On The Beat — Nicole Lam

He's a burnt-out pop star. She's his worst critic.Ryder Black fears he may be a one-hit wonder after releasing a string of failed singles following his chart-topping debut album. After a jaw-dropping scandal, he decides to go off the grid to get some songwriting done, to El Nido, Philippines. Too bad his deserted island isn't as deserted as he'd like...By day, Isla Romero writes celebrity fluff pieces. By night, she dreams of writing serious music journalism. When her editor gives her a story to write in exchange for her dream job, she accepts. Her assignment? Write a bombshell piece about a celebrity, which means following Ryder Black to her parents' hometown and prying his secrets out of him... no matter the cost.