In Marian Hayes, Cat Sebastian does some things better than Kit Webb and some worse. The characters here are stronger and, for me at least, more compelling and relatable. The sex does a lot more character work than it tries to be purely sexy, which could be a pro or a con for you depending. The plot outside of Robb and Marian's relationship development is, unfortunately, messy and both too shallow and too broad. There are too many threads to Marian's conflict and it results in all of them getting not enough airtime and weak separate resolutions instead of one truly satisfying ending. Her abuse by the duke, her brother, the danger of pregnancy, her disconnect from her daughter, her father's landlord, etc. - none were adequately delved into because we were trying to delve into everything. Several could and should have been edited out. I enjoyed every second of reading this book but it was purely on the strength of the characters. In terms of plot, this book deserved at least one star knocked off, but it managed to be so compelling a romance regardless of its issues that I can't bear to give it anything less than 5 stars.

Cute and poignant at the same time. I didn't read the first book in the series before reading this one and was still grabbed by the story and characters! Can't wait for book number three!

This review has some spoilers for Queer Principals of Kit Webb, as the events in this book pick up during the last few chapters of the first. I strongly recommend reading these books in order. You won’t be disappointed by book one; Kit and Percy are charming! Luckily Marian’s book publishes 6/7/22, so you have time to go read Kit’s.

Marian Hayes, Duchess of Clare, has two problems: 1) someone has been blackmailing her for months claiming that her marriage to the Duke may not have been legitimate and 2) she’s just shot and murdered her husband. At least she’s able to catch the blackmailer - with whom she’s been corresponding for months and spying on for weeks - by poisoning his beer with laudanum and tying him to a bed. The blackmailer is none other than Rob Brooks, Kit Webb’s best friend and partner highwayman. When Marian returns from the incident in the carriage with the Duke, she intends to run away to escape prying society eyes for a few weeks. So she leaves, kidnapping Rob in the process. (Rob is an affable and willing abductee, as it’s clear very early on that he’s already falling for Marian.) Soon Marian finds herself relying on Rob as they plan a Robin Hood-esque heist.

There’s so much to love about Rob and Marian. Marian is sharp, witty, and determined like a lot of favorite historical heroines. But she’s also tired, worn out, and wary after an ordeal of a year. Her character depth continued to surprise me at every turn, making her one of the most satisfying heroines I’ve read in a long time. From his love of animals, to his unflagging support for his friends, to his open and trusting nature, and to his willingness to do what it takes to win Marian over, Rob is a complete and utter joy. While this romance is a MF pairing, both of our main characters are queer, and their sexuality is introduced as entirely unproblematic. Their chemistry and relationship building smolders throughout, and I couldn’t get enough of them on the page together. And there’s nothing sexier than a hero who respects the heroine's bodily autonomy.

Plus, heists! I love a good heist adventure, and it’s even better when the heroine is the one sneaking out of windows, lifting the silver, and taking the plans into her own hands.

This had everything I've come to expect in a Cat Sebastian book- lovable (if prickly) MCs, adorable banter, very little angst or stress, and lots of feels. As with the first book in this series, the plot was the weakest point for me, but if you head into the book knowing it's going to be heavy on feels and fluff and light on plot, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I did skim over some details from The Queer Principles of Kit Webb before beginning this one, just to refresh my memory about Rob and Marian and how the first book left things. I loved the letters back and forth between Rob and Marian, and their first meetings had such great chemistry. I could definitely understand what the MCs saw in one another, though Rob decided he was in love with Marian too quickly for me to really buy into it. He barely knew her at all at that point.

I love the way Cat Sebastian writes grumpy characters, she always gets them just right for me, and Marian was no exception. And I loved what a cinnamon roll Rob is. They made a great pair. The sex scenes were fairly low heat, but they had a dynamic which is nearly impossible to find in m/f romance- a somewhat dominant FMC and a submissive MMC. It was all very vanilla, but having an MMC who likes to be bossed around a bit in the bedroom and an FMC who likes to push him up against walls while praising him was such a refreshing change.

It was lovely to revisit characters from the first book, and to see everyone get their happy ending. Again, the plot could have been tighter and more believable, I'm still a bit fuzzy on some aspects. And still a bit squicked out by the family relations between Rob, Marian, and Marian's daughter. But I'm fine to overlook all of that, because it's fluffy and fun and I'm willing to suspend my disbelief and just go with it because it's such an enjoyable ride.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: murder, forced pregnancy, postpartum depression, parental abandonment, sick parent (alzheimer's), abusive relationship (past)

The second book in the series it can be read entirely as a standalone

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f historical romance
-frenemies to lovers
-only one bed
-found family
-be gay do crime
-epistolary
-rescue cat

While a bit heavier than I was expecting, I adored this book which was full of adventure and romance just like the first book in the series. Marian and Rob were opposites in a lot of ways but fit perfectly with each other. I adored Marian, strong, willing to do whatever she had to for her family. Not in control of her life before she needs it and I loved how that need for control lend itself to her interactions with Rob in the bedroom.

Rob, sweet chaotic man who fell for Marian immediately willing to take whatever she can give and just wanting her to feel good. How this book expresses their intimacy and needs through sex scenes was so well done, allowing the characters to say things they otherwise struggled to. They had everything working against them including their own fears and they fought through it all.

I love a world where everyone is queer and this fit that so well. I hope there will be more books in this series.

Steam: 3.5

3.5 stars, rounded up. I liked this book more than its predecessor, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, but because I read about Kit and Percy almost a year ago, I had forgotten many of the details and was more than a little confused about the backstory. But epistolary books (or books with epistolary features) are my catnip, and I loved the letters between Rob and Marian that demonstrate the attraction clearly growing between them, even though their correspondence is based on his attempt to blackmail her. After the climactic events of Kit Webb, Marian is on the run and Rob is with her (how much of their partnership is voluntary on Rob's part is subject to debate). Rob is an admitted criminal and also a cinnamon roll, and he admits quickly that he has fallen for Marian, who is a tougher nut to crack. She's prickly, unsentimental, and seemingly fearless. Given the differences in their backgrounds and the specifics of the current situation, there doesn't seem to be a future for them. But with the help of their friends and Rob's singular mother, their HEA is finally won.

Sebastian is best at throwing characters together and watching them spark, with a loose plot that is mostly window dressing. I give her credit for truly making Marian "different from those other girls" in that she is unable to have P-in-V intercourse due to health risks, and she is a new mother who isn't maternal in the traditional sense. I liked the bantering between Marian and Rob, and his steadfast loyalty and support is endearing. There's a strong "eat the rich" and "fuck the patriarchy" tone to the book, and if you're not comfortable with characters who intend to merrily continue their version of redistribution of wealth, you're in the wrong place.

The book does run a little to long, and I felt a little lost through large chunks of it, which slightly diminished my enjoyment. My suggestion is to read Kit Webb and this book back-to-back, so you catch enough glimpses of Rob and Marian in the first book to feel fully engaged with them in the second.

ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for objective review.

Marian, Duchess of Claire, has just shot her husband and the only help she has to escape is from Rob, who is blackmailing her.

Despite some of its darker elements, this was a fun book. Rob is absurd and hilarious. Marian is a bit prickly but is very loyal to those she cares for. I like the characters are bisexual, but it's not a big deal, that Marian's stepson is gay, but it's not a big deal. I also like that the author allows Marian to be detached emotionally from her baby daughter (not every mother is thrilled to become one, despite popular culture's portrayals).

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

I picked up this book solely based off of cover art and the summary description. I was surprised to learned that this book was the second book in a series. So it was no surprise to me when I was little bit confused in the beginning trying to keep up with the characters and relationships. However, once I got passed that, like 30% in, this book got good and I was able to follow along better. I absolutely loved the characters, Rob and Marian were great! Their chemistry was adorable and I enjoyed reading how they fell in love. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves historical romance!

This story grabs you right away, and Cat Sebastian has a unique and entertaining way of introducing you to the main couple. I'd highly recommend reading The Queer Principles of Kit Webb first though.

Cat Sebastian delivers such fun historical romances. Really enjoyed the dynamic in this. It is a quick and easy read as well.

I absolutely adored The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes! I loved the first book in the series and definitely recommend reading The Queer Principles of Kit Webb first to fully enjoy this book.
I loved the banter in this book! I love how sarcastic Marian is!! Cat Sebastian does a wonder job pulling a reader into the surrounding of the book.

I adore historical fiction, and this is such an interesting premise. I recommend because of the story itself, writing style, and its ability to transport you into a different world/time period.

This was cute! I wasn’t aware that this was the second in a series, the first involving Kit Webb. I think perhaps I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read the first as I was a bit lost without having read the first. However, I loved the chemistry between Rob and Marian. I also enjoyed the spin on the trope of grumpy/sunshine with Rob being the sunshine.

I just gobbled up an ARC of The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian and it was like golden retriever sunshine formed a double helix with perfectly arched eyebrows of witty rejoinders. I'm obsessed with Rob and Marian and their letters, chemistry, end encompassing love. A++++++

Love a historical road trip? Banter? Add in good natured criminals and crimes for the “right” reasons? Then Cat Sebastian’s The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is the perfect steamy historical read. I loved every minute of it, and would happily spend more time with these characters if I could.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rob and Marian meet when Rob begins blackmailing Marian. The initial letters between the two are a hilarious way of updating the reader on the important points of the story from the previous book in the series, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. Essential backstory has never been so entertaining. (That said, I highly recommend reading The Queer Principles of Kit Webb first. Not only is it another fantastic story, but some of the timeline overlaps with this book, and it makes it easier to grasp the engaging plot.)

They finally meet in person when Marian kidnaps Rob. Her goal is to keep him from interfering in her friend/stepson Percy’s heist of his father the Duke’s carriage, not knowing that Rob has been roped into helping his friend Kit with the scheme. Needless to say, things don’t go as planned. Naturally, the next step is for the two to road-trip across wintery England. High jinx, banter, and the appearance of only one bed ensues.

I’m having a hard time expressing just how much joy this book gave me. The humor is lighthearted, even in the most serious situations. The characters are strong and likable, even when (especially when?) they don’t conform to the strict standards of the 1750s. While the main characters in this book are MF, in true Cat Sebastian fashion they both identify as bisexual.

Rob sums up Marian’s character best when he realizes “What a trick it was to be able to say I beg your pardon in a way that meant f*** off and die, and to look serene and saintly while saying it.” Marian is in the unenviable position of having to care for and protect her family while being forced into the the very narrow box of an upper crust lady. Rob can see through her tough exterior, and loves her because of it, not in spite of it.

This book was amazing. It pulled me out of a reading slump and transported me into the midst of a great adventure. The twists and turns, and banter kept me entertained, but it’s the characters that have ensured The Crimes of Marian Hayes holds a special place in my heart.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

{I received an advanced copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!}
Cat Sebastian really said be gay do crime! In The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes, her follow-up to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, Sebastian takes us back to Georgian London, following the events of Queer Principles. In Perfect Crimes, we return to learn Rob and Marian's story, following these messy, traumatized bisexuals as they work through the aftermath of questionable decisions and life-changing revelations. We learned in Queer Principles that Rob is the kind blackmailer whose threats to reveal the Duke of Clare's bigamy caused Marian and Percy to turn tangentially toward a life of crime. At the beginning of Perfect Crimes, Marian kidnaps Rob to stop his blackmail scheme and leaves him tied to a bed while she deals with her own plans. Since she is a reluctant criminal and not well-versed in bondage knots, Rob escapes, but he decides to return to her side to help her finish what she started, and thus begins their journey into each others' hearts!

While these books are about different couples and could ostensibly be read as standalones, they really build on each other and make something queer and rollicking and beautiful when paired. Immerse yourself in the Webb-Holland-Hayes-Brooks found family and learn what it means to let someone in again and find the life you truly desire.

Content warnings for intimations of sexual trauma, and the processing thereof.

100% LOVE this book! Adorable MC's, both MC's bi, and non P-in-V s*x which is a rarity outside of lesbian romance! The characters are sweet and mischievous and I'm here for it.

‘The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes’ was sweet, swoony, and so much fun. Absolutely loved getting Marian’s story! Definitely recommend!

Murder, blackmail, robbery, and a slow burn queer romance! This novel has so many wonderful elements and characters. If you loved The Queer Principals of Kit Webb you’re going to love The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes, fingers crossed we get another novel that will follow Betty!

quick and flirty, i personally never felt particularly worried about these characters and their chances to score the lives they desire, but it's part of the genre i suppose. the team turns into leverage by the end, which i thought was hilarious and very charming