Reviews

3.5 stars

This is my second book from Cat Sebastian, but I had no hesitation picking it up because I liked The Queer Principles of Kit Webb and The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes didn’t disappoint with this story that was charming and emotional.
The chemistry between Marian and Rob grew so naturally over time and it was utterly palpable since beginning.
Just, if you're a fan of any kind of historical romance, go and read this.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

eizwein's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was so fun and I think it balanced the more serious aspects pretty well too. They weren’t glossed over but didn’t constantly bring the mood down, either.

Also reads fine if you haven’t read the other book first, I didn’t know there was one when I picked it up. There were a few parts where I went “okay, this is either a sequel or setting up for one that happens at the same time?” but it was never confusing or frustrating to me.

mosbookcorner's review

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A funny sequel to the previous book, exploring the messiness of relationships, both romantic and platonic, in a period context. Definitely a bit chaotic in terms of storyline, but still well written and enjoyable nonetheless!! Especially recommended if you like messy (in a good, endearing sort of way) relationship dynamics!!

bree_h_reads's review

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book WOULD have been five stars if not for the “not technically related but still weird” thing between Marian and Rob.

Much like The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, this book was written with prose that were so delightful and funny. The writing style also does such a great job of conveying the characters and their distinct personalities. I really did appreciate the grumpy x sunshine with a grumpy woman and sunshine man, but they felt far more complex than that too. I really appreciated that extra complexity because I feel like I too often find characters in this sort of dynamic to he EXTREMELY one note and flat.

The character being dynamic and well rounded also worker well in how Rob and Marian played off each other. I loved their dynamic and how they quipped and flirted with each other. It was really endearing and just made the romance feel extra sweet. It also really heightened the sense of yearning and longing between the two.

My ONLY gripes were that Marian’s PPD didn’t feel like it got proper focus and the weird thing between Marian and Rob. To start, I felt like every interaction Marian had with Eliza or when she thought of her was filled with a sad kind of love. She clearly loved Eliza, but it felt like she didn’t know HOW to love her. It just felt a bit glossed over. Then there was the fact Marian and Rob were not quite related but almost. Marian is the mother of Rob’s half sister and there’s just something odd about her and him having a romance with this being glossed over. A consequence of the setup from The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, but I would really like to pick the author’s brain on why Marian and Rob had to be not quite related but almost.

Overall a really great read and was so enjoyable it made me look over whatever the relations between Marian and Rob were.

Content Warnings

chboyer19's review against another edition

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5.0

If you like “sunshine personified falls in love with exasperated grump” this is for you. Disaster Bis being chaotic for 350 pages. I loved every minute, even if the plot sometimes dissolved around itself. Very on brand for the disaster bi energy anyway.

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