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Bad Intentions
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Expected 25 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 01:27:15
20 copies available
U.S. only
*PRE-ORDER NOW! A BRAND NEW, TWIST-A-MINUTE THRILLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF INTERNATIONAL SENSATION LOVE, MOM*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...
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...
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
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📖
June 26, 2026
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of Bad Intentions! This one was a win for me and earned a solid 4 stars. It hooked me from the very first chapter and kept me invested the entire time. I really enjoyed the dual POVs, they added depth to the story and kept the suspense building.
Rika ended up being one of my favorite side characters. She brought so much to the story, and her friendship with Josie added another layer that made the plot even more engaging. I also spent the entire book worried about grandma and desperately hoping she'd be okay… like that stressed me outttt. The epilogue is what truly ties everything together, so whatever you do, don't skip it. It reveals a key piece of the story that makes the ending even more satisfying.
Rika ended up being one of my favorite side characters. She brought so much to the story, and her friendship with Josie added another layer that made the plot even more engaging. I also spent the entire book worried about grandma and desperately hoping she'd be okay… like that stressed me outttt. The epilogue is what truly ties everything together, so whatever you do, don't skip it. It reveals a key piece of the story that makes the ending even more satisfying.
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?".
June 28, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and Poison Press for the ARC of this title.
I went into this one totally blind, not knowing what to expect. I loved the last book I read by the author so I had high hopes. The story intrigued me from the beginning. I was invested in Josie and Karen and what they were both hiding. It was a bit slow but the ending was full of twists and turns. Some were easy to guess but others were not. This was a quick read and kept my attention but not my fav. 3.5 stars
I went into this one totally blind, not knowing what to expect. I loved the last book I read by the author so I had high hopes. The story intrigued me from the beginning. I was invested in Josie and Karen and what they were both hiding. It was a bit slow but the ending was full of twists and turns. Some were easy to guess but others were not. This was a quick read and kept my attention but not my fav. 3.5 stars
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!
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!
June 17, 2026
Bad Intentions, a sort of mystery/murder mystery
After a viral video got her "cancelled" and her grandmother being sick, FMC Josie is back in her hometown of Burnville, somewhere she did not plan to move back to. There are so many secrets from her past, and since her Grandmother refuses to give the details, Josie makes the decision to meet a stranger to get to the truth. But, she never quite makes his acquaintance, and then the twists and turns keep coming until Josie finally learns the truth about what happened 25 years ago.
I really enjoyed the dual POV we get with Josie, and her grandmother. The super slow reveal of this murder mystery made the book unputdownable! I felt for Josie, because I too would want so desperately to know what actually happened with the rumors of her mom and grandmother and murder swirling about. Meeting an anonymous stranger at night seems a bit risky though, and poor Josie finds herself back on the same roller coaster her mom and grandmother were on 25 years ago. It seems like the ghosts of the past never really left, and are there to get their own kind of sick and twisted revenge.
Rika is a great character, and fast friend to Josie, someone she really needed to help her through the mess. As Josie gets deeper into the mystery, she herself ends up getting caught right in the middle of yet another murder mystery.
The end was quite interesting, as it revealed even more about one of the characters that nobody expected!!
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"It’s a split-second, I’m-going-to-leave-so-no-one-will-know-I-was-here-and-things-will-be-fine decision. The kind often made on reflex when you end up in crappy situations that might involve law enforcement."
"But this sound replaying in my brain is much worse. Because I wasn’t the one in the car. I watched it happen. That sound had texture. The slurping of the rain. The dull blow of the impact. And something else, like bones breaking, a person’s flesh being smashed, the insides being mangled. The skull cracking against the pavement…"
"Bad idea? Probably. But bad ideas are often something that we thought we could handle, only to find out later we didn’t even have a chance."
"I promised myself I’d never forgive the betrayal all those years ago. But the person I called is the only one who knows everything that happened that fateful night of the fire."
"How do you tell a dead body from a prop? The smell."
"Sometimes, beautiful things are born out of terrible secrets. Go figure."
After a viral video got her "cancelled" and her grandmother being sick, FMC Josie is back in her hometown of Burnville, somewhere she did not plan to move back to. There are so many secrets from her past, and since her Grandmother refuses to give the details, Josie makes the decision to meet a stranger to get to the truth. But, she never quite makes his acquaintance, and then the twists and turns keep coming until Josie finally learns the truth about what happened 25 years ago.
I really enjoyed the dual POV we get with Josie, and her grandmother. The super slow reveal of this murder mystery made the book unputdownable! I felt for Josie, because I too would want so desperately to know what actually happened with the rumors of her mom and grandmother and murder swirling about. Meeting an anonymous stranger at night seems a bit risky though, and poor Josie finds herself back on the same roller coaster her mom and grandmother were on 25 years ago. It seems like the ghosts of the past never really left, and are there to get their own kind of sick and twisted revenge.
Rika is a great character, and fast friend to Josie, someone she really needed to help her through the mess. As Josie gets deeper into the mystery, she herself ends up getting caught right in the middle of yet another murder mystery.
The end was quite interesting, as it revealed even more about one of the characters that nobody expected!!
Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"It’s a split-second, I’m-going-to-leave-so-no-one-will-know-I-was-here-and-things-will-be-fine decision. The kind often made on reflex when you end up in crappy situations that might involve law enforcement."
"But this sound replaying in my brain is much worse. Because I wasn’t the one in the car. I watched it happen. That sound had texture. The slurping of the rain. The dull blow of the impact. And something else, like bones breaking, a person’s flesh being smashed, the insides being mangled. The skull cracking against the pavement…"
"Bad idea? Probably. But bad ideas are often something that we thought we could handle, only to find out later we didn’t even have a chance."
"I promised myself I’d never forgive the betrayal all those years ago. But the person I called is the only one who knows everything that happened that fateful night of the fire."
"How do you tell a dead body from a prop? The smell."
"Sometimes, beautiful things are born out of terrible secrets. Go figure."
July 12, 2026
I received Bad Intentions by Iliana Xander as an ARC. Thank you to Iliana Xander, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
After returning to her small hometown of Burnville to care for her ailing grandmother, Josie hopes to finally find some peace. But Burnville is filled with dark secrets, and Josie’s family has been at the center of them for decades. When a stranger offers to reveal the truth about her family’s past, Josie agrees to meet him—only to witness a brutal crime. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, Josie realizes the past isn’t just repeating itself… it’s coming after her.
The first book I read by Iliana Xander was Love, Mom, and I absolutely loved it. I’m so happy to say that Bad Intentions did not disappoint. Just like her previous novel, this is a gripping thriller that is incredibly hard to put down.
Iliana Xander has a way of pulling readers in from the very first page. She masterfully drops just enough breadcrumbs throughout the story to keep you guessing while making it impossible to stop reading. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another clue or twist had me second-guessing myself.
This was one of those books that had me staying up way too late because I needed to know what happened next—and then reaching for it again first thing in the morning. If you’re a fan of fast-paced thrillers filled with family secrets, suspense, and twists, this is one you’ll definitely want to pick up.
After returning to her small hometown of Burnville to care for her ailing grandmother, Josie hopes to finally find some peace. But Burnville is filled with dark secrets, and Josie’s family has been at the center of them for decades. When a stranger offers to reveal the truth about her family’s past, Josie agrees to meet him—only to witness a brutal crime. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, Josie realizes the past isn’t just repeating itself… it’s coming after her.
The first book I read by Iliana Xander was Love, Mom, and I absolutely loved it. I’m so happy to say that Bad Intentions did not disappoint. Just like her previous novel, this is a gripping thriller that is incredibly hard to put down.
Iliana Xander has a way of pulling readers in from the very first page. She masterfully drops just enough breadcrumbs throughout the story to keep you guessing while making it impossible to stop reading. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another clue or twist had me second-guessing myself.
This was one of those books that had me staying up way too late because I needed to know what happened next—and then reaching for it again first thing in the morning. If you’re a fan of fast-paced thrillers filled with family secrets, suspense, and twists, this is one you’ll definitely want to pick up.
July 13, 2026
I expected this one to be more fast-paced, like Iliana’s previous books, but it was a much slower burn. It didn’t really pick up until around the 70% mark, and for much of the story I found myself wondering where it was heading. At times, the plot felt a little scattered.
Once it reached the final third, though, everything came together. The pace ramped up, and the ending delivered plenty of twists that made the slower buildup worthwhile. The story is told through multiple POVs and shifts between the past and present, which kept me engaged throughout. If you enjoy small-town crime thrillers with layered mysteries, this one will likely be right up your alley.
Josie Boots never knew her mother.
But everyone in the small town of Burnville had heard the rumours.
Raised by her grandmother, Karen, Josie has always wanted to know the truth behind the whispers.
Who was her father? How did her mother die? And what really happened twenty-five years ago that led to a local man found dead, and Karen being accused of murder?
The Boots family have a bad reputation. Karen has never revealed the family’s secrets – but Josie is tired of waiting. So when a stranger reaches out offering her answers, she jumps at the chance to meet him.
But in Burnville, when you start digging up the past, you risk setting the whole town alight...
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Publication date : Aug 25, 2026
Once it reached the final third, though, everything came together. The pace ramped up, and the ending delivered plenty of twists that made the slower buildup worthwhile. The story is told through multiple POVs and shifts between the past and present, which kept me engaged throughout. If you enjoy small-town crime thrillers with layered mysteries, this one will likely be right up your alley.
Josie Boots never knew her mother.
But everyone in the small town of Burnville had heard the rumours.
Raised by her grandmother, Karen, Josie has always wanted to know the truth behind the whispers.
Who was her father? How did her mother die? And what really happened twenty-five years ago that led to a local man found dead, and Karen being accused of murder?
The Boots family have a bad reputation. Karen has never revealed the family’s secrets – but Josie is tired of waiting. So when a stranger reaches out offering her answers, she jumps at the chance to meet him.
But in Burnville, when you start digging up the past, you risk setting the whole town alight...
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Publication date : Aug 25, 2026
June 29, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned press for this advanced arc! This book had me hooked from the start! I loved the chaos and the intensity! This whole book was a super trip down crazy lane! This is the first book I have read from this author and I will for sure be grabbing all the others.
Josie has made a huge mistake and ends up going back to her small town she grew up in to cower and reel from the backlash of being cancelled. Now that she is home taking care of her ill grandmother. Things start happening that pertain to her past, her mother grandmother had secrets and now Josie is having to watch her back as secrets start to surface.
This book was so good I soaked it up in one sitting! If you are looking for a fly by flash thriller. This is it!
Josie has made a huge mistake and ends up going back to her small town she grew up in to cower and reel from the backlash of being cancelled. Now that she is home taking care of her ill grandmother. Things start happening that pertain to her past, her mother grandmother had secrets and now Josie is having to watch her back as secrets start to surface.
This book was so good I soaked it up in one sitting! If you are looking for a fly by flash thriller. This is it!
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.
June 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC.
After reading Love, Mom last year, I was hoping Iliana Xander would deliver another great thriller with Bad Intentions—and she absolutely did. This was a fast-paced, gripping read from start to finish. The story is told through multiple perspectives and timelines, but it’s structured in a way that’s easy to follow and keeps the suspense building. I’m always drawn to small-town settings filled with secrets, and this one delivered exactly that. I highly recommend it!
After reading Love, Mom last year, I was hoping Iliana Xander would deliver another great thriller with Bad Intentions—and she absolutely did. This was a fast-paced, gripping read from start to finish. The story is told through multiple perspectives and timelines, but it’s structured in a way that’s easy to follow and keeps the suspense building. I’m always drawn to small-town settings filled with secrets, and this one delivered exactly that. I highly recommend it!
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!
June 12, 2026
Iliana’s first two books were fast-paced popcorn thrillers so when I picked this one up I was hoping for the same read in a day type of book. Unfortunately, this fell more into the slow burn category for me.
Bad Intentions starts right in the middle of a pretty dramatic scene with little to no explanation. The rest of the book seemed disjointed with alternating POV and timelines without the time period listed in the chapter title.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Bad Intentions starts right in the middle of a pretty dramatic scene with little to no explanation. The rest of the book seemed disjointed with alternating POV and timelines without the time period listed in the chapter title.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
June 28, 2026
Yet another winner from this author!
The smaller the town the bigger the secrets and that holds true for Burnsville. This book kept me guessing until the end and then the final chapter still has me thinking. Wow!
The smaller the town the bigger the secrets and that holds true for Burnsville. This book kept me guessing until the end and then the final chapter still has me thinking. Wow!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⚠️ Spoiler warning! ⚠️
I want to thank Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy to review.
I don't even know where to begin with this one. The premise sounded like exactly the kind of thriller I usually enjoy: family secrets, murders, a small town haunted by the past. Instead, I found myself wondering whether the mystery would ever actually begin, and then once I realized there wasn't really a mystery I was just begging for it to be over.
The first thirty-five pages are painfully slow, and even after that the novel spends an incredible amount of time repeating the same information without adding anything new. At 17%, I realized I'd already read the same complaints, the same conversations, and the same observations multiple times. The writing feels circular, constantly revisiting ideas instead of moving the story forward.
Unfortunately, the characters don't help.
Josie is one of the most unlikeable protagonists I've read in a long time. She looks down on everyone from small towns simply because she moved to the big city a couple of years ago (and now she's back with her tail between her legs, mind you), stereotypes people constantly, complains about the same things over and over again, and somehow manages to act both superior and irrational at the same time. Her behaviour changes whenever the plot needs it to, so I never had any sense of who she actually was.
The relationship between Josie and Rika was equally frustrating. For two women in their twenties who are convinced they're superior to everyone around them, they spend an astonishing amount of time behaving like teenagers. Their constant drama quickly became exhausting. Even worse, the novel initially builds obvious sexual tension between them, flirting and all—only to later reveal they're half-sisters. I don't think that revelation has the effect the author intended.
The dialogue doesn't sound like anything real people would ever say. Characters constantly repeat each other's names during conversations, over and over again. Nobody talks like that.
Then there are the editing problems.
The novel mentions technology available in the early 2000s that simply wasn't available at the time. A minor but distracting issue. More frustrating are the continuity errors. Karen heavily implies at one point that Josie and Rika share the same father, yet later reacts with complete shock when DNA confirms exactly that. Either she knew or she didn't. It can't be both.
The mystery itself never worked for me because every supposed twist felt obvious long before it arrived. It reminded me of a novel desperately trying to become the next Gone Girl without understanding what made Gone Girl work in the first place.
The investigation also requires you to ignore... well... almost everything you know about police procedure. Apparently Steve, the chief of police, is perfectly happy to risk his career—and potentially prison—by illegally entering someone's home without a warrant, interrogating a suspect improperly, and even discussing planting evidence to secure an arrest.
The novel also relies heavily on shock value. There is an uncomfortable amount of slut-shaming throughout the story, and several sex scenes read like they wandered in from badly written fanfiction. The humour tries very hard to be clever, but more often than not it simply made me cringe.
And speaking of cringe... If Mallory had called Josie "Bootsie" one more time, I might have thrown my Kobo out the window.
The ending somehow manages to become even more confusing than everything leading up to it. We're apparently supposed to believe that a group of seventy-year-old grandmothers have enough firearms hidden in their homes to make Jack Bauer jealous. Karen's cancer seems to improve overnight simply because Derek dies. It is revealed that Derek is in fact run over with a car at the beginning, just like Josie witnessed, left for dead, somehow survives, and returns to Mallory's house to die there instead. How did he survive being run over by Donna's car? I genuinely don't understand the sequence of events or how things worked out or how some characters got to point A to point B and everything that happened in between.
I also don't understand why Karen and Donna stopped speaking for thirty years, because the explanation never really arrives. After Victoria and Alysha find Dougie, what happens exactly that Donna and Karen stop talking for years and apparently hate each other? I think the author wanted Victoria to end up dying and Donna blaming Karen and she wrote the first chapters with that in mind, but then she went with another idea and Dougie died instead.
Speaking of Dougie, his family is mentioned several times at the beginning and it seems like it's building up to them being a big part of the story because they hold a grudge, but nothing really happens, they don't even appear once.
Then comes the epilogue. Connor, who was mentioned in passing like once 150 pages ago and if I recall correctly Josie implied she would have tried to have sex with him if she weren't trying to approach Rika, suddenly possesses investigative abilities that seem to surpass the FBI simply because he works in IT. Somehow he discovers everything, somehow he knows Mallory was responsible, somehow he learns Derek is dead, somehow he finds out that Derek has fathered more children than Captain von Trapp had in The Sound of Music (the only part I find sort of believable), but it is never explained how he put two and two together. He just did.
None of it feels earned. Nothing ties together. Nothing really makes sense.
By the time I reached the final fifty pages, my main question was no longer "Who did it?" but "How much longer is this book?"
This wasn't just a disappointing thriller—it was the worst book I've read this year. I'm genuinely relieved it's over. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
I want to thank Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy to review.
I don't even know where to begin with this one. The premise sounded like exactly the kind of thriller I usually enjoy: family secrets, murders, a small town haunted by the past. Instead, I found myself wondering whether the mystery would ever actually begin, and then once I realized there wasn't really a mystery I was just begging for it to be over.
The first thirty-five pages are painfully slow, and even after that the novel spends an incredible amount of time repeating the same information without adding anything new. At 17%, I realized I'd already read the same complaints, the same conversations, and the same observations multiple times. The writing feels circular, constantly revisiting ideas instead of moving the story forward.
Unfortunately, the characters don't help.
Josie is one of the most unlikeable protagonists I've read in a long time. She looks down on everyone from small towns simply because she moved to the big city a couple of years ago (and now she's back with her tail between her legs, mind you), stereotypes people constantly, complains about the same things over and over again, and somehow manages to act both superior and irrational at the same time. Her behaviour changes whenever the plot needs it to, so I never had any sense of who she actually was.
The relationship between Josie and Rika was equally frustrating. For two women in their twenties who are convinced they're superior to everyone around them, they spend an astonishing amount of time behaving like teenagers. Their constant drama quickly became exhausting. Even worse, the novel initially builds obvious sexual tension between them, flirting and all—only to later reveal they're half-sisters. I don't think that revelation has the effect the author intended.
The dialogue doesn't sound like anything real people would ever say. Characters constantly repeat each other's names during conversations, over and over again. Nobody talks like that.
Then there are the editing problems.
The novel mentions technology available in the early 2000s that simply wasn't available at the time. A minor but distracting issue. More frustrating are the continuity errors. Karen heavily implies at one point that Josie and Rika share the same father, yet later reacts with complete shock when DNA confirms exactly that. Either she knew or she didn't. It can't be both.
The mystery itself never worked for me because every supposed twist felt obvious long before it arrived. It reminded me of a novel desperately trying to become the next Gone Girl without understanding what made Gone Girl work in the first place.
The investigation also requires you to ignore... well... almost everything you know about police procedure. Apparently Steve, the chief of police, is perfectly happy to risk his career—and potentially prison—by illegally entering someone's home without a warrant, interrogating a suspect improperly, and even discussing planting evidence to secure an arrest.
The novel also relies heavily on shock value. There is an uncomfortable amount of slut-shaming throughout the story, and several sex scenes read like they wandered in from badly written fanfiction. The humour tries very hard to be clever, but more often than not it simply made me cringe.
And speaking of cringe... If Mallory had called Josie "Bootsie" one more time, I might have thrown my Kobo out the window.
The ending somehow manages to become even more confusing than everything leading up to it. We're apparently supposed to believe that a group of seventy-year-old grandmothers have enough firearms hidden in their homes to make Jack Bauer jealous. Karen's cancer seems to improve overnight simply because Derek dies. It is revealed that Derek is in fact run over with a car at the beginning, just like Josie witnessed, left for dead, somehow survives, and returns to Mallory's house to die there instead. How did he survive being run over by Donna's car? I genuinely don't understand the sequence of events or how things worked out or how some characters got to point A to point B and everything that happened in between.
I also don't understand why Karen and Donna stopped speaking for thirty years, because the explanation never really arrives. After Victoria and Alysha find Dougie, what happens exactly that Donna and Karen stop talking for years and apparently hate each other? I think the author wanted Victoria to end up dying and Donna blaming Karen and she wrote the first chapters with that in mind, but then she went with another idea and Dougie died instead.
Speaking of Dougie, his family is mentioned several times at the beginning and it seems like it's building up to them being a big part of the story because they hold a grudge, but nothing really happens, they don't even appear once.
Then comes the epilogue. Connor, who was mentioned in passing like once 150 pages ago and if I recall correctly Josie implied she would have tried to have sex with him if she weren't trying to approach Rika, suddenly possesses investigative abilities that seem to surpass the FBI simply because he works in IT. Somehow he discovers everything, somehow he knows Mallory was responsible, somehow he learns Derek is dead, somehow he finds out that Derek has fathered more children than Captain von Trapp had in The Sound of Music (the only part I find sort of believable), but it is never explained how he put two and two together. He just did.
None of it feels earned. Nothing ties together. Nothing really makes sense.
By the time I reached the final fifty pages, my main question was no longer "Who did it?" but "How much longer is this book?"
This wasn't just a disappointing thriller—it was the worst book I've read this year. I'm genuinely relieved it's over. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
★★★★
“That was it. That was how we always thought of it—this is our town, we ran it, we protected it. Law and justice are not always the same. In small towns, we prefer justice.”
The Boots women are well known in their hometown of Burnville, as famous as they are notorious. Josie, the youngest of the Boots women, left Burnville to pursue a promising music career, but when a video shared on social media threatens to end it before it truly begins, she returns home to care for her grandmother, Karen "K," whose health has been steadily declining. K raised Josie after her mother died of an overdose 22 years ago.
Back in Burnville, Josie is determined to uncover the truth about the past, especially what really happened 25 years ago when K stood trial for murder. Almost immediately after her return, a mysterious stranger approaches her, promising answers. But it quickly becomes clear that Josie's homecoming has stirred up old secrets, and someone is desperate to keep the crimes they believed buried for the past 25 years from resurfacing.
“My story is that I was never there.
I was never there.
I was never there.”
I adored Love, Mom, so my expectations for this release were sky high!
I loved this female cast so much! Josie is deeply shaped by her past, the loss of her mother, and the rumors that have followed her family for years. Returning home might seem like giving up, but the notorious Boots women have never had it easy in Burnville. Beneath Josie's uncertainty is a quiet resilience that shines through. Karen, or K, immediately reminded me of Gemma Teller Morrow, a former bar owner with a no-nonsense attitude who refuses to take crap from anyone. Then there's Rika, a free spirit and the perfect complement to Josie. She felt like this generation's K.
The male cast, though... wow.
“Things were happening around him, accidents of all kinds to anyone who crossed his path.”
The male lead is incredibly frustrating to read about. Kudos to Iliana Xander for creating a character you can't help but hate while constantly wondering what everyone else sees in him. That's about all I can say without giving too much away...
I especially loved the female solidarity, the fierce commitment to looking out for and protecting one another, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise oppressive small-town setting. And those twists? They were so well done! Even in the final pages, I had no idea where the story was heading. Needless to say, I am already excited to see what Iliana Xander writes next.
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Iliana Xander for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
“That was it. That was how we always thought of it—this is our town, we ran it, we protected it. Law and justice are not always the same. In small towns, we prefer justice.”
The Boots women are well known in their hometown of Burnville, as famous as they are notorious. Josie, the youngest of the Boots women, left Burnville to pursue a promising music career, but when a video shared on social media threatens to end it before it truly begins, she returns home to care for her grandmother, Karen "K," whose health has been steadily declining. K raised Josie after her mother died of an overdose 22 years ago.
Back in Burnville, Josie is determined to uncover the truth about the past, especially what really happened 25 years ago when K stood trial for murder. Almost immediately after her return, a mysterious stranger approaches her, promising answers. But it quickly becomes clear that Josie's homecoming has stirred up old secrets, and someone is desperate to keep the crimes they believed buried for the past 25 years from resurfacing.
“My story is that I was never there.
I was never there.
I was never there.”
I adored Love, Mom, so my expectations for this release were sky high!
I loved this female cast so much! Josie is deeply shaped by her past, the loss of her mother, and the rumors that have followed her family for years. Returning home might seem like giving up, but the notorious Boots women have never had it easy in Burnville. Beneath Josie's uncertainty is a quiet resilience that shines through. Karen, or K, immediately reminded me of Gemma Teller Morrow, a former bar owner with a no-nonsense attitude who refuses to take crap from anyone. Then there's Rika, a free spirit and the perfect complement to Josie. She felt like this generation's K.
The male cast, though... wow.
“Things were happening around him, accidents of all kinds to anyone who crossed his path.”
The male lead is incredibly frustrating to read about. Kudos to Iliana Xander for creating a character you can't help but hate while constantly wondering what everyone else sees in him. That's about all I can say without giving too much away...
I especially loved the female solidarity, the fierce commitment to looking out for and protecting one another, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise oppressive small-town setting. And those twists? They were so well done! Even in the final pages, I had no idea where the story was heading. Needless to say, I am already excited to see what Iliana Xander writes next.
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Iliana Xander for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
disclaimer: this book was read as an ARC via NetGalley, thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and author. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts & opinions are mine.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS
this was such an addicting read! it's told in 3 POVs in a dual timeline, highlighting all the ways that the past has affected the Boots women. Josie Boots moved back to her hometown to take care of her grandmother, Karen. after an online video got her "canceled" & finding out her grandmother has cancer, Josie finds herself back in the town that bullied & looked down on her for her family's past. 25 years ago, Karen Boots was a single mother and trying her best to make sure her daughter, Alysha, ends up better than her. until a man shows up in town and derails everything she'd been working hard for. now that same man, and the bad that comes with him, is plaguing Josie. both women end up with far more than they bargained for.
i respect Karen. while we can think about how she could have been harder on Alysha, you understood her reasons for why she chose to navigate things the way she did. she was a mother who really did her absolute best with the cards she was dealt. Alysha was a teenager who did whatever she wanted; reckless, not thinking of consequences or how it affected other people. i felt bad for how you can tell, even without her saying it, Karen carried an immense amount of guilt. it's in the way Josie explains her demeanor and how Karen chose to "mother" her.
i also felt bad for Josie. deep down, she was just a girl who wanted answers and not the vague answers Karen gave her. especially since Josie had to live in the shadows of both her grandmother's & mother's past, i think she deserved the clarity she so desperately wanted. but i mean... that wouldn't have made for an interesting story, right?
while i was locked in from the beginning, it's after the halfway mark where things really take a turn. everything you thought you knew you're now questioning. then it all smacks you in the face towards the end, and i verbally said "WTF!?"-way more than once. it's completely unhinged! you feel a ton of emotions in a span of a few chapters, and i had to pick my jaw off the floor. again, UNHINGED! it's a reminder to beware of how you treat other people & how you make them feel, because you'll never know if they have BAD INTENTIONS!
do i recommend? DUH. absolutely! Iliana Xander has another hit on her hands. i truly applaud her ability in creating a story that immerses you into these fictional characters' lives and plot twists that'll have you staring at the wall at the end of the book. literally, the last page!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS
this was such an addicting read! it's told in 3 POVs in a dual timeline, highlighting all the ways that the past has affected the Boots women. Josie Boots moved back to her hometown to take care of her grandmother, Karen. after an online video got her "canceled" & finding out her grandmother has cancer, Josie finds herself back in the town that bullied & looked down on her for her family's past. 25 years ago, Karen Boots was a single mother and trying her best to make sure her daughter, Alysha, ends up better than her. until a man shows up in town and derails everything she'd been working hard for. now that same man, and the bad that comes with him, is plaguing Josie. both women end up with far more than they bargained for.
i respect Karen. while we can think about how she could have been harder on Alysha, you understood her reasons for why she chose to navigate things the way she did. she was a mother who really did her absolute best with the cards she was dealt. Alysha was a teenager who did whatever she wanted; reckless, not thinking of consequences or how it affected other people. i felt bad for how you can tell, even without her saying it, Karen carried an immense amount of guilt. it's in the way Josie explains her demeanor and how Karen chose to "mother" her.
i also felt bad for Josie. deep down, she was just a girl who wanted answers and not the vague answers Karen gave her. especially since Josie had to live in the shadows of both her grandmother's & mother's past, i think she deserved the clarity she so desperately wanted. but i mean... that wouldn't have made for an interesting story, right?
while i was locked in from the beginning, it's after the halfway mark where things really take a turn. everything you thought you knew you're now questioning. then it all smacks you in the face towards the end, and i verbally said "WTF!?"-way more than once. it's completely unhinged! you feel a ton of emotions in a span of a few chapters, and i had to pick my jaw off the floor. again, UNHINGED! it's a reminder to beware of how you treat other people & how you make them feel, because you'll never know if they have BAD INTENTIONS!
do i recommend? DUH. absolutely! Iliana Xander has another hit on her hands. i truly applaud her ability in creating a story that immerses you into these fictional characters' lives and plot twists that'll have you staring at the wall at the end of the book. literally, the last page!
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.
June 5, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the Arc
Let’s start with the small-town drama because I am absolutely here for it. From the very beginning, this book pulled me in and refused to let go. Every character seemed to be hiding something, every interaction felt important, and the atmosphere had me questioning absolutely everything.
The twists just kept twisting. Every time I thought I had figured out what was going on, Iliana Xander proved me wrong. The plot was plotting, and I found myself constantly changing my theories as new information came to light. What I loved most was that the twists weren’t there just for shock value—they were well placed and made perfect sense once all the pieces finally came together.
That OMG last chapter? I did not see that coming. Not even a little. And then the epilogue somehow managed to top it. My jaw literally dropped, and I was left staring at my Kindle trying to process what had just happened. It’s the kind of ending that makes you want to immediately message someone who has read it so you can talk about it.
The suspense was perfectly paced, the secrets were layered, and the tension built with every chapter. Just when I thought I had uncovered the truth, another reveal would send me spiraling in a completely different direction. The small-town setting added so much to the story because everyone seemed connected, yet no one could be fully trusted.
I’ve loved every single one of Iliana Xander’s books, but I genuinely believe this one has taken the number one spot for me. It showcases everything she does so well: compelling characters, addictive pacing, shocking reveals, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.
If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that make you question everything, keep you up way past your bedtime, and leave you speechless by the final page, Bad Intentions needs to be on your TBR immediately. This is easily one of my favorite reads of the year and will be one of my top recommendations to anyone looking for a truly unforgettable psychological thriller.
Let’s start with the small-town drama because I am absolutely here for it. From the very beginning, this book pulled me in and refused to let go. Every character seemed to be hiding something, every interaction felt important, and the atmosphere had me questioning absolutely everything.
The twists just kept twisting. Every time I thought I had figured out what was going on, Iliana Xander proved me wrong. The plot was plotting, and I found myself constantly changing my theories as new information came to light. What I loved most was that the twists weren’t there just for shock value—they were well placed and made perfect sense once all the pieces finally came together.
That OMG last chapter? I did not see that coming. Not even a little. And then the epilogue somehow managed to top it. My jaw literally dropped, and I was left staring at my Kindle trying to process what had just happened. It’s the kind of ending that makes you want to immediately message someone who has read it so you can talk about it.
The suspense was perfectly paced, the secrets were layered, and the tension built with every chapter. Just when I thought I had uncovered the truth, another reveal would send me spiraling in a completely different direction. The small-town setting added so much to the story because everyone seemed connected, yet no one could be fully trusted.
I’ve loved every single one of Iliana Xander’s books, but I genuinely believe this one has taken the number one spot for me. It showcases everything she does so well: compelling characters, addictive pacing, shocking reveals, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.
If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that make you question everything, keep you up way past your bedtime, and leave you speechless by the final page, Bad Intentions needs to be on your TBR immediately. This is easily one of my favorite reads of the year and will be one of my top recommendations to anyone looking for a truly unforgettable psychological thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bad Intentions by Iliana Xander is a twisty small-town thriller that serves as a helpful reminder that every family has secrets. Some families hide embarrassing photos. The Boots family appears to be hiding several decades of trauma, rumors, murder accusations, and enough dysfunction to keep a therapist employed for life.
Josie Boots returns to Burnville hoping to uncover the truth about her family's past. Unfortunately for her, Burnville is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone else's business, yet somehow nobody knows anything useful. The more Josie digs, the more she discovers that some secrets were buried for a reason.
The real strength of this novel is the atmosphere. Burnville feels claustrophobic, gossipy, and packed with people who know far more than they're willing to admit. The family mystery unfolds layer by layer, and just when I thought I had things figured out, Xander happily yanked the rug out from under me.
I also enjoyed Josie as a protagonist. She's determined, flawed, and makes enough questionable decisions to keep the plot moving without crossing into "please hand me your car keys and phone" territory. In a genre filled with characters who ignore every red flag waving directly in their faces, that alone deserves recognition.
The reason this lands at four stars instead of five is that the sheer number of twists occasionally felt like the book was determined to keep one step ahead of the reader at all costs. A few revelations hit harder than others, and toward the end I found myself wishing certain emotional moments had been given a little more room to breathe.
That said, I flew through this book. It's packed with family drama, buried secrets, small-town gossip, suspicious strangers, and enough surprises to keep the pages turning. If you enjoy thrillers where everyone seems to be hiding something and every answer creates three new questions, Bad Intentions is well worth picking up.
So, if a stranger suddenly appears offering to explain your family's dark history, maybe don't go meet them...alone...in the dark.
Josie Boots returns to Burnville hoping to uncover the truth about her family's past. Unfortunately for her, Burnville is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone else's business, yet somehow nobody knows anything useful. The more Josie digs, the more she discovers that some secrets were buried for a reason.
The real strength of this novel is the atmosphere. Burnville feels claustrophobic, gossipy, and packed with people who know far more than they're willing to admit. The family mystery unfolds layer by layer, and just when I thought I had things figured out, Xander happily yanked the rug out from under me.
I also enjoyed Josie as a protagonist. She's determined, flawed, and makes enough questionable decisions to keep the plot moving without crossing into "please hand me your car keys and phone" territory. In a genre filled with characters who ignore every red flag waving directly in their faces, that alone deserves recognition.
The reason this lands at four stars instead of five is that the sheer number of twists occasionally felt like the book was determined to keep one step ahead of the reader at all costs. A few revelations hit harder than others, and toward the end I found myself wishing certain emotional moments had been given a little more room to breathe.
That said, I flew through this book. It's packed with family drama, buried secrets, small-town gossip, suspicious strangers, and enough surprises to keep the pages turning. If you enjoy thrillers where everyone seems to be hiding something and every answer creates three new questions, Bad Intentions is well worth picking up.
So, if a stranger suddenly appears offering to explain your family's dark history, maybe don't go meet them...alone...in the dark.
June 26, 2026
Thank you to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for providing me an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This was my very first ARC, so I was beyond excited to receive it, especially as I already have a few of this author’s other books on my TBR. After finishing it, I’m definitely encouraged to read more of her work.
This is very much a slow burn thriller, with the pacing gradually building before really picking up around the halfway mark. Once it picked up , I was much more invested and keen to see how everything would unfold, and I wasn’t disappointed. Xander did a great job of keeping secrets from the reader, making the reveals all the more satisfying.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the cast of characters. Each felt memorable in their own way, but the family dynamics stood out to me the most, particularly Josie’s relationship with her Granny Karen. Their bond felt authentic and added an emotional layer that I wasn’t expecting from a thriller. There were a few moments between them that genuinely made me stop and reflect on my own family and certain life experiences.
As someone with dyslexia, a book’s writing style can make a huge difference to my reading experience. I found the writing here to be straightforward and easy to follow, making it an accessible read throughout. I did notice a few small errors here and there, but that’s to be expected with an ARC and it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment.
Overall, while this wasn’t quite a standout thriller for me due to the slower pacing in the first half, I still enjoyed the journey and appreciated the balance between suspense and emotional depth. If you’re a fan of slower building thrillers with strong family relationships, high emotional stakes, and plenty of twists and turns along the way, I think this one is well worth picking up. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
This is very much a slow burn thriller, with the pacing gradually building before really picking up around the halfway mark. Once it picked up , I was much more invested and keen to see how everything would unfold, and I wasn’t disappointed. Xander did a great job of keeping secrets from the reader, making the reveals all the more satisfying.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the cast of characters. Each felt memorable in their own way, but the family dynamics stood out to me the most, particularly Josie’s relationship with her Granny Karen. Their bond felt authentic and added an emotional layer that I wasn’t expecting from a thriller. There were a few moments between them that genuinely made me stop and reflect on my own family and certain life experiences.
As someone with dyslexia, a book’s writing style can make a huge difference to my reading experience. I found the writing here to be straightforward and easy to follow, making it an accessible read throughout. I did notice a few small errors here and there, but that’s to be expected with an ARC and it didn’t affect my overall enjoyment.
Overall, while this wasn’t quite a standout thriller for me due to the slower pacing in the first half, I still enjoyed the journey and appreciated the balance between suspense and emotional depth. If you’re a fan of slower building thrillers with strong family relationships, high emotional stakes, and plenty of twists and turns along the way, I think this one is well worth picking up. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Josie left Pittsburg to help her grandma who lives in small town Burnville. Burnville has a tragic history dating back twenty-five years ago when an incident involving her mom and grandmother became headline news.
…
Josie was raised by her grandmother, but the second she graduated from high school her grandma couldn’t send her away fast enough. It was to protect her. Now that Josie is back a man has been trying to give her information. Turns out he’s a dangerous man.
…
Bad Intentions by Iliana Xander is about Josie following the path to the truth about the incident that took place twenty-five years ago. It’s following Josie around weighing her down. Small towns carry with them a slew of secrets from which you can’t hide from. Josie thought she could hide from her big city problems in a small town thinking they wouldn’t get wind about her incident. Now her families secrets are catching up with her.
…
When the story focuses on the past I’m locked in. The idle small town charm isn’t so charming when my mind is focused on the past. Unless the day-to-day activities leads to answers about the past I’m not much interested.
…
Bad Intentions is a small town crime thriller. Focusing on a cold case with the wrong person accused. This person had a bad reputation for getting in trouble. Burnville is considered a sluggish, emotionally dull, and socially isolating environment where people lack excitement or forward-thinking perspectives. Strangers are unwelcome especially ones who cause trouble for the locals.
…
The story switched from the present to the past without notice. The only indication you were reading about the past is when the chapters were titled Karen. Bad Intentions is giving me cozy reader vibes. Things became interesting when Mallory entered the story. Long gone the cozy vibes enter the craziness. Knowing the secret and motives make this read great. What I struggled with was the writing style. The concept was great the delivery needed some tweaking.
…
Josie was raised by her grandmother, but the second she graduated from high school her grandma couldn’t send her away fast enough. It was to protect her. Now that Josie is back a man has been trying to give her information. Turns out he’s a dangerous man.
…
Bad Intentions by Iliana Xander is about Josie following the path to the truth about the incident that took place twenty-five years ago. It’s following Josie around weighing her down. Small towns carry with them a slew of secrets from which you can’t hide from. Josie thought she could hide from her big city problems in a small town thinking they wouldn’t get wind about her incident. Now her families secrets are catching up with her.
…
When the story focuses on the past I’m locked in. The idle small town charm isn’t so charming when my mind is focused on the past. Unless the day-to-day activities leads to answers about the past I’m not much interested.
…
Bad Intentions is a small town crime thriller. Focusing on a cold case with the wrong person accused. This person had a bad reputation for getting in trouble. Burnville is considered a sluggish, emotionally dull, and socially isolating environment where people lack excitement or forward-thinking perspectives. Strangers are unwelcome especially ones who cause trouble for the locals.
…
The story switched from the present to the past without notice. The only indication you were reading about the past is when the chapters were titled Karen. Bad Intentions is giving me cozy reader vibes. Things became interesting when Mallory entered the story. Long gone the cozy vibes enter the craziness. Knowing the secret and motives make this read great. What I struggled with was the writing style. The concept was great the delivery needed some tweaking.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Josie left Pittsburg to help her grandma who lives in small town Burnville. Burnville has a tragic history dating back twenty-five years ago when an incident involving her mom and grandmother became headline news.
…
Josie was raised by her grandmother, but the second she graduated from high school her grandma couldn’t send her away fast enough. It was to protect her. Now that Josie is back a man has been trying to give her information. Turns out he’s a dangerous man.
…
Bad Intentions by Iliana Xander is about Josie following the path to the truth about the incident that took place twenty-five years ago. It’s following Josie around weighing her down. Small towns carry with them a slew of secrets from which you can’t hide from. Josie thought she could hide from her big city problems in a small town thinking they wouldn’t get wind about her incident. Now her families secrets are catching up with her.
…
When the story focuses on the past I’m locked in. The idle small town charm isn’t so charming when my mind is focused on the past. Unless the day-to-day activities leads to answers about the past I’m not much interested.
…
Bad Intentions is a small town crime thriller. Focusing on a cold case with the wrong person accused. This person had a bad reputation for getting in trouble. Burnville is considered a sluggish, emotionally dull, and socially isolating environment where people lack excitement or forward-thinking perspectives. Strangers are unwelcome especially ones who cause trouble for the locals.
…
The story switched from the present to the past without notice. The only indication you were reading about the past is when the chapters were titled Karen. Bad Intentions is giving me cozy reader vibes. Things became interesting when Mallory entered the story. Long gone the cozy vibes enter the craziness. Knowing the secret and motives make this read great. What I struggled with was the writing style. The concept was great the delivery needed some tweaking.
…
Josie was raised by her grandmother, but the second she graduated from high school her grandma couldn’t send her away fast enough. It was to protect her. Now that Josie is back a man has been trying to give her information. Turns out he’s a dangerous man.
…
Bad Intentions by Iliana Xander is about Josie following the path to the truth about the incident that took place twenty-five years ago. It’s following Josie around weighing her down. Small towns carry with them a slew of secrets from which you can’t hide from. Josie thought she could hide from her big city problems in a small town thinking they wouldn’t get wind about her incident. Now her families secrets are catching up with her.
…
When the story focuses on the past I’m locked in. The idle small town charm isn’t so charming when my mind is focused on the past. Unless the day-to-day activities leads to answers about the past I’m not much interested.
…
Bad Intentions is a small town crime thriller. Focusing on a cold case with the wrong person accused. This person had a bad reputation for getting in trouble. Burnville is considered a sluggish, emotionally dull, and socially isolating environment where people lack excitement or forward-thinking perspectives. Strangers are unwelcome especially ones who cause trouble for the locals.
…
The story switched from the present to the past without notice. The only indication you were reading about the past is when the chapters were titled Karen. Bad Intentions is giving me cozy reader vibes. Things became interesting when Mallory entered the story. Long gone the cozy vibes enter the craziness. Knowing the secret and motives make this read great. What I struggled with was the writing style. The concept was great the delivery needed some tweaking.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have very mixed feelings about this one because there were parts I really enjoyed, but others that just didn't work for me.
The book opens with an incredibly intense scene that immediately had me hooked. My heart was racing, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Unfortunately, after such a strong start, the pacing slowed down quite a bit. A large portion of the middle relies on text messages and conversations, and while they helped build the mystery, I found myself wanting more suspense and action. It wasn't until the final 70 pages that the story really picked up again and delivered the tension I had been hoping for.
I loved Karen and Donna because honestly were they the best at handling their kids? No. But did they do whatever they could to protect them? Yes. And I loved seeing that. Josie was a character I felt bad for because she lost her mom, never has met her dad, and is about to lose her grandma from cancer. She is going through a rough part of her life but her friendship with Rika truly was precious. I can’t say much on it but I’m so glad they have each other.
One thing I will say is that the twist genuinely caught me off guard. I didn't see it coming, and I appreciated finally learning the truth about what happened all those years ago. The backstory added some much needed depth and made the reveal feel worthwhile.
My biggest disappointment was the ending. Without giving anything away, it felt a little too convenient and unrealistic for everything that had happened leading up to it. I was hoping for a conclusion that packed a bigger emotional punch, but instead it left me feeling slightly underwhelmed.
Overall, I enjoyed parts of this book. While the pacing and ending kept it from becoming a favorite, I still think thriller fans who enjoy slow burn mysteries with an unexpected twist may find a lot to like here.
I have very mixed feelings about this one because there were parts I really enjoyed, but others that just didn't work for me.
The book opens with an incredibly intense scene that immediately had me hooked. My heart was racing, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Unfortunately, after such a strong start, the pacing slowed down quite a bit. A large portion of the middle relies on text messages and conversations, and while they helped build the mystery, I found myself wanting more suspense and action. It wasn't until the final 70 pages that the story really picked up again and delivered the tension I had been hoping for.
I loved Karen and Donna because honestly were they the best at handling their kids? No. But did they do whatever they could to protect them? Yes. And I loved seeing that. Josie was a character I felt bad for because she lost her mom, never has met her dad, and is about to lose her grandma from cancer. She is going through a rough part of her life but her friendship with Rika truly was precious. I can’t say much on it but I’m so glad they have each other.
One thing I will say is that the twist genuinely caught me off guard. I didn't see it coming, and I appreciated finally learning the truth about what happened all those years ago. The backstory added some much needed depth and made the reveal feel worthwhile.
My biggest disappointment was the ending. Without giving anything away, it felt a little too convenient and unrealistic for everything that had happened leading up to it. I was hoping for a conclusion that packed a bigger emotional punch, but instead it left me feeling slightly underwhelmed.
Overall, I enjoyed parts of this book. While the pacing and ending kept it from becoming a favorite, I still think thriller fans who enjoy slow burn mysteries with an unexpected twist may find a lot to like here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2026
This was the definition of a popcorn thriller. Easy to read, entertaining, and full of small-town secrets.
Josie returns to her hometown after an embarrassing video goes viral and turns her life upside down. While caring for her dying grandmother, she becomes caught up in uncovering the truth behind a 25-year-old mystery that has haunted the town for decades.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)
Thoughts 💭
The premise hooked me straight away. Small-town secrets, a decades-old mystery, family drama, and buried secrets finally coming to the surface? It had everything I look for in a thriller.
Karen was easily my favourite character. She was spunky, unapologetically herself, and so easy to root for. I also loved her friendship with Donna, which added some really nice moments to the story.
The short chapters made this such a quick read, and although it’s definitely a slow burn, the pace really picked up around the halfway mark. Once it did, I was flying through the pages. The twists were a lot of fun too, and by the end the story went in some wonderfully chaotic directions that I didn’t see coming.
One aspect that didn’t fully resonate with me was the writing style. At times, the dialogue felt a little unnatural, and there were moments that pulled me out of the story.
The book also jumps between multiple timelines and POVs, and in the beginning I found it difficult to work out where I was because the chapter headings didn’t clearly indicate whether we were in the past or present. I also wasn’t completely sold on the epilogue and the way it tied into the final twist.
Overall, this was an entertaining mystery that delivered exactly what I wanted from a popcorn thriller. It wasn’t perfect, but it kept me turning the pages and I’d happily pick up another book by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the review!
Josie returns to her hometown after an embarrassing video goes viral and turns her life upside down. While caring for her dying grandmother, she becomes caught up in uncovering the truth behind a 25-year-old mystery that has haunted the town for decades.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)
Thoughts 💭
The premise hooked me straight away. Small-town secrets, a decades-old mystery, family drama, and buried secrets finally coming to the surface? It had everything I look for in a thriller.
Karen was easily my favourite character. She was spunky, unapologetically herself, and so easy to root for. I also loved her friendship with Donna, which added some really nice moments to the story.
The short chapters made this such a quick read, and although it’s definitely a slow burn, the pace really picked up around the halfway mark. Once it did, I was flying through the pages. The twists were a lot of fun too, and by the end the story went in some wonderfully chaotic directions that I didn’t see coming.
One aspect that didn’t fully resonate with me was the writing style. At times, the dialogue felt a little unnatural, and there were moments that pulled me out of the story.
The book also jumps between multiple timelines and POVs, and in the beginning I found it difficult to work out where I was because the chapter headings didn’t clearly indicate whether we were in the past or present. I also wasn’t completely sold on the epilogue and the way it tied into the final twist.
Overall, this was an entertaining mystery that delivered exactly what I wanted from a popcorn thriller. It wasn’t perfect, but it kept me turning the pages and I’d happily pick up another book by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the review!
June 27, 2026
I was so excited to have been authorised for an ARC. Having read both Love, Mom and Man of the year, Iliana has become an author who is an automatic read.
Bad intentions is a small town, murder mystery/ thriller. Josie who was an upcoming singer and was “cancelled” due to a viral video returns home to care for her sick grandma. Josie doesn’t know much about where she came from, her mother passed away, her grandmother was jailed and she doesn’t know who her father is. Josie receives a text from a a stranger who promises to tell her everything but is ran over in front of her eyes as she goes to meet him.
I really enjoyed the dual POV between Josie and her grandmother Karen. The story line was fast paced however I felt there was still plenty of character development which didn’t feel rushed. I also liked the switching between present day and the past. I sometimes find when there are multiple points of view and switching between present and past I can lose track of what’s going on. I didn’t find this at all with this book.
Whilst some people hate the term popcorn thriller that is how I would describe this book. Perfect for those that like an easy read, love a thriller with a good twist but without any heavy/ triggering storylines.
The small piece of feedback I would have was with regards to the viral video that had Josie “cancelled”. There was quite a build up as to what had her cancelled so was expecting more detail/ something more shocking that resulted in a lot of backlash. When the reason she was cancelled was revealed it was a little underwhelming.
Other than that another awesome book from Iliana. Thanks you Poisoned Pen Press, Iliana Xander and NetGalley for an ARC.
Bad intentions is a small town, murder mystery/ thriller. Josie who was an upcoming singer and was “cancelled” due to a viral video returns home to care for her sick grandma. Josie doesn’t know much about where she came from, her mother passed away, her grandmother was jailed and she doesn’t know who her father is. Josie receives a text from a a stranger who promises to tell her everything but is ran over in front of her eyes as she goes to meet him.
I really enjoyed the dual POV between Josie and her grandmother Karen. The story line was fast paced however I felt there was still plenty of character development which didn’t feel rushed. I also liked the switching between present day and the past. I sometimes find when there are multiple points of view and switching between present and past I can lose track of what’s going on. I didn’t find this at all with this book.
Whilst some people hate the term popcorn thriller that is how I would describe this book. Perfect for those that like an easy read, love a thriller with a good twist but without any heavy/ triggering storylines.
The small piece of feedback I would have was with regards to the viral video that had Josie “cancelled”. There was quite a build up as to what had her cancelled so was expecting more detail/ something more shocking that resulted in a lot of backlash. When the reason she was cancelled was revealed it was a little underwhelming.
Other than that another awesome book from Iliana. Thanks you Poisoned Pen Press, Iliana Xander and NetGalley for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mothers’ instincts often override logic, morals, and the law, regardless of whether their children are saints or sinners.
Bad Intentions by Iliana Xander taught me one crucial thing: unraveling deeply rooted secrets often comes with a price to pay, even when it’s not yours to bear. Just like our main character, Josie, who returns to her hometown of Burnville to help her grandmother, only to find herself haunted by the past as one horrible thing after another unfolds.
I can’t fully blame her because if it were me? I’d be curious too. This is where good communication could have made all the difference.
I want to share what I loved most right away. First, it’s Josie! I like that she’s described as quiet, introverted, and kind. She’s not meek in my eyes, and that’s refreshing. Kind of relatable, too, since I share the first two traits. Undeniably reckless, though—but that’s a discussion for another day.
As for the overall plot and prose, I’d give this a solid 4.5/5 stars. The pacing is great, and the author’s voice? So easy to get lost in. I found myself reading for hours despite my pile of assignments because everything flowed so naturally.
The use of Gen Z slang here and there (not too much) surprised me a little, but I think it makes sense since it comes from a younger character. It didn’t bother me much anyway because the impactful one-liners easily overshadowed it.
Here are a few more quotes to convince you to pick up this book:
“Law and justice are not always the same. In small towns, we prefer justice.”
“Sometimes, beautiful things are born out of terrible secrets. Go figure.”
“You see, my _ _ _ _ _ _ had a thing for pretty women and money.”
Bad Intentions by Iliana Xander taught me one crucial thing: unraveling deeply rooted secrets often comes with a price to pay, even when it’s not yours to bear. Just like our main character, Josie, who returns to her hometown of Burnville to help her grandmother, only to find herself haunted by the past as one horrible thing after another unfolds.
I can’t fully blame her because if it were me? I’d be curious too. This is where good communication could have made all the difference.
I want to share what I loved most right away. First, it’s Josie! I like that she’s described as quiet, introverted, and kind. She’s not meek in my eyes, and that’s refreshing. Kind of relatable, too, since I share the first two traits. Undeniably reckless, though—but that’s a discussion for another day.
As for the overall plot and prose, I’d give this a solid 4.5/5 stars. The pacing is great, and the author’s voice? So easy to get lost in. I found myself reading for hours despite my pile of assignments because everything flowed so naturally.
The use of Gen Z slang here and there (not too much) surprised me a little, but I think it makes sense since it comes from a younger character. It didn’t bother me much anyway because the impactful one-liners easily overshadowed it.
Here are a few more quotes to convince you to pick up this book:
“Law and justice are not always the same. In small towns, we prefer justice.”
“Sometimes, beautiful things are born out of terrible secrets. Go figure.”
“You see, my _ _ _ _ _ _ had a thing for pretty women and money.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I do like a thriller that turns family secrets into a slow-burning fuse, and Bad Intentions lit mine early and kept it burning. Josie Boots is coming off a very public fall from grace when she returns to Burnville to care for her ailing grandmother, only to find that the town's oldest, ugliest secrets have been waiting for her right along with the casseroles and cold stares.
Josie herself is the book's biggest strength. I've never been "canceled," but we've all felt the burn of online hostility, and it made her an easy narrator to root for even when she was making questionable choices. Xander surrounds her with a town full of people who are, almost without exception, nasty, guarded, and sitting on secrets they'd rather die than share — and a few of them very nearly do.
The plotting is where this book really earns its keep. I guessed one of the central twists fairly early, which normally would have deflated some of the suspense, but Xander had two more twists in reserve that I never saw coming, and the way the third one brings the denouement was genuinely satisfying.
What I appreciated most was the moral murkiness at the book's core: the idea that a community might choose its own version of justice over the law, and that this choice ripples down through generations in ways nobody quite intends. It's not a subtle theme, but it's an effective one, and it gives the mystery real emotional weight rather than just plot mechanics.
A big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
@PoisonedPenPress @NetGalley @BadIntentions
Josie herself is the book's biggest strength. I've never been "canceled," but we've all felt the burn of online hostility, and it made her an easy narrator to root for even when she was making questionable choices. Xander surrounds her with a town full of people who are, almost without exception, nasty, guarded, and sitting on secrets they'd rather die than share — and a few of them very nearly do.
The plotting is where this book really earns its keep. I guessed one of the central twists fairly early, which normally would have deflated some of the suspense, but Xander had two more twists in reserve that I never saw coming, and the way the third one brings the denouement was genuinely satisfying.
What I appreciated most was the moral murkiness at the book's core: the idea that a community might choose its own version of justice over the law, and that this choice ripples down through generations in ways nobody quite intends. It's not a subtle theme, but it's an effective one, and it gives the mystery real emotional weight rather than just plot mechanics.
A big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
@PoisonedPenPress @NetGalley @BadIntentions
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Release: August 25, 2026
Author: Iliana Xander
Publisher: Poisoned Press
Rating: 4.25★
This was a gripping small-town thriller that blended family secrets, generational trauma, and murder into an unforgettable mystery. The suspense built steadily as the past collided with the present, and I was constantly questioning who could be trusted. Josie’s complicated history made her an engaging protagonist, and the twists kept me hooked until the very end.
This book suits someone in the mood for something: dark, mysterious, tense
Pace: fast
Mainly plot or character driven? a mix
Is there strong character development? yes
Do you find the characters loveable? it’s complicated
Is the cast of characters diverse? it’s complicated
Are character flaws a main focus? yes
Main themes, topics, tropes: small-town secrets, family secrets, generational trauma, murder mystery, troubled protagonist
After making a life-altering mistake, Josie Boots returned to her hometown to care for her grandmother, hoping the familiar surroundings would offer a chance to rebuild her life. Instead, an encounter with a stranger reopened decades-old wounds surrounding her family’s notorious past, and a shocking act of violence thrust her into the center of a deadly mystery. As long-buried truths surfaced, Josie realized the secrets that had shaped her family were far from buried—and that confronting them might cost her everything.
#BadIntentions #ARCReview #PsychologicalThriller #BookTokThriller #SmallTownMystery #MysteryBooks
Favorite Quote:
“Josie was born out of secrets, and they all start clawing their way to the surface.”
Author: Iliana Xander
Publisher: Poisoned Press
Rating: 4.25★
This was a gripping small-town thriller that blended family secrets, generational trauma, and murder into an unforgettable mystery. The suspense built steadily as the past collided with the present, and I was constantly questioning who could be trusted. Josie’s complicated history made her an engaging protagonist, and the twists kept me hooked until the very end.
This book suits someone in the mood for something: dark, mysterious, tense
Pace: fast
Mainly plot or character driven? a mix
Is there strong character development? yes
Do you find the characters loveable? it’s complicated
Is the cast of characters diverse? it’s complicated
Are character flaws a main focus? yes
Main themes, topics, tropes: small-town secrets, family secrets, generational trauma, murder mystery, troubled protagonist
After making a life-altering mistake, Josie Boots returned to her hometown to care for her grandmother, hoping the familiar surroundings would offer a chance to rebuild her life. Instead, an encounter with a stranger reopened decades-old wounds surrounding her family’s notorious past, and a shocking act of violence thrust her into the center of a deadly mystery. As long-buried truths surfaced, Josie realized the secrets that had shaped her family were far from buried—and that confronting them might cost her everything.
#BadIntentions #ARCReview #PsychologicalThriller #BookTokThriller #SmallTownMystery #MysteryBooks
Favorite Quote:
“Josie was born out of secrets, and they all start clawing their way to the surface.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Iliana Xander has done it again. I was hooked from the very first chapter and genuinely didn't want to put it down.
The story follows a young singer returning to her hometown looking for answers about her past. What starts as a search for the truth quickly unravels into something she never expected.
One thing I absolutely love is a strong female character, and this book has them by the bucket load. Rika, Josie and Ma Boots were all brilliant in their own unique ways. On the flip side, Iliana has an amazing talent for creating characters I absolutely despised... which just proves how well they're written!
The multiple POVs were so cleverly done and kept me completely invested. Personally I love the alternating timelines.
I love a book that keeps me guessing and leaves me audibly gasping at the twists. Each time I thought I'd figured it out or recovered from a twist, another complete 180 came along. They just kept coming right until the very last page, and I absolutely loved every second of it.
Just like with Love Mom, the epilogue tied up every single loose end. I finished the book feeling completely satisfied, with all my questions answered. That's one of the things I love most about Iliana's books.
An easy five-star read from me. If you love psychological thrillers with brilliant characters, twists that just keep coming, and a story that'll have you saying "just one more chapter" until the early hours of the morning, then this absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.
A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Iliana Xander has done it again. I was hooked from the very first chapter and genuinely didn't want to put it down.
The story follows a young singer returning to her hometown looking for answers about her past. What starts as a search for the truth quickly unravels into something she never expected.
One thing I absolutely love is a strong female character, and this book has them by the bucket load. Rika, Josie and Ma Boots were all brilliant in their own unique ways. On the flip side, Iliana has an amazing talent for creating characters I absolutely despised... which just proves how well they're written!
The multiple POVs were so cleverly done and kept me completely invested. Personally I love the alternating timelines.
I love a book that keeps me guessing and leaves me audibly gasping at the twists. Each time I thought I'd figured it out or recovered from a twist, another complete 180 came along. They just kept coming right until the very last page, and I absolutely loved every second of it.
Just like with Love Mom, the epilogue tied up every single loose end. I finished the book feeling completely satisfied, with all my questions answered. That's one of the things I love most about Iliana's books.
An easy five-star read from me. If you love psychological thrillers with brilliant characters, twists that just keep coming, and a story that'll have you saying "just one more chapter" until the early hours of the morning, then this absolutely deserves a place on your TBR.
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