This was absolute perfection and I did not want this book to end! It involves highwayman, con artist, and all-around cheerful villain, Rob Brooks along with Marian Hayes, Duchess of Clare, who just shot her husband. (He deserved it). Rob and Marian have madcap escapades and hijinks as they flee London for the countryside.

I loved this book! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the advance copy!
So I’m definitely going to have to read more of Cat Sebastian’s books because this and Kitt Webb were both excellent.
The banter between Marian and Rob was funny, the sexual tension was chefs kiss. This is a MF romance but both Marian and Rob are queer. The romance is open door.
Marian is an excellent character, she was really relatable to me. The plot of this partially overlaps with the first book so it was nice to see what Marian and Rob’s side of the story was.
The book is out on 6/7/22! Definitely would recommend but read The Queer Principles of Kitt Webb first if you haven’t yet!

I will post on my Instagram @katebrownreads as well before pub day!

While I appreciate the dynamic between Marian and Rob, the emotional connection here felt shallow and the romance felt rushed, and this book relies on the reader having already read the first in the series, which is not clear from the marketing. It mostly just retreads the plot of Kit Webb, and while I love Cat Sebastian's writing as always, this series isn't really for me.

I enjoyed the first book, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, quite a bit, so I admit to being disappointed that I had a difficult time getting into this one. The first 9% of the book was told in the form of letters between a blackmailer and blackmailee, and while a letter or excerpt from one doesn’t bother me too much, an entire section of it made my attention drift a lot. That’s just a me thing though.

I finally just skimmed the beginning, and thankfully the rest of the book was as entertaining as the first one. It actually tells the “other story” from the first, answering some of the questions left hanging at the end. I definitely recommend reading in order, or else you’ll be spoiled for the first one.

Sebastian writes queer stories, so don’t let this being a m/f pairing fool you. They’re disaster bisexuals, and have both have a sexual history with men and women. On top of that, Marian’s husband was a bastard, and her pregnancy almost killed her, so she’s not thrilled with the idea of penetrative sex that could result in another one. Rob not only fully respects that, but they do have conversations about what’s okay for each of them.

Both books have the “found family” trope that I love, and Marian gets to be a prickly cuss while Rob makes friends wherever he goes, even if it’s part of the setup to rob someone. My only slight complaint is that the horrible Duke who features so much in the motivations of the characters in both books doesn’t really get much page time. Probably intentional, as the reader’s imagination of how bad he was works better than spelling it out without having to detail everything about a villain who’s practically twirling his mustache.

I do wonder if another book is in the works, perhaps featuring Kit and Rob’s fence, Betty. We don’t know much about her yet, but the idea of a queer black woman being featured in a historical romance is very interesting. Especially one who grew up with two thieves and became their fence and trusted partner in their crimes. There’s still some threads that could be picked up featuring a trio of couples.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book!

The book opens with Rob blackmailing Marian in letter format because her husband is actually legally married to someone else, leaving her marriage (and her best friend Percy's inheritance) in peril.

Things I loved:
-Grumpy f/sunshine m!
-It gave me fluttery feelings
-All the sex is non-penetrative but it doesn't feel any less sexy and lovely, indeed I thought it was more sexy and lovely to have actual conversations about what kind of sex to have!
-The consent-seeking is so completely explicit and clear and non-awkward
-I adore characters that accidentally rescue animals
-Lovely to see Percy and Kit again
-The characters feel real- both have flaws- but they also have amazing aspects too, like Marian's snarky competence and Rob's impressive capacity for fondness.
-The letters! They're lovely and convincing and lovely.
-Found family

Unlike many romance series (including most of Cat Sebastian's others), you would really want to read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb first before reading this- they take place in overlapping timelines and this would completely spoil Kit Webb's twists and probably make less sense without it.

Thanks for NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an eARC in return for an honest review!

This was the first book I read from Cat Sebastian and I’m sure it won’t be my last - as far as historical romance goes, she clearly offers a unique point of view with an eye to LGBTQ perspectives, class dynamics, and diversity of sexual practices, which can only benefit the genre as a whole. I hadn’t read the first book in the series (Kit Webb) prior to starting this one, and I didn’t have too difficult a time picking up where that left off. Reading a quick synopsis should be all that’s needed if you want to pick this up as a stand-alone.

This book has a really charming opening section where the two leads build their emotional connection via a series of letters (a correspondence that first began as an ill-conceived blackmail attempt). I loved that, and I loved the chemistry between the two MCs throughout the book.

I read an arc and cannot speak to the finished version of this book, but the conclusion of this book felt under-developed to me. It kind of felt like the author had an “ideal” of where she wanted things to end up, according to the political and personal ideals of the characters, but she rushed the characters there and didn’t let it happen organically. Still, I really enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it to historical romance readers.

✨ Review ✨ The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian

Rob, a Robin-Hood-bent highwayman (steals from the rich, gives to the poor), "meets" Marian, the Duchess of Clare, when he writes to blackmail her. He won't reveal the true heir to the dukedom if she gives him 500 pounds. Marian, however, writes back with spunk, refusing his offer. After rapidfire written correspondence, Rob ends up tied up in a bed at an inn to keep him away while Marian and her friend Percy (also the duke's now illegitimate son) try to rob the duke. When these plans go awry, Marian and Rob end up on the run together in a enemies-to-friends type story that will make you smile along the way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical romance + adventure
Location: London + Canterbury and in between.
Reminds me of: The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (in its adventure historical romance vibes, but less for quirky writing)
Pub Date: June 7, 2022

This was such a fun book to read because it throws traditional gender roles out the window, which I always think is fun in historical romances. Both characters identify as having had relationships with women and men, without putting any kind of ahistorical label on it. Both complement each other so beautifully, while their banter was glib, irreverent, and just so much fun!

This book is second in The Queer Principles of Kit Webb series, though I read this second book first; Note that the characters from the first book still feature prominently, though I didn't think it significantly impacted my reading experience of this book to read them out of order. For me what held this back from being a perfect read was that it dragged on a bit at the end as it resolved different things, and perhaps that was a result of its role as a sequel. **shrug**

I read this at the beach and it was certainly a great beach read - light, fun, a little bit of steam, and lots of adventures and ethical theft! 😊

Read this if you like:
⭕️ Bi representation in a historical setting
⭕️ Kittens!!
⭕️ Robin Hood style crime and irreverence for gender and class divisions.

Thanks to Avon and #netgalley for an advanced digital and physical copies of this book!

I am now a historical romance fan, as long as it includes queer characters and crime. Thankfully, Cat Sebastian exists. This book had many twists and turns that kept me interested until the very end. Let's begin. The chemistry between the main characters is INSTANT, as you can see with the letter writing in the opening chapter. I was hooked, and rooting for them from the start (I mean, come on, who doesn't love a good enemies to lovers plot?) The author skillfully alluded to things that were happening beyond the scope of the book, but as a reader I wasn't confused about any of what was happening in the book. There was a good, steady pace which never faltered. At no point did I think the plot was too slow. Towards the end of the book, I did find some of the resolutions to have happened a bit quickly, especially since the pace of the book was so well established in the first half. I would have loved one or two more chapters towards the end, to make the revelations and conclusions hold a bit more weight for me as a reader. There was a lot of predictability in the book (re: Chekov's gun), but at no point did I role my eyes as go "yeah, of course". I love how the story grows into the found family trope. Speaking of tropes! There were so many good ones in this book. One bed, grumpy/sunshine, found family. The romance lover in me couldn't stop smiling. I also enjoyed how, considering this is a second novel (both standalones, but written in the same world), nothing was really given away about the couple in the first novel (which I have not yet read). The couple from the first novel, Kit and Percy, added to the story, but did not overshadow Marian and Rob in anyway. I appreciated this because it is one of my pet peeves with series like this.
Overall, this story as entirely delightful, I could not put it down. The chemistry between Marian and Rob was unreal! I will now be reading everything Cat Sebastian has ever written.

This book was part delightful romp and part heavy emotional revenge story. Marian, who we were introduced to in "The Queer Principles of Kit Webb," is our protagonist. Marian has a lot going on: she's the Duchess of Claire, her husband is a terrible person, she has postpartum depression, an ailing father, a newborn, and she's being blackmailed by highwayman Rob.

This is a romance, so we know Marian gets her happy ending. I won't spoil how we get there, but I enjoyed the ride. The main romance features two bi/pan characters (what a delight!) and the story is equally touching and exciting. I'm not a ride-or-die reader of Cat Sebastian's novels, but I truly enjoyed this one.

4/5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars. This one wasn’t the light hearted romp I thought it would be but I think that is what makes it so great. Marion and Rob are a different type of couple and they work. I loved both of them individually and together. I also loved supporting characters and I hope Betty gets a book. I don’t think I’ve ever read a m/f historical romance where both people were queer and it turns out I am a fan.
This book was also fun. While there were some very serious moments, there was still comedy. Marion and Rob’s banter was top notch. Also, additional points for found family because I love that.

DNF at 32%. Sadly this one doesn’t seem to be for me. I was really excited about the premise, but I’m awfully bored considering how much plot has already happened. The story and characters also don’t feel grounded—more a series of events and personality traits strung together because *romance reasons*. I know this author can do better, so pretty disappointed.

This book is such a delight. A perfect follow-up to the previous one in this series, it has the same charming cast of characters and a steamy but sweet romance between a grump woman and a marshmallow of a man - both of them doing crimes, and also doing what they believe is right. Plenty of heat and banter, and not too much angst. Perfect Cat Sebastian, and well worth a read.

This is a m/f romance between bisexual characters, which for me as a bi/pan person just puts huge goddamn hearts in my eyes. The book follows The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, picking up two characters where they were left at the end of that book. While each book does stand on its own, I do think it’s probably helpful to read them in order for context and to avoid spoilers.

Marian Hayes is a sharp-edged woman who made a bad bargain in her marriage to the Duke of Clare, not in the least because it turns out to be invalid due to bigamy. Rob Brooks is an experienced highwayman who has been living the Robin Hood lifestyle since boyhood and is determined to keep it that way. When Marian’s plans for redress against the Duke go spectacularly sideways, the only person she can turn to is a charming criminal she can’t trust, and she and Rob skip town together.

This book is such a great romp. Both Rob and Marian are extremely likeable in their very different ways, with Rob the sunshine to Marian’s determined grump. It’s a fun adventure within the four corners of the book — but the other thing I loved about this story was it’s repeated defiance of amatanormative conventions.

Marian is the mother of a year-old little girl, and Marian’s feelings about motherhood are deeply ambivalent. She was dangerously sick through her pregnancy, and she experiences depression and has a hard time connecting with her child after the birth. She’s very aware that another pregnancy would likely be equally dangerous and potentially would be the death of her, and she’s not going to take that risk. It’s also clear that she experienced some sexual trauma in her marriage which has left a mark. These are really challenging topics to tackle in a lighthearted romance novel, and it’s really well done, unflinchingly and with compassion. Rob also has some past trauma—from past imprisonment, from darker things he’d done—which somehow rests in balance with his character of irrepressible good cheer.

Both Rob and Marian are sexually experienced, so they know and are comfortable with their own desires. And not only does Rob adore Marian, but he also is very happy in the role of giving his partner what they need, or giving himself up to his partner. So in the balance of their needs and desires, there is really lovely representation of a sexual dynamic not usually to be found in m/f romance, with very mutually satisfying intimacy that doesn't include penetrative sex.

This was a really charming and delightful book. It’s currently available for preorder and releasing on June 7, 2022.

An enjoyable read at every turn. Marian and Rob are absolutely electric and positively fun. I'm looking forward to hearing more about Kit and Percy's story in the next installment of the story. This book feels as if it's missing something, the ingredients for a perfect romance are all there, but the author's full voice never shines through particularly well. The imitation of the setting, the flow of the dialogue - brilliant and perfectly done. I wish there was more in the writing in the voice and character.

Cat Sebastian can do no wrong when writing historical romance. I have read a lot of her other books, and The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes lives up to my expectations! Would recommend to anyone who likes the genre.

Cat Sebastian knows how to write funny, queer , historical romance and this is one of those book. I just wished I had read book 1 of the series as I was kind of lost for a while.

So, if you're thinking about reading The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes get The Queer Principles of Kit Webb first.

I just reviewed The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian #ThePerfectCrimesofMarianHayes #NetGalley

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is my first book by Cat Sebastian, and definitely not my last. This book had a wonderful cast of characters, and a great reverse grump/sunshine romance. I loved seeing the relationship develop between Rob and Marian, and their mutual respect. The banter was A+. I also really loved the representation in this.

I didn’t read the first book in the series so I had a little bit of trouble initially with all of the relationships. However, once I grasped them, it was a truly enjoyable read.

3.5/5 stars

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review!*

Read this on an airplane, so I had to skim the sex scenes to protect the guy sitting next to me XD I didn't vibe with this book as intensely as I have with some of Cat Sebastian's other works, but it was a really sweet story! I really appreciated that Marian was able to be ambivalent about motherhood, that there was no miraculous pregnancy epilogue, that the happy ending is NOT suddenly becoming an aristocrat. There's such a sweet found family at the end, and I would have loved to get more of that (since for most of the book Rob and Marian are off on their own separate adventure together), but hopefully that's what book three is for! Recommended for anyone who likes: m/f where both characters are bisexual, grumpy/sunshine where the girl is grumpy and the guy is sunshine, and a touch of femdom in your historical romance! I will say that you probably do need to have read Kit Webb before starting Marian's book -- it's been a while since I read it and I was kind of confused for a bit before it started coming back to me.

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is utterly adorable! If you're a historical romance lover--this is for you. The grumpy sunshine trop is one I fall for more often than not and this is no exception.

Cat Sebastian has cleverly disguised her characters as Robin Hood and Maid Marian and honestly, what's not to like?

"“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"

4.5/5

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon for my free copy.

I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did, considering I had such high expectations of it following The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. But I did absolutely love the dynamic between Marian and Rob, and I will sing Cat Sebastian's high praise at any opportunity.