Wonderfully written romp of Georgian London. It includes extortion, pen-pals and survival. I will go back and read the 1st book in the series. (I bought it but I haven't read it yet -- my life story.) The writing is what really stands out. I highly recommend this book.

4 Stars

ARC review copy via NetGalley

While it was a little bit slower paced than The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, I absolutely adored this book. Something about historical romances that feature characters that are criminals will always hit different for me. Unlike most romance series, even though you can read this as a stand-alone, I don’t think you should. The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is the perfect follow-up to Kit Webb, and it directly follows some important events that occur in the first book.

I loved the relationship between Rob and Marian. Rob was both a criminal and a golden retriever love interest, who had fallen for Marian merely through their correspondence (in which he was blackmailing her, no big deal). Marian was a guarded and pragmatic heroine, making her dynamic with Rob the reverse grumpy/sunshine that I have been waiting for. Surprisingly, I adored their intimate moments because of the way in which Marian took control. Moreover, Marian is dealing with past trauma from her relationship with the duke, which forces her and Rob to navigate their relationship finding new ways to be intimate in a way that you rarely see in romance novels.

This book really focuses on Marian and Rob, and as a result supporting characters like Betty, Kit, and Percy show up less than I would have liked them to, but their appearances are fun and memorable, and I love the found family dynamic that is created by the end of the book.

If you love unputdownable historical romances with witty banter, swoon-worthy moments, a memorable cast of characters, and a healthy dose of crime spread throughout, then this book is for you.

I just adored this book! The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is the second book in a series, but the first one I’ve had a chance to read. I confess it was a bit confusing at first (who is who, etc.), but I quickly got immersed in the story and the relationships sorted themselves out, so my feeling is that this is a fine standalone read. The repartee / banter between the main characters (Rob and Marian) was fantastic, starting right off the bat with letters back and forth, as Rob attempts to blackmail Marian and she resists. Read the book to find out the reason for this attempted blackmail.

As the story proceeds, you discover that both Marian and Rob are bisexual and that Rob’s best friend Kit (book #1 is called The Queer Principles of Kit Webb) is gay and in love with Marian’s friend/step-son(?!), the illegitimate son of the Duke she married, before she knew that the Duke was already legally married. Convoluted relationships abound but just go with the flow of the story and I hope you’ll be as absorbed as I was. I had a hard time putting down this book, grabbing the opportunity to read another chapter whenever I could, despite a crazy-busy schedule yesterday. This is a combination romance-adventure story. As Rob and Marian make their way through the countryside to see Marian’s father, the author brings the period details to life, from stately homes filled with servants to small inns serving weary travelers. There were many times I truly laughed out loud either at things said or at situations they found themselves in. Rob’s character is revealed through his actions, at one point being described as “kindness itself,” and I found that description apt. He wins over everyone he meets on their journey, from innkeeper to ostler to serving girl, and is also kind to animals, another winning trait. As someone who doesn’t like the “instalove” trope, I found the gradually warming relationship between Rob and Marian delightfully realistic. His consideration of her wants and don’t-wants was wonderful.

And, really, who can resist a story with overtones of Robin Hood and Maid Marian?

I immediately borrowed book one from my library after finishing this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This could be classified as a romance, as well as an adventure story. The two main characters, Rob and Marian both dislike the Duke, but the reader does not know why. The one thing we do know, at the beginning, is that Marian, who is married to the duke, has shot him, in what appears to everyone else, as though it was a highwayman trying to rob him.

Then there is Rob’s mother, who is a madam at a house of ill repute, who knows all the goings on, including that her son was trying to blackmail Marian, before the duke was shot, and ended up traveling with her, and helping her out.
Although there is talk of both of them being bisexual, all the visable sex in this novel is between Rob and Marian, though we know that they have both had same sex lovers. This is by no means a chaste romance. Both of them get hot and heavy together.
For example, while they are booking each other Marian says “Do you know, Percy tells me that they sell cocks made out of glass and wood and all manner of interesting things.”
To which Rob says “Do you need a list of acceptable topics of conversation for when you have any part of your body inside me? Because Percy would not be on that list.” (instead of what we might expect him to object to, the talk of artificial objects.)
The conversations are whitty of course. Marian is good with both a gun and horses, as is Rob. They seem destined for each other. Just the pesky bit that she is the wife of a duke, and he appears to be a common thief, although well educated.
Great fun. I found I was racing through the pages, and looked forward to stealing chances to finish this.

This is the second book in a series that Cat Sebastian is writing about the Regency (Georgian) period of England. You don’t need to have read the first one to get into this story, at all. But, if you have read the first book, then you will be familiar with the side characters that appear in this one.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the ARC of this!

Cat Sebastian is my auto-buy author - this was perfect and will be no exception to that rule. I loved Rob and Marian so much, from their relationship opening with blackmail, to their running after a murder, to their falling in love, I loved all of it. I especially liked that we saw characters who didn’t enjoy/want penetrative situations to arise, and focused on the other pleasure they could give and receive, because I don’t feel like you see a lot of that in romance.

I loved The Queer Principles of Kit Webb and I honestly believe I manifested this book, which I love even more. It is perfect from start to finish. We begin with a fantastic epistolary sequence, and it just keeps rolling from there. There's a real kitchen sink of tropes here: blackmail, antagonists to lovers, a golden retriever hero, she's grumpy/he's sunshine, road trip, only one bed, snowed in, and somehow Sebastian makes all of it absolutely sing and manages to work in a lot of great thinking about mutual aid and dismantling the kyriarchy. It is tender and thoughtful and queer and laugh out loud funny and very socialist and I fucking loved it.

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb ("Kit") was one of my biggest and most favorite surprises of last year so I was extremely excited to get a chance to read the follow-up. The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes ("Perfect Crimes") occurs contemporaneously to the events of Kit as well as sometime after and even though we are introduced to the characters of Rob and Marian in Kit, it was a delight to get to know them so much better.

As with Kit, plot comes secondary to delightful character moments in Perfect Crimes. Marian is on the run after what happened with the duke and Rob is there to help her (even after she attempts to kidnap him). The two become acquainted through one of the best epistolatory exchanges in a book I have ever read. This book has all the tropes. Forced proximity! Grumpy/Sunshine! There's only one bed! Cuddling to stay warm! There is even a heist as Marian tries to get back at the man who is now raising the rent on where she is keeping her father.

The push and pull of Rob and Marian is the best part of the book. The witty banter between them is a delight and there are some turns of phrase that are just chef's kiss spectacular. Rob is immediately smitten with Marian and slowly chips away at Marian's icy exterior. This book is slightly heavier than Kit and the way that Rob is there to subtly support Marian through her trauma was really lovely. The sex scenes in this book were refreshing in a way I had not seen before in a romance novel. And you know I'm always up for a Robin Hood/Maid Marian allusion.

I don't think you need to have read Kit necessarily before you read this but I think it definitely helps to enhance the experience of reading Perfect Crimes and you should pick it up anyway because it is wonderful.

Thank you so much to Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was alright. I didn't really love it or hate it. It was hard for me to connect with this particular pair.

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is the follow up to Sebastian's The Queer Principles of Kit Webb ... featuring the Duchess of Clare, Marian Hayes (Percy's best friend) and the highwayman Rob Brooks (Kit's friend). Basically, Marian has just shot his husband (in order to save Percy) and now she is "hiding" with Rob while waiting out the news whether the Duke is really died and nobody can connect his death to Marian.

I think this is one of my most favorite Sebastian's, an author whom introduced me to Avon's line of LGBTQ romance back in 2016. Her books at times are hits and misses, but this one SHINES for me. I LOVED Marian and Rob's path of relationship. They started with letters - Rob is trying to blackmail Marian, because Rob's mother is the Duke's legal wife, and yes, NOT the best decision Rob ever made, clearly. The letters itself are BRIMMING with wits and charm!

I adored Marian because she is one of those prickly heroine. Life hasn't been well when she takes the Duke's hand in marriage. And of course the marriage is not exactly sunshine and roses for her. She doesn't trust easily - but she does Rob, even if their courtship starts with blackmail, but there's something in Rob's letters that makes Marian trust this highwayman.

And Rob... oh god, Rob... he's besotted with Marian. I loved that he falls in love with Marian first. He was probably a fool but, God help him, he was Marian's fool (Chapter 21). I loved that he cherishes Marian. And he's not this possessive Alpha male, he can submit to what Marian needs in and out of bed (interestingly both of these characters bed same sex person) while still protecting her when needed.

I adored this book, and yes, for me this one is a winner!


The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

Marian Hayes just shot her (morally questionable and murder intentioned) husband and finds herself in need of fleeing to the countryside to await the news of whether she is wanted for murder or otherwise. The only issue, is, the only person who comes to mind that she can ask for help from is Rob Brooks, a highwayman who blackmailed her, and whom she just left kidnapped in the room of an inn. Secrets threaten to emerge, feelings are developed, and things get complicated.

First of all, I just wanna say a huge thank you to Avon Books and Harper Voyager for the arc of this book to read in exchange for an honest review! This is an excellent example of historical romance done right, it has all the pining, all the polite humor, and descriptions that really get you in the Gregorian Londan headspace. I loved the setting, loved the hook, and adored these characters. There's a relatively small cast of side characters with the main focus put on Marian and Rob, who are just such a lovely match for each other with a balanced dymanic with their beguiling that's really refreshing to read. I love Marian Hayes. I completely see where Rob is coming from with his adorement of her because she is a marvel and such a great character I wish there was more of in historical romance and romance all together. The story was engaging and easy to get into, with my minor critique of the pacing. Though I was always interested in where things were going, I thought that it did last longer than it needed to, and there are some plot conveniences that warrant an eyebrow raise, but it is a romance novel so that sort of thing isn't really my main concern. This was my first Cat Sebastian book, but definitely not the last.

This book is a wonderful welcome back into the world I first fell in love with during The Queer Principles of Kit Webb!

We're back to hear the story between the other two people involved in the plot against the duke, his wife Marian and Kit's (presumed dead) friend Rob who also happens to be blackmailing Marian as he is the duke's legitimate heir and wants nothing to do with it. The story picks up right before the robbery is to take place, and we get to see how it all goes wildly out of control and what, precisely, Marian was up to!

I had high hopes for this book after being utterly charmed by the first book, and I am thrilled to report that I was not disappointed! Marian is a great heroine, with a sharp wit and excellent bantering skills. She's also an incredibly strong woman who doesn't hesitate to do what she thinks is right to protect the people she loves. Rob is, similarly, also very witty, and a true criminal with a heart of gold. He will do just about anything for the people he cares about (except inherit a dukedom), and he is a heart-melting hero for this tale.

Marian and Rob's antics throughout the novel were great fun, and I loved their adventures and the epic fight of logic vs. feels. As this is a romance, I'll let you decide which one wins out in the end!

If you liked the first book, you'll be very happy with this one. 4.5 stars for me! I will read however many more books Cat wishes to write in this universe (after all, Betty maybe could use an HEA to deal with all the love around her).

CW: violence, discussion of murder, allusions to possible past sexual assault

This book was the PERFECT sequel to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. Cat Sebastian filled in all the holes from the first book of this series while giving me new characters to fall in love with. Rob and Marian are truly disaster bisexuals, and I absolutely adore them, the way that Marian’s trauma regarding sex was approached and handled in this book, and how much Rob is so in love with Marian. As usual, Sebastian hit it out of the park. I really hope we get a third book for Betty!!!

This book is an absolute delight to read. Cat Sebastian is one of the only authors that I have enjoyed their historical romances consistently. Both the main characters are loveable and their separate points of view were equally as well done.
I loved the use of the grumpy and sunshine trope especially because Marian was the cynical grump. I don't often get the grumpy character in an m/f romance as the woman. The relationship was developed in a fun way. I loved that the characters both started falling right off the bat. The letters at the start added to the story and jumped you into it without too much exposition.
I haven't had the chance to read the first book in the series but I still didn't feel like I was missing context. The sexual content was great, especially in its exploration of consent. Overall the book was a breath of fresh air that I absolutely recommend.
Marian is a woman trapped in a bad marriage who shoots her husband and Rob is the man that was blackmailing her. The beginning of the book starts with the letters between Marianne and Rob and they are absolutely fantastic. The letters jump you into the story. They get through the exposition while also remaining interesting and fun to read and giving a very good understanding of the two main characters and their future relationship.

Cat Sebastian is undeniably my queen of historical romance.

Why did I sleep on this for so long?! I sat on my kindle for MONTHS but ooh boy was this a treat!! It was perfectly paced, so wildly fun, and just a perfect story. I loved Marian and Rob. I loved Percy and Kit. I love that they are still a part of the book. Wonderful.

This is the story of Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, and Rob Brooks, the man who blackmailed her a little bit, maybe. ^_^;

It takes place almost immediately after the events of The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, and while I wouldn't consider it strictly necessary to have read the first book to find enjoyment in the second, I'm sure that it would be a fantastic help in understanding the nuance of some situations.

Marian has just shot her husband, the Duke of Clare, and as such is a bit on the run. She asks the man who is blackmailing her for help, because he's the only one she can turn to, and together they run off into the countryside. 

As with most other Cat Sebastian books, I loved this one from start to finish. It wasn't my favorite of her titles, and I did like the first book in the series a bit more, but I couldn't help cheering for Marian and Rob to live happily ever after. I see myself in Marian a lot, and so it was quite easy to want the very best for her, and Rob, despite being a thief and a blackmailer, is kindness itself. They were adorable together.

All told, it was easy to sit down with this book and get really immersed in it. I'd recommend this one to fans of historical romance, and to anyone who thinks that watching two disaster-bis go on adventures together.

I read the first book in the series just a few months ago so I was SO excited to get an advanced copy of this one! I love Cat Sebastian so much. Her queer romances are written with so much tender and care and they just leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy. If you're a fan of Bridgerton but want more LQBTG+ rep, you will love all of Cat Sebastian's books!

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes delivered everything I wanted after finishing book 1! Marion and Rob were chaotic and I loved them so much. Their chemistry was incredible and I kept finding myself just smiling while reading. That is the effect ALL Cat Sebastian's book have on me. I really loved and appreciated the delicate way she handled the discussion of Marion's previous pregnancies and how Rob respected all of her boundaries in such a loving and caring way. Ugh I just loved this. Make sure you read the Queer Principals of Kit Webb (first book in the series!) before picking this one up!

I recommend pre-ordering this now (comes out 6/7!) and either reading the second it comes out (obviously) OR saving for a time when you just need to cozy up with a good book and disassociate from this shit-show of a world!

I really wanted to like this one. I enjoyed the first one and the dynamic between Kit and Rob, but this book just fell short. The relationship between Rob and Marian— two characters I loved— felt flat and even rushed at some points. The plot was confusing regarding the first book; I had to reread it to understand what was happening and when and where.

Also, the relationship felt shallow. The characters didn't feel genuine like Kit and Percy did in the first book. I admit to liking the overarching plot points, but it felt very character-driven for a book with a fun and detailed plot.

Overall, I think this had potential. I would have loved to see the romance drawn out and the plot a little less so, but
I had fun reading the book. Thank you for the ARC.

Cat Sebastian delivers a wonderful direct sequel to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. It can be read as a stand alone but the first book’s unresolved plot is finished in this book. This is very much a m/f story but in a rare romance move by the author both are bisexual. They both prefer their own sex but are drawn to each other in the best of ways.

Rob and Marian meet originally as he begins to blackmail her. Their letters back and forth are delightfully fun as they learn about each other. Rob is charming and easy going making friends where ever he goes. He also likes robbing and originally planned to blackmail Marian’s husband the Duke but instead he targets her. When Marian shoots her husband it is to Rob she flees. If you don’t enjoy long rambling conversations and inner thoughts of these two characters this isn’t the book for you. A good 60 percent of the story is them traveling from London to her father home near Canterbury. It gives them time to know each other and gain trust.

There are so many unique things about this book, humor and little touches that I love. I don’t want to spoil things so I wont list my favorite moments. But alas the plotting and pacing is off. So much time is spent traveling across the country I grew bored waiting for something to happen. I’m usually read straight through books but I took breaks from this one. If you like Cat Sebastian’s writing style you will enjoy this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 stars)

3.5 stars rounded up --- Cat Sebastian has such a unique writing style and did an amazing job creating complex characters with witty banter for days. I loved both Rob + Marian -- who were able to embrace their personal flaws and carve out a future for themselves. Bonus points for representation of so many themes we rarely see in this genre --- like sexual fluidity and non-penetrative sex.

i love that this book is about bisexual disasters with no third act break-up and no miscommunication. this book is everything to me and hands down the best romance i've read in 2022.

we only know so much about marian from the first book in this series and i was really looking forward to learning her story. everything about her was so vague, but i had a feeling i was going to love her and my feeling was totally correct. rob is an angel and i love him too. i knew he was a bit of a sweetheart based on the first book, but we really got to see his personality in full effect in this novel.

these two are perfect for one another. they gain each other's trust by writing letters and by the time the events of the book begin, they already trust one another pretty much 100%. i love that you know that these two are messy people from book one, but we see even more of their messiness and insecurities, but they're working on them together and i just love it so much.

something i really loved about marian's storyline is her relationship with her daughter. i feel like most of the representation in romance novels revolving around parenthood is that it's very positive. marian cares for her child and would do anything for daughter, but marian says herself that she doesn't feel "normal affection." idk a lot about post-partum depression and if her relationship with her daughter is meant to be that, but i thought it might be. she seems to have a difficulty bonding with her daughter and i think because she had such a difficult pregnancy, the implication might be post-partum. i think it's such a great thing to see in a romance novel because this happens to so many people after they give birth and it should be represented.

anyway please read this one, it was wonderful and i loved every single minute of it.