Good Intentions

Ailene #1

by Annabel den Dekker

Life is hard, especially for those with good intentions.

Eighteen years before Javi’s arrest, he is born in a small shed in Belqueña. Growing up on the streets, he faces every challenge life throws at him, convinced that people suck and the world’s in need of a drastic change.

When Javi joins the Initiative, it finally feels like things are turning around, and a brighter future seems within reach. Together with his best friend and moral compass, Fynn Dareion, he leaves the city to fight for a better world.

But what happens when his moral compass turns against him?

Genres: Science Fiction

ebook

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

Annabel den Dekker is a queer author from the Netherlands. When she’s not writing, she can be found strolling through nature, daydreaming about her favorite characters or conjuring up new stories. She’s also an avid admirer of books, music and TV series, and delights in sharing them with others.

Reviews

[sunnoah · Rating 5 out of 5]

i got the opportunity to read an arc 🫶

i’m so invested in the storyline 😭😭😭😭 I NEED MORE NOW PLS PLS PLS i love love fynn so much 🥺🙁😭

[Max Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors’ innate ability for vivid storytelling, rich descriptions and evocative language immediately transported me to the world of ‘Good Intentions’. This incredible story initially takes us to ‘Serenity Sands’; the largest tourist beach in Belquena, Qailigio. We meet 10-year-old Javier, or Javi as he prefers, who lives in a very poor neighbourhood that tourists avoid.

Being careful not to ruin the amazing plot, the harsh realities of this world have shaped Javi. He meets Fynn; a person he’d typically shun for being annoying. Further on in the narrative, Fynn unexpectedly encounters Javi, who is now homeless. Through the author’s beautiful storytelling, we see how powerfully love transcends them. Fynn’s ability to breach Javi’s defences is surpassed only by his insight into Javi’s true nature. Javi finds this alluring, yet unnerving, a terrifying attraction. It’s a breath of fresh air to witness their relationship develop.

This is a story of two people from vastly different worlds, their lives moulded—for better or worse—by circumstance. The poignant plot is about coming together, making connections, and seeing the good in each other. Sure, they can make mistakes, but it’s all about ‘good intentions’ in the end. While we all seek someone like Fynn in our lives, my heart also belonged to Javi. The simplicity of their first experiences together forms the foundation of their relationship; a finely woven tapestry of shared moments, each subtly adding to the overall design. The author reveals the heart of celebrating life’s unassuming delights, making them feel both precious and profound. For example, Javi’s story of sleeping in a bed for the first time, filled with the simple joy and comfort, moved me to tears.

It was one of those books that I didn’t want to end. I can’t wait for Annabel den Dekker to bring us more of Javi and Fynn- please, please! I’m in love with them both and need to know what happens next. This captivating read is an easy five star review from me. (Max Austin. Author of ‘How Can We Be Wrong?’ and ‘That Is What We Are’)

[GhostDragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a journey since the start to the last pages and beyond... so beautiful and emotional.

There was a lot to experience and a lot to be said about this book.
We get to see this two people from diferent world becoming friends and we experience such changes and nueaces in their relationship as well as a huge growth not only relation wise as for each character themselves.

I really like how we get to see both their sides and understand where their mind is and really create a connection with them and love this characters and for me definitely get protective towards them and - as Bella knows better then anyone - want to keep some other characteres very very far from them 😒🥰

I just love so much how this book made me feel connected in another level and together with the rest of the series just makes me wanna be part of it and feel seen or represented in some ways and characters and just makes me want to read more and more about this world and the people in it 😍😍😍

What this universe is doing to me 🙈🙈🙈

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot imagine a life like Javi's, living on the street, fighting for his survival for food, clothing etc. When he meets Fynn, his life turns for the better but some disapprove of their friendship.

Fynn has Javi's best interests at heart but the Initiative has corrupted Javi and Fynn doesn't have the same obsession with the concept of the Initiative, a group that is fighting for a war that has the potential to harm a lot. There are bank heists and jewellery robberies that are hard to overlook when it comes to right and wrong.

I feel this storyline has been left to carry on, whether it's in your imagination or in hopefully another book. I hope to know more of Javi and I wonder if what happens to Fynn is a distraction as such. You read one thing but it means another.

Enjoyable read!

[Tanvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is addictive! I was engrossed from Page 1 and I did not want to keep it down.

I loved the characters, especially Fynn, he is just a great character that you want to give him a hug.

The storyline follows the dilemma one faces when there's something they believe and something they want to believe in. The conditions lie on the border of morally grey and depict the society so well.

With all this, I will also say that the book might not be for everyone, there are scenes where you might have your beliefs or morals challenged. My advice is to please keep reading and you will definitely feel the love for Javi and Fynn.

[Thalia (mamas.reading.corner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know me then you know I'm a huge fan of Annabel Den Dekker and will read anything she writes. It all started with one of my very first ARC reads a couple years ago, Ailene.

I fell in love with Annabel's writing then and kept coming back for more. I've had the privilege of being an ARC reader for all of her books.

This one actually takes place before Ailene so Good Intentions is technically the first book. Honestly, I think you can read them in any order though. This one is about a character in Ailene and how he got to where he was in that book. So if you read Ailene first it's kind of like a longer novella.

I loved getting to learn how Javi became who he was and how he grew as a character. His self discovery throughout this book was perfectly executed. And I can't forget Finn. I loved him from the very start. He is such a kind soul, he must be protected at all costs.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The landscapes were beautifully described. I felt like I was there myself. I think I need to do a reread of Ailene now 🤔

I can't wait to see what miss Dekker comes up with next!

[Dougie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Intentions is another sci-fic romance from author Annabel den Dekker, set in the same universe as her previous novels Ailene and Purpose. The world these stories are set in seems to be similar to our own, but with slight variations on animals, languages and norms, as well as being a little bit more technologically advanced.

As I expressed in reviews of den Dekker’s previous books, this is a world somewhat more advanced on social issues than we are, it has a dark side, including horrific treatment of people. While the world is much more advanced in technology, the scary part is that the wealth gaps and the treatment of others are things we are not far off. In some ways, GI reads as a cautionary tale. We need to take better care of each other and stand up for what is right, even if it doesn’t affect us. However, we need to remember Nietzsche’s words: Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster.

The romance in GI is a, somewhat, slow burn, build up of feelings. I greatly enjoy the way that romantic feelings developed at a different pace to intimacy or physical affection. It’s a great description of how different situations and feelings develop in different relationships. Regular readers of den Dekker may be alarmed by the darker tone of the book, but I would recommend reading and pushing through. A sequel has not been announced, but I doubt this is the end for these characters.

(ARC Review.)

[Manda Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝕄𝕒𝕪𝕓𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕡𝕖𝕠𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕒𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕝𝕝.”

I need more of Javi and Fynn I need to know they will find their way back to each other.

This is the prequel to Ailene and in Ailene when Javi is introduced he is a prisoner and this story talks about what lead him to the initiative and how they were able to turn his good intentions around. It also follows the friendship and love story between him and his first friend Fynn and how they lean on each other they both lost their parents at a young age but while Javi had to grow up on the streets Fynn was lucky to have an aunt who also tried to help Javi when she could. This would ultimately be a part of their relationship that Javi uses to push Fynn away at times.

Amazing story I do hope we find out what happened to Fynn.

~~What to Expect~~
💜Sci-Fi
💜Friends to Lovers
💜YA
💜MM
💜Pan, Bi & Demi Rep
💜Special Abilities
💜Rich X Poor
💜Found Family
💜3rd Person Dual POV (mainly Javi but a few of Fynn)
💜Cliffhanger

~~Quote~~
✨There is always a way back just because you screwed up doesn’t mean you’re screwed.
✨Maybe a relationship with Javi wouldn’t be perfect, but without him it would be nothing at all.
✨If lying was the way to keep Fynn close, then lie he would.

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Good intentions" is a prequel to "Ailene" and it tells us Javi's story before he was arrested. You don't have to read "Ailene" to follow this book.
It's a YA scifi story and we follow young Javi from when he was 10 years old. We see him struggle when his mother abandons him and ends up homeless and we also see how his friendship with Fynn starts and grows to love
This is my favorite book by the author. I really loved following Javi's story. It was interesting and unique because technically Javi was with the bad guys and he was doing questionable things. He thought that he was fighting for a better future but he was doing the oposite.I still loved him deeply and cared for him but I wanted to shake him and make him see that they were manipulating him and taking advantage of him.
His relationship with Fynn was complicated and beautiful. Fynn was a wonderful person and the way he cared for Javi warmed my heart.
The ending makes me want to read more about Javi and Fynn. Actually, I desperately want another book with those two.
It was fantastic, I enjoyed it very much.

[Yaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book that will leave you in your feelings. Normally, I wouldn’t read M/M but I’m glad I took the chance because not only is it well written, the characters themselves felt real. We are given a two different worlds from two different people. Sometimes, I even had to look at the invisible camera to see if they caught what I was reading. It’s one of those books that will have you so immersed , you yell at the characters thinking they could hear you. Kudos to the author for creating such an engaging.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a fun read!! Javi is definitely a sagittarius with how impulsive he is. and i think we could all use a Fynn in our life to keep us on the right track. this book is very character driven, but that what i liked about it! i liked seeing the progression of Javi and Fynn’s relationship. the ending did a hurt a little bit, im going to lie. this is a great, quick read. highly recommend if you’re looking for a cute ya sci-fi read or to get out of a reading slump!

[Anouk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute delight this was! For me, Javi and Fynn were the introduction into the Ailene universe, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. The love they have for each other pours from the pages, and I can’t wait to see where their journey will go.

I was so hooked that I managed to finish it in an afternoon, so if you’re looking for a fun, deeply moving and meaningful read, this one is for you!

Annabel has done it again!