To Catch a Sinner

by Dylan Allen, Lucy Wilson-Tagoe

Genres: Romance

328 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2026

About the author

Dylan Allen is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author.

She’s a Texas girl, with a serious case of wanderlust, Dylan’s travels influence her writing and she loves being able to take her readers on adventures from the comfort and safety of their favorite reading nook.

A self-proclaimed happily ever junkie, Dylan creates stories where her characters unapologetically chase their own happy endings.

When she isn’t writing or reading, eating or cooking, she and her family are planning their next adventure.

Reviews

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[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 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Adjwoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Wilson-Tagoe has delivered an incredible suspense debut with To Catch a Sinner, a story that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally gripping. Set against the sharp and fast-paced backdrop of Washington, D.C., the story follows Sin, a woman who has walked away from her high-stakes life as a New York investigative journalist for the relatively quiet world of an advice column. However, the past has a way of catching up, and the very story she tried to leave behind begin calling her back just as she crosses paths with Kwame. A prosecutor returning from California to navigate a complicated family dynamic with his father. As the sparks fly between them, their lives and professional worlds become intertwined in ways neither of them could have anticipated.

What truly sets this book apart is the way it showcases Ghanaian culture, history, and family life. The author avoids common depictions and instead offers a rich, nuanced look at a family dynamics and community that feels vibrant and real. I was especially impressed by the depth of research and context woven into the plot. You walk away from this book having truly learned something, whether it is the reverberating impact of colonialism or specific touchstones of American and Ghanaian history. This educational layer never slows the story down; rather, it adds a profound weight to the narrative.

The dialogue is another standout feature, filled with smart and witty banter that perfectly matches the energy of the D.C. setting. While the romance provides a much-needed sense of calm against the tension of the plot, the suspense keeps you on edge until the very last page. When I reached the ending, I was left completely shocked by a surprise character pop-up and a final twist that had me screaming! It is the kind of cliffhanger that makes you want the second book immediately. I highly recommend this captivating story to anyone looking for a suspenseful, culturally rich, and swoony read.

[Casey R Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, a Romantic Thriller That Actually Gets Both Right

📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf

Book: 75
Dates read: 04.12.2026 - 04.13.2026
Title: To Catch a Sinner
Author: Lucy Wilson-Tagoe
Format: Digital ARC

#caseysbookshelf

I saw the author post about this on Threads and immediately signed up for the ARC. By the time I started reading, I had no idea what it was about. I thought thriller… then it started giving romance… and then I realized it was both. And listen… I LIVE for a well done romantic thriller.

But let’s be honest. Most don’t get it right. The thriller side usually falls flat.

Not this one.

This was the perfect blend. The suspense pulled me in with just enough questions to keep me turning pages, and the romance gave me something to root for without overpowering the story.

And the cultural elements? Beautifully done.

The blend of African culture and customs felt immersive and intentional. The food, the clothing, the energy… it felt lived in. Not forced. You can tell this was written by someone who understands that first-gen experience of straddling both worlds.

At the center is Sin, a journalist trying to rebuild her life and career after everything falls apart, who gets pulled back into a dangerous story tied to a black-market empire. And of course… there’s a man she knows she should avoid, but doesn’t.

Sin deserves to win. She deserves happiness.

And Kwame? I love a MMC who wants to build something of his own and not just exist in his father’s shadow. That man stood on business.

Now my ONLY issue… that cliffhanger???

I’m sick 😭 Because not only do I have to wait for book two, this one isn’t even out yet. So now I’m just sitting here with questions and no answers. It was so good that waiting feels disrespectful at this point.

This releases on my birthday, June 23rd, so go ahead and preorder it for me. Thank you 🫶🏾

Thank you Blue Box Press for this #giftedcopy in exchange for an honest review.

Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚

[Nìk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author / publishing team for giving me an ARC copy.

First of all… Kwame is so DC-coded it’s scary lol If you’ve ever dated in DC, you know exactly who he is:
polished, “humble,” established… boardroom by day, demon by night.

His connection with Sin felt like a karmic twin flame. Both were sassy, funny, and they matched each other‘s freak. IYKYK! It felt like the Spider-Man meme pointing at each other while I was reading this. They mirrored each other so well.

The Ghanaian culture was woven in beautifully. My Ghanaian friends have BEEN warning me about the parents, the expectations, & the cultural pressure lol The author painted that well in the book.

My only minor critiques are:
I really wanted clearer timestamps in the chapters when there were a significant time jump.

And as a true crime lover, I wanted more cat-and-mouse. Give me more of the messy, risky investigation moments. I wanted to feel the hunt, not just hear about.

Overall though? Still a solid story. Strong voice, compelling dynamic, and a romance that actually feels intense instead of just being labeled that way.

And now the real question is…
what exactly am I supposed to do with myself until book 2 drops?

[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. 😩

[thisfoxreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

This book had me right from the start! The story is sooo good! Sin and Kwame had my heart from the moment they met.

What I loved:
✨suspenseful romance
✨gripping storyline
✨character development
✨suspenseful mysteries
✨spice

The story follows Sin, an investigative journalist who is working to uncover the culprit behind some stolen artefacts, and Kwame, a billionaire who wants nothing to do with his father but tries to move on from the past as his mother’s final request for him.

The two seem to be fated to be together - their dynamic from instant attraction, to friends with benefits, to finally giving in to their attraction.
Oooft and the cliffhanger!!!
I’ll definitely be back for more!

[Pamela B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different kind of read for me and I’m glad I took the chance on it.

The twists, the turns, and the overall writing kept me hooked from start to finish. It gave romance but layered with a strong mystery vibe that added depth to the story. Sin’s journey pulled me in, especially watching her step into something she didn’t fully understand. As Black women, we often find ourselves navigating so many responsibilities at once, sometimes putting ourselves on the line in the process and that element felt very real here.

Sin had no idea what she was walking into, and honestly, experiencing it alongside her made the story even more impactful.

Whew… a time was definitely had.

[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.

[Curls Who Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it’s meant to be, it will be. Kwame and Sin shared an intense intimate encounter then Sin disappeared like a thief in the night. Months later, six degrees of separation brings Kwame face to face with Sin again. The attraction is there, the chemistry is real, and the two of them go on such a ride together. It’s amazing how the life of Kwame and Sin were intertwine before they even met. This book has the suspense, the spice, and the romance. I’m anxiously awaiting the second book.

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of To Catch a Sinner book.

[Akan thee Doll, Esq. · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ENDING?! Lucy, why would you do this to me?! This book was great from start to finish. I really enjoyed the multiple dynamics, especially between Sin and Kwame, the Sackeys and Kwame, and Oz, Kwame, and Kwame’s father. The balance between romance and suspense was also PERFECT. With that cliffhanger, I needed Book #2 YESTERDAY. Nevertheless, I’m so excited for this series.


Thank you Blue Box Press and NetGalley for the early release.