The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes follows the exploits of a bisexual duchess in 1750s London who kills her husband and goes on the run. Her unlikely companion is Rob Brooks, a charming blackmailer with whom she shares a complex past. The pair must navigate both their growing attraction and mounting dangers as they traverse the English countryside. Their journey involves creative schemes, witty correspondence, and a gradual uncovering of long-held secrets. This historical romance features heists, highway robbery, and various criminal endeavors while exploring the class dynamics of Georgian England. The story centers on themes of justice versus law, personal freedom, and the nature of morality in a rigid society. The narrative examines how people can find love and authenticity despite social constraints, while challenging conventional ideas about gender roles and sexuality in historical fiction. Both main characters must confront their own beliefs about trust, redemption, and what it means to be truly noble.

Readers found this historical romance delivered strong banter and chemistry between the leads through their blackmail-turned-romance dynamic. Many highlighted the witty letter exchanges and road trip elements as highlights. Liked: - Bisexual representation and casual queerness - Humor and playful dialogue - Complex character backgrounds - Rob's charm and personality - The epistolary sections Disliked: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Limited romantic tension/conflict - Some found Marian cold or difficult to connect with - Plot threads left unresolved "The letters between Rob and Marian were the best part - pure fun," noted one Goodreads review. Others mentioned the book works better as a character study than a romance. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,900+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.8/5 The book ranks highly for LGBTQ+ historical romance recommendations but receives mixed feedback on the central romance development.

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🌟 The book is the second installment in Cat Sebastian's "Queer Highwaymen" series, following "The Queer Principles of Kit Webb." 🌟 The story features a bisexual duchess who becomes a highway robber and engages in blackmail with her own blackmailer. 🌟 Author Cat Sebastian is known for writing historical romance that prominently features LGBTQ+ characters, helping fill a significant gap in traditional historical romance literature. 🌟 The novel takes place in Georgian-era England (1714-1830), a period known for its relatively more permissive attitudes toward sexuality compared to the later Victorian era. 🌟 The book's structure includes epistolary elements, with letters between characters playing a significant role in developing the romance and advancing the plot.