The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is the second book in Sebastian's Queer Principles of Kit Webb series. As they overlap with each other, reading the first is highly suggested.

If you love a woman ready to kill, lie, and fuck her man, then you'll love Marian Hayes.

If you love epistolary romances, conversations about consent, bi characters, and a mysterious historical story, you won't be able to put down this book.

The sex scenes were so unique (though shouldn't be), and I so appreciated the thought Sebastian put into how someone can move forward from trauma with a supportive partner, and how that doesn't need to be returning to "normal," but creating your own.

For blackmail love letters and a continuation/addition to the Queer Principles of Kit Webb, read on!

Note: The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes has a direct connection to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. The timelines overlap and the book, the blurb, and this review will all spoil elements of the ending of that first story. While most of the key points that affect Marian and Rob from the first book are recapped here, I do think the books are best read in order starting with Kit Webb.

Marian Hayes learned from her blackmailer that she is not, in fact, the rightful Duchess of Clare. That title goes to the woman the Duke married years ago secretly in France. In return for his silence, the blackmailer wanted 500 pounds, however Marian and the Duke’s son, Percy, decided to turn the tables and let the truth come out. They just needed to steal a book of the Duke’s that would allow them to have some money to live on once the truth was revealed. Things were going great, until everything fell apart and Marian shot the Duke. Now, she has no idea if the Duke will live or if she will find herself wanted for murder, and Marian has no idea where to turn. The only person she knows who might be able to help her out of this mess is the blackmailer himself.

When Rob found out that his mother actually married the Duke years ago, he was quite horrified. Rob has made a living stealing from the rich and giving to the poor and the last thing he possibly wants is to be the rightful heir to a dukedom. Rob figured the best he could hope for is to use the information to keep Marian and Percy quiet, while also making sure that Marian knew the truth about her marriage. Yet somehow, through all their correspondence, Rob has found that he quite likes Marian despite himself. So when Marian comes to him in shock after shooting the Duke, Rob agrees to help her out.

As the two travel to Marian’s family home to ride things out until they know whether the Duke survived the gun shot, they get to know each other even better. That connection and spark they felt through their letter writing is even more intense in person. Rob finds himself charmed by Marian’s prickly sharpness and loves her strength, intensity, and determination. And Marian can’t help but admire Rob’s friendliness, warmth, and easy-going nature. The two begin to fall for one another, but the obstacles in front of them are huge. Marian’s life is in upheaval and she is about to be revealed as the Duke’s unlawful wife; Rob is the rightful heir who has no desire to claim the title; and at some point, both of them have to figure out their futures after this immediate crisis is over. But Rob and Marian have fallen for one another and they are determined to find a way to make their lives work together.

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a delightful follow up to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. I really enjoyed the first book, but I absolutely adored this one! Rob and Marian have such an incredible spark between them that just leaps off the page, and I found them tremendous fun.

The story starts off with a series of letters between the pair as Rob is attempting to blackmail Marian. I say attempting because Marian is having absolutely none of it and keeps Rob quite on his toes. The two start off as enemies, but we see through the letters how entertained both of them are with each other. The story then jumps to the aftermath of Marian shooting the Duke and the only person she can think to go to for help is Rob. Things then take on a road trip element as the two travel together to Marian’s family home. It gives them a chance to get to know each other better and the dire situation (and Marian’s eminent practicality) means there is an informality to their experience that really builds a connection between them. I love the way that both Rob and Marian sort of adore each other despite themselves. Marian isn’t the easiest or most agreeable woman (as she will admit), but Rob is absolutely charmed by pretty much everything about her — as was I. Marian is such a great character with so much strength and fire and I loved seeing her face down problems with a determination to just get shit done. For her part, Marian loves Rob soft side. He may be a thief, but the money goes to pretty much anyone he meets. He never met a person who wasn’t a friend within minutes. He adopts every stray animal. He is sweet and kind and he will do anything at all to make Marian happy. After her horrible marriage to a cruel man, it takes a while for Marian to trust in Rob’s goodness, but she is ultimately able to relax and know Rob would never hurt her. There is a bit of the “grumpy one is soft for the sunshiney one” vibe here, which is a favorite trope of mine. I just adored them together (particularly their bit of power exchange in bed as Rob loves to let Marian take over) and found them such an appealing couple.

Aside from the relationship, the story also resolves the issues of the Duke’s murder and the aftermath. We see how both Rob and Marian fare, as well as reconnect with Kit and Percy, as they are tangled up in things as well. There is also a minor side plot relating to one of Marian’s father’s neighbors who is taking advantage of him and we see Marian embark on a bit of crime of her own to get the situation fixed. It all leads to a really lovely resolution for all four characters and brings everyone to a great place.

So I absolutely loved this one and found Rob and Marian such a fun and charming couple. I had a great time following along on their adventures and it was nice to see everyone find their happy ending here. This is a great set of books and I can highly recommend them both.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book.

Firstly, I have two disclaimers. it is important to know “The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes” is the sequel to “The Queer Principles of Kit Webb”. It is not crucial to read the latter to understand this novel, but it will spoil most of “Kit Webb” for you. In my case, I had not read it so the first few chapters were a teeny bit confusing without the background from the previous book.

This novel tells the story of Marian Hayes, the stepmother and childhood friend or Percy, the protagonist of the first book. It is told in dual POV, that of Marian, who is dealing with the consequences of shooting her evil duke husband, and Rob Brooks, Kit’s best friend and a highway man. The two reluctant allies go on a road trip after the inciting incident, and of course, fall in love in the process.

I found Marian and Rob to be incredibly charming and very complex characters. Despite having done terrible things, it was very easy to root for them as a couple and as individuals. In addition, the novel convinces you that they belong together without a doubt. They share similar goals, values, desires, and identities. They complement each other and make each other better. Also, as a woman in a bisexual M/F relationship, it was really nice to read about a bisexual pair. They are also compatible sexually, which made for some great and refreshing sex scenes. I also really appreciated the sex positivity of the novel, as it portrayed p in v sex as a matter of preference rather than a necessity. I don’t think I had ever read a romance novel with that approach to sex scenes.

That being said, there’s quite a few things I didn’t like about the novel. My biggest issue was that it lacks tension. I expected a happily ever after, but at no point did I feel like their happy ending was at stake. All the complications and conflicts were too easily resolved. There was never a will-they-won’t they. In addition, the book wasn’t very dynamic. Most of the plot takes place during days-long trips or in private rooms. This lack of variety made the novel drag on for me around the middle.

Regardless of the issues with the plot, I enjoyed the novel and appreciated many of its themes. There isn’t that much historical fiction out there about disabled bisexuals, so I’m happy to read and support any that come out. I think the book is worth a read if anything because of its originality and the great chemistry between the main characters.

While Percy and Kit spend their time in Amateur Highwayman School in the book that bears Kit's name, Marian and Rob (arguably the more fitting brigands, my looks cannot get any more meaningful) while away theirs by racing (seemingly without chase, but who can argue with the contrivances of Plot) across England, engaging in feline adjacent antics, and trying to find enough time to have a sensible discussion about the lingering effects of spousal abuse and potential consequences of newly realized Grand Passion for women in an era with the scantest of understandings in regards to all aspects of procreation.

Oh, plus, someone's probably a duke. Maybe. The book is a bit more certain about how sneaky it's being in regards to who is who and how than it actually is, aside from caring a great deal more about the answer to those questions than I did.

Of the plots on hand, the one based around Marian and Rob's increasingly fraught relationship and the potential wedge between them created by Marian's refusal to engage in any activity that might result in another pregnancy is the far more engaging one. Consequently, the other myriad details--the Duke himself, Rob's various acquaintances and their...occupations, Rob's identity crisis, the rehash of the previous book going on in the background, etc.--seem like intrusions into what really matters.

Final thought: love a cat. No notes for the cat.

Unfortunately I got about half way through this one and did not finish. I just wasn't for me and I had a hard time following the story. Better luck next time!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
THE PERFECT CRIMES OF MARIAN HAYES is the second installment in The Queer Principles of Kit Webb series. This can most certainly be read as a standalone.

Notice: For readers expecting an historical M/M romance that are upset about a M/F paring, this novel features a straight-passing queer couple who are both bisexual.

Freshly widowed (by her own hand), the Duchess of Clare, is being blackmailed by a con artist. With every breath Mariam takes, the reader is waiting for the other shoe to drop (the guillotine blade to drop). She is the most inept of criminals, but so is her blackmailer, Rob.

The blackmail letters begin to feel more like intimate love letters shared between admirers. Forced proximity, where Rob and Marian journey together, with the popular trope of only one bed available, sparks fly with experimentive sexual practices for this genre between a male-female coupling. Crimes are continuously committed, their ineptitude hazardously charming and entertaining.

A warm and humorous, feel-good historical romance between two delightful characters. Cat Sebastian is a go-to for queer historical romance, no matter the gender of the coupling.

Rob Brooks blackmails Marian Hayes, the latest pseudo-duchess of his secret father, so that he gets out of inheriting - turns out he’s the only legitimate heir. They fall into a correspondence neither wants to end - until Marian kidnaps him the night their best friends are supposed to rob the Duke on the highway. Rob willingly becomes her captive, and they travel to her father after she murders her husband trying to protect her best friend.

They steal and blackmail together in order to protect Marian’s family.

Rob is submissive in the bedroom in a truly delightful way that twists the usual expectations of a historical romance relationship, and they both are respectful of each other’s consent all the time. Rob is a cinnamon roll hero even though he’s also a criminal; Marian is a prickly independent heroine.

All of Cat Sebastian's books are a delight, and The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is no different. This is technically a follow-up to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, however, I think you would still enjoy it without reading the first book.
This book has it all: the perfect grump and sunshine romance, wonderful wit and banter, and steam. I'm a sucker for a blackmail romance so of course, this pulled me in immediately. Combine blackmail with a little murder and add lots of adventure and you have a 5 star read. Cat Sebastian writes wonderful historicals and The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is no exception. I highly recommend it!

Thank you Avon for a copy of this ebook.

The flirty cover of this book drew me in, and the witty writing style had me finishing it in just a couple of days. It’s an enjoyable and entertaining read, and it was the perfect book to get me into summer mode. The characters are enjoyable, the story moves quickly, and the dialogue is easy to follow. Unfortunately, some of the descriptions in the story weren’t as easy to follow for me. The characters’ relationships with each other, especially the family ties, often had me confused, and I would sometimes have to reread sections or search for another mention of a character to figure out how they were related or acquainted. I felt like this detracted from the story by stopping the flow of the plot. I did enjoy the repartee between Marian and Rob, though, and everyone who deserved it got their happy ending, making it exactly the kind of book I was looking for.

Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, just shot her husband. Of course, the evil, murderous man deserved what was coming to him, but now she must flee to the countryside. Unfortunately, the only person she can ask for help is the charismatic criminal who is blackmailing her--and who she may have left tied up a few hours before...

A highwayman, con artist, and all-around cheerful villain, Rob Brooks is no stranger to the wrong side of the law or the right side of anybody's bed. He never meant to fall for the woman whose secrets he promised to keep for the low price of five hundred pounds, but how could he resist someone who led him on a merry chase all over London, left him tied up in a seedy inn, and then arrived covered in her husband's blood and in desperate need of his help?

As they flee across the country--stopping to pick pockets, drink to excess, and rescue invalid cats--they discover more true joy and peace than either has felt in ages. But when the truth of Rob's past catches up to him, they must decide if they are willing to reshape their lives in order to forge a future together. (Goodreads synopsis)

I haven’t read anything by Cat Sebastian but after this one I went straight to the library and borrowed The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. I have read other reviews that say you should read it first, but I don’t necessarily think so. I felt Cat Sebastian did a great job of letting the reader know where Kit and Percy stood, but that this novel was focused on Rob and Marian. Maybe once I read the first one, I will better understand other reviews, but my honest opinion was that this was okay on its own.

I absolutely loved this novel. I enjoyed the beginning of Rob’s and Marian’s relationship with the blackmailing letters and later with just plain witticisms. Everyone in this novel is funny, witty, adorable, and loving, even when they try not to be. The reader cannot help but be charmed by all of that characters.

As a female I understood Marian’s POV about baby Eliza, her father, and her marriage to the Duke. I found her relate-able and cunning. Rob was an interesting character. One that could keep up with Marian but also that was put in her place by Marian.

Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars. Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to #NetGalley and #Avon&HarperVoyager for the ARC.

This book was all I wanted. Like everything I wanted. Two chaotic bi characters committing crimes against the autocracy? I THINK YES! The romance was never dull. I loved it and literally cherished every moment of this book.

I didn't know this was book two of a series when I started it, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

To preface, I am a fan of the Regency era, so this book spoke to me, and with a historical romance, I am all in.

This book kept me on my toes. It had witty banter, the affection they both couldn't avoid, and a perfect grump and sunshine duo. It's fun and powerful, especially in the face of the capitalist society. It had great banter, wit, and fun and felt uniquely different from most historicals I've read. I will have to go back and read the series' first book!

The thing about Sebastian's writing is that it just infuses me with a sense of JOY, whether the plot itself may or may not always leave something to be desired. This book, however, left me with an utter smile on my face similar to the last book in the Kit Webb series, and there were so many details about this one that I adored. First of all, it's queer AF; second of all, it's decidedly anti-aristocracy; thirdly, the dynamic that slowly gets established between Marian and Rob with him wanting her to take charge of him in bed was absolutely delightful; and fourthly, yes please to more romances that don't necessarily have to engage in penetrative forms of sex! Marian, very understandably, has her own reasons for not wanting it, and I appreciated that there was no pressure or expectation for her to do so, even by the end of the book. However, that doesn't mean that the love scenes can't still be steamy, and they were! And wonderfully so!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for a honest review **

Okay guys THIS WAS SO GOOD!!! I read The Queer Principles of Kit Webb last month and thought it was a solid read, but I was even more excited to find out we'd be getting Robb & Marian's romance. The storyline for this book primarily runs parallel with the events of book one, so while I’m sure this technically could be read as a standalone I definitely think this series should be read in publication order for optimal enjoyment (even though some of the plot points felt a tad repetitive since I already knew a lot of what was going to happen). Marian & Robb were everything I wanted them to be and more. I was absolutely obsessed with Robb in particular. He was so wholesome, loveable, and such a well-executed cinnamon roll hero. In contrast, Marian’s grumpiness and rigidity complimented Robb’s character really well and provided for a lot of fun moments along the way. It was nice to watch Marian slowly open up to Robb and become more comfortable with herself and her emotions, but also not having to see her go through an unnecessary personality transformation you sometimes get from other books with the grump x sunshine trope. Cat Sebastian really excels at strong dialogue, which was evident here through all of the witty banter and bickering. This book had so much whimsical charm, I literally found myself smiling like a darn fool while I was reading it. I also loved the healthy and non-traditional representation of their intimate relationship. There was a lot of solid on page communication related to intimacy and I felt like Cat Sebastian handled the topic in a very non-judgement and respectful way. The only complaint I really had was that the actual plot left a little to be desired since it ran parallel with the first book for so long, but since I enjoyed the romance and characters so much it didn’t really impact my overall reading experience. Whether you like reading historical romance or not, I definitely recommend giving this series a try (and just Cat Sebastian in general).

Tropes/Themes:
-Historical romance (~1700s England)
-LGBTQIA+ rep (bisexual H & h)
-Grump (h) x Sunshine (H)
-Only one bed
-Heist/Robin Hood vibes
-Tons of witty banter and charm

I want to preface this by saying that I got this book from Netgalley in return for a review. I have heard of this author and was excited about reading this book mainly based on the title but it just wasn't for me. I did enjoy the banter in the letters but once the characters met in person I really lost interest and it just wasn't for me. The h was quite cold and while she wanted to provide for her young daughter, she was not maternal at all and did not seem concerned about not seeing her infant daughter for what seemed like awhile. The H confused me a bit as he is a two bit criminal who doesn't want to inherit a dukedom but too me that would be like the ultimate con. He was sweet but a little too sweet, I prefer a take charge man and the h in this story was the alpha and controlled much of what happened in the story including in the bedroom which also confused me. I figured out that both characters were bisexual and the bedroom interactions were a bit different and just not my cup of tea. Overall, I just skimmed through much of the story and sometimes an author is just not the right fit for a certain reader and I think that is where I am at with this novel, while others might really enjoy it.

This is such a different type of historical romance. In fact the romance actually goes back to blackmail letters. The relationship that develops between Marion and Rob who are the main characters is fraught with secrets and feelings. It’s such an interesting look at the aristocracy and sometimes what you need to do to actually be happy is not what is excepted at all societally. There is robbers and aristocracy and the book is highly entertaining and a fun read.

This follow-up to THE QUEER PRINCIPLES OF KIT WEBB is wildly entertaining. The books are best read in order. This novel is hilarious with well-developed characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Fun and rompy and I'm a sucker for heist novels and two adorable main characters and GO, MARIAN! Marian learns her own strength and how to be vulnerable and loved again; Rob is totally adorable and lets himself be taught by those he loves.

Happy Pride again, and thank you to @netgalley and @catswrites for this ARC of what might be one of my favorite books this gay season. I haven’t read a ton of Cat Sebastian’s books because I like my books to feature ladies in the sexy parts, but I loved Kit Webb (the first in the series) a whole lot so here we are!

Rob Brooks is many things: a felon, a son of a “brothelkeeper,” a highwayman, a best friend, a bisexual (! YES) sexually adventurous rogue — but he’s a horrible blackmailer. When he finds that he’s the legitimate son of a bigamous Duke, he intends on blackmailing the Duke — until he sees the Duke’s third wife, pregnant and alone, and decides to blackmail her instead in a reckless display of weird intentions.

He threatens her by letter, and they strike up a witty, banter filled correspondence where we learn that Marian Hayes is a 22 year old curmudgeon who eschews all gender stereotypes about women; including maternal ones (!!) — and when they meet, she’s in pants, and she ties him up in a nondescript hotel room so that she can go threaten the Duke herself. I am, and Rob is, irredeemably in love.

Marian has presumably killed a man and needs Rob’s help, only when she returns to the hotel room to find him, he’s not tied to the bed. He returns, already besotted with the sharp tongued Marian, and they travel to hide in the countryside to await Marian’s fate as a suspect.

Rob charms everybody in his path, picks up a stray cat, bats his pretty eyes at Marian — will she adopt this stray? I don’t know! (I know - but you don’t, and it’s really more fun to find out).

The sex in this book is different than a bodice ripper - Marian has experienced trauma and Rob is a happy bottom, so if this is weird to you, consider yourself warned.

I love a queer found family and from reading the Cat Sebastian books that I’ve read, she always does a great job with this concept that I love so much. Friends that feel like family, and hell, enemies that become family and then friends — this is the good stuff. This is why Pride fills my bisexual heart and soul, the exploration of all different types of love, no matter how different it might all look on the outside.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, has just shot her husband. The awful, murderous man left her no choice, but now she’s afraid of the repercussions and sees no recourse but to escape to the country. She needs help and the only person she can think to ask is the criminal who’s been blackmailing her for months and whom she left tied up in an inn a few hours previously.

Rob Brooks is a sometime swindler and highwayman, but his charm and affability make him irresistible to everyone. He had no plans to fall in love with the woman he’s been attempting to blackmail, but their letters have felt more like a courtship, and he can’t seem to help himself, even when she returns to the inn where she left him, covered in her husband's blood and reeking of desperation.

As Rob and Marian take to the road, they each find themselves feeling a sort of happiness that has long eluded them. But when Rob’s truths catch up to them, they have to decide what sort of changes they’re willing to make to their lives if there’s any chance of them having a future together.

This book was very different from what I expected and wholly unique from anything else I’ve read. It also stands out as a loose retelling of Robin Hood, who happens to be one of my favorite fictional characters. On the surface, given her behavior and harshness, Marian should’ve been an unlikable heroine, and she may still be for some, but I wound up being surprised at how relatable she was. I wholly understand feeling like your emotions aren’t calibrated quite right and struggling with demonstrating affection. I do wish she’d allowed Rob a little closer than she did, yet I understand why she did not. I actually really enjoyed the dynamic they had. Rob was definitely there to be a provider and take care of Marian, but she was doing just as much to take care of him, and the rest of their unconventional little family given Rob’s tendency not to plan for future needs. I loved the found family aspect of this story and the easy acceptance these characters gave one another. That, more than anything, is what made this book work for me. Rob is very morally gray, but his unwavering loyalty to his people makes him lovable. Marian is prickly and harsh, but her devotion to Rob is no less clear and that made their relationship believable for me despite its unconventionality. I really enjoyed this story for how low angst it was, which surprised me actually given that the plot lines explored here are sometimes quite heavy. This wound up being a very light, fluffy read and that seems to be my preference lately. I do wish I had read Kit’s book first as I think it would’ve connected the dots of this story better for me, but I still enjoyed this one all on its own.

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