I think this one may have been slightly misleading in referring to it as a rom com. It is a slow, slow, slow burn as far as romance goes, and it's not necessarily funny. However, I did enjoy the adventure portion and the twists and turns.

1.5 stars.. yeah.. not my cup of tea. I thought I would like the combination of romance + murder mystery/high stakes, but this one just didn't work for me. Maybe it's the author's writing style and tone that aren't for me or the overall premise of the book and what our main characters went through. The romance was not believable between Khin and Tyler, and I think that's something that really kept me from being fully immersed into the book while reading.

This one was a slow burn for me. I would say it’s more of a cozy mystery than a full on mystery. However, I did enjoyed the crime and figuring out who attacked our A-list celebrity. . It just took a while to get into the story for me. Once I read a few small twists I connected a bit more to the story. I will say the romance between the two seemed off and I believe that is what took away my connection with the two characters.

This was SO dissapointing. At the moment I have to DNF. I am always looking forward to a cozy mystery-esque story but this is falling flat. My main issue is that I did not like our main FMC. Maybe she would have grown on me but I just could not take the time to care. Maybe I will circle around to this book once I am looking for this type of story.

✨Book Review✨
I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
.
This book was a cute rom com. I really loved the first half, but the second half got a little boring. I really didn't like the fallout between the love interests. Their reaction based on what happened seemed unrealistic and that frustrated me. I did really love the celebrity vibes and the characters were lovely. I would recommend this one if you want a cute celebrity/journalist rom com.

I really liked this book. The description was very interesting and made me wanna read the story. I love romances and adventure stories and this was a little of both. I liked the way the characters interacted with each other, it was so fun to read. I think the book was well written and I’d recommend this if you like romcoms with a side of murder.

This story was all over the place. Khin is writing an article about Tyler but then they cover up a murder while joking about it and then they fall in love. I guess it was funny in places, and witty at times, but overall, I wasn’t sure what to make of this. I will say it was entertaining but it was trying to be too many things.

"I Did Something Bad" by Pyae Moe Thet War was a highly entertaining read.

It has a little of everything. From movie stars to murder, and of course, a romance story to root for, readers will be captivated by this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and am looking forward the next book written by Pyae Moe Thet War.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me this ARC.

This was such a cute read until we got to that 3rd act break-up. I still enjoyed the experience overall, but it definitely took away

Khin is a journalist assigned to shadow and write a big scoop about Tyler Tun, a huge movie star. It will be the big break she needs after a really hard divorce and will give her a chance to snag a coveted role at Vogue in Singapore. Tyler is definitely hiding a secret and Khin is determined to figure out what it is. But when things go awry, can Tyler and Khin work together to help each other out? And will feelings develop along the way?

I thought this was a fun read, full of cute pop culture references. Khin and Tyler had a sweet chemistry together and their banter was adorable. I loved the Myanmar setting. I thought Khin's past trauma and Tyler's reluctance to open up added depth to their story. I liked their friends and movie set setting. I didn't even mind the murder plot because it didn't take too much page time. <spoiler> The one thing that dropped this book a whole star for me, was the 3rd act break-up. He got angry because she was DOING HER JOB. I just can't. May (Tyler's bff) was also a total brat. They knew she was writing a story. Tyler invited her to write the story. What was she supposed to do? Not do her job, the whole reason she was there? Ridiculous. I also HATED that Khin went to grovel to May and Tyler several times. He should be groveling to her for being a baby about her writing an article she was paid to write. </spoiler>

As stated, I enjoyed this book, but that 3rd act wasn't for me. I would read more from this author and hope that she treats her next heroine better than poor Khin. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really fun read. I loved that was a rom com with a twist of murder. Love the chemistry between the two characters.

Enthralling and delightful, this debut novel by the author truly deserves a 5 star review!
Freelance journalist Khin is offered a once in a lifetime chance by the editor at Vogue to interview mega star Tyler Tun. To make this opportunity even sweeter, the editor has promised that if she can obtain an exclusive scoop regarding Tyler, she will give Khin a permanent position as a Vogue journalist in Singapore. Khin is still emotionally coming to grips with her marriage ending and jumps at the opportunity. Meeting Tyler, he is not what she might have imagined Hollywood’s golden boy to be. When a stalker accosts her near the movie set and attacks her, she fights back while on a railing over the water. She stabs her attacker with her pen and tries to toss him into the water, only her grabs onto her. Tyler grabs her so she doesn’t fall, but when the attacker doesn’t swim away, it becomes a question of what to do?
The book is full of twists and turns. My one issue is that part of the plot twist seems a bit forced, but this was a great read. If you enjoy a good romance with a bit of mystery thrown in, you will enjoy this book!

When freelance journalist Khin Hlaing is assigned by Vogue to get a scoop on Tyler Tun, Hollywood’s hottest movie star who has returned home to Myanmar to shoot a film, she's determined to succeed. If Khin’s able to get an explosive exclusive, there may well be a permanent position waiting for her at Vogue Singapore, and a ticket out of the city that's felt too small since her recent divorce.

Tyler has done his very best to keep his private life private, and he doesn’t show any sign of letting down his walls for Khin. But then one night on set, a strange man follows Khin into the surrounding park grounds. When he threatens her, Tyler steps in and things escalate fast. Khin knows they can’t go to the police, even if it was self defense. And when she learns that this man seems to have targeted her specifically, she needs to do everything she can to find out why.

As Khin and Tyler work together to hide their secret and find out more about her attacker, they grow closer and Tyler finally starts opening up. The job at Vogue suddenly looks more promising, but Khin can’t help feel a twang of uncomfortable morality-related guilt. Before long, everything hangs in the balance. Will they get away with murder? Can Khin get the exposé she needs for her dream job? And is she willing to risk Tyler’s trust in the process?

Holy plot twists. This book was everything and more. I wish I could give it more than five stars, because it truly deserves a lot more. Action packed and swoonworthy. Cannot wait to read more from the author.

This was a fun premise, and I loved the romance mixed with an adventure/mystery element! It has a bit of a lighter tone and it’s quite funny throughout. I loved both of the characters, and their slow burn romance had me on the edge of my seat waiting for them to finally kiss. Overall, it was a super far fetched plot with some questionable choices made by characters, but it’s still such a super fun read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 stars

[ thank you @stmartinspress for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

PUB DATE: October 8, 2024 (out now!)

THOUGHTS:

Khin & Tyler were super cute! Loved how their relationship grew slowly while the drama/madness of the murder happened. Ha!

But I just overall didn’t love this one. It didn’t grab my attention for long when I picked it up. And the third act breakup was confusing and didn’t work for me.

It was meh vibes for me and I hate to say that! 😭 This wasn’t a book for me and that’s okay! I’ll try the author again in the future though. ❤️

Entertaining debut about a freelance journalist (Khin) and international superstar (Tyler) who find themselves teaming up to hide something from the police in Myanmar.

In terms of genre, I'd say this is contemporary, book club-type fiction with mystery elements and a romance subplot.

Jacqui Bardelang did a great job with the narration; she really pulled me into the story (though at times it seemed like some characters had a Chicago accent which threw me a little).

I Did Something Bad is not a cozy mystery, but I think I'd recommend it to readers looking for something along those lines. Think fun, not challenging to follow. Maybe a good fit for fans of Finlay Donovan and Errands & Espionage.

I Did Something Bad is a fun take on the Hollywood journalist/actor storyline!
There is some great cultural diversity in the setting and the characters. Character development is strong and the writing is pretty good. It’s a little longer than it needs to be. Overall I enjoyed it and laughed out loud a few times!

I absolutely loved this! It was a great blend of traditional contemporary romance as well as some of my favorite romantic suspense elements. I think Pyae Moe Thet War wrote a spectacular story and I'm so excited to see what comes next from them!

I can't speak on the accuracy of the Myanmar representation but I think it was so well done. The setting felt so alive and I loved the various family members we get to see living a bit more of a day-to-day life outside of our current celebrity movie setting! Our characters also felt so great! There were a variety of family relations that we see to showcase a wide range of how families interact both in good and bad ways. I also really appreciated the connection between our FMC and our MMC's family to wrap things up in a full circle way and provide some context to decisions.

Regarding the plot, I am a SUCKER for romantic suspense stories so this was a blast! Obviously, you have to suspend reality a little bit, the FMC murders someone of course! But I think this was done spectacularly to create a truly believable mystery/murder setting at the end of the day. This blend of story isn't going to be for everyone but I think it was really well done and I hope to see more of these mystery-based romances from War.

I have been provided with a review copy of I Did Something Bad from NetGalley for an impartial review. This was just a great read. I was just drawn in to this story so thoroughly. I just had so much fun reading this story.

Such a fun yet heartfelt and impactful read! In addition to a fun rom-com (and a murder..) the author addresses themes of misogyny, racism, and friendship love in the most crafty way.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC of I Did Something Bad! All opinions in this review are my own.

Overall, the potential was there but it was too chaotic. The beginning starts off really strong with Khin being assigned a Vogue cover story about a major celebrity, Tyler, and travelling to his movie set. Khin and Tyler accidentally murder a man when he attacks her and now must try to get away with it. After that, the book became too messy. There were times that the murder was almost forgotten because it becomes a romance between Khin and Tyler. The last two-thirds were too uneven because there were too many stories to cover.