Book Smart Kate

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Audiobook performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Spice: Closed Door

by Pyae Moe Thet War (October 8, 2024) Many thanks to @macmillian.audio for a #gifted advanced listening copy of this incredibly fun blend of celebrity romance and mystery/suspense. I love when books effortlessly merge multiple genres! #macaudio2024

Tyler Tun is an international movie star, on the cusp of becoming the next James Bond. But his latest film, set in his homeland of Myanmar, has the entire country buzzing. Enter Khin Hlaing, a freelance journalist who lands a career-changing opportunity to write a cover story on Tyler for Vogue. Shadowing him during the two-month filming period, Khin has to deliver something extraordinary if she wants to secure a full-time position. But things take a dark turn when, on the very first day of filming, she and Tyler are thrust into a murder cover-up that could destroy both their careers. As they navigate the tightrope of secrecy and truth, they discover they make a pretty great team—both professionally and personally. Who knew a murder could bring two people together?

This novel is a delightful mix of suspense and romance, with the action kicking off from the start. I loved how Tyler and Khin’s connection grows amidst the chaos of covering up a crime. The supporting cast of characters also adds depth, creating an unexpected but tight-knit group, all willing to go the extra mile. Vulnerability plays a significant role, not only between Tyler and Khin but within their circle of friends, adding emotional weight to the narrative.

While the mystery serves more as a backdrop for the romance, it’s engaging without being overly complex. The central theme of trust—often a key conflict in celebrity romances—is established early on, which makes the tension feel organic rather than forced later in the story.

Overall, I Did Something Bad is an entertaining and unique read, great for fans of genre-blending novels!

A special shout-out to Jacqui Bardelang, whose narration beautifully captures both Khin and Tyler’s voices and handles the emotional weight of the story, especially the more traumatic elements surrounding the death at the center of the story.