Back with another amazing suspense filled read, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen prove once again that their union as writers is strong and cohesive. An Anonymous Girl is smart and leads the reader chasing down the story and wondering just where things are going. I loved every minute reading this book and when I had to put it down I couldn't wait to get back to it. The story is brilliantly plotted with two central characters; Jessica Farris a mid twenties make up artist and Dr. Shields, psychology professor.

Told in alternating POVs, the readers' psyche is infiltrated and at times you wonder if one of even both narrators are reliable. The suspense is masterfully built as Dr. Shields pushes on Jessica's moral boundaries through her study and experiments. It's clear Jessica is uncomfortable at times (which left me uncomfortable to0), but she finds the money she's making a boon to her families situation. The reader spends time in Dr. Shields head and we witness her ministrations to manipulate Jessica's feelings and her life. There are definitely moments where I fretted over the good doctors motivations. As Jessica begins to question her role as Subject 52 and Dr Shields increases the pressure on Jessica the tension escalates.

There's truly a maze of conflicting evidence but it turn out Jessica has a good sense as a detective. By now the players include family members and past participants in the study and we're left to wonder if the risk is greater than the reward. But this isn't a game that Jessica can easily remove herself from as Dr. Shields is conniving and her motivations convoluted and eerie.

When all is revealed you'll find yourself reading and re-reading passages to piece it all together. This #MustRead duo has delivered another stellar and story centering around a duplicitous woman and her cunning plan to extract revenge and administer punishment. 5 Stars and recommendation!

Jessica is an Anonymous Girl in a New York City. She works hard as a freelance makeup artist, while waiting for her big break into Broadway plays. She has had a bad experience with her last off-off-Broadway theater makeup position but hopes to move past it soon.

Working as a freelance makeup artist doesn’t pay much over what the clients tip her as her agency takes most of the fee. Jessica is perennially broke. When Jessica hears a client talking about a psychological experiment that pays $500 for a two-hour session, she sneaks into the session using her client’s name. How hard could a series of questions on ethics be? However, the questions seem to get very specific and very personal quickly. As Jessica opens up more and more, the therapist behind the survey, Dr. Shields, offers Jessica additional money to participate in studies in the real world. Her first is to seduce a married man in a hotel bar. As Jessica is increasing sucked into Dr. Shields’ web, she struggles to free herself.

The first two thirds of an Anonymous Girl had me reading at a breakneck speed just to see what would happen to poor Jessica. Then the plot made a few turns that just didn’t seem believable. Plus there were absolutely no redeeming characteristics in some of the characters. Toward the end, I even stopped sympathizing for Jessica. This book is great until it isn’t. However, I still give it 3 stars. I just wish the ending was better.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

After Jessica impulsively enters a psychology study without even knowing its subject, her life takes an unexpected turn. Struggling to make ends meet as a makeup artist in New York City, Jessica has a difficult time turning down what sounds like easy money. Answer some questions on a survey for $500? Sold. But, what happens when the study escalates into real life scenarios? Are the ever-increasing paychecks worth it?

"It's remarkable how the simplest of decisions can create a butterfly effect; how a seemingly inconsequential action can cause a tsunami."

I'll be honest and say that I didn't understand the hype about this writing duo's debut, The Wife Between Us (3 stars). While I liked the writing style, I didn't find it very suspenseful, the plot was lacking, and the twists were just ho-hum. This one, however! This one was just ... WOW. It was intense, suspenseful, and compelling. It kept me on the edge of my seat for the duration as I tried guessing what would happen next. It made me feel tense and uncomfortable in the best of ways ha. If you love suspenseful page turners with complex, intriguing characters, then this is a must read! Just beware that reading it might make you paranoid about who you should trust. ;)

"Sometimes a therapist who coaxes out all of your secrets is holding the biggest one in the room."

Location: New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you're looking for a book that's going to suck you in immediately and keep you locked into place with it's twists and turns, then this is the book for you. Following a woman named Jessica, it shows her life in the first person viewpoint as she works her makeup job, helps her parents pay for her sister's medical bills in secret, and lives in her apartment with her dog Leo. That is, until she happens upon a paid psychiatric study.

The study is simple at first, it's anonymous and all she really has to do is answer a few questions over the course of a couple days on a laptop. She never suspects that the person running the study, Dr. Shields, would take a shine to her specifically, and change her life in ways she doesn't even realize. The study is a questionnaire about morality, things like; could you tell a lie without feeling guilt, and; describe a time in your life when you cheated.

The viewpoint switches about every chapter or so, from Jess's view into a second person recording of what she's doing, and then even sometimes to Dr. Shields herself. I never expected this book to go to the lengths it did to confuse me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It reminded me a lot of the tv show Hannibal, specifically because of the psychiatrist/patient relationship that Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham have in the show.

Every single page of this book was exciting, even when the characters were just doing mundane things. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next, and at almost four hundred pages, this epic novel kept my attention from the very first page. It's an easy read that kind of creeps up on you, before you know it you're completely invested and absolutely NEED to finish it. I imagine that's how Jessica felt in the story.

Overall if you're interested in a psychological mystery page turner, than this is something you need to read as soon as possible. The characters are probably some of the most realistic that I've ever read about, and the world that they live in is our own, which just adds to the terror I felt reading this. I would say with one hundred percent certainty, if you think that this is a book that you'll like, you need to pick it up. It's something I would love to have on my bookshelf.

Thanks for reading!
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com)

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen are fantastic writing partners and, in my opinion, the new queens of psychological suspense. I loved their debut thriller, The Wife Between Us, and it definitely will not be a one-hit wonder for this team. An Anonymous Girl is very different but also every bit as good as their first.

Jessica Farris is a makeup artist living paycheck to paycheck. She is at a client’s apartment one day for an appointment when she realizes her client is supposed to be going the next day to participate in an anonymous psychological study on morals and ethics that pays good money. When the client doesn’t go, Jessica slips into the survey in the client’s place. She becomes Subject 52 for Dr. Shield’s research and is asked personal questions about whether or not she has done various acts of a questionable moral nature or how she would handle various situations. Soon she is singled out by Dr. Shields for more questioning and then asked to do some experiments under Dr. Shields direction. Even though she begins to get nervous because she feels like Dr. Shields can read her mind and is manipulating her, Jessica continues to participate because the payments are so lucrative. Quickly, Jessica starts questioning what is real and what is part of the experiments.

At first, I was drawn in by the ethical questions that were being asked, but the story itself quickly took over. These two authors have mastered the technique of capturing the reader’s attention in a well-developed, page-turning story. They kept me guessing as to what was going on the whole time. The characters all have their own secrets and are well-drawn, too. It’s hard to say much more without giving too much away, but by the end of the book, my heart was racing, and I could almost feel Jessica’s fear.

This book was getting a lot of pre-press buzz, and it is certainly well deserved. If you like suspense, I highly recommend that you rush out and get this book. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating: 5 Big Stars

Thank you St Martin's Press for the advanced copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

Yet again, Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen have knocked it out of the park for a psychological thriller and character drama that you just cannot set down.

I was heavily anticipating this read this winter, as I loved their last book together. This was completely worth the wait - this is a story that is fast paced, dark, twisting, clever and written in their signature crisp prose. I fell right into this story as Jess sneaks into a psychological study and finds herself in deeper than she bargained for.

I had previously heard the argument that something like this would never happen, as Dr Shields is in fact a doctor but I disagree - I loved the premise regardless of whether it could or could not really happen. I loved the twisting, psychotic nature of Dr Shields, and I loved that there was no way to sort out what the ultimate motive was for the study itself until the bitter end.

I won't give too much away, as readers will want to enjoy the twists for themselves, but I will say that I think this is the perfect snowy day read - creepy, atmospheric and guaranteed to hold your attention to the very last page.

Let’s just say these two incredible authors collaborations are the best!! They know how to keep their reader at the edge of their seat flipping pages as fast as they can. Totally captivating from beginning to the very end! Their writing style is flawless and seamless! A dynamic duo of authors!! Growing suspense you’ll want to know what happens next!! I highly recommend this one!!!

Thank you Netgalley and to St. Martin’s press for the advance copy for my honest review!!

Makeup artist Jessica Farris sneaks into a psychological study to make some extra money. Just answer some questions honestly and off you go with the much needed cash in hand. Nothing is ever as simple as it appears. Jess becomes enthralled, borderline hypnotized by the very sophisticated, beautiful woman named Dr. Shields who is running the study. Jess becomes extremely paranoid and although she sets out to be as honest as possible, there is information she holds back to protect herself and those she loves. The more data Dr. Shields gathers, the more Jess becomes obsessed with finding answers to the mysteries that unfold during the study. Suddenly an academic view of morality becomes very personal when Dr. Shields is using Jess to uncover her husbands supposed deceit. Full of exquisite twists and turns, it is not clear until the very end if there is anyone left to trust. If you like suspenseful thrillers, An Anonymous Girl will not disappoint. Thanks to co-authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, for another unpredictable, unputdownable and truly creepy novel.

Subject 52. Jessica thought she was trading a few hours of her time answering survey questions about morality and ethics for a quick $500. Simple, right? Little did she know that she was getting in way over her head. Who is Dr. Shields and what is her study really about? What does she ultimately want?

An Anonymous Girl was absolutely fantastic! I LOVED Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's earlier effort, The Wife Between Us, and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Once I started reading, I absolutely devoured it. The chapters alternate between Jessica and Dr. Shields and you slowly get insight into each of them and what they really want (and how far they'll go to get it). The pacing is perfect and this book is nearly impossible to put down. Just one more chapter before bed!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The story is divided into three parts. I didn't become very invested until about the 20% mark, but after that it really had my attention. I thought it was impressive how the two points of view never became confusing.

I didn't necessarily like Jessica all the time, but I understood her way of thinking. The authors did a nice job of tightening the net around Jessica gradually, so that it wasn't completely implausible that she could remain in in an increasingly disturbing situation.

Things were resolved in a much simpler way than I was expecting. I didn't think that was a bad thing, but it did surprise me. The very last part left a little bit of a bitter taste for me.

Overall, the story was very interesting and the suspense was beautifully built.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I have never read a book like An Anonymous Girl. It is so unique with interesting characters and a concept that has you wondering what would I do…

The novels goes back and forth between Jessica and Dr. Shields and just when I thought I had things figured out, the novel takes a different turn. My Christmas holidays were busy, but I found myself trying to find time to read just a little bit more.

I’m giving the An Anonymous Girl a lower rating because I didn’t enjoy it as much as The Wife Between Us (which I also gave 3 stars). An Anonymous Girl had a bit of a slower build and it didn’t have nearly the amount of twists as The Wife Between Us.

Check it out, it’s such an unique creepy read!

My head is still spinning from all the lies, and manipulation, and power plays that ran throughout this story. Who is telling the truth? What is the actual truth? Would anyone within these pages even recognize the truth anymore? How is Jess going to get out of this mess? Who is manipulating who? So many questions. I couldn't flip the pages fast enough. I was down to my last 10%. I was breathless. I'm finally going to get my answers and understand what in the hell is actually going on. And, I did get those answers...and sadly I wanted more. I wanted different answers. I expected a more complicated outcome. The writing here is phenomenal. The storyline unique and well thought out. The premise was simply brilliant. I just wanted a more power-punched ending is all.

Jessica (Jess) is a makeup artist who makes house calls during the day to apply makeup to her clients for a special occasion. When she overhears a client discussing a study that pays $500, she is intrigued. She snags the information and shows up. The study is on morality and ethics headed up by a Dr. Shield. She simply sits in a room in front of a computer and types in answers to questions on morality and ethics. She tries to be very honest. But what she thought was to be a short study is now expanding as Dr. Shield shows more interest in her and her answers and now wants to meet her in person.

Jess’s parents don’t make a lot or money and they also have to care for Jess’s sister, who suffers the after-effects of a brain injury. Her therapy is quite expensive and secretly Jess pays for a lot of it with the bit of money she makes. Needing extra money is one big reason she is willing to participate in the study.

As Jess becomes more involved with Dr. Shield, she realizes that she is being asked to do some things that make her uncomfortable but needing the money she realizes she may be in over her head.

This is a well-written, very descriptive story that perfectly describes a narcissist. If I have any complaints at all, it would be the almost text-like verbiage in the book. However, I realize that without it, the book would not be as “real” as it is. Well done, authors!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Ok, if you enjoy psychological thrillers, this one is sure twisted and will keep you page turning.
Obsessive, cunning, and just as good as her previous book that I devoured, The Wife Between Us, and you won’t be able to put it down until you have the answers, and then this one will linger with you for a long time, and maybe looking over your shoulder.
Wow, big brother has nothing on these folks, they seem to know even your personal thoughts.
A don’t miss book that you won’t forget.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin’s Press, and was not required to give a positive review.

Jess is just barely making it in New York City as a professional makeup artist. When she hears one of her vapid clients plans to blow off a questionnaire that would pay $500, Jess smoothly inserts herself into the study instead. Ironic, really, that she lies to get into a study on morality. Things swiftly spin out of control from there. What starts as a series of hypothetical questions about ethics soon expands into the real world with unnerving effects. Jess must grapple with her own demons and the numerous secrets of the enigmatic Dr. Shields in this gripping tale of psychological suspense.

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews on https://www.NerdGirlLovesBooks.wordpr...

This was a very good psychological thriller. The plot was interesting, the action was fast-paced and there are characters you can love and hate. The book is a quick read and I had a hard time putting it down.

Jessica Farris is a young make-up artist struggling to make a living in NYC. Her younger sister has a medical condition that requires expensive treatment and her parents are barely making ends meet. While putting makeup on a young college student, Jess overhears her talking about participating in a morality and ethics psychological study at their college that pays a lot of money. Gambling that the student will blow off the study in the morning, Jess goes to the appointment and takes her place. While the questions are invasive and difficult, Jess rationalizes that a little discomfort is worth it if she's able to help her parents with her sister's medical bills.

Jess is asked back several times by the psychologist, Dr. Shields, to answer more questions. Each session is more invasive than the next, but the payments are just too good to pass up. Then Jess is asked to take the study a step further and perform a variety of tasks at the direction of Dr. Shields. As the tasks become more dangerous and questionable, Jess must figure out what the truth really is and who she can trust.

This was a fun book. The plot is far-fetched, but if you can suspend disbelief and let yourself get caught up in the twists and turns of the book, you won't be mad at it. I haven't read this author before, but will definitely check out the other books. I recommend you read this book!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Let's just pretend you're Jess. Late twenties and a hardworking cosmetic artist, you need to find a way to make some extra cash to send home to cover the expenses of a disabled sister. 
An opportunity presents itself.
You take it.
At first, getting paid to be the anonymous subject in an ethics study seems pretty harmless. It's an easy way to make some good extra cash. Just sit at a computer and answer some questions. Ok well the questions start to get personal and you convince yourself that no one will ever know. Just type your answers and collect your money. Done.
But one day, you aren't subject 52 anymore. You are the sole subject in Dr. Shield's study. You meet her. Your relationship gets personal. You reveal things about yourself that seem to flow out of your mouth. Dr. Shields seems so helpful, so professional. Will you regret getting involved? But the money is so good. Her help is so welcomed. Why YOU? Does Dr. Shield's want to help you or does she have an ulterior motive? 
This is a chilling story of a vulnerable young woman who has some secrets she is hesitant to reveal to a Dr. who also has secrets she is hesitant to reveal! LOVED this story. Two talented authors strike again!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving and advanced copy. Rating 2.5 stars

I loved “The Wife Between Us” and was ready for another no holds barred, twisted ride with Jessica, Subject 52, who signs up for a psychological study on morality and ethics. Do you think you’re in trouble when you lie your way into a study on ethics because you need the money? Dr. Shields takes a special interest in Jessica and lures her in with expensive gifts, high paycheques, and what is amounting to free therapy in exchange for following her instructions in what appears to be testing the mettle of a married man. Written in alternating POV between Jessica and Dr. Shields, this cat and mouse story tries to keep you off kilter as you see how Dr. Shields spins her web, always having an explanation for putting Jessica in situations that don’t feel right, in fact they make Jessica feel icky. But by this point Jessica has spilled her guts to this woman who knows all of her dark secrets and insecurities. Dr. Shields is not only beautiful, self assured, has impeccable taste and always seems to know the right thing to say to put Jessica’s fears to rest. She also knows whenever Jessica is not being completely honest. When Jessica finds out that the married man is Dr. Sheilds’ husband, Thomas, she knows something is not right. But when Thomas warns Jessica that Dr. Shields in dangerous, Jessica knows she is in trouble.

Hendricks and Pekkanen write really well together, but this was not as exciting a story as their first novel. There was some suspense, but nothing like the thrilling tickle when you don’t know who is lying and who is telling the truth and will the protagonist make it out alive! There isn’t any surprising twist that you can’t see coming. This one just leads you down the path until the end. You know who that bad guy is and you can guarantee the protagonist is going to survive and yes there is some information revealed but no wow factor. The seduction of Jessica is interesting enough to keep reading but I needed more. I want that “can’t-put-it-down” feeling, or at least some doubt as to whether the doctor or Thomas is the bad guy. A lot was left untapped with Jessica and the minor characters like Lydia, and Josh, to name a few where more could have been done to create tension. Just an okay read for me.

An Anonymous Girl is the second psychological thriller by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.
Jessica Farris (Jess) is in need of money and signs up for a psychological study conducted by Dr. Shields. Jess got more than she bargained for in this morality study. Dr. Shields seems to know what Jess is thinking and is always step ahead her. Jess is naïve, honest, and questions herself and Dr. Shields. Dr. Shields is mysterious, manipulative and cunning.

An Anonymous Girl is a fast paced page turner with twists and turns in every chapter. The story is told from both Jess and Dr. Shields views. It is full of lies, guilt, obsession, betrayal and suspense. I highly recommend this book. Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

The blurb tells you all you need to know about how Jessica gets involved with Dr Lydia Shields. From the get go, I wasn't really into the psychological study aspect. I found it strange and unbelievable. I have no problem suspending my disbelief, but for me, this entire plot was just TOO unbelievable. Maybe it's because I have a background in psychology but the Dr's in this book were so far out of the realm of realistic, I just couldn't be on board with most of the plot.

As for Jessica, I would say she was the most developed character but I would've liked more character development with everyone overall. Around the 50% mark I started to enjoy the cat & mouse that developed when Jessica finally started to take matters into her own hands and stopped being so passive when it came to Dr Shields and another character. The story is told through alternating perspectives of Jessica and Dr Shields; however, Dr Shields speaks in the second person for her sections - as if she's talking directly to Jessica - I wasn't crazy about this technique.   This very much boiled down to a story of  manipulations, lies upon lies, and who's really the dangerous one. For me, I found it to be too drawn out (I skimmed here and there) and ultimately predictable.  However, the very reasons this wasn't for me are the reasons so many are loving this (especially if you love psychological thrillers),