I received an advanced reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review. Jessica needs money. She helping her parents out and secretly funding her sister's treatment. She finds out about a psychological study and sneaks in. The researcher becomes intrigued by her and offers Jessica additional funds to participate further. But nothing is what it seems with the study or Dr Shields. This story is a mind f*&k.

Let us first acknowledge the elephant in the room: the only thing sillier than the cover art is the title. There. Now those issues are out of the way, we can move on to the book, which is quite a good one. If you’ve been following my reviews on Goodreads, you know I read a lot of female-focused psychological thrillers, so it’s tough to find anything unique, that I haven’t already read ten times before. Even more difficult is finding something that compares to Mary Kubica or Gillian Flynn, who I think are some of the finest authors in the genre— even though I do find quality control issues among their work, too. So often, it feels like psychological thrillers are churned out, without having been edited properly, as if publishers need to feed a voracious audience and are too lazy (or else too swamped) to give any real attention to developing these stories. As a result, much of the fare feels derivative, cliche, melodramatic— even when there’s a good idea at the root, without time and care, that little bulb is not able to blossom into its fullest potential.

Alright, end rant about the genre and focus on the newest effort by Sarah Pekkanan and Greer Hendricks. An Anonymous Girl *cringes at the name* promises exactly the kind of story I enjoy most: full-on psychological thriller, and it mostly delivers. I was immediately hooked, with the introduction of an active protagonist, who is scrappy and a bit morally agnostic. She doesn’t stumble into danger, as is the case in many of these novels; no, she sees an opportunity and takes it, despite the possible dangers, of which she is fully aware. Or, at least, she thinks she’s fully aware, until things begin going off the rails.

I also loved that from the start, the reader is involved in the experiment and asked to question their own sense of morality. I wish that had been continued a bit more throughout, so that while Jessica is forced to confront her beliefs, her past, and how she should live in the present, so, too are we.

An Anonymous Girl offers the best sort of cat-and-mouse game, because Jess is not an innocent who gets sucked into a plot. She is smart and savvy and is trying her damndest to out-maneuver her opponent(s), who is/are always just one step ahead. The novel is rife with twists and turns, which last until the very end. Most are successful at building suspense and skirting around expectations, though as it passes the halfway mark, it loses some of its steam. I think that’s the trouble with books that start out so strong: it’s difficult, if not next to impossible, to keep up that level of intrigue.

Overall, I would definitely recommend checking this one out. I may even check out the authors’ previous bestseller, The Wife Between Us.



Rating: 3.75/5 stars (will round up on Goodreads)

Well. I finished this book and said aloud, “daaamn”. Because sometimes, books just elicit that response. An Anonymous Girl definitely did that for me. The second novel by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen definitely had me hooked and did not disappoint. Being book #2, you wonder, can it live up to the first (The Wife Between Us)? Honestly, I think this was even better.

I felt it had a The Girl on the Train way of suspense and mystery, meaning you really didn’t know if someone was guilty, who the guilty person was, or if possibly the main character, Jess, was maybe just losing her mind. In a study of morality, was she being gaslighted by a professtional, or were all her suspicions true? Unlike Train, I think Hendricks and Pekkanen nailed it to the very end. In Train, you knew how it was going to end, because there was literally no one else to suspect. In Anonymous, you really have no idea who will win this insanely intellectual cat and mouse game.

One of the more unique books I’ve read in some time, this thriller is already a favorite of 2019. Hendricks and Pekkanen are just getting better and better and I cannot wait for book number three.

Can I just say WOAH! I read this book in a half of day it was just that good. Responsibilities be darned! If you have heard about this duo and how great their books are be assured that it is the truth. This is an excellent thriller and really leaves you feeling like you have no idea what is going on sometimes. And I mean that in a GREAT way. When you think you know a character ohhhh no slow down because you think wrong. I do not want to share too much of the plot because I think you should just go in and start reading it without any biased ideas. It will be worth it. It is an edge of your seat and hold on to your pants kind of thriller. DO NOT MISS THIS!

Received this book as an ARC for my honest review.

I had read "The Wife Between Us" and absolutely did not care for that book. I was a little skeptical about reading this one once I knew that it was by the same authors. But I was I was pleasantly surprised. I actually liked this book. Jessica does makeup through a company that sets up the appointments and he overhears that one of the women is scheduled for a survey the next day and that they are paying well but she didn't want to go. Jessica decides to go in her place and she is now "Subject 52" After Jessica answers the questions Dr. Shields, who runs the survey, likes what she reads and ends up snaring Jessica into her trap. The book was a little slow at times and there were points where I figured it out before Jessica did but I did enjoy the book. The biggest complaint that I had was that it wasn't separated by who was talking. It was hard to follow as one part you are dealing with Jessica and then bam you are now in Dr. Shields brain.

I work in a bookstore and I have literally had customers asking about this book for MONTHS and it does not come out until January 8. That's when you know there is a lot of pre-release hype about a book! I loved The Wife Between Us, so I was excited to read the latest by Hendricks and Pekkanen. This twisty thriller will make you think twice about signing up for a psychological study!

Jessica Farris, age twenty-eight, is a makeup artist for Beauty Buzz. She lugs her giant makeup kit all around New York City doing makeup for other people who are living their dreams. As for Jess, she's heavily focused on money, as her parents are stressed trying to provide all the medical support they can for her disabled sister, Becky. Even worse, her Dad is about to lose his job. So when she sees one of her clients get a text where she could enroll in a psychology study, answer a few questions, and make some quick bucks, it sounds ideal. But the questions rapidly grow more intense and soon Jess is asked back for further questions and extra sessions. She then meets the doctor behind the study, Dr. Shields, and becomes caught her manipulative web of experimentation--and obsession.

So I liked THE WIFE BETWEEN US but didn't *love* it like so many people did, and hence I wasn't entirely sure about reading this one. I definitely enjoyed AN ANONYMOUS GIRL more. This author duo is certainly adept at writing very readable, very wild books that are hard to put down. I found myself stealing away during the chaos of Christmas Eve to finish this book.

The chapters alternate between Jess and Dr. Shields. Overall, Jess is just your average likeable gal who gets in over her head. I didn't adore her or anything; sometimes she irritated me a bit, but she was fine. My biggest pet peeve with this entire book was the fact that Dr. Shields chapters were written almost entirely in passive voice. This was obviously done as a literary device and part of her character, but ugh! After a while, I could barely take it. I felt like I was at work, reading all of my colleague's proposal sections, and I felt as if I was mentally correcting each sentence as I read it. Not fun.

But, I digress. It quickly becomes apparent that we cannot really trust anything that's happening in this one, which is fun. You know there has to be more to everyone's stories, and the book constantly had me guessing. There are a lot of nice twists thrown in, and unlike the authors' previous book, I didn't guess the main one right away, so I really enjoyed reading the story. It did stress me out a bit, though - sheesh! It's very crazy, very unbelievable (but in a good way), often quite creepy, but an enjoyable ride.

Overall, this is a fun, twisty thriller that lets you just suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. It's different, a bit spooky, and interesting. 4 stars.

I almost hate to admit how much I enjoyed this novel. It has no redeeming social value and a plot that is, well, sorta cheesy but golly is it a page turner! Jess slips into a psychological study in order to make some much needed bucks to supplement her income as a makeup artist in NYC. Unfortunately, that study turns into a twisted, very very twisted, game between Dr Lydia Shields and her husband Thomas. Shields uses Jess to test Thomas. But what is Thomas doing? Who can Jess trust? Well, this situation might remind you of those movies where you want to tell the teen to leave the house! Jess is a good character- very sympathetic and realistic. Shields is quite devious and Thomas- well, what about Thomas? Keep an eye out for Noah. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a fast, plot driven read that's really well done.

I am trying to come up with three words that will best describe this book. If I really had to choose, it would be creepy, haunting, and disturbing.

Creepy. This whole book gave me the creeps. From the morality test, to Dr. Shields, to the plot. It all gave off a creepy vibe. More than once during this book, my skin crawled. I felt like I, too, was being tested. Am I sane? Am I moral? How far would I go to find the truth?

Haunting. Again, Dr. Shields. That woman is one messed up woman. I wasn't sure if she was genius or evil. I am still not so sure. Her character definitely would give any person nightmares if she existed in real life.

Disturbing. You guessed it. Dr. Shields. Are you seeing a trend? I just can't get over her. Her willingness to go as far as she does is highly disturbing. If I am honest, the whole book is disturbing. I am sure there are individuals like her in the world, and that scares the crap out of me.

This book is twisted, have no doubts. Did it shock me? Not really. However, that is not to say it won't shock many. I read so many of these kinds of books, it seems to be hard to shock me these days. I will say, the first half of the book is slow. I almost gave up. But I kept it moving, and it really picked up in the second half. It was worth it.

Now after reading two books by this new writing duo, I am looking forward to what they will bring us next.

I received this book on Net Galley for an honest review.

I have always wondered about those studies that sound like this one from the novel:

You're Invited: Seeking women aged 18 to 32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality conducted by a preeminent NYC psychiatrist. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed. Call for more details.

Sounds above board right? That's what Jess thinks when she signs up for the study. She could use the extra money and it all sounds so simple, but what starts as an easy study turns into a nightmare of deceit and manipulation.

I found myself instantly drawn into the plot, though I knew there would be manipulations, it did not matter, as I was invested in the story. The characters are well drawn and the plot moves along at a satisfying pace. I had not heard of the authors prior to seeing this book on Net Galley, but I will be looking for their previous book as well as anything else they may write.
An Anonymous girl was a satisfying read!

Greer Hendricks’ An Anonymous Girl was an exciting, interesting and complex story centered on main character, Jessica Farris. In an innocent attempt to make some extra cash, Jessica, a struggling to make ends meet make up artist, offers herself up as a volunteer for a psychology study. From the first visit in a room alone, answering questions on ethics and morality, Jessica soon finds herself deeply involved with the psychologist in charge, Dr. Shields. Surprised at the amount of money Jessica is able to earn, she finds herself unable to say no to Dr. Shields’ complex and odd requests. Jessica and Dr. Shields become deeply intertwined and even Jessica is unsure where the study ends and her real life begins.
As a reader that is a little exhausted by all the recent thrillers and “next Gone Girl” recommendations, I was apprehensive to start yet another similar novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the writing, narrative and overall character development and story line. An Anonymous Girl had me deeply engaged from the start, the story development was excellent and the plot twists kept me guessing and changing what I thought I already knew. Do yourself a favor and do whatever necessary to get on the waitlist, buy a copy, or borrow a friend’s copy, but plan on being consumed with this novel!

A friend of mine once told me that she would never give books 5 star reviews, because “no book is perfect”. When I saw that she broke that rule and gave this book 5 stars, I had to read it. Now.

And oh boy am I glad I did. I tore through this book quickly. While I was satisfied with how the story wrapped up, I was equally bummed it was done.

I want more!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An Anonymous Girl is the second novel by Hendricks and Pekkanen. Their first novel was The Wife Between Us, which is a superb story that refuses to let you go. You begin the book and are pulled into a whirling eddy that refuses to release you until the last page.
Second novels are the bane of successful first novel writers. There is much pressure and scrutiny on work two. “Will it live up to novel one; is it new and fresh; is it a simple retooling of novel one; and on and on. An Anonymous Girl succeeds at all levels.
An Anonymous Girl begins as a simple story of young woman needs funds. College professor needs subjects to answer survey about morality and ethics. Subjects will be compensated. This is the base of this tale for slowly the exercise expands into a real life exploration on morality and ethics. More than money is involved. Human lives are impacted. Jessica, the young lady in need of funds, realizes that the Professor in charge, Dr. Lydia Shields, is pulling strings. As she questions her actions, as directed by Dr. Shields, she realizes the consequences that are being played out. Ultimately there are issues of infidelity, death, duplicity, insecurity, breaking of medical codes of conduct and mental instability.
Along the way there are twists and revelations that lead one to say, “didn’t see that coming.” Then we think about it and determine that all the signs and clues were there, we were just too entranced to notice.
An Anonymous Girl is a gift. It is intriguing. It is solid. It is all we could hope for.
Buy the book. Read the book. Enjoy it. Reread the book. Enjoy it again.
I received an advance copy of this book from #Netgalley #AnAnonymousGirl

This was the first title by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen that I have read, I loved this one so much I went back and read their first book.

The story of Jess, a poor NY city girl, working hard to pay her bills until one day she happens upon an opening to be a test subject for Dr. Shields. Shields seems to take notice of Jess and asks her is she would be interested in continuing the testing outside of the school andJess agreed, she is curious to see what happens but also intrigued about what may come. The book then follows their relationship.

First off can you say this book is a complete mastermind. The back and forth between chapters from both main characters is superb and the detail used is exceptional! The intricacies that only a professional in the field of psychology would pick up on is brilliant and the major plot twist of how everything comes together is divine!

Wow! First book of 2019 on record and WOW, I loved it!

An Anonymous Girl follows two main perspectives:

Jessica: A single-gal, late 20s, living in NYC and working as a make-up artist. Jessica lives a fairly solitary life. She has a sweet little dog and a couple of close friends but most of the time, she's alone. She is a bit haunted by her past. Back when Jessica was a teenager, an incident occurred with her little sister and she has a lot of residual guilt stemming from that. Also, due to this incident, she can find it painful at times to be with her family and they are under extreme financial distress.

Dr. Lydia Shields: Dr. Shields is a wealthy and successful psychiatrist and author who works at a local college teaching seminars and performing research studies, mainly on morality. Her perspective is written in second person which I did find jarring at first but eventually became used to and even enjoyed.

Jessica and Dr. Shields become acquainted when Jessica lies her way into participating in one of Dr. Shields studies. Motivated exclusively by money at first, Jessica eventually finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into Dr. Shields web.

The relationship lines are extremely blurry with Jessica and Dr. Shields. I was so confused as to who was the predator and who was the prey initially. They both seemed so enamored with one another.

The story is extremely fast-paced, a lot of twists and turns, ups and downs....Someone pass the dramamine! I loved every minute of it. There was mystery, there was investigation, there was an ultimate game of cat-and-mouse...I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! In my opinion, this could definitely be one of the top Adult Thrillers I read in 2019...if not, the top. I know it is early but I really, really enjoyed this.

Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for kindly providing me with a e-copy to read and review. I always appreciate the opportunity to provide my feedback. This book is definitely a winner. The Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen combo is something very special! I hope they continue to write books together in future, as I would certainly love to read them!

No sophomore slump here!
this book is twisty and dark.
I loved it, because I couldn't figure it out
I read this in one sitting because ---- I HAD TO.

a compulsively good read

I really enjoyed An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. This is the first book I’ve read from these co-authors. Speaking of…I could not move past the fact that this psychological thriller was written by two people! The twist and turns, the what the hecks and the I did not see that coming moments were ever present. I will say there were a few moments I needed more movement but when the plot moved it moved. I gave 4 stars on Goodreads.

Jessica Farris, posing as a client she met through her job at BeautyBuzz, finds her self in a study on morals and ethics. While sitting in front of a computer and answering a few personal questions and telling a complete stranger how she would react or feel in intense ethical dilemmas, Jessica is asked to continue the study in person. Not knowing what that means but being driven by money Jessica follows this Dr. behind the computer into a real life morally compromising situation. After meeting Dr. Shields, Jessica realizes she has no idea what she has gotten herself into. Although she is told she can stop the experiment at anytime, can she? Will she be allowed to? What is her purpose in these situational experiments. An Anonymous Girl leaves the reader and Jessica wondering who can be trusted and what will happen if the wrong person is chosen.

What I loved:
fast read
multiple view points
unreliable characters- turning out to be not who I imagined
details that led to false assumptions

What I didn’t love:
unreliable characters- I couldn’t follow their rationale at points
the ending lacked something
slow moments in the middle
I would recommend this to a reader that likes thrillers, that can read about more ethical choices that can sometimes make you cringe or someone that loves a mind game.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. I received this galley in exchange for my honest opinion and was not required to leave a positive review.

I read the duo’s last book, the Wife Between Us. I liked it quite a bit but they really knocked it out of the park with this one. Suspenseful and engaging. Actually, that’s not enough praise. It’s almost addicting to read. I had to finish and unsnarl the plot lines! So amazing. I really think it’s a book everyone will enjoy. A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the chance to read this advanced copy. I loved it!!

This book was a suspenseful read. The story is very clever and starts with a woman joining a research study on false pretenses in order to earn more money so she can help her struggling family. The story then centers on this woman, her family, the psychiatrist running the study, her therapist husband and people close to these people. A page-turner which seems particularly suited to be being turned into a movie (bit like Fatal Attraction).