This was delightfully adorable. A quirky, funny historical romance between a Duchess and a thief that will have you grinning like an idiot. 

I haven’t read the Queer Principles of Kit Webb, but I definitely will now! I just thought this book was a lot of fun and entertaining. Something light and breezy. The story takes place in Georgian London and the Kent countryside. It’s a dual POV, following highwayman, Robert Brooks, and the Duchess of Clare, Marian Hayes. The only problem? The young, 23-year-old new mother isn’t the legitimate wife to the Duke of Clare as his first wife is still living. *gasp* Bigamist! And Rob just happens to be the only legitimate son of the Duke, unfortunately for him since he despises the upper class for their crimes against the middle and lower classes. He’s your classic Robin Hood, stealing from bad rich men and giving his spoils to the poor. 

Rob attempts to blackmail Marian with his knowledge about the duke’s bigamist ways, and Marian and Rob start a nearly year long correspondence. Marian is not what Rob expects from a woman of noble birth. She has a sharp tongue and an even sharper mind. She’s extremely intelligent and compassionate. She may be cold, but she cares deeply for those around here. In an attempt to ensure that she, her daughter, and Percy (the Duke’s son from his second “marriage” and Marian’s childhood best friend) are cared for, she and Percy attempt to stage a robbery that will allow them to obtain evidence of the duke’s bigamy and blackmail him into giving them funds. However, it all turns for the worst when Marian is forced to shoot the Duke and save Percy’s life during the robbery. 

Marian then enlists the help of her blackmailer, Rob, to get her to her father’s home to make arrangements to flee the country if she’s suspected of the duke’s murder. Marian, though the daughter of an earl, was not raised as such. Her father is the youngest son and suddenly found himself inheriting a title he was never meant to have. Rob finds himself falling even more in love with Marian as he was already in love with her through her letters. On the other hand, Marian is hard pressed to admit she has developed feelings, that are most certainly anything but love, for Rob. 

I love the dynamic between Rob and Marian, though their relationship develops rather quickly. I really appreciate the dive into how love can feel, either a romantic love or maternal love, and that it’s not always this all-consuming, poetic feeling, but it doesn’t mean it’s worth any less. And just the different ways to be physically intimate and engage in intercourse. Because I related a lot to Marian have no enjoyment from “traditional” heterosexual intercourse and I think it’s important to show that a hetero relationship can be just a sexually fulfilling without it. I also love that Rob is the one that begs Marian and definitely has a praise kink. They’re both bisexual and explore sexually with each other, and I just love the trust and openness between them that allows this. They have excellent communication and constantly obtain consent from one another. There is no shame regarding Marian’s sexuality or sexual experience given this is set during the Georgian period and is something that’s often depicted in female characters in historical stories. 

I thought the book was very cute and had its funny moments. There’s some decent spice (not smut) but it’s hot enough. It’s very much a book where the man falls in love first and loves her more than she him. Rob’s a shameless flirt and is extremely charming and you just can’t help but love him. And despite Marian being his opposite and not big on socializing, they’re definitely well suited for one another. I appreciate that she’s not this dainty lady, that despite her lack of experience with crime and weapons, she holds her own. 

This is a fun, cozy, laidback romance to just escape with and definitely worth a read.