Series: The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, #2
Traits & Tropes: grumpy/sunshine; morally gray; prickly heroine; hidden identity; unconventional HEA; low angst; road trip
Publication Date: 06.07.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; London/Kent, England, 1751
Heat Level: 4
Rating: 4.5/5
Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, has just shot her husband. The awful, murderous man left her no choice, but now she’s afraid of the repercussions and sees no recourse but to escape to the country. She needs help and the only person she can think to ask is the criminal who’s been blackmailing her for months and whom she left tied up in an inn a few hours previously.
Rob Brooks is a sometime swindler and highwayman, but his charm and affability make him irresistible to everyone. He had no plans to fall in love with the woman he’s been attempting to blackmail, but their letters have felt more like a courtship, and he can’t seem to help himself, even when she returns to the inn where she left him, covered in her husband's blood and reeking of desperation.
As Rob and Marian take to the road, they each find themselves feeling a sort of happiness that has long eluded them. But when Rob’s truths catch up to them, they have to decide what sort of changes they’re willing to make to their lives if there’s any chance of them having a future together.
This book was very different from what I expected and wholly unique from anything else I’ve read. It also stands out as a loose retelling of Robin Hood, who happens to be one of my favorite fictional characters. On the surface, given her behavior and harshness, Marian should’ve been an unlikable heroine, and she may still be for some, but I wound up being surprised at how relatable she was. I wholly understand feeling like your emotions aren’t calibrated quite right and struggling with demonstrating affection. I do wish she’d allowed Rob a little closer than she did, yet I understand why she did not. I actually really enjoyed the dynamic they had. Rob was definitely there to be a provider and take care of Marian, but she was doing just as much to take care of him, and the rest of their unconventional little family given Rob’s tendency not to plan for future needs. I loved the found family aspect of this story and the easy acceptance these characters gave one another. That, more than anything, is what made this book work for me. Rob is very morally gray, but his unwavering loyalty to his people makes him lovable. Marian is prickly and harsh, but her devotion to Rob is no less clear and that made their relationship believable for me despite its unconventionality. I really enjoyed this story for how low angst it was, which surprised me actually given that the plot lines explored here are sometimes quite heavy. This wound up being a very light, fluffy read and that seems to be my preference lately. I do wish I had read Kit’s book first as I think it would’ve connected the dots of this story better for me, but I still enjoyed this one all on its own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2654497345
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4572702072
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