To Catch a Sinner

by Dylan Allen, Lucy Wilson-Tagoe

Sin Sackey is driven by the same hardwired need as every eldest first-generation daughter—to make her family proud. And she built her career and chose her partners with that single goal as her north star.

Everyone said she had it all. And for more than twenty years, Sin let herself believe they were right. Until a near-death experience makes the truth impossible to deny. Her relationship is on life support. Her journalism career is in freefall. And the city she thought she'd conquer has chewed her up and spit her out.

With everything to prove—and everything to lose—Sin moves back home to Washington, DC. But on the eve of the first day of the rest of her new life, the saying about old habits proves painfully accurate.

A new lead falls into her lap, and Sin dives back into the story that nearly cost her everything. Then, when a man who is all the things she's sworn to avoid invites her to dinner, she says yes. But this story could resurrect her career—and take down an entire black-market empire. She's closer than ever to catching its elusive leader, and she can't let go now.

And this man could be the one. So, she lowers her walls just enough for him to climb over.

But just when it seems her gamble might pay off, her lead starts to feel more like a trap. And the man she's let herself love appears to be the one who set it.

Contains mature themes.

Genres: Romance, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Mystery

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2026

About the author

I'm an independent author of contemporary romance novels.
I love staying in touch with readers! You can follow me at all of these places.

➜Follow Dylan on:
 
Website: www.dylanallenbooks.com
Instagram: @dylanallenromance
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordylana...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dylan...

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2tpN6TF
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2vj00QB

Reviews

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I love you, I know you. You are my best friend. My secret garden. The master of my universe. The ruler of me. I’m not saying we’re immortal, but I think this could last forever."


on repeat 𝄞 ࿐♬ 𓍢ִ🎧ྀི ᯓ ‎♪ˎˊ˗
“ʀᴜɴ” x ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ
0:50 ─♥────────── 4:06


From the second Sin and Kwane started talking, I was DONE FOR. The banter??? Absolutely immaculate. Every conversation felt effortless, funny, flirty, and so full of tension that I was grinning like an idiot. Their chemistry was genuinely off the charts 🥵🥵

I adored Sin as a main character. She’s messy in the best way, incredibly smart, brutally honest, and has this relentless determination that makes you root for her even when she’s diving headfirst into situations that are very obviously going to explode. She thrives in chaos, and somehow I loved her even more because of it.

What really kept me hooked, though, was the suspense. Every time I thought things might finally settle down, another secret surfaced, another lead appeared, or someone became just a little more suspicious. There was this constant feeling that danger was always one step behind (or maybe one step ahead) and I never fully knew who to trust. The mystery blended so well with the romance that neither one overshadowed the other, and the stakes just kept getting higher.

And Kwane… I loved the way he matched Sin’s energy while still grounding her. Their honesty with each other made every interaction hit even harder, and I couldn’t get enough of their back-and-forth.

AND THAT ENDING????? Are you kidding me??? I need the next book because there is absolutely no way I’m walking away after that. I’m way too invested now 👀

favorite quotes ↓

“I appreciate a man who pays attention.”
“Then you’re in the right place because you’ve got my full attention the way nothing else I’ve seen today has.”

“You’re not your parents. Their choices don’t have to be your burden.”

“This woman is more than my lover. She’s my best friend.”

things to know about the book ↓

🧡 friends → lovers
🧡 lawyer x journalist
🧡 suspenseful romance
🧡 he falls first
🧡 sizzling banter
🧡 high-stakes investigation
🧡 dual POV

swearing: yes
spice rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
→ chapters: 7, 14, 19, 33, 45

Thank you NetGalley, publisher & author for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

─────────
・❥・⁀➷ 🧡 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

journalist + black-market investigation + mysterious lawyer... im intrigued

[Kandi Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating, romantic, and thrilling story with a unique heartbeat all its own. Wilson-Tagoe shines with rich characters, gorgeous writing, and a stunning narrative that kept me hooked.

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟, 2🌶️

This book had me reading faster and faster while simultaneously not wanting it to end.

What started as a romance quickly unfolded into a layered story filled with secrets, family drama, and enough suspense to keep me completely invested from beginning to end.

What I enjoyed most was the balance between the emotional and suspenseful elements. Sin and Kwame had great chemistry, but it was their individual journeys, complicated family relationships, and the cultural themes woven throughout the story that really stood out to me. The romance moved a little quicker than I typically prefer, but the connection between them felt genuine and easy to root for.

Every time I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, another surprise pulled me right back in. The mystery kept me guessing, the characters kept me emotionally invested, and the tension never let up.

The final chapter may have ended, but my curiosity certainly didn’t.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Dylan Allen (Lucy Wilson-Tagoe), Valentine PR and NetGalley for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Wind · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5🌟 Ends on a cliffhanger!!!
Sin is striving to be an investigative journalist and falls in love with Kwame who ends up being the family member of the person she’s investigating. It took me a while to finish the audio to this book. This is a slow burn suspense but for me I found the pacing a bit too slow and some parts of the story felt redundant and predictable all to end on a cliffhanger. This is a new to me author and I’m contemplating if I’ll read book 2.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: To Catch a Sinner (The Blurred Lines Duet Book 1)
Author: Dylan Allen writing as Lucy Wilson-Tagoe
Publishers: Blue Box Press + Tantor Media
Pub Date: June 23, 2026 (eBook/paperback) + August 18, 2026 (audiobook)
Dates Read/Listened: June 13, 2026 – June 17, 2026

🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔(𝚒𝚜𝚑) 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: Full disclosure, I chose to pick up To Catch a Sinner fully based on the cover and the title. Both of which piqued my interest, and I’m so glad I took a chance based on those two things alone! This was a spicy romance but also has a much deeper side to it, complete with intrigue, complicated family dynamics, and shady characters. I’ve never read anything by this author before (in either pen name), and I really enjoyed her writing. It kept me engaged the entire time, and boy, was she able to make me mad at some of these people! The romance between Sin and Kwame moves a little on the quick side, but there is plenty of tension, and I found the spicy scenes to be perfectly placed and not overdone. This has a KILLER cliffhanger and desperately left me wanting more! I will most definitely be reading book two when it is released, and I hope I don’t have to wait too long. 🤞🏼

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 📰🥸🪙😡💣

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 🌶️🌶️.5

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Monique B.]

DNF @ 35%. 🫣
I really wanted to enjoy this book because a suspense + friends to lovers type book seems up my alley. This one didn't work for me for multiple reasons.

A LOT is going on with this one. You're dropped in without really knowing much at first, but it reads like you should know. I kept thinking I had overlooked something, but no. Answers slowly come bit by bit later on, with a new overlapping "you should know" moment.

Throw 2 POVs in the mix. A heavy ode to DC area (residents may love this though!). And cringy sex that doesn't make sense to be having! The chemistry between Kwane & Sin just wasn't believable for me.

I see what the author was trying to do, the execution just didn't work for me. We're taking the scenic route to get to it all.

Thank you Blue Box Press & Valentine PR for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts! 🩷

[Betül · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**

I've been a fan of Dylan Allen's writing since her debut novel Rise released in 2017. So when I learned she would be publishing under a new pen name, Lucy Wilson-Tagoe, I was immediately curious and added To Catch a Sinner to my TBR.

This book hooked me from the start. I was invested in both Sin and Kwame right away. They were interesting characters, easy to connect with, and I loved their dynamic. Kwame in particular completely won me over. He was thoughtful, respectful, and just an all-around great book boyfriend.

One thing I really appreciated was how much I could relate to Sin. As the daughter of immigrant parents myself, a lot of her experiences and thoughts felt familiar. It always amazes me how children of immigrants from different cultures can have so many shared experiences.

I also loved the balance between the romance and the suspense. The suspense kept me turning the pages, while the romance kept me emotionally invested. I loved seeing Sin and Kwame grow closer throughout the story. The pacing was great, and there wasn't a dull moment.

Being able to connect with the characters is one of the most important things for me as a reader, and this book definitely delivered. I cared about Sin and Kwame and was fully invested in their story.

To Catch a Sinner is the first book in the Blurred Lines duet, so be prepared for a big cliffhanger. Thankfully, it only made me more excited for the next book because I need to know what happens next.

[Trinity · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶/5

TW - theft, infidelity (sc on the FMC), grief, death of a parent (past, mentioned), breaking and entering + armed robbery / gun violence (past, recounted), diaspora, alcohol consumption, physical violence (past, mentioned incl broken nose), drug use (weed), explosion / fire

CW - voyeurism, exhibitionism

Tropes - millionaire / billionaire, jealousy, suspense (?), friends with benefits to more

Representation - Black x Ghanaian MCs

Didn’t like it and not for me, unfortunately. Ramblings below…

I loathe when parents force their adult kids to do things either out of guilt or blackmail or some kind of wish they left in their will, because it’s not their life. Let them live, you already had your chance, get over it

The characters are both nearly 40 but, for me, i wouldn’t put them over 25. I found much of their actions and conversations to be childish and it was very weird for me because I couldn’t understand how they could be in their late thirties

My issue with this book is that it falls short of a romantic suspense because the reader is privy to information known by both MCs that they don’t know from each other; it would have been much more affective as suspense with a single POV but I do still think that would harm the romance aspect. Speaking of the romance, I found it to be boring, slow snd lacking.

We get some of the suspense aspect in the beginning and then essentially nothing again until 50% and, having to read c.200 pages for there to be movement in the plot just isn’t my idea of a good time; I really struggled to get through this book because it felt like a lot of nothing was happening.

The plot itself is boring and predictable because we know so much about what was going on from the very beginning and I’m so confused as to why it has been written in this way. How could it possibly be suspense if we know everything already???

Sin (FMC) questioning whether she could trust Kwame (MMC) made me question her even more given she’s a journalist? Like wdym you don’t know if you can trust him when this is the same man that doesn’t even associate with his dad? Bsffr

Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪

🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List

TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission

[Sidney Rain · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am definitely not the target audience for this book. I love representation of culture and ethnicity, but am off put when it feels like that is being bashed over my head continuously.

I thought this would be fun, suspenseful, a juicy enemies to lovers…. I couldn’t get past the writing and how cringey it all was. The one romance scene I read made me want to donate my eyeballs. I made it 8% into the book before I decided I would rather read anything else. Pushed myself to 12% before finally quitting. Life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

First off thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!! The cover and title caught my attention so quick i dont think i've had this fast of a turn around time in requesting an arc and actually finishing it within the time I've gotten it in awhile 😭.

Yall. Wow. This is my first book by this author and it will not be my LASTTTT. Just to showcase how much i loved this book, I turned off the percentage on my kindle. Thats when you know its genuinely a good book. I don't want to know how far i am into a book or how close i am to the end is usually what that means lmaooooo. And this was JUST that.

I won't lie in the beginning i was like....mehhhhhh okay like what am I getting myself into here? Because as usual I go into things blind and wasnt even sure what the genre was lol. This was such a page turning "who dun it" -esque, romantic, what is going to happen next ass book. And i ate every little bit up.

Kwame and Arsinoe (Sin)????? LOVEDDDDDDDDDDDDD usually i am not a huge fan of miscommunication- but this wasnt even that. They communicated. Stuff was just....left out and they trusted each other enough to not need to be completely in each others skin...which i have huge respect for. Honestly their relationship was so honest and open it felt refreshing almost.

Then I have come to realize that I love a book with a little bit of culture and side plot that doesnt feel like side plot- but makes sense for the book and really ties into who the characters are. One of my favorite books "The Full Picture" by Jasmine Carmichael did this. Ugh. this was just such a well balanced book to me and it just kept me enthralled the entire time. I basically inhaled this in one go

I have so many questions and I am like foaming for the next book omg. I can't wait!!!!

[amarachireads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooooh I liked this one alot, It has a little bit of romance, suspense, west African mcs, family drama, work drama and jewelry theft. I liked how the mcs started of with a one night stand, thought they wouldn’t see each other again and met again in such a fun way. The romance is a slow burn with instant attraction and that will they won’t they pull and tug. There are steamy scenes in here and i liked the relationship development.

As a fellow West African though I’m not from Ghana, I loved all the familiar west African foods, ways of communicating an immigrant journey. I found the fmcs plight with her work and family wanting her to be married and work at a different place real and common in WA community’s. I thought the plot was interesting, the mmc came back for his mother’s funeral and stayed due to a letter his mom left for him. I liked getting into his world via the fmcs pov and seeing the family dynamics and why he left. The jewelry theft from African countries and them trying to investigate that was also interesting. The last couple of chapters became very suspenseful and that cliffhanger, I can’t wait to read the next book!!!

I listened to the ALC and it was so well done. I liked the Ghanian accents and the narrator’s pronounced some slang words we say there so well. I thought they did well narrating and bringing the story to life. I can’t wait to listen to the next book as well. Thanks to the publisher for this arc!

4.25⭐️

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 2 out of 5]

To Catch a Sinner was marketed as a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller, but for me, it fell short on both fronts. The premise sounded like it would be right up my alley, yet the execution didn’t deliver the tension or momentum I was expecting.
One of the biggest issues was the characterization. These are supposed to be established adults with solid careers, but their behavior often felt oddly juvenile—not in a fun or witty way, but in a way that made their actions hard to take seriously. Sin, a journalist, was especially frustrating. When given the rare opportunity to interview someone who has avoided the press, her line of questioning felt unfocused and unrealistic, almost as if she didn’t understand how an interview works.
The romance and “spicy” scenes also didn’t land for me. I enjoy well-written spice, but here it felt forced and unnecessary, as though it was included simply because it’s currently popular. Instead of adding to the story, those scenes came across as awkward enough that I found myself skimming past them.
I checked other reviews to see if it was just me, and it seems I wasn’t alone in these impressions. While I can see how some readers might enjoy the story, I struggled to connect with the characters at all. By the time the cliffhanger arrived, I felt completely disengaged rather than intrigued.
Overall, this one just wasn’t for me. I read a lot of thrillers and mysteries, so it may come down to personal taste, but this author’s style didn’t quite work for me.

[Jessica Lamb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but it was just…not good imo. The romance was very cringe for the most part and what was supposed to be suspenseful wasn’t very interesting. I wasn’t invested in the characters of Sin and Kwame at all. Again, a bunch of cringey lines. I almost DNF but decided to push through. I think this will be a series but I can’t say I want to read any additional books about these characters.

[Sherri B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, Yes, Yes! I went into this book completely blind and I was gagged! First off, I love romance suspense as genre it really just allows for so much twists and turns, flips, and thrills with a whole lot of spice! Kwame is a certified book boyfriend with all the charm, sex appeal, and a fat *&^*#(wallet)! Just an awesome read and the CLIFFHANGER!!

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely had an intriguing plot. It quickly gets you hooked off the 1st chapter and the pace doesn't slow down. The insta love story wasn't my favorite as it was very unrealistic but it didn't pull me away from the story too much. I look forward to book 2.

[Asia Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Blue Box Press for the opportunity to read this early.

A suspenseful romance? Say less. I was all in from the start. Combining two of my favorite genres, this book absolutely delivered. From the first chapter, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.

Sin, an investigative journalist, returns home to D.C. after a near-death experience and the unraveling of her relationship. As she tries to regain her footing, she meets Kwame a charming, seemingly perfect lawyer who quickly becomes a steady presence in her life. While Sin follows a dangerous new lead, Kwame is navigating his own grief, and together they’re forced to confront trust, vulnerability, and the possibility of love.

Sin was everything I want in a FMC. She was relentless, intelligent, and powerful. Watching her soften and find both strength and peace through her growing connection with Kwame was incredibly rewarding. Their relationship is a true friends-to-lovers journey, built on emotional depth and mutual growth. And Kwame? Completely down bad for Sin in the best way and I loved every second of it.

The supporting cast, especially their families, added so much to the story and played meaningful roles in both the emotional and suspense plot. The balance between romance and tension was seamless, with each element enhancing the other at just the right moments.

Lucy Wilson-Tagoe also did a phenomenal job weaving cultural depth into the story. From Ghanaian characters to the vivid portrayal of Black art and community, every detail felt intentional and immersive. It truly celebrates Blackness in a way that feels authentic and powerful.

I was so invested in both the investigation and the romance that the ending completely caught me off guard. The realization hit hard that this is book one. I have a love-hate relationship with cliffhangers because I need closure, but I’ll definitely be seated and ready for book two.

Make sure to grab this on June 23rd if you love:
• Black romance 🖤
• Rich cultural representation 🇬🇭
• Black art & community
• Suspense 👀
• Family drama 😱
• Secrets and twists 🤫
• Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Kia Borner · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Good Sin, Bad Sin. I don’t care. As long as you’re my Sin. “ 🫠

Thank you Blue Box press for the advanced copy! 🤎


Umm hello?

This was so good?

There was just so much going on the entire book and kept me on the edge of my toes. Truly a romantic suspense if i ever read one.

The plot was so tension filled and so slow creeping but done with such great care. Not too fast, not too slow. The absolute perfect pace.

The chemistry between Sin & Kwame just dropped off the page. And omg Kwame? And his demeanor? I’m head over heels. He’s so calming and so passionate. Lawyer bar fr 😭

I loved the authenticity of Sin’s family. The love they had while grinding on each other’s nerves was so real. I’ve felt it.

I am biting on my enclosure for the next book.

The cliffhanger was absolutely diabolical. 😩

[Lit_eraryqueen (Salena C.) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm new to the romantic suspense genre, but I'm definitely happy to be here!
The exchanges between our two main characters were believable and delicious. The spice SPICED and I loved it!
As a daughter of an immigrant parent, I definitely empathized with the pressure of achievement and loved how both main characters embraced the challenge while finding their own pathways.

Now, for the suspense... while they connected quickly, there was much unsaid between both Sin and Kwame that revved up that fourth quarter ending! Who to trust? What more are these characters hiding? My mouth was on the floor at the last page. This CAN'T be the ending... I need book 2 right now!

Overall, engaging writing and I'm always a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers romantic experience!!

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Being selfish isn’t easy, but I’ve learned the hard way that it’s easier than giving more than you get back."

Perfect 👌 Once again this author captures my entire world!!! Heart stopping drama, journey of falling, mystery and betrayal. To Catch a Sinner is a must read masterpiece that will have readers grappling for more.

[LaKeisha W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot? Plotting. The chemistry? Chemistry-ing. The cliffhanger? Straight-up disrespectful. I need book two immediately because you cannot leave me like that.

[Oyinda · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Many thanks to the publishers - Tantor Media - for my early access to this book via Netgalley. This was an audiobook narrated by Mirron Willis and Soneela Nankani and they were great. This book was also how I found out Soneela Nankani had Ghanaian heritage, because I am familiar with and love her work, but I was curious about her as the choice for the FMC narration.

This was a nice book but I don't think it has gripped me enough to hold my breath for book two, even though it's ended on a cliffhanger. I found it just okay and it was really good with the themes of family, legacy, heritage, and the history we claim.

It is a romance thriller set in the world of art theft, journalism, and billionaire heirs who do not want to be billionaires.

It was set up to be very heartwarming but something did not just click for me here. I do think there are people who will love this book, so I urge people to definitely check it out. It was an enjoyable read for me but I just think with some tweaks this would have been a book I could have loved 100%. Now it's kind of like 70% lol.

The thriller kept getting pushed to the background and it all felt very surface level and the constant time jumps pulled me out of the story.

I enjoyed the aspects of them dealing with legacy and heritage and what country to claim, etc. I think that was brilliantly done.

[sammi_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a romance with some steam and investigative journalism added in. Sin meets Kwame right as she learns of a a case involving stolen artifacts. The case is closer to Kwame than either realize.... Kwame is, meanwhile, dealing with family issues of his own and trying to pursue career interests.

I'll admit to not really liking Sin. She struck me as arrogant, but she was a well-written character. I did like Kwame though! He had layers and I felt like there's still more to uncover there in tte next book. The dual perspectives worked well in this.

Their chemistry was excellent and I thought Kwame attending dinner with her parents was sweet. And the spicy bits were great. So the romance was a strong point. However, the artifact theft case and everything with Oz didn't build the best for me.

Thank-you so much to Get Red PR and Lucy-Wilson Tagoe (Dylan Allen) for my free advanced reader copy. My review is unbiased and opinions my own.

[Tabathareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise and cover immediately sold me on this one. A journalist investigating a black-market empire with a romance woven throughout sounded like exactly my kind of read. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver for me.

The biggest surprise was realizing this is the first book in a duet. I had no idea going in, and the cliffhanger ending was a letdown. I loathe cliffhangers, so that definitely impacted my overall experience.

Despite being marketed as fast paced, this felt much slower than I expected. The mystery never fully grabbed me, and I found myself wanting more tension and urgency. I was much more invested in the romance than the suspense. The relationship was sweet, and I really appreciated the diversity and representation throughout the story.

This wasn’t a bad book by any means. It just wasn’t the right fit for me. If you enjoy romance with a lighter suspense element and do not mind waiting for the second half of the story, I think you’ll have a better experience than I did.

The narration was solid and I’m glad I had a physical copy and audio to tandem read. Thank you to Tantor Media & Get.Prd for the gifted copies!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a GOOD book! And I got a double dose because I both read AND listened to the audiobook.

First, I have to talk about Sin and Kwame’s relationship because I absolutely loved them together. What started as a one-night stand blossomed into something genuinely beautiful, and I especially loved their friendship. Their connection felt natural, fun, and believable, and watching it develop was one of my favorite parts of the story.

I also REALLY appreciated the locality of this book. Being from the DMV, seeing familiar cities and museums mentioned throughout the story added such a nostalgic touch to my reading experience. There’s just something special about recognizing places you know while reading a romance!

And Sin’s parents?! I loved the fact that they knew ALL ALONG who Kwame was and chose not to say anything because they know their daughter. That whole situation had me cracking up.

Now…Paloma. I hated this woman. That is all. LOL. I’m just hoping Book 2 puts her ALL THE WAY in her place because ma’am, you have done enough.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable story with great chemistry, friendship, family dynamics, and just enough drama to keep me invested. I’m officially ready for Book 2 because I NEED to know what happens next!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was warned and still was not ready for how this ended.

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m over 50% through this book, and after a certain scene, I unfortunately had to wave the white flag and call this one a DNF.

To Catch a Sinner had so much potential, but the prolonged buildup and the randomness and abruptness of certain scenes caused me to lose interest. This book felt like it was trying to be too many things at once: a thriller, a romance, a family drama, and a mystery. Rather than complementing one another, those elements seemed to compete for attention, which ultimately hurt the story’s overall cohesiveness.

Sin and Kwame’s relationship started intriguing, but as the story progressed, it felt forced. The multiple points of view only made it harder to fully settle into the narrative. Both characters carry significant baggage, yet it felt like every chapter removed only one piece of clothing from the bag instead of ever giving us the full outfit. The constant teasing of information eventually became more frustrating than intriguing.

Maybe I’ll revisit this book at another time. However, I unfortunately have to give it two stars since I’m required to rate the book.

[Candice Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

✍🏾 🅼🆈 🅱🅾🅾🅺🅸🆂🅷 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 ✍🏾

Featured Book: To Catch a Sinner by Lucy Wilson-Tagoe

🌟Thank you to @blueboxpress, @lucywtagoe, and @booksparks for this gifted copy. 🌟

Reading romantic suspense leaves you both thrilled and hot for adventure, ready for the right person, and lets you escape the chaos often lodged in your head, plotting its next episode of dread and despair. To Catch a Sinner shows readers how to escape the chaos of expectation and enjoy life and love.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝:
* Ghanaian family dynamics and cultural expectations
* Sin's determination to reclaim her life and career
* The stolen art investigation and journalistic elements

One of my favorite parts of the book was the Sunday dinners at the Sackeys. Family and fellowship are truly important and universal concepts in any culture. The dinners symbolized unity, love, and togetherness.

𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
Thanks @tantoraudio for the ALC. Narrated by Mirron Willis and Soneela Nankani, the audiobook captures both the emotional depth and suspenseful nature of the story. The narrators brought distinct personalities to the characters and helped immerse me in Sin and Kwame's journey.

𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬:
* "Being selfish isn’t easy, but I’ve learned the hard way that it’s easier than giving more than you get back."
* “Two suns can’t share the same sky.”

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
At its core, To Catch a Sinner is a story about trust: trusting yourself, trusting the people you love, and trusting that the truth will eventually come to light. The romance adds heart, the suspense adds tension, and the family dynamics ground the story in something deeply relatable.

Lucy Wilson-Tagoe delivers a compelling read that left me invested in both the characters and their futures.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚QOTD: 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆? 𝗢𝗿 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲?

🏷 #ToCatchASinner #LucyWilsonTagoe #SRC2026 #BookSparks #TheBookOdyssey #BooksToRead #Bookish #CandiceReads #CandiceListens #HaleYeahBooks #Bookstagrammer #BookLover #wellreadblackgirl

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Important Quotes:


1. “A man never steps in the same river twice. For he is not the same man, and it is not the same river” (p.53).

2. “Maybe you’re right and I’ll regret it, but I want to know what it feels like to taste regret that comes from the back of my own throat” (p.61)

3. “In a game of rock, paper, scissors, power crushes family ties, family ties will make up for a lack of wealth, and wealth will buy you proximity to power. And you can tell which hand a person has been dealt by where they live and the size of their yard” (p.114).

4. “Why did God make you so beautiful and smart if it wasn’t to bring you a fine husband?” (p.147)

5. “If the mountain won’t come to me, I will go to her” (p.150).

6. “You’re not your parents. Their choices don’t have to be your burden...Maybe that’s the new American dream--having the ability to make your own choices” (p.197).

7. “You’re not your father. And none of us is as bad as the worst thing we’ve done. If you love someone, accepting them with thorns and all doesn’t feel like a chore” (p.228).

8. “I fly so high I swear when we kissed, I tasted the sun” (p.241).

9. “Yes, every day is an opportunity to do something different” (p.265).

10. “I couldn’t live with less. Not when I knew what I was capable of. So I chose to distract them by being confident before I had any right to be. By taking risks no one else would and being a very gracious sinner when they paid off. I did that until my name became synonymous with power and prosperity. Until they needed me more than I needed them” (p.271).

[Nichole McWhirter · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️Rating: 5
🌶️ level: 2
📖Genre(s): romantic suspense
📚Sub genre(s): contemporary romance
🎭Tropes and themes: journalist x lawyer, family drama, strangers to lovers, BIPOC representation (Ghanaian MCs), millionaire/rich family, trust issues, voyeurism, slight exhibitionism, older MC’s (late 30’s), investigative journalism, healing journey
💥Triggers: loss of a parent (past tense), cheating (not the MCs), controlling family/parents, being held at gunpoint/robbery
🗒️Other notables: 1st pov, dual perspectives
✨Some highlights: I love how the MC’s interact, also who they are. The prose is wonderful to read. Funny banter.
😒 Wasn’t a fan of: that heffa Sofia.
🌊 flow, plot, and pacing: steadily paced, flows quite well. A spicy scene early on, but everything is pretty believable. Somewhere in the middle, the plot development shifts to focus heavily on the relationship between Kwame and Sin. I see two main plot lines - the relationship and the artifact theft ring. The shift isn’t unexpected. The shift back occurs in the last 25-30% of the book.

💭 My thoughts:

This book got me out of a mini book slump. I read contemporary romance /romantic suspense on occasion - not my favorite genre, but I absolutely loved this one.
The relationship between Kwame and Sin is Peak. They’re both funny, supportive, and love with their whole heart. Their relationship felt kismet from the start, and I loved watching fall into each other. It was sappy, it was sweet, it was indulgent.
I love how both characters grow throughout the book. Sin - healing and being well loved looks good on you girl! She goes from flighty, frightened, and hurt to soaring, confident, and glowing…Kwame- really pursuing what he wants, healing through his loss, and opening his heart to accept more into his life -it gave, and he gave 10x for it.
He did get a lil corny with his dialogue… especially in the beginning when he didn’t really know Sin… buuuut I secretly liked that part too.

I have a ton of highlights and notes throughout this book. I absolutely love the prose, and how this author writes. It is a mix of show vs tell, but leans heavily on the show part. Her writing inspires deeper thought, and her statements/allegories/metaphors/etc often had me pause and think.

I also enjoyed the learning. I didn’t know much about Ghanaian culture before going into this book, and now I know a little more than I did before. I feel like this story was a peak inside the life of two Ghanaian-Americans lives. I got to see things through their perspectives - see how their family dynamic works. I honestly think books like this - ones told from a different perspective of the world than our own - are gateways to empathy, understanding, connection. This book is for everyone who enjoys contemporary romance/romantic suspense and investigative journalism.

Tl;dr… read the book.

[The Urban Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Was NOT Expecting to Eat This Up Like I Did!

I really didn’t know what to expect going into To Catch a Sinner, but I was pleasantly surprised because I ATE this book up!

Apparently, a romantic suspense centered around culturally significant Black-market art theft was exactly the change of pace I needed from my usual romance reads.

Sin is strong, intelligent, independent, and a former investigative journalist who has been forced to adjust to a new normal. She may be working as a lifestyle columnist now, but that investigative instinct has not gone anywhere. When a story involving stolen culturally significant artwork refuses to leave her alone, neither does Sin’s determination to get answers.

Then there’s Kwame. CONFIDENT. Handsome. Charming. And a prosecuting attorney determined to build a life and career that aren’t defined by his family’s money or expectations. His complicated relationship with his parents eventually brings him back home—and directly into Sin’s orbit.

And whew…the chemistry!

This is definitely a slow burn, but there’s enough tension, banter, family drama, mystery, and humor happening around the romance that I never felt like I was simply waiting for these two to get together. And when things finally start heating up? 🌶️ Okay then!

I also LOVED the DMV setting. Being familiar with the area made recognizing different places and references throughout the book an extra little treat.

And can we talk about the supporting characters?! Sin’s family brought so much personality to the story. The family banter gave me rom-com energy in the middle of a suspense novel, and several of the secondary characters had me thinking, Okay, when are we getting THEIR story?

The suspense kept me guessing, too. You may start developing theories about the villain fairly early, but knowing who you suspect and understanding the why and how are two completely different things. Every time I thought I had everything figured out, another piece was added to the puzzle.

Then came THAT ENDING.

Ma’am.

That cliffhanger was giving season finale of a soap opera—screen goes black and now you have to wait until next season. 😂

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It gave me romance, suspense, culture, family dynamics, humor, chemistry, and enough mystery to keep me invested. I went in without many expectations and came out needing Book 2 immediately.

Lucy Wilson-Tagoe, you got me. I’m invested now!

[Lit_Vibrations · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to the author @dylanallenromance @blueboxpress @valentine_pr_ for my gifted e-ARC‼️

The Photograph meets Red Notice in this steamy, suspenseful friends-to-lovers romance where journalists Sin Sackey works to uncover the truth behind some stolen artifacts to save her career. In the midst of it all she falls in love with lawyer bae Kwame who’s been secretly living a double life and could lead her right where she needs to be to solve the case.

This was such an enthralling read if you love action-packed suspenseful romance novels this might be right up your alley. From the beginning you’d think we’re going to follow Sin as she attempts to revive her career but the author flips the script real quick. And things get real steamy once Kwame is introduced into the story. What should’ve been just a friends with benefits situation escalates quickly. One quickie turns into frequent Sunday dinners with the family and a whole lot of uncontrolled emotions.

Throughout the book the author keeps an even pace which allowed a real emotional connection to form between Sin and Kwame. Their initial attraction was purely physical then we gradually see real feelings form. He fell first obviously! I love how the author explored their Ghanaian culture and the differences in both characters upbringing and living in America. Their parents were also central themes in the book which added to the narrative giving readers insight into their backstories.

Overall, this was a solid read and the cliffhanger ending has me curious about what comes next. My only issue with the story is how Sin’s investigation becomes an afterthought. I literally kept forgetting she was investigating a crime. Every time it was brought up or she crossed paths with someone possibly involved I was like oh yeah this is why we’re here lol. If you’re thinking about reading this book I say go for it‼️