Good Intentions Review

by Brenda K. Davies

"Good Intentions" by Brenda K. Davies kicks off The Road to Hell series. It's a paranormal romance set in a post-apocalyptic world split by a wall, starring River, a human woman with unique powers, and Kobal, a demon king.

Plot Summary

In this world divided by a wall after a war, River ends up in a risky zone where she meets Kobal, a demon aiming to take down Lucifer. Being stuck together sparks a powerful, forbidden attraction as he trains her to harness her powers, which are crucial for his plan. 

Character Development

Davies does a great job crafting characters that really connect with readers. The main character's journey of self-discovery and her interactions with other characters add layers to the story. Each character is thoughtfully developed, with their own goals and backstories that enrich the narrative.

Themes

The novel dives into a bunch of themes, like:

• Enemies-to-lovers: The whole light versus dark thing is a big deal in the story. As the characters deal with their differences and misunderstandings, they start to see each other in a new light, leading to some surprising feelings and personal growth.

• Love and Sacrifice: Relationships are all about support and growth, and sometimes you have to make sacrifices to show how much you care. Love and sacrifice go hand in hand, adding meaning and purpose to our lives. Getting this balance right helps us build deeper connections.

• Identity: The main character's journey to figure out who they are amidst all the chaos is something everyone can relate to. It's about understanding yourself in a world that's all over the place. The ups and downs highlight how complicated finding your identity can be, making readers think about their own paths in this crazy world.

Book Series

• Book 1: Good Intentions

  • River: Thirteen years have passed since the war started, bombs fell, and the central states became a thing of the past.

• Book 2: Carved

  • River: As the perilous journey across a country I believed destroyed begins, I no longer know who I am or what I’m becoming.

• Book 3: The Road

  • River: Standing at the entrance to Hell, two things are evident: I have no idea what I’m doing, and the gateway is not closing.

• Book 4: Into Hell

  • River: When I find myself face to face with Lucifer, I realize what he wants from me could annihilate Hell and Earth.

*Sourced from https://www.brendakdavies.com/my-books/

Review

"Good Intentions" is an awesome read that mixes fantasy, romance, and some deep moral questions. The two main characters are amazing—they have sizzling chemistry throughout, and I absolutely loved them both. I felt everything River and the super-hot King of Hell, Kobal, went through—their pain and worries. The background characters were all fantastic too, and I can't wait to learn more about them in the upcoming books. Davies' descriptions of the demons were super intriguing, making them come alive with unique personalities and traits. This book is written in a unique way and is a blast to read. Watching the relationships develop and seeing River grow from someone trying to fit in to someone who embraces her true self makes it hard to put down! I'm totally aware that I'm still in the dark about a lot of things, including the full extent of both Kobal and River's powers, but I can't wait to keep going with this story to see how they'll take down their enemy and find their happy ending.