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Bad Intentions
The next heart-pounding thriller from bestselling author Iliana Xander.
Josie Boots messed up. Really badly.
So she returns to her small hometown of Burnville to care for her ailing grandmother.
It's been twenty-five years since an unspeakable crime rocked Burnville.
Twenty-five years since her grandmother's trial.
Twenty-two years since her mother's death.
Six years since Josie was called the "bad seed."
Two months since she proved them right.
Josie just can't catch a break.
Maybe, finally, she can find peace in Burnville. But then a stranger shows up, promising to tell Josie all about her family's dark past. When Josie goes to meet him, a brutal crime happens right in front of her eyes.
Josie was born out of secrets, and they all start clawing their way to the surface. They say history repeats itself, except this time, the past isn't repeating, it's hunting her. And it might be deadly.
Josie Boots messed up. Really badly.
So she returns to her small hometown of Burnville to care for her ailing grandmother.
It's been twenty-five years since an unspeakable crime rocked Burnville.
Twenty-five years since her grandmother's trial.
Twenty-two years since her mother's death.
Six years since Josie was called the "bad seed."
Two months since she proved them right.
Josie just can't catch a break.
Maybe, finally, she can find peace in Burnville. But then a stranger shows up, promising to tell Josie all about her family's dark past. When Josie goes to meet him, a brutal crime happens right in front of her eyes.
Josie was born out of secrets, and they all start clawing their way to the surface. They say history repeats itself, except this time, the past isn't repeating, it's hunting her. And it might be deadly.
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 829 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After reading Love, Mom and All Eyes on Him, I was intrigued to see what Iliana Xander would bring with Bad Intentions. This is a psychological thriller with elements of mystery, family drama and suspense, packed with secrets, unanswered questions and revelations.
The story follows Josie, who returns home to care for her dying grandmother. But coming home means being confronted with a past she knows very little about. Her mother died under mysterious circumstances, Josie has never known who her father is, and there are plenty of dark family secrets waiting to be uncovered.
When a stranger contacts Josie and asks to meet so he can reveal secrets about her past, she is understandably anxious. Nevertheless, she agrees to meet him, and perhaps she should have trusted that uneasy feeling. As the truth begins to emerge, events start to escalate, and Josie finds herself caught up in something far more complicated than she could have imagined.
What stood out for me was the way the author slowly revealed Josie’s history. There are plenty of unanswered questions surrounding her family, and I enjoyed trying to piece together what had really happened. The atmosphere also worked well, creating an underlying feeling that there was something much darker lurking beneath the surface.
The biggest issue for me was the beginning. I found the story a little slow to get going, and it took some time before I became fully invested. However, I’m glad I stuck with it because the pace gradually picked up, the tension increased, and the story became much harder to put down as more secrets were revealed.
I also enjoyed Josie as the main character. Her determination to uncover the truth, despite the uncertainty surrounding her past, made her journey interesting to follow. There are moments where you can’t help but wonder whether discovering the truth will actually give her the answers she wants—or create even more problems.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and author Iliana Xander for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: August 25th, 2026
The story follows Josie, who returns home to care for her dying grandmother. But coming home means being confronted with a past she knows very little about. Her mother died under mysterious circumstances, Josie has never known who her father is, and there are plenty of dark family secrets waiting to be uncovered.
When a stranger contacts Josie and asks to meet so he can reveal secrets about her past, she is understandably anxious. Nevertheless, she agrees to meet him, and perhaps she should have trusted that uneasy feeling. As the truth begins to emerge, events start to escalate, and Josie finds herself caught up in something far more complicated than she could have imagined.
What stood out for me was the way the author slowly revealed Josie’s history. There are plenty of unanswered questions surrounding her family, and I enjoyed trying to piece together what had really happened. The atmosphere also worked well, creating an underlying feeling that there was something much darker lurking beneath the surface.
The biggest issue for me was the beginning. I found the story a little slow to get going, and it took some time before I became fully invested. However, I’m glad I stuck with it because the pace gradually picked up, the tension increased, and the story became much harder to put down as more secrets were revealed.
I also enjoyed Josie as the main character. Her determination to uncover the truth, despite the uncertainty surrounding her past, made her journey interesting to follow. There are moments where you can’t help but wonder whether discovering the truth will actually give her the answers she wants—or create even more problems.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and author Iliana Xander for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: August 25th, 2026
September 13, 2026
This book definitely had me suspicious of basically everyone.
Josie returns to her small hometown of Burnville to look after her sick grandmother, but coming home means being surrounded by all the secrets and rumours surrounding her family. Her mother is dead, her grandmother refuses to talk about the past and suddenly a stranger contacts Josie claiming to have answers. Obviously, nothing good comes from that.
I really liked the multiple POVs and dual timeline because we slowly get pieces of the past while trying to figure out how everything connects. There’s stalking, murder, mysterious messages and plenty of secrets to keep you guessing.
The pacing was definitely more slow burn for me, and Karen refusing to tell Josie anything got frustrating at times. But once the story picked up, I flew through it.
Some parts were a little predictable, but the final reveal was definitely wild and managed to surprise me. I also loved the creepy small town atmosphere where everyone knows something but nobody is talking.
This is my second book by Iliana Xander and I’m definitely interested in reading more.
Josie returns to her small hometown of Burnville to look after her sick grandmother, but coming home means being surrounded by all the secrets and rumours surrounding her family. Her mother is dead, her grandmother refuses to talk about the past and suddenly a stranger contacts Josie claiming to have answers. Obviously, nothing good comes from that.
I really liked the multiple POVs and dual timeline because we slowly get pieces of the past while trying to figure out how everything connects. There’s stalking, murder, mysterious messages and plenty of secrets to keep you guessing.
The pacing was definitely more slow burn for me, and Karen refusing to tell Josie anything got frustrating at times. But once the story picked up, I flew through it.
Some parts were a little predictable, but the final reveal was definitely wild and managed to surprise me. I also loved the creepy small town atmosphere where everyone knows something but nobody is talking.
This is my second book by Iliana Xander and I’m definitely interested in reading more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some authors have an absolutely unfair talent for hijacking my entire day, and Iliana Xander has become one of them. I opened Bad Intentions thinking I'd read a few chapters before bed. Instead, my plans, my sleep, and any ounce of self-control completely vanished. I blame the author...and I regret absolutely nothing.
This is exactly the kind of thriller I crave—one that drops you into a mystery immediately, surrounds you with suspicious characters, and makes you question every conversation, every memory, and every seemingly innocent detail. The deeper Josie dug into her family's past, the more I felt like I was peeling back layer after layer of a decades-old wound that had never truly healed.
I absolutely loved Josie. She's messy, vulnerable, stubborn, haunted by mistakes, and trying so hard to outrun a reputation that follows her everywhere. She isn't a perfect heroine, and that's exactly why she feels so real. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning, hoping she'd finally discover the truth that had been stolen from her for most of her life.
Burnville is one of those small towns where everyone smiles, everyone knows everyone else's business, and somehow nobody tells the whole truth. The atmosphere is wonderfully claustrophobic. Every encounter made me suspicious, every new character immediately landed on my mental suspect list, and I changed my theory so many times that I eventually gave up trying to outsmart the author and simply enjoyed the ride. (Spoiler alert: the author still outsmarted me.)
What really impressed me was how naturally the mystery unfolded. The revelations never felt forced or thrown in simply for shock value. Instead, every answer opened another door, revealing deeper family wounds, hidden betrayals, and long-buried secrets that refused to stay buried. The emotional weight behind the mystery made every twist hit even harder because I genuinely cared about what happened to these characters.
The pacing was another huge win. The chapters flew by, constantly tempting me to keep reading. Before I knew it, I was hundreds of pages in, mentally negotiating with myself about when it would be responsible to stop reading. (The answer, apparently, was never.) The tension kept building without losing momentum, and I never felt like the story wandered away from its purpose.
And then came the ending.
Let's just say I wasn't prepared. I thought I had everything neatly figured out, feeling rather proud of myself, only for Iliana Xander to casually remind me who was actually in charge. I love when a thriller surprises me without cheating, and this one absolutely delivered. Everything came together in a satisfying way while still leaving me emotionally rattled.
If you're a fan of small-town mysteries, complicated family dynamics, buried secrets, morally gray characters, and page-turners that refuse to let you put them down, Bad Intentions deserves a spot at the top of your reading list. Iliana Xander is quickly becoming one of those authors whose books I'll request without even reading the synopsis because she clearly knows exactly how to keep my heart racing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this very intriguing page turner's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This is exactly the kind of thriller I crave—one that drops you into a mystery immediately, surrounds you with suspicious characters, and makes you question every conversation, every memory, and every seemingly innocent detail. The deeper Josie dug into her family's past, the more I felt like I was peeling back layer after layer of a decades-old wound that had never truly healed.
I absolutely loved Josie. She's messy, vulnerable, stubborn, haunted by mistakes, and trying so hard to outrun a reputation that follows her everywhere. She isn't a perfect heroine, and that's exactly why she feels so real. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning, hoping she'd finally discover the truth that had been stolen from her for most of her life.
Burnville is one of those small towns where everyone smiles, everyone knows everyone else's business, and somehow nobody tells the whole truth. The atmosphere is wonderfully claustrophobic. Every encounter made me suspicious, every new character immediately landed on my mental suspect list, and I changed my theory so many times that I eventually gave up trying to outsmart the author and simply enjoyed the ride. (Spoiler alert: the author still outsmarted me.)
What really impressed me was how naturally the mystery unfolded. The revelations never felt forced or thrown in simply for shock value. Instead, every answer opened another door, revealing deeper family wounds, hidden betrayals, and long-buried secrets that refused to stay buried. The emotional weight behind the mystery made every twist hit even harder because I genuinely cared about what happened to these characters.
The pacing was another huge win. The chapters flew by, constantly tempting me to keep reading. Before I knew it, I was hundreds of pages in, mentally negotiating with myself about when it would be responsible to stop reading. (The answer, apparently, was never.) The tension kept building without losing momentum, and I never felt like the story wandered away from its purpose.
And then came the ending.
Let's just say I wasn't prepared. I thought I had everything neatly figured out, feeling rather proud of myself, only for Iliana Xander to casually remind me who was actually in charge. I love when a thriller surprises me without cheating, and this one absolutely delivered. Everything came together in a satisfying way while still leaving me emotionally rattled.
If you're a fan of small-town mysteries, complicated family dynamics, buried secrets, morally gray characters, and page-turners that refuse to let you put them down, Bad Intentions deserves a spot at the top of your reading list. Iliana Xander is quickly becoming one of those authors whose books I'll request without even reading the synopsis because she clearly knows exactly how to keep my heart racing.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this very intriguing page turner's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Want to Read
August 17, 2026Josie's family has a bad past. Her grandmother was on trial 25 years ago. Her mother died 22 years ago. Josie is someone who harbors a lot of her own secrets. She's also known as the 'bad seed'. Her life is all crime and no break. Until she meets a stranger who promises to tell her all about her family's dark secrets.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author Iliana Xander for an early copy!
Publication date: August 25, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author Iliana Xander for an early copy!
Publication date: August 25, 2026
September 11, 2026
I loved Love, Mom by this author, so I was really excited to read this one.
Josie heads home after 25 years to care for her ill grandmother. The actions of her family have haunted her. When she returns she accidentally hit a man with her car. Only now she starts to receive strange text messages.
What really happened 25 years ago and how is it connected to her.
This is a popcorn thriller perfect for Freida fans. If you like fast moving twisty thrillers, give it a read. I’m just not the right reader for it, however, others have loved it.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Josie heads home after 25 years to care for her ill grandmother. The actions of her family have haunted her. When she returns she accidentally hit a man with her car. Only now she starts to receive strange text messages.
What really happened 25 years ago and how is it connected to her.
This is a popcorn thriller perfect for Freida fans. If you like fast moving twisty thrillers, give it a read. I’m just not the right reader for it, however, others have loved it.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 11, 2026
Josie Boots is back in Burnville after a disastrous video is aired on social media. In a second her whole career as an aspiring musician is ended and she returns to her home town to lick her wounds and care for the grandmother who raised her.
But with the return come the questions that nobody had answered about her mother and father and what happened 25 years ago. But as she tries to get her life together a man arrives who will throw everything into turmoil for her and all the people in Burnville.
Bad Intentions is a very slow burn novel which I struggled to engage with at times. The characters aren't particularly likeable and the dialogue is quite clunky at times.
If you enjoy a more convoluted murder mystery then this may be for you, there are certainly enough twists and turns along the way. It might not have captured my interest all the way through but it was an interesting premise.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for the digital review copy.
But with the return come the questions that nobody had answered about her mother and father and what happened 25 years ago. But as she tries to get her life together a man arrives who will throw everything into turmoil for her and all the people in Burnville.
Bad Intentions is a very slow burn novel which I struggled to engage with at times. The characters aren't particularly likeable and the dialogue is quite clunky at times.
If you enjoy a more convoluted murder mystery then this may be for you, there are certainly enough twists and turns along the way. It might not have captured my interest all the way through but it was an interesting premise.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for the digital review copy.
September 6, 2026
3.25 Stars
I have mixed feelings on this one. I am starting to see a trend of the type of characters Xander likes to create and I am here for it. However, the amount of character storylines to keep track of is high and I am not sure if all are necessary.
I enjoyed that twisted crazy since of rage instilled in one of the characters in particular but the whole narrative takes small town secrets and blows them to the extreme.
It was fun but it didn't blow me away.
Decent read.
I have mixed feelings on this one. I am starting to see a trend of the type of characters Xander likes to create and I am here for it. However, the amount of character storylines to keep track of is high and I am not sure if all are necessary.
I enjoyed that twisted crazy since of rage instilled in one of the characters in particular but the whole narrative takes small town secrets and blows them to the extreme.
It was fun but it didn't blow me away.
Decent read.
August 28, 2026
I stuck with this because so many reviews mentioned how slow it was to get into, but I never became invested. This is fast-paced on paper, its first person and opens with a hit and run, then there’s a captured girl. Never gives you a reason to care though. No real characters. Lots of filler with lack of proper exposition. There is an entire chapter of her trying to get information out of her grandmother and complaining about how it’s so hard, the whole chapter is just this long exchange and we learn no information.
October 11, 2026
BAD INTENTIONS BY ILIANA XANDER
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
This was a fast read for me.
Short chapters which I love.
Love the cover.
Multiple POVs which is easy to follow along
4 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
This was a fast read for me.
Short chapters which I love.
Love the cover.
Multiple POVs which is easy to follow along
September 26, 2026
This was such a suspenseful and twisty thriller! I was hooked by Josie’s story and all the secrets surrounding her family and the small town of Burnville. The multiple timelines and layers of family history kept me guessing, and I loved how the past slowly began to unravel.
There were plenty of twists and turns, and I definitely found myself questioning who could be trusted. The atmosphere was creepy and unsettling, and the mystery kept me turning the pages to find out what really happened.
A great thriller with family secrets, murder, and plenty of surprises!
There were plenty of twists and turns, and I definitely found myself questioning who could be trusted. The atmosphere was creepy and unsettling, and the mystery kept me turning the pages to find out what really happened.
A great thriller with family secrets, murder, and plenty of surprises!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve read Iliana Xander’s previous books and really enjoyed them, so I was super happy to be approved for this one.
Overall, this was a good read.
The pacing is a mix of slow burn and faster moments, which kept things interesting, even if it dragged a bit here and there.
As the blurb says, Josie returns to her small hometown after a series of misfortunes and while trying to take care of her sick grandmother. Growing up, she’s always heard whispers about her family. Everyone knows bits of what happened to her mother, her father is a mystery and her grandmother has a past that people don’t forget.
And of course… small town = secrets.
Everyone knows everyone, everyone has something to hide and everyone is willing to protect those secrets, no matter what.
Things take a turn when Josie is contacted by a stranger who claims to have answers. And from there? Chaos. We get stalking, murder and a lot of unhinged situations. At one point, everyone is suspicious and you can't really trust anyone either.
That part was really fun to read.
What frustrated me the most though… was Karen, the grandmother.
I understand she wanted to protect Josie and keep things hidden, but the constant refusal to talk, only to suddenly decide “okay, now we talk” after dragging things out… it got annoying. It felt like unnecessary tension at times.
While I found parts of the story a bit predictable, especially with the small-town setup, it didn’t completely take away from the enjoyment AND the final reveal was definitely on the more unhinged side, in a good way and that it really managed to surprise me.
Overall, a solid and entertaining thriller, perfect for a chill night.
⭐ 3.75–4 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the ARC!
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
Overall, this was a good read.
The pacing is a mix of slow burn and faster moments, which kept things interesting, even if it dragged a bit here and there.
As the blurb says, Josie returns to her small hometown after a series of misfortunes and while trying to take care of her sick grandmother. Growing up, she’s always heard whispers about her family. Everyone knows bits of what happened to her mother, her father is a mystery and her grandmother has a past that people don’t forget.
And of course… small town = secrets.
Everyone knows everyone, everyone has something to hide and everyone is willing to protect those secrets, no matter what.
Things take a turn when Josie is contacted by a stranger who claims to have answers. And from there? Chaos. We get stalking, murder and a lot of unhinged situations. At one point, everyone is suspicious and you can't really trust anyone either.
That part was really fun to read.
What frustrated me the most though… was Karen, the grandmother.
I understand she wanted to protect Josie and keep things hidden, but the constant refusal to talk, only to suddenly decide “okay, now we talk” after dragging things out… it got annoying. It felt like unnecessary tension at times.
While I found parts of the story a bit predictable, especially with the small-town setup, it didn’t completely take away from the enjoyment AND the final reveal was definitely on the more unhinged side, in a good way and that it really managed to surprise me.
Overall, a solid and entertaining thriller, perfect for a chill night.
⭐ 3.75–4 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the ARC!
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
June 6, 2026
I read ‘Love, Mom’ at the start of the year & absolutely ate it up! The bar was set high & Iliana Xander did not disappoint👏🏻
This thriller was addictive - I devoured it & struggled to put it down (even when sleep was calling my name🫠) Any book that has the ability to tug at my heart strings one chapter, then absolutely blow my mind the next is a 5⭐️ read for me!
Straight away, this book shocked me so I was immediately drawn in. The change of perspectives & timelines was executed so seamlessly that it was easy to follow. The twists though🤯 My mind was reeling!
If you love a psychological thriller where the secrets are continuously layered, tension builds & revelations make your jaw physically drop, this one’s for you📖
This thriller was addictive - I devoured it & struggled to put it down (even when sleep was calling my name🫠) Any book that has the ability to tug at my heart strings one chapter, then absolutely blow my mind the next is a 5⭐️ read for me!
Straight away, this book shocked me so I was immediately drawn in. The change of perspectives & timelines was executed so seamlessly that it was easy to follow. The twists though🤯 My mind was reeling!
If you love a psychological thriller where the secrets are continuously layered, tension builds & revelations make your jaw physically drop, this one’s for you📖
October 13, 2026
BAD INTENTIONS ~ ILIANA XANDER
Audiobook 9 Hours
Enjoyed this fast past thriller. I loved “Love, Mom” which I read about a year ago.
Bad Intentions was filled with secrets, lies and family drama.
I will definitely keep Ms Xander on my must read list for sure!
Audiobook 9 Hours
Enjoyed this fast past thriller. I loved “Love, Mom” which I read about a year ago.
Bad Intentions was filled with secrets, lies and family drama.
I will definitely keep Ms Xander on my must read list for sure!
August 28, 2026
This book was full of twists! The secrets, the lies, the past coming back to change everything.
July 16, 2026
Iliana Xander can write the craziest stories, and I will enjoy the experience every time. I went into Bad Intentions (mostly) blind, and was instantly trying to figure out what was going on. It starts as a bit of small town drama and suspense, and quickly devolves into a chaos circus with a backstory (complimentary). At no point in this story did I accurately predict where it was headed, and I really enjoyed the twists. The multiple POVs provided so much dimension to the story, and I appreciated seeing events from different perspectives throughout. That epilogue was the perfect final note, and is absolutely required reading.
Bad Intentions releases on August 25, 2026. Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me with an eARC (via Netgalley widget), all thoughts expressed are my own.
Bad Intentions releases on August 25, 2026. Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me with an eARC (via Netgalley widget), all thoughts expressed are my own.
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August 7, 2026Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, for sending me this ARC. Loved her other two books so I am very excited for this one.
Not my favorite of hers, full rtc!
Pub Date Aug 25 2026
Not my favorite of hers, full rtc!
Pub Date Aug 25 2026
September 24, 2026
As this was my first book by Iliana Xander and with that explosive cover and title I was ready for something scandalous. And it delivered.
Written in an easy prose that flows effortlessly, Bad Intentions is a twisty tale about a family with a rather tragic history that's riddled with seemingly endless secrets.
It was entertaining to the point that it kept me up through the night. So, be prepared to dive in deep.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read this ARC.
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Written in an easy prose that flows effortlessly, Bad Intentions is a twisty tale about a family with a rather tragic history that's riddled with seemingly endless secrets.
It was entertaining to the point that it kept me up through the night. So, be prepared to dive in deep.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the chance to read this ARC.
----------
Follow for more of my reviews:
TikTok
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ Rating: 2.5⭐️
🫧 Vibes: everyone knows your business
📚 Would I recommend? meh
💬 tldr thoughts: binge-worthy but it dragged out a bit in the middle
In the package:
📦 dual POVs
📦 secrets
📦 small town
Plot: Josie returns to her small hometown of Burnville to care for her ailing grandmother. But then a stranger shows up, promising to tell Josie all about her family's dark past. When Josie goes to meet him, a brutal crime happens right in front of her eyes.
Thoughts: I adored "Love, Mom" by this author but the last two books have been a miss for me unfortunately 😭 I enjoy the fact that they are fast-paced and easy to binge but I just couldn't get into the plot of this one. The last 25% of the book was the best part and I love Josie's friendship with Rika.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the eARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: everyone knows your business
📚 Would I recommend? meh
💬 tldr thoughts: binge-worthy but it dragged out a bit in the middle
In the package:
📦 dual POVs
📦 secrets
📦 small town
Plot: Josie returns to her small hometown of Burnville to care for her ailing grandmother. But then a stranger shows up, promising to tell Josie all about her family's dark past. When Josie goes to meet him, a brutal crime happens right in front of her eyes.
Thoughts: I adored "Love, Mom" by this author but the last two books have been a miss for me unfortunately 😭 I enjoy the fact that they are fast-paced and easy to binge but I just couldn't get into the plot of this one. The last 25% of the book was the best part and I love Josie's friendship with Rika.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the eARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
October 23, 2026
I have read Iliana's first two books and I absolutely loved them! I had high expectations for this one and let's just say this book did not deliver. I struggled from the first chapter but I guess I did not struggle enough to DNF it.
So the story follows Josie, a young woman who goes back to the small town she comes from, Burnsville, to take care of her ill grandma. Her family history is an enigma to her, because she does not know what truly happened 25 years ago, a tragedy that destroyed many lives including her mom's and her grandmother's. Now, her mom is dead, her grandma is sick and is known around town as an arsonist and as a potential killer. Josie does not know who her father is and she is determined to find out the truth.
Karen is Josie's grandma. Her life was full of ups and downs and that tragic night that happened 25 years ago has left a bad taste in her mouth. But, when the past she tried so hard to keep hidden from her precious little granddaughter becomes a threat to their lives, she realizes that the truth must be told.
As I said, I had really high expectations for this book and it's safe to say I was a bit disappointed. Something was missing in this story and I can't quite put my finger on it. The ending was meh, the whole story was meh and the plot reveal (the villain) was absolutely pointless (in my opinion).
So the story follows Josie, a young woman who goes back to the small town she comes from, Burnsville, to take care of her ill grandma. Her family history is an enigma to her, because she does not know what truly happened 25 years ago, a tragedy that destroyed many lives including her mom's and her grandmother's. Now, her mom is dead, her grandma is sick and is known around town as an arsonist and as a potential killer. Josie does not know who her father is and she is determined to find out the truth.
Karen is Josie's grandma. Her life was full of ups and downs and that tragic night that happened 25 years ago has left a bad taste in her mouth. But, when the past she tried so hard to keep hidden from her precious little granddaughter becomes a threat to their lives, she realizes that the truth must be told.
As I said, I had really high expectations for this book and it's safe to say I was a bit disappointed. Something was missing in this story and I can't quite put my finger on it. The ending was meh, the whole story was meh and the plot reveal (the villain) was absolutely pointless (in my opinion).
July 23, 2026
Recently “cancelled”, Josie Boots returns to her hometown of Burnville to care for her ailing grandmother, Karen. But once she’s back, the town’s old secrets start resurfacing, and it quickly becomes clear she’s not the only one who’s returned… 👀
While Josie’s cancellation certainly gives her another reason to come home alongside Karen’s declining health, it ended up being the one storyline that didn’t quite land for me. There was so much build-up surrounding what had happened that I was expecting a bigger payoff, but it never quite got there.
It was a little slow to get going, but at around the 30% mark everything started falling into place and the pacing took off. From there, I was hooked. The final reveals (and there are quite a few!) were executed fabulously, and I really enjoyed just how twisty this turned out to be.
If you’re after a thriller packed with family secrets, small-town drama and plenty of twists, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up. A fab popcorn thriller!
While Josie’s cancellation certainly gives her another reason to come home alongside Karen’s declining health, it ended up being the one storyline that didn’t quite land for me. There was so much build-up surrounding what had happened that I was expecting a bigger payoff, but it never quite got there.
It was a little slow to get going, but at around the 30% mark everything started falling into place and the pacing took off. From there, I was hooked. The final reveals (and there are quite a few!) were executed fabulously, and I really enjoyed just how twisty this turned out to be.
If you’re after a thriller packed with family secrets, small-town drama and plenty of twists, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up. A fab popcorn thriller!
August 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ **3.5 stars rounded up!**
*Bad Intentions* by Iliana Xander feels like **morning coffee at your Maw-Maw’s house** ☕️🏡 — you’re about to learn ALL the town secrets, uncover the dark hidden past, and probably find out way more than you ever signed up for! 👀☕️🫣
Xander starts off **STRONG** with a hook that had me wanting more immediately — anonymous texts 📱, threats to dig up the past 🕵️♀️, and a hit-and-run 🚗💥 to really seal the deal. Okayyyy… I’m listening! 👀
The story jumps between alternating timelines ⏳, and it quickly becomes clear that the past may be repeating itself… 😬 The middle does drag a bit, though, with the thrills taking a backseat while the **drama meter gets turned ALL the way up** 🎭🔥.
And y’all know me… I’m here for the **fast-paced kills, thrills, and “WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK?!” moments** 😂🔪💀. This one leaned a little heavier into the domestic drama than I typically prefer. There were a couple of things I didn’t see coming 👀, but nothing that had me throwing the book across the room in shock. 😂📖
Still, this was an **easy, enjoyable read** that kept me invested enough to see how everything would unfold. 💕📚
👉 **I’d recommend this one to readers who love their thrillers with a healthy side of EXTRA domestic drama!** 🏡🔪☕️
Thank you to **NetGalley, Iliana Xander, and Poisoned Pen Press** for the ARC and the opportunity to provide my honest feedback! 💜📚✨
*Bad Intentions* by Iliana Xander feels like **morning coffee at your Maw-Maw’s house** ☕️🏡 — you’re about to learn ALL the town secrets, uncover the dark hidden past, and probably find out way more than you ever signed up for! 👀☕️🫣
Xander starts off **STRONG** with a hook that had me wanting more immediately — anonymous texts 📱, threats to dig up the past 🕵️♀️, and a hit-and-run 🚗💥 to really seal the deal. Okayyyy… I’m listening! 👀
The story jumps between alternating timelines ⏳, and it quickly becomes clear that the past may be repeating itself… 😬 The middle does drag a bit, though, with the thrills taking a backseat while the **drama meter gets turned ALL the way up** 🎭🔥.
And y’all know me… I’m here for the **fast-paced kills, thrills, and “WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK?!” moments** 😂🔪💀. This one leaned a little heavier into the domestic drama than I typically prefer. There were a couple of things I didn’t see coming 👀, but nothing that had me throwing the book across the room in shock. 😂📖
Still, this was an **easy, enjoyable read** that kept me invested enough to see how everything would unfold. 💕📚
👉 **I’d recommend this one to readers who love their thrillers with a healthy side of EXTRA domestic drama!** 🏡🔪☕️
Thank you to **NetGalley, Iliana Xander, and Poisoned Pen Press** for the ARC and the opportunity to provide my honest feedback! 💜📚✨
August 29, 2026
I had a good time reading Bad Intentions, the first book I've read by Iliana Xander. I enjoyed that the chapters were told from different female characters' perspectives. The story revolves around bad events that affected three generations of women. These women deal with teenage desires, bullying, jealousy, female competition, and insecurities. Josie returns to her hometown running from something scandalous, and we're not immediately told what - loved the build-up. Grandma is an ex-con, and we learn the reason, as the story unfolds. We're introduced to a man named Derek Sickler, who seems like a bad man at face value, but is face value ever 100 percent? Iliana Xander penned true-to-life characters with fears, flaws, lies, mistakes, and yes, bad intentions. If you enjoy reading about sociopaths in psychological thrillers, this is a must-read. I couldn't put it down, and there were surprising revelations right up to the end. #Badintentions #NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC
September 21, 2026
This was such a fun read. I was instantly sucked in and fell in love with Josie. She is messy and quite the character. She had a rough go at life, and she thought she had escaped, only to end up back home after a very humiliating video made it online. This is a family drama of sorts with a mystery element tucked in as well. I enjoyed Rika. She was quite the opposite to Josie and you could see that they would end up together, but the reveals along the way were surprising and made me question whether or not that would work out. I enjoyed that the pacing was fast and I just ended up flying through the pages. Overall I really had a good time reading this one and I cannot wait to read what this author publishes next.
October 3, 2026
Bad Intentions was a mixed bag for me. The slow pacing, writing style and repetitive story made the beginning drag, but once it picked up I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
The messy family drama, and twists kept me invested, even if the ending felt predictable. Not a five star read, but an entertaining thriller I’d still recommend to the right reader.
Thank you to NetGalley, Iliana Xander and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC!
The messy family drama, and twists kept me invested, even if the ending felt predictable. Not a five star read, but an entertaining thriller I’d still recommend to the right reader.
Thank you to NetGalley, Iliana Xander and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC!
August 29, 2026
If you liked love, mom you’ll really like this one! Many unexpected turns!
July 29, 2026
I enjoy these authors books, they are easy to read, fast paced, catchy thrillers with down to earth characters. Out of the three books i’ve read, this plot took me longer to get into. At the half way mark i grew invested in the characters and enjoyed watching the scenes unfold. An auto read author if you enjoy easy to read thrillers with twisty surprises
July 9, 2026
2.5⭐️ This was a little slow to get into and kind of felt all over the place. I wasn’t sure where this book was going, different things kept happening, time frames were back and forth without any warning, there was no rhyme or reason as to whose POV was next, it was just really messy. I feel like the ending pulled itself together to find out what actually happened, but then there’s just another piece of plot dropped at the end and then the end. Idk, prob wouldn’t recommend.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for my ARC!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for my ARC!
August 7, 2026
Bad Intentions
By Iliana Xander
Pub Date: August 25, 2026
I was approved to read this ARC by Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley, and this is my third book by Iliana Xander. I’ve really enjoy her writing style.
I’m usually not a fan of multiple POVs, but this one was easy to follow. I specifically enjoyed Rika’s character.
Bad Intentions is set in a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business—except for the details surrounding a 25-year-old murder. The story follows a dual timeline, alternating between 25 years ago and the present day.
There are family secrets spanning generations, and while this isn’t a fast-paced read, it definitely kept me interested. I really enjoyed seeing everything come together in the final chapters and loved how all the pieces of the story connected.
Btw… DON’T skip the epilogue! 👀
By Iliana Xander
Pub Date: August 25, 2026
I was approved to read this ARC by Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley, and this is my third book by Iliana Xander. I’ve really enjoy her writing style.
I’m usually not a fan of multiple POVs, but this one was easy to follow. I specifically enjoyed Rika’s character.
Bad Intentions is set in a small town where everyone knows everyone’s business—except for the details surrounding a 25-year-old murder. The story follows a dual timeline, alternating between 25 years ago and the present day.
There are family secrets spanning generations, and while this isn’t a fast-paced read, it definitely kept me interested. I really enjoyed seeing everything come together in the final chapters and loved how all the pieces of the story connected.
Btw… DON’T skip the epilogue! 👀
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 ⭐️⭐️ Wow! Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the pre-release read of this title! What a wild ride! My first Iliana Xander book and it did not disappoint 👏 The book was fast paced and nice short easy to read chapters. Told from different POVs with alternating time lines. You think you know and then BAM, you don't! Kept me guessing and kept me up reading way past my bedtime lol. Definitely recommend this book for a good, face paced thriller that keeps you wondering "who done it?".
August 31, 2026
Thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC copy .
Oh my this was wonderful even better than love mom and that was pretty amazing. There is a lot of intrigue and build up where you are guessing and theorising who did what etc and what actually happened. Then from the middle of the book it is slowly unravelled with a satisfying conclusion. There is a great character build up and its nice that not every character you assume would be nice was infact not. It gave a sense of realism as not everyone leads a good life. The great switching of points of viee but all timely and not yoo many characters. A few twists some guessed some not so much and even if you did its the details thay flesh it out.
A must read , gripping suspense thriller
Oh my this was wonderful even better than love mom and that was pretty amazing. There is a lot of intrigue and build up where you are guessing and theorising who did what etc and what actually happened. Then from the middle of the book it is slowly unravelled with a satisfying conclusion. There is a great character build up and its nice that not every character you assume would be nice was infact not. It gave a sense of realism as not everyone leads a good life. The great switching of points of viee but all timely and not yoo many characters. A few twists some guessed some not so much and even if you did its the details thay flesh it out.
A must read , gripping suspense thriller
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