Cover of The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
FictionSteamy

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes

by Cat Sebastian

2022 · 352 pages

Cat Sebastian returns to Georgian London with a stunning tale of a reluctant criminal and the thief who cannot help but love her. Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, just shot her husband. Of course, the evil, murderous man deserved what was coming to him, but now she must flee to the countryside. Unfortunately, the only person she can ask for help is the charismatic criminal who is blackmailing her--and who she may have left tied up a few hours before... A highwayman, con artist, and all-around cheerful villain, Rob Brooks is no stranger to the wrong side of the law or the right side of anybody's bed. He never meant to fall for the woman whose secrets he promised to keep for the low price of five hundred pounds, but how could he resist someone who led him on a merry chase all over London, left him tied up in a seedy inn, and then arrived covered in her husband's blood and in desperate need of his help? As they flee across the country--stopping to pick pockets, drink to excess, and rescue invalid cats--they discover more true joy and peace than either has felt in ages. But when the truth of Rob's past catches up to him, they must decide if they are willing to reshape their lives in order to forge a future together.

Forced ProximityEnemies to LoversEmotional
Editor ReviewedAI-AssistedRomance Profile Available
Your rating:

About This Book

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a fiction romance novel by Cat Sebastian, first published in 2022 by Avon Books. It runs 352 pages. Readers can expect forced proximity, enemies to lovers; steamy heat; a emotional and comfort tone.

At a glance

Genre
Fiction
Trope
Forced Proximity
Heat
Steamy
Ending
HEA
Mood
Emotional
Published
2022

Where to read or listen

Get The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian

These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Should I read this?

Why You May Love This Book

You may love this if…

  • A duchess who just shot her villainous husband goes on the run with the charming highwayman who was trying to blackmail her.
  • Fans of queer-coded historical romance
  • Readers who enjoy competent, dangerous heroines
  • Adventurous
  • Features Blackmailer to Lovers

This may not be ideal if…

  • Readers who strictly want Sapphic/WLW content (this is M/F)
  • Readers sensitive to depictions of spousal murder
  • Those looking for high-society ballroom drama
Romance Profile

The Romance

Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.

Tropes

Blackmailer to LoversRoad TripForced ProximityEnemies to LoversCriminals in LoveClass Difference

Relationship Dynamics

Mutual RespectChaotic DuoProtective HeroCapable HeroinePartners in Crime

Details

Type: Historical Romance

Pairing: M/F

Power balance: Equalized through criminality (Duchess vs Highwayman)

Slow BurnStrong (50 out of 100)
Relationship TensionVery strong (75 out of 100)
Emotional IntimacyVery strong (80 out of 100)
Emotional Experience

How It Feels

The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.

Moderate comfort, moderate tension, high humor, and a strong emotional payoff.

AngstMild (40 out of 100)
ComfortStrong (70 out of 100)
HumorVery strong (75 out of 100)
TensionStrong (65 out of 100)
DarknessMild (45 out of 100)
Emotional IntensityStrong (70 out of 100)
Emotional PayoffVery strong (85 out of 100)
Tear RatingLow (20 out of 100)
Pacing: Fast-paced
Tone:AdventurousWittyRomanticSlightly GrittyPlayful
Heat & Explicitness

Heat Level

Based on available metadata and editorial review.

Heat Level
On-page sexual contentStrong (70 out of 100)

High

Explicitness: Open Door
Sexual content present
Heat information is based on available metadata and editorial review. Reader sensitivities vary.
Reader Fit

Who Is This Book For?

Best for

Fans of queer-coded historical romanceReaders who enjoy competent, dangerous heroinesFans of the 'He falls first' tropeReaders who like 'Bonnie and Clyde' vibes with a happy ending

Reading mood

AdventurousAmusedRomanticRebellious

May not suit

Readers who strictly want Sapphic/WLW content (this is M/F)Readers sensitive to depictions of spousal murderThose looking for high-society ballroom drama

Recommended audience: Adult

Content Guidance

Content Guidance

Story & Themes

The Story

Spoiler-Free Synopsis

When Marian Hayes finally rids herself of her murderous husband, she knows she can't stay in London. Her only hope for escape is Rob Brooks, a highwayman and con artist she once left tied up in an inn. Rob is fascinated by the woman who is both a duchess and a cold-blooded marksman. Together, they embark on a chaotic road trip across the countryside, picking pockets and rescuing cats, all while trying to stay one step ahead of the consequences of their actions.

Central Conflict

Marian must evade capture for the murder of her husband while Rob must confront a past that threatens to dismantle their new life together.

Setting

Georgian London and the English countryside.

Themes

The Queer Principles of Kit WebbCriminal romanceGeorgian eraRoad trip romanceWitty banterPartners in CrimeBisexual HeroSmart HeroineFound FamilyRoad Trip

Strengths

  • Witty dialogue
  • Unique character archetypes
  • Strong subversion of the 'damsel in distress' trope
  • Excellent chemistry

Consider before reading

  • The fast pacing may breeze over the trauma of the opening murder
  • Moral ambiguity of the protagonists may not suit all readers
Keep exploring

Similar Books You May Like

Books that share the romance DNA, tropes, and emotional arc of this one.

Cover of Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date

Ashley Herring Blake

Match

Shared tropes: Forced Proximity; Similar emotional intensity; Comparable spice level; Shared tone: Witty, Playful, Romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, themes, tones]

Cover of Red, White & Royal Blue: Collector's Edition by Casey McQuiston

Red, White & Royal Blue: Collector's Edition

Casey McQuiston

Match

Shared tropes: Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity; Comparable spice level; Shared tone: Witty, Romantic; Similar slow-burn pacing; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, tones]

Cover of Acting Up by L R Martiny

Acting Up

L R Martiny

Match

Shared tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity; Similar emotional intensity; Comparable spice level; Shared tone: Romantic; Similar slow-burn pacing [evidence: tropes, tones]

Cover of Breaking Character by Lee Winter

Breaking Character

Lee Winter

Match

Shared tropes: Forced Proximity; Similar emotional intensity; Comparable spice level; Shared tone: Witty, Romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, tones]

Cover of See You at the Summit by Jordyn Taylor

See You at the Summit

Jordyn Taylor

Match

Shared tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity; Comparable spice level; Similar slow-burn pacing; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes]

Cover of Getting Lei'd by Aurora North

Getting Lei'd

Aurora North

Match

Shared tropes: Forced Proximity; Similar emotional intensity; Comparable spice level; Shared tone: Witty, Romantic; Similar slow-burn pacing [evidence: tropes, tones]

Cover of Friends to Lovers Volume 2: Workplace by Reba Bale

Friends to Lovers Volume 2: Workplace

Reba Bale

Match

Shared tropes: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers; Similar emotional intensity; Comparable spice level; Shared tone: Romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: tropes, tones]

Cover of For the Bride by Becca Grischow

For the Bride

Becca Grischow

Match

Comparable spice level; Shared tone: witty, romantic; Same ending: HEA [evidence: themes, tones]

Book Club

Discussion Guide

Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.

  1. 1

    How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?

  2. 2

    Which theme — The Queer Principles of Kit Webb — resonated most strongly with you, and why?

  3. 3

    How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?

  4. 4

    Did the emotional payoff feel earned by the story's buildup?

  5. 5

    How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?

  6. 6

    Who would you most want to recommend this book to?

  7. 7

    How did the pacing affect your reading experience?

  8. 8

    Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?

Questions are generated from approved book intelligence and may not reflect every reader's experience.
Trust & Transparency

How This Profile Was Created

Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.

Editor reviewed:
Yes
Last reviewed:
August 30, 2026
Confidence:
High confidence
Profile version:
eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
Meet the writer

About the Author

CS

Cat Sebastian

2 books
Be the first follower
Reader Reviews

What Readers Say

No reviews yet

Be the first to share what you thought of this book.

Publication Details

Publisher
Avon Books
Published
2022
Length
352 pages
Language
English
ISBN-13
9780063026254
ISBN-10
0063026252

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes: quick answers

Who wrote The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes?
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes was written by Cat Sebastian.
When was The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes published?
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes was first published in 2022 by Avon Books.
What genre is The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes?
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is a fiction romance novel, with forced proximity, enemies to lovers.
How many pages is The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes?
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes is 352 pages long.
How spicy is The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes?
EIKNA rates The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes as steamy heat.

Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.

This is my book — sign in

Where to read or listen

Get The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian

These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Want more books like this?

Let Lyra help you discover lesbian romance books that match your exact mood, favorite tropes, and reading style.