Buy:  Amazon  |  Paperback  |  Audio

---

---

Review

4.5 stars!

The epic romance continues as Maxim and Lennix fight to finally build a life together, while never giving up their dreams of changing the world, and OMG, what a ride!

Rebel King is the second part of the All the King’s Men duet. Definitely not a standalone, it picks up at that harrowing cliffhanger that ended the last book. It’s an exciting start to the story, is resolved in a way that left me immensely satisfied, and sets the scene for all that is to come.

Maxim and Lennix have been through so much, and I was thrilled that they finally found their way to each other. In this book we get to see them in love and committed, but figuring out how to fit their lives together while still dealing with external dramas and pressures. It means that it’s not all smooth sailing, but for a couple as fiery, passionate, stubborn and independent as these two are, you can’t expect it to be. And the situation they are in is not a normal one. It’s the world of American politics, and it’s a rollercoaster.

“You don’t hold back someone like Lennix because the beauty is in how she flies. I want to see her soar.”

I’m not going in to the story too much, because you just need to buckle up and dive in. It’s fast-paced, exciting, thought-provoking and intriguing. It’s also gutwrenchingly devastating, with twists that I never saw coming.

And in the middle of it all, Maxim and Lennix are holding on tight to everything that they’ve found together. Both incredibly driven, there is great character development for both of them when it comes to finding their place and realising what it is they want, and I loved that Ryan continued their individual stories while also keeping the romance junkies (eg. me) satisfied with their epic and intense love story. It’s a wonderful blend of two people who have so much they want to achieve independently of each other, but who also come together as soulmates and partners in every way. They love and support each other without question, their connection is deep, strong, and sexy as all hell, and I couldn’t get enough of these two together.

“You signed up for me … And I signed up for you, whatever that means, wherever that takes us.”

The strong political themes continue, and this book – like the first in the duet – has a lot of important messages, though it does get a bit preachy at times. Maxim’s family dramas also continue, and there is a suspense storyline in this one that kept me on edge, just waiting to see what was going to happen. All of the different elements are woven into the story really well, coming together to bring us an intelligent and meaningful story that had me absolutely captivated.

The seriousness of the story is countered by the love story, and by the moments of fun and sweetness between Maxim, Lennix and their friends. It lightens the mood of the book, which I loved, and there were lots of little scenes that made me smile.

The one downside of this book was that I wanted more from the ending. It was so unfinished, that when the book ended, I actually wondered if there was something missing from my book, or maybe there was another book out there, because there was so much left unsaid!

After some sleuthing I was lucky enough to find that the author did release a bonus epilogue, but it’s really hard to find. It was part of a promotion, and once I got my hands on it, it provided the closure that I was desperate for. I’ve linked it here for those who are interested, I just wish it had been included in the book.

I loved this story, and I’m really excited to read Kimba’s book, Queen Move.

4.5 stars

Like the first book, the audiobook is narrated by Jason Clarke and Jo Raylan, and they do an incredible job! They tell the story with so much passion and emotion, embodying Maxim and Lennix so perfectly. I highly recommend listening to this one!

 

All the King’s Men Bonus Epilogue

This is the epilogue that needed to be at the end of The Rebel King – it provides the closure that I so needed for Maxim and Lennix as we get a glimpse into their future to see where their dreams take them.

It’s funny, sweet and super steamy, and I finished this one feeling immensely satisfied, now having the closure that I needed.

It’s hard to find, given that it seems it was a promotion when you sign up for Kennedy Ryan’s newsletter.  I’ve provided the link again here.

It’s a must-read for fans of the duet.

4.5 stars (same rating as The Rebel King, because I consider it a part of that story).

 

 

All the King’s Men Duet