Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this! From the incredible characters, to the plot, to falling in love with everything so quickly- I couldn’t put this down. I highly recommend this! It really just sucks you in and makes you never want to leave. In my opinion, those are the best books and I couldn't get enough.

While the premise seemed promising, the actual execution left much to be desired. The characters felt a little two-dimensional and underdeveloped, leaving their relationship underdeveloped as well (which, for a slow burn, is especially exhausting). The story relies too much on miscommunication. Ideal for fans of the Finlay Donovan series.

Suspense Thriller
Slow Burn Romance
Journalist/Movie Star
Miscommunication
Debut

It was okay. I did not like the dialogue between characters and everything felt choppy. I was intrigued at the beginning but lost interest as the book went on.

Khin Haymar had been commissioned by Vogue Singapore to write an exclusive on international movie star, and fellow Myanmar, Tyler Tun. She gets two months to shadow him while he films on location in Yangon. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime that could lead to a permanent position with the prestigious publication!

Khin juggles post-divorce self-doubt, professional pressure, and celebrity jitters as she navigates her new assignment. Surprisingly, Tyler is incredibly down to earth and easy to get along with. Things seem to be going quite well until they hit a bump in the road. One night, during a break in filming, Khin is attacked by a stranger and she and Tyler end up doing “something bad.” But it was all in self-defense!! Deciding to keep the night’s event a secret leads to a whole bookload of drama and suspense. It also leads to a love story, but arguably Khin and Tyler were headed there anyway.

It took me longer than usual to finish this book. I found it slow in the first half and wasn’t connecting with the characters due to some differences in personality and reasoning. Yet some of those points were key to the plot of the book. It’s ironic that while it took me awhile to empathize with Khin’s insistence on secrecy, I was frustrated that her ultimate decision to sacrifice her future to protect Tyler and his best friend May was never openly addressed. Her dilemma was resolved with what seemed like a miracle, but then relief evaporated into sadness. It was discordant that after being profoundly certain that Khin was worthy of his trust regarding the “something bad”, Tyler turned on her for being the journalist she expected herself to be 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, while overlooking the fact that she had just made a grand gesture that should have cancelled out any prior selfish intentions.

Nevertheless, this is a story that highlights the preciousness of friendships and the value of learning what you truly want in this life. It definitely has its fun and clever moments. I’m grateful to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this via the NetGalley community.

Myanmar journalist Kinh is given an assignment that could catapult her into a senior position at Vogue Singapore. She doesn't usually do celeb profiles, but the subject is the hottest actor going now—Myanmar native Tyler Tun. Kinh has two months to shadow him and get some kind of scoop that will set this cover story on fire. Before she can start digging, she's involved in something she can't control alone. Can she trust Tyler with this huge secret?

I liked this novel—it was entertaining, the characters were likable but fallible, and the dialogue was witty and moving. However, the reader will have to suspend some belief to really enjoy this one. There are some interactions that would be unlikely to play out in real life, but they're needed to keep the plot moving. That being said, this was a twisty, entertaining story that offers some forbidden romance vibes.

I Did Something Bad is a gripping and intense thriller that delves into the darker side of fame, morality, and the true cost of ambition.
The story follows Khin Hlaing, a determined freelance journalist, as she's assigned to get a scoop on Hollywood's hottest movie star, Tyler Tun, who's filming in Myanmar. Khin's drive for success is intense, and her desire to escape her past and secure a permanent position at Vogue Singapore is relatable. However, her life drastically turns when she's attacked on set, and Tyler steps in to save her.
As Khin and Tyler work together to uncover the truth behind the attack, they grow closer, and the lines between their professional and personal relationships become blurred. Tension builds as they navigate the complex web of secrets, lies, and murder. The author masterfully crafts a sense of unease, keeping the reader on edge and wondering what will happen next.
The characters are well-developed and complex, with Khin's determination and vulnerability making her a compelling protagonist. Tyler's enigmatic nature and gradual opening up to Khin add depth to the story.
The writing is engaging, with a fast-paced narrative that propels the reader through the twists and turns. The author's use of language is evocative, painting a vivid picture of the settings and characters.

1.5 stars rounded up

Well, I finally finished it. I’m waffling between one and two stars because some of it I liked, but not very much of it, and the things I did like almost always had a caveat to it. Frankly, much of the book felt very…strange, I guess. As it started out, it was okay. The character development was okay, though flat at times. It felt more like telling instead of showing, which never makes the characters feel real to me. Because of that, I didn’t care about the characters overly much, making this more of a chore to get through than an enjoyable read.

The marketing of this book made this out to be sort of a romantic comedy mystery vibe. The concept of the main character covering up a murder with her romantic love interest is something I had not seen before, and I was interested to see it play out. However, the combination of romance, comedy, and mystery felt out of balance and frequently landed distastefully.

The romance aspect was sweet, but I found it to be as poorly developed as the character development. It’s a lot of shy glances and double meetings that ask the question does he/doesn’t he like me? That's all well and good, but it was once again developed insufficiently. I also found the way the romantic conflict was resolved to be very immature (her article and also I think the gentleman doth protest too much) and underwhelming.

There were two redeeming qualities I found about this book. The first was how the author showed the inherent bias and systemic racism by sharing a little about Asian actors in the age of representation and in the justice system as we see through Khin’s experience. The second was the friendship between Khin and her two girlfriends. Once again, however, I would’ve liked to have seen more development with their friendship for it to really hit home that theme.

Ultimately, this one missed the mark for me.

This was fun mix between romance and mystery genres and is quite enjoyable. I'd suggest it mainly to romance lovers though, as I personally felt it focuses on it a bit more. The characters share incredible chemistry and their dynamic was a joy to read. It was mostly fast-paced and very quick read. Devoured it within two sittings. (Rating - 4.5 out of 5 stars).

In this smart and swoony adventure rom-com, a journalist and a movie star find themselves teaming up to cover up a murder...and falling for each other in the process.

I loved this romance with mystery and intrigue. The characters were well written, and the romance was fantastic.

An intriguing romantic mystery that I really enjoyed!

Sorry, but this one for me was a DNF, i don't know, i didn't like Khin, and i couldn't stand Tyler.
Thanks To Netgalley and the author for a chance of reading this book in adv, in exchenga of an honest review.

First I want to thank St Martins, NetGalley and the author for this advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.
The main protagonists are: Khin Hlaing and Tyler Tun.
Khin is a journalist looking for a scoop for Vogue, and Tyler is a famous actor. Little step back, this is indeed a rom-com, but there is also an aura of mystery that involves the whole story, I was hoping that this would make it a little spicy, but instead the main trope is the slow burn. Anyway, due to an "unfortunate" (so to speak) event, the two find themselves having to face a threat and "hiding" the facts of what really happened.
This will bring them closer and closer, to a point of no return.
I give only three stars, because in some points i found it too slow burn, and the communication problems, really bothered me.
This book will be available starting October 8, 2024. This is a novel debut, so please support this new author!

I absolutely picked this one because of the name (Swiftie over here) but stayed for the absolute wild ride it was. This was SO much fun, the dynamic between our MC’s was *chefs kiss* so good that I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be keeping an eye on this author.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. This was a really fun book and I wish I could read it again for the first time.

The synopsis to this book is a bit misleading. This is labeled a Rom Com, and while there is a small romantic element, it is a slow burn one. On top of that, I didn't really see comedy in this story. That is not to say I didn't like it, I just think expectations should be set at a different level to enjoy this one.

The plot centers on an up and coming journalist, Khin Hlaing, getting her big break, with a feature story on acting superstar, Tyler Tun. With the two connecting from day one, a great meet cute, I thought that was the beginning of a sweet romantic tale. But things take an interesting turn when Khin is attacked on his film set and in defending herself, a tragic accident occurs. For various reasons, all ridiculous, the two decide to cover it up. I didn't really get why Tyler took such risks for someone he barely knew, but when you think of the implications for his movie career, I sort of get it.

From this point forward, the two go to elaborate lengths to cover up the "crime" and find out why this man targeted Khin. I had my suspicions, which were later confirmed. What is interesting is the more I learned about the mystery man, the more I disliked him. Maybe he had what was coming to him?

There are a couple twists that change the direction of the story, including some poor communication between the couple to cause unnecessary drama. Are these two rising stars on different paths, or can they ultimately change their path and enjoy a future together? You'll have to read for yourself to find out.

Loved the idea behind the books and the execution. Mystery/thriller and romcom all rolled into one. Our Main character, Khin is set to interview a celebrity for Vogue Singapore. It kinda reminded me of Findlay Donovan which is one of my favorite go to series when I am down and need something to pick up. I am so excited to find another book that is similar in feel to that and excited to see what else Pyae Moe Thet War is going to write in the future!

3.75 stars

Every once in a while, I get an invite from NetGalley to read a book, and this is one such occasion. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Decided to put this one in list format-
Pros-
-This was a quick read
-Solid debut
-A mix of rom/com and mystery
-Loved the setting as I’ve never read a book set in Myanmar
-Enjoyed the overall premise
-Liked what I was given from the characters
Cons-
-Using the murder to make jokes-didn’t sit well with me
-I wish the characters were more fleshed out-made the insta-love seem unbelievable
-Feel as though it ended abruptly
-The murder felt like an afterthought at some point
Overall, a solid debut, just wish I was given more from the characters.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me at 50%. I loved the representation with the characters, but the plot just did not make sense at all. This book had a very off vibe for involving a murder. I am also not a fan of long chapters. At times I felt there was just too much fluff and not enough progression of the story. Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

This book was definitely not for me. I didn’t enjoy the plot as it was set up similar to a mystery book, but it leaned more towards a romance book. The mystery part had a very unsatisfying ending and in general, there wasn’t enough tension to create the feel of a mystery/thriller book. The characters weren’t my favourite either. I didn’t feel a spark between them and they were a little one dimensional to me. I also couldn’t get intonthe writing style. The pacing felt very slow.

This review will not be posted on my social media.

I Did Something Bad
4.25 ⭐️

Ok I loved this combination of thriller romance! With how this started out, it felt like it was going to be very heavy. While parts were, it definitely brought a lighter tone throughout the story.

Khin is a journalist with a big break when she’s asked to shadow celebrity Tyler Tun for a few months of his filming. After a strange man attacks Khin, the two are forced to work together and hide what really happened.

This story ended up being so sweet. While the third act breakup wasn’t my favorite part of the story, I did love both of their characters and the growth they made. Unique setting and genre combination!

Thanks @netgalley for this ARC!

How to Summon a Fairy Godmother is a twist on the classic fairy tale, blending humor, magic, and romance into a story that challenges traditional notions of happily ever after. Lady Theodosia Balfour, or Theo, is about to be stuck in a life-altering predicament after her stepsister, Princess Beatrice, spreads damaging rumors about their family. Reminiscent of Cinderella, but with a refreshing inversion of the tale's familiar roles. Instead of Cinderella being the center of attention, we hear from Theo, one of the stepsisters. She is seeking help from a fairy godmother to escape an impending forced marriage to the detestable and very, very, very old Duke, who views Theo as nothing more than a vessel for producing heirs, has her in a tailspin and desperate to get out of the nuptials. The desperation of Theo's situation is palpable, and her resolve to find a way out leads her to discover a fairy in her stepsister's old room.

It is a story that blends romance, suspense, and moral dilemmas set in Myanmar. Khin Haymar is a determined freelance journalist who can land a permanent position at Vogue if she can get an exclusive scoop on Tyler Tun, a reclusive Hollywood movie star. The story takes a sharp turn when Khin is threatened by a mysterious man on the movie set, and Tyler intervenes, but the situation turns deadly. Khin and Tyler realize they cannot go to the police, even though the incident was self-defense.

The chemistry between Khin and Tyler is instant, but their relationship deepens as they try to steer the complexities of their shared secret. Initially guarded, Tyler begins to let Khin into his private world, revealing his vulnerability and making his character deeper than just a movie star. On the other hand, Khin walks the fine line between her professional ambition, the moral implications of her actions, and her feelings for Tyler. The tension between her desire to secure her dream job and her growing feelings for Tyler drives the story forward. The situation forces both Khin and Tyler to question their values and the choices they are willing to make to protect themselves and each other. It was a fun, easy read with a steady pace that kept me engaged in the story. It makes you question to what extent would you go to cover up a deadly accident.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin.