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Good Intentions
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 26A deft and immersive psychological suspense debut about a luxury party planner who becomes obsessed with a woman she encounters in a hospital waiting room.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 3, 2026
26 people are currently reading
14247 people want to read
About the author
Marisa Walz
1 book72 followersMarisa Walz is the author of Good Intentions, her debut psychological suspense novel. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two young children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
September 4, 2025
From the very first chapter, Good Intentions creeps under your skin and refuses to let go. This debut psychological thriller is dark, sinister, and emotionally unsettling—exactly the kind of story that drags you out of your comfort zone and forces you to wrestle with obsession, grief, and the fragile boundaries of mental health.
At its center is Cady, a luxury event planner whose picture-perfect life is shattered when her identical twin, Dana, dies suddenly after a tragic accident. Cady, who has always defined herself in relation to her sister—their bond more than just close, almost symbiotic—is left with a raw, festering grief she doesn’t quite know how to process. To make matters worse, she had argued with Dana shortly before her death, leaving her with a toxic cocktail of guilt and sorrow.
But instead of navigating her loss in the expected ways, Cady fixates on a stranger she meets in the hospital waiting room the day Dana dies: Morgan, a grieving mother who has just learned of her own devastating loss. What begins as a moment of shared pain spirals into an unhealthy, consuming obsession. Cady convinces herself she needs to help Morgan to heal, but the deeper she sinks into this fixation, the more readers begin to question her true motives—and whether even Cady fully understands what she’s after.
What makes this novel so compelling is Cady’s voice. She is at once brutally honest and deeply unreliable, laying bare her thoughts in ways that make you squirm. At times, you pity her. At others, you want to shake her. Walz crafts her with unnerving precision, forcing us to walk the razor’s edge between empathy and revulsion. The effect is claustrophobic and addictive—you can’t look away, even when Cady’s behavior becomes disturbing, manipulative, and frighteningly unhinged.
Thematically, the book masterfully explores twinhood, identity, and the psychology of grief. The relationship between Cady and Dana haunts every page, shaping not only Cady’s unraveling but also her desperate need to cling to someone—anyone—who might fill the void her twin left behind. Walz doesn’t rush the tension; instead, she builds it slowly, allowing unease to accumulate with every interaction, every half-truth, every questionable decision.
This is not a thriller that relies on flashy twists alone (though the final act packs a wallop). Instead, its power lies in its atmosphere and character work. The prose is sharp, immersive, and suffused with dread. Walz’s talent shines in the way she captures the looping, fragmented thinking of someone spiraling into obsession while keeping the reader both horrified and riveted.
By the time the final revelation lands, the novel has pushed you into uncomfortable moral territory: How much can grief excuse? How far can “good intentions” stretch before they become something twisted, selfish, and dangerous? The ending is chilling precisely because it feels inevitable, the natural result of a mind consumed by both love and loss.
Overall, Good Intentions is a gripping, thought-provoking debut that cements Marisa Walz as a fresh and formidable voice in psychological suspense. It’s an unsettling journey into the darker corners of grief and obsession—one that leaves you unsettled long after you turn the last page. Fans of character-driven thrillers with unreliable narrators will devour this one in a single sitting.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this unputdownable psychological debut thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. I deeply appreciated the chance to read it early and cannot wait to see what Marisa Walz creates next.
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At its center is Cady, a luxury event planner whose picture-perfect life is shattered when her identical twin, Dana, dies suddenly after a tragic accident. Cady, who has always defined herself in relation to her sister—their bond more than just close, almost symbiotic—is left with a raw, festering grief she doesn’t quite know how to process. To make matters worse, she had argued with Dana shortly before her death, leaving her with a toxic cocktail of guilt and sorrow.
But instead of navigating her loss in the expected ways, Cady fixates on a stranger she meets in the hospital waiting room the day Dana dies: Morgan, a grieving mother who has just learned of her own devastating loss. What begins as a moment of shared pain spirals into an unhealthy, consuming obsession. Cady convinces herself she needs to help Morgan to heal, but the deeper she sinks into this fixation, the more readers begin to question her true motives—and whether even Cady fully understands what she’s after.
What makes this novel so compelling is Cady’s voice. She is at once brutally honest and deeply unreliable, laying bare her thoughts in ways that make you squirm. At times, you pity her. At others, you want to shake her. Walz crafts her with unnerving precision, forcing us to walk the razor’s edge between empathy and revulsion. The effect is claustrophobic and addictive—you can’t look away, even when Cady’s behavior becomes disturbing, manipulative, and frighteningly unhinged.
Thematically, the book masterfully explores twinhood, identity, and the psychology of grief. The relationship between Cady and Dana haunts every page, shaping not only Cady’s unraveling but also her desperate need to cling to someone—anyone—who might fill the void her twin left behind. Walz doesn’t rush the tension; instead, she builds it slowly, allowing unease to accumulate with every interaction, every half-truth, every questionable decision.
This is not a thriller that relies on flashy twists alone (though the final act packs a wallop). Instead, its power lies in its atmosphere and character work. The prose is sharp, immersive, and suffused with dread. Walz’s talent shines in the way she captures the looping, fragmented thinking of someone spiraling into obsession while keeping the reader both horrified and riveted.
By the time the final revelation lands, the novel has pushed you into uncomfortable moral territory: How much can grief excuse? How far can “good intentions” stretch before they become something twisted, selfish, and dangerous? The ending is chilling precisely because it feels inevitable, the natural result of a mind consumed by both love and loss.
Overall, Good Intentions is a gripping, thought-provoking debut that cements Marisa Walz as a fresh and formidable voice in psychological suspense. It’s an unsettling journey into the darker corners of grief and obsession—one that leaves you unsettled long after you turn the last page. Fans of character-driven thrillers with unreliable narrators will devour this one in a single sitting.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this unputdownable psychological debut thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions. I deeply appreciated the chance to read it early and cannot wait to see what Marisa Walz creates next.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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August 26, 2025
This book was so good! It gave me “the swimmer” vibes by Loreth Anne White in the sense that I was devoured the whole book after being hooked onto the plot, the mysterious characters and racing towards the end.
The plot follows the FMC who is grieving the loss of her twin, her grief is overwhelming and she deals with it by becoming fixated to a stranger, a mother who is grieving the death of their child. There is a third character involved and between them it becomes unclear who is unhinged and who is trustworthy.
This is definitely an intensely psychological thriller and I loved every second!
Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the NetGalley gifted copy! I highly recommend for anyone looking for an addictive book that will keep you guessing until the end!
The plot follows the FMC who is grieving the loss of her twin, her grief is overwhelming and she deals with it by becoming fixated to a stranger, a mother who is grieving the death of their child. There is a third character involved and between them it becomes unclear who is unhinged and who is trustworthy.
This is definitely an intensely psychological thriller and I loved every second!
Thank you to St Martin’s Press for the NetGalley gifted copy! I highly recommend for anyone looking for an addictive book that will keep you guessing until the end!
August 16, 2025
I loved Marisa Waltz’s writing—Good Intentions was a deliciously deceptive debut! I especially enjoyed how many of the locations she referenced were right in my hometown and even in my current suburban neighborhood.
This story centered on Cady, a driven and successful luxury event planner with a fulfilling life, included a long-term partner and a vibrant social calendar. Her constant companion and confidante was her identical twin sister, Dana—until a tragedy striked. Dana was severely injured in an accident, and Cady arrived too late to say goodbye. Her world shattered. It was not Dana’s death that consumed her—not at first. Instead, Cady became fixated on Morgan, a grieving mother she happened to meet in the same hospital waiting room where Dana died. Cady perceived their simultaneous tragedies as fate rather than coincidence and became obsessed with helping Morgan heal, she believed that doing so would heal her own grief.
Good Intentions delivered a gripping blend of grief, obsession, and moral ambiguity, anchored by a complex, morally grey protagonist whose psychology was as fascinating as it was unsettling. The pacing was tense and twisted, blurred the line between compassion and fixation, and the emotional core-rooted in twin bonds, loss, and the search for meaning. It gave the suspense real weight. I was drawn in by the layered relationship dynamics and the way they kept me constantly second-guessing everyone’s motives.
That said, the intensity of the fixation themes felt claustrophobic at times, and the small cast left some secondary characters less developed. The story leaned more on emotional tension than action, which became redundant at times, I was hoping for a little more of a suspenseful thriller, and it refused to provide a clear-cut “hero vs. villain” resolution which was a bit underwhelming. Still, it was a psychologically rich and unsettling debut and I am eager to read more by Waltz.
Collectively, Good Intentions fits entirely into the psychological suspense category. It weaved together themes of grief and obsession while exploring that dangerous pull of looking away even when you know you shouldn’t. If you are drawn to flawed protagonists and constant shifts in sympathy, this is the kind of narrative that will keep you hooked and unsettled from the very first page to the last.
Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary copy of this engaging debut novel in exchange for my review.
This story centered on Cady, a driven and successful luxury event planner with a fulfilling life, included a long-term partner and a vibrant social calendar. Her constant companion and confidante was her identical twin sister, Dana—until a tragedy striked. Dana was severely injured in an accident, and Cady arrived too late to say goodbye. Her world shattered. It was not Dana’s death that consumed her—not at first. Instead, Cady became fixated on Morgan, a grieving mother she happened to meet in the same hospital waiting room where Dana died. Cady perceived their simultaneous tragedies as fate rather than coincidence and became obsessed with helping Morgan heal, she believed that doing so would heal her own grief.
Good Intentions delivered a gripping blend of grief, obsession, and moral ambiguity, anchored by a complex, morally grey protagonist whose psychology was as fascinating as it was unsettling. The pacing was tense and twisted, blurred the line between compassion and fixation, and the emotional core-rooted in twin bonds, loss, and the search for meaning. It gave the suspense real weight. I was drawn in by the layered relationship dynamics and the way they kept me constantly second-guessing everyone’s motives.
That said, the intensity of the fixation themes felt claustrophobic at times, and the small cast left some secondary characters less developed. The story leaned more on emotional tension than action, which became redundant at times, I was hoping for a little more of a suspenseful thriller, and it refused to provide a clear-cut “hero vs. villain” resolution which was a bit underwhelming. Still, it was a psychologically rich and unsettling debut and I am eager to read more by Waltz.
Collectively, Good Intentions fits entirely into the psychological suspense category. It weaved together themes of grief and obsession while exploring that dangerous pull of looking away even when you know you shouldn’t. If you are drawn to flawed protagonists and constant shifts in sympathy, this is the kind of narrative that will keep you hooked and unsettled from the very first page to the last.
Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary copy of this engaging debut novel in exchange for my review.
August 11, 2025
3.5/4 Stars
Please note: I was able to get this eARC when I got an email from Netgalley saying it would be available for 48 hours. I read it during that time.
Frustratingly real. I could not put this book down any more than I could stop wishing this character would be derailed in the ongoing trainwreck that was her life and her horrible, deplorable decisions. The lies and justifications and betrayals and devastating mistakes are intense. I think this book tracked Cady's decline tremendously well and really makes you wonder how well you ever really know anyone. Even if that someone is your twin.
I do wish the author had avoided the last chapter twist that has become so popular, but that's a generalized complaint for me. I would rather the twist matter more than just show up at the end as one final sucker punch to the reader. I appreciated that it at least made sense why the reader wouldn't find out and the character herself wouldn't reveal this even in a first person account. I felt really baffled by this being the end though as I would have much rather found out what happened with so many other scenarios that actually unfolded in the story.
I will definitely be keeping an eye and ear out for other works from this writer! Thinking about this book kept me up at night and I am still thinking about it today.
(And someone please send Matt some help! I really need to know what happened to him and if he's okay.)
Please note: I was able to get this eARC when I got an email from Netgalley saying it would be available for 48 hours. I read it during that time.
Frustratingly real. I could not put this book down any more than I could stop wishing this character would be derailed in the ongoing trainwreck that was her life and her horrible, deplorable decisions. The lies and justifications and betrayals and devastating mistakes are intense. I think this book tracked Cady's decline tremendously well and really makes you wonder how well you ever really know anyone. Even if that someone is your twin.
I do wish the author had avoided the last chapter twist that has become so popular, but that's a generalized complaint for me. I would rather the twist matter more than just show up at the end as one final sucker punch to the reader. I appreciated that it at least made sense why the reader wouldn't find out and the character herself wouldn't reveal this even in a first person account. I felt really baffled by this being the end though as I would have much rather found out what happened with so many other scenarios that actually unfolded in the story.
I will definitely be keeping an eye and ear out for other works from this writer! Thinking about this book kept me up at night and I am still thinking about it today.
(And someone please send Matt some help! I really need to know what happened to him and if he's okay.)
August 16, 2025
This book was good. It took a little bit to figure out how this story was coming together. The end really surprised me. I did enjoy the book and look forward to more from this author.
July 6, 2025
"Good Intentions" by Marisa Walz is a captivating read that had me hooked from the very first page. It's been a long time since I've come across a book that I simply couldn't put down, and this one certainly hit the mark.
The story revolves around a main character whose intense personality and self-inflicted events keep you guessing at every turn. The narrative is engaging and unfolds in such a way that you're constantly trying to piece together what's coming next. Despite the complexity of the character's journey, the book remains an easy and enjoyable read, making it perfect for readers looking for something both intriguing and accessible.
What truly stands out is Walz's ability to craft a story that feels both unique and relatable. As an author, Marisa Walz is definitely one to watch. I'm already excited to see what she has in store for us next!
If you're looking for a must-read that's full of surprises and keeps you on the edge of your seat, "Good Intentions" is the book for you. Highly recommended!
The story revolves around a main character whose intense personality and self-inflicted events keep you guessing at every turn. The narrative is engaging and unfolds in such a way that you're constantly trying to piece together what's coming next. Despite the complexity of the character's journey, the book remains an easy and enjoyable read, making it perfect for readers looking for something both intriguing and accessible.
What truly stands out is Walz's ability to craft a story that feels both unique and relatable. As an author, Marisa Walz is definitely one to watch. I'm already excited to see what she has in store for us next!
If you're looking for a must-read that's full of surprises and keeps you on the edge of your seat, "Good Intentions" is the book for you. Highly recommended!
August 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars!
this was such an intense, psychologically suspenseful read. you follow Cady as she navigates the devastating loss of her twin sister, Dana. her last memory with Dana wasn't ideal, so she struggles with her grief. but on the day of Dana's passing, at the hospital, Cady sees a woman (Morgan) who has been given the news that her young son is dead. Cady believes that if anyone can understand the loss of a twin, your other half, it would be a mother. this train of thought turns into a fixation, one that even Cady doesn't understand at first. as Cady tries to move forward in the weeks after Dana's passing, she becomes weirdly obsessed with Morgan. in this time, Cady also happens to keep seeing a man that she'd also seen at the hospital the day Dana died. the reader will spend a lot of the time wondering... WTH IS GOING ON!?
at first, you feel bad for Cady. if anyone has ever experienced grief & loss in any form, you want to believe she's just finding a way to cope. there's really no wrong or right way to grieve, right? and then you're like... WHAT IS SHE DOING!? you almost want to look away bcuz Cady's behavior goes beyond the scope of grief. as things continue, you're left at the edge of your seat and everything starts to unfold & unravel.
i thoroughly enjoyed this read. although the pacing was a bit rough in the first half, i think as long as you stick it out... you realize it's all for good reasons. it's absolutely worth the read! and i'd no doubt recommend it. somewhere down the line, i'd love to have my book club read it so we can break down Cady's journey during discussions. it'd be interesting to know at what point readers understand what's going on and their reactions after.
thank you to the author, Marisa Walz, and publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy via NetGalley. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts and opinions are my own.
this was such an intense, psychologically suspenseful read. you follow Cady as she navigates the devastating loss of her twin sister, Dana. her last memory with Dana wasn't ideal, so she struggles with her grief. but on the day of Dana's passing, at the hospital, Cady sees a woman (Morgan) who has been given the news that her young son is dead. Cady believes that if anyone can understand the loss of a twin, your other half, it would be a mother. this train of thought turns into a fixation, one that even Cady doesn't understand at first. as Cady tries to move forward in the weeks after Dana's passing, she becomes weirdly obsessed with Morgan. in this time, Cady also happens to keep seeing a man that she'd also seen at the hospital the day Dana died. the reader will spend a lot of the time wondering... WTH IS GOING ON!?
at first, you feel bad for Cady. if anyone has ever experienced grief & loss in any form, you want to believe she's just finding a way to cope. there's really no wrong or right way to grieve, right? and then you're like... WHAT IS SHE DOING!? you almost want to look away bcuz Cady's behavior goes beyond the scope of grief. as things continue, you're left at the edge of your seat and everything starts to unfold & unravel.
i thoroughly enjoyed this read. although the pacing was a bit rough in the first half, i think as long as you stick it out... you realize it's all for good reasons. it's absolutely worth the read! and i'd no doubt recommend it. somewhere down the line, i'd love to have my book club read it so we can break down Cady's journey during discussions. it'd be interesting to know at what point readers understand what's going on and their reactions after.
thank you to the author, Marisa Walz, and publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy via NetGalley. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 11, 2025
4.5 stars.
✨What the actual…WHAT? Wow! This was a stunning debut that kept me flipping the pages late into the night and left me utterly speechless. This book is a is a compelling and spine-tingling look at the nature of grief and obsession and one woman’s descent into a frightening level of obsession. The author cultivates a lingering sense of unease and a gnawing feeling of apprehension, continuously raising the stakes and building the sharply honed tension to a fever pitch until the reader can’t help but ask, “What is this unhinged woman going to do next?” There are stunning revelations and breathtaking turns, and I could not get enough.
✨At one 1 a.m. moment, I sat straight up in bed and gasped with my hand on my heart. The ending had me staring into space with eyes wide and jaw on the floor. Shocked into silence. I’m still stunned. An incredible must-read psychological thriller.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Psychological thrillers
✨Domestic suspense
✨Morally grey main characters
✨Voyeurism and stalking narratives
✨Identical twin stories
✨Family drama
✨Chicago settings
✨Jaw-dropping twists
TW: infertility
My thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.
✨What the actual…WHAT? Wow! This was a stunning debut that kept me flipping the pages late into the night and left me utterly speechless. This book is a is a compelling and spine-tingling look at the nature of grief and obsession and one woman’s descent into a frightening level of obsession. The author cultivates a lingering sense of unease and a gnawing feeling of apprehension, continuously raising the stakes and building the sharply honed tension to a fever pitch until the reader can’t help but ask, “What is this unhinged woman going to do next?” There are stunning revelations and breathtaking turns, and I could not get enough.
✨At one 1 a.m. moment, I sat straight up in bed and gasped with my hand on my heart. The ending had me staring into space with eyes wide and jaw on the floor. Shocked into silence. I’m still stunned. An incredible must-read psychological thriller.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Psychological thrillers
✨Domestic suspense
✨Morally grey main characters
✨Voyeurism and stalking narratives
✨Identical twin stories
✨Family drama
✨Chicago settings
✨Jaw-dropping twists
TW: infertility
My thanks to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.
August 11, 2025
This is one of those books that had me shaking my head furiously and then going back to reread what I'd read! Cady and Dana were twins when Dana was killed. Now as an adult, Cady--still devastated--sees a man in the cemetery when she's visiting the grave and swears she "knows" him. But why is he there? It's one of those wonderfully convoluted plots that had me gasping and re-reading as I put the pieces together! SOOO worth the read!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
August 28, 2025
It was so unpleasant being in the main character’s head, my goodness! Somehow, I wasn’t expecting the ending but I think some people will see it coming. Very compelling and unsettling, definitely recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
August 13, 2025
4.5 stars
I almost put this book down, as for me the first 50% was kind of slow and definitely depressing and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But then the story got more interesting and Cady just couldn't seem not to destroy everything in her own life. It all started with her twin sister's death and quickly spiraled out of control with her sabotaging her own business, her marriage, friendships and family connections. I couldn't look away as I was rooting for Cady to get it together, but things just kept getting worse in her life because of her own actions. By the 75% mark in the story I couldn't stop reading and was on pins and needles waiting to see how this would all play out- is Matt lying or is Cady just crazy? What's Morgan's role in this whole thing? Then that ending! My jaw was on the floor. I never saw it coming.
This was a great debut novel from an author who hopefully has many more stories up her sleeve.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to review an early copy of this book.
I almost put this book down, as for me the first 50% was kind of slow and definitely depressing and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But then the story got more interesting and Cady just couldn't seem not to destroy everything in her own life. It all started with her twin sister's death and quickly spiraled out of control with her sabotaging her own business, her marriage, friendships and family connections. I couldn't look away as I was rooting for Cady to get it together, but things just kept getting worse in her life because of her own actions. By the 75% mark in the story I couldn't stop reading and was on pins and needles waiting to see how this would all play out- is Matt lying or is Cady just crazy? What's Morgan's role in this whole thing? Then that ending! My jaw was on the floor. I never saw it coming.
This was a great debut novel from an author who hopefully has many more stories up her sleeve.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to review an early copy of this book.
August 10, 2025
This was an incredible book. I could not put it down. The characters were completely real. I wanted so much for Cady. I’ll be remembering this for a while. The kind of book you can’t let go of.
August 11, 2025
Couldnt put it down. Great book. 5 stars.
August 11, 2025
𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒕, 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇, 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉...𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕: 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎, 𝒗𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖, 𝒏𝒐𝒕.
HOW was this a debut? GOOD INTENTIONS features one of the best unreliable narrators I've encountered in recent thrillers. With no introduction, no back story, we meet Cady on the first page and instantly know that she's...different. Her inner monologue is all over the place; she's clearly doing something she shouldn't be, and she goes back and forth between admonishing herself for her actions and making excuses (mighty convincing ones, I may add) for them. She's constantly addressing 'Dana' and just like that, I was invested.
Slowly, some truths were revealed. Dana is Cady's identical twin and other half. What they share goes beyond titles like friend and sister. When Cady receives the life-changing phone call that Dana has been in a serious accident and Cady arrives moments too late to say goodbye, her world falls implodes. But it's not Dana's death that devastates her. Always a people watcher, she noticed a grieving mother in the hospital waiting room the day her sister died. She's convinced that it can’t be a coincidence that they both experienced tragedy at the same moment, and she feels duty-bound to help this woman through her grief.
Buckle up. I absolutely do not want to risk spoilers, but when I tell you Cady's narrative is just brilliantly executed. It's full of paradoxes and should be written off as the ramblings of someone utterly broken by grief, but at the same time, she makes so much sense. That inner monologue lays her bare, her very being flayed open for readers to judge, criticize, or sneer at. But when she drops such revelations like this: '𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆. 𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒈, 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.' she suddenly became some injured, broken soul that I felt I needed to nurture, all the way to that terrible, shocking ending. Cady's voice is going to stay with me for a long time, and I cannot WAIT to see what this author comes up with next. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this absolutely stunning early read. Look for this one February 3, 2026.
HOW was this a debut? GOOD INTENTIONS features one of the best unreliable narrators I've encountered in recent thrillers. With no introduction, no back story, we meet Cady on the first page and instantly know that she's...different. Her inner monologue is all over the place; she's clearly doing something she shouldn't be, and she goes back and forth between admonishing herself for her actions and making excuses (mighty convincing ones, I may add) for them. She's constantly addressing 'Dana' and just like that, I was invested.
Slowly, some truths were revealed. Dana is Cady's identical twin and other half. What they share goes beyond titles like friend and sister. When Cady receives the life-changing phone call that Dana has been in a serious accident and Cady arrives moments too late to say goodbye, her world falls implodes. But it's not Dana's death that devastates her. Always a people watcher, she noticed a grieving mother in the hospital waiting room the day her sister died. She's convinced that it can’t be a coincidence that they both experienced tragedy at the same moment, and she feels duty-bound to help this woman through her grief.
Buckle up. I absolutely do not want to risk spoilers, but when I tell you Cady's narrative is just brilliantly executed. It's full of paradoxes and should be written off as the ramblings of someone utterly broken by grief, but at the same time, she makes so much sense. That inner monologue lays her bare, her very being flayed open for readers to judge, criticize, or sneer at. But when she drops such revelations like this: '𝑮𝒐𝒏𝒆. 𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒈, 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓, 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.' she suddenly became some injured, broken soul that I felt I needed to nurture, all the way to that terrible, shocking ending. Cady's voice is going to stay with me for a long time, and I cannot WAIT to see what this author comes up with next. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this absolutely stunning early read. Look for this one February 3, 2026.
August 27, 2025
There are so many puns I'm itching to make about the title, but I'm trying to show some restraint. Just picture something along the lines of the author having good intentions with this story, but that doesn't mean it was successful. There goes my restraint, but you can't help it with a title like that and a story that I just wanted to like more than I did.
Cady has just received news that her twin sister, Dana, was in a bad accident, and when Cady arrives at the hospital, she's too late. She's completely devastated but keeps replaying a moment in her mind from the waiting room when another woman received similarly horrible news. As she grieves, Cady becomes obsessed with the woman. Her name is Morgan, and Cady follows and befriends her, worming herself into Morgan's life. Cady's husband is leery of her obsessive friendship and hints that Cady has a history of behaving inappropriately like this. But Cady ignores him and continues on, basically seeing Morgan as a substitute for Dana. Even Morgan gets weirded out a few times and tries to distance herself from Cady. But you know how that goes: the more Morgan tries to break away, the harder Cady pushes to stay close. And everything goes downhill from there.
The author uses the trusty 'secret in the epilogue' tool that works pretty well here, but I had already guessed that something like that had happened. Maybe some readers will be surprised, but it also takes the focus off the fact that there's no true ending before that, where something dramatic happens that causes Cady to learn her lesson and change her behavior. She's working on herself, supposedly, but there didn't seem to be any real point to the story. Except for explaining her current obsession, the book doesn't end with Cady showing any growth or change. She doesn't learn that good intentions are not enough to make up for the chaos she causes. I don't know, it's not like I disliked the book, but I was just left wanting more.
Cady has just received news that her twin sister, Dana, was in a bad accident, and when Cady arrives at the hospital, she's too late. She's completely devastated but keeps replaying a moment in her mind from the waiting room when another woman received similarly horrible news. As she grieves, Cady becomes obsessed with the woman. Her name is Morgan, and Cady follows and befriends her, worming herself into Morgan's life. Cady's husband is leery of her obsessive friendship and hints that Cady has a history of behaving inappropriately like this. But Cady ignores him and continues on, basically seeing Morgan as a substitute for Dana. Even Morgan gets weirded out a few times and tries to distance herself from Cady. But you know how that goes: the more Morgan tries to break away, the harder Cady pushes to stay close. And everything goes downhill from there.
The author uses the trusty 'secret in the epilogue' tool that works pretty well here, but I had already guessed that something like that had happened. Maybe some readers will be surprised, but it also takes the focus off the fact that there's no true ending before that, where something dramatic happens that causes Cady to learn her lesson and change her behavior. She's working on herself, supposedly, but there didn't seem to be any real point to the story. Except for explaining her current obsession, the book doesn't end with Cady showing any growth or change. She doesn't learn that good intentions are not enough to make up for the chaos she causes. I don't know, it's not like I disliked the book, but I was just left wanting more.
August 26, 2025
Cady's life is perfect - a doting husband, a successful party planning business that brings in enough money for them to live in luxury, and a twin sister she adores. She and her husband were even trying for a baby actively and going through IVF. Her world quite literally comes crashing down on February 14th, Valentines day, when she gets a call that her sister was involved in a horrible car crash and is in critical condition. She rushes to her sister's side and in the waiting room of the hospital, sees a fellow woman grieving the death of her son - on the same day Cady finds out her sister is dead. Cady develops an interest in that woman and her pain. She finds her name, her home, and joins a grief group with her. At what point, however, is all of this - her actions - considered more than just 'good intentions'?
When I found out this was Marisa Walz's debut novel, I was shocked. It is written so well and pulls you into the depth of Cady's emotions, and the tumult of her life as she deals with her grief. I found myself trying to guess what would happen in the end to Cady, her husband and all the other characters in the book. Once I reached the end and the climax of the story, however? I didn't expect the result at all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and time felt like it slipped by as I flew through it. It most of all is a beautiful if not distressing illustration of grief, connections with others, and toxicity in relationships. I cannot wait to see what Marisa Walz does next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
When I found out this was Marisa Walz's debut novel, I was shocked. It is written so well and pulls you into the depth of Cady's emotions, and the tumult of her life as she deals with her grief. I found myself trying to guess what would happen in the end to Cady, her husband and all the other characters in the book. Once I reached the end and the climax of the story, however? I didn't expect the result at all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and time felt like it slipped by as I flew through it. It most of all is a beautiful if not distressing illustration of grief, connections with others, and toxicity in relationships. I cannot wait to see what Marisa Walz does next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
August 27, 2025
3.5 / 5
This dark, obsessive-driven thriller hooked me from the very first page. The author's well-written prose was captivating while I followed along on Cady's journey and her downward spiral into grief and madness. Her character was unapologetically human and raw, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.... until she COMPLETELY changed my mind. About halfway through, her insecurities, destructive behavior and lack of personal boundaries began to grate on my last nerve. Let's keep making the same mistakes over and over again.... 'Good intentions', my A$$! I think what bothered me the most was her poor dog. Readers will know. Who does that?! The story started to become monotonous from that point forward. I trudged along because the mystery still intrigued me. It was definitely an unexpected shocker, but I wish that the author didn't wait until the final chapter to host her reveal. I rounded up to 4 stars due to the author's enjoyable writing style, creativity, and how she made me feel all sorts of emotions. I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked, but the execution was well received. I would recommend to those who enjoy unreliable narrators with disturbing character traits.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!
This dark, obsessive-driven thriller hooked me from the very first page. The author's well-written prose was captivating while I followed along on Cady's journey and her downward spiral into grief and madness. Her character was unapologetically human and raw, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.... until she COMPLETELY changed my mind. About halfway through, her insecurities, destructive behavior and lack of personal boundaries began to grate on my last nerve. Let's keep making the same mistakes over and over again.... 'Good intentions', my A$$! I think what bothered me the most was her poor dog. Readers will know. Who does that?! The story started to become monotonous from that point forward. I trudged along because the mystery still intrigued me. It was definitely an unexpected shocker, but I wish that the author didn't wait until the final chapter to host her reveal. I rounded up to 4 stars due to the author's enjoyable writing style, creativity, and how she made me feel all sorts of emotions. I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked, but the execution was well received. I would recommend to those who enjoy unreliable narrators with disturbing character traits.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!
August 17, 2025
"Good Intentions" is described as a psychological thriller, but I don't think that's accurate. To me, it reads as a story of a woman who is intense by nature, and whose intensity is compounded by overwhelming guilt and grief after a sequence of events culminating in multiple deaths.
In her sadness and desperation, Cady clings to a woman who caught her attention in the hospital on the worst day of both their lives, a grieving mother she begins to stalk and befriend. As Cady makes a series of seemingly inexplicable choices (because grief doesn't behave rationally), her life slowly unravels.
At times, this reminded me of the main character in "Single White Female", whose obsessive behavior is a twisted attempt to recreate the relationship she lost when her twin sister died. At other times, it felt a little like "Gone Girl", where each action is really a manipulation of the people and circumstances surrounding the main character. But the plot is wholly original to me. I can't think of anything I've read that follows the same beats and I admit that the final chapter came as a surprise (although it definitely made sense in hindsight.)
I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.
In her sadness and desperation, Cady clings to a woman who caught her attention in the hospital on the worst day of both their lives, a grieving mother she begins to stalk and befriend. As Cady makes a series of seemingly inexplicable choices (because grief doesn't behave rationally), her life slowly unravels.
At times, this reminded me of the main character in "Single White Female", whose obsessive behavior is a twisted attempt to recreate the relationship she lost when her twin sister died. At other times, it felt a little like "Gone Girl", where each action is really a manipulation of the people and circumstances surrounding the main character. But the plot is wholly original to me. I can't think of anything I've read that follows the same beats and I admit that the final chapter came as a surprise (although it definitely made sense in hindsight.)
I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC. My honest review is my own opinion.
August 17, 2025
Good Intentions by Marisa Walz was an absolute ride. Let’s get this out of the way: Cady made some terrible choices… and yet, I was 100% here for it. I couldn’t look away—I wanted to see how the entire shi*t show unraveled, and wow, did it ever.
This book reminded me of something chilling: you may never really know someone, even your own twin. That unsettling theme, paired with Walz’s sharp writing, gave the story an emotional punch. Grief, obsession, and moral ambiguity tangled together, anchored by a protagonist who was as fascinating as she was unsettling. The pacing stayed tight and twisted, blurring the line between compassion and fixation. Add in the layered sibling dynamics and I was constantly second-guessing everyone’s motives.
The last 20%? Forget sleep. I was up late, flipping pages, whispering “just one more chapter” until I hit the end—and that ending blew my mind. 🤯 Marisa Walz has officially earned a spot on my thriller radar, and I’ll be looking out for whatever she writes next.
Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC—this was a wild, thought-provoking, and sleep-stealing ride I won’t forget soon.
This book reminded me of something chilling: you may never really know someone, even your own twin. That unsettling theme, paired with Walz’s sharp writing, gave the story an emotional punch. Grief, obsession, and moral ambiguity tangled together, anchored by a protagonist who was as fascinating as she was unsettling. The pacing stayed tight and twisted, blurring the line between compassion and fixation. Add in the layered sibling dynamics and I was constantly second-guessing everyone’s motives.
The last 20%? Forget sleep. I was up late, flipping pages, whispering “just one more chapter” until I hit the end—and that ending blew my mind. 🤯 Marisa Walz has officially earned a spot on my thriller radar, and I’ll be looking out for whatever she writes next.
Big thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC—this was a wild, thought-provoking, and sleep-stealing ride I won’t forget soon.
August 17, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️.5
Recommend? Yes
Finished: August 16, 2025
Format: Digital Arc; thank you, NetGalley & Marisa Walz, for this copy
Read this if you like: suspense, complicated family dynamics, unreliable narrators, tension, anxiety-inducing logic, twist ending, obsession
Triggers: child death, miscarriage, death of main character, grief, obsessive behavior
Cady has it all: hot-shot hubby, booming event planning business, thriving social life, and a twin sister who is her literal other half. But when her sister tragically dies, that carefully cultivated life falls apart around her. With the help of a grief group, a new bestie and her doggedly supportive husband, can she pick up the pieces before they are scattered to the wind?
Though Cady is a thoroughly unlikable person, the tense journey through her crumbling life leaves you with a palpable anxiety. Walz writes her as though she has been in the trenches with that deluded anxiety. I would have given this a higher rating if I had not been able to guess the 2 major twists coming, though my husband had no idea & happily gave it a 4.5 star rating.
Recommend? Yes
Finished: August 16, 2025
Format: Digital Arc; thank you, NetGalley & Marisa Walz, for this copy
Read this if you like: suspense, complicated family dynamics, unreliable narrators, tension, anxiety-inducing logic, twist ending, obsession
Triggers: child death, miscarriage, death of main character, grief, obsessive behavior
Cady has it all: hot-shot hubby, booming event planning business, thriving social life, and a twin sister who is her literal other half. But when her sister tragically dies, that carefully cultivated life falls apart around her. With the help of a grief group, a new bestie and her doggedly supportive husband, can she pick up the pieces before they are scattered to the wind?
Though Cady is a thoroughly unlikable person, the tense journey through her crumbling life leaves you with a palpable anxiety. Walz writes her as though she has been in the trenches with that deluded anxiety. I would have given this a higher rating if I had not been able to guess the 2 major twists coming, though my husband had no idea & happily gave it a 4.5 star rating.
August 28, 2025
Good Intentions is a gripping psychological suspense debut centered on Cady, a successful event planner whose life unravels after the tragic loss of her twin sister Dana. Instead of mourning Dana’s death directly, Cady becomes obsessed with helping Morgan, a grieving mother she meets in the hospital, believing healing Morgan will ease her own pain.
Marisa Walz crafts a tense, emotionally charged story that blurs the line between compassion and fixation, anchored by a morally complex protagonist. The intense focus on grief and obsession creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that both fascinates and unsettles, while the layered relationships keep you second-guessing everyone’s motives.
Though the small cast limits secondary character depth and the story leans more on emotional tension than action, Good Intentions offers a psychologically rich, morally ambiguous narrative that resists easy answers. Fans of flawed protagonists and dark, suspenseful character studies will find this a compelling and haunting read.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Marisa Walz crafts a tense, emotionally charged story that blurs the line between compassion and fixation, anchored by a morally complex protagonist. The intense focus on grief and obsession creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that both fascinates and unsettles, while the layered relationships keep you second-guessing everyone’s motives.
Though the small cast limits secondary character depth and the story leans more on emotional tension than action, Good Intentions offers a psychologically rich, morally ambiguous narrative that resists easy answers. Fans of flawed protagonists and dark, suspenseful character studies will find this a compelling and haunting read.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2025
2.5 stars - If the goal was to make me hate the main character then great job! I absolutely could not stand Cady, not a single redeeming quality in her. Every single thing she did and said just made me mad.
There’s allot of satisfying and frustrating drama going on from 60-85% of the way through and that was the best part of the whole book.
The story line is easy to follow, however, much of the book felt weighed down by filler that didn’t move the plot forward. I wanted more drama and confrontations with her employees, friends, and family instead of long stretches of Cady’s internal spiraling.
I hated being in Cady’s head the whole entire book, it was very exhausting and SO repetitive. It reads like she’s talking to her deceased sister in her head… and I was not a fan. I understand the purpose once the ending tied it together, but the execution felt more repetitive than impactful.
Overall, this wasn’t my cup of tea, but I do think Marisa Waltz has potential — especially with how well she captured the messy, emotional drama when it did show up.
Received ARC from netgalley in exchange for honest feedback
There’s allot of satisfying and frustrating drama going on from 60-85% of the way through and that was the best part of the whole book.
The story line is easy to follow, however, much of the book felt weighed down by filler that didn’t move the plot forward. I wanted more drama and confrontations with her employees, friends, and family instead of long stretches of Cady’s internal spiraling.
I hated being in Cady’s head the whole entire book, it was very exhausting and SO repetitive. It reads like she’s talking to her deceased sister in her head… and I was not a fan. I understand the purpose once the ending tied it together, but the execution felt more repetitive than impactful.
Overall, this wasn’t my cup of tea, but I do think Marisa Waltz has potential — especially with how well she captured the messy, emotional drama when it did show up.
Received ARC from netgalley in exchange for honest feedback
August 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early read in exchange for my honest review.
Cady, a luxury party planner, loses her identical twin sister Dana and Dana’s unborn baby in a car accident. At the hospital, she meets Morgan, a mother who lost her 12-year-old son the same day, and becomes so fixated on her that Cady’s marriage and business start to suffer.
The book is written as if Cady is speaking to her sister, sharing her internal thoughts. I didn’t mind the narrative setup, but I honestly didn’t enjoy Cady at all. Her choices and actions were so frustrating that I wanted to shake her and ask if she was okay.
The story initially grabbed me, but as the chapters went on—even with quick, easy-to-follow writing—it kept going without a proper ending. While we did get some answers to Cady’s behavior and secrets, too many loose ends remained for me to recommend this book or give it a higher rating. As the title Good Intentions suggests, I believe Walz had that in mind when writing this story, but it came across as scattered and poorly executed. Rating: 2⭐
Cady, a luxury party planner, loses her identical twin sister Dana and Dana’s unborn baby in a car accident. At the hospital, she meets Morgan, a mother who lost her 12-year-old son the same day, and becomes so fixated on her that Cady’s marriage and business start to suffer.
The book is written as if Cady is speaking to her sister, sharing her internal thoughts. I didn’t mind the narrative setup, but I honestly didn’t enjoy Cady at all. Her choices and actions were so frustrating that I wanted to shake her and ask if she was okay.
The story initially grabbed me, but as the chapters went on—even with quick, easy-to-follow writing—it kept going without a proper ending. While we did get some answers to Cady’s behavior and secrets, too many loose ends remained for me to recommend this book or give it a higher rating. As the title Good Intentions suggests, I believe Walz had that in mind when writing this story, but it came across as scattered and poorly executed. Rating: 2⭐
August 27, 2025
When I saw this book available on NetGalley, I was super excited to read it. I love an unreliable
narrator. The idea of a woman becoming obessessed with another woman in a hospital waiting room
is a very interesting premise. Throughout the story we learn a lot more about Cady's past and her
relationship with her twin sister, Dana. It's a little scary because the author created Cady's
character in a way that the reader can easily relate to her. I was able to see myself sinking
into Cady's shoes. I got through this book in just a few days, and I was very engrossed in the
story.
I was able to predict the "twist" in the last chapter. I wish the author had spent more time on
the twist instead of throwing it in the last chaper. There are a lot of ways this book could
have gone, and I feel like it was wrapped up too quickly which left me a bit unsatisfied at the
end.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley.
All opinions are my own.
narrator. The idea of a woman becoming obessessed with another woman in a hospital waiting room
is a very interesting premise. Throughout the story we learn a lot more about Cady's past and her
relationship with her twin sister, Dana. It's a little scary because the author created Cady's
character in a way that the reader can easily relate to her. I was able to see myself sinking
into Cady's shoes. I got through this book in just a few days, and I was very engrossed in the
story.
I was able to predict the "twist" in the last chapter. I wish the author had spent more time on
the twist instead of throwing it in the last chaper. There are a lot of ways this book could
have gone, and I feel like it was wrapped up too quickly which left me a bit unsatisfied at the
end.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley.
All opinions are my own.
August 28, 2025
Chilling, compulsive, and surprisingly moving.
This book hooked me right from the start. Cady, a high-end party planner, is already reeling from the sudden death of her twin sister when she meets Morgan, a grieving mom. From there, things spiral into a messy, obsessive, and sometimes downright uncomfortable ride.
What I loved: Cady’s voice. She’s flawed, raw, and so real that half the time I was nodding along with her thoughts, and the other half I wanted to yell, “No, stop!” That push-pull made the story addictive. Walz also captures grief and sibling bonds in a way that feels painfully authentic.
What didn’t totally work for me: the ending felt a bit rushed, and I saw the twist coming before it landed. A couple side characters could have used more depth, too.
Overall, though, this was a really strong debut. It’s dark, emotional, and thought-provoking, but still delivers the tension you want from a psychological thriller. I’ll definitely be watching for whatever Marisa Walz writes next.
This book hooked me right from the start. Cady, a high-end party planner, is already reeling from the sudden death of her twin sister when she meets Morgan, a grieving mom. From there, things spiral into a messy, obsessive, and sometimes downright uncomfortable ride.
What I loved: Cady’s voice. She’s flawed, raw, and so real that half the time I was nodding along with her thoughts, and the other half I wanted to yell, “No, stop!” That push-pull made the story addictive. Walz also captures grief and sibling bonds in a way that feels painfully authentic.
What didn’t totally work for me: the ending felt a bit rushed, and I saw the twist coming before it landed. A couple side characters could have used more depth, too.
Overall, though, this was a really strong debut. It’s dark, emotional, and thought-provoking, but still delivers the tension you want from a psychological thriller. I’ll definitely be watching for whatever Marisa Walz writes next.
September 1, 2025
Good Intentions had a strong setup: grief, sisterhood, and the unsettling pull between strangers who meet in a hospital waiting room. The writing was immersive at times, and the premise promised a layered exploration of loss and obsession.
But for me, the execution didn’t quite deliver. Cady’s spiral felt more repetitive than tense, and instead of building suspense, it often circled the same ground. Her delusional fixation could have been compelling, but I found myself more frustrated than intrigued. By the time the predictable twist showed up in the last chapter, I was mostly just ready to finish so I could look away.
There is an interesting voice here, and Walz does create an atmosphere that captures the messiness of grief, obsession, and mental health. It just didn’t grip me as much as I’d hoped. Two and a half stars rounded up because it does have an intriguing cover.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on February 3, 2026.
But for me, the execution didn’t quite deliver. Cady’s spiral felt more repetitive than tense, and instead of building suspense, it often circled the same ground. Her delusional fixation could have been compelling, but I found myself more frustrated than intrigued. By the time the predictable twist showed up in the last chapter, I was mostly just ready to finish so I could look away.
There is an interesting voice here, and Walz does create an atmosphere that captures the messiness of grief, obsession, and mental health. It just didn’t grip me as much as I’d hoped. Two and a half stars rounded up because it does have an intriguing cover.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on February 3, 2026.
August 11, 2025
Cady, a successful events planner and a happily married woman, is thrown off balance by the sudden death of her identical twin,Dana, to whom she was very close. Cady, the narrator of the book, speaks in her mind to her dead twin, while spiralling deeper into a strange place mentally, as she tries to replace Dana with a woman she befriends at a bereavement group.
Cady's personality disorder takes her into a place of mental anguish that she lives with every waking moment, and even her husband Matt can't seem to pull her out of it. The book was overly long, concentrating on Cady's mind and machinations to control people and things.
It was an odd book, described as a psychological mystery and thriller, but I kept waiting for something momentous to happen, which it did, but only in the last pages of the book. I couldn't relate to Cady or empathize with her, so this was not a fully satisfying read.
Cady's personality disorder takes her into a place of mental anguish that she lives with every waking moment, and even her husband Matt can't seem to pull her out of it. The book was overly long, concentrating on Cady's mind and machinations to control people and things.
It was an odd book, described as a psychological mystery and thriller, but I kept waiting for something momentous to happen, which it did, but only in the last pages of the book. I couldn't relate to Cady or empathize with her, so this was not a fully satisfying read.
August 18, 2025
Wonderful, multi-layered book. It follows the main character, Cady, in the year or so after her twin sister's death in a car accident, and how her grief, her guilt over her last interaction with her sister, and her obsession with a woman she sees in the hospital where her sister died, all lead to her life falling apart. Although some of her behaviors seem strange or even inexplicable at times, it all becomes clear in the last few pages in a way that keeps you thinking about it long after you finish the book. The book is written as though Cady is talking to her dead sister, but this device is not at all overdone and I thought it was really effective. I also loved the descriptions of her party planning business. Although the topic is not a joyful one, there are many instances where the writing is so amusing and clever that it lightens it up and makes the book very enjoyable to read. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book.
August 19, 2025
I got this ARC off Netgalley... I love you Netgalley!
Good Intentions by Marisa Walz was a solid debut. I thought the reveal at the end was fantastic, the writing was strong and I could completely envision Cady and who she was. Good Intentions had a lot of the elements I enjoy in a thriller.
However, I felt that the introduction of the unreliable narrator was introduced too soon and because of that, her downward spiral was almost predictable? We introduced the idea that something has always been “wrong” with Cady right off the top. So for that reason everything she does is almost justifiable. I think for myself I would have rather had this info given slower across the story. I hated that even her sister found her to be “too much”. Did anyone truly like her? Even if she wasn’t stable I wanted to like her. But instead I just felt frustrated the whole time. I definitely think I will pick up another by Walz I’m super curious with she’ll have to come
Good Intentions by Marisa Walz was a solid debut. I thought the reveal at the end was fantastic, the writing was strong and I could completely envision Cady and who she was. Good Intentions had a lot of the elements I enjoy in a thriller.
However, I felt that the introduction of the unreliable narrator was introduced too soon and because of that, her downward spiral was almost predictable? We introduced the idea that something has always been “wrong” with Cady right off the top. So for that reason everything she does is almost justifiable. I think for myself I would have rather had this info given slower across the story. I hated that even her sister found her to be “too much”. Did anyone truly like her? Even if she wasn’t stable I wanted to like her. But instead I just felt frustrated the whole time. I definitely think I will pick up another by Walz I’m super curious with she’ll have to come
August 25, 2025
Is it still an epistolary novel if the addressee is dead? Cady’s life spirals when her pregnant twin sister, Dana, is killed in an auto accident. Cady’s marriage, her wildly successful business, her emotional life: all understandably take the hit. Cady’s husband Matt suggests counseling. Even that takes a weird detour. Through it all, Cady keeps writing to her twin sister, obviously keeping some significant truths from Dana and from herself.
Marisa Walz has written a tragic story that ends with a twist I certainly didn’t see coming. In fact, I successfully predicted very little of “Good Intentions.” Other than remembering that the road to hell is paved with them, I didn’t bring much to the table. I just kept turning those pages, wondering what secrets Cady and Matt were keeping.
“Good Intentions” is a remarkable first novel. I recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
Marisa Walz has written a tragic story that ends with a twist I certainly didn’t see coming. In fact, I successfully predicted very little of “Good Intentions.” Other than remembering that the road to hell is paved with them, I didn’t bring much to the table. I just kept turning those pages, wondering what secrets Cady and Matt were keeping.
“Good Intentions” is a remarkable first novel. I recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
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