When journalist Khin Hlaing is asked to cover Tyler Tun’s celebrity profile, she is thrilled by the opportunity and what could potentially follow. She has never done a celebrity profile before, her main interest being on writing articles that bring social awareness such as her underground abortion clinic piece that drew a lot of attention. As she starts to shadow Tyler on set, she is attacked by a man who seems to have targeted her. Tyler steps in to help and ultimately they end up killing the assailant. Choosing to cover up the murder rather than have it derail their careers, Khin and Tyler embrace the forced proximity that will help keep their alibis intact.

I was quite intrigued by the plot and how the author would integrate a murder into a romance and quickly became invested in the story - mainly for how they would get themselves out of the situation. The romance aspect was cute, in a insta-love kind of way. Ultimately, while I enjoyed the uniqueness of the novel. I was left feeling like the genre might have been slightly misleading and the plot to be stretched far past the believable mark.

✵𝖬𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄𝗌 𝗍𝗈 𝖲𝗍. 𝖬𝖺𝗋𝗍𝗂𝗇'𝗌 𝖯𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗌 ＆ 𝖭𝖾𝗍𝖦𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗀𝗂𝖿𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖠𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝖽 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋’𝗌 𝖢𝗈𝗉𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝖾𝗑𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐.✵

DNF @ Page 65

I'm sorry, but I can't believe that one of the biggest actors in Hollywood and an acclaimed journalist are just going to cover up a killing that was done in self defense. How was that the most logical assumption to jump to? Wouldn't Khin also have evidence on her since the man attacked her? Right off the back, Khin annoyed me in this, so I can't see how there could be any believable chemistry between her and Tyler in this romance.

Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing this ARC to me!

I got a thriller / romance combo with I Did Something Bad. It is the story of a journalist, Khin, with an assignment to write a cover story on a famous actor but the two of them get embroiled in a crime in the process. I don’t want to give any spoilers but this book was so much fun. I always love a famous person / regular person love story but these two characters were so much more. So much depth, so many layers that got peeled back as the mystery and the romance blossomed. There were twists and turns with fun romcom vibes mixed in and the back stage look at life of a movie star.

Heat Factor: Nothing yet
Character Chemistry: What chemistry?
Plot: Khin is writing an in depth profile of international superstar actor Tyler Tun. And then they kill someone. Oops.
Overall: I really tried with this one

When I read the first chapter of this book, I must admit that there was some internal groaning. It appeared that I had, once again, requested a copy of a book with that writing voice I find intensely irritating (see my review of Four Weekends and a Funeral by Elle Palmer). However, I decided to give this one a chance because 1) at least the forced proximity was because of a job, not a stupid decision and 2) it’s set in Myanmar.

I’ll talk about #1 first, because that misconception quickly went by the wayside. (Sidenote: maybe I should reread the blurbs of the books I get before I actually start reading them.) Because, yup, Khin and Tyler end up in a closer forced proximity situation than they otherwise would as subject and interviewer when they kill a guy—and then decide that the best course of action is to pretend it didn’t happen, even though the guy (a stranger) attacked Khin.

Now, their reasoning for not going to the police brings me to #2, in a roundabout way. Khin tells Tyler they can’t go to the police because they have no proof it was self defense and they are brown people who killed a white guy, and that the guy’s home country would pitch a fit and demand someone be punished. Basically, international racism. Which, fine. But I found it notable that Khin doesn’t mention police corruption, given that Myanmar ranks extremely low on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

In fact, I found it notable that the author hardly mentions anything about the political situation in Myanmar. The one thing that comes up is that Khin had previously written a profile about an underground abortion provider for Time Magazine (abortion is illegal in pretty much all cases in Myanmar). Now, I don’t expect every book to talk about politics, but given that there was a military coup there in 2021, followed by a crackdown on protesters and various human rights abuses—and given that not that many romance novels written for an American audience take place there—I found this omission surprising. Would a woke Hollywood studio making a woke Hollywood blockbuster starring Asian actors really film on location there? I don’t know.

In general, I am in favor of separating the artist from the art. However, this doesn’t mean that when the artist’s views bleed into the art, I ignore them. While this is Pyae Moe Thet War’s debut novel, she published a collection of essays in 2022, and the Goodreads reviews are something else. Basically: the author comes from a privileged class (her father is in the military). So it makes sense that she wouldn’t critique the system that has given her a huge leg up, and would, in fact, write protagonists who are also extremely privileged—but in ways that seem normal to American readers. You know, things like going to college in the US and working as a journalist.

The point of that long tangent is that I felt pretty ambivalent about the portrayal of Myanmar in this book…which meant that that particular component of the story wasn’t enough to override my irritation at the narrative voice, which continued to just not work for me. Especially once they got into the covering up a murder and investigating why that guy targeted Khin portion of the story—because that could be a serious suspense story, but Khin and Tyler are just doing weird banter about Legally Blonde. I don’t even know.


I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Thank Netgalley and publisher for Arc
— Why I was Attracted to this book :
The Description I was looking forward to a romance mystery
— What did you like about this book:
I like that it was set in a location other than the US. It was a fast read for me.
— What you didn’t:
I’m not going to sugar coat it I struggled for the first 24% of the book like I could not get into it. The Main FMC was not completely likable and I felts she just. Passed judgement on him before even getting to know him. Or maybe it’s just me. 
Then they get into this serious situation and it’s like they don’t take it seriously at all. For a person that watches Law& Order SVU (yes that was mention in the book) it’ like she didn’t learn anything from it.
— Would you recommend:
No I don’t think so it was one that I will forget about fairly soon
— Would you read this author again:
I’m not against giving authors more then one try

I love this new trend of combining contemporary romance with murder - not "romantic suspense" but where romance is more prominent and there is a lighter tone to it. That's what this book was and I really enjoyed it! I appreciated the Myanmar representation as this is not something I've read before. And of course, the "celebrity/normie" trope is a favorite. Khin and Tyler had great chemistry, and I loved the slow burn and the building of trust between them under such heightened circumstances.

I went into this book expecting something smart, funny, or at the very least something fun.

Instead, this book was essentially a series of poorly thought-out decisions. Logic was tossed out the window far too often, and I did not find myself relating to the female character in any meaningful way. After all the good she’s supposedly done and the trauma she endured, I should feel something. I should be rooting for 100%. Yet I only felt detached.

The romance unfortunately fell a bit flat for me as well. I didn’t dislike Khin and Tyler, but I also didn’t love them together either. They’re like room-temperature water on a hot day. It’s fine, but it doesn’t feel like it quenches your thirst the same way as a tall cold glass of water would.

Basically, I finished the book with an over sense of meh…

I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War is a compelling exploration of guilt, identity, and the consequences of one’s actions. The narrative follows a young protagonist grappling with a mistake that reverberates through her life, impacting her relationships and sense of self. War’s vivid writing style captures the complexities of emotions, making the character’s journey relatable and poignant. This book thoughtfully addresses themes of accountability and the struggle for redemption, making it a gripping read for those who enjoy introspective narratives with depth.

After being given the assignment of a lifetime, journalist Khin accidentally kills a man. What makes it worse? The man she’s supposed to write a profile on witnesses it, now the two of them have to figure out how to get away with murder.

What I liked: This book was a fun read. If you are looking for a more serious book, but with a lighter tone it would be perfect for you. The addition of a murder to this romance made it more interesting by adding that dynamic to their relationship. I found Tyler to be such an adorable book boyfriend who just wants to live a normal life and hang out with his family. As a fan of the slow burn, this book definitely checked that box.

To keep in mind: I was not a huge fan of the big fight between Khin and Tyler, it seemed a little too far fetched about him getting mad at her for doing her job. The author also tied this book up a little too perfectly with the reveal of what happened with the murder.

Rating: 3.5⭐️ This book was a good read in time for fall. If you are looking for a romance with some thriller elements, this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing! I loved the murder element sprinkled into the romance plot line. The cultural representations were so beautifully done. Overall I loved everything about this book and will be recommended it to everyone!

A must-read romantic mystery featuring two Asian love interests, Khin a journalist and a movie star, Tyler. Both of these characters captivate the story as they uncover why a strange man crashes the movie set, attacking Khin. The plot is thrilling combination of murder and romance.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin

A fantastic romantic suspense debut that features two Asian MCs, Kim, a journalist assigned to write a story about an up and coming famous movie star, Tyler Tun, as he shoots a romcom in Myanmar. When Kim is assaulted one night and accidentally kills a man in self defence, she and Tyler get caught up in a lie, trying to stay out of prison while simultaneously falling in love. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Tara Lush or Mia P. Manansala. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more by this author in the future!!

An ambitious journalist and one of Hollywood's hottest stars collide in a whirlwind of secrets, danger, and unexpected attraction. I Did Something Bad serves up a cocktail of suspense and romance, shaken, not stirred.

Yes, you’ll need to suspend your disbelief, but once you do, prepare for an exhilarating ride! This book knows how to keep you guessing with murder cover-ups, clandestine meetings, and undeniable chemistry.

The relationship between Khin and Tyler unfolds at the perfect pace, expertly balancing romance and suspense—neither overshadowing the other. This story's fantastic side characters, especially Khin and Tyler's best friends, add depth and humor.

Romance and mystery/thriller lovers will enjoy this book!

This book had me from the start being advertised as a mystery/rom-com, and honestly I love the combination of the genres! I would say this was mostly mystery from the start then rom-com at around 70% through, but definitely a slow burn throughout. I loved how the story unfolded, the discussion of heavy topics like abortion and racism within the entertainment industry, and the fast-paced writing style. Khin’s personality was very relatable as someone pursuing a career in writing, and the relationship she has with her best friends is so beautifully written to show that good friends are really there for you through it all. I didn’t want this story to end, and I’m beyond impressed that this was the author’s debut novel!

I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War is a fun and engaging mix of romance, mystery, and suspense. The story follows Khin, a freelance journalist, as she tries to get a career-changing scoop on Tyler Tun, a Hollywood star filming in Myanmar. Things take an unexpected turn when they get involved in a deadly situation, forcing them to team up and cover up a murder. As they investigate the mystery together, their chemistry grows into a sweet and swoony romance.
I enjoyed the blend of humor, suspense, and romance. While the murder plot seemed a bit far-fetched at times, it kept the story exciting. Khin and Tyler’s relationship was well-developed, and I loved the cultural elements from Myanmar. The audiobook narration added a lot to my experience, making the characters even more relatable. Overall, it’s a charming, lighthearted read with some thrilling twists. Definitely recommend!
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own

“I could have spent three more months to three decades with him, and it still would not be enough time, because every time I learned something new about him, I would once again be overwhelmed by the fact that a person like this exists.”

This romantic comedy follows Khin Haymar, a journalist selected to shadow world famous actor, Tyler Tun, for a cover feature in Vogue. Khin expects this to be the job to elevate her career from freelance journalist to a full time gig with Vogue Singapore, but things go awry when she’s attacked on set of Tyler’s movie and her attacker ends up dead. She and Tyler now have to join forces to cover up their involvement.

As you would expect, shenanigans ensue. The subject matter was serious, but I think it was handled in the way a romantic comedy should handle it. This book was sweet and funny and emotional in all the right ways.

It is a slow burn on the romance, but the other plot points and twists kept me interested throughout and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. It was much more than a romance, with the main characters working together to keep things under wraps while dodging the cops, hiding secrets from one another, and navigating their personal lives.

All in all, this was a super fun read and I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, and Pyae Moe Thet War for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review of I Did Something Bad!

Khin is recently divorced, she’s adrift in her emotions and is searching for a lifeline, and Clarissa at Vogue Singapore throws her one. Finally, Khin has a goal: find out what Hollywood golden boy - Tyler Tun’s big secret is, and she is dead set on doing whatever it takes to deliver. Afterall, she normally writes hard hitting journalism pieces, how hard could a celebrity profile be?
You know the old saying when it rains it pours? Well on top of struggling to get notoriously private Tyler to open up and give her something real for her article, Khin is attacked one night on set. Tyler sees the struggle unfold and immediately jumps in to help her fight off her assailant, and when the dust settles there's a dead man on their movie set.

Cue the panic, Khin knows that the self-defense plea won’t work for someone with her status, Khin convinces Tyler to keep the murder a secret to keep her safe. But the more Khin recalls about her interaction with the man, the more she begins to question whether or not the attack was actually random. Unable to leave the mystery unsolved, Tyler and Khin begin looking into the attacker and suddenly she and Tyler are actually starting to open up to each other. But can she really deliver the expose she needs to after her feelings begin to grow for this man? Especially when so much more than just her dream job hangs in the balance?

I used to be a journalist in college so when I read the synopsis, it had me hooked from the start. I was really interested to see how the author was going to go about writing a rom-com murder mystery, and honestly the journalism aspect is really the thread that ties it all together!

I loved how the author revealed Khin’s previous work and parts of her backstory (and other characters' backstories) little bits at a time. It did wonders for the pacing of this book and I really found myself dying to know what the full story was. There was one point when I felt like the pacing got a tad off, where I was like what in the world is going on here, I felt lost. Looking back after finishing the book, I feel like that was intentional by the author as even though the book is written in third person, the story is very focused on Khin’s POV, and to me it really made you feel the tumultuousness of Khin’s mind in that part of the story. If you’re looking for a good standalone with just the right amount of romance, mystery, and angst then you should definitely read I Did Something Bad!

Wow! This book blew me away! Khin is a freelance journalist who is recently divorced after about one year of marriage. Vogue has reached out to her to do a celebrity profile on Tyler Tun. If she gets this right, she could get a full time job with Vogue in Singapore! The first night on the set, a strange man follows Khin and attacks her. Tyler steps in to help her, but things don’t end well. Now Tyler and Khin have a secret, and Khin needs to find out why this guy was targeting her. As they grow closer, Khin finds herself questioning her morals as a journalist. But everything is on the line, her life, her job, and Tyler’s trust.

When an author can build up the banter and the chemistry between two characters in such a way that when they finally have their first kiss, MY body tingles, that author has me as a reader FOR LIFE! Never have I read two characters that leapt off the page from the beginning and whom were perfect for each other right from the beginning. And while third act things are my most favorite, it made sense here and it was equally heartbreaking.

This whole book felt very unique to me, from the setting, to the personalities of the characters, to the plot… it was really just *chef’s kiss.* I loved all of the supporting characters, May was fantastic as Tyler’s best friend.

I do wish I would have gotten to see the real article that Khin wrote about Tyler, but I guess I can’t get everything I want haha. What a great way to start the month of October! A 5 star read!

Oh this was VERY MUCH my shit! Yall know that I am in my romance/adventure/mystery ERA and this one nailed it.

I Did Something Bad is the story of freelance journalist Khin Haymar who gets the opportunity of a lifetime - she's been assigned the Vogue Singapore celebrity of moviestar Tyler Tun. And if she nails it, a coveted permanent position at Vogue is hers. Tyler is back in Mynamar shooting his next movie, so Khin will shadow him.

Khin knows this is the thing she needs to get her life back on track - her world has been turned upside down since. her (now ex) husband asked for a divorce. And while she is incredibly proud of her reporting, particularly a recent piece on the underground Abortion clinics in her home country of Myanmar, it has ruffled a lot of feathers.

Everything goes a bit sideways on the first night of the shoot - and Khin has to lean on Tyler far more than she wants to. We follow them as they attempt to find the truth and keep everyone they love safe - all while navigating the increasingly obvious attraction between the two of them.

Trigger warning that this book includes an attempted sexual assault - so be gentle with yourself when reading. I found that author Pyae Moe Thet War handled this and the abortion stories the care that they deserve.

I Did Something Bad is out TUESDAY! Massive Thank You to St Martins Press and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC and sneak peek. Devouring this was the highlight of my week!

I Did Something Bad, by Pyle Moe Thet War, is a unique, but entertaining, quick reading, adventurous romcom with a heavy mystery element. The story has cozy mystery leanings and comedic elements while still being centered around its romantic aspects.

The story features a freelance journalist, Khin, who has been assigned the role of getting inside intel on Tyler, a famously private Hollywood actor. Her job is to shadow him for two months and learn more about his life. When the journalist is attacked on the set of the actor’s current movie, and accidentally kills him, Khin and Tyler team up to work to cover up the crime.

This story can be a bit off-putting if you don’t expect it, by a combining lighthearted, comedic tone with darker, heavier aspects. In that regard, it reminds me a little bit of the Finley Donovan mystery series. The reader will also have to suspend belief while reading, which is absolutely fine and fun if you know that going in. The ending is definitely surprising and the story unusual, with a mixed genre vibe, and overall its quite a quick, enjoyable story.