Cat Sebastian continues her romp through Georgian England with the second half of her Kit Webb duology, The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes. Spirited, spunky, and perhaps a little too swiftly paced, it has a couple of flaws but is still worth a look.

Marian Hayes, Duchess of Claire, has shot her two-timing husband to (presumable) death. (When he married Marian he was still legally contracted to the mother of her good friend Percy (The Queer Principles of Kit Webb)).  She’d been forced to marry him against her will, and now believes him to be a murderer, so it’s no big loss. That’s just the very start of her unusual journey, which involves staying on the run to avoid the authorities. Maybe they’ll believe her story of self-defense – or will arrest her for murder.  But first they’ll have to find her.

Rob Brooks is a born scallywag – a highwayman who picks pockets in his own time.  He’s been trying to blackmail Marian over her husband’s bigamy, but instead, they have instead developed an affinity for one another. When she shoots her husband, Marian decides to convince Rob to go on the run with her through the English countryside.

The twosome proceed to have a lot of fun drinking and picking pockets and avoiding the law – and nursing sick cats back to health. But it turns out Rob’s got a secret that ties him back to Marian’s husband.  Will they ever be able to clear her good name?

Well, when they’re having this much fun, why would they even want to?  The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes rollicks.  Its heroine is a serious grump, its hero is like a Georgian Autolycus, lighthearted and sly, and the bigger romantic of the two of them.  They ride across the countryside and banter on horseback and learn how to swindle with ease.  They are both delights to follow from start to finish.

Sebastian allows Marian her imperfections – she’s got a sharp tongue, she’s grumpy.  She is not a maternal person, yet she’d do anything for her daughter.  The book avoids clichés and instead allows merriness and love in.

The book does have some flaws. You really need to have read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb to understand the origin point of the blackmail plot and who everyone is, and the romance between Marian and Rob feels abruptly developed, but their personalities ultimately pull the book through and make it a completely worthwhile experience.  You have to take the bitter with the better, after all.

Again: who would want traditional when you have these two to read about? Rob and Marian practice light bondage and figure out how to avoid the kind of penetrative sex which might result in another near-deadly pregnancy for Marian.  She makes him swoon, he makes her fall.  And when it comes to a good Cat Sebastian novel, what more do you really need?

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4.5/5 Stars
Cat Sebastian once again proves that she is capable of writing characters that are impossible not to fall in love with. I don’t know how she does it. I always end up loving them all and I RARELY read a book where I actually adore every single character.

This book tells us the story of Marian, a pants-wearing independent woman who has just killed her shitty husband and Rob, a marshmallow of a thief who is a pretty terrible blackmailer.

I would say the plot is light and the joyful fluff is heavy in this once, which I really don’t mind! I know when coming to Cat Sebastian for a read I am getting a hug and I will not end up sad and/or emotionally drained and I really look forward to and appreciate that from her books. Also there are kittens. Kittens AND rogues. I don’t know what else to say if that doesn’t entice you.

A note I also really wanted to make about this book, because it’s had me thinking quite a lot, is the relationship dynamic between Marian and Rob. I read a lot of romance and I have often steered clear of straight couple books because the heteronormative dynamic makes me a little uncomfy (that’s no fault to straight books, that’s just my teenage trauma and rampant bisexuality coming in to play.) But not once did I feel that uncomfy “ick” I often find myself getting from a man and woman pairing. First of all, the characters themselves are queer, so I already felt more comfortable going into this. The throwing of gender norms into the metaphorical ditch also brought me such joy and made the intimate scenes between these two feel so much more real and comfortable to me as the reader. They just love and respect each other’s comfort and boundaries so MUCH that I was totally comfortable reading it (And that was a genuine concern of mine going into this book.)

Overall, “be gay do crimes” with your found family and baby.

Final Note: This book is a sequel to “The Queer Principles of Kit Webb” but I don’t think anyone would struggle too much with reading this as a standalone, the only thing that could confuse people with not having read The Queer Principles would be the family relations/trees that were explained in the first. BUT if you haven’t read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, GO DO IT NOW! That book introduced me to Cat Sebastian and is responsible for my having now read every single book she has ever written. It also has some disability rep in it that made my, as a cane using person, day. I beg of you. Read it.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the Advance Reader Copy of this book!

This Book was so fun. Going in I was not aware it was not a stand alone so you do not need context of the first book to understand this one. The characters in this book are the definition of "be gay, do crime". it was full of love and found family and was a lovely read. I loved the banter between the two main characters and the incorporation of the letters in to the story.
It also walked the line of being a progressive historical novel well.. Its a world that is similar to ours, but queerness seems to be more accepted, but you still run in to problems like having sex with out getting pregnant. I enjoyed it ALOT.
Thank you to and Avon ad NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for an eARC of The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes in exchange for an honest review.

RATING: 4.75 Stars Rounded Up

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a charming & clever queer historical romance. This book should be the poster child of the “Be Gay Do Crime” trope.

I absolutely adored Marian in The Queer Principles of Kitt Webb. She was my favorite character because of how mysterious and hilarious she was. So naturally I was excited to read a book focused on her.

The book starts off with the blackmail letters that were exchanged between Marian and Rob. They were so witty, sarcastic and funny! It was seriously one of my favorite parts of the story. The letters laid the foundation for their relationship before they ever met in person. In true Marian fashion they actually come face to face during her attempt to drug and kidnap him 😅

As wonderful as it was to get more of Marian’s backstory, Rob stole my heart in this book! Think of him as cinnamon roll version of Robin Hood that can/will actually kill you if you cross him or someone he loves.

There were of course some steamy scenes but they were a lot different than in TQPoKW. Through Marian and Rob, Sebastian highlights alternatives to penetrative sex. I loved how Rob delicately handled Marian when it came to intimacy and physical touch. He understood the trauma she had been through in her marriage to the Duke. He proved time and time again that she was indeed safe with him which was beautiful.

I was hoping to see more of Kitt and Percy in this book than we got. However, the way the book ended I have a feeling there will be another in this series! So I just may get my wish after all 😏

Cat Sebastian does an excellent job of writing two characters who seemingly shouldn’t work as a couple but actually are perfect for each other! The banter between Marian and Rob was just as sublime as it was between Kitt and Percy. Cat has a way of crafting characters during 18th century who feel like real people and not the pretentious caricatures you would expect for the time period. Marian, Rob, Kitt and Percy defy the social norms of the time at every turn making them much more relatable. For that reason, I believe people who don’t like historical fiction would enjoy this book!

This book is light on plot and heavy on fluff, but with witty prose and grumpy/sunshine disaster queers that have a found family and “be gay, do crime” in a Robin Hood style. I love that Marian is a prickly heroine, and Rob is just a cinnamon roll (and he adopts a cat somewhat accidentally). Their banter is adorable, and the informed, enthusiastic, specific consent and respect for boundaries is so so good. My only ick is the weird family tree thing happening with Marian, Rob, and Eliza, but I’ll suspend disbelief and just ignore it. Overall, a feel-good, witty, fluffy historical romance with a touch of queerness and maybe a heist or two.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the eARC!

CW:
Graphic: Sexual content and Gun violence, Main character with birth trauma and reproductive health issues
Minor: Dementia, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy

First I would like to say I received this e-arc from Avon & Harper Voyager. Thank you guys for sending me this copy.

So, The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes follows recently widow Marian Hayes Duchess of Clare who shoots and kills her husband after being sent letters by a blackmailer. (this is referenced in the blurb so no spoilers) Throughout the book, Marian starts to work with her blackmailer to Escape London before anyone finds out who killed the Duke of Clare.

This book was a different read for me, I haven’t read any books that took place in Georgian London. This book has it all queer main characters, slow burn, longing, highwayman robbery, illegitimate bastard sons, esquire banter, thriving, and stolen kittens.

I really enjoyed how different the book was even though I was confused in the beginning I really enjoyed her way of inputting the letters in the storyline and having it be a running them throughout towards the end. Marian and Rob's chemistry was amazing he was definitely sunshine and she was grumpy the best part of them avoiding love for each other still wanting each other.

Available June 7th

This was my first read from Cat Sebastian and I really enjoyed it! I genuinely loved the banter between Rob and Marian as well as their sweeter moments. I also love how their chemistry and relationship grew and developed in such a natural way. I think fans of the historical romance genera will really enjoy this one!

First of all I just want to say I’m not a huge historical fiction fan. If you are the same way, don’t let this stop you from reading! This book hooked me from the beginning! I loved the exchange of letters and the author’s style of writing.

This was my first time reading a Cat Sebastian book and I will definitely be picking up the first one of this series! The characters were so new and different than most historical fiction reads. I loved how modern this book was in a sense.

Rob and Marian’s growing relationship was absolutely adorable and I love how he was the one who fell first. I loved Rob’s secret animal loving side and Marian’s ability to surprise him.

This was easily a 4-star read for me. I did wish that there was a little more action in it with some scenes. As a mother, the way Marian left her child behind also bothered me a little bit. But overall, I would definitely recommend this book to those who love a good historical romance.

The Prefect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a cute historical LGBT+ romance with a heist subplot. This book is like if Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows was written into the Hamilton musical. I’m not one for historical-based books but this book had me absolutely swooning on every page. It has a good mixture of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, morally grey characters, chaotic heists, and characters that are so intertwined with one another that it is truly a small world. It doesn’t hurt that the main characters are bisexual royalty that I would sell my left tit to know.

The characters of Marian and Rob are so complex and they were written to defy gender norms and how someone of a particular gender should behave. Rob is based off of Robin Hood, at least I believe he is, meaning he steals from the rich and gives to the poor. He’s got a heart of good and will rescue every animal he can. He’s so understanding of what other people are dealing with and he’s loyal to the end of time. Marian, on the other hand, is stubborn and will prioritize what she should do rather than what she wants to do. She goes to the extreme but it’s always deserved. Marian will do whatever it takes to ensure that her loved ones are safe and taken care.

There were so many adorable moments in this book that made me flip out, in a good way. Rob constantly calls Marian “darling” which is so freaking precious and made my heart melt. He called her “pet” once and she flipped out on him, rightfully so, and it’s been back to darling ever since. Also, Rob is just a simp for Marian and we support that. He would do literally anything for her and it’s so refreshing to read a man be the simp. He’s also very much a bottom with a praise kink and I support that shit with my whole being. Marian is definitely the one wearing the pants in the relationship and Rob does not seem like he’s about to complain about that anytime soon. They are just so precious! Rob also kidnapped/saved (depending on how you wanna look at it) a cat and Marian just went along with it like it was normal. She even took care of it for him and the cat doesn’t even like him. There’s just so many moments in this book that I absolutely loved but those were a few of them that wouldn’t spoil the plot.

The author doesn’t shy away from discussing topics that are considered more taboo, which is quite frankly stupid, in our society. There’s one point where Rob asks Marian if she is going to start her menstrual cycle in the next few days and offers to buy her what she needs for it. Just the brief mention of a menstrual cycle existing in a book was so amazing to read and then the Rob offers to buy stuff for it?? Bloody amazing (pun was not intended but was welcomed).

Although Marian has a baby in the book, it is mentioned multiple times that she isn’t the most maternal and she acknowledges that. I’m not certain if it was intended this way, but it almost seems like Marian is suffering from postpartum depression. Even if this was not the goal, the fact that it came across this way to me was really cool because most romance books that feature a child also have a main character who really wants to have birth. It’s not often that you get a main character who isn’t maternal or didn’t want a child. Even better is that Marian knows this about herself and she’s not trying to hide it or fool anyone. It truly makes her a stronger character for being able to accept her strengths and weaknesses and also being able to ask for help in that area. And it’s not like Marian isn’t maternal, she takes quite good care of her baby, but she knows she isn’t the most maternal or doting mother. I’m not mother and nor will I, hopefully, ever be but motherhood is often glorified in romance books and the take on it in this book was more realistic.

The book also touched on how dangerous having children can be which, repetitive I know, was really fucking cool. It ties in a lot with the above point but having children is not always feasible for people and can be a major risk to the mother. Although Marian did survive childbirth, it is mentioned that she likely wouldn’t survive another childbirth. And when Rob finds out about this, instead of being a dick and risking Marian’s life to have penetrative sex, they both explore other alternatives of sex and pleasure. Just this exploration of other forms was just a phenomenal decision by this author. This, we’ll all of it really, makes me wish that all men were like Rob and that more romance books touched on topics similar to these rather than portraying a perfectly happy couple who get the perfect life with a white picket fence. Marian and Rob may not be able to have penetrative sex or have a child but they are still able to have their happily ever after.

The only downside to this book that I found, which isn’t really that big of a deal, is that I found it kinda hard to keep track of who everyone is, who they know, and who they are related to. I do want to preface this by saying that I have read The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes before reading The Queer Principles of Kit Webb and this might not actually be an issue if I read them in order. Continuing on though, I think it would be really helpful to have some sort of family tree or graph that shows the relationships of everyone in the book.

That was entirely a lie, there was one other downside which was that we got robbed of a pegging scene!!! This book has done so well at making the characters not play by their gender roles, discussing sexuality, and exploring alternatives ways of sex rather than just penetrative sex. This all makes me mad because it was mentioned that strap-ons are a thing and then does absolutely nothing and the book ends! We didn’t even get a pegging scene and I will do whatever I need to do in order to get that pegging scene. Like why tease us and not deliver? By this point, y’all know that Marian wears the trousers in the relationship and all I want is to read her pegging Rob while Rob receives a bunch of praise from her.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC in exchange for a review. Everything stated in this review is of my own honest thoughts and opinions.

I adored this book. Sebastian writes precious cinnamon rolls and I love them. You definitely have to read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb first, but it's an absolute treat of a book too! I really like Marian - she's prickly, but so full of love. It was interesting to have a MC who suffered from HG before it could be treated. I think it added a layer of complexity to the story and her relationship with Rob. Rob is the most charming villain, a perfect counterpoint to Marian. I was thoroughly delighted while reading this book.

Cat Sebastian can truly do no wrong. She always delivers gorgeous fiction that a) manages to feel historically accurate while avoiding so many of the pitfalls/sins of the time period, updating enough of the mores and attitudes without becoming entirely ahistorical; b) is wonderfully cozy wish-fulfillment, where characters can overcome past trauma and pain and forge new relationships/make found families that help them heal and grow and find a happy future; c) is scorchingly hot AND emotionally resonant AND unapologetically/undeniably queer.

Every time I pick up one of her books, I feel like I've won the lottery. For the next couple of hours, love is ABSOLUTELY gonna conquer all, and I'm in for a guaranteed good time.

"Perfect Crimes" is no exception. Sebastian's obviously, overtly queer stuff is great, but I'm developing an even softer spot for her adventures that, at first blush, *seem* to be hetero. I just love the idea that folks might pick this up expecting a standard m/f historical romance, only to find themselves rooting on characters that are bi/pan/queer.

Then there's Sebastian's overtly Marxist/"Eat the Rich" messages that have become more and more prevalent in her work as the years pass. There's no escaping the class/money issues in this series, and it goes contrary to so many historical romances, where everyone is beautifully rich and comfortably insulated from real world issues. It's so nice to read a historical story where the characters rebel against society's expectations/demands in EVERY way, no matter what it costs them, so long as they can maintain their souls/morals and protect their loved ones. "Be gay, do crime" has rarely been this fun or beautiful.

As a Barnes & Noble bookseller, I make a point to recommend Sebastian to anyone I find in the romance section, and it's been just lovely seeing folks' faces light up when I explain her books are *always* queer. Very much looking forward to putting this in customers' hands as soon as I can.

This was the first time I read a Cat Sebastian book. I liked it fine, but could see I should’ve read the first book in the series to get the fuller picture. While entertaining, I found the story rather rushed. It felt like too much was happening off the page and I was left filling in the blanks myself.

The writing style was easy and succinct, however the chapter breaks were rather abrupt and very “end scene/enter scene”. I would have liked a more continuous flow so that I wasn’t taken out of the scene so quickly. But overall the book was entertaining and inclusive. I wouldn’t mind going back to read Kit and Percy’s story.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for releasing this arc to me in exchange for an honest review.

Maybe this is just a mood I am currently in? I don’t know but Marian and Rob were everything I wanted and more.

Both are bi/ pan and their sexuality and queerness is inherent to their characters and are interwoven in to their intimate moments without having any form of a coming out story. I loved the Be Gay Do Crimes (and eat the rich) vibes of every book that Sebastian writes but I also deeply love this story’s theme of vulnerability, consent, and defining a relationship in your own terms. (No spoilers but such a soft and unique HEA?!) Marian is all cynical hard edges doing what she has to take care of everyone around her and never taking care of herself (ouch I felt called out) and Rob is just a borderline himbo throwing his love and sweetness in to the world. (Georgian Ted Lasso? Possibly!)

I loved seeing Kit and Percy again (really should read that book first!) and how their found queer crime family is just living their best less than legal lifestyle. This is all vibes and feels but also has a lot of depth and hard themes in a way that only Cat Sebastian can write.

This book is what happens when you mix three parts vodka, two parts bisexual, one part triple sec, and one part frothy historical romance. Let's all get drunk on bi historical romances. Sebastian takes us back before the Regency into a gay Georgian London. Marian, a grumpy criminal, and Rob, a thief who can’t seem to stop saving kittens, become our entire focus. Between a prickly ice queen and a sunshine hero, the once scathing letters these two sent back and forth to each other develop into a smart, quick-witted road trip romance. A truly excellent mixture of Bridgerton, Harlots, and Our Flag Means Death. With the whimsy tone of Bridgerton, The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is part feral and part sweet.

3.5 stars

I first wanted to express my thanks to both Netgalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC of this book!

I read the first book in the series last year and absolutely loved it. Period piece romances about rich people getting their asses handed to them are pretty much what I eat and breathe in all forms of media so this series was a welcome surprise to me. The book centers around the characters Marian and Rob who are both basically fugitives playing Bonnie and Clyde in a run across the country for crimes they have committed.

My favorite thing about these series is not only the plot but the characters! I absolutely LOVED Rob after meeting him in the first book and that love only grew in this second one especially after seeing the beauty of the relationship between him and Marian. I was able to relate a lot to Marian while reading because of our similarity in personality and the way that she handled the aftermath of the occurrence with her husband as a new mother was very admirable to me. All in all an amazing read! Once again thank you to Netgalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for this ARC!! The official release of this book will be on June 7th of this year so be sure to get a copy!

This historical romance is charming, fun, and a pleasure to read. Both humorous and emotional, it is a sequel to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, so features characters readers already know with adventures and a love story of their own.. I always look forward to what Cat Sebastian comes up with next. Highly recommended.

I'm never disappointed in a book by Cat Sebastian. In fact, each book is a delight, and "The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes" is no exception. Rob's devotion to prickly Marian is so charming and heartfelt, and I can't resist a thieving hero who also rescues animals and gives almost all of his money away. Cat's books are also beautifully inclusive, and demonstrate that there are many ways to achieve an HEA. Highly, highly recommend.

Great banter between the characters, especially enjoyed their internal monologues. I enjoy a prickly heroine with a happy-go-lucky and charming hero. I wanted a bit more of each character's backstory - our introduction to them felt a bit rushed. Reading the 1st book in the series first would probably have allayed this feeling somewhat. I enjoyed the epistolary meet-cute, but thought it was a bit weak for establishing an initial attraction between the two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to read an eARC!

CWs: gun violence, blood, death, mention of SA, dementia, PTSD, claustrophobia, drugging.
***
I am giddy. I giggled, shrieked, and smiled my way through this book. MARIAN AND ROB ARE SUCH A GOOD COUPLE, I LOVE THEM.

The events of The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes overlap with the timeline of events from The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, so I definitely recommend reading Principles first (and - it’s amazing, so why wouldn’t you read it).

We pick up on the duchess of Clare, Marian's story just after she’s shot her bigamous husband. She must flee town until she knows whether or not she will face the gallows. Her unlikely ally in this flight is the man who’s been blackmailing her for months, Rob, who she in turn has taken to spying on at night for exploitable information. She needs help getting away with a crime, and luckily, that's something Rob has plenty of experience in. They've gotten to know one another via (often hostile, on Marian's part) letters about this alleged blackmail, and find themselves confiding in the other, as each have nearly no one to turn to about the mess they've made of their lives.

Marian is cold, rude, prickly, likes to tell people what to do and could live without being duchess. Rob the ex-highwayman and still-criminal is charming, warm, self-sacrificing and loves kissing babies and rescuing animals from danger. He blackmailed her. She kidnapped him. Then they fall in love. NO NOTES.

As a sequel to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, of course this book is full of thievery, scheming, and threatening the rich. It’s also a tender love story about finding your person after trauma and loss - set against a backdrop of community, justice, and found family (of criminals!! Yes).

The banter is 10/10 and I’m obsessed with Marian and Rob’s relationship. NO DREADED THIRD ACT BREAKUP - I AM ECSTATIC.

Mild spoiler: when Marian, Rob, Percy, Kit and Betty end up as a group of Robin Hood-esque honourable criminals who live together and create a beautiful found family where they share responsibility for raising little Eliza, I died.

This is a gem of a book and I will be delighted to buy myself a physical copy when it is released in June.

this story was refreshing. i never really read anything in the same vibe / genre and it was such a fun read. unfortunately i didn't know it was kind of a sequel/following to a first book so i felt like i missed my introduction to the world but it's okay, it was still fun!