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

Simply Outstanding

Phenomenal performances by Jason Clarke and Jo Raylan. Superb writting by Kennedy Ryan. A must listen audiobook.

Strong, unusual

pity it's so turbulant and complicated, but worth it . Love concours all. Thank you

Jason Clarke = 5 stars

This was the start of a good story that got bogged down from the numerous times the reader was reminded that Lennix was the champion of indigenous people, her mother disappeared, most likely killed, etc, etc. The plot line was different, which was a good thing, but Lennix was so self righteous she couldn't see something special when it stood in front of her.
Her character reminded me of the times I've met someone who is so angry, bitter and controlling that they have no room to listen to, let alone allow someone to have a different view point. I didn't find Lennix very likable. I'm not sure if that was K. Ryan's aim but it's how it came across in the story.
The two main characters, Maxim and Lennix, have a solid background story wrapped around Maxim supporting and developing sustainable energy sources and recycling products into wearable clothing items with Lenox’s character starting a company that runs political campaigns. Maxim’s father is a user, runs an energy empire, takes what really isn’t his and has very little conscious. Obviously Maxim and dad butt heads and rarely speak to one another. Dad is so busy crushing people and grabbing land, he doesn’t notice that his son hasn’t used any of dads money to pay for his college education.
There is lots of emphasis on the many ecological issues that we face today; renewable energy, less dependence on oil, reusing, repurposing what we have; becoming less of a throw away society, mindful of our planet and how it is being destroyed.
As for the story overall; it drags in the middle and I do mean DRAGS!, making the listener rev up the speed of the Audible book just to get to some new information or story rather than sit thru another ten minutes of Lennix on her soap box.
Otherwise it is very entertaining, informative, and politically minded.
Narrators: Jason Clarke - excellent Maxim voice. 5 stars
Jo Raylan - something about her cadence just didn’t seem to match the character that was created by the author. Lennix was suppose to be an independent thinker, a strong woman, not a laid back, whiney, bored female. I heard boredom, so I gave Ms. Raylan 2.5 stars.

Fantastic story

Everything about this book is absolutely fantastic. It was everything I didn’t expect and didn’t know I needed - and I love it so. The narration is perfect.
Worth it!!

freakin amazing book

this book is everything I love in story there drama. hot sexual tension and an amazing story about to people who meet at the wrong time in there life but later get a second chance . fyi there is a cliffhanger for the second book.

⭐️ “Sustainable” Love ⭐️

This not the usual love story nor an old fashioned Mafia novela. It is packed with very serious issues such as global warming, clean energy, and Native American heritage, social inequality, which are all the elements to tangle the main characters-Lennix and Maxim-on their own ambitions agendas for justice and a green planet. It is hot, sweet, and suspenseful, and it is also about forgiveness. Lennix and Maxim’s love is intense, it is all I can say without spoiling. This is the first book and I loved it! Raylan and Clarke narrations are stellar. Happy Listening! Rushing to Book 2!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THIS IS THAT BOOK

y’all… this is THAT book. It’s been so long since I have been absolutely FERRAL for a story and Kennedy 👏🏻 Ryan 👏🏻 DELIVERS 👏🏻. Just do yourself a favor and buy it. Right now.

One of the best storylines in romance genre!

I'm so invested in this story that I can't wait for the audio version and I'm reading it on Kindle. That's really saying something since I have bad eyes so I rarely read anymore.

Even though it starts with a case of instalust, the plot points and especially the background/back story of Lennix (the FC) make this book extraordinary. Lennix is strong from the start and her difficulties make sense (I'm being vague so I don't spoil anything).

The MC, Maxim, is acceptable even though he's more one dimensional than Lennix as the crazy ambitious rich guy with a hero complex. But his story at least seems plausible and his environmentally altruistic aspects seem genuine.

I'm not a big fan of Jo Raylan's narration. It's well acted, but her voice frequently sounds like she's on the verge of crying, which really throws me out of the story when it doesn't fit with what she's saying or what is happening. Jason Clarke does a fine job, but it's not a stand out performance. Honestly though, I'd rather have that than someone whose voice constantly makes me think about the narrator. Actually, come to think of it, now I'm thinking that that makes his narration rather excellent since my mind sometimes wanders when I'm listening to other narrators like Sebastian York or Jeremy (forgot his last name).

Lastly, the intimate scenes are pretty hot but never quite hit the "on fire" mark for me. A little more detail would be nice and I absolutely throb where there's a well-placed gasp, groan or quick intake of breath.
Since I almost exclusively listen to books, I don't know if it's the author or the narrator who add that element.

Great work over all its a fantastic book that really stands out for me. I listen to about 4-5 books per week, but rarely review them, so it says a lot that I'm such a fan of this one!

The King Maker

Kennedy Ryan is a master storyteller! King Maker (All The Kings MenMen duet, book 1), is the story of Lennix and Maxim. They are two people from absolutely diverse backgrounds. They meet when Lennix, a 17 year old Native American is involved in the protest of a proposed pipeline being put through her people’s land. Maxim is the son of the man whose company is building the pipeline. Maxim is an undergraduate college student, and a budding environmentalist, and Is with his father on this trip unwillingly, as he is opposed to his father’s plan. During the protest, attack dogs are released and Maxim ends up being bitten in trying to protect Lennix . All the protestors were arrested right along with Maxim. Maxim is fascinated with Lennix, but never tells her his last name or why he’s there. Lennix and Max lose touch, with Maxim turning his back on his Father’s business interests and becoming a strong environmentalist. Lennix finishes school and becomes a strong advocate for native Americans rights, especially for abused and missing native women.
Their story is riveting and is wrought with misunderstandings, half truths and bitterness. It will leave you breathless, and dying to read the second half of their story in The Rebel King. Jason Clarke was wonderful as usual. Jo Raylan is new to me and did a great job also. Run to get Rebel King now!

🔶️🔶️ NEEDS 10 STARS 🔶️🔶️

Just WOW! This book is so good! Its been awhile since a book totally blew me away. Could have listened non-stop. Loved the storyline and the narration was PERFECT! Can't wait to start the The Rebel King! Kennedy Ryan just became one of my FAV authors!