To Shoot a Sinner: A Steamy Regency Romance

by Lydia Margett

Readers will love To Shoot a Sinner, the first book in Lydia Margett’s unapologetically feminist Regency romance series Dreamers and Dukes. "Delightfully sexy, rich in voice, emotionally resonant, and full of heart," Margett's writing brings a fresh new taste to the adored genre.

Lady Charlotte Aston was never taught how to fire a pistol. She certainly was never taught how to partake in a duel. And so, she never considered the possibility that she might find herself in such a situation: standing in a misty field at the crack of dawn, pistol in hand, opposite the king of London’s underworld. The outcome of her next moments—the salvation or the destruction of her family.

Mr. Benjamin Scarsdale is too familiar with death to be daunted by the prospect of standing twenty paces downfield from a flying bullet. But his challenger’s contempt for the capriciousness of life has Benjamin itching to teach him a lesson–how quickly one can find themselves out of charity with fate. However, when Benjamin’s lesson lodges itself in the shoulder of Charlotte Aston and not her good-for-nothing brother, Benjamin finds she is not a problem he can just solve and walk away from. Lady Charlotte Aston might just be the thing that unravels his entire empire.

A duel brings them together, and an unexpected proposition binds them, but will they be able to overcome the chasm that divides their worlds and give their love a shot?

Genres: Regency, Romance

371 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2026

About the author

Lydia Margett is a historical romance author and creator of the Dreamers and Dukes trilogy. Lydia was born and raised in the United States and moved abroad as a teenager. She studied International Relations and Spanish at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and completed a Masters in Political Science at the Technical University of Munich before settling down in Germany, where she is now a permanent resident. Lydia likes to incorporate her experience working in human rights and foreign policy into her work, weaving in social justice causes into what is otherwise a light and entertainment-driven genre. Learn more and follow along for updates on her work through her website and newsletter.

Reviews

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia Margett has a strong writing style for a historical romance and enjoyed getting into this world and characters as a opening chapter. The plot was what I was hoping for and enjoyed getting to know Lady Charlotte Aston and Benjamin Scarsdale, it was a great concept and enjoyed the overall journey of this book. The characters were really well written and enjoyed getting to go on this journey with the characters and how well they worked in the time-period. I'm excited to read more in the Dreamers and Dukes and from Lydia Margett.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emilee Ann Alcantara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

The book was a great read. I loved the dynamics between the two main characters. Charolette was a strong female lead dedicated to helping her family and Benjamin was the male lead bad boy turned hero. All the great elements of a period piece.

[Daniela Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To Shoot a Sinner" by Lydia Margett 💕📖
5 ⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC.

What a better way to start January (my Bridgerton Month, because yes, my favorite season is finally coming!) So if you’re a Bridgerton fan just like me, or if you just enjoy Historical Romance with a little bit of spicy scenes, well, this is the perfect book for you!

"Charlotte Aston hardly ever got enough sleep—a commodity she valued above all others. It was worth its weight in gold and, like gold, was all the more precious when one did not have enough of it."

"To Shoot a Sinner" is the first book in the Dreamers and Dukes series. Lydia presents us to Lady Charlotte Aston, our strong and determined FMC, who gets into a tricky and very scandalous contract with Benjamin Scarsdale, our MMC, better known as The Master of London Secrets. All this after taking the place of her very irresponsible brother Freddie in a duel, where Charlotte gets injured so Benjamin takes care of her, and let’s say that the obsession (or love at first sight begins...🤭).

During the whole story, these two try to convince each other, that the contract (yes, Benjamin has the brilliant decision to ask Charlotte to be his mistress) is merely a convenience for them. For Charlotte is nothing more than financial gain (she’s already struggling to keep her family state afloat after they lost basically everything, add to this taking care of her two younger brothers, plus keeping an eye on his other brother, Freddie, who OMG, I wanted to just get into the book and beat the shit out of him for being so bloody irresponsible!) and for Benjamin, a repayment for taking care of Charlotte brothers debts. Well, THEYRE BOTH LIARS!

They immediately fell for the other. Benjamin is a character with a very tragic background, he keeps telling himself his incapable of feeling something like love but come on, the guy was destroyed from the minute his eyes set on Charlotte. And talking about Charlotte, she recognizes there is something that keeps drawing her towards Benedict, and no, its impossible this is because of all the great gestures the man has with her, right…?

But I wont spill more details, don’t want to ruin the book for future readers hahaha.

I absolutely adored the way Lydia set this book during London in 1800s. As probably many other books, that follow just the pretty dances, the courtership, the fashion, and the gossip (there's nothing wrong with that btw, its just my opinion), here, we only have a little glimpse to that, what is more important in my opinion is how we have this other storyline, where we find out thanks to Charlotte, the struggles the other part of the society is having. Even thanks to Benjamin, the man itself was in a very bad place during his first years in the city.
This is something that its good to be brought to attention. Who doesn’t love to read or watch a romantic story set during the 1800s, but the truth is during that time. Social differences were stark, dividing society into rigid classes: the wealthy elite enjoyed luxury in West London, while the vast working class, including recent rural migrants and immigrants, endured horrific poverty, overcrowding, disease, and dangerous labor in overcrowded slums (like the East End), with severe contrasts in housing, sanitation, opportunities, and daily life, creating a chasm between the rich and poor, further deepened by new industrial realities. The fact that the author mentioned this during the story was an excellent point for me.

I loved the side characters, I hope we can read more about Wells, it was nice to see how he showed concern about Charlotte's situation. Also he was a tremendous help to Benedict so he could stop being so blind about his feelings. Elsie was another one of my favorites (her background story was very scandalous of course, but it was lovely to see how her family and husband supported her), the way she embraced Charlotte and became her friend was adorable, I hope we can see a bit more about her too.

I know I gave the book 5 stars, but my only issue was the ending, it felt like it was too rushed. Yes, we know that Freddie was struggling too with addiction, gambling problems and more, but I feel like we probably needed another 2 or three chapters, just to give a proper closure. I’d have loved to read a scene between Charlotte and Freddie, where he apologizes for being so reckless and stupid.

To Shoot a Sinner goes to my top ten of the month 📖💕.

[Margaret Minoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Shoot a Sinner (Dreamers & Dukes, #1) by Lydia Margett

5 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

How exciting is it that my first new book of 2026 is an ARC, and a slam dunk 5 start read. Lydia is setting the bar high for the rest of the year! Historical Romance was my first love in book genres before I dove into the Maasverse and the door was opened to Romantasy. I can confidently say that Lydia has rekindled my love for Historical Romance, and I will be weaving in a few each month in 2026!

To Shoot a sinner is the first installment in the series of hopefully 3 interconnecting stand-alone books. Channeling some serious Bridgerton vibes, Lydia delivers secrets, gossip and a very grumpy MMC in her first novel. Our headstrong FMC, Charlotte, enters into a scandalous contract with Benjamin, the ‘Master o’ London’s Secrets’. She tells herself the contract is simply for the repayment of the financial support Benjamin has provided her – by collecting her brother’s debts. It cannot be because Charlotte feels an invisible draw towards Benjamin, and every moment spent with him makes her feel more alive than she has in years. Absolutely not – feelings make agreements like being a mistress to a notoriously dangerous man messy, and Charlotte cannot handle messy when she’s already supporting her two younger brothers through schooling and keeping Freddie out of the gutters. Benjamin is self-made and worked his way up from the streets. Proposing a spontaneous agreement and being thrust into the spotlight of the London ton was not on his bingo card. But Benjamin can’t seem to stay away from the tenacious woman that fate dropped in his path.

The Writing: Cleverly written and consistent with the language and dialect of 1800’s London. Bravo, Lydia! The internal monologues from both our main characters helped bring them to life. Lydia’s writing is playful, which makes this book an easy page turner. Her style of writing is similar to Evie Dunmore, one of my favorite Historical Romance authors.

The Characters: The main and side characters are well-rounded. I’m hopeful that the second and third book in this series delves into other storylines. Particularly Wells, who seems like the Casanova of the bunch. I would love to see which lady is able to stop him in his tracks. At times, I wanted to shake Charlotte and Benjamin, the two had a lot of unspoken feelings and miscommunication throughout the novel. The only loose end I felt was Freddie. We didn’t get to see what happened to the brother who squandered his entire wealth on women, gambling and drinking.

Looking forward to reading more from Lydia Margett!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksirens for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a new-to-me author and first book in a series, and I am looking forward to more from her.

A historical romance with strong, but flawed characters, and an unlikely couple who form a relationship from the most unlikely of situations.

Benjamin Scarsdale has known death, loss and strife since childhood - raised the bastard son of a nobleman, and left alone on the streets to fend for himself after the traumatic deaths of his mother and sister. He has no love for toffs other than those who have proven their loyalty and friendship to him. He has grown an empire over the years, and a reputation for ferreting out and weaponizing secrets.

Lady Charlotte Aston is the daughter and sister of Earls, but instead of living a life of privilege and ease as a member of high society, she is living on the fringes of poverty, trying to hold together what is left of the earldom for her young brothers, as the current Earl impoverishes the estate living the life of a wastrel.

When her brother drunkenly takes offence against Benjamin at one of his clubs, and demands satisfaction, Charlotte finds herself disguised, and taking his place to face down Benjamin at dawn. Benjamin is shocked to discover the ruse when his bullet finds it's way into Charlotte's shoulder and he whisks her off to his townhouse to save and care for her.

This is a steamy and dramatic story of two wonderfully complex, flawed individuals from literally opposite sides of the field find themselves drawn together. A relationship develops but is fraught by missteps and miscommunications, as well as outside threats and Benjamin's past. Benjamin finds himself deeply attracted to Charlotte and her strength and determined to help her despite her distrust of him and determination to find solutions herself. Charlotte however is alone and fighting a losing battle against her wastrel brother, and turns to Benjamin when he offers an unusual solution to her situation. Their relationship is complex, messy, but grows despite of this, and their own stubborness and pigheadedness. It was a delight to read for me because underneath it all Charlotte and Benjamin are good people with good hearts, scarred by the past, the present, and their other relationships. They are used to being strong and independent, but maybe unconsciously wanting to find love, acceptance, and support. They eventually find this with each other, and after a difficult path, find their way to each other.

4 stars out of 5

[Marion Löw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this strangers-to-lovers historical romance with its added class disparity and illicit liaison tropes by an author who was new to me.
The plot is rather unusual because it doesn’t really take place in the typical Regency milieu, but gives an insight on the hard life of the lower classes. The story is very well written, well paced and brims with emotion, past drama, humor, a villain and spice. Charlotte is a strong character who, as a writer, deals with the problems of the lower classes and keeps her family afloat, but unfortunately is often too kind-hearted, especially towards her irresponsible brother. Benjamin's story is one of rags to riches with a sad childhood. He is a bad boy but with a soft spot. The chemistry between them sizzles throughout the book and it was fun to watch the two of them deny their feelings for each other. Ben's friends are very likable and I liked the bond and the funny banter between them. I'm already looking forward to their stories. As for Charlotte's brother - no comment, otherwise I'll get abusive.
TW: drug addiction

Benjamin Scarsdale is the illegitimate son of a marquess and grew up on the streets of London before becoming wealthy through his clubs and his collection of information and secrets. When he is challenged to a duel by a young, pleasure-seeking aristocrat, he accepts and shoots him in the shoulder, only to discover that his opponent is a woman.
Spinster Lady Charlotte Aston has long devotedly managed the household of her spoilt younger brother Freddie, who squanders the entire family fortune on alcohol, gambling and women. When Freddie finds himself in trouble once again, Charlotte steps in for him and, disguised, duels with club owner Benjamin Scarsdale, but is injured in the process.
Benjamin takes Charlotte home and nurses her back to health, fascinated by the feisty beauty. He also buys up her brother's debts. When Charlotte wants to work off the debt, however, Ben makes her an illicit proposition – to be his mistress for a month and then go their separate ways. When Freddie incurs additional debts and wants to marry her off to his new creditor, a creep, Charlotte accepts Ben's offer, as she is attracted to him...

Overall, a very entertaining historical romance novel with appealing characters, humor, heat and heart, which I‘m happy to recommend.

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To Shoot a Sinner" is book one in the Of Dreamers and Dukes trio. by Lydia Margett. The three stories are about men who are friends and business partners in 19 century England. Written in third person, past tense (my favorite), it's seen from the lady's point of view AND the gentleman's.Male MCs are often almost secondary characters, lost amongst the gowns, architecture and mores of the period.
Mr Benjamin Scarsdale was the illegitimate son of a Duke. Raised as a gentleman, life changed at age eleven when his father died without securing a future for his mistress and her two children. Lady Charlotte Aston, eldest child of an Earl, lived on the edge of ruin with a dissolute father and even worse brother. Benjamin buys up, her brother, Freddie's debt and she agrees to become his mistress for a month in order to wipe it out.
The book opens with a duel and ends with a shooting. In between, it's angsty, and exciting. Ben and Charlotte have an intense chemistry. Equal partners in their illicit affair, they absolutely sizzle. Spice with a touch of tender. With such strong minded (and headstrong) characters, you get the usual miscommunications and misunderstandings. Both fear that "L" word, but maybe they'd have a better chance at talking it out if they kept their clothes on.
The author gives strong voices to even the more minor secondaries (Lizzie, Boyd). The major secondaries,Alexander Burke Marquess of Elkington and his betrothed, Elsie Wylde, and Jonathon Bradford Duke of Wells are very much foreground characters. From the book title alone, I'm thinking that Wells is next. But I wouldn't be unhappy with reading about Elsie and Elk.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lida Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨📚
To Shoot a Sinner
Dreamers and Dukes, Book 1 by Lydia Margett
⭐⭐⭐⭐

📝 My Thoughts:
This Regency romance opens with a literal bang. Lady Charlotte Aston steps onto a dueling field to save her reckless brother and is shot by Mr. Benjamin Scarsdale, the brooding Master of London’s Secrets. The stakes are high, the tension is thick, and the chemistry sparks fast. Fair warning, the hero has a few real “ass” moments. His street-hardened, jaded outlook and his early proposition are very much in poor taste. Still, his eventual remorse and growth make this broken road to love absolutely worth the ride. Though it is part of a series, it works beautifully as a standalone.

💖 Why I Loved It:
• Witty banter: Charlotte shines when she puts Mr. Scarsdale firmly in his place.
• Uplifting growth: Watching a man convinced he is incapable of love be completely undone by Lady Charlotte is deeply satisfying.
• Believable stakes: Charlotte’s family desperation adds real emotional weight to every choice she makes.
• Strong readability: Smooth pacing, vivid settings, and an easy pull-you-in writing style.

🔖 Favorite Quote:
“This love that was eclipsing his grief, making it spill over, and cleansing the putrid cave he had trapped it in. The light such a love brought, that had grown almost blinding and had him imagining life in a way he had never even thought to consider.”

📌 Final Verdict:
A must-read for fans of protective heroes and fiercely independent heroines. Not for clean or closed-door readers, as it includes explicit steam and some truly bastardly behavior before the hero finally learns how to court a lady properly.

#BookReview #RegencyRomance #HistoricalRomance #ToShootASinner #Bookstagram #EnemiesToLovers #SteamyReads

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a story! Charlotte’s younger brother Freddie, the Earl of Elford, challenged Benjamin Scarsdale, Master of London’s Streets, to a duel. Then he made an outrageous bet that he would win, and went home and passed out drunk. If Freddie did not show, he would lose the bet and Charlotte knew that their impoverished estate could not afford that. So Charlotte dressed up as Freddie, attended the duel, shot her pistol up in the air just before Benjamin shot her in the shoulder. Benjamin was horrified to find out he shot a woman and had her unconscious body brought to his nearby townhouse where he had a doctor tend to her. What follows is a masterfully told tale involving power struggles, financial crises, feelings of inadequacy, societal strictures, volatile emotions, witty repartee, unparalleled friendships, conflict, lies, secrets, horrific revelations, steamy encounters, surprises, and so much more. This story is a bit of a rollercoaster ride filled with vivid characters, action, regrets, heartache and misunderstandings. Once I started reading, I was totally invested and could not put it down. I literally read straight through the night and finished just in time to get ready to go to work the next day, so plan your time accordingly. For me, this is one of those well written stories that will stick with you long after you have finished reading. It’s amazing and I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book. This is not your standard Regency romance, and I mean that in the best possible way. It’s bold, sexy, emotionally sharp, and unapologetically feminist, with a heroine who literally steps onto a dueling field and refuses to back down. From the very first scene, this story had me hooked.

Lady Charlotte Aston is fierce, stubborn, and deeply devoted to her family, even when they don’t deserve her sacrifices. Watching her face down the king of London’s underworld with a pistol in her hand was thrilling, but what really stood out was her emotional strength. She isn’t reckless for the sake of it—she’s desperate, brave, and painfully aware of the cost of failure. She feels real in a way that makes you ache for her.

Benjamin Scarsdale is a dangerous, layered hero who has made his peace with death, until Charlotte crashes straight into his carefully controlled world. Their chemistry is electric, full of tension, sharp dialogue, and slow-burn intensity. What starts as violence and obligation turns into something far more complicated, and I loved how their relationship constantly challenges both of them to confront who they are and what they’re willing to risk.

This book balances grit and romance beautifully. There’s underworld intrigue, moral gray areas, and a love story that feels hard-won and deeply earned. If you’re looking for a Regency romance that breaks the rules, flips power dynamics, and delivers both heat and heart, you won't want to miss this one. I look forward to continuing the series.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have Lady Charlotte Aston and Benjamin Scarsdale! Lady Charlotte should be well taken care of as the daughter and sister of an Earl! She is not! She is half starved trying to ensure her worthless brother Freddie does not send them to Debtor prison!
He and her two twin brothers are half and she has spoiled and sheltered them since birth!
We can not like Freddie he is not wicked just worthless!
Freddie challenges Benjamin to a duel! Charlotte takes his place and shoots Charlotte! He feels remorse and tends to her and is halfway in love with her before is completely well!
He admires her but propositions her! Yes Benjamin is our wounded, wealthy self made man but he is friends with two Dukes and she is a Lady!
Their relationship is tumultuous and passionate but I love how Charlotte doesn’t cheapen him making her his mistress by accepting extravagant gifts!
Why would Charlotte consult someone from his past to determine their future? I’m not sure!
But there is of course a villain that will stop at absolutely nothing to get Charlotte for his own! Charlotte makes a new life for herself far away from Benjamin but is drawn back to London because of her love for her younger brothers!
Of course the villain awaits but it is how heartless and evil his set up of Freddie is! They may not ever fully resolve them! Freddie will deal with them for a lifetime! Do Charlotte and Benjamin get a HEA? Yes but Benjamin knows that he absolutely does not deserve her! Bravo

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is WOW!! This story had it all! Spice, suspense, banter, push and pull between the FMC and MMC but also between the MMC and his friends (two noblemen who get their stories in subsequent books), low angst in the misunderstandings between characters and did I say spice!

I loved Benjamin (London’s Master of Secrets) Scarsdale, tough on the outside but after he meets and accidentally shoots Lady Charlotte Aston on the dueling field (he thought he was dueling her brother) she starts to burrow under his skin and finds his heart that he tries to hide from everyone.
Charlotte is a strong, stubborn (in a good way), intelligent and ready to take on the world for her family much to her detriment.

These characters are well-developed and fully present in the story. They go through wonderful changes that only adds to the amazing, suspenseful plot!

They go through some adversity but in the end they prevail, leading to a beautiful and very satisfying HEA (happily ever after)!!

This will NOT be the last book I read from Lydia Margett! I will be reading the rest of the books from this series (when they are released) but I will be keeping an eye on this author, that is for sure!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Regency Readers Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to beta read this book before it came out and again as an advanced reader and I have to say it is an exciting thing to be on the ground floor of such a series. Margett's writing style is clean and confident and the story she has created is exciting and swoon-worthy. I have read regency romance for years and years and To Shoot a Sinner brings a delicious modern take to the genre without losing the timeless, escapist nostalgia that draws all us readers in.

Charlotte Aston is a brilliant heroine. She is strong and determined yet caring and interesting. Her story arc is the tale of a woman taking hold of her life with elegance and charm and I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning.

Benjamin Scarsdale OH MY! Your classic bad-boy with a heart of gold. Completely ~dreamy~ I love an imperfect hero especially in a genre where sometimes the MMC can be a bit dull in all his gentlemanliness.

Margett's writing has me hooked and I am so excited to see more from this author! It is a 10/10 recommendation from me for anyone who loves historical romance.

[HfbR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Charlotte Aston and Benjamin Scarsdale. Charlotte’s family is in dire straights, and her drunken brother has challenged Benjamin to a duel and made a £300.00 wager that he’ll turn up to meet him at dawn. With her brother in a drunken stupor and knowing that they already have spiralling debts and can’t afford to lose more money, Charlotte decides to take his place at the duel. Dressed in her brother’s clothes on a misty London morning, Charlotte faces Benjamin and prepares to shoot…………

This was literally off to an explosive start, and the story continues on at a good pace. It’s well written with a good plot and excellent characters, some of whom I presume we will learn more about as this Dreamers and Dukes series continues. Charlotte is a strong character who’s not at all typical of the times and Benjamin is a bad boy with a helping hand for those in need. It’s a first novel to be proud of, and I look forward to reading more by this author 🐈‍⬛.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Regency romance was an absolute joy to read. The plot feels refreshingly unique, setting it apart from more familiar Regency tropes, and it kept me engaged from start to finish. It’s one of those books where you genuinely look forward to picking it up again.
The characters are beautifully developed—they feel vivid, layered, and true to the time period while still being easy to connect with as a reader. Their interactions are lively and engaging, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should.
What I especially loved is how much fun this book is. It balances wit, romance, and charm effortlessly, making it a thoroughly entertaining read without sacrificing depth or character growth.
Overall, this is an amazing Regency romance that I absolutely loved reading. If you’re looking for something a little different within the genre—smart, engaging, and genuinely enjoyable—this one is well worth your time. 💕.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this passionate romance that starts with a duel. Lady Charlotte is a flawed but loving older woman and Margett demonstrates that in so many different ways, from the way Charlotte supports her family, to the difficulties she has with her spoiled younger brother, it is easy to care for this character and understand the mistakes that she has made in being forced to parent a “golden child” who has more power over her than she has over him.

Benjamin is similarly well fleshed out — and his friends and found family are interesting and three dimensional characters.

The story is driven by the forces of society, capitalism and one very awful man. I finished this book in one sitting because I needed to see what would happen.

I would actually give this 4.5 stars but no one allows half stars. It would have been a full 5 stars if only the plot point of Frederick had been fully resolved.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lady Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is promising, but the story takes far too long to gain momentum and ends up dragging in several parts. Benjamin has a dark and compelling past that helps carry the narrative, but the romance gets bogged down by repetitive conflicts and constant miscommunication. Charlotte is strong and determined, yet she is trapped in an infuriating situation largely because of her brother. The current earl is a spoiled, irresponsible drunk, utterly useless, who runs the estate into the ground through sheer selfishness while dumping all the responsibility on his sister. The relationship between Charlotte and Benjamin has potential, but the excessive drama and the insistence on this wasteful brother make the book feel much longer than it needed to be. In the end, it’s a good idea stretched far beyond its limits.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Samantha Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, To Shoot a Sinner draws you in and refuses to let go. This Bridgerton-like romance is beautifully written and completely immersive. You’ll find yourself saying “just one more chapter” until suddenly the book is over, and you’re wishing there was more.

Watching Charlotte and Benjamin’s relationship unfold is truly the heart of the story. Their connection is sweet, endearing, and filled with just the right balance of tension and playful banter. Their interactions feel natural and heartfelt, making it easy to root for them every step of the way.

The supporting characters are equally well done, adding depth and richness rather than simply fading into the background. They enhance the story and make the world feel full and alive.

This book has everything: romance, charm, wit, and emotional pull. A thoroughly enjoyable read and one I highly recommend.

[Ammyyyy_e · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Shoot a Sinner - And to love one 🤭

I absolutely adore Charlotte and Benjamin!
Putting this book down once I started was not an option! I've always been a fan of historical romance or one rather taking place wayyy back then. The love and intentions in the book are always just so real ans true. There's always a strong heroine and a rake haha. This was so good. Charlotte the ever responsible sister with wants of her own, who continues to sacrifice throughout the book. Benjamin, who is notoriously sinful and comes from struggling and humble beginnings. He, of course, has a soft spot for those who are struggling. The meeting because he shots her! What a crazy way to meet someone you fall in love with. There was even a little spice in here - 🌶 but closer to closed door for me.
Lydia did a fantastic job with this one and the speech from then was superb.

[Rachel]

Loved this story! Very smart, funny and suspenseful. A good twist on the traditional romance with a strong plot and intriguing characters. Charlotte is a heroine you can cheer on and Benjamin is a swoon-worthy bad boy. While Margett delivers on the romance genre, she also gives us strong, clever and capable women who support each other (and men who value these women) as they navigate systems and a culture determined to devalue them. If you are looking for a sexy romance with heroines, heros and villains you can relate to and a storyline that keeps the pages turning, this is the series for you. I am so glad there are two more books coming out in this series so I can fill in the gaps with other intriguing characters.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passion, intrigue, injustice, and humour!

This is an excellent book.

The standard tropes for the genre are presented with detail and pace. There are (as always) some guessable points but they are well blended into a coherent, gripping tale.

I loved the way that all of the main characters developed through the book.

There are - as expected - issues, both class-related and from the inherent misogyny of the time, however they are blended with humour and heart-warming actions and, combined with the strong, appealing, yet intermittently vulnerable MCs, the overall feel of the book is simply described as "delightful".


(I was fortunate to receive an ARC however the above is, as ever, my own opinion.)

[Kseniia Neustroeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first romance I read in years and, oh, how pleasantly surprised I was! The narration was the perfect tempo for me, and I genuinely couldn't put the book down. I loved that besides the strong chemistry of the main characters, their friendships were also very well written - I feel like they shaped the story and made the book universe feel real. And the character development itself was just wonderful, I got really attached to Charlotte - I never had to ask myself what I ask with many romantic leads: "what is so special about her?". She is definitely very special and I can't wait to read next parts in this series.

P.S. Extra shout out for the spectacular vocabulary and the local dialects integration!

[Vievie2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical romance delivers a compelling mix of tension, vulnerability, and slow‑burn attraction as two unlikely partners find themselves bound by a scandalous agreement that quickly becomes far more complicated than either intends. Set against a vividly drawn 1800s London, the story balances emotional depth with sharp character dynamics, allowing Charlotte and Benjamin's guarded exteriors to gradually crack as their connection grows. The supporting cast adds warmth and texture, enriching a narrative that blends intrigue, class contrast, and unexpected tenderness into a highly engaging start to the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinner would have been enough, but no..... (possible spoilers)

He had to shoot her!

Ubenknownst to Scarsdale and Lady Charlotte, this duel changed them in ways only love can. Scarsdale, a broken man, traumatized from a rough childhood and forced to lose his only family, built his life into something grand against all odds of the time. Lady Charlotte, trying to learn to keep her head above water taking care of her three brothers after losing all they had due to her brother Freddie's mounting debts and addictions. What comes between them in the form of a false contract will give them both the chance to mend their hearts and have a future they had ever thought was possible. I highly recommend this book and look forward to seeing their lives in future releases.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! a great start for this new trilogy... love lady Charlotte and Benjamin... this is their story... a fun fast paced rom/drama.... lady Charlotte stands in for her horrible brother in a duel at dawn... against Benjamin, the lord of the underworld and a duke's illegitimate son... he thought that he was dueling against her brother.. it's misty !! and he shot her !!! oops !!! they make an arrangement to wipe out the debt... a month as his mistress... that's the plan... and it goes sideways.... this is so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a Regency Romance from a new author who totally nailed 👏 👌 🙌 😀 👍 😄 this story!

Book Cover: Definitely drew me in as dueling could have meant so many different directions the author could go!! And being new to this author, i was curious.

Book Length: Definitely met my minimum of 250 pages and then some. Great!!

Blurb: after reading it, immediately started and didn't stop till finished.

Super story!! Loved the main characters, their friends were more family than their real families. Looking for more 📚 from this author now and hope Lydia will be writing more books on the friends if she hasn't already!

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful Regency. First line grabbed me:

“Charlotte Aston hardly ever got enough sleep—a commodity she valued above all others.”

A doting elder sister has had to once again fix things for her younger brother- to the extent that she takes his place in a duel. Naturally, the other participant, Benjamin Scarsdale, is the handsome owner of a gambling establishment with influential friends. Highly entertaining, strongly recommended. I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author and BookSirens, but my enthusiastic opinion is my own.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline. I felt that the ending could have been a little more inclusive about the heroine’s brothers, especially what was happening to the twins. The Earl brother was one I would like to shake some sense into, even though I know he was a drug and alcohol addict, plus a gambling addict, but he showed no concern for anybody but himself. There is an other villain in the story that gets what is coming to him. The two main characters have an instant attraction but don’t know how to deal with it. I enjoyed the secondary characters who were friends of the MMC.

[Rachel Wehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love from a Duel

Lady Charlotte bears the weight of the world on her shoulders. To save her brother, she takes a bullet through one of them. Benjamin Scarsdale is a notorious bachelor who finds himself instantly smitten with this brave lady. The result is witty banter, lots of swoon, and a sweet, redemptive love story.

I really enjoyed this book! The dialogue was charming, witty, and amusing. The supporting characters were likable, and the plot was fast paced and easy to follow. I really enjoyed this author and can’t wait to read more of her works!

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, particularly as I thought the two main characters were strong and interesting. Their interactions give the whole book its energy and keeps the reader fully invested in the outcome of the plot.

The only real issue that I have is the use of some distinctly modern language in the dialogue at times, such as "getting your knickers in a twist".

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.