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Good Intentions
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 2612 hours, 14 minutes
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.
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.
11 pages, Audible Audio
Expected publication February 3, 2026
18363 people want to read
About the author
Marisa Walz
1 book100 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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October 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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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.
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! **
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!
Want to read
December 30, 2025Very excited to read this debut from this author. I love a good thriller, and the plot sounds so fun.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for sending me this ARC. 🥹💕 Pub Date: Feb 03, 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 💫
Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for sending me this ARC. 🥹💕 Pub Date: Feb 03, 2026
As always, all thoughts 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**
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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.)
September 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The majority of us go through life with good intentions, and wow, this story really leans into that idea. The premise hooked me right away, and the beautiful cover only added to the intrigue. This book is intense, gut wrenching, and at times frustrating, especially with the main female character, Cady. I found myself going back and forth with my empathy for her; she could be so relatable one moment and so incredibly annoying the next. The story is told entirely through Cady’s perspective, and we’re inside her head the whole time, digesting every thought she has. I love trying to figure out plot twists, but I didn’t see this one coming. Looking back, maybe I should have, but the surprise made the ride worthwhile. This is a true psychological thriller, digging deep into the human mind after a tremendous loss and showing how one character copes with her sister’s death.
Thank you to @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub Date: February 3, 2026.
#SMPEarlyReaders #BookReview #ThrillerBooks #PsychologicalThriller #Bookstagram #Booktok
The majority of us go through life with good intentions, and wow, this story really leans into that idea. The premise hooked me right away, and the beautiful cover only added to the intrigue. This book is intense, gut wrenching, and at times frustrating, especially with the main female character, Cady. I found myself going back and forth with my empathy for her; she could be so relatable one moment and so incredibly annoying the next. The story is told entirely through Cady’s perspective, and we’re inside her head the whole time, digesting every thought she has. I love trying to figure out plot twists, but I didn’t see this one coming. Looking back, maybe I should have, but the surprise made the ride worthwhile. This is a true psychological thriller, digging deep into the human mind after a tremendous loss and showing how one character copes with her sister’s death.
Thank you to @stmartinspress for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub Date: February 3, 2026.
#SMPEarlyReaders #BookReview #ThrillerBooks #PsychologicalThriller #Bookstagram #Booktok
December 4, 2025
Good Intentions is a character driven, psychological suspense novel. It is told from the point of view of Cady, a successful luxury party event planner who suffers a devastating loss. In the midst of Cady’s grief she becomes obsessed with a woman she met at the hospital the night of tragedy. She just continues to spiral as the story unfolds. She makes bad choice after bad choice. Her character is unlikable at times, and definitely unreliable.
The story is well written, and held my attention the whole time. When I was not reading it, I was thinking about Cady and what unhinged thing she was going to do next. It is a bit of a slow burn, which I’m totally fine with. And, the I definitely didn’t see that ending coming! My only issue was that I wanted more details at the end. There were some loose ends I would have liked to see resolved. But, overall, a great read! Definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for my complete and honest review. I also, received an early physical copy from a giveaway from Goodreads.
The story is well written, and held my attention the whole time. When I was not reading it, I was thinking about Cady and what unhinged thing she was going to do next. It is a bit of a slow burn, which I’m totally fine with. And, the I definitely didn’t see that ending coming! My only issue was that I wanted more details at the end. There were some loose ends I would have liked to see resolved. But, overall, a great read! Definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for my complete and honest review. I also, received an early physical copy from a giveaway from Goodreads.
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!
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 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!
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
October 14, 2025
GOOD INTENTIONS
BY MARISA WALZ
RELEASE DATE 02/03/2026
What did I just read?
I write my review as I read each book and scribble notes down, but I have no idea how to decode this … wish me luck
Cady’s life is perfect. She’s married, a successful event planner, happy, and has everything she could want.
On a busy day, she receives a phone call from her BIL; her twin sister Dana, the love of her life, has passed away in a car accident.
Cady begins to spiral and unravel slowly.
Somehow, as crazy as all of this is about to sound, it’s almost justified.
It starts the day Dana passes. She witnesses a woman in the hospital, the same day she lost her twin, she lost her 12-year-old son, and for some reason, she believes they’re connected.
She sits outside her home and watches her from afar. For a month
Eventually, she befriends the grieving mother, and they form a friendship. They also help each other heal.
She starts to find out that her husband Matt has secrets.
The chapters consist of Cady writing her thoughts in a diary directed to Dana, even justifying her actions as if she were there arguing back with her.
You start to question if Dana is alive or possibly not a real person.
Do not question if you should read it- I highly recommend you do.
5 S̓̓T̓̓A̓̓R̓̓S̓̓⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
#goodintentions #marisawalz #smpinfluencer #stmartinpress #macmillianpublishing #debutthriller #bookstagrammer
BY MARISA WALZ
RELEASE DATE 02/03/2026
What did I just read?
I write my review as I read each book and scribble notes down, but I have no idea how to decode this … wish me luck
Cady’s life is perfect. She’s married, a successful event planner, happy, and has everything she could want.
On a busy day, she receives a phone call from her BIL; her twin sister Dana, the love of her life, has passed away in a car accident.
Cady begins to spiral and unravel slowly.
Somehow, as crazy as all of this is about to sound, it’s almost justified.
It starts the day Dana passes. She witnesses a woman in the hospital, the same day she lost her twin, she lost her 12-year-old son, and for some reason, she believes they’re connected.
She sits outside her home and watches her from afar. For a month
Eventually, she befriends the grieving mother, and they form a friendship. They also help each other heal.
She starts to find out that her husband Matt has secrets.
The chapters consist of Cady writing her thoughts in a diary directed to Dana, even justifying her actions as if she were there arguing back with her.
You start to question if Dana is alive or possibly not a real person.
Do not question if you should read it- I highly recommend you do.
5 S̓̓T̓̓A̓̓R̓̓S̓̓⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
#goodintentions #marisawalz #smpinfluencer #stmartinpress #macmillianpublishing #debutthriller #bookstagrammer
December 19, 2025
I was riveted from the first page to the last!
Cady has always been intense and obsessive and it has served her well in building a great life. She is married to her high school sweetheart and she owns a thriving luxury event planning business. But the day she gets the call that her twin sister, Dana, has been in tragic car accident, Cady’s world comes crumbling down. That day, in the hospital waiting room, a woman grabs her hand in comfort because she is also dealing with the tragic loss of a loved one. This one small gesture has a powerful effect on Cady and in the days after the loss of her twin she tracks down this woman from the waiting room. Her name is Morgan and Cady believes it is no coincidence they were in that waiting room at the same time. Cady believes they can be friends and can console each other in their grief. But does Morgan feel the same way or is Cady going too far to befriend this woman?
This story was not what I was expecting. This character driven psychological thriller is dark and subtlety twisted and completely immersive. I could not look away!
Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on February 3, 2026
Cady has always been intense and obsessive and it has served her well in building a great life. She is married to her high school sweetheart and she owns a thriving luxury event planning business. But the day she gets the call that her twin sister, Dana, has been in tragic car accident, Cady’s world comes crumbling down. That day, in the hospital waiting room, a woman grabs her hand in comfort because she is also dealing with the tragic loss of a loved one. This one small gesture has a powerful effect on Cady and in the days after the loss of her twin she tracks down this woman from the waiting room. Her name is Morgan and Cady believes it is no coincidence they were in that waiting room at the same time. Cady believes they can be friends and can console each other in their grief. But does Morgan feel the same way or is Cady going too far to befriend this woman?
This story was not what I was expecting. This character driven psychological thriller is dark and subtlety twisted and completely immersive. I could not look away!
Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on February 3, 2026
October 15, 2025
Using a first person narrative voice, we are thrust into the mind of our protagonist, Cady, who is almost immediately forced to deal with the profound tragedy of losing her identical twin sister. What seemingly transpires is a grief so immense it seems to instantly short-circuit her brain's capacity for appropriate social coping. Because her apparent solution? Replace the deceased twin with a complete stranger, the poor soul she locked eyes with during that fateful day in the hospital waiting room.
What follows is less a story of complicated healing and more of a masterclass in social psychopathy. The fixation is neither relatable nor cute; it's a chillingly efficient psychological home invasion, detailing a swift descent from trauma bond to "needs a restraining order" with unsettling dedication.
What makes this thriller so engrossing is the relentless, almost suffocating tension that permeates every page. The protagonist’s logic is perfectly warped and still you find yourself almost empathetic to her cause … until the final chapter when the all the dots connect with horrifyingly clarity.
What follows is less a story of complicated healing and more of a masterclass in social psychopathy. The fixation is neither relatable nor cute; it's a chillingly efficient psychological home invasion, detailing a swift descent from trauma bond to "needs a restraining order" with unsettling dedication.
What makes this thriller so engrossing is the relentless, almost suffocating tension that permeates every page. The protagonist’s logic is perfectly warped and still you find yourself almost empathetic to her cause … until the final chapter when the all the dots connect with horrifyingly clarity.
September 8, 2025
Good Intentions by Marisa Walz: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story starts with the tragic death of Cady’s twin sister, which serves as the foundation for the entire book. The main character, Cady, is deeply obsessive and unreliable, but I found being in her head more frustrating than anything. She often comes across as miserable, and her reactions to certain events felt overly dramatic or unrealistic at times. Her messy obsessions and choices end up unraveling the people and relationships around her.
The dialogue didn’t always feel natural, which made it hard to connect with the characters or understand their motivations. Some of the twists and plot choices felt a little corny to me, and I had a hard time fully buying into them.
That said, the pacing is quick, making it easy to read. For me, though, the lack of character depth made it hard to feel invested in the story. The ending delivers a surprising twist, but even that wasn’t enough to make up for my overall disconnect with the book.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a review.
The story starts with the tragic death of Cady’s twin sister, which serves as the foundation for the entire book. The main character, Cady, is deeply obsessive and unreliable, but I found being in her head more frustrating than anything. She often comes across as miserable, and her reactions to certain events felt overly dramatic or unrealistic at times. Her messy obsessions and choices end up unraveling the people and relationships around her.
The dialogue didn’t always feel natural, which made it hard to connect with the characters or understand their motivations. Some of the twists and plot choices felt a little corny to me, and I had a hard time fully buying into them.
That said, the pacing is quick, making it easy to read. For me, though, the lack of character depth made it hard to feel invested in the story. The ending delivers a surprising twist, but even that wasn’t enough to make up for my overall disconnect with the book.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a review.
September 11, 2025
I received an e-ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story gripped me from the very beginning with the immediate realization that the main character (Cady) is stalking someone. The book feeds the reader pieces of information as doled out from Cady's point of view while she speaks to her twin sister, Dana. While it is evident that Cady has suffered tremendous loss, she seems to make every situation worse as she insists she knows what is best for the people she thinks she loves. Her codependency and lack of boundaries were appalling, but because it became clear that her intentions were not malicious, I kept wanting to see if/and when she would understand how inappropriate her behavior was. I could have gone without the final twist, but overall, this is what a psychological suspense book is all about.
This story gripped me from the very beginning with the immediate realization that the main character (Cady) is stalking someone. The book feeds the reader pieces of information as doled out from Cady's point of view while she speaks to her twin sister, Dana. While it is evident that Cady has suffered tremendous loss, she seems to make every situation worse as she insists she knows what is best for the people she thinks she loves. Her codependency and lack of boundaries were appalling, but because it became clear that her intentions were not malicious, I kept wanting to see if/and when she would understand how inappropriate her behavior was. I could have gone without the final twist, but overall, this is what a psychological suspense book is all about.
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