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Good Intentions
A deft and immersive psychological suspense debut about a luxury party planner who becomes obsessed with a woman she encounters in a hospital waiting room.
Cady has worked hard to have a good life. She has a thriving luxury event-planning business, the man she’s loved since she was seventeen, and a social calendar she can barely keep up with. She also has Dana, her identical twin, her beyond best friend, her most trusted confidante. When Cady gets a call that Dana has been in a serious accident and arrives moments too late to say goodbye, her world falls apart.
But to Cady’s family’s growing concern and confusion, it’s not Dana’s death that consumes her. It’s Morgan, a grieving mother Cady encountered in the hospital waiting room, the day her sister died. It can’t be a coincidence, that they both experienced tragedy at the same moment, in the same place—Cady doesn't believe in coincidences. Instead, she is convinced that she must help this stranger overcome her tragedy, in order to come to terms with her own.
Or...is there more to it? Is it possible that Cady wants something else from Morgan? Something she can’t even admit to herself?
Slyly twisted and deeply provocative, Good Intentions captures the moral ambiguity that can arise in the face of impossible choices. Like the aftermath of a car accident—and against your better judgment—you won't be able to look away.
Cady has worked hard to have a good life. She has a thriving luxury event-planning business, the man she’s loved since she was seventeen, and a social calendar she can barely keep up with. She also has Dana, her identical twin, her beyond best friend, her most trusted confidante. When Cady gets a call that Dana has been in a serious accident and arrives moments too late to say goodbye, her world falls apart.
But to Cady’s family’s growing concern and confusion, it’s not Dana’s death that consumes her. It’s Morgan, a grieving mother Cady encountered in the hospital waiting room, the day her sister died. It can’t be a coincidence, that they both experienced tragedy at the same moment, in the same place—Cady doesn't believe in coincidences. Instead, she is convinced that she must help this stranger overcome her tragedy, in order to come to terms with her own.
Or...is there more to it? Is it possible that Cady wants something else from Morgan? Something she can’t even admit to herself?
Slyly twisted and deeply provocative, Good Intentions captures the moral ambiguity that can arise in the face of impossible choices. Like the aftermath of a car accident—and against your better judgment—you won't be able to look away.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2026
184 people are currently reading
26332 people want to read
About the author
Marisa Walz
1 book148 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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February 13, 2026
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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November 29, 2025
Good intentions gone very wrong.
An eerie slow burn of a psychological thriller that leaves you uneasy from the very first page.
Cady seems to have built the perfect life: a thriving luxury event-planning business, a husband whom she's loved since she was seventeen, and her twin sister Dana, her closest confidante. But when Dana dies suddenly in an accident, Cady's grief takes an unexpected turn. Rather than mourning her sister, she fixates on Morgan - a woman she met in the hospital waiting room that same day, a stranger who was also struck by tragedy. Convinced their meeting was no coincidence, Cady becomes obsessed with helping Morgan heal... though it's never clear to her if her motives are as selfless as she believes.
This is a sharply observed, quietly unnerving debut about the blurred line between compassion and control. Telling the story from Cady's point of view, Marisa Walz's writing is both precise and restrained, letting the tension build slowly and making it impossible to look away, even as the story becomes increasingly disquieting.
Despite its dark undercurrents (namely death, including deaths of children and animals, and stalking), this was a highly entertaining, albeit unsettling read. Cady is a perfect unreliable narrator whose point of view is both fascinating and disturbing - her rationalizations feel so calm, so reasonable, even as her actions cross every imaginable boundary. She's a narcissist, yes, but one rendered with depth and realism rather than caricature - but be aware this novel will be hard to read if you need a main character you can like and root for.
"Good Intentions" is a real page-turner from start until the shocking finish, with a twist that, while not wholly unexpected, was delivered so flawlessly and timed so impeccably that it still managed to shock me, landing with genuine impact and letting me see the entire novel in a new light. The Chicago-area setting gets bonus points from me.🥰
Dark and elegant, "Good Intentions" explores grief, obsession, and the dangerous delusion that good motives can justify anything. An impressive, deeply compelling debut - I'll be eagerly watching for whatever Marisa Walz writes next.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Good Intentions" is slated to be released on February 3, 2026.
An eerie slow burn of a psychological thriller that leaves you uneasy from the very first page.
Cady seems to have built the perfect life: a thriving luxury event-planning business, a husband whom she's loved since she was seventeen, and her twin sister Dana, her closest confidante. But when Dana dies suddenly in an accident, Cady's grief takes an unexpected turn. Rather than mourning her sister, she fixates on Morgan - a woman she met in the hospital waiting room that same day, a stranger who was also struck by tragedy. Convinced their meeting was no coincidence, Cady becomes obsessed with helping Morgan heal... though it's never clear to her if her motives are as selfless as she believes.
This is a sharply observed, quietly unnerving debut about the blurred line between compassion and control. Telling the story from Cady's point of view, Marisa Walz's writing is both precise and restrained, letting the tension build slowly and making it impossible to look away, even as the story becomes increasingly disquieting.
Despite its dark undercurrents (namely death, including deaths of children and animals, and stalking), this was a highly entertaining, albeit unsettling read. Cady is a perfect unreliable narrator whose point of view is both fascinating and disturbing - her rationalizations feel so calm, so reasonable, even as her actions cross every imaginable boundary. She's a narcissist, yes, but one rendered with depth and realism rather than caricature - but be aware this novel will be hard to read if you need a main character you can like and root for.
"Good Intentions" is a real page-turner from start until the shocking finish, with a twist that, while not wholly unexpected, was delivered so flawlessly and timed so impeccably that it still managed to shock me, landing with genuine impact and letting me see the entire novel in a new light. The Chicago-area setting gets bonus points from me.🥰
Dark and elegant, "Good Intentions" explores grief, obsession, and the dangerous delusion that good motives can justify anything. An impressive, deeply compelling debut - I'll be eagerly watching for whatever Marisa Walz writes next.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Good Intentions" is slated to be released on February 3, 2026.
November 20, 2025
This had me gripped from the very first chapter right until the last!
I am not fond of serialized novels, but I will DEFINITELY be waiting with bated breath for this sequel.
The twist was breathtaking. (I did guess it, but only three-quarters of the way in. I just had a random light-bulb moment and sure enough, I was right. I read too many thrillers!) The characters, particularly Cady, were sharply drawn and I felt I could pick Cady out of a crowd by the end of this story. I definitely want MORE of this story.
Excellent writing, character building and storytelling. These characters felt real. My only criticism would be that at one point I could tell that the powers that be decided this would make a great sequel, and that is when a bit of "filler" and repetition started showing up.
Many reviewers didn't like Cady because of her obvious narcissism, but she wasn't as evil as some fictional narcissists we've had to deal with. She does have scruples. She is a decent person, for the most part, but she comes first, every time, all the time. This is how people raise their children these days, so I've come to expect this from the younger generation. My advice: get used to it, or move to a desert island. Cady and her clones are here to stay.
I'm giving this a 5 out of 5 stars because I was thoroughly entertained and hooked from the get-go. Highly recommended. My thanks to the author, her publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this very well-written thriller in exchange for an honest review.
I am not fond of serialized novels, but I will DEFINITELY be waiting with bated breath for this sequel.
The twist was breathtaking. (I did guess it, but only three-quarters of the way in. I just had a random light-bulb moment and sure enough, I was right. I read too many thrillers!) The characters, particularly Cady, were sharply drawn and I felt I could pick Cady out of a crowd by the end of this story. I definitely want MORE of this story.
Excellent writing, character building and storytelling. These characters felt real. My only criticism would be that at one point I could tell that the powers that be decided this would make a great sequel, and that is when a bit of "filler" and repetition started showing up.
Many reviewers didn't like Cady because of her obvious narcissism, but she wasn't as evil as some fictional narcissists we've had to deal with. She does have scruples. She is a decent person, for the most part, but she comes first, every time, all the time. This is how people raise their children these days, so I've come to expect this from the younger generation. My advice: get used to it, or move to a desert island. Cady and her clones are here to stay.
I'm giving this a 5 out of 5 stars because I was thoroughly entertained and hooked from the get-go. Highly recommended. My thanks to the author, her publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this very well-written thriller in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2026
I have to admit, I'm feeling pretty bummed about this one. The story initially drew me in, and I found myself truly invested in the characters and their journeys. However, by the time I reached the end, I felt a lingering sense of emptiness. The twist was predictable, which is fine, but that made me expect more from the storyline. I couldn't help but wish for more regarding the main character and the direction of her life. I will say, the narrative was strong, and the emotional depth and concept were there. Just needed a little bit more.
I would still recommend giving it a try, but it is more on the average side. 3-3.5 stars!
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for sending me this ARC. 🥹💕 Pub Date: Feb 03, 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 💫
I would still recommend giving it a try, but it is more on the average side. 3-3.5 stars!
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for sending me this ARC. 🥹💕 Pub Date: Feb 03, 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 💫
September 11, 2025
3.5 stars!
I love a good villain—especially when she’s also an unreliable narrator—and this book nails that dynamic. Cady kept me guessing throughout the story, and I somehow genuinely didn’t see the ending coming.
That said, it’s a slow burn. The first half dragged a bit at times, weighed down by excessively descriptive internal monologue (and overuse of referencing Dana’s name). By the end, I found myself wishing for less time in Cady’s head and more focus on unresolved plot threads.
Still, the final twist landed hard, and there’s real promise here as a solid debut. With tighter pacing and focus, this author’s next book could be a knockout!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
I love a good villain—especially when she’s also an unreliable narrator—and this book nails that dynamic. Cady kept me guessing throughout the story, and I somehow genuinely didn’t see the ending coming.
That said, it’s a slow burn. The first half dragged a bit at times, weighed down by excessively descriptive internal monologue (and overuse of referencing Dana’s name). By the end, I found myself wishing for less time in Cady’s head and more focus on unresolved plot threads.
Still, the final twist landed hard, and there’s real promise here as a solid debut. With tighter pacing and focus, this author’s next book could be a knockout!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
February 2, 2026
Good Intentions is an impressive psychological suspense debut that reads like the work of a seasoned author, its confident, emotionally sharp, and quietly devastating. Walz explores grief, obsession, and moral ambiguity through Cady, a woman whose seemingly perfect life implodes after the sudden death of her identical twin sister. What follows isn’t a straightforward grief spiral, but something far more unsettling: Cady fixates on Morgan, a grieving mother she briefly encounters in a hospital waiting room, and convinces herself that helping this stranger is the key to surviving her own loss.
Cady is a fascinating and deeply flawed protagonist. Watching her unravel is like witnessing a slow motion train wreck—you know the decisions she’s making are irrational, even dangerous, yet you can’t look away. Walz captures the desperation and heartache driving Cady’s actions with empathy, even as the story grows increasingly uncomfortable. The tension lies not just in what Cady does, but in why she does it, forcing the reader to sit with questions about control, projection, and the thin line between compassion and obsession.
The ending is sharp, surprising, and deeply thought provoking, pushing the novel beyond standard psychological suspense into something more morally complex. Good Intentions asks an unsettling question: how far can someone go in the name of grief? Does having “good intentions” actually matter? It’s emotional, unsettling, and quietly devastating in the best way, marking Walz as an author to watch.
January 19, 2026
This novel really sinks you in, in just the first chapter! This is a psychological suspense thriller that you will not want to put down, once you start reading it. What initially caught my attention was the beautiful cover of this novel. However, this book is so much more! It deals with obsession, grief, morally gray areas and has an unreliable narrator. This book had secrets spiraling out of control, domestic suspense and a very stalkerish narrative.
This is about twins, named Cady and Dana. They are identical and something happens and it will never be the same. To me, the pacing of this book is more of a slow burn thriller. It is intense and twisty! It comes with a compelling premise that I found to be well executed. I give this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars rating. Please check the trigger warnings if you want to, there’s a lot of triggers in this book. This novel gave me the movie, “Gone Girl” vibes!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Marisa Walz and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be released on February 3, 2026!
This is about twins, named Cady and Dana. They are identical and something happens and it will never be the same. To me, the pacing of this book is more of a slow burn thriller. It is intense and twisty! It comes with a compelling premise that I found to be well executed. I give this book a solid 4 out of 5 stars rating. Please check the trigger warnings if you want to, there’s a lot of triggers in this book. This novel gave me the movie, “Gone Girl” vibes!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Marisa Walz and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be released on February 3, 2026!
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!
Review of advance copy
"A deft and immersive psychological suspense debut about a luxury party planner who becomes obsessed with a woman she encounters in a hospital waiting room."
Cady is reeling from grief as the book opens with the unexpected death of her twin sister. While at the hospital, she meets a woman who she becomes obsessed with befriending. Meanwhile her marriage and business are spiraling with neglect. She could end up losing everything.
Cady is an unreliable narrator and you love to hate her erratic and obsessive behavior. This debut was full of plot and potential. It gets hung up in excessive inner dialogue and ineffective pacing. It really didn't feel like a psychological thriller until the end. it felt more like a slow domestic suspense with a somewhat predictable ending. This one didn't fully work for me but I will read this author's next book because with better editing it could be fantastic!
The audiobook performance by Brittany Pressley is outstanding and brings Cady's unraveling to life. Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Marisa Walz for an advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 🎧
Cady is reeling from grief as the book opens with the unexpected death of her twin sister. While at the hospital, she meets a woman who she becomes obsessed with befriending. Meanwhile her marriage and business are spiraling with neglect. She could end up losing everything.
Cady is an unreliable narrator and you love to hate her erratic and obsessive behavior. This debut was full of plot and potential. It gets hung up in excessive inner dialogue and ineffective pacing. It really didn't feel like a psychological thriller until the end. it felt more like a slow domestic suspense with a somewhat predictable ending. This one didn't fully work for me but I will read this author's next book because with better editing it could be fantastic!
The audiobook performance by Brittany Pressley is outstanding and brings Cady's unraveling to life. Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Marisa Walz for an advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 🎧
December 21, 2025
man, i love to be in the mind of a person who is insane lmao.
for real, this girl experiences obsession like nobodies' business. however, it's more "subtle" than your typical thriller - there's not really a huge OMG ACTION scene, and she constantly made me both stressed out and root for her against my better judgment.
truly, this book is fascinating and sad. the twist at the end was also relatively unexpected, and I appreciated that. Overall, this book is a great blend of psychological suspense and contemporary fiction all surrounded by grief.
**thank you to st. martin's press for the ARC copy**
for real, this girl experiences obsession like nobodies' business. however, it's more "subtle" than your typical thriller - there's not really a huge OMG ACTION scene, and she constantly made me both stressed out and root for her against my better judgment.
truly, this book is fascinating and sad. the twist at the end was also relatively unexpected, and I appreciated that. Overall, this book is a great blend of psychological suspense and contemporary fiction all surrounded by grief.
**thank you to st. martin's press for the ARC copy**
February 1, 2026
4.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Good Intentions, a terrific debut by Marisa Walz. This is a tense book of psychological suspense and family drama. The story contains difficult subjects, such as stalking, obsessive behaviour, ignoring boundaries, fertility, and miscarriage, and I read it with unease and dread. I could barely put it down, and was riveted to the book from beginning to end.
Cady has always remembered her mother remarking that if a person's intentions were good, bad outcomes could be overlooked. If the intentions were pure, that counts in the person's favour. Cady is unreliable, and we learn most of her behaviour and thoughts from imaginary conversations in her head with Dana.
Cady has a profitable luxury event business. She has been in love with her handsome husband since she was seventeen. They lived in a fine house in an upscale neighbourhood. Her identical twin, Dana, has been her closest, most trusted friend and confidant. Cady was strongly committed to sharing life events with Dana and wanted their marriages, childbirths, and raising children to coincide. Cady became upset as Dana became more independent and less committed to their shared plans. She was disappointed and angry that Dana became pregnant before her, and harsh words were spoken.
She has just learned that Dana was in a terrible car accident. She rushes to the hospital, but Dana has already died. She experiences grief and sorrow, but also guilty feelings, as she last argued with her twin. In the hospital waiting room, Cady focuses on a grieving mother, Morgan, whose 12-year-old son has just died in a bicycle accident. Cady feels connected with this mother because of the coincidence in the timing of their tragedies, and wants to help her through the healing process. She feels they are bound by grief and fate.
Cady believes she has the best of intentions, and must make friends wth Morgan to help her recover from the loss of her son. Cady has always been intense. She is spiralling out of control, but it is unclear whether this has always been part of her personality. She takes pride in her ability to lie since childhood and in the ease with which she tells falsehoods.
She begins to stalk Morgan, sitting for hours outside her home in her car, looking through her windows, and follows her to a grief counselling group for mothers who have lost a child. She inserts herself into the group by pretending that her young child, named Dana, has recently died. She attempts to befriend Morgan, and after a few coffee sessions, she offers to buy Morgan a designer handbag like hers. Morgan refuses. Cady's next offer is something inappropriate and personal. Morgan is shocked and begins to withdraw.
Any sympathy I had for Cady turned to dislike, and then I realized I was starting to hate her. She makes excuses to justify her irrational behaviour. She knows she is overstepping boundaries, but feels Morgan is overacting. Since they have both experienced real tragedy, they will remain connected as friends. She continues to follow Morgan, watching her every move. My feelings toward Cady are turning to revulsion. She is neglecting her husband and her business, and her family cannot understand her apparent lack of grieving for her twin Dana and her obsession with Morgan. She rationalizes her deplorable decisions and unfortunate outcomes by claiming they were made with good intentions to improve people's lives.
She remembers that Morgan said she would eventually resume dating. Cady wants Morgan's happiness and impersonates her on an online dating site, using a profile in Morgan's name. She meets a nice man, Ben, who assumes he is developing feelings for Morgan. When Ben and Morgan learn they were falsely set up, they are both upset. Morgan realizes that Cady has been stalking her and watching her home. Cady's marriage is rupturing, as her husband learns of her obsession with Morgan, and her lies and neglect of everything else.
After realizing the mess she made with Morgan, Cady can't refrain from following her husband and people she scarcely knows on her iPhone. There is a twist at the end, but I didn't feel it was necessary. There is room for a sequel, which I would definitely read.
Good Intentions is scheduled for publication on February 03/, 2026. I recommend this book for people who enjoy a disquieting psychological drama with an unlikeable subject. It was difficult to look away while dreading her next steps.
Cady has always remembered her mother remarking that if a person's intentions were good, bad outcomes could be overlooked. If the intentions were pure, that counts in the person's favour. Cady is unreliable, and we learn most of her behaviour and thoughts from imaginary conversations in her head with Dana.
Cady has a profitable luxury event business. She has been in love with her handsome husband since she was seventeen. They lived in a fine house in an upscale neighbourhood. Her identical twin, Dana, has been her closest, most trusted friend and confidant. Cady was strongly committed to sharing life events with Dana and wanted their marriages, childbirths, and raising children to coincide. Cady became upset as Dana became more independent and less committed to their shared plans. She was disappointed and angry that Dana became pregnant before her, and harsh words were spoken.
She has just learned that Dana was in a terrible car accident. She rushes to the hospital, but Dana has already died. She experiences grief and sorrow, but also guilty feelings, as she last argued with her twin. In the hospital waiting room, Cady focuses on a grieving mother, Morgan, whose 12-year-old son has just died in a bicycle accident. Cady feels connected with this mother because of the coincidence in the timing of their tragedies, and wants to help her through the healing process. She feels they are bound by grief and fate.
Cady believes she has the best of intentions, and must make friends wth Morgan to help her recover from the loss of her son. Cady has always been intense. She is spiralling out of control, but it is unclear whether this has always been part of her personality. She takes pride in her ability to lie since childhood and in the ease with which she tells falsehoods.
She begins to stalk Morgan, sitting for hours outside her home in her car, looking through her windows, and follows her to a grief counselling group for mothers who have lost a child. She inserts herself into the group by pretending that her young child, named Dana, has recently died. She attempts to befriend Morgan, and after a few coffee sessions, she offers to buy Morgan a designer handbag like hers. Morgan refuses. Cady's next offer is something inappropriate and personal. Morgan is shocked and begins to withdraw.
Any sympathy I had for Cady turned to dislike, and then I realized I was starting to hate her. She makes excuses to justify her irrational behaviour. She knows she is overstepping boundaries, but feels Morgan is overacting. Since they have both experienced real tragedy, they will remain connected as friends. She continues to follow Morgan, watching her every move. My feelings toward Cady are turning to revulsion. She is neglecting her husband and her business, and her family cannot understand her apparent lack of grieving for her twin Dana and her obsession with Morgan. She rationalizes her deplorable decisions and unfortunate outcomes by claiming they were made with good intentions to improve people's lives.
She remembers that Morgan said she would eventually resume dating. Cady wants Morgan's happiness and impersonates her on an online dating site, using a profile in Morgan's name. She meets a nice man, Ben, who assumes he is developing feelings for Morgan. When Ben and Morgan learn they were falsely set up, they are both upset. Morgan realizes that Cady has been stalking her and watching her home. Cady's marriage is rupturing, as her husband learns of her obsession with Morgan, and her lies and neglect of everything else.
After realizing the mess she made with Morgan, Cady can't refrain from following her husband and people she scarcely knows on her iPhone. There is a twist at the end, but I didn't feel it was necessary. There is room for a sequel, which I would definitely read.
Good Intentions is scheduled for publication on February 03/, 2026. I recommend this book for people who enjoy a disquieting psychological drama with an unlikeable subject. It was difficult to look away while dreading her next steps.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
did-not-finish
February 3, 2026DNF @ p34
I ran into style issues here that sort of repelled me from the book. Alternating POVs are challenging enough, but I don't tend to stick with books that switch POVs mid scene (here, from first to second). I think experiments with perspective are bold and I respect the attempt here.
Thank you to Marisa Walz, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital copy of GOOD INTENTION. All views are mine.
I ran into style issues here that sort of repelled me from the book. Alternating POVs are challenging enough, but I don't tend to stick with books that switch POVs mid scene (here, from first to second). I think experiments with perspective are bold and I respect the attempt here.
Thank you to Marisa Walz, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital copy of GOOD INTENTION. All views are mine.
December 1, 2025
Good Intentions is a dark, messy, character driven psychological thriller that hooked me fast. The story follows Cady, who’s grieving the sudden loss of her identical twin and slowly unravels as she fixates on a stranger she meets at the hospital. What starts as shared grief turns into something obsessive and uncomfortable in the best “I need to keep reading” way. It’s unsettling and really leans into grief and obsession without needing a big twists. Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC, although a little slower at times I really enjoyed this one.
November 26, 2025
Right from the beginning Cady appears to be an unreliable narrator. She also seems to have done something in the past that she feels guilty for and has people concerned about her mental heath. After the death of her twin, she starts to spiral into an obsession with a woman she sat next to at the hospital the day of her sister’s accident.
Cady’s character is complicated and brilliantly written. I went from being annoyed with her to wanting to help her. She’s so good at justifying herself that I found myself going along with her until she started going too far. It’s hard to believe this one is a debut. There were so many things in Cady’s retelling of events that simply didn’t add up, but the author tied up every loose thread perfectly. Highly recommend.
Cady’s character is complicated and brilliantly written. I went from being annoyed with her to wanting to help her. She’s so good at justifying herself that I found myself going along with her until she started going too far. It’s hard to believe this one is a debut. There were so many things in Cady’s retelling of events that simply didn’t add up, but the author tied up every loose thread perfectly. Highly recommend.
October 8, 2025
Genre: Grief/Psychological Thriller/Suspense
Publisher: St. Martin’s Publishing Group,
Pub. Date: February 3, 2026
“Good Intentions” is an intense, emotionally layered story about grief, obsession, and ethical dilemmas that is also cleverly twisted. Cady is our protagonist. She works as a highly successful luxury party planner. Her identical twin sister, Dana, dies in a car accident shortly after the novel begins. According to Cady, the sisters were each other’s best friends and most trusted confidantes. Throughout the book, we learn more about their relationship. When Cady gets a phone call telling her that Dana was in a serious car accident, she races to the hospital but doesn’t get there in time. She hears the tragic news just as a mother, Morgan, learns of her 12-year-old son’s death. They touch hands for a minute, and Cady is convinced that they have some sort of grief connection. And so Cady’s obsession with Morgan begins. The author does a good job of balancing heartbreaking grief and insanity. There is an obvious twist that I missed, indicating that I’m not good at guessing or that the author is very good at creating twists.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/
https://bookreviewer1955.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/
https://www.amazon.com/
Publisher: St. Martin’s Publishing Group,
Pub. Date: February 3, 2026
“Good Intentions” is an intense, emotionally layered story about grief, obsession, and ethical dilemmas that is also cleverly twisted. Cady is our protagonist. She works as a highly successful luxury party planner. Her identical twin sister, Dana, dies in a car accident shortly after the novel begins. According to Cady, the sisters were each other’s best friends and most trusted confidantes. Throughout the book, we learn more about their relationship. When Cady gets a phone call telling her that Dana was in a serious car accident, she races to the hospital but doesn’t get there in time. She hears the tragic news just as a mother, Morgan, learns of her 12-year-old son’s death. They touch hands for a minute, and Cady is convinced that they have some sort of grief connection. And so Cady’s obsession with Morgan begins. The author does a good job of balancing heartbreaking grief and insanity. There is an obvious twist that I missed, indicating that I’m not good at guessing or that the author is very good at creating twists.
I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Find all my book reviews at:
https://www.goodreads.com/
https://bookreviewer1955.wordpress.com/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/
https://www.amazon.com/
September 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I gave it a 3 (could have been a 4), but it’s just too long. This psychological thriller is a page turner and Cade is deliciously rotten to the core. I loved hating her. Wildly successful as an event planner, her twin sister’s death in a car accident sends her spiraling down paths that leave the reader in a perpetual state of jaw drop (not a spoiler, the book opens with this). Twin sisters who were “naturally” best friends. A perfect husband who can’t be reached the day of Dana’s death. Two strange encounters in the ER that day. Cade I loved hating you.
The book is too long. It doesn’t need every deviant thought in Cade’s addled brain. As I looked at the percentage still to be read (I read on an iPad) at about the 75% point I knew I was going to start skimming to the end. Consider an edit.
The book is too long. It doesn’t need every deviant thought in Cade’s addled brain. As I looked at the percentage still to be read (I read on an iPad) at about the 75% point I knew I was going to start skimming to the end. Consider an edit.
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.
January 23, 2026
Good Intentions is a dark and tragic novel. It starts with the death of Dana - Cady's twin sister. What unfolds is deeply sad and disturbing at the same time.
I am very into novels lately with protagonists that toe the line. Cady jumps over the line quite a bit but she eases the reader into it and I enjoyed the ride. Her friendship with Morgan felt justified until it didn't and I loved wondering if she was just coping with unimaginable grief or potentially a true sociopath.
The first third of the novel really focuses on the tragedy of Dana's death and I worried that it was going to be too emotional for me. Stick with it though because once it turns, it's a wild ride and the ending will leave you breathless, even if you have an inkling of where the story is going.
I listened to it on audio and loved the narrator. She added an element of drama but it wasn't overacted. She was engaging, exciting, and at times totally chilling.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Ma]cMillan Audio for the copy. This was a solid 3.5 stars and I definitely recommend.
I am very into novels lately with protagonists that toe the line. Cady jumps over the line quite a bit but she eases the reader into it and I enjoyed the ride. Her friendship with Morgan felt justified until it didn't and I loved wondering if she was just coping with unimaginable grief or potentially a true sociopath.
The first third of the novel really focuses on the tragedy of Dana's death and I worried that it was going to be too emotional for me. Stick with it though because once it turns, it's a wild ride and the ending will leave you breathless, even if you have an inkling of where the story is going.
I listened to it on audio and loved the narrator. She added an element of drama but it wasn't overacted. She was engaging, exciting, and at times totally chilling.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Ma]cMillan Audio for the copy. This was a solid 3.5 stars and I definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fabulous debut! Good Intentions is not your typical thriller, it is slow burning story of a woman’s grief and loss with a shocking ending that I didn’t see coming at all.
Cady is a tough character to like for much of this story. My feelings about her changed all the time, I felt like I was on a roller coaster with all the emotions. She is grieving the loss of her twin Dana, with whom she had a complicated relationship. We see her slip further and further into self destruction, becoming quite unhinged and obsessive about a woman that she met at the hospital the day Dana died.
I started to this on a day that I was remembering a dear friend in the first anniversary of her death, and it made me so sad. I was crying in the car in my way to work. Losing a twin is like losing a part of you, and we see Kady go downhill very quickly. She is frustrating but at the same time I could feel her pain.
Brittany Presley as always did an incredible job voicing all the characters and giving so much depth to them all. She really is brilliant and makes me want to listen to anything she reads.
I look forward to reading more from Marisa Walz in the future.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book early. Published on February 3rd.
Cady is a tough character to like for much of this story. My feelings about her changed all the time, I felt like I was on a roller coaster with all the emotions. She is grieving the loss of her twin Dana, with whom she had a complicated relationship. We see her slip further and further into self destruction, becoming quite unhinged and obsessive about a woman that she met at the hospital the day Dana died.
I started to this on a day that I was remembering a dear friend in the first anniversary of her death, and it made me so sad. I was crying in the car in my way to work. Losing a twin is like losing a part of you, and we see Kady go downhill very quickly. She is frustrating but at the same time I could feel her pain.
Brittany Presley as always did an incredible job voicing all the characters and giving so much depth to them all. She really is brilliant and makes me want to listen to anything she reads.
I look forward to reading more from Marisa Walz in the future.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book early. Published on February 3rd.
August 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I devoured this book over the course of two days. Cady, the main character, has just lost her twin sister Dana in a tragic car accident. She is consumed by grief and slowly her life begins to fall apart. As we learn more about Cady’s relationships with those closest to her, we see a common unsettling theme and question if Cady is a reliable narrator.
This was tense and suspenseful! I enjoyed the short chapters and fast pace but ultimately, there were too many loose strings left at the end. I had too many unanswered questions to feel thoroughly satisfied.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I devoured this book over the course of two days. Cady, the main character, has just lost her twin sister Dana in a tragic car accident. She is consumed by grief and slowly her life begins to fall apart. As we learn more about Cady’s relationships with those closest to her, we see a common unsettling theme and question if Cady is a reliable narrator.
This was tense and suspenseful! I enjoyed the short chapters and fast pace but ultimately, there were too many loose strings left at the end. I had too many unanswered questions to feel thoroughly satisfied.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 6, 2025
A beautiful cover, an unreliable narrator and a few shocking twists, GOOD INTENTIONS by Marisa Walz kept my attention the whole way.
Cady is having the worst day possible. Her twin sister has had a tragic accident, she can't get her husband on the phone and one day turns into a catalyst of depression, confusion and mistakes.
While Cady battles the initial moments of the loss of her sister, she imprints on a woman in the hospital waiting room having a similar exerpience. And what we follow is Cady's spiral into some questionable antics.
We switch back and forth from current acts to previous dark moments in Cady's life and it becomes a reflection on whether our intentions matter, when our actions are morally grey.
A very slow burn, the outcome of this one will have you staring off questioning your own intentions.
Thank you to the author and St Martin's Press for a copy of this prior to it's release on Feb 3rd of next year.
Cady is having the worst day possible. Her twin sister has had a tragic accident, she can't get her husband on the phone and one day turns into a catalyst of depression, confusion and mistakes.
While Cady battles the initial moments of the loss of her sister, she imprints on a woman in the hospital waiting room having a similar exerpience. And what we follow is Cady's spiral into some questionable antics.
We switch back and forth from current acts to previous dark moments in Cady's life and it becomes a reflection on whether our intentions matter, when our actions are morally grey.
A very slow burn, the outcome of this one will have you staring off questioning your own intentions.
Thank you to the author and St Martin's Press for a copy of this prior to it's release on Feb 3rd of next year.
December 19, 2025
Cady is intense; and when she loves (obsesses), she loves (obsesses) with everything she’s got. The person she loves (obsesses) the most is her identical twin, Dana. Growing up, they—let’s just say, Cady-- made promises and pacts about who would be their friends, who they would date, where they would go to school (together), who they would marry (preferably, twins), and if or when they would have children (at the same time). Cady has kept them all (well, except that one time), while, according to Cady, Dana has purposely ignored them; in fact, Cady has noticed that Dana has never exhibited the level of commitment to their twinness as she has. So, when Dana gets pregnant, Cady is hurt and angry; resentful and abandoned. When Dana is killed in an auto accident, her overall emotion is relief. However, now she has a void that needs to be filled. Maybe Morgan—a woman whose son has died—can fill it.
Cady is the sociopathic juggernaut I found myself rooting for. She ruins the lives of the people who get in her way, manipulates, lies, and breaks every rule (legal and societal). She is really not a nice person. Yes, I am one of her victims, I worry about her. I do love an unreliable narrator.
If you enjoy a good story with twists that make sense, I recommend you read Good Intentions. This is Marisa Walz’s debut novel, and I look forward to reading whatever comes next.
I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and Goodreads for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this book.
Cady is the sociopathic juggernaut I found myself rooting for. She ruins the lives of the people who get in her way, manipulates, lies, and breaks every rule (legal and societal). She is really not a nice person. Yes, I am one of her victims, I worry about her. I do love an unreliable narrator.
If you enjoy a good story with twists that make sense, I recommend you read Good Intentions. This is Marisa Walz’s debut novel, and I look forward to reading whatever comes next.
I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and Goodreads for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this book.
February 3, 2026
Good Intentions (audio) 5⭐️
A year of grief. Cady navigates losing her identical twin as she spirals with guilt, obsession, anger, and self-sabotaging choices. This was a gripping story of complicated grief written as Cady’s letter/“dear diary” to her deceased twin.
The obsession storyline was unique. It didn’t feel like the typical twin or obsession plot. As Cady is reeling from the news of her sister’s death at the hospital, her grief latches onto a random woman who happens to also be at the hospital receiving devastating news. And just like that, grief and obsession collide. Cady isn’t thinking logically, but she justifies every step along the way. It all makes sense and feels right to her. Only the best intentions. This book really nails the reality of being frozen in grief-time while everything/one annoyingly goes on and taunts us with their normalcy.
I loved this book! I felt like it was a tad long, but not enough to make me lose interest. And that ending!!
Brittany Pressley’s narration was perfection! The emotion and voice acting elevated the whole story.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Feb 03 2026
A year of grief. Cady navigates losing her identical twin as she spirals with guilt, obsession, anger, and self-sabotaging choices. This was a gripping story of complicated grief written as Cady’s letter/“dear diary” to her deceased twin.
The obsession storyline was unique. It didn’t feel like the typical twin or obsession plot. As Cady is reeling from the news of her sister’s death at the hospital, her grief latches onto a random woman who happens to also be at the hospital receiving devastating news. And just like that, grief and obsession collide. Cady isn’t thinking logically, but she justifies every step along the way. It all makes sense and feels right to her. Only the best intentions. This book really nails the reality of being frozen in grief-time while everything/one annoyingly goes on and taunts us with their normalcy.
I loved this book! I felt like it was a tad long, but not enough to make me lose interest. And that ending!!
Brittany Pressley’s narration was perfection! The emotion and voice acting elevated the whole story.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Feb 03 2026
November 1, 2025
You know what? I have very mixed feelings with this book.
On one hand, I loved it because it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I thought the pacing was great and the writing is very engaging, and I just couldn't stop reading because I was eagerly waiting for when the sh*t would hit the fan. Also, this is a book about a person going through grief, all stages of grief, and I could - multiple times - relate to the main character.
On the other hand, this book frustrated the hell out of me. LOL
The main character is a very frustrating person to follow through the whole book. We know that people in grief tend to say and do things that normally they would never do or say. But the main character here kept making all the wrong choices over and over and over and over...wait...and over again!
And not only her grief makes her someone not so easy to root for, but she is a very flawed character. And that kind is not that easy to root for.
I'll admit this book held my attention. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. But when I was actually reading it, I was increasingly hating the MC chapter after chapter. It came to the point I was rooting against her. LOL
I wanted to see the sh*t hit the fan directly into her face. Basically. And literally.
Anyway, regardless of the overall impression this book has left on me, it definitely has left some impression on me.
I believe I can recommend this book to any readers who enjoy psychological suspense with a VERY unlikable character/narrator, a lot of realistic drama, and unhinged characters as well.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
On one hand, I loved it because it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I thought the pacing was great and the writing is very engaging, and I just couldn't stop reading because I was eagerly waiting for when the sh*t would hit the fan. Also, this is a book about a person going through grief, all stages of grief, and I could - multiple times - relate to the main character.
On the other hand, this book frustrated the hell out of me. LOL
The main character is a very frustrating person to follow through the whole book. We know that people in grief tend to say and do things that normally they would never do or say. But the main character here kept making all the wrong choices over and over and over and over...wait...and over again!
And not only her grief makes her someone not so easy to root for, but she is a very flawed character. And that kind is not that easy to root for.
I'll admit this book held my attention. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. But when I was actually reading it, I was increasingly hating the MC chapter after chapter. It came to the point I was rooting against her. LOL
I wanted to see the sh*t hit the fan directly into her face. Basically. And literally.
Anyway, regardless of the overall impression this book has left on me, it definitely has left some impression on me.
I believe I can recommend this book to any readers who enjoy psychological suspense with a VERY unlikable character/narrator, a lot of realistic drama, and unhinged characters as well.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
October 29, 2025
This is Marisa Walz's debut which just seems wild! Her excellent prose and ability to tell a taut story that will keep you turning the pages feels like the writing of someone who's been in the industry much longer.
When Cady's sister dies in a haunting accident that flips her world upside down, it becomes clear that she has her own dark, twisted past she can no longer ignore.
This was such a dark, twisty story. Such a fun read. Can't wait for her next book!
When Cady's sister dies in a haunting accident that flips her world upside down, it becomes clear that she has her own dark, twisted past she can no longer ignore.
This was such a dark, twisty story. Such a fun read. Can't wait for her next book!
February 7, 2026
#ad much love for my finished copy and ALC
“The clock in the hall claimed it was nine o'clock. What would we do now? Watch TV? Read the paper? Work? All the normal things seemed absurd. Pointless. How would I ever be able to do any of them again?
What would I do with my life from now on?,” (p. 22).
“That sort of thing—the beautiful weather rubbing its warm, sunny face in mine—made everything worse. You'd think it would be the opposite, Dana. You'd think the overcast days would be worse. But the dreary days were reassuring. Validating. I feel you, they said.
No, it was the beautiful days that hurt,” (p. 172).
^ accurate af
“It takes a lot more to keep a good thing going than it does to let a bad thing run its course,” (p. 267).
It was Valentine’s Day but two families will forever be different from here on out. Tragedies, strangers passing without really seeing each other. February 14th.
Dana and Cady were twins, but now Dana lies dead in a hospital and we need to know how, why, what, when, where. Then there’s the mystery of Cady - their relationship isn’t quite right - this we know, but we don’t know anything.
The story is told from Cady to Dana, which I really enjoyed. Cady talking to dead Dana, it felt intimate and also felt like we were reading something not quite meant for us.
Beautiful, fked-up, tragic, and twisted. This book will burrow itself under your skin. Bring all your own traumas and grief to the surface. It’s that’s type of book.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and YO it’s Brittany Pressley so you know you have to listen to this audiobook. Perfection - as always.
I had a feeling where this book was going and it did go exactly there. There’s no major twists just a gut-wrenching exploration of grief and guilt and obsession.
Slower pace than I usually like, but I loved every second of it. Reading it felt like balancing on a tightly tuned guitar string, waiting for it to snap and take half of you with it.
10/10 recommend.
“The clock in the hall claimed it was nine o'clock. What would we do now? Watch TV? Read the paper? Work? All the normal things seemed absurd. Pointless. How would I ever be able to do any of them again?
What would I do with my life from now on?,” (p. 22).
“That sort of thing—the beautiful weather rubbing its warm, sunny face in mine—made everything worse. You'd think it would be the opposite, Dana. You'd think the overcast days would be worse. But the dreary days were reassuring. Validating. I feel you, they said.
No, it was the beautiful days that hurt,” (p. 172).
^ accurate af
“It takes a lot more to keep a good thing going than it does to let a bad thing run its course,” (p. 267).
It was Valentine’s Day but two families will forever be different from here on out. Tragedies, strangers passing without really seeing each other. February 14th.
Dana and Cady were twins, but now Dana lies dead in a hospital and we need to know how, why, what, when, where. Then there’s the mystery of Cady - their relationship isn’t quite right - this we know, but we don’t know anything.
The story is told from Cady to Dana, which I really enjoyed. Cady talking to dead Dana, it felt intimate and also felt like we were reading something not quite meant for us.
Beautiful, fked-up, tragic, and twisted. This book will burrow itself under your skin. Bring all your own traumas and grief to the surface. It’s that’s type of book.
🎧: Also listened to the audio while following along and YO it’s Brittany Pressley so you know you have to listen to this audiobook. Perfection - as always.
I had a feeling where this book was going and it did go exactly there. There’s no major twists just a gut-wrenching exploration of grief and guilt and obsession.
Slower pace than I usually like, but I loved every second of it. Reading it felt like balancing on a tightly tuned guitar string, waiting for it to snap and take half of you with it.
10/10 recommend.
February 7, 2026
4.5 🌟
'It wasn’t a pure happiness— it was tinged with something dirty, like the snow that’s left at the end of winter— but it was better than nothing.' (Ch 26)
Psychological Suspense | General Fiction | Unreliable Narrator
Unheathy obsessions.
'I would choose you every time. Over anybody or anything, under any circumstances. You don’t even know.' (Ch 16)
There was heartbreak, tear-jerking moments, grief, guilt, paranoia, lies, lies, lies, and doubt... absolute chaos - internal and external. The struggle to get back to everyday life and save relationships once a tragedy occurs. The torment of the mind when certain things take root and want to flourish. The vicious circle and lies we tell ourselves and others. Digging deeper and deeper, making it harder and harder to crawl out of that sliding, collapsing hole of your own making. And the revelations.
'“Fear destroys trust. Trust of other people and the world and ourselves— maybe especially ourselves...."' (Ch 49)
It was addicting, couldn't put it down. Kept my interest piqued to the very end. And what an ending. OMGee.
eARC courtesy of NetGalley | St. Martin's Press
'It wasn’t a pure happiness— it was tinged with something dirty, like the snow that’s left at the end of winter— but it was better than nothing.' (Ch 26)
Psychological Suspense | General Fiction | Unreliable Narrator
Unheathy obsessions.
'I would choose you every time. Over anybody or anything, under any circumstances. You don’t even know.' (Ch 16)
There was heartbreak, tear-jerking moments, grief, guilt, paranoia, lies, lies, lies, and doubt... absolute chaos - internal and external. The struggle to get back to everyday life and save relationships once a tragedy occurs. The torment of the mind when certain things take root and want to flourish. The vicious circle and lies we tell ourselves and others. Digging deeper and deeper, making it harder and harder to crawl out of that sliding, collapsing hole of your own making. And the revelations.
'“Fear destroys trust. Trust of other people and the world and ourselves— maybe especially ourselves...."' (Ch 49)
It was addicting, couldn't put it down. Kept my interest piqued to the very end. And what an ending. OMGee.
eARC courtesy of NetGalley | St. Martin's Press
February 11, 2026
3.5 STARS rounded down because of a drawn out subplot about a missing/dead elderly dog. IMHO there’s never a need to kill a pet.
Cady, who recently became a twinless twin nor long after having an early term miscarriage, *thinks* she has GOOD INTENTIONS regarding her self-destructive dishonesty. She does not.
Her pregnant twin Dana’s death causes Cady, already obsessive to the point of mental illness, to spiral out of control. She begins stalking Morgan, a woman Cady briefly encountered in the ER when Cady’s sister and Morgan’s son both died.
A simple touch on the hand leaves Cady obsessed with befriending Morgan. Cady begins stalking her target, justifying her increasingly creepy behavior. Cady joining the support group for grieving parents which Morgan attends is one of the least creepy things she does.
Any empathy I had for Cady eroded in subsequent chapters as she reminisces about her manipulations of Dana and others during childhood. Readers learn Cady’s relationship with the truth was never intact.
Cady’s husband was beyond patient, to the point of enabling her behavior. Her parents didn’t seem to acknowledge Cady’s unhealthy behavior in childhood or as an adult.
Instead of growing throughout the book, Cady deteriorated. Brittany Presley did a wonderful job elevating GOOD INTENTIONS in what might have been a DNF written book. Her voice added a thriller element to Cady’s stalking.
I round down for animal death/suffering that’s not essential to the plot.
Cady, who recently became a twinless twin nor long after having an early term miscarriage, *thinks* she has GOOD INTENTIONS regarding her self-destructive dishonesty. She does not.
Her pregnant twin Dana’s death causes Cady, already obsessive to the point of mental illness, to spiral out of control. She begins stalking Morgan, a woman Cady briefly encountered in the ER when Cady’s sister and Morgan’s son both died.
A simple touch on the hand leaves Cady obsessed with befriending Morgan. Cady begins stalking her target, justifying her increasingly creepy behavior. Cady joining the support group for grieving parents which Morgan attends is one of the least creepy things she does.
Any empathy I had for Cady eroded in subsequent chapters as she reminisces about her manipulations of Dana and others during childhood. Readers learn Cady’s relationship with the truth was never intact.
Cady’s husband was beyond patient, to the point of enabling her behavior. Her parents didn’t seem to acknowledge Cady’s unhealthy behavior in childhood or as an adult.
Instead of growing throughout the book, Cady deteriorated. Brittany Presley did a wonderful job elevating GOOD INTENTIONS in what might have been a DNF written book. Her voice added a thriller element to Cady’s stalking.
I round down for animal death/suffering that’s not essential to the plot.
Read
February 10, 2026DNF. Grief-driven obsession can be powerful, but this leaned more irritating than intriguing for me. Life’s too short.
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.)
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