The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes: A Romantic Adventure of Crime and Love in Georgian England (London Highwaymen Book 2)

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to start reading books again. Let me tell you, I’ve spent more time watching book reviews than reading and the books I have read only inspired paragraphs in my notes app ranting about dumb characters and plot holes. At this point, I’m just trying to find books that don’t annoy me either with the writing or the characters and this book went above and beyond that. Not only was I not annoyed at any point, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I was excitedly clapping my hands with a big smile on my face and giddy to keep reading after the interstitial at the beginning. This will be the first book I’ve actually review this year (maybe ever). I’d seen all the great reviews for this book but what made me pick it up was a reviewer saying both MCs are bisexual and the man is more submissive. I really enjoyed this dynamic. I’m very tired of the controlling, possessive, bordering on abusive bad boy love interest in romance books. Seeing Rob clearly express his devotion at any opportunity and Marian trying to be practical and a little cautious due to her past but having no shame about her desire was beautiful to watch. Rob never came close to anything resembling non-consent and in fact obeying Marian only excited him more. The intimate scenes weren’t over the top or cringy. I know it’s based on Robin Hood and this book did give me Robin Hood (men in tights) and Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. Just incredibly smart and funny people you might call…

I'm so glad this book exists, and I wanted to love it so much, but there were things that didn't work for me. 3.5 Stars. Marian Hayes thought she was the Duchess of Clare, until she received a blackmail letter from someone claiming that her husband was still legally married to his first wife, and her life was a sham. There was no love lost between she and her "husband," but now her daughter could be considered illegitimate. She's not sure what to do. Rob Brooks has always played the villain. He's been a pickpocket, highwayman, con artist, and all around grifter. Now, he's added blackmailer to his resume. It was all in pursuit of keeping his big secret from getting out. He is the rightful heir to a dukedom, and he's right ticked off about it. It will ruin everything he stands for, and he can't have anyone finding out about it. When Marian shoots her husband, after her planned robbery of him goes off the rails, she knows just the man to help her run. She kidnaps her blackmailer, Rob, and demands his help. He agrees to help her, and finds that he's beginning to care more about her than he ever imagined. I loved the epistolary beginning to Marian and Rob's relationship. Their letters were hilarious, and you could clearly see how they came to care for each other over that year of correspondence. Once they met in person, things took off from there, and their connection was stronger than either of them planned for. I appreciated their chemistry, and their flirty bantering. So,…