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A review by zombeesknees
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian
5.0
Cat Sebastian can truly do no wrong. She's been on my auto-buy list for years now, and has yet to disappoint. Nobody else does queer romance quite so delightfully -- and it's ~historical~, too? And stays true to the time period/historical societal issues while also being steamy as hell? Talk about a magical unicorn. *Chef's kiss* all around.
Things that I love about Sebastian's books in general/"The Queer Principles of Kit Webb" specifically:
1) The representation across the queer spectrum with her characters is wonderful. From the outside looking in, this appears to be a gay romance, BUT IN FACT, Percy is gay while Kit is demi/bi, and there's a supporting character who's either bi or pan. Do y'all even know how rare it is to find demisexual characters in ANYTHING, let alone romances??? Thank you so much, Cat Sebastian, may Buddha bless you.
2) The characters themselves are charming/engaging as can be. Both Kit and Percy are complicated heroes who learn and grow both as individuals and as a couple through the course of the story, and they each have plenty of moments that make us clutch our chests and croon, "POOR BABY!"
3) The found family aspect. All of Sebastian's stories love to highlight that -- as is so often the case for IRL queer folks -- the family you make for yourself is often more important or valid than any blood you happen to be born into. The supporting cast of allies/supporters/friends is lovely and adds layers to Kit's and Percy's stories. I especially adored Betty, the younger woman who works in Kit's coffeeshop and isn't afraid to browbeat him (for his own good) whilst openly disdaining Percy (who she instantly knows is bad news, lol).
4) The fact that the challenge the leads face isn't simply overcoming society's prejudices/avoiding persecution from the legalized bigotry of the time. I am so so so SO tired of all queer stories being centered around coming out/homophobia narratives. Yes, those are important and necessary. But we also need to see stories where queer folks can just have adventures/romances beyond those issues. And Sebastian always does a magnificent job of delivering on that front. Her stories have a refreshing lack of bigotry for the heroes to overcome, focusing instead on other personal dramas.
5) The HEA. I am equally SO TIRED of queer folks being killed off -- usually horribly; usually suddenly for shock value -- or being denied Happily Ever Afters in fiction/media, because that so often smacks of the puritanical bullshit re: queerness being "a sin" that must be punished. With Sebastian, we NEVER have to worry about that. Only guaranteed HEAs here, folks! And it's such a dang relief. Sebastian's stories are never pure fluff, and her characters often have to overcome awful traumas or problems, but there's so much comfort to be had in knowing it'll all be okay in the end. So reassuring, especially in these pandemic days. I turn to her books whenever I need a genuine pick-me-up.
6) The sex scenes. So hot. SOOOO HOT. And a large part of that hotness is because Sebastian does a PHENOMENAL JOB of building up the sexual tension and making the big events emotional, character-building scenes as well as smokin' smut.
7) The societal commentary. Sebastian's books often have underlying, searing themes about real world issues -- misogyny, racism, class inequality -- and "The Queer Principles of Kit Webb" has one of the sharpest critiques yet; in this case, the inherent rottenness of the aristocracy/systems of wealth that CONTINUE to oppress the majority of people. In today's age of billionaires, Kit's rages against the ruling class/landlords still rings painfully true.
All in all, "The Queer Principles of Kit Webb" is yet another slam dunk, hole in one, center of the bull's-eye, (insert your preferred sports analogy here) winner of a book. I devoured the whole thing in two sittings, and am already impatient for the NEXT Sebastian book. If you love romance, if you love queer romance, if you love historical romance, if you love QUEER HISTORICAL ROMANCE (!!!!), pick this up asap -- and be sure to order copies of ALL of Sebastian's previous works. Gold stars and waves of serotonin all around.
Things that I love about Sebastian's books in general/"The Queer Principles of Kit Webb" specifically:
1) The representation across the queer spectrum with her characters is wonderful. From the outside looking in, this appears to be a gay romance, BUT IN FACT, Percy is gay while Kit is demi/bi, and there's a supporting character who's either bi or pan. Do y'all even know how rare it is to find demisexual characters in ANYTHING, let alone romances??? Thank you so much, Cat Sebastian, may Buddha bless you.
2) The characters themselves are charming/engaging as can be. Both Kit and Percy are complicated heroes who learn and grow both as individuals and as a couple through the course of the story, and they each have plenty of moments that make us clutch our chests and croon, "POOR BABY!"
3) The found family aspect. All of Sebastian's stories love to highlight that -- as is so often the case for IRL queer folks -- the family you make for yourself is often more important or valid than any blood you happen to be born into. The supporting cast of allies/supporters/friends is lovely and adds layers to Kit's and Percy's stories. I especially adored Betty, the younger woman who works in Kit's coffeeshop and isn't afraid to browbeat him (for his own good) whilst openly disdaining Percy (who she instantly knows is bad news, lol).
4) The fact that the challenge the leads face isn't simply overcoming society's prejudices/avoiding persecution from the legalized bigotry of the time. I am so so so SO tired of all queer stories being centered around coming out/homophobia narratives. Yes, those are important and necessary. But we also need to see stories where queer folks can just have adventures/romances beyond those issues. And Sebastian always does a magnificent job of delivering on that front. Her stories have a refreshing lack of bigotry for the heroes to overcome, focusing instead on other personal dramas.
5) The HEA. I am equally SO TIRED of queer folks being killed off -- usually horribly; usually suddenly for shock value -- or being denied Happily Ever Afters in fiction/media, because that so often smacks of the puritanical bullshit re: queerness being "a sin" that must be punished. With Sebastian, we NEVER have to worry about that. Only guaranteed HEAs here, folks! And it's such a dang relief. Sebastian's stories are never pure fluff, and her characters often have to overcome awful traumas or problems, but there's so much comfort to be had in knowing it'll all be okay in the end. So reassuring, especially in these pandemic days. I turn to her books whenever I need a genuine pick-me-up.
6) The sex scenes. So hot. SOOOO HOT. And a large part of that hotness is because Sebastian does a PHENOMENAL JOB of building up the sexual tension and making the big events emotional, character-building scenes as well as smokin' smut.
7) The societal commentary. Sebastian's books often have underlying, searing themes about real world issues -- misogyny, racism, class inequality -- and "The Queer Principles of Kit Webb" has one of the sharpest critiques yet; in this case, the inherent rottenness of the aristocracy/systems of wealth that CONTINUE to oppress the majority of people. In today's age of billionaires, Kit's rages against the ruling class/landlords still rings painfully true.
All in all, "The Queer Principles of Kit Webb" is yet another slam dunk, hole in one, center of the bull's-eye, (insert your preferred sports analogy here) winner of a book. I devoured the whole thing in two sittings, and am already impatient for the NEXT Sebastian book. If you love romance, if you love queer romance, if you love historical romance, if you love QUEER HISTORICAL ROMANCE (!!!!), pick this up asap -- and be sure to order copies of ALL of Sebastian's previous works. Gold stars and waves of serotonin all around.