The Kingmaker

All the King's Men Duet, Book 1

By: Kennedy Ryan

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Jo Raylan

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ambition. Passion. Betrayal.

Rita Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan delivers the epic first installment of the All the King's Men duet.

Raised to rule, bred to lead, and weaned on a diet of ruthless ambition.

In a 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.

©2019 Scribechick Media, LLC (P)2019 Scribechick Media, LLC

I CAN NOT WAIT for The Rebel King...

So here's the thing: my psyche KNOWS it's going to be effed the eff up (in the best way imaginable) whenever I read a Kennedy Ryan book and the fact that this is a duet let me know that all the bracing was required before diving in, so I waited until the last feasible moment to read and yet I still was/am WRECKED (once again, in the best possible way). From my immediate connection to Lennix in the prologue because of her Native roots, to the EPICNESS of the romance, to the realness and relevance of the story, to the real life take-aways I always get from a Kennedy Ryan joint, to the utter SEXINESS that leaves me longing and inspired EVERY DAMN TIME - Kennedy Ryan is who I want to be when I grow up and I can attest to the fact that I am already a grown@$$ woman. I want to be the type of person IRL that would be worthy of a cameo in her books - her characters are a composite archetype for life. Her words are a baptism of fire and each time I am immerged into them, I am reborn a better person. This may all seem like hyperbole but I am so sincere y'all. I don't even want to get into specifics of the plot because it feels like a disservice to give any facet of it away and spoil the discovery of it as a whole as it truly merits. I CAN NOT WAIT for The Rebel King - except for the fact that actually physically have to. Don't be like me; go read this NOW. Also the audiobook is stellar as well. Best of 2019 fo sho. All the stars in the galaxy and what not. You know, the yush for Kennedy Ryan.

I can read the news if I want to be lectured

It was basically a political rant. Not entertaining at all. The love story was second to all the environmental/depressing BS. If I wanted to hear about all this crap, I would just turn on the news. I listen in order to escape from the world not be reminded every chapter.

Story is EXCELLENT! A+ mix of sex into storyline

LOVED LOVED LOVED the storyline. This is not *just another* romance book. It's a beautiful story about how two characters initially meet, and their exciting individual lives spent (mostly) apart over the next few decades. Then they meet again.

A gorgeous love story that will challenge & fill you up

This is part of one of a duet and it is simply breath taking in its scope and story. The MC is a feisty and intelligent Native America who wants to fight for their rights and anyone who is marginalized. Jo is simply the perfect Lennix in her passion and her grit. I love the speeches and inner dialogues she had about her heritage and her grief. Maxim is the most woke MC who wants to wake up the world to climate change but also build his business empire and help solve some of its problem. Jason is so well cast as this ruthless and passionate man who is single minded and love Lennix in an unwavering way.

Kennedy’s imagery are so powerful that when they are narrated aloud of these voice talents it elevates it to a different dimension. I can’t wait to listen to the next book.

It has everything one could want in romance!

What a ride! What a story!! What amazing level of performance by these narrators that bring to life this world and completely leave one in awe! This story is so well written and well performed, it goes without saying that the audio for book 2 better be out soon because this ending is a real surprise. The way these characters are crafted, their chemistry, their development as people and how they both just connect is exceptional and a true testament to Kennedy Ryan's gift of storytelling. I love how she let's time pass and how she makes me feel with every word their heartache, their passion and their overall sense of wanting to live life and make the world better. I can't wait to see what happens!!

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️10 Stars! Best book I’ve read in years! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

The book was the first in a duet and let me say what a story....the unforgettable performances by Jo Raylan and Jason Clarke will never leave me and thus their characters and great love will be etched into my psyche forever. Beautiful writing, fabulous narration- what’s not to love! Can’t wait for book 2. Don’t miss this one- you will thank me later!

Great love story and more...⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kennedy Ryan really has a good story here. You will enjoy Lennix and Maxims first meet, their journey in finding one another again and the challenges and obstacles they endure. There's some other important characters along the way while the story deals with political correctness, globalization and other issues we struggle with outside of romance novels.
But there's the important part, a romance and love story, along with great love scenes, anger, deceit, lies and other surprises. I just finished another awesome and passionate book with Jason Clarke narrating and here he goes again stealing my heart all over. I just love him and that sultry sexy voice.

And just when you think that HEA is around the corner, surprise, we find our heroine in an unfortunate situation thinking about Maxim and her love for him. Hate to say it but there's another book I think we have to wait for.
The story could be a tad slow at times but this really was a good one. I just get impatient sometimes...Well narrated by JC, one of my favorites and Jo Raylen was good too. I liked her male voices. Sometimes other female narrators are not as good but I thought she did fantastic. Enjoy⭐⭐⭐❤❤❤

The female narrator voice got on my last nerve.

The storyline was ok but alittle unrealistic. I'm accustomed to these stories being unrealistic but that female sounded like someone talking to you will they sit on the toilet.

A CAUSE, A CRUSADE & A BITTER-SWEET ROMANCE

I usually hold off listening to a Duet or a Trilogy until all the parts are out, but somehow this story.. and its cover, pulled me in and I broke my own rules.. and boy was it worth it. The story spans over a decade, it highlights racial injustice, brings two very different people (with very different backgrounds and idealistic dreams) briefly together.. and then it tears them apart again and again. This epic dual POV Gold Star story tells more than the story of Lennix - a strong seventeen year old part-native American girl passionate and driven to stop the injustices suffered by the indigenous tribes of America and their sacred grounds she deeply loves.. fuelled on and focused by the Apache relatives and rituals that run through her blood. Who sadly meets Maxim, her environmentalist soulmate, way too early in both their lives.. two brief liaisons that’ll leave life-long bitter-sweet scars.

The instant connection between these two is palpable.. yet unfortunately short-lived, because it would be another four years before they get another chance to perhaps get it right. And yet again Fate, Destiny, idealistic dreams of changing the world and a lie of omission will tear these lovers apart for a decade. A decade where they groove out reputations and make names for themselves, both rise to become the potential world-changing people they had wanted to become.. and both still very much seismically kinetically drawn to each other. But the crater is still there too.. left bare after the lie of omission had been exposed, Lennix’s walls are still impenetrable and they are now loosely working for the greater good of the nation.. and for thirty-eight year old Maxim’s sole (.. or perhaps soul) undisclosed objective.. forgiveness, peace and love.. and to do that he must win Lennix back.

Worth a credit? One hundred percent YES.. a stunning journey of the hopes and courage of youth, deep heritage issues (on both sides), ambition, pride, forgiveness and love. It’s seeped in layers of idealistic intensely-driven beliefs that still move over to let Lennix and Maxim’s soul-to-soul connection shine, simmer and smoulder through the chapters. And, apart from the well-paced, compelling and stunning storyline which slowly opens up to reveal a beautifully frail gem of a love story, it also highlights two causes that I’d too want to rally behind, fight for and hold a plaque high declaring the plights of this world. You really FEEL their connection, you taste their lure to each other and you can understand their drive for the better good. And I really really FELT the screeching halt to the emotional, expected and inevitable OMG of a heaving despair-filled WTELF of the cliffhanger ending. The narration by Jo was good.. but Jason’s range, vocal ability and smooth sexy voice was outstanding yet again (I love you Jason) and together they drew me into a story that has me ticking off the days until its joyous rekindled return.

Love the story!

The writer has depth! I super love the story especially because all characters are trying to be the best version of themselves. I love that it tackles society and the problems of today's world such as climate change. The characters of Maxim and Lennix were ripe and developed rightly. This isn't your ordinary romantic novel. This is something I would definitely buy if it has a hard copy, keep it in my shelf, and recommend with everyone!

a promise not fullfilled

Oh well, I could have skipped this one. a not fullfilled promise to a story told in great length (way too much) only to strech to the next installment with a clifhanger. litterally.
Narration: Jo Raylan is talented but her ever whimpering voice just made me skip to Maxim's chapters. Lennix is one strong persona and this tithering, whiny voice is one sad miscasting error. Skip.

Fantastic audio for my favourite duet!

A flawless narration of this story. Both narrators have gorgeous, expressive voices. About to dive into the second book.

The king maker...book one

Omg ..this book is so good...not my usual sort of book..suspense but ....I really loved it.....then the ending was so that you can't wait for the next book

Love the story but the narration. . .

Specifically Jo's narration was hard to follow because she mumbles A LOT!! I find she does this with every book I have read that she narrates and it really takes you out of the story. Jason Clarke however did a stellar job and brought Maxim to life! Love the cadence of his voice.

loved t!

Great story! Love Mazim and Lennix💘. haven't time to say anymore, I'm downloading the second book right now!

Phenomenal

Wow ! What a story.. I'm completely captured by this, I binge through and listened over and over.
I would recommend this book

Exceptional, Outstanding, Superb, Magnificent

Exceptional, Outstanding, Superb, Magnificent, Epic!

Jason and Jo did a superb job in bringing this magnificent book to life. There’s so much passion in Kennedys writing and we felt every word

This is Kennedy at her best.

Exceptional, Outstanding, Superb, Magnificent, Epic...... I’m sure there’s more to describe ATKM ❤️🔥❤️

The research to produce this book is evident throughout.

As we come to expect from Kennedy it has all the feels; love, laughter, heartache, heartbreak, trepidation and yet totally grounding......and it’s a given we all love the steamy hotness.

Lennix is so strong in her pursuit to make sure her native history is protected, and never forgotten. Yet she faces many obstacles, much disappointment and heartache along the way.

Maxim wanting to pave his own way in life, not what his father is hoping for, with clashes and disappointments causing tension.

Lennix and Maxim are thrown together in extreme circumstances, a path is carved out for what’s to come next.

This is a story of two people drawn together, but the timings are all wrong.

And so begins this agonising journey of secrets, mistakes and missed opportunities, enriched with native American history.

Part One blew me away, bring on part Two…… The Rebel King, we are waiting.

Great book, passion, suspense and important topics covered in this romance like treatment of native Americans and climate change

First time reading this author and it was a pleasant surprise. It wasn't the dark romance I usually enjoy, but it's a romance with substance. Lenix is a woman with native American heritage who fights for the rights and injustice of her people and other minorities. Maxim is a graduate genuinely concerned with climate change and affects fossil fuels have on the planet. This contrast with what his father wants for him which is to take over the family business which causes the very damage to the planet Maxim wants to prevent. Both Maxim and Lenix are ambitious and determined to pursue their cause.

For reasons i won't divulge, after overwhelming insatiable passionate chemistry between them, Maxim and Lenix separate due to lies, betrayal and fear and it takes ten years for them to meet again. Can they rekindle the intense passion they had before? Or does the beliefs they hold, which have carved out high flying successful busy careers mean it can never be?

The characters had me engaged and the story covers interesting important topics. The end left me surprised to say the least and I immediately grabbed the final instalment.

Nice story

The dude is sexy as shit!! the woman is adorable!! love the chemistry and story!