The Kingmaker

by: Kennedy Ryan
Published: Oct 25, 2019
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction
344 Pages, E-Book ARC courtesy of NetGalley
GoodReads Link

*spoilers ahead*

Oh my, this book is hot & heavy. There are many, many, too many sex scenes. Outside of the sex, what I really loved most about this story is the dedication to speaking about Native Americans / American Indians and their experience and history erasure. The amount of detail that went into curating their stories and highlighting their traditions was well-written and well-received. Now on to the story…

We read from both the perspectives of Lennix a young driven and fiery woman and, Maxim a determined, wealthy young man. Both are destined to make waves in their own right and very early in the story, we see how motivated and determined these two are. I really loved that for 90% of the story, these two are forging ahead in their lives and focusing on their individual desires, dreams, and destinies. I hate stories where the women (or even the men) give up on their goals and dreams to follow/chase behind men (or women).

Lennix is strong in her own right and doesn’t need Maxim (or his wealth and famous name) to make it. Maxim is bull-headed and willing to bull-doze any and everyone in his way, and he’s going to do it without the wealthy backing or support from his father. Noble, I guess. Here’s where I got frustrated:

Maxim absolutely should have been honest. Lennix was right to say, he took her opportunity to choose away. However, Lennix also held onto that lie by omission, for yearssssssssssss.

For all intents and purposes, Maxim is actually controlling and a seemingly narcissistic man. He kept tabs on Lennix for years, going so far as to look into her boyfriend, finding out where she eats breakfast, pretty much tracking her down – that’s a red flag and very scary coming from a man with so many resources and with his amount of money. Stalking is not cute. Throughout the second half of the book he also comes across as emotionally manipulative and demanding; the conference room scene, wow!

All in all, once I got over the hump of his very “red-flag-like” tendencies, I enjoyed the story as a whole. I’m chopping at the bit to grab the next book in this series because I need to know:

1. What happens with Owen?
2. Is Daddy Cade (Warren) going to move heaven and earth for Lennix because Maxim tells him?
3. Or, is Maxim going to start a war over Lennix?
4. Give me more Kimba. Does she pick up with Dave?
5. Her mom, where is her mom?

I can’t wait to keep reading this series.

One-Word Summary: Passionate