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.

I DID SOMETHING BAD – Pyae Moe Thet War
St. Martin’s Griffin
ISBN: 978-1250330512
October 8, 2024
Romantic Comedy

Myanmar – Present Day

Out of the blue, freelance journalist Khin Haymar is offered a plum assignment for Vogue spending time with and interviewing international movie star Tyler Tun. She meets Tyler and is a bit tongue-tied at first, but they get along. He is filming a movie in Myanmar, and she gets to spend time on the set. One night, Khin is walking alone near the set while they film nearby when a man out of nowhere starts attacking her. She manages to fight back and stabs him in the ear with her pen, but he is hanging onto her and is about to take her over the fence. Out of nowhere, Tyler rescues her. The attacker falls into the rocks and water below, clearly dead. Khin is ready to call the police, but Tyler stops her. He convinces her that no one will believe that she’s innocent and since he likes her, he will help her avoid the police. What happens after that is the reason I DID SOMETHING BAD is a madcap adventure.

Khin is recently divorced and is focused on her career. She recently got some good reviews on an article she wrote about underground abortions, so it is no wonder that she is sought out by magazines. The chance to do the Vogue article is a dream come true and she intends to do a good job. Tyler is friendly toward Khin but still manages to keep up walls. His best friend is May, also an actress, and there are rumors that there is more than a friendship between them. Will Khin get to the real story? Well, the body in the water is soon found and the police are swarming the movie set asking a lot of questions. It soon came out that the dead man had been taking pictures of Khin. Was the man stalking her…and why? The police zero in on Khin but Tyler is good at deflecting and helping her to provide an alibi. What is in it for him to protect her? It does appear the police want to take her in and throw the book at her. Not that they care about the dead man, but maybe because of her abortion story. A little revenge?

I DID SOMETHING BAD is an intriguing tale because it has a little bit of a mystery and a little romance brewing between Khin and Tyler. While we know what happened to Khin, we don’t know until late in the story what prompted the dead man to focus on her. Tyler keeps secrets from her, and she slowly learns what makes him tick. They work well together, though part of the time it is about him calming her down. I won’t give away any more of the plot, but let’s just say there are a few surprises in store for readers. It is a fun read that wraps up nicely as all the questions raised are answered. If you’re looking for an interesting read that is part mystery and part romance, then grab I DID SOMETHING BAD.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Getting to interview one of the hottest Asian stars on the planet shouldn’t lead to murder but the body floating in the pond says otherwise.

I Did Something Bad is a different type of romantic suspense. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Pyae Moe Thet War could have led us down many different roads, but the one taken is filled with twists and turns that are quietly dramatic.

This isn’t to say that what leads up to the murder is isn’t filled with drama and fear. Or that the subsequent investigation didn’t cause a different type of fear with prison-time consequences and an inquiry due to racism and bias towards Khin. There is some drama in relation to these things, but the story focuses more on internal drama than outside forces.

Khin and Tyler carry the emotional baggage of their past and it affects how they respond to each other and the murder. Its hindrances make for lively reading and banter. How can you trust someone you don’t know, never mind a celebrity being interviewed by a journalist. Trust seems impossible until murder ties you together.

I love the secondary cast. Once again, it is the relationships that flavor and enhance the story. How each character interacts with each other through the deep bonds of friendship. Trust and friendship are the overriding theme for this book. Yes, there is romance involved, but it is more about how time can affect relationships, letting go, and learning to let someone new in.

Have I rambled? (chuckle) I guess you could say that this is an emotional mystery ride. It covers dark topics and how they affect people. All the while, I’m thinking I need to buy a really good pen and not have it monogrammed (chuckle).

A chaotic at times mix of romcom and thriller that sees Khin and Tyler cover up a murder. She's a journalist, he's a movie star and honestly they make a lot of unwise decisions. It is witty and the wordplay is good. I liked the setting and that both were from Myanmar- and that War wove in cultural and political aspects. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for those willing to go with it.

When I read the premise of this romcom meets thriller it immediately had my attention. Both genres are great reads independently so why not combine them!

I found the overall pacing of the book to be interesting. The thriller portion of the storyline took off immediately while the romance side was more of a slow burn. I found both Khin and Tyler to be likeable and was rooting for them the entire story. The only place where this story fell off for me a little bit was the ending. It just felt so... wrapped up and tied with a bow. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I think I expected more from Khin's character or maybe even Tyler's. Regardless, this was still a fun read and I would definitely be interested in reading future books from Pyae.

Thanks to St. Martin's Publishing Group for the widget. I wouldnt call this a rom com maybe a low key thriller rom-com but nonetheless why put labels on things. Khin the MFC is a strong willed /stubborn journalist doing a cover story for Vogue on Tyler Tun MMC a Hollywood IT actor. They run into some trouble and its all downhill from there. I enjoyed how it didnt focus on the rom com it was not forced it didnt come about till like about 70 percent of the book. It focused not only on what happened but also why Khin is the way she is her character. Im not gonna lie I also cried with this book cant say any spoilers you will just have to read it. Its a thriller but you wont be scared, you LOL and you will definitely swoon. Its if my love of thrillers and rom coms had a child.

I really wanted to like this, but there was a lot that didn’t work for me.

The romance felt very contrived, there was a lot that was shown and not told. The third act breakdown felt a little ridiculous to me given the nature of Tyler and Khin’s relationship in the beginning.

The wrap up of the suspense plot was not for me as well.

The premise for the story had me intrigued from the jump, but ultimately it requires a lot of suspension of disbelief to enjoy fully. There are major plot points that simply don't make sense and if those types of things matter to you, it might bother you here. Khin was an interesting character, and I appreciate that she was going through a time where she was trying to really understand herself. The love story didn't feel believable at all to me, it felt as though there was zero chemistry between the two and if anything it felt more like a trauma-bond. I actually think there was enough in the story between Khin and Tyler that the attacker plotline wasn't necessary. I think if you enjoy cozy mysteries that lean heavily on the romance, then you may enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.