The Queer Principles of Kit Webb

A Novel

By: Cat Sebastian

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

"The Queer Principles of Kit Webb kept me up all night! I simply couldn’t put it down." (Tessa Dare, New York Times best-selling author)

“Sharp, smart, and oh-so-swoony, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb reminds me that Cat Sebastian is an author at the absolute top of her game.” (Rachel Hawkins, New York Times best-selling author)

Critically acclaimed author Cat Sebastian pens 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 overcome the impediments in their path?

©2021 Cat Sebastian (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Fun, cute, a bit underdeveloped

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Kit and Percy are lovely characters with a fun, engaging dynamic. A wig-and-rouge-wearing aristocrat planning highway robbery and a hardened criminal running a coffee shop--yes, sign me up! They're a delight. Percy's child-like responses to cake and praise really endear me to him. Kit's total inability to lie (but attempting to anyway to everyone's bafflement) is absolutely adorable.

There's a lot of solid humor that kept me interested and laughing despite the story's total predictability. I would have been happier if the plot surprised me or at least presented itself in an exciting way, but the plot is disappointing and weak. It's tolerable to me since Kit and Percy are so fun, but other readers' mileage may vary. Judging by the YA-style cover, I had guessed it would have a Young or New Adult feel to it, but it almost has a Middle Grade feel instead, which feels odd paired with the explicit intimate scenes and murder.

The attempt at weaving class criticism into the story isn't particularly artful, but it's pleasing all the same. It makes reading about a fair-haired duke's love story a lot more intriguing, particularly with the "Robin Hood" allusions. If anything, the story would have been stronger if it had leaned more into that. As it is, it's almost too shy about it, making it feel incomplete. This also added to the Middle Grade feel--like it was introducing the concept to young people for the first time, which would be awesome except that it's too explicit for Middle Grade audiences.

The biggest problem isn't the plot, though. The secondary characters are far, far too underdeveloped. Not just for entertainment's sake, but for their critical role in the story. They're really just names and nothing else. Their hollowness really stands out and undermines the story's impact.

I'm happy with the epilogue because it sets up for a lot of fun adventures for our leading men (not in a way that promises a sequel, although it could, just in a way that's satisfying for their futures).

Minor gripe but I disliked Percy's intense unwillingness to scrap with a woman who volunteers to help him practice fighting. I didn't find this to be a particularly good way to establish that he has "good in him" or whatever, even if it's time appropriate. I wasn't outraged on behalf of women's equality or anything so major; it just feels odd for the story. Maybe it was the only way to justify Percy scrapping with the injured Kit? Still odd.

Joel Leslie's performance is top tier as always!

I’ve truly enjoyed all of Cat Sebastian’s books

This book is no exception it illustrates the limited shitty choices of the poor and working class and the absolute power of the titled and privileged. But is also shows how two traumatized “prickly” individuals can tentatively reach out and find each other. I really love that because none of us is perfect and being loved in spite of this when we’ve been at our worst is truly special. Oh and the sex rocks of course.

Ah! so good.

Joel Leslie is a genius and this book is a warm bath of m/m Regency goodness. Five stars all around.

This book was fabulous!

I really loved this book! I'm glad I used a credit for it, as it's a book I can see myself rereading many times! I loved the romance between Kit and Percy.

And all the situations they found themselves in were great fun to listen to!

Joel Leslie did a really fantastic job performing this story. I thoroughly enjoyed his narration.

A Jewel

Cat Sebastian brings characters to life in a way that sticks with the reader/listener long after the story has finished. The mad capers they might get up are highlighted by rare moments of sweet domesticity. Joel Leslie, as always, brings this story and the characters vividly alive.

Fencing, Fighting, Escapes, True Love

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as I do everything Cat Sebastian writes. Joel Leslie is always a pleasure to listen to as well.

I will say that I predicted the surprise twist, but that didn't make me enjoy it any less. I hope there will be a few more books in this world, I would love to know what happened to Marian and Rob, maybe even Flora.

THE combination!

Combine any of Cat Sebastian's books with Joel Leslie's narration and you have a winner. This was (again) such a joy to read and listen to. I actually read the book first and then listened to it being narrated by Joel and it was even more wonderful. 7 stars out of 5!!

Sparkling wit and healing restoration

What a fun filled romp in 1750s London and countryside for fans of historical romance. The story follows the fates of Kit Webb, a reformed highwayman turned coffee shop owner and Lord Percy Holland, who finds himself a victim of blackmail, impending disinheritance and consequent fall from aristocracy. Percy needs Kit's help in obtaining the one bargaining chip left to him - his mother's mysterious book that might be enough to persuade Percy's loathsome father to provide some financial means to live.
The plot has enough of twists and turns to it keep the mystery aspect going while the descriptions of upper and lower class lives give a vivid setting for the protagonists to thrust and parry as it were. The dialogue is witty and truly comes to sparkling life with Joel Leslie's incomparable narration. I really appreciated the change from usual story arc milestones of misunderstanding and lack of communication resulting in a break up, or grievous bodily harm to one of the mc's resulting in near death bedside scenes. A truly enjoyable listen I didn't want end.

This is book 1

This being book one makes it difficult to rate. I had one major issue with the plot I can't exain here without writing a spoiler. It kept nagging me and ruined my enjoyment.
Not all ends are tied up but they lived happy ever after.