"Equal parts thriller and romance, Khin and Tyler’s love story is ideal for anyone who likes a twist on the classic romance format. Whether it’s the high-stakes premise or Tyler’s chiseled jawline, there’s more than enough in this book to get your heart racing." - The Washington Post
"The movie-star romance gets new life from its Myanmar setting, and the realistic and moving portrayals of lifelong friendships add depth to the story of two professionals struggling to maintain boundaries in the face of growing affection. This is a winning fiction debut from War." - Library Journal
"With swoony moments and some serious ones regarding the importance of journalism, this sweet yet thoroughly modern story satisfies." - BookPage (starred review)
"I Did Something Bad is an action-packed, whip-smart, deliciously funny romance which will have readers laughing, crying and rooting for the characters from the first page to the last. Pyae Moe Thet War has brilliantly combined the high stakes drama of a thriller with all the banter and chemistry of a romance, with a perfect little side order of social commentary. I adored this gem of a book and I’m sure readers will too." - Freya Sampson, USA Today bestselling author of The Last Chance Library
"I Did Something Bad is a thrill-packed emotional roller-coaster of a ride. It has murder, mystery, romance, the best girl squad, and a hot movie star. I loved it.” - Clare Pooley, New York Times bestselling author
"You’re reading a winner when before you’ve even finished the first chapter you’re thinking, When’s the movie coming out? This is like Crazy Rich Asians with a murderous spin" - Criminal Element
"The charm of Notting Hill butts up against the suspense of J.D. Robb...The will-they-won’t-they between the leads is gripping, but the story really shines in the ride-or-die friendships between Khin and her two best friends." - Publisher's Weekly
"Hollywood meets Myanmar in a murder-meets-romance plot... For fans of movie star fiction and rarely seen Asian romance." - Kirkus Reviews
"I Did Something Bad is a dark, delicious, deathly witty story that had me hooked from the very first page. From the romance to the friendships, I adored each element of the story and was completely immersed in the mystery. With a page turning plot and characters you’ll want to shout at as much as you root for, Pyae Moe Thet War’s debut novel is the best kind of emotional roller coaster." – Rufaro Faith Mazarura, author of Let the Games Begin
"I Did Something Bad was a joy! Great concept and I loved that it was about a Myanmar romance. Tyler and Khin just SIZZLE! Delightful, witty, funny." – Elizabeth Drummond, author of The House Sitter and The Reunion
09/13/2024
DEBUT Khin Haymar, a freelance journalist based in Yangon, Myanmar, has just been offered the job of a lifetime: profile megastar and famously private actor Tyler Tun as he returns to Myanmar to film an action rom-com. If she can manage a scoop, it could even translate to a permanent position with the Vogue offices in Singapore. When Tyler stumbles on a man threatening Khin in the park on the first day of shooting, he intervenes, and the stranger ends up dead. Tyler and Khin have too much at stake to risk going to the police, so they agree to cover up the murder and continue as usual. Between dodging the police, overzealous fans, and the paparazzi, along with researching why the dead man was targeting Khin, the two start to grow closer. VERDICT The movie-star romance gets new life from its Myanmar setting, and the realistic and moving portrayals of lifelong friendships add depth to the story of two professionals struggling to maintain boundaries in the face of growing affection. This is a winning fiction debut from War (You've Changed).—Meagan Day
Jacqui Bardelang's narration plays up the various elements in this rom-com, which turns into a murder cover-up. Journalist Khin Haymar is sent to secure an exclusive interview with Tyler Tun, a reclusive movie star who is filming in Myanmar. Bardelang's delivery captures Khin's determination and increasing inner conflict as she balances her journalistic ambition and her growing attraction to her subject. Bardelang conveys Khin's vulnerability and grit when Tyler steps in to defend her--at his own expense. Bardelang also brings depth to Tyler's guarded demeanor, allowing his gradual opening up to seem authentic and compelling. Her portrayal captures the characters' shifting dynamics, immersing listeners in Khin's internal struggles. Listeners will be rooting for the unlikely couple. M.R. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine
2024-08-03
Hollywood meets Myanmar in a murder-meets-romance plot.
Freelance journalist Khin Haymar jumps at the chance to do a cover story on Hollywood star Tyler Tun forVogue Singapore even as she’s reeling from the recent end of her short-lived marriage. The assignment feels like a ticket to a permanent job and life in Singapore, away from her seeming failures in Yangon, Myanmar, where she lives and where Tyler is about to start filming a movie. Shadowing Tyler for two months and getting a scoop about his future plans seems like it will be easy—till the two of them accidentally kill a stranger who was menacing Khin on location at a park late at night. Though initially suave and genial to the point of unknowability, Tyler lets down his guard around Khin after they collude to hide the incident from the Myanmar police, a decision they make to avoid being railroaded into prison and ruining the first major Hollywood movie directed by and starring people from Myanmar. But Khin’s professional goal and ethics start to war with her feelings for Tyler once he confides several secrets, setting up an inevitable third-act dark moment that any romance reader will see coming. This debut novel falls into the “romantic suspense” category and shows some newbie flaws, including a greater reliance on telling rather than showing character traits. But the Myanmar setting and characters are novel, as is the theme of supporting abortion access in a country where it’s illegal (an issue Khin has written about). While more could have been done to flesh out the Yangon backdrop and finesse the deus ex machina resolution to the murder plot, it’s a creditable attempt to rejuvenate a somewhat neglected subgenre with celluloid glamor.
For fans of movie star fiction and rarely seen Asian romance.
