a love that both have yearned for, but also a complication that neither wanted. Their back stories were vital to the story and made it so much more rich and exciting and unpredictable in many ways.
This is a great novel that will keep you engaged and rooting for the main characters the whole way through. The author excels at giving us in-depth dual pov. This book ends on a very real cliffhanger and I’m counting down the days for the conclusion of Lennix and Maxim’s story!
I will read anything Kennedy Ryan writes. She is an author that requires no blurbs or teasers. I just one click and dive write in knowing I’m going to get a one of a kind story that will melt my heart.
The Kingmaker is eye opening, informative, intense and heart stopping! The tug and pull on my heart was endless throughout the entire book. Certain chapters had me holding my breath just waiting for the answers or for the outcome to change.
I love Lennix and Maxim as individuals and even more so together. Lennix is a very strong character who I admire. She stands up for what she believes in and will take on anyone standing in her way. She is fearless when it comes to everything but love. Lennix has gone through so much in her life at this point and she is so afraid of opening up her heart. Until she meets Maxim, that is. They have an instant connection when they meet and their chemistry is HOT! I’m talking heat flashes, fan yourself, delicious!! She starts to slowing open up her heart to this magnificent man until the truth comes out. The truth that changes everything! I love Maxim. He is incredible and the perfect match for Lennix. I am routing for this couple so much!
We all know this is a duet and ends with a cliffhanger but OMG that ending!!!! Who?!? What?! Why?! NOOOO!!!!!! My mind is running nonstop with possibilities. I need answers now!!!
AAAHHH, I want to say so much more but I want you to experience this book for yourself. There is a lot happening and it is such an incredible story. Don’t hesitate on reading this book. It is a must read! I can not wait for The Rebel King!
P.S. I will never look at Pop Rocks the same! LOL
5 “All the Feels” Stars
Kennedy Ryan has brought things to an all new level with The King Maker. Maxim and Lennix are incredible characters brought to life within the pages of this even more magnificent story. Powerful, emotional and riveting from the get go. These two have chemistry like no other and their journey brings all the feels.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
NO SPOILERS!
Is there seriously anything better than a Kennedy Ryan book? I think not! Every time I delve into one of Kennedy’s stories, I’m in awe of her beautiful and unparalleled talent, prose, and seemingly effortless ability to immerse the reader into an unforgettable new world and characters they can’t help but fall madly in love with. Kennedy Ryan is by far one of my top favorite authors, and she definitely crafted her BEST novel yet with The Kingmaker!
Everything about The Kingmaker was out of this world amazing, and it completely exceeded all of my expectations and more. The storyline and characters were beyond my wildest dreams, and they captured me, body and soul. The first part of Lennix and Maxim’s story was super sweet, sexy, swoon-worthy, and emotional with ALL THE FEELS, and I was addicted from the first page to the last. Lennix and Maxim were EVERYTHING and have by far been my FAVORITE Kennedy Ryan couple to date. They were on FIRE together, and I couldn’t get enough of them and the first part of their unforgettable story. To say I am DYING to get my hands on The Rebel King would be a huge understatement.
Kennedy Ryan writes on another level, and I’ll never get tired of reading her sexy, addicting, emotional, and empowering love stories that always have an important message behind them. The Kingmaker has been the BEST and my FAVORITE novel from her so far, and I am so excited to devour the conclusion to Lennix and Maxim’s story in The Rebel King! The All the King’s Men Duet is definitely shaping up to be another MUST READ from the brilliant Kennedy Ryan!
Whenever I’m about to start a book written by Kennedy Ryan, I’m a little apprehensive because I know she’s going to wreck me. I also know I’m going to love being wrecked! This book is mesmerizing, it touches so many topics dear to me, like the Natives and the preservation of our planet. Thankfully, it didn’t wreck me too much, I could see that this couple, Lennix and Maxim, are just fated to be.
This story is more saga than anything else, it comprises 15 years from the day Lennix and Maxim met until they meet again. It was fascinating to read, since both are spectacular characters. Lennix is an American Native, Yavapai-Apache. Her mother was an activist all her life, fighting for the Native’s land, culture, language, and sacred lands. Lennix inherited her zest for defending her Nation and it was in the middle of a protest, when she was 17 years old, that she and Maxim met.
Maxim is the youngest son of Warren Cade, the owner of Cade Oil, and producer of contaminants: oil and gas. Warren Cade, in his ruthlessness, doesn’t care if he destroys sacred lands or water reservoir territory, so long as he can construct his pipelines. On the day of Lennix’s protest, a construction over Native sacred ground was about to commence. When Warren gave orders for tear gas and dogs let lose over the protesters, Maxim crossed the line and joined the protest and protected Lennix from being bitten by a dog.
He was fascinated by this young girl who had so much presence.
“Some people leave an impression. Lennix Moon Hunter has left more than an impression. She’s left her mark on me. And it’s shaped like a star.”
Since Lennix was only 17 and Maxim a graduate student, they were not to be just yet. Both had plans, like college for Lennix and Maxim was on a route to save the planet from the utilization of fossil fuels. They spend a few memorable hours in jail, then say goodbye, which felt more like missing a chance to be with someone wonderful. Maxim hates what his father’s desecration of Native sacred land and cuts off his father.
I’m ashamed of my last name—ashamed of my father and how he’s like every other entitled son of a bitch who has stolen from them, disregarded their rights, and diminished their humanity.
Lennix and Maxim don’t meet again until four years later, spend a wonderful week together, then separate again for ten more years.
“His body, so beautiful and strong, sets off an impossible, primordial chant inside of me. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine.”
During their ten years apart, both fulfilled their destiny and became the persons they were destined to be. There are still obstacles for their joining, namely Maxim’s father who represents all that Lennix abhors and the lie of omission he made, not letting her know he’s Warren Cade’s son.
What I loved about this book: it feels like fate. Maxim and Lennix imprinted on each other, like the possibility of a great love that was just meant to be, no matter the distance of the time spent. Even though apart, they kept tabs on each other, Maxim because he wanted to see her successes and Lennix because she wanted to make sure he was safe from all the dangerous expeditions he went on. Maxim was convinced they were meant to be together, Lennix was apprehensive from feeling too much and suffering heartbreak again, like she did when she lost her mother. Their path to love was bumpy and reluctant but it was like the force of a magnetic field, relentless and inevitable. I loved, loved both characters and the story and after the spectacular cliffhanger (expected, of course), now I’m dying for the sequel.
“Just our two bodies, sun and moon, just our souls, earth and water. We are the sky and the sea, and the horizon is where our hearts meet.”
I love anything she writes but she outdid herself with this book I just love these characters Max and Lennix deff a must read
Gah, this book was everything that is anticipated to be and more. Kennedy Ryan is a queen when it comes to her words and creating a masterful plot that’ll have you flipping page after page completely consumed and addicted to each and every word and The Kingmaker was no exception. I am in awe of this author.
Ms. Ryan once again throws us into the start of a duet that holds me merciless and emotionally plays with my heartstrings. This book was powerful on so many levels, and what I have come to realize is this will always be the case when it comes to Kennedy. Her words hold power, knowledge, emotion, and depth. It is enough to completely consume someone. Well, it did that for me, I was at this author mercy and the moment I finished part one of this duet, I know I need part 2… LIKE NOW!!
This duet focuses on Maxim and Lennix and their second chance encounter. This love story takes place over about 10 years where Maxim comes in contact with Lennix at the young age of 17 and the moment they come into contact was the moment they connected. Instant attraction, desire, and passion and the encounter leave a mark on both of their lives, but it’s not until they meet again later on in their life that the fire that was started the day they first met is still burning red hot… And this is where their love story starts to really take place. They start to get to know one another, the connection, desire and fascination between the two only intensified. You can tell these two are meant to be. I could tell when they first met all those years ago and n0thing has changed since… It’s like they both held a strange candle for each other, but unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be more wrong. But isn’t that how life always seems to go? But that isn’t the end of their love story, it’s really just the beginning and as much as I want to dive into this. I think going into this duet blind is the way. I for one am glad I did.
This book is emotional and holds passion, betrayal, and power, it’s really just the beginning of what promises to be an epic duet. Kennedy Ryan does what she does best and makes this story unique in every way she possibly can. Honestly, it’s what I love most about her and her amazing ability to change people’s lives with her incredible talent.
GET THIS BOOK! I cannot scream that loud enough! It’s enticing, thrilling, all-consuming, emotional, beautiful, heartbreaking, suspenseful and phenomenal on so many levels. All these words I am using cannot do this book justice, and the fact that this is just the beginning? Well, it’s safe to say I will be sitting right here waiting for book two to drop!
5 Compelling Stars
Going into a Kennedy Ryan Book is always an experience that literally makes you think so much about how our actions affect other people.
This story is no exception!
The King maker is a story of love loss strength persistence broken hearts and determination.
It’s also a story of making a movement that is needed, generations worth of rituals how the importance of keeping these to be true to how others live, love & believe.
Honestly any book you pick up by Kennedy has meaning it has purpose and it has soul, so deep you will want to crawl in the book to support the cause!!!
Kennedy we love you.
Thanks for shining a light so bright on these stories.
Amo xx
Just when I thought Kennedy Ryan couldn’t raise the bar any higher, she goes and does just that in The Kingmaker, book one of the All The King’s Men Duet. Seriously, this book is so addicting that before you know it, three hours have passed and you’ve already devoured over half the book. So intense, passionate, thrilling, exciting, sexy, powerful – everything about this story just consumed my attention and I didn’t want to put it down.
The story of Lennix and Maxim is told over the course of almost two decades – first meeting during a protest where their attraction began, to a chance reunion four years later where the attraction intensifies and their souls are united, to the present – where the lines are no longer clear between them, due to lies and misunderstandings of the past. They are both now working towards a common goal, and Lennix is trying to deny her feelings for him, trying to hold strong to her convictions. But as Maxim told her many times, when he wants something, he’ll do whatever he has to do until he has it.
This truly is an amazing and incredible story, and while there is so much more I could say, I won’t because this story is one that you need to just read without knowing much about it, in order to get the full experience and all the emotions out of it. I absolutely loved it and am counting down the days until I can read what I’m sure will be an epic conclusion to this duet!
This book. This wonderful, gripping book had me in its thrall from the very first scene.
Lennix Moon Hunter is the most vibrant, driven, complex and admirable heroine I have read in a very long time. I want to know her, hell, I want to be her. The way Kennedy brings her to life on the page is spellbinding.
Maxim Kingsman Cade is a noble rebel. True to his beliefs, he turns his back on the family business to follow his goals. These goals make him cross paths with Lennix on occasion, each meeting leaving lasting impressions on both of them.
The depth of detail in this book is impressive. From eco-capitalism to Antarctic expeditions to Native American rights and struggles, this book is on point.
The love story between ‘Nix’ and ‘Doc’ is gearing up to be one of epic proportions, a love for the ages. I cannot wait to see where the conclusion to this duet will take me. Five outstanding stars.
This book, y’all, it hit me in the feels a couple of times because…this is real life stuff we deal with and most of us are oblivious because we just don’t pay attention. I’ve heard Kennedy say it before and she said it very well, we can’t hide from things and always write that happy go lucky book. This is what I love about her words and the way she captures our attention, the way she tells a story. It’s all real life issues mixed in with the love story she’s creating.
Lennox and Maxims story, at least this part of it, spans over a lot of time and that’s one of the best parts, it’s not something that is crammed all into a weeks worth of time, they get to know each other a little bit and follow along with their lives, they do life. I can not wait to see what happens with the rest of their story as there was a serious cliff hanger at the end of part one.
The Kingmaker is without a doubt EPIC in every sense of the word, thought provoking and unique and that something special that only Kennedy Ryan can do… I was completely captivated, in awe, in love with this book, this story, these characters… OMG OBSESSED!
I love that Kennedy’s books are always different… Maxim and Lennix meeting in an unexpected way yet the chemistry and that something you can’t explain just grabbed ahold of them right from that first moment. Their journey continues over the years, through heat and chemistry, through lies and pain and heartbreak and coming full circle to love. Both characters so passionate about their beliefs and professions, so strong, so unwavering in everything… including what their hearts want.
I can’t go into this too much because I don’t want to spoil it for you but HOLY CLIFFHANGER! Thank goodness we don’t have to wait too long because I am DYING to know what happens.
Exciting, passionate, breathtaking are all things that come to mind when I think about this book. I AM IN LOVE! I can’t wait for more Kennedy Ryan because she gets better and better with every book and I am in awe of her talent. <3
The RITA Award-Winning, Kennedy Ryan, has uniquely based this narrative on the history of the indigenous people but added love and mystery to the mix to make this genuinely epic legend that will last for years to come and a must-read for 2019.
The heroine, Lennix Moon Hunter, is part of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, an American Indian tribe. Lennix will touch your heart and soul. The meet-cute is at a pipeline protest in Arizona; it’s a reminiscence of an actual event Keystone Pipeline that happened in 2017; the similarities to this event is what brings this story to heart.
Maxim Kingsman Cade is the youngest son of an oil tycoon, Warren Cade, Cade Energy. The owner of said pipeline. Warren had his son witness this event, trying to convince his son to take his rightful place within the company. Hindsight, just proved what an ass his father truly is, his arrogance only made to outrage, anger, and shame the younger Cade. Maxim was working on his master’s degree in business and energy resources engineering at Berkeley, looking forward to obtaining a Ph.D. in Climate Science. When he sees a young woman with stars and stripes on her face, calling out, can you hear me, “Liar, Trickster, Theif!”
Ms. Ryan has left me with so many unanswered questions as to what happens to Lennix, will she find her happily ever after? Will it be with Maxim? Will Mr. Warren Cade ever be held accountable for his actions? Will Own Cade become president? Will Lennix ever find her mother? So many inquisitions, looking forward to the conclusion, The Rebel King!
This book has all the things!
Alpha Male + Alpha Female
Passion spanning 4 continents & 20 years
2 fighter-dreamers determined to change the world!
Enemies-to-Lovers + Second Chance romance
Phenomenal! I absolutely love Kennedy Ryan’s writing style, it’s poetic and with purpose. A underlying message of injustice and entitlement. You feel all the feels with these beautifully written characters. This storyline will take you on a journey of fighting for yourself and your beliefs while navigating the obstacles life is. Maxim and Lennix’s chemistry is instant and palpable. The angst is so real that you feel it and you can’t help but root for them. That ending will leave you BEGGING for more! An absolute must read!
First things first: Kennedy Ryan has a way with words, and that’s not a tidbit that’s just dawned on me considering it hit me the moment I started reading Flow more than two years ago. In the first All the King’s Men book, she lays a sturdy foundation and creates an in-depth history for both the main characters. I was fascinated by Lennix’s heritage and must commend the author on how diverse her characters are in her novels. Then there was Maxim and his drive in veering away from how his father did his business towards something environmentally sustainable.
On the flip side, however, I confess that I did find this to be far more drawn out than I would have personally liked. I get it–this is just the first part in a duet, but it was almost as if the romance aspect suffered from the deluge of everything else. No, a book doesn’t have to necessarily be all about the romance. Of course there needs to be more than that going on for me to find any book, even if it falls under the romance genre, worth reading. But again, I wish there’d been more of the romance between Lennix and Maxim than what was available in book one.
Lennix and Maxim undoubtedly had a connection, but because of everything else that was going on in the story when they were apart from each other, it felt as if the opportunities for them to explore said connection were limited. These two were with other people, and I don’t necessarily require main characters to remain celibate during the time they’re apart and not in a committed relationship, I feel it took away from what they shared to a degree. Still, I’m invested enough in the story as a whole and can’t wait for book two. Four stars for The Kingmaker.
The power of Kennedy’s writing always leaves me wonderstruck. The KingMaker is a book written with truth, love, and purpose. The story of love for people, justice, and oneself is a story that I can connect with. Reading The Kingmaker was an experience of inspiration for selfless love. I look forward to the next book in this duet. Kennedy words are magic and I know that in the end of this duet she will leave an imprint on my romantic heart . Thank you Kennedy for your courageous love story.