What do you think?
Rate this book
Sir...: When control becomes surrender, and surrender becomes power
SIR...A Dark Psychological Romance
In the architecture of the mind, every wall has a structural weakness. Lydia Johnstone’s specialty is finding them. James Matthews’ specialty is building them.
Lydia Johnstone doesn’t fall in love; she dissects. A brilliant Master’s student in behavioral science, she has spent years mastering the art of the "calculated life." To Lydia, people are patterns to be decoded, and relationships are games of leverage—a survival mechanism forged in a past she refuses to let haunt her. She is always the smartest person in the room, and she is always in control.
Until she enters the seminar of Professor James Matthews.
Matthews is a monolith of British academic coldness—methodical, untouchable, and possessing a terrifyingly acute understanding of the human psyche. While other students see a mentor, Lydia sees a mirror. For the first time, she is the one being studied. For the first time, her masks are failing.
When they begin a collaborative project on the neurobiology of trauma, the research isn’t just academic—it’s an intrusion. As late nights in a shadowed office turn into a series of psychological provocations, the boundaries of the student-teacher hierarchy begin to erode. This isn't a courtship; it’s a siege.
In this slow-burn game of mental chess, Lydia must Is James Matthews the only person capable of seeing the real her, or is he systematically dismantling her defenses to destroy her?
SIR... is a character-driven psychological thriller wrapped in the shadows of dark academia. It explores the razor-thin line between intimacy and obsession, the neuroscience of power, and the terrifying vulnerability of being truly known.
What’s
The Intellectual A high-stakes, slow-burn tension where every conversation is a tactical maneuver.
Psychological A deep dive into trauma-informed behaviors, PTSD, and the cognitive dissonance of desire.
Authentic D/s A dark, sophisticated exploration of power exchange rooted in psychological need rather than mere trope.
Atmospheric Dark Set against the backdrop of clinical research, leather-bound libraries, and the cold ethics of behavioral science.
In the end, submission isn't the loss of power—it’s the ultimate test of it. To give someone the keys to your cage, you have to trust they won't let the monsters in. Or worse... that they aren't the monster themselves.
Content This is a dark romance intended for adult readers. It contains explicit sexual content within a D/s dynamic and explores heavy psychological themes, including childhood trauma, physical abuse, attempted trafficking, and PTSD related to a school shooting. The story examines complex power imbalances within an academic setting and features themes of emotional manipulation and psychological dominance.
SIR... is Book One of a three-part series.
In the architecture of the mind, every wall has a structural weakness. Lydia Johnstone’s specialty is finding them. James Matthews’ specialty is building them.
Lydia Johnstone doesn’t fall in love; she dissects. A brilliant Master’s student in behavioral science, she has spent years mastering the art of the "calculated life." To Lydia, people are patterns to be decoded, and relationships are games of leverage—a survival mechanism forged in a past she refuses to let haunt her. She is always the smartest person in the room, and she is always in control.
Until she enters the seminar of Professor James Matthews.
Matthews is a monolith of British academic coldness—methodical, untouchable, and possessing a terrifyingly acute understanding of the human psyche. While other students see a mentor, Lydia sees a mirror. For the first time, she is the one being studied. For the first time, her masks are failing.
When they begin a collaborative project on the neurobiology of trauma, the research isn’t just academic—it’s an intrusion. As late nights in a shadowed office turn into a series of psychological provocations, the boundaries of the student-teacher hierarchy begin to erode. This isn't a courtship; it’s a siege.
In this slow-burn game of mental chess, Lydia must Is James Matthews the only person capable of seeing the real her, or is he systematically dismantling her defenses to destroy her?
SIR... is a character-driven psychological thriller wrapped in the shadows of dark academia. It explores the razor-thin line between intimacy and obsession, the neuroscience of power, and the terrifying vulnerability of being truly known.
What’s
The Intellectual A high-stakes, slow-burn tension where every conversation is a tactical maneuver.
Psychological A deep dive into trauma-informed behaviors, PTSD, and the cognitive dissonance of desire.
Authentic D/s A dark, sophisticated exploration of power exchange rooted in psychological need rather than mere trope.
Atmospheric Dark Set against the backdrop of clinical research, leather-bound libraries, and the cold ethics of behavioral science.
In the end, submission isn't the loss of power—it’s the ultimate test of it. To give someone the keys to your cage, you have to trust they won't let the monsters in. Or worse... that they aren't the monster themselves.
Content This is a dark romance intended for adult readers. It contains explicit sexual content within a D/s dynamic and explores heavy psychological themes, including childhood trauma, physical abuse, attempted trafficking, and PTSD related to a school shooting. The story examines complex power imbalances within an academic setting and features themes of emotional manipulation and psychological dominance.
SIR... is Book One of a three-part series.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2025
2 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 14, 2025
Sirr.. by L. J. Langdale is a fantastic and engaging book that captures the reader’s attention from start to finish. Beautifully written and full of depth, it leaves a lasting impression. A must-read for book lovers. 📚✨
Thankyou Dear LJ Langdale 😊
Thankyou Dear LJ Langdale 😊
December 12, 2025
If you love dark academia that actually respects your intelligence, characters who bleed brilliance and vulnerability, and a slow-burn that feels like two minds circling a flame, this one's for you!
December 16, 2025
Sir…: When Control Becomes Surrender, and Surrender Becomes Power by LJ Langdale
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is a dark academia romance that thrives on intellect, tension, and emotional unease. Set within the disciplined world of behavioral science, the novel immediately establishes a charged atmosphere where power is currency and perception is everything. Rather than relying on shock or surface-level taboo, the story pulls readers in through psychological precision, making every interaction feel deliberate and weighted with meaning. From the first seminar scene, it’s clear this will be a slow, unsettling descent into vulnerability rather than a conventional romance.
👉Lydia Johnstone is a protagonist defined by control. She is sharp, strategic, and emotionally armored, using manipulation as both skill and survival mechanism. What makes her compelling is not her dominance, but the quiet fear beneath it. LJ Langdale carefully peels back Lydia’s layers, revealing how trauma shaped her need to command every situation. Her internal monologue is intense and often uncomfortable, but it feels honest. Lydia is not softened for the reader’s comfort, and that refusal makes her growth feel earned rather than convenient.
👉Professor James Matthews serves as the perfect counterweight to Lydia’s calculated chaos. His restraint, discipline, and intellectual authority create a presence that is both grounding and unnerving. He does not chase power, nor does he exploit it, which makes him uniquely threatening to someone like Lydia who relies on predictability. Matthews’ refusal to engage in emotional games forces Lydia into unfamiliar territory, where intellect alone is no longer enough. Their dynamic is built on conversation, silence, and observation, turning ordinary academic exchanges into moments charged with intensity.
👉One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its handling of dominance and surrender as emotional and psychological states rather than purely physical ones. The slow-burn pacing allows the tension to build organically, making each step toward intimacy feel significant and risky.
Happy reading 😁
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉This book is a dark academia romance that thrives on intellect, tension, and emotional unease. Set within the disciplined world of behavioral science, the novel immediately establishes a charged atmosphere where power is currency and perception is everything. Rather than relying on shock or surface-level taboo, the story pulls readers in through psychological precision, making every interaction feel deliberate and weighted with meaning. From the first seminar scene, it’s clear this will be a slow, unsettling descent into vulnerability rather than a conventional romance.
👉Lydia Johnstone is a protagonist defined by control. She is sharp, strategic, and emotionally armored, using manipulation as both skill and survival mechanism. What makes her compelling is not her dominance, but the quiet fear beneath it. LJ Langdale carefully peels back Lydia’s layers, revealing how trauma shaped her need to command every situation. Her internal monologue is intense and often uncomfortable, but it feels honest. Lydia is not softened for the reader’s comfort, and that refusal makes her growth feel earned rather than convenient.
👉Professor James Matthews serves as the perfect counterweight to Lydia’s calculated chaos. His restraint, discipline, and intellectual authority create a presence that is both grounding and unnerving. He does not chase power, nor does he exploit it, which makes him uniquely threatening to someone like Lydia who relies on predictability. Matthews’ refusal to engage in emotional games forces Lydia into unfamiliar territory, where intellect alone is no longer enough. Their dynamic is built on conversation, silence, and observation, turning ordinary academic exchanges into moments charged with intensity.
👉One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its handling of dominance and surrender as emotional and psychological states rather than purely physical ones. The slow-burn pacing allows the tension to build organically, making each step toward intimacy feel significant and risky.
Happy reading 😁
December 20, 2025
Sir…: When Control Becomes Surrender, and Surrender Becomes Power by LJ Langdale is a dark academia psychological romance that focuses more on the mind than on romance alone. The story is set in a university environment where power, control, and trauma shape every relationship. The author builds tension slowly through classroom debates, research work, and private conversations. There is no rush, and that makes the story feel serious and thoughtful. The academic setting, especially the psychology department, adds depth and keeps the tone intense from the start.
The main character, Lydia Johnstone, is highly intelligent and deeply guarded. She believes control is the only way to survive, and she treats people like problems to be solved. As the story unfolds, we see how her past trauma affects her behavior and choices. Her thoughts are sharp and honest, and at times uncomfortable, but they feel real. I appreciated that the author did not try to make her perfect or soft. Lydia’s struggle with trust, fear, and vulnerability is one of the strongest parts of the book.
Professor James Matthews is written as calm, distant, and emotionally controlled. His presence alone changes the balance of power in the story. He challenges Lydia without raising his voice or crossing into drama, which makes their dynamic intense. Their relationship is built on conversation, observation, and silence rather than physical attraction. The book explores dominance and submission on a mental level first, which makes the connection feel deeper and more realistic.
Overall, this book is best for readers who enjoy dark academia, psychological depth, and slow-burning tension. It is not a light romance and may feel heavy at times due to its themes of trauma and power imbalance. I would recommend this book to adult readers who like character-driven stories and emotional complexity. If you enjoy books that make you think and feel uneasy in a meaningful way, this is a strong choice to read.
The main character, Lydia Johnstone, is highly intelligent and deeply guarded. She believes control is the only way to survive, and she treats people like problems to be solved. As the story unfolds, we see how her past trauma affects her behavior and choices. Her thoughts are sharp and honest, and at times uncomfortable, but they feel real. I appreciated that the author did not try to make her perfect or soft. Lydia’s struggle with trust, fear, and vulnerability is one of the strongest parts of the book.
Professor James Matthews is written as calm, distant, and emotionally controlled. His presence alone changes the balance of power in the story. He challenges Lydia without raising his voice or crossing into drama, which makes their dynamic intense. Their relationship is built on conversation, observation, and silence rather than physical attraction. The book explores dominance and submission on a mental level first, which makes the connection feel deeper and more realistic.
Overall, this book is best for readers who enjoy dark academia, psychological depth, and slow-burning tension. It is not a light romance and may feel heavy at times due to its themes of trauma and power imbalance. I would recommend this book to adult readers who like character-driven stories and emotional complexity. If you enjoy books that make you think and feel uneasy in a meaningful way, this is a strong choice to read.
December 26, 2025
SLOW BURN AND SO INTENSE
The dynamic between the characters, the tension that wasn't rushed and kept building through restraint and unspoken desires. Not just any ordinary spicy read, it was intimate and filled with emotional growth - the emotional connection and desire in Sir is absolutely worth the read. Addictive read that had me shocked and feeling the constant heat page after page.
The dynamic between the characters, the tension that wasn't rushed and kept building through restraint and unspoken desires. Not just any ordinary spicy read, it was intimate and filled with emotional growth - the emotional connection and desire in Sir is absolutely worth the read. Addictive read that had me shocked and feeling the constant heat page after page.
December 17, 2025
great book!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I got zero work done because I binged this book in one sitting — and it was absolutely worth it. Sir… is dark academia done right: smart, unsettling, and deeply psychological.
I loved Lydia instantly. She’s sharp, guarded, and clearly shaped by trauma in a way that feels painfully real. I would highly recommend
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I got zero work done because I binged this book in one sitting — and it was absolutely worth it. Sir… is dark academia done right: smart, unsettling, and deeply psychological.
I loved Lydia instantly. She’s sharp, guarded, and clearly shaped by trauma in a way that feels painfully real. I would highly recommend
December 26, 2025
Slow burn and so intense!!
The dynamic between the characters, the tension that wasn’t rushed and kept building through restraint and unspoken desires. Not just any ordinary spicy read, it was intimate and filled with emotional growth - the emotional connection and desire in Sir is absolutely worth the read. Addictive read that had me shocked and feeling constant heat page after page. 🔥
The dynamic between the characters, the tension that wasn’t rushed and kept building through restraint and unspoken desires. Not just any ordinary spicy read, it was intimate and filled with emotional growth - the emotional connection and desire in Sir is absolutely worth the read. Addictive read that had me shocked and feeling constant heat page after page. 🔥
December 17, 2025
I binged this book in 6 hours, that hasn’t happened in a long time. I loved Lydia in the book, I resonated with her straight away. It’s extremely well written. I believe her trauma was managed in the book and not resolved which could possibly leave an opening for book 2 🙏🙏.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews