Riveting

This book picks up right where the previous one left off. It was intense . There is a reason that this author is award winning because sweet holy hell does she know how to pull forth all the emotions, both good and bad, and also makes you truly feel the power of her words.

I would vote for a candidate, such as was portrayed here, in a heartbeat. I was torn for one part of this story until I realized that it was intentional. The reasons why made it have the impact that it needed too. And, this is why she is the author and not me. Very well done with a conclusion that felt good while making me think. ( )

'The Rebel King' starts from the cliffhanger that 'The Kingmaker' left. Those two books are full action and a lot of twists and turns. I am hooked up with Kennedy Ryan's writing. I was completely mesmerized thanks to the undeniable connection and intoxicating love between Nix & Maxim. Nix continues to blow me away with her strength which she finds within herself and through her heritage. It’s beautiful and fascinating to experience as a reader who doesn’t have a broad knowledge about the history of the Native Americans.
Doc still takes charge when there’s something or someone he wants, but now there’s more at stake. He gives it all just like Nix. They’re two dedicated and strong personalities who complement each other. Characters like Maxim and Lennix are the type of characters that make you believe anything is possible; that everything is achievable when you chase your dreams.
You know when you start a book of Kennedy’s, you are going to go on a journey, there will be bumps in the road, sometimes hills or mountains you have to scale to come out of the other side, not always in one piece. But somehow you know when you get to the end you will be whole again....almost. ( )

We start the book at the point the previous book ended.

So other woman or man drama.

The heroine doesn't trust herself to be alone with the Hero so wants to give him the impression she is in a relationship.
At some point early on in the 10 year separation the heroine briefly dated the brother of a bff. The chemistry wasn't there so she broke it off.
She is still in contact with him and they are now really good friends so she decides to use him as a fake boyfriend.
I found some of these scenes quite funny.

At a later time, at a different function, the Hero has said he wants to try again with the heroine but gives her space, he has been photographed kissing an ex hookup he'd had from the time of their separation which is printed in the media then he takes her to the function as although he has refused offers from the ex hookup she thinks it's a good idea to make the heroine jealous.
The ex hookup is pawing at the Hero and he shakes his head at her so the heroine who had decided she had forgiven him approaches asking what she needs to do to get rid of the ex.
I don't like these kind of games. If the Hero has said that to me then brought a date after the picture I would assume he's moved on and that would end it.

There is a brief other man drama with a colleague and the Hero has a woman his father wants to set him up with but it's brief and neither Hero or heroine encourage it.

They get together and struggle with the long distance thing, this is handled well.

There is some violence and a threat of rape that doesn't happen.

There are no intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
No cheating.
Both with others during separation though it seems the heroine was only with this one other person while the Hero says he was no monk but again he is very focused on his career and causes so it leaves the impression there was little time for it.
But he does say he had fun with a hookup for a weekend while the heroine had brotherly sex with her ex.
Sigh.....

I felt at times the heroine argued for argument sake. I get the author wanted to portray her as strong but she was unreasonable.
She argues over a security detail, the Hero has explained why but she is being ridiculous...I felt at one point shoot her already.

There is an issue with his future career plans that she encouraged him to do but later tells him they can't be together when he achieves it as it's not for her. Poor guy. At that point I thought she deserved him to end up with someone else.

They have this all consuming attraction and love but neither will give up their career paths for each other.
The Hero always intended to come back for her but when he finds in the separation she is dating he does too but she's the only one for him... Very cliche.

It is well written in parts but I won't be rereading and I did get a bit frustrated at times.

HEA.

( )

Fantastic conclusion.
Maxim and Lennix are definitely now between my all time fave couples and I'm so so happy about their ending.
And let me repeat for the 49393292 time: READ KENNEDY RYAN'S BOOKS SHE IS JUST THE BEST ROMANCE AUTHOR OUT THERE, THIS IS A SIMPLE BUT HONEST FACT. ( )

This book has it all -kidnapping, ransom demands, hostage rescue, assassination, political scandal, as well as a decade long love that cannot be denied.
When I read the first book, I almost stopped a few times but I'm glad I kept reading. It got better until I got to the end and found out that it was a duet and I would need to read book 2 to find out what happens. It was worth it! This book has some amazing highs and lows as well as steamy sex. It was a great story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. ( )