Book Review and Giveaway for The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

THE KINGMAKER

by KENNEDY RYAN

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 would 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.

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REVIEW: 4.5 STARS

"If a kiss has a taste, it tastes like this. Hunger flavored with yearning and spiced with desperation."

Kennedy Ryan amazes me and this story is yet another reason why she sits on my Favorite Authors list. She gets in the trenches of a subject, pulls out all the knowledge - big and small - and then basically manipulates my emotions with an honest truth. I know I will sit amongst the many other raving reviews out there, and many will want a more diverse review with some negatives and positives, but one thing Ryan does without fail is bring me a compelling story that makes me think. It's constructive and thought provoking - one that I know I won't walk away from without a better understanding of a situation, or a current issue.

My absolute, hands down, favorite thing about her writing is the fact that she can make me feel her words. I never feel like I’m guilted into taking sides on a specific thought process. Kennedy always has a way of talking through a cause, an emotion, a belief that has very strong opinions attached to it - on both sides of the spectrum. I love the way she talks me through it and gives me another POV. Her words are mesmerizing, tantalizing, and she can romanticize anything - but that’s not who or what she is deep within. Making it emotional is one thing, making it personal is another, but making it relatable is what Kennedy excels at.

But, you know what else she does so well?? She gives me a man worthy of weak knees and heart palpitations....the tummy-flutters, the heart eyes. Not to diminish the quality of her storytelling, or the value of her content, but Maxim Cade is unlike any of her other men. Is he strong? Yes. Is he thoughtful? Yes. Is he meaningful in his actions? Most definitely. But the depth of his soul is scale-tipping of epic proportions. I love when I can get caught up in a fascinating storyline as a whole, but I love to settle into a love story that it makes me ache for more.

"There's a language between our heartbeats I have no translation for - no words, just a thumping communion."

Within the first few chapters, the strength of Lennix gave me the chills. Her words haunt me still....days later. I love what Kennedy does with bringing issues to light. Things we hear about but may never really think about in depth. She definitely gave me something to think about.

Lennix has such a personality and she made me laugh with all her sarcastic thoughts. But she was also bold. She didn't let anything stop her and she was headstrong and determined. That clearly played out well for her in the long run. Given the history and background of the characters, this was a story with purpose. I wanted to read the love story, but I was very intrigued where she was taking the moral side as well. Ryan builds a love story so organically. There isn't any undue drama. No eye twitching moments. It’s pure unadulterated brilliance in her writing and I truly love settling into her books. She puts love in motion and I can appreciate her vision for not only the love that she's growing and giving us, but also for the actual storyline that has moral implications beyond an everyday romance reader's run-of-the-mill stories. She's always got a heavy subject matter, one that's told with knowledge and a deeper understanding of all the intricacies that make it a hot and debatable discussion.

"Anticipation is the match to the line of gasoline, and I'm already on fire."

-> There’s a reason she’s a best-selling author - she writes books that speak to people about people, but with a powerful message attached.

-> There’s a reason she’s a RITA award-winning author - she writes books that resonate with people, not only on an emotional level but an academic level.

-> There’s a reason she’s an amazing human being - she writes emotional books while telling a compelling story with so much heart and soul and conviction, but not making you feel bad for not fully grasping the concept at hand on a deeper level. I love that I can get a POV that makes me see more than surface level arguments.

In the interest of being open and honest with my reviews, as I try to be with every single book, favorite author or not; there isn't much I can honestly complain about with this one. The one thing I personally struggled with was the constant repetitive side of Lennix's need to explain her fight. I know why she was fighting and I am behind her 100%, but continually bringing it up in every single conversation made me feel a little brow-beaten at times. But if that is seriously the only thing I can say I struggled with - a headstrong heroine with strength and conviction in her fight? Then I think I can call this a win. But it ended and I am left scrambling with my emotions unchecked, waiting for November 18th.....there's my real complaint. HA!

I loved this book. I loved reading a story with a very different background than I've ever read. I loved getting caught up in a gut-grabbing, time-diffusing love that spanned years but never lost it's magnetism. If anything, it grew stronger. I felt the pull between them and I could feel his need with every interaction. I could feel her want and desire humming just below the surface. I felt their love, despite the animosity harbored between them. I felt this story. I cannot wait for their conclusion.

"The harder I have to work for something, the harder I take it."
~BEE

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~MEET KENNEDY RYAN~

I'm a wife, a mom, a writer, an advocate for families living with autism. That's me in a nutshell. Crack the nut, and you'll find a Southern girl gone Southern California who loves pizza and Diet Coke, and wishes she got to watch a lot more television. You can usually catch me up too late, on social media too much, or FINALLY putting a dent in my ever-growing To Be Read list!

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