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London Highwaymen #1
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb
Critically acclaimed author Cat Sebastian makes her trade paperback debut in a stunning historical romance about a reluctantly reformed highwayman and the aristocrat who threatens to steal his heart.
Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.
In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying.
Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit.
But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts withstand the impediments in their path?
Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.
In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying.
Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit.
But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts withstand the impediments in their path?
348 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2021
465 people are currently reading
25019 people want to read
About the author
Cat Sebastian
27 books4,934 followersCat Sebastian has written sixteen queer historical romances. Cat’s books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist.
Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of south. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.
The best way to keep up with Cat’s projects is to subscribe to her newsletter.
Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of south. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.
The best way to keep up with Cat’s projects is to subscribe to her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,248 reviews
November 21, 2023
i really loved this??
surprisingly, and historically, i haven't had the best luck with queer historicals. but i was really charmed by this. kit was so endearing and grumpy and percy was emotionally avoidant but hilarious. the side characters were really lovely and dimensional. and the tension in the sexual moments was balanced so well by the occasional awkward fumbling.
only complaint i suppose is that the revenge aspect wasn't that satisfying. and if it wasn't going to manifest at all, i would have preferred fewer fight scenes.
surprisingly, and historically, i haven't had the best luck with queer historicals. but i was really charmed by this. kit was so endearing and grumpy and percy was emotionally avoidant but hilarious. the side characters were really lovely and dimensional. and the tension in the sexual moments was balanced so well by the occasional awkward fumbling.
only complaint i suppose is that the revenge aspect wasn't that satisfying. and if it wasn't going to manifest at all, i would have preferred fewer fight scenes.
June 9, 2021
*3.5 stars*
I enjoyed The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, at times a lot, but overall I felt slightly underwhelmed.
When I review a book in the 3/3.5 star range, it's often very hard to describe my perspective without overly focusing on the negative. In truth, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb had a lot going for it. I really enjoyed the whole cast of characters, especially the two MCs, who felt very distinct and well-developed, which is important and sometimes overlooked in romance. There was also a meaty, interesting plot, though I had a few inklings as to what was going to happen from fairly early on.
However, my struggles with the book were with the romance and the ending action sequences of the plotline, both of which felt underdeveloped. The romance was a hard one because there was a lot of flirting and coffee drinking and staring at one another. However, I still had a hard time picturing these two together and had a hard time with the softer, squishier parts of the story. It just needed more time to marinate so all of the elements of the romance could come together. The sexual chemistry and banter was there, but there was just a little something missing that I have a hard time putting my finger on.
My far bigger issue, though, was with the way the mystery/action went down. Parts seemed incredibly anti-climactic and irritatingly unfulfilling, parts seemed wholly convoluted, and still we get a sort of cliffhanger ending. Needless to say, I didn't enjoy the ending of the story like I wanted to, and I kept staring at my Kindle thinking, "this can't be the end."
I always enjoy Cat Sebastian's writing, and I'm extremely curious where this series will take me (if it does become a series or spawn spin-offs), but I think this book was *just* a little ways away from being an unforgettable read.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I enjoyed The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, at times a lot, but overall I felt slightly underwhelmed.
When I review a book in the 3/3.5 star range, it's often very hard to describe my perspective without overly focusing on the negative. In truth, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb had a lot going for it. I really enjoyed the whole cast of characters, especially the two MCs, who felt very distinct and well-developed, which is important and sometimes overlooked in romance. There was also a meaty, interesting plot, though I had a few inklings as to what was going to happen from fairly early on.
However, my struggles with the book were with the romance and the ending action sequences of the plotline, both of which felt underdeveloped. The romance was a hard one because there was a lot of flirting and coffee drinking and staring at one another. However, I still had a hard time picturing these two together and had a hard time with the softer, squishier parts of the story. It just needed more time to marinate so all of the elements of the romance could come together. The sexual chemistry and banter was there, but there was just a little something missing that I have a hard time putting my finger on.
My far bigger issue, though, was with the way the mystery/action went down. Parts seemed incredibly anti-climactic and irritatingly unfulfilling, parts seemed wholly convoluted, and still we get a sort of cliffhanger ending. Needless to say, I didn't enjoy the ending of the story like I wanted to, and I kept staring at my Kindle thinking, "this can't be the end."
I always enjoy Cat Sebastian's writing, and I'm extremely curious where this series will take me (if it does become a series or spawn spin-offs), but I think this book was *just* a little ways away from being an unforgettable read.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter
December 1, 2022
Rating this read four stars feels ungenerous. But, in the end, I have some issues that prevent me from awarding an honest five stars.
NOT including the heinous w-bomb...almost not at all...was a major cause for my hesitancy over simply seeing past the pacing problems.
But more anon.
ANON
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: I've been able to write harsh reviews before. It should be a doddle to write a happy one, right?
Wrong...when I'm happy, where I expected to be and really almost was, ecstatic.
First and foremost, however, let me assure anyone who likes historical fiction featuring men who get it on with other men that this is a very satisfying example of the genre. Despite the W-bomb dropped at the 17% mark. (At least it was just the one.)
I was utterly delighted by the odd-couple pairing of the future Duke with the highwayman. I was even glad that the couple took a goodly time getting down to business...I'm sure the rational side of an author of M/M romantic novels knows the inflection point of first sexual contact between men is likely to be the source of a sizable, um, payoff for their readers. Knowing it's, erm, coming and being teased to wait for it can be a lot of fun!
Until the magic moment slips by...and it becomes a Thursday-night fuck.
I was 95% there by the time the deed got done, and was fairly resigned to the men having an old-fashioned "the fire flickered and died" fade-to-black coupling. That's not really Author Sebastian's métier, but people are allowed to change and try different things. Going over half the story without the act of consummation was almost too long. It was risky to use alternating PoVs in the story, given the lateness of the sex, because it really risked disinvesting the reader in the when-will-they. There was no question that they wouldn't, of course, but waiting so long to give us the reward when we weren't able to follow one character's perspective on the cost of delay resulted in a certain distancing and detachment...we had no sense of why the particular choice that was made in the final analysis was made. It felt as surprising to me as it must've felt to the men themselves. And yet we dwelt on it not at all!
And yet this monadnock of reticence chooses the loss of virginity that most men quail before! This didn't square with what I'd been told, nor was I privy to anything in the cross-talk of the book that would let me think anything other than, "do what now? where'd that even come from?!"
There are Author Sebastian's trademark delightful aperçus, of course, like this delicious pair:
Thesis, meet antithesis...and both are equally true. Inarguably so. Doesn't something in you resound with the truth in each of these?
Then came a serious issue I felt really didn't get anything like the time it needed to build up to: the return of the wanderer, and the foreshadowing of the real stakes in what I feel sure now is going to be a series. I can't really say more, and was encouraged to say even less (ie, nothing at all) but there's a reason I want to tell you that you're going to need to brace yourself.
In life, as we live it, there are no unmixed emotions, no purely experienced peak moments. We drag the past with us and chuck it up as a screen to avoid looking into the nothingness of the unlived future. The present is almost never enough to really distract us from the blank wall we can choose what to project onto, but more often choose to see in all its void-of-glory through a ragged curtain of life as it was.
When that happens in fiction, it's of necessity a surprise. What stakes there are, however, are utterly and totally on the line for the author. One false step, one gesture misplaced or misused, and the trust between reader and author can crumble. It almost did for me when the past came to haunt the future.
If this is the first time you're reading one of Author Sebastian's books, put it down and pick up The Turners series or the Seducing the Sedgwicks series here and here. They lack this authorial high-wire act, and building your trust in Author Sebastian's landings being solid, if not precisely the one you're expecting, is necessary not to experience disorientation.
The fact that this will be a series is worth noting as well, since there are people whose actions and inactions we need to know more about before they make full sense. And there are some actions that are, to put it mildly, aren't easy to gloss over...and I don't mean the one many will blench at.
So take this as a solid encouragement to pick up and savor the book for existing fans, with the note to set aside some established patterns; and a shove in the direction of the previous reads by Author Sebastian for new readers. For here be pleasures you should definitely not deny yourself or remain without. We need happy distractions from ugly reality...what better way than to see love conquering the many barriers folk decide to allow there to be in its free and complete exercise.
NOT including the heinous w-bomb...almost not at all...was a major cause for my hesitancy over simply seeing past the pacing problems.
But more anon.
ANON
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: I've been able to write harsh reviews before. It should be a doddle to write a happy one, right?
Wrong...when I'm happy, where I expected to be and really almost was, ecstatic.
First and foremost, however, let me assure anyone who likes historical fiction featuring men who get it on with other men that this is a very satisfying example of the genre. Despite the W-bomb dropped at the 17% mark. (At least it was just the one.)
I was utterly delighted by the odd-couple pairing of the future Duke with the highwayman. I was even glad that the couple took a goodly time getting down to business...I'm sure the rational side of an author of M/M romantic novels knows the inflection point of first sexual contact between men is likely to be the source of a sizable, um, payoff for their readers. Knowing it's, erm, coming and being teased to wait for it can be a lot of fun!
Until the magic moment slips by...and it becomes a Thursday-night fuck.
I was 95% there by the time the deed got done, and was fairly resigned to the men having an old-fashioned "the fire flickered and died" fade-to-black coupling. That's not really Author Sebastian's métier, but people are allowed to change and try different things. Going over half the story without the act of consummation was almost too long. It was risky to use alternating PoVs in the story, given the lateness of the sex, because it really risked disinvesting the reader in the when-will-they. There was no question that they wouldn't, of course, but waiting so long to give us the reward when we weren't able to follow one character's perspective on the cost of delay resulted in a certain distancing and detachment...we had no sense of why the particular choice that was made in the final analysis was made. It felt as surprising to me as it must've felt to the men themselves. And yet we dwelt on it not at all!
Webb frequented neither church nor tavern nor anywhere even remotely interesting. Percy had become momentarily intrigued when he realized how often Webb went to the baths, but the man seemed to spend his time there actually bathing, so Percy resumed being unimpressed.
–and–
Kit was usually very good at controlling this sort of urge. Hopping into bed with attractive strangers had never appealed to him very much anyway. It always seemed like a lot of hassle {anachronism; coinage not attested until 1945} and risk for pleasure that never quite lived up to one's expectations. And that was with women; with men things were even more complicated because a heaping great dose of danger was thrown into the bargain.
And yet this monadnock of reticence chooses the loss of virginity that most men quail before! This didn't square with what I'd been told, nor was I privy to anything in the cross-talk of the book that would let me think anything other than, "do what now? where'd that even come from?!"
There are Author Sebastian's trademark delightful aperçus, of course, like this delicious pair:
“I used to think that revenge was about defending one’s honor, but it turns out that honor is just spite dressed up for Sunday.”
–and–
Percy realized he had had it all wrong when he told Kit that honor is just spite dressed up; spite was honor when it was the only weapon you had against someone more powerful.
Thesis, meet antithesis...and both are equally true. Inarguably so. Doesn't something in you resound with the truth in each of these?
Then came a serious issue I felt really didn't get anything like the time it needed to build up to: the return of the wanderer, and the foreshadowing of the real stakes in what I feel sure now is going to be a series. I can't really say more, and was encouraged to say even less (ie, nothing at all) but there's a reason I want to tell you that you're going to need to brace yourself.
In life, as we live it, there are no unmixed emotions, no purely experienced peak moments. We drag the past with us and chuck it up as a screen to avoid looking into the nothingness of the unlived future. The present is almost never enough to really distract us from the blank wall we can choose what to project onto, but more often choose to see in all its void-of-glory through a ragged curtain of life as it was.
When that happens in fiction, it's of necessity a surprise. What stakes there are, however, are utterly and totally on the line for the author. One false step, one gesture misplaced or misused, and the trust between reader and author can crumble. It almost did for me when the past came to haunt the future.
If this is the first time you're reading one of Author Sebastian's books, put it down and pick up The Turners series or the Seducing the Sedgwicks series here and here. They lack this authorial high-wire act, and building your trust in Author Sebastian's landings being solid, if not precisely the one you're expecting, is necessary not to experience disorientation.
The fact that this will be a series is worth noting as well, since there are people whose actions and inactions we need to know more about before they make full sense. And there are some actions that are, to put it mildly, aren't easy to gloss over...and I don't mean the one many will blench at.
So take this as a solid encouragement to pick up and savor the book for existing fans, with the note to set aside some established patterns; and a shove in the direction of the previous reads by Author Sebastian for new readers. For here be pleasures you should definitely not deny yourself or remain without. We need happy distractions from ugly reality...what better way than to see love conquering the many barriers folk decide to allow there to be in its free and complete exercise.
May 29, 2021
Oh, what a lovely, fun, sparkly and healing romance novel. I loved the wit and style of this 18th century romance, full of all the dash and verve you'd hope for when one hero is a fabulous dandy of an aristocrat and the other is an ex-highwayman getting talked into One Last Job - but also I just loved the essential kindness and warmth that infused this whole story with so much tenderness. As I neared the end of the story, I found myself feeling some external dread, only because I have been going through an emotionally fragile year and so really DID NOT want to read the traditional Black Moment Breakup that comes 99% of the time at that particular point in a romance novel's structure...but without getting spoilery, I just want to say here that Cat Sebastian handled her book's structure and character arcs in a way that worked *unbelievably well* dramatically while still absolutely avoiding any unnecessary levels of pain/angst or misunderstandings - and I was so, so grateful for how beautifully she'd handled it. This whole book was a warm hug, and I loved it.
April 9, 2024
historians will say that they were roommates.
(neighbors)
💌 Percy licked his lips and pulled Kit down beside him. “You think that being with me is worth the risk?”
Kit heard the uncertainty in the other man’s voice, and it broke his heart. “You’re worth any price I could pay,” he said, and then kissed him.
lives were changed(mine). few people cried(i am the people). few people giggled(me again). history was made.😌
💌 “I find that I have nobody to oblige but myself,” Percy said. “Nobody to please but myself. But I want to please you. Of all the choices that I never thought I’d get to make, that’s the one I want the most, Kit. If you’ll have me.”
“I love you, too,” Kit said, and pulled him close.
(neighbors)
💌 Percy licked his lips and pulled Kit down beside him. “You think that being with me is worth the risk?”
Kit heard the uncertainty in the other man’s voice, and it broke his heart. “You’re worth any price I could pay,” he said, and then kissed him.
lives were changed(mine). few people cried(i am the people). few people giggled(me again). history was made.😌
💌 “I find that I have nobody to oblige but myself,” Percy said. “Nobody to please but myself. But I want to please you. Of all the choices that I never thought I’d get to make, that’s the one I want the most, Kit. If you’ll have me.”
“I love you, too,” Kit said, and pulled him close.
September 1, 2021
Cat Sebastian has gone from "well he's a duke, which is bad, but at least he's a nice duke?" to "NO GODS NO MASTERS, PROPERTY IS THEFT, ONE SOLUTION REVOLUTION" and I think that is VERY sexy of her.
December 20, 2021
About the book: “Critically acclaimed author Cat Sebastian makes her trade paperback debut in a stunning historical romance about a reluctantly reformed highwayman and the aristocrat who threatens to steal his heart.”
I am really loving historical romances that are edgy and “current” despite having a historical backdrop. Kit Webb, former thief, has turned over a new leaf, working in a coffee shop. That is, until an aristocrat, Percy (Lord Holland), walks into the shop needing help for himself and a friend. This help involves stealing a book that was once his mother’s. Kit and that new leaf; he refuses to do the actual act, but he schools Percy in what to do. Of course things go awry from there.
I loved Kit’s character development and how the author addresses his chronic pain. I also loved Percy. He is such a complex character. You think you know him, and then you don’t! And he’s so vividly drawn, he jumps right off the page.
I have to say the book takes its time in the beginning, but don’t give up. The second half is full of fun. I am so excited to see this is a series because I’d love to read more about Kit and Percy and hopefully some of the other endearing cast of characters will get a spotlight, too!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I am really loving historical romances that are edgy and “current” despite having a historical backdrop. Kit Webb, former thief, has turned over a new leaf, working in a coffee shop. That is, until an aristocrat, Percy (Lord Holland), walks into the shop needing help for himself and a friend. This help involves stealing a book that was once his mother’s. Kit and that new leaf; he refuses to do the actual act, but he schools Percy in what to do. Of course things go awry from there.
I loved Kit’s character development and how the author addresses his chronic pain. I also loved Percy. He is such a complex character. You think you know him, and then you don’t! And he’s so vividly drawn, he jumps right off the page.
I have to say the book takes its time in the beginning, but don’t give up. The second half is full of fun. I am so excited to see this is a series because I’d love to read more about Kit and Percy and hopefully some of the other endearing cast of characters will get a spotlight, too!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
January 1, 2025
eat the goddamn rich nom nom nom
in the wake of grief and an injury from a job gone from, kit webb has left his life of thievery behind for dreary days in a coffee shop. but when percy, better know as lord holland, recruits him for a heist against percy’s own father, who is kit to deny him?
it’s cat sebastian’s world; i’m signing a lease and getting ready to live in it.
for the longest time, cat sebastian’s novels have existed on my tbr. a new book gets added to that never ending list every couple months. but for some reason, i never got round to them.
until i did. i think we could be so good fundamentally changed the way i look at love. i'm still trying to find the words for it. but what i know is this: i could read her words all day and get drunk on them—they go down smooth like top shelf whiskey.
this novel is a lot of things: grumpy x sunshine, enemies-to-lovers adjacent, a knife to the throat, hand over the heart. there’s unabashed flirting meets awkward pining and something about that contrast is so fucking funny.
it’s be gay do crimes, perfect for the spite-fuelled gremlin in me. so for cat sebastian to say with her whole chest, “eat the rich! no gods no masters!”? that’s so incredibly sexy. good for her!
but also, this book hits right at the intersection of queerness meets grief meets disability while still being incredibly tender—every single thing i care about.
kit uses a walking stick and you witness his journey from feeling like a shell of a person to someone whole, the way he’s always been. he’s still kit, just with a bad leg. again, a reclamation. and for percy to quietly observe and learn what he needs, thoughtfulness in unobtrusive ways and never making a big deal out of it.
in a time where heavier books fall onto my lap (it’s fine i’m Fine), it feels so warm and cleansing to reach for this. the wit, the banter. buckets of fun, sunshine through the clouds. i had a smile permanently on my face while which, well, what more could i ask for?
i am also an aspec kit webb truther & no one can convince me otherwise thank u
“i used to think that revenge was about defending one’s honor, but it turns out that honor is just spite dressed up for sunday.”
in the wake of grief and an injury from a job gone from, kit webb has left his life of thievery behind for dreary days in a coffee shop. but when percy, better know as lord holland, recruits him for a heist against percy’s own father, who is kit to deny him?
it’s cat sebastian’s world; i’m signing a lease and getting ready to live in it.
for the longest time, cat sebastian’s novels have existed on my tbr. a new book gets added to that never ending list every couple months. but for some reason, i never got round to them.
until i did. i think we could be so good fundamentally changed the way i look at love. i'm still trying to find the words for it. but what i know is this: i could read her words all day and get drunk on them—they go down smooth like top shelf whiskey.
this novel is a lot of things: grumpy x sunshine, enemies-to-lovers adjacent, a knife to the throat, hand over the heart. there’s unabashed flirting meets awkward pining and something about that contrast is so fucking funny.
it’s be gay do crimes, perfect for the spite-fuelled gremlin in me. so for cat sebastian to say with her whole chest, “eat the rich! no gods no masters!”? that’s so incredibly sexy. good for her!
but also, this book hits right at the intersection of queerness meets grief meets disability while still being incredibly tender—every single thing i care about.
kit uses a walking stick and you witness his journey from feeling like a shell of a person to someone whole, the way he’s always been. he’s still kit, just with a bad leg. again, a reclamation. and for percy to quietly observe and learn what he needs, thoughtfulness in unobtrusive ways and never making a big deal out of it.
in a time where heavier books fall onto my lap (it’s fine i’m Fine), it feels so warm and cleansing to reach for this. the wit, the banter. buckets of fun, sunshine through the clouds. i had a smile permanently on my face while which, well, what more could i ask for?
i am also an aspec kit webb truther & no one can convince me otherwise thank u
June 29, 2021
3.5
I love Cat Sebastian, so I was excited when this audiobook finally came in at the library. I really loved Percy and Kit as characters. That was definitely the best part of this book. Their romance was so adorable and I loved how Kit slowly broke down and let Percy in. I will say, though, that the heist plot was a bit of a let down. I did enjoy how Percy and Kit trained together and how Percy was fighting for money, but it felt like the planning for the heist dragged on and then felt a bit anticlimactic when it happened. I'm also still confused about the blackmailing, what they actually found, and why Percy wanted what he wanted. There was just a lot going on that I felt took away from the romance in the end.
I love Cat Sebastian, so I was excited when this audiobook finally came in at the library. I really loved Percy and Kit as characters. That was definitely the best part of this book. Their romance was so adorable and I loved how Kit slowly broke down and let Percy in. I will say, though, that the heist plot was a bit of a let down. I did enjoy how Percy and Kit trained together and how Percy was fighting for money, but it felt like the planning for the heist dragged on and then felt a bit anticlimactic when it happened. I'm also still confused about the blackmailing, what they actually found, and why Percy wanted what he wanted. There was just a lot going on that I felt took away from the romance in the end.
December 16, 2024
Sweet and Clever
I love a story with a good scheme in it. This plot was surprisingly intricate and well executed while also had great character depth and many well threaded sub plots. Percy is my fave kind of MC, the dramatic, sardonic, acerbic witty kind and Kit was his perfect, solid counterweight. Plus I loved the pan/demi representation (some might call it gay awakening but I think Kit was pansexual and demiromantic).
A Robin Hood retelling is very poignant in the current world IYKYK, and I liked the layers to this one.
The ending also fit so well with the time period, we didn’t gloss over all the bigotry and terribleness that existed and yet they still found a way to be together in a meaningful way.
Since it ended with some plot threads untied, I have to go dive into the next one immediately.
Notes on the audiobook: well read and well acted. Joel Leslie gave a good performance and had many different voices for all the many many characters.
I love a story with a good scheme in it. This plot was surprisingly intricate and well executed while also had great character depth and many well threaded sub plots. Percy is my fave kind of MC, the dramatic, sardonic, acerbic witty kind and Kit was his perfect, solid counterweight. Plus I loved the pan/demi representation (some might call it gay awakening but I think Kit was pansexual and demiromantic).
A Robin Hood retelling is very poignant in the current world IYKYK, and I liked the layers to this one.
The ending also fit so well with the time period, we didn’t gloss over all the bigotry and terribleness that existed and yet they still found a way to be together in a meaningful way.
Since it ended with some plot threads untied, I have to go dive into the next one immediately.
Notes on the audiobook: well read and well acted. Joel Leslie gave a good performance and had many different voices for all the many many characters.
June 22, 2022
3.5
A cute heist queer novel. I have no clue if it's accurate for the time period, but it was a fun read.
I do wish the author knew any synonyms for penis. "Cock" 10-15 times in a 2 page sex scene seemed a little excessive.
Rounded up for representation.
A cute heist queer novel. I have no clue if it's accurate for the time period, but it was a fun read.
I do wish the author knew any synonyms for penis. "Cock" 10-15 times in a 2 page sex scene seemed a little excessive.
Rounded up for representation.
June 16, 2021
A sparkling, delightful romance that made me blush and giggle(truly!!) And then there was some swooning and laughing too.
We have Kit Webb, a grumpy retired highwayman who is belligerent with the whole world after he lost his family, best friend and got his leg injured in his past. But in reality, he is a total softie who never charges for extra rooms or books, most of all, he is bored from his life as a reformed man running a coffee shop.
Then came Percy, a snarky charming lord who does not hide his taste for beautiful, colourful objects and handsome gruff man. He had recently discovered of his much-hated father's bigamy. Now he is trying to secure the future of his stepmother(his BFF) and step sister.
Percy tries to hire Kit for the last act of highway robbery and this leads to lots of planning for the heist among swoon-worthy slow burn romance.
For a Historical setting, both the MCs are quite secure in their sexuality, Percy as a gay man and Kit as a Panromantic demisexual.
All the characters are intriguing and layered. I feel, Sebastian is among one of few authors, who writes women as beautifully as men.
•Special mention- I liked the character of Collin, Betty and oh!!!! To whom am I kidding, I liked most of the characters even the🕷️on kit's staircase(hey don't judge me, Kit loved that 🕷️.😂😂😂
Plus Joel Leslie narration just increased the whole experience. I hope Cat Sebastian continues this book as series and we get to see the unfinished journey of some supporting characters.
We have Kit Webb, a grumpy retired highwayman who is belligerent with the whole world after he lost his family, best friend and got his leg injured in his past. But in reality, he is a total softie who never charges for extra rooms or books, most of all, he is bored from his life as a reformed man running a coffee shop.
Then came Percy, a snarky charming lord who does not hide his taste for beautiful, colourful objects and handsome gruff man. He had recently discovered of his much-hated father's bigamy. Now he is trying to secure the future of his stepmother(his BFF) and step sister.
Percy tries to hire Kit for the last act of highway robbery and this leads to lots of planning for the heist among swoon-worthy slow burn romance.
For a Historical setting, both the MCs are quite secure in their sexuality, Percy as a gay man and Kit as a Panromantic demisexual.
All the characters are intriguing and layered. I feel, Sebastian is among one of few authors, who writes women as beautifully as men.
•Special mention- I liked the character of Collin, Betty and oh!!!! To whom am I kidding, I liked most of the characters even the🕷️on kit's staircase(hey don't judge me, Kit loved that 🕷️.😂😂😂
Plus Joel Leslie narration just increased the whole experience. I hope Cat Sebastian continues this book as series and we get to see the unfinished journey of some supporting characters.
June 14, 2021
2021 Spring Bingo (#SpringIntoLoveBingo🌷): Happily Ever After
Content Notes:
3.5 stars
Not really sure how to rate THE QUEER PRINCIPLES OF KIT WEBB because I liked reading it, but I didn't love it as much as other CS books (unfortunate case of comparison rating, perhaps?). I would recommend it to folks who love outrageous 1750s British fashion (the wigs! the colorful and flamboyant clothing!), biting yet silly humor, and a critique about the infinite evils of aristocracy.
Despite what you might assume from the blurb: this is mainly not about a heist (which, yes, the actual robbery is there but not until the end). It's mostly about two men learning to love each other and find value in work despite their fraught pasts. For Kit, he's left thievery and highwayman robbery behind (well, mostly) and is starting anew as a coffeeshop owner. For Percy, he's grappling with the sins of his aristocratic heritage — a heritage that he legally isn't entitled to anymore. How does he transition into a commoner if his illegitimacy is revealed? Does he *want* to stay an aristocrat or would he prefer to make an honest living, one that isn't built from the destruction of peasant livelihoods and slave labor?
I really loved the discussion of class and privilege, topics that I can reliably trust to see in every Cat Sebastian historical. I can't wait for Marian's book (love the Robin Hood allusion with her and redacted)!
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I’ve interacted with the author on social media and in person, but these are my honest opinions about the book.
Content Notes:
3.5 stars
Not really sure how to rate THE QUEER PRINCIPLES OF KIT WEBB because I liked reading it, but I didn't love it as much as other CS books (unfortunate case of comparison rating, perhaps?). I would recommend it to folks who love outrageous 1750s British fashion (the wigs! the colorful and flamboyant clothing!), biting yet silly humor, and a critique about the infinite evils of aristocracy.
Despite what you might assume from the blurb: this is mainly not about a heist (which, yes, the actual robbery is there but not until the end). It's mostly about two men learning to love each other and find value in work despite their fraught pasts. For Kit, he's left thievery and highwayman robbery behind (well, mostly) and is starting anew as a coffeeshop owner. For Percy, he's grappling with the sins of his aristocratic heritage — a heritage that he legally isn't entitled to anymore. How does he transition into a commoner if his illegitimacy is revealed? Does he *want* to stay an aristocrat or would he prefer to make an honest living, one that isn't built from the destruction of peasant livelihoods and slave labor?
I really loved the discussion of class and privilege, topics that I can reliably trust to see in every Cat Sebastian historical. I can't wait for Marian's book (love the Robin Hood allusion with her and redacted)!
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I’ve interacted with the author on social media and in person, but these are my honest opinions about the book.
Read
July 20, 2021I don't quite what to do with this one review or rating-wise. It could be I'm in an enjoyment slump, which is almost worse than an actual inability-to-read slump, but I also just had a hard time connecting with this one. It felt like a lot of concepts and ideas (blackmail, bigamy scandal, classism discussion, highwayman adventures, returning from being presumed-dead..) that didn't quite fit together and, sometimes, felt shoved in or inserted out of nowhere. I don't know. Again, maybe this is me.
The characters set up for book two, or the companion, are giving me KJ Charles vibes and I wonder if that's another reason I just don't know what to do with this one? It felt like pieces of other things and maybe that's where the various mixed up themes come in? I don't know. I don't ever know.
To sum up : I read this book. The valet was the best character. There, done.
The characters set up for book two, or the companion, are giving me KJ Charles vibes and I wonder if that's another reason I just don't know what to do with this one? It felt like pieces of other things and maybe that's where the various mixed up themes come in? I don't know. I don't ever know.
To sum up : I read this book. The valet was the best character. There, done.
May 8, 2022
✨I just want to sit in a coffee shop while eating bread and cheese!✨
I’m rounding up to four stars for Goodreads because I had a good time, but I could’ve also made the argument for three stars. This is my first Cat Sebastian and it won’t be my last! I loved the humor and any time a book can make me laugh I simply must respect it. The romance was absolutely adorable, but it was also the only thing I cared about.
I love a good heist plot—literally I will watch Ocean’s 11 until the end of time—but I simply had zero interest. It all revolved around a book and I must confess…I still don’t understand the importance of it. But again, I don’t really care? Normally, I’d try to rewind and figure out what I missed but I couldn’t be bothered. The reveal of the blackmailer was underwhelming but was that me or the book? Both I guess. I suppose I just don’t really know what this book accomplished with the heist. Maybe training montages just don’t hit as well in books.
The narrator did a great job and definitely sold the book to me. It was long for not really caring about the plot, so reading may have been a challenge. I think I’d go back for book number two if I ever get the chance, but it wouldn’t be first on my list. Although, this book did nothing to ingratiate the hero of that book to me…so it may be a tougher sell—since Kit and Percy were just so easy to root for.
Things I loved:
✨This line: “Neither of them really thought that he’d care about the fucker.”
- I literally love the word “fucker” like calling someone a “fucker” is just so cold I adore it.
✨ Whenever Percy called Kit “Christopher”
- I always forget that Kit is a nickname for Christopher and then I always remember at a good time
✨ Kit’s reaction to seeing Percy for the first time. He was like wow he’s unremarkable…he’s probably not unpleasant…okay wait he’s exquisite how unfortunate for me.
- I just really love how Cat crafts internal monologue!! It is very natural, funny, and relatable.
Things I don’t care enough about to hate:
✨ The time period. Get outta town with powdered wigs and face patches.
- I just cannot wrap my mind around them. Thank god Kit also rejected to the wig during sex. Like Eloisa James and her Georgian era hard-on, if I like the characters, I can overlook the Shrek-in-that-corset-and-beauty-mark-in-Shrek-2 vibes. Here I didn’t pay it too much mind but it still made me pause.
✨ The blackmail situation.
- I never felt like there was anything propelling that plot line. No sense of urgency or danger. He was being blackmailed yes…but they were resigned to the fact the truth was going to be revealed so I was just like…go off I guess.
✨ The villain situation.
- I just…don’t get it.
Overall, the romance was what I stayed for. Maybe I’d have grasped more info on a physical read, but I think I would’ve lost steam. I was able to knock this out in a day during work and I think that’s all the space I had in me to dedicate to this one. I definitely read more lgbtq+ romance for work which tends to be contemporary, so this was a nice change to my historical romance experience!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶*/5
*Two open door scenes and honestly I thought I had heard this was closed door so I was pleasantly surprised! The scenes weren’t very long but they didn’t use vague language or annoying phrases like “they fell into each other.” The slow burn BURNS because I was nearly beside myself. I can definitely see getting sidetracked while waiting for it to ignite.
I’m rounding up to four stars for Goodreads because I had a good time, but I could’ve also made the argument for three stars. This is my first Cat Sebastian and it won’t be my last! I loved the humor and any time a book can make me laugh I simply must respect it. The romance was absolutely adorable, but it was also the only thing I cared about.
I love a good heist plot—literally I will watch Ocean’s 11 until the end of time—but I simply had zero interest. It all revolved around a book and I must confess…I still don’t understand the importance of it. But again, I don’t really care? Normally, I’d try to rewind and figure out what I missed but I couldn’t be bothered. The reveal of the blackmailer was underwhelming but was that me or the book? Both I guess. I suppose I just don’t really know what this book accomplished with the heist. Maybe training montages just don’t hit as well in books.
The narrator did a great job and definitely sold the book to me. It was long for not really caring about the plot, so reading may have been a challenge. I think I’d go back for book number two if I ever get the chance, but it wouldn’t be first on my list. Although, this book did nothing to ingratiate the hero of that book to me…so it may be a tougher sell—since Kit and Percy were just so easy to root for.
Things I loved:
✨This line: “Neither of them really thought that he’d care about the fucker.”
- I literally love the word “fucker” like calling someone a “fucker” is just so cold I adore it.
✨ Whenever Percy called Kit “Christopher”
- I always forget that Kit is a nickname for Christopher and then I always remember at a good time
✨ Kit’s reaction to seeing Percy for the first time. He was like wow he’s unremarkable…he’s probably not unpleasant…okay wait he’s exquisite how unfortunate for me.
- I just really love how Cat crafts internal monologue!! It is very natural, funny, and relatable.
Things I don’t care enough about to hate:
✨ The time period. Get outta town with powdered wigs and face patches.
- I just cannot wrap my mind around them. Thank god Kit also rejected to the wig during sex. Like Eloisa James and her Georgian era hard-on, if I like the characters, I can overlook the Shrek-in-that-corset-and-beauty-mark-in-Shrek-2 vibes. Here I didn’t pay it too much mind but it still made me pause.
✨ The blackmail situation.
- I never felt like there was anything propelling that plot line. No sense of urgency or danger. He was being blackmailed yes…but they were resigned to the fact the truth was going to be revealed so I was just like…go off I guess.
✨ The villain situation.
- I just…don’t get it.
Overall, the romance was what I stayed for. Maybe I’d have grasped more info on a physical read, but I think I would’ve lost steam. I was able to knock this out in a day during work and I think that’s all the space I had in me to dedicate to this one. I definitely read more lgbtq+ romance for work which tends to be contemporary, so this was a nice change to my historical romance experience!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶*/5
*Two open door scenes and honestly I thought I had heard this was closed door so I was pleasantly surprised! The scenes weren’t very long but they didn’t use vague language or annoying phrases like “they fell into each other.” The slow burn BURNS because I was nearly beside myself. I can definitely see getting sidetracked while waiting for it to ignite.
September 24, 2021
4 Stars
Witty, charming, romantic as all get-out, and fully immersive in its 18th century backdrop, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb is a historically-set M/M romance done right.
Kit Webb used to be an infamous highwayman, renowned throughout England, but after the loss of his partner and an injury set him aside, Kit decided to channel all his remaining energy into going legit, building a respectable name for himself as the proprietor of a well-frequented London coffee-house.
When aristocrat Lord Holland, also known as Percy, starts making reoccurring appearances in Kit’s life, Kit finds himself exasperated but intrigued by the precocious and beautiful young Lord, especially at his request for Kit’s assistance in planning and pulling-off one last heist.
How Percy knows of Kit’s former identity or why he wants to rob someone despite his privileged station in life remains unseen, at least for a time, but trust is built and motivations are slowly revealed as Kit and Percy’s relationship goes beyond that of new acquaintances and potential heist collaborators, as they begin to fall in love, despite the advice to the contrary from their closest friends.
Kit and Percy may come from different social classes and life experiences, and live in a time when men loving men is well and truly punishable by law, but their connection is undeniable and ultimately worth the risk, as their bond grows stronger and their attraction grows deeper, the more time they spend in each other’s favoured company.
I liked Kit and Percy very much, which was easily due to the fact that both characters were deftly drawn and intricately complex, making them step off the page all too easily into my captive imagination. Their romance was a slow burn, as it rightly should have been considering the time and the circumstances that brought them together initially, but once that fire was lit, their chemistry was palpable and effortlessly engrossing.
The plot, although slow and subtle, weaved itself into something that left me intrigued and excited as the end draw nearer, as all the players, their motives, and other moving parts of the story began to take shape. I wouldn’t call this a mystery, per se, but I was pleasantly surprised with some of the twists and turns that were revealed as the story unfolded. And although the main points of interest were nicely wrapped up by the end, secondary plot points remained open-ended, providing the perfect stepping stone for next year’s M/F sequel.
It became very obvious, very quickly, why Sebastian is one of the most sort-after authors in the historical M/M genre. This may be my first experience reading her works, but it most certainly won’t be my last.
Witty, charming, romantic as all get-out, and fully immersive in its 18th century backdrop, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb is a historically-set M/M romance done right.
Kit Webb used to be an infamous highwayman, renowned throughout England, but after the loss of his partner and an injury set him aside, Kit decided to channel all his remaining energy into going legit, building a respectable name for himself as the proprietor of a well-frequented London coffee-house.
When aristocrat Lord Holland, also known as Percy, starts making reoccurring appearances in Kit’s life, Kit finds himself exasperated but intrigued by the precocious and beautiful young Lord, especially at his request for Kit’s assistance in planning and pulling-off one last heist.
How Percy knows of Kit’s former identity or why he wants to rob someone despite his privileged station in life remains unseen, at least for a time, but trust is built and motivations are slowly revealed as Kit and Percy’s relationship goes beyond that of new acquaintances and potential heist collaborators, as they begin to fall in love, despite the advice to the contrary from their closest friends.
Kit and Percy may come from different social classes and life experiences, and live in a time when men loving men is well and truly punishable by law, but their connection is undeniable and ultimately worth the risk, as their bond grows stronger and their attraction grows deeper, the more time they spend in each other’s favoured company.
I liked Kit and Percy very much, which was easily due to the fact that both characters were deftly drawn and intricately complex, making them step off the page all too easily into my captive imagination. Their romance was a slow burn, as it rightly should have been considering the time and the circumstances that brought them together initially, but once that fire was lit, their chemistry was palpable and effortlessly engrossing.
The plot, although slow and subtle, weaved itself into something that left me intrigued and excited as the end draw nearer, as all the players, their motives, and other moving parts of the story began to take shape. I wouldn’t call this a mystery, per se, but I was pleasantly surprised with some of the twists and turns that were revealed as the story unfolded. And although the main points of interest were nicely wrapped up by the end, secondary plot points remained open-ended, providing the perfect stepping stone for next year’s M/F sequel.
It became very obvious, very quickly, why Sebastian is one of the most sort-after authors in the historical M/M genre. This may be my first experience reading her works, but it most certainly won’t be my last.
May 8, 2024
Cat Sebastian does queer historical romance and she does it well. This one is the romance between a duke's heir and a retired highwayman planning a heist on the aforementioned duke. Let's be honest, though: both Laine and Meg were a little bit confused by the plot of this one. We did love the couple. Kit and Percy are the sunshine/grump aristocrat/commoner pair of your dreams.
Cat Sebastian's appeal lies in her ability to take a hard look at the historical fantasy that we historical romance readers enjoy. Percy's dad is an evil landowner, but what does he do really that any other landowner of the time wouldn't? He ends up as an illustration of the banality of evil. Percy's eventual plot-resolving actions are the logical consequences of realizing his privilege taken to their extreme conclusion.
Oh, and this is a Robin Hood retelling. We wanted to mention this here in case you missed it. We would never miss that! (Well, Laine would never miss that...)
19-Word Summaries:
Laine: Robin Hood taken to an anarchist extreme with a litany of unresolved B-plots. Little John falls for Nottingham's son.
Meg: Solve your commitment issues AND improve your moral standing! The problem? You’ll learn your whole life was a lie.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Cat Sebastian's appeal lies in her ability to take a hard look at the historical fantasy that we historical romance readers enjoy. Percy's dad is an evil landowner, but what does he do really that any other landowner of the time wouldn't? He ends up as an illustration of the banality of evil. Percy's eventual plot-resolving actions are the logical consequences of realizing his privilege taken to their extreme conclusion.
Oh, and this is a Robin Hood retelling. We wanted to mention this here in case you missed it. We would never miss that! (Well, Laine would never miss that...)
19-Word Summaries:
Laine: Robin Hood taken to an anarchist extreme with a litany of unresolved B-plots. Little John falls for Nottingham's son.
Meg: Solve your commitment issues AND improve your moral standing! The problem? You’ll learn your whole life was a lie.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
December 31, 2021
class traitor romance slay
June 18, 2021
I’ve never read a Cat Sebastian that I didn’t love, and I enjoyed every single minute of Kit Webb.
Ms. Sebastian’s characters are always beautifully unique, and Kit and Percy are two of a kind. Fascinating backstories for each character are gradually revealed, and held my attention from the very first page.
Exciting and romantic, funny and creative, The Principles of Kit Webb is a satisfying hurt/comfort, opposites attract romance.
thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own
Ms. Sebastian’s characters are always beautifully unique, and Kit and Percy are two of a kind. Fascinating backstories for each character are gradually revealed, and held my attention from the very first page.
Exciting and romantic, funny and creative, The Principles of Kit Webb is a satisfying hurt/comfort, opposites attract romance.
thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own
August 22, 2021
I would follow Cat Sebastian over a cliff
February 21, 2024
maybe i should only ever read queer historical romances
January 29, 2025
"Every day is market day for secrets, his mother had always said. Secrets could be traded for favors, for countenance, for trust. Secrets could be kept for the same price. Sometimes one shared a secret so it wouldn’t be a secret anymore. Sometimes one shared a secret to take away a bit of its power... But secrets could also be shared to show that one trusted the recipient."
This was lovely
This was lovely
September 30, 2021
It pains me to rate a Cat Sebastian book this low, but I had high hopes that were very let down.
1) I am completely out of patience with m/m romances that conveniently fridge the wife of one of the heroes - look, instant tragically motivating backstory plus he's now available to fall for the other hero! (At least Sebastian doesn't use the dead wife to prove either the character's bisexuality or gayness, which makes it only slightly less terrible.)
2) I wanted more of a heist book! The pacing of this book is all over the place and there is very little actual heist-ing, which I found highly disappointing. (This lack is probably related to #3...)
3) This doesn't actually feel like Kit and Percy's story? From very early on I was much more interested in what was going on with Marion, and as the book goes on it became very apparent that the most compelling parts of the story don't have much to do with Kit and Percy. This feels like it could have been a shortened prequel to a more interesting book, or even just a side thread in that other novel. (I'll probably be reading the next book in the series just to find out if it's going to be more like the book I was hoping this would be.)
1) I am completely out of patience with m/m romances that conveniently fridge the wife of one of the heroes - look, instant tragically motivating backstory plus he's now available to fall for the other hero! (At least Sebastian doesn't use the dead wife to prove either the character's bisexuality or gayness, which makes it only slightly less terrible.)
2) I wanted more of a heist book! The pacing of this book is all over the place and there is very little actual heist-ing, which I found highly disappointing. (This lack is probably related to #3...)
3) This doesn't actually feel like Kit and Percy's story? From very early on I was much more interested in what was going on with Marion, and as the book goes on it became very apparent that the most compelling parts of the story don't have much to do with Kit and Percy. This feels like it could have been a shortened prequel to a more interesting book, or even just a side thread in that other novel. (I'll probably be reading the next book in the series just to find out if it's going to be more like the book I was hoping this would be.)
Read
January 14, 2022DNF ~52%
I *really* went back and forth about finishing this one, and I'm not gonna rate because I suspect that if I continued this would probably be a 2-3 star read for me, but ultimately, I just don't care enough. I could easily finish, but I've got so much I actually really want to read and when I realized I was looking forward to tonight's reading session with a sense of grudging disappointment at the the though of having to finish this book, I realized it was time to call it quits.
My first Sebastian, and I think probably not the best book to start with--I'll definitely give her other works a go. But yeah, I wasn't really into this one. The whole concept was just odd and confusing. It's supposed to be a heist-type thing, but they'd barely done any prep work even by the 50% mark, and I'm still not *totally* sure what the point of the heist even was. I mean, I get they want to steal some book or whatever, but the why of it all never totally made sense to me. I also was just frustrated by how many ~secrets~ were being kept so blatantly. Some were for the stupid effect of ~suspense~ because I guess if you don't tell me what happened to Kit's wife and baby for the entire fucking book that's not supposed to piss me off? And Marion was shady as fuck, and it made no sense to me why Percy wouldn't fucking demand she not be so goddamn cagey given what he was risking and giving up. I liked Percy and Kit okay, but I don't feel super interested or invested in them as characters, nor do I really like them all that much as a pair--I don't really buy the attraction, and it felt a lot like we keep being told how into each other they are without actually feeling it.
I'm marginally curious about how everything will turn out, but honestly just not enough to keep reading.
I *really* went back and forth about finishing this one, and I'm not gonna rate because I suspect that if I continued this would probably be a 2-3 star read for me, but ultimately, I just don't care enough. I could easily finish, but I've got so much I actually really want to read and when I realized I was looking forward to tonight's reading session with a sense of grudging disappointment at the the though of having to finish this book, I realized it was time to call it quits.
My first Sebastian, and I think probably not the best book to start with--I'll definitely give her other works a go. But yeah, I wasn't really into this one. The whole concept was just odd and confusing. It's supposed to be a heist-type thing, but they'd barely done any prep work even by the 50% mark, and I'm still not *totally* sure what the point of the heist even was. I mean, I get they want to steal some book or whatever, but the why of it all never totally made sense to me. I also was just frustrated by how many ~secrets~ were being kept so blatantly. Some were for the stupid effect of ~suspense~ because I guess if you don't tell me what happened to Kit's wife and baby for the entire fucking book that's not supposed to piss me off? And Marion was shady as fuck, and it made no sense to me why Percy wouldn't fucking demand she not be so goddamn cagey given what he was risking and giving up. I liked Percy and Kit okay, but I don't feel super interested or invested in them as characters, nor do I really like them all that much as a pair--I don't really buy the attraction, and it felt a lot like we keep being told how into each other they are without actually feeling it.
I'm marginally curious about how everything will turn out, but honestly just not enough to keep reading.
July 4, 2021
I've given this a B at AAR.
Cat Sebastian takes readers back to Georgian England with her latest novel, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. It’s a lively tale laden with wit, sparkling dialogue and insightful social commentary; the two leads are superbly characterised and there’s a vibrant secondary cast, too. In fact, when I was only a few chapters in, I thought I’d be awarding the book a DIK, but unfortunately, the plot gets rather convoluted in the second half in a way that didn’t seem all that well thought-out, and that knocked the final grade down a notch or two. But it’s still an entertaining read.
After taking a bullet to the leg, highwayman Gladhand Jack ‘retired’ from the business of highway robbery and now runs a moderately successful coffee house in London. It’s a comfortable – if unexciting – life, and a year after his retirement, Christopher – Kit – Webb is bored. He doesn’t really want to go back to his old life of thievery and trying not to get killed, but he can’t deny that he misses the activity and excitement – or that he’s getting more restless and foul-tempered by the day. Which is why, when something that looked like first-rate trouble – an exquisitely dressed young gentleman complete with powder, patches and an elaborately adorned wig – walks into the coffeehouse, Kit is instantly intrigued.
Edward Percival Talbot – Percy to his friends – is the only son and heir to the Duke of Clare. Or rather, he was, until information recently came to light revealing that his father’s marriage to his mother was bigamous. After living for some years on the Continent, Percy returned to England after his mother’s death to discover that his obnoxious father had married his (Percy’s) childhood friend Marian (seemingly against her wishes), that he has a new baby sister – and that his father married his mother – and now Marian – while he had another wife still living. The first blackmail letter arrived a month earlier, setting out the facts and demanding money, and now Percy and Marian have two months to come up with a plan. Neither of them wants to pay the blackmailer. Percy knows that paying up will mean spending a lifetime in fear of exposure and is inclined to make the truth known on their own terms; Marian thinks paying the blackmailer will let Clare off the hook for what he’s done and she wants revenge, to bring him as low as humanly possible.
Although Percy is facing social ruin, and his entire life has been based on a lie, he’s firstly concerned for Marian and little Eliza and wants to make sure they’re safe and well taken care of before he focuses too much on his own situation. To this end, he plans to steal a book from his father – and then use it to force him to pay him and Marian enough money for them to be able to live comfortably. (At this stage, we don’t know what the book’s contents are). It’s Marian who comes up with the idea of getting Gladhand Jack to do the job for them – but after his first visit to the coffeehouse, Percy isn’t so sure the former highwayman is the right man for the job.
And, as it turns out, neither is Kit, although he’s tempted. Very tempted – and by more than just the idea of one last job. But he knows his own limitations and that his bad leg won’t hold up sufficiently for him to be able to pull off the robbery himself. So he offers to teach Percy how to do it instead.
The first section of the story details Percy’s attempts to persuade Kit to help him, using a mixture of financial incentive and flirtation that stops little short of outright seduction. The chemistry between them is palpable, the dialogue is superb – witty and very sharply observed – and I enjoyed their spirited conversations and the steadily growing affection and tenderness between them.
Kit and Percy are likeable, complex characters, complete opposites who shouldn’t work as a couple – yet they do. Kit is an adorable grouch who has no idea of the esteem in which he’s held by those around him, and Percy hides a deep vulnerability behind his ostentatious outfits and witty conversation. He makes little attempt to hide his attraction to men, while Kit is less concerned with what’s between a partner’s legs and, as he puts it, seldom goes to bed with people because he seldom meets anyone he really wants to go to bed with.
Both men are carrying considerable emotional baggage – Kit has experienced great loss, and Percy hasn’t known much love or affection – and have come to believe that they don’t deserve to be happy or loved. But as they become closer and begin to fall in love with each other, that experience – and the mutual support they can now offer – gradually shows them the lie and they begin to understand that they’re more than the sum of their past experiences and that together, they can be better than they were before. I was pleased with their honesty and that they behave and speak like adults, discussing their pasts in a realistic, sensible way, and that there are no overblown dramatics.
The big problem with the book though, is the plot, which gets progressively more complicated somewhere after the halfway mark. We don’t find out what’s so important about the book Percy wants to steal until really late in the day, and the way plot point after plot point is suddenly stuffed in in the last quarter of the story not only had my head spinning but contributed to an overall feeling of ‘is that it?’ when the book ended. I understand there’s going to be a sequel , but this novel wasn’t originally billed as part of a series (and still isn’t) and I came away from it feeling vaguely disappointed at the way so many things have been left hanging.
In the end, I liked, but didn’t love, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. The romance is sweet, tender and sexy, and the setting of Georgian London is well-established; I especially loved the descriptions of Percy’s sumptuous outfits. The secondary characters – special mention goes to Betty, Kit’s employee, and Collins, Percy’s valet – are interesting and well-rounded, and the discussions as to the evils and abuses of great privilege are perceptive and, dare I say, timely. Despite my criticisms, fans of queer historical romance will find plenty to enjoy here.
Cat Sebastian takes readers back to Georgian England with her latest novel, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. It’s a lively tale laden with wit, sparkling dialogue and insightful social commentary; the two leads are superbly characterised and there’s a vibrant secondary cast, too. In fact, when I was only a few chapters in, I thought I’d be awarding the book a DIK, but unfortunately, the plot gets rather convoluted in the second half in a way that didn’t seem all that well thought-out, and that knocked the final grade down a notch or two. But it’s still an entertaining read.
After taking a bullet to the leg, highwayman Gladhand Jack ‘retired’ from the business of highway robbery and now runs a moderately successful coffee house in London. It’s a comfortable – if unexciting – life, and a year after his retirement, Christopher – Kit – Webb is bored. He doesn’t really want to go back to his old life of thievery and trying not to get killed, but he can’t deny that he misses the activity and excitement – or that he’s getting more restless and foul-tempered by the day. Which is why, when something that looked like first-rate trouble – an exquisitely dressed young gentleman complete with powder, patches and an elaborately adorned wig – walks into the coffeehouse, Kit is instantly intrigued.
Edward Percival Talbot – Percy to his friends – is the only son and heir to the Duke of Clare. Or rather, he was, until information recently came to light revealing that his father’s marriage to his mother was bigamous. After living for some years on the Continent, Percy returned to England after his mother’s death to discover that his obnoxious father had married his (Percy’s) childhood friend Marian (seemingly against her wishes), that he has a new baby sister – and that his father married his mother – and now Marian – while he had another wife still living. The first blackmail letter arrived a month earlier, setting out the facts and demanding money, and now Percy and Marian have two months to come up with a plan. Neither of them wants to pay the blackmailer. Percy knows that paying up will mean spending a lifetime in fear of exposure and is inclined to make the truth known on their own terms; Marian thinks paying the blackmailer will let Clare off the hook for what he’s done and she wants revenge, to bring him as low as humanly possible.
Although Percy is facing social ruin, and his entire life has been based on a lie, he’s firstly concerned for Marian and little Eliza and wants to make sure they’re safe and well taken care of before he focuses too much on his own situation. To this end, he plans to steal a book from his father – and then use it to force him to pay him and Marian enough money for them to be able to live comfortably. (At this stage, we don’t know what the book’s contents are). It’s Marian who comes up with the idea of getting Gladhand Jack to do the job for them – but after his first visit to the coffeehouse, Percy isn’t so sure the former highwayman is the right man for the job.
And, as it turns out, neither is Kit, although he’s tempted. Very tempted – and by more than just the idea of one last job. But he knows his own limitations and that his bad leg won’t hold up sufficiently for him to be able to pull off the robbery himself. So he offers to teach Percy how to do it instead.
The first section of the story details Percy’s attempts to persuade Kit to help him, using a mixture of financial incentive and flirtation that stops little short of outright seduction. The chemistry between them is palpable, the dialogue is superb – witty and very sharply observed – and I enjoyed their spirited conversations and the steadily growing affection and tenderness between them.
Kit and Percy are likeable, complex characters, complete opposites who shouldn’t work as a couple – yet they do. Kit is an adorable grouch who has no idea of the esteem in which he’s held by those around him, and Percy hides a deep vulnerability behind his ostentatious outfits and witty conversation. He makes little attempt to hide his attraction to men, while Kit is less concerned with what’s between a partner’s legs and, as he puts it, seldom goes to bed with people because he seldom meets anyone he really wants to go to bed with.
Both men are carrying considerable emotional baggage – Kit has experienced great loss, and Percy hasn’t known much love or affection – and have come to believe that they don’t deserve to be happy or loved. But as they become closer and begin to fall in love with each other, that experience – and the mutual support they can now offer – gradually shows them the lie and they begin to understand that they’re more than the sum of their past experiences and that together, they can be better than they were before. I was pleased with their honesty and that they behave and speak like adults, discussing their pasts in a realistic, sensible way, and that there are no overblown dramatics.
The big problem with the book though, is the plot, which gets progressively more complicated somewhere after the halfway mark. We don’t find out what’s so important about the book Percy wants to steal until really late in the day, and the way plot point after plot point is suddenly stuffed in in the last quarter of the story not only had my head spinning but contributed to an overall feeling of ‘is that it?’ when the book ended. I understand there’s going to be a sequel , but this novel wasn’t originally billed as part of a series (and still isn’t) and I came away from it feeling vaguely disappointed at the way so many things have been left hanging.
In the end, I liked, but didn’t love, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. The romance is sweet, tender and sexy, and the setting of Georgian London is well-established; I especially loved the descriptions of Percy’s sumptuous outfits. The secondary characters – special mention goes to Betty, Kit’s employee, and Collins, Percy’s valet – are interesting and well-rounded, and the discussions as to the evils and abuses of great privilege are perceptive and, dare I say, timely. Despite my criticisms, fans of queer historical romance will find plenty to enjoy here.
June 7, 2021
A reformed highwayman falls for a lordling in this very cute historical romance. Kit Webb has left thieving from the rich behind since a gunshot to his leg left him disabled. He is now the grumpy proprietor of a coffee shop. Meanwhile, Percy is plotting to steal something from his aristocratic, land-owning father (he has reasonably good reasons, and also his father is awful) and is determined to draw Kit out of retirement for the job.
This is a bit of a slow burn as the two fall for each other, with a pretty strong supporting plot and quite a lot of lighthearted moments. In terms of representation (though the specific terms are not used for obvious reasons), Percy is gay and Kit is demi-sexual, pan-romantic, which is cool to see in a hero. There are a couple of steamy scenes toward the later part of the book. Overall, I enjoyed this although there were parts that dragged a bit with all the training in fighting etc. I think a lot of people will have a good time with it though. I received an advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is a bit of a slow burn as the two fall for each other, with a pretty strong supporting plot and quite a lot of lighthearted moments. In terms of representation (though the specific terms are not used for obvious reasons), Percy is gay and Kit is demi-sexual, pan-romantic, which is cool to see in a hero. There are a couple of steamy scenes toward the later part of the book. Overall, I enjoyed this although there were parts that dragged a bit with all the training in fighting etc. I think a lot of people will have a good time with it though. I received an advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
September 23, 2022
More of a 2.5 read. I liked the concept but this isn't the first time I've gotten into a Cat Sebastian book wanting to love it and just feeling rather meh by it. Had some good bits but something about it, just isn't for me
June 14, 2021
3.5! Cute m/m romance opposites attract grumpy sunshine trope!
February 22, 2025
one thing about Cat Sebastian, she's gonna use the same book to write Draco in Leather Pants (and no i do not mean the trope - Percy is quite literally a thinly veiled Draco Malfoy and she dresses him up in leather pants for Reasons) *and* to make a case for the inherent immorality of landlords. no choice but to stan!
quality-wise this was giving diet-KJC, but here i do mean the very best of KJC, cos i liked this much better than Duke at Hazard, for instance. very inoffensive and engaging light reading! would recommend to someone looking for an entertaining romance novel. it was also really fun reading a histrom set in the 1750s - love to read about a man turning everyone's heads with his powdered wig, strategically placed beauty marks and enticing, silk stocking-clad ankles. good stuff!
quality-wise this was giving diet-KJC, but here i do mean the very best of KJC, cos i liked this much better than Duke at Hazard, for instance. very inoffensive and engaging light reading! would recommend to someone looking for an entertaining romance novel. it was also really fun reading a histrom set in the 1750s - love to read about a man turning everyone's heads with his powdered wig, strategically placed beauty marks and enticing, silk stocking-clad ankles. good stuff!
anti-library
February 22, 2022'This is a 1750s romance between a retired highwayman and the aristocrat who tries to hire him for One Last Heist.'
YES, PLEASE. Love how it sounds like a historical coffee shop AU
YES, PLEASE. Love how it sounds like a historical coffee shop AU
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