The Kingmaker

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.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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⭐⭐⭐❤❤❤

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️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!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable Read!

I enjoyed The King Maker so much. The story line had a little bit of everything. Thank you Kennedy Ryan for your suburb writing and choosing two narrators, Jason Clarke and Jo Raylan, who made the characters come to life. I am looking forward to The Rebel King.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing!

I was surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this book. It’s the first one that I’ve listen to or read from this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect but it absolutely blew me away. I can’t wait for the second book in this duet to be released on audio.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Lennix is a FORCE, she’s is the QUEEN!!

This book was ALOT of information, wrapped in a STEAMY, HOT, F-ING romance. We cover Native American beliefs and history, fossil fuels, global warming, and more. •
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But without all of that I don’t think you would understand how passionate Lennix and Maxim are about their careers. And can I just please say THANK you @kennedyryan1 for giving Lennix a powerful voice. (She reminds me of Olivia from @scandalabc). She made herself a career, a business, all without a husband by her side. Even when she didn’t want to walk away from Maxim, her dreams of making a difference in our world didn’t wavier. She did give up, or half do it. •
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She loved herself first and I loved that. But the same goes for Maxim, he did the same. He knew what he wanted and went for it. A VERY powerful, goal oriented duo! •
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The passion between these two was HOT. I think the narrators helped make you FEEL each word as if you were watching it all play out in front of you. •
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I am so evolved with each character now. I HAVE to know what happens. I feel it deep down, like I said it’s more then just a romance, it’s a story, maybe even a PSA of sorts. Whatever you want to call it, I definitely enjoyed every word. •
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Let’s not forget about that CLIFFHANGER! OMG! OMG! Book 2, The Rebel King is out and I’ve already started it. I need it. I have to know. This is different then my normal reads, not the romance part(duh) but I am honestly surprised I loved this as much as I did! Plus some of the book takes place in OKLAHOMA, and since in an OKIE this made my heart happy. •
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful