A big thanks to Cat Sebastian for giving me an ARC of The perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes.

Coming into this story, I did not read the prequel, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. And, to be honest, you don't have to read that book first because this novel has enough info to be a stand-alone. There were times when I felt like I couldn't connect to side characters (e.g. Kit/Eliza) mostly because they were more talked about than actually present within the novel.

I really loved the first half of this novel; I really enjoyed learning more about Marian and Rob's robbery adventures. I just wished the crimes were more high-stakes. After the 50% mark, I was here only for the smut, which was executed pretty well. I also love how the author makes consent to be important and sexy simultaneously.

Well, that was joyful. Like. I don't know if there's a better word. It's silly, it's light, it's happy, it's fun, it's... joyful. This book focuses on Marian, a duchess who just shot her husband, and Rob, the cheerful conman who was blackmailing her. It's a lighthearted romance, with an incredible amount of focus on consent, that manages to avoid a lot of tropes and pitfalls (oh hey, misogyny) that come up in historical romance. Also, there was almost no conflict. So if you like some tension between the couple or, well, anything, than this might not be the book for you. But if you're looking for some feel-good fiction with a bit of smut, than this is a great pick.

Also, I want to note that while this is the second book in a series, I had no issues going in without having read the first one. I'm sure that being familiar with the first book would have deepened some of the interactions, but I felt just fine reading it without that prior knowledge.

This book really should be classified as fantasy, because Rob just does not exist in real life so is, therefore, fantasy. This was my first Cat Sebastian book, and it did not disappoint.

Marian, a sharp-tongued and hostile woman who has never smiled on command, shoots her husband in the midst of a robbery she helped to stage after learning her husband is a bigamist by way of Rob's inept blackmail attempt. She goes to Rob, the only blaggard she knows, for help in concealing her role and helping her reach her invalid father. Rob, that fantasy of a human, adores every barb that falls from her mouth, sneer that curls her lip, and withering glance she throws his way. He is in no way dissuaded by her repellant personality and instead finds her desperation to hide her vulnerability to be more adorable than a basket of kittens. Rob is charming, loved by all, and adheres to a Robin-Hood-esque wealth distribution philosophy. To top it off, he's patient and considerate with Marian and loves taking direction from her. The rest of the plot is really immaterial, as the best part of the story is the characters of Marian and Rob and their relationship. This book is a 'praise be!' for all the sharp, sour, and prickly humans eviscerating the fools in their path and their partners that appreciate them.

This unique historical romance should reside in every collection, as it is a breath of fresh air from the standard regency romance.

“…what were the pair of them, after all, but a collection of things gone wrong and then, slowly, made right again.”

THE PERFECT CRIMES OF MARIAN HAYES is a simultaneously rollicking and tender queer historical romance about a woman who’s been deeply hurt, the man who earns her trust, and the virtuous crimes they commit together to help right the wrongs in the world around them.

If you’ve read THE QUEER PRINCIPLES OF KIT WEBB, you’ll be familiar with the beginnings of the plot: Marian has just shot her husband, the duke, and flees to the countryside with Rob, the man she has kidnapped - who, coincidentally, has been blackmailing her for the past few months. The two have a budding fondness for each other that emerged unexpectedly while exchanging letters to negotiate terms, and despite the many reasons they can’t ever be together, this strong affection and innate trust only grows as they deal with the aftermath of the crime and begin to figure out what’s next for both of them.

This book feels incredibly intimate. All romance is intimate, yes, but Sebastian peels back the layers of Rob and Marian slowly, achingly, creating a love story that happens both all at once and bit by bit. The two of them have baggage they are bringing into the relationship, and there are external barriers as well, but there’s no big reveal or emotional blow up - even secrets kept and desires made known that might normally result in a fissure are handled rationally, calmly, mending wounds instead of reopening them. While I love to be emotionally devastated by fiction as much as the next girl, it’s refreshing to read a less fraught story, especially one with queer characters.

Marian and Rob are a delightful grump/sunshine pairing, with Marian a prickly heroine brimming with sharp angels, sardonically raised eyebrows, and disdainful looks, barriers she throws up to hide - and perhaps deny - the ways in which she’s been burdened and traumatized, and Rob, an adorable puppy of a man who charms innkeepers and kittens and babies, intractably generous, head over heels for Marian, and eager to put himself at her mercy. Their banter is smart, argumentative, and flirtatious, even as they both desperately try to resist feeling feelings that demand to be felt. Their physical chemistry is immediate but their intimacy unfolds slowly, increasing in intensity as their trust builds, firmly centered on mutual consent and a willingness for sex to be an act of co-creation, not a predetermined set of steps. I adore how Rob is infinitely respectful of the limits Marian sets, no questions asked; this is the baseline, y'all. Also, Marian and Rob are both attracted to multiple genders, making this wonderfully queer.

Other things to love: a complex and nontraditional portrayal of motherhood, Sebastian’s signature brand of redistributive robbery that is precisely my kind of economics, revisiting our favorite lovebirds Kit and Percy, and a happy ending for Marian and Rob lodged within a new found family, firmly committed to continuing their criminal shenanigans for the sake of justice. Quick note: while this is a follow-up to KIT WEBB, it’s a standalone that you can fully enjoy without reading the previous book.

Thank you Avon Books for the eARC! This delight is out in May.

Content warnings: violence, murder, illness during pregnancy, trauma around sex, death of a loved one, patriarchal fuckery

This was cute and fun! I did feel like it somehow moved kind of slowly for a robbery/heist romance, but I still liked it enough that I'm going to go back and read book 1.

The Duke is dead and Marian is on the run with her blackmailer Rob. The Duke's death leaves Rob in a sticky spot, having attempted blackmailing Marian about the Duke still being married to a living, breathing woman, not to mention that said woman is Rob's mother, thus making Rob the Duke's legitimate heir and next in line to be Duke of Clare, a position he vehemently opposes. And he isn't telling Marian all of this. When she kidnaps Rob, they set off on a rollicking adventure full of robbery, humor, romance and a vengeful, scraggly cat!
I did not read the first book "The Queer Principles of Kit Webb". but after reading this one I wish I had! I loved this book despite not really knowing the character's backgrounds or relationships toward one another. I am sure I would have enjoyed their adventure even more if I had been able to catch the subltities that I am sure were there referring to the first book. But even without that knowledge I completely fell in love with Marian and Rob and especially the poor, scraggly cat!
I love the witty back and forth banter between Marian and Rob, the hilarious descriptions about the poor cat, and the irreverant attitude towards the aristocracy in general. I also love how Rob was able to admit his feelings for Marian. The great charismatic characters are the heart and soul of this novel, brought to life by Cat Sebastion's clever writing style.
Totally loved this, am going to go back and read the first book.
Thank you to Net Galley and to the publishers at Avon and Harper Voyager for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

I so enjoyed this follow up to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. This time Cat Sebastian gives us the story of the other major characters from the previous book: Rob and Marian.

It's a lovely play on names that references Robin Hood and Maid Marian and I loved that detail for the characters, as it does dovetail in with their motivations.. I found this a very enjoyable book, but I do think it would help to have read Kit Webb first–there are so many call backs and clever details that are too good to miss.

The book runs parallel with Kit Webb for much of it, giving us the story of Marian and Rob that was more in the background in Kit's book. It's fun to see what was happening and even more enjoyable to get in Rob and Marian's heads and POVs. I liked both of the characters a great deal. They are imperfect and flawed and make mistakes and are prickly and at times difficult and that made them so human and relatable.

Marian and Rob's interactions and growing intimacy is engaging and how it moves from prickly correspondence to reluctant allies to more is well told.

Overall the book kept me interested and engaged and I would gladly read more about these characters. The story arc filled in so many pertinent details from the previous book. And in no way was the previous book lacking in any aspect! It was just fun to get this other point of. view--it added to the whole narrative arc of the two books.

I also want to highlight the sensitive discussion of pregnancy, pregnancy complications, post partum issues. It was handled deftly and sensitively but also in a forthright manner, as a reality. I appreciated that.

Highly recommended. Entertaining and held my interest. Do read Kit Webb--it will add so much to your reading experience.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC. This is my honest review.

This delightful sequel to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb follows Percy's friend and stepmother Marian and their erstwhile blackmailer Rob as they sort out the aftermath of murdering Marian's terrible husband and the awkward business of ducal titles and money. Rob and Marian fall delightfully in love and the queer found family with Kit, Percy is an essential part of their happily ever after. Both main characters in this romance are attracted to, and have had relationships with, men and women -- a queerness that is treated as unremarkable. There is also negotiation around penetrative sex, since Marian is at high risk for dangerous complications in pregnancy, that works out in delightfully queer ways. I hope there will be more to come from this series!

I stand by the point I made in my last review that I don't think Historical England™ is the setting for me, but I was blown away by how much I liked this novel in comparison to the first book. Kit Webb wasn't bad, but I just found it underwhelming -- by comparison, I tore through The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes in, like, eight hours flat. However, I have to disagree with the reviewers that say this novel can function as a standalone installment. Without reading The Queer Principles of Kit Webb , I don't think you'll have a full understanding of this novel. I tried, then had to turn back 4 chapters in. There's just too much context you'll be missing if you haven't read the other half of the story, not to mention that Marian begins essentially in the middle of the climax of Kit (albeit from a different POV).

Onto the synopsis!: Marian Hayes is fresh off the alleged murder of her husband and desperate to flee the city to wait for the news to blow over. Unsure if she'll be correctly named as the killer, or if her lie about the shot being fired by their assailants will be believed, she takes her once-blackmailer hostage and disappears into the night. But Rob has secrets of his own that might ruin the fragile relationship blossoming between them, and Marian isn't an open book herself. They'll have to rely on each other if they want to see the next stage of their journey through, but can they really trust someone they've met under such dastardly circumstances?

[I had two main issues with Kit Webb: I didn't find Percy interesting, and I didn't like the format Cat Sebastian used to end nearly every chapter in the book. But Kit Webb walked so Marian Hayes could run. Both Marian and Rob were a riot; I thought Marian's self-exploration of what motherhood did or didn't mean for her was something not usually touched on in romance novels (a genre that so often seems to end in a much-desired pregnancy). In fact, Rob's relationship with his mother was equally as unique and complex. Not to mention...the spice? It was good, good spice. If you read enough modern romance, you can usually guess the way a spicey scene is going to go, but Marian Hayes explored a relationship dynamic that I haven't read in mainstream media before: a woman who finds no pleasure in having penetrative sex (and, in fact, might just die from it; the horrific reality of Georgian childbirth) and a man with mile-wide praise kink. (hide spoiler)]

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes was such an enjoyable read. It was fun, fast-paced, and strikingly sentimental. If you're looking for a loveable cast, engaging plot, and witty dialogue, then this is the book for you.

**STAR BREAKDOWN**

Story: ★★★☆☆
Characters: ★★★★★
Would I Reread?: Yes
Would I Buy?: No, but I'd borrow it from the library, so...kinda?
Overall Star Rating: ★★★★☆

A beautiful sequel! Also, I am here for a gorgeous romance between a man and a woman that doesn't rely upon penis-in-vagina sex. In the world of the novel it's because Marian is preventing pregnancy on doctor's orders, but as a reader I just appreciate varieties of sexual intimacy. My only complaint is that I'd have liked more major scenes with the ragged rescue cat, lol.

I am one of like 8 people who did not finish The Perfect Crimes of Kit Webb (I started it but could not get into it), and I do think that hurt my reading experience of this one. I felt a little lost in the plot at the beginning and had a hard time tracking all of the friendships, relationships, and family trees. However, once I sorted some of that out, this was an enjoyable read!

This book had the very traditionally acerbic Cat Sebastian heroine and features both a bi hero and a bi heroine (which is the casual and yet essential historical queer rep we love to see). There is Only One Bed and some reproductive illness rep. which are both great. I am kicking myself because I was approximately 65% of the way through this book before I realized it was a Robin Hood retelling (he's a thief named Rob who redistributes wealth and her name is Marian. Come on, Kelleen!), but once I caught on, I really enjoyed that angle! Feed the poor! Eat the rich!

This was a lot lower heat and a lot lower in sexy detail than I was expecting, but there were some glimpses of a femme dom which is always delightful.

Over all, my reading of this was bumpy to start, but once got into it and invested in the characters and the retelling, I had a good time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC.

CW: reproductive illness/discussion of traumatic pregnancy, discussion of non-consent, former imprisonment, gun violence, postpartum depression,

A easy fun romp that includes capers and romance set against England, a few hundred years ago. I enjoyed it-but recommend reading the first book in the series first for some context!

Cat Sebastian is one of my favorite authors and having adored "The Queer Principles of Kit Webb," my expectations for this continuation of the series were high. Needless to say, this book saw the bar I had set and just pole vaulted over it!

While this series does feature some feats of derring-do, these are “charismatic criminals” after all, that is not the point of the story. The story is, in comparison to how elegantly the characters, plot and scenery weave together, not a page-turner. However, the romance that builds, the relationships that bloom and the character arcs keep you entranced with this world. At its heart this is a story about people falling in love and finding happiness despite their personal faults and all the ways that life throws up barriers to these kinds of HEAs. The reader is in love with both Marian and Rob by the time the epistolary chapters conclude, and getting to watch two classic disaster-bisexuals fall in love with each other is a delight. Add in layers of social justice, feminism and extremely consensual sex, this entire book is a winner.

My only caveat for the book is this: read the previous book in the series first. Cat Sebastian has built a brilliantly connected world and there will be some aspects of the experience missing if you skip over Kit and Percy’s story. Basically, I am telling you to read two amazing books…could be worse really.

I loved this. It does start immediately after Kit Webb ends, so I do think it’s important to read that one first. This story follows Marian and Rob, and they are on the run together from the beginning. Cat’s pacing is often different from most books, and I loved the way the romance and action unfolded together in this book. Also, sex is negotiated with so much respect and consideration here.

The description for The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes on author Cat Sebastian’s website reads as follows: It starts with an epistolary romance via blackmail letters and continues with a series of felonies; in other words, two disaster bisexuals doing their best (worst) in 1750s England.

Need I say more?! Preorder this book already!

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is, in a word, charming. It’s brilliantly written, with dialogue that’s as sharp as a knife and characters that leap off the page. It’s by no means perfect, but any imperfections are palatable with a plot this fun and characters this endearing. Rob is like Kaz Brekker meets Captain Black Sparrow in the most perfect way. Marian is clever, brutally honest, and will do anything for the people she loves. Plus, did you forget that both are bisexual? That’s a win in my book.

At times, the reader can feel a bit isolated, considering a good 50% of the novel features just Marian and Rob on their journey across the country. However the chemistry between the two is so electric and the conversations so lively that you get over it. I mean, the romance is DREAMY. SWOON-WORTHY. MAJOR HEART EYES. The two together are a match made in heaven (or, hell, if they’re robbing you). Their relationship dynamic is complicated and at times messy, yet it is a breath of fresh air.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, romance, queer books, grumpy/sunshine, or the one bed trope (who isn’t?) THIS is the perfect book for you. It’s truly unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

I read the NetGalley ARC of this novel. My review: I meant to finish this sooner, but I didn't want to leave. I have no higher compliment for a story. Rob was fun to meet in book 1, and a delight as a point of view character. Marian was intriguing in book 1, and she did not disappoint. They're perfect for each other but it takes time to figure that out.

There is a kindness for people who break stereotypes in this novel. It's a love song to every person who doesn't fit society, but does their thing anyway and finds happiness regardless. The trauma representation is understated but intrinsic, and basic human kindness is the core of the friendships.

Marian is a woman learning that she can feel, and be loved, and Rob is a man who via his intense attraction comes to realize that his running away days need to end. Neither is very good at these lessons, but they get there eventually. I enjoyed the epilogue immensely.

*3.5
I really wanted to like this book but it just felt like something was missing. I don't think that there was enough description of them actually falling in love it felt it happened all of a sudden.

I received a copy through netgalley.

I thought The Queer Principles of Kit Webb made me swoon, but I was unprepared for the vertigo inducing swoon of The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes.

First I’m going to share two quotes and these ought to be all the advertisement you need to sell you on this book. Next, I’m going to warn you that you cannot read this gem of a book without reading reading it’s predecessor, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, and then I’m going to add some spoilers for Kit Webb. And then I’m going to tell you some of the reasons I loved this book and beg you to read it when it comes out so that I can squee about my favorite thing which is too spoilery to share.

One:

“You have been busy,” he murmured, thinking of what a waste it was that in all the thousands of love poems written across the ages, nobody had ever thought to catalogue their beloved’s proficiency in crime.

***

“Meaning you give it away.”
“Not to put too fine a point on it, but yes.”
“To the worthy poor,” she guessed.
“I don’t much care if they’re worthy,” Rob said. “None of my business.”

Two:

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes overlaps in time with Kit Webb, answering the lingering questions about where Rob and Marian were and why they were together. We get to read the correspondence between Rob Brooks and Marian Hayes, in which Rob is blackmailing Marian and he is falling in love. (Marian is falling in love too, but Rob admits it). We dive quickly into the aftermath of the highway robbery gone wrong, but if you haven’t read the first book, a lot will be unclear.

Three:

Rob is all sunshine. He loves scrappy old cats, kittens and babies. Everyone is his friend. Marian is prickly and competent, a volcano under ice. She shows her love by arranging things for people. Rob adores her, and I would blackmail for her too. While Percy had some grief around giving up being the Duke of Clare, Marian can’t wait to shake off the shackles of aristocracy, so long as the people she cares for are safe.

As she did in Kit Webb, Cat Sebastian utterly rejects the premise of the good aristocrat. There is no trading in a bad duke for a good one.

Please read this book and then let’s have a book club meeting where we discuss it in great detail and sigh over every page. You know where to find me.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley, for the advance reader copy. My opinions are my own.

Ok, I really enjoyed this book. The strengths were definitely in the relationships--both the romantic relationship between Marian and Rob and their friendships with Percy and Kit. I enjoyed Kit and Percy's book a lot, but I think this one was even better. I love Rob's disdain for the aristocracy, I loved that there was no ridiculous conflict based purely on misunderstandings between the hero and heroine. The plot was good, but it wasn't what kept me reading.

I do think this book is a little harder to read as a standalone than a lot of romance series. I felt like having the backstory from the first book made me enjoy and understand it more, and I can't really imagine what the reading experience would have been like without it. I do think there still would be a lot to love, but these two books are so connected that I'd definitely recommend reading them in order.

Dear fellow readers,

To be brief:

I loved the characters so hard. Like "Hall of Fame" loved them so hard.

I wished I loved the plot more? It sounded so perfect. The pacing and timing seemed a little disjointed, though, and with the focus on some areas, I wanted more in other areas that seemed barely touched upon. It ended up more of a "liked" the plot situation.

Speaking of timing, I felt mixed emotions about a major subplot that I thought took up too much time yet also added to the characterization in an interesting way. It's probably more of a "me" thing, however.

More importantly, I adored the friend-TPs/family of choice-TPs (especially Marian and Percy, omg), the "eat the rich" theme, all the humorous moments, Rob's sheer adoration for Marian's prickly personality, the hot ginger appreciation, the cat, and the animals in general.

I feel like I need to reread this to review it and appreciate it properly,* but despite the ambivalent sound of this review, I also know I couldn't wait to continue reading this any moment I had to put it down, and I adored Marian and Rob every moment of the book. I'll certainly pick up the audio and devour it when it's available.

With Humble Regards,
Reader V