Good Intentions

‘Captivating and heartbreaking’ Stylist

‘Brought me close to tears’ Beth O’Leary, author of The Flatshare

‘A romantic, bittersweet debut … an incredibly powerful read’ Daily Mirror

‘Expect to be heartbroken’ Elle

An unforgettable debut novel about first love, family obligation and finding your way.

In the wake of first heartbreak, Nur somehow meets his perfect woman. Yasmina is bright, beautiful and, what’s most remarkable, she’s into him too. Before long, they are inseparable.

But no relationship is perfect. For Yasmina, the complexities of family and cultural expectation are something she wants to navigate with Nur by her side. For Nur, the pressures of being the ‘good son’ are suffocating, and soon threaten everything he wants for his future with Yasmina. Can he find a way to offer her everything she deserves?

‘Addictive in every sense’ Irenosen Okojie, author of Nudibranch

‘A clever novel … that subtly subverts the reader’s expectations’ Sunday Times

Reviews

‘Family obligation and racial prejudice sit alongside the flush of first love. Expect to be heartbroken’ Elle

‘[A] clever novel about vulnerability and victimhood that subtly subverts the reader’s expectations’ Sunday Times

‘Ever fallen in love with messy, confusing consequences for everyone involved? Then Good Intentions is for you’ Stylist

‘Kasim Ali boldly grasps the nettle of South Asian prejudice … what a tonic’ The Times

‘Good Intentions is so absorbing, compelling and beautifully written. Its ending brought me close to tears – what an incredibly assured debut. I can't wait to see what Kasim Ali writes next’ Beth O’Leary, author of The Flatshare

‘A beautiful and honest story… from a fantastic new talent’ Sareeta Domingo, author of If I Don't Have You

‘[A] compelling debut reminiscent of The Big Sick in storyline and Ordinary People in feel’ Living Magazine

‘Moving, modern and utterly engaging. What a talent’ Rhik Samadder, author of I Never Said I Love You

‘A love story full of hard choices and tensions, family obligations and racial prejudices. Not to be missed by fans of Modern Love’ Vogue India

‘A gorgeous, unbelievable debut’ Angie Kim, author of Miracle Creek

‘[A] clever debut… Ali explores racism, the difficulty of navigating cultural heritage and the travails of early adulthood [with] a climactic sucker punch’ Metro

About the author

Kasim Ali works at Penguin Random House and has previously been shortlisted for Hachette’s Mo Siewcherran Prize, longlisted for the 4th Estate BAME Short Story Prize, and has contributed to The Good Journal. He comes from Birmingham and now lives in London.