Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was unable to get into this book and I had the same problem with their previous book. I felt that the writing was contrived, the flow was terrible. I was confused from page one. There has been a lot of hype on this book but I, for one, so not see why! I hope others enjoy it though.

Wow - this dynamic duo has done it again! An original storyline follows Jessica, a traveling make-up artist, who happens to oversee a text message come in for a client, while on the job; an invitation to take part in a study of morality. With the client unable to make the appointment, Jessica decides she will respond in her place - it can't be too hard and will earn her a lot of extra, much needed cash. This quick moving story is a great psychological suspense novel you don't want to miss. While Jessica responds to the questions within the study, the reader may find themselves answering the questions and becoming lost in what's right and wrong given the circumstances, or maybe some incidents' deserve the ultimate revenge, or is it justice? When the questions become more than questions and the doctor asks for a more intimate exploration of answers to bring the study to another level of understanding, Jessica may find herself getting in way too deep, but is the sacrifice worth the end result? Readers won't be able to put this new novel of suspense down - keeps you hooked until the very last words on the page!

Did you ever have a book you saved because you knew it would be good, and even though you got a copy really, really early? I didn’t want An Anonymous Girl to be over long before I ever started reading it. The year-long wait until another book from this dynamite duo feels longer than a year! That’s a great thing in this case, these two authors are perfection together.

The Wife Between Us by these Hendricks and Pekkanen is my favorite thriller of 2018, and An Anonymous Girl is already vying for top position for 2019! Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendricks have topped themselves with this smashing effort. Wow! It's written how all thrillers should be, with page-turning, effortless writing, and characters that keep you on your toes...a villain like no other. A fallible but relatable victim. This book is perfection. Gosh!

A few details about the story just to pique your interest...

Jessica Farris is a make-up artist living paycheck to paycheck in NYC, and money is an issue for her like it is for many people. She finds herself participating in a paid psychological study on ethics...But from the start, something doesn’t feel right with it...But then again, Jess needs the money.

The study keeps going, becoming more invasive, and eventually Jess begins interacting directly with the psychiatrist in charge of the study, Dr. Shields. Jess develops a strong amount of paranoia early on, which never wanes though she doubts herself, again, because money is an issue.

An Anonymous Girl is a story of obsession, right versus wrong, and betrayal. There are creepy characters that will make your skin crawl, a character you may champion (I know I did), and a few characters in the middle that you just can’t figure out.

The chapters are the perfect length, as I mentioned above, the writing flows perfectly in a race to the finish of the book, and the tension builds at a nice pace. I was hooked very early, and I never lost my connection to this book. The storyline is massively original, full of twists and turns, and I will never forget this dark tale of suspense, deviousness, and obsession.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of An Anonymous Girl from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. An Anonymous Girl is about Jess, a makeup artist who works as a beauty consultant for Beauty Buzz. Jess signs up to participate in a research study on ethics and morality in hopes of making a quick buck that turns into much more that she anticipated. She is soon being paid more than she could possibly imagine, but some of the things she is being asked to do make her extremely uncomfortable.

It is difficult to describe what happens without giving away any spoilers, but it definitely was not what I was expecting. I found the first half of the book to be rather slow, but it picked up considerably at the midway point. By the end, I did not want to put it down. If you like twisty psychological thrillers then be sure to add Anonymous Girl to your list!

What a rollercoaster ride! I admit I have not read Hendricks & Pekkanen's A Wife Between Us, and now I feel like I have been living under a rock after finishing An Anonymous Girl. I will also never sign up for a study in exchange for money.

Protagonist Jessica sneaks into a study on morality and ethics that is being conducted by a well respected and published university professor. The study pays well, and Jessica is selected for additional tasks. However, these tasks take a dark and manipulative turn and the reader is quickly thrust into a dark and devious place where manipulative lies, love and sex push the characters to their limits.

The characters took turns with appalling actions and trying to stay ahead of each other, and it really kept me guessing. The protagonist is well written and developed so I did empathize with her at times, particularly with the relationship with her family. The relationships between the main three characters were exceptionally well plotted and drawn out - there were times when even I was hoping to receive Dr. Shields' approval.

If you love thrillers, this book is a must. Go and get it and start it on a Friday night because you won't be able to put it down. Or start it on a Monday and then call in sick to work (but that would be lying, wouldn't it?).

Thank you so much to St Martins Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for review.

Another thriller for me this month! Not sure if I'm on a roll but here we are. I did quite enjoy this one. It was different than others I've read in the genre. I literally spent the whole book going "ok, who is telling the truth and who is actually batshit crazy?"
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Intrigued? This one publishes early next month! I'd recommend it to fans of Gone Girl, Girl on a Train, The Woman in the Window, and Watching You.
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Here's the official synopsis:
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Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.
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When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave. But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking…and what she’s hiding. As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly
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Thank you to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanan, authors of the best-selling hit book "The Wife Between Us," are back and the hype their book is receiving is well deserved!

In a world where morality is an ever changing gauge, a fluid point on which no two people agree, making ones way through relationships - familial, friendship, romantic liaisons - can be tricky at best. So, when Jessica, a make up consultant in need of money, overhears a client talking about a morality study at the local university that pays a handsome fee in return, she maneuvers her way into the study, a move that will alter her life forever.

This is a smart, expertly written psychological thriller that weaves a web of deceit so intricate that you will caught into it before you realize the first strand has been laid down for you. The characters are deftly written, I disliked them and loved them at varying times and all at once - is that is even possible - until the very last line of the book.

While I wasn't a fan of The Wife Between Us, I found An Anonymous Girl to be extremely entertaining, very thrilling, a marvelous cat and mouse game and the ending was sheer perfection. The only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is because there were scenarios that were just too over the top that they were unbelievable. That doesn't always bother me, after all this is fiction, but it didn't always work in this work. The book was, however, an excellent read and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to #Netgalley, the authors and #StMartinsPress for my advanced copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekhanen for the opportunity to read and review their latest thriller - loved it! I also liked their first book, The Wife Between Us. This one also definitely deserves all the hype it is getting - don't miss it!

Jessica is just scraping by working as a make-up artist and trying to help her parents with the expenses of raising Jessica's sister who is disabled. She sneaks into an ethics and morality study, hoping to make a few extra dollars. The questions grab Jessica from the beginning and her answers grab the attention of the psychologist running the study, Dr Shields. Soon Dr Shields offers more money for more testing and Jessica finds herself questioning who she can trust. The story is told in alternating chapters between Jessica and Dr Shields, allowing us a glimpse into both sides of the story.

Enough said - this is a great ride and will keep you glued to the pages. 5 stars - highly recommended!

“Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.” This book definitely lived up to the hype! So many unexpected twists and turns in this intriguing psychological thriller. The authors do an amazing job portraying creepy and realistic obsession while consistently building suspense. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced digital copy of this novel. 4.5 stars. Review posted on GoodReads and Instagram @readingnookreviews

There’s always a concern that authors of an outstanding first novel can’t create another one equally as good. I am glad to say they succeeded in creating a second compelling, twisty read, comparable to the first. If you like taut psychological thrillers, this should appeal to you.

In the previous novel (The Wife Between Us), there were a lot of places where I needed to go back and re-read a section because I’d made false assumptions about what was going on. Here, in An Anonymous Girl, the plot follows a more traditional path forward, but it is no less suspenseful or captivating. The story is told in alternating voices which seems to be the norm for current psychological thrillers. It works well to drive the story forward and maintaining the tension throughout. I must say that I didn’t find much to like about any of the characters, however, and wasn’t sure who I was cheering for at times, but the end was satisfying if not exactly to my liking.

I think the collaboration between these authors promises us a future of good storytelling and I look forward to their next effort.

Thanks to NetGallery, St. Martin’s Press and the authors, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Having read The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, I looked forward to reading An Anonymous Girl. While I liked their first book better, An Anonymous Girl does not disappoint. Jessica is a make-up artist struggling to make ends meet and help her parents financially take care of her younger sister. She finds an opportunity to participate in a research study about lying. What happens next is mind-blowing. So many twists and turns involving two therapists.. Which therapist is telling the truth? You just have to read this one for yourself to discover the answers. I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s for an honest review.

This is the second book I've read from these authors and it is just as fabulous as the first one. It had me sucked in by the first chapter! This is a fast and enjoyable read. It has you sitting on the edge of your seat and you won't know what hit you till the last page!I

Fantastic read!!

Thank you to the publisher, #Netgalley and #stmartinspress for letting me have the arc of this fabulous book in exchange for an honest review.

#ananonymousgirl

Thank you St Martin's Press for the arc. It seemed like a slow burn in the beginning but I forced myself to stick with it and I am glad that I did. . About the last hour or 100 pages it really kicked in. Loved the ending.

The second book by this writing duo. I am more familiar with Sarah Pekkanen and have read and reviewed almost all of her books here on Kritters Ramblings.

The synopsis for this one is we have Jessica Farris who is barely making ends meet for a few reasons and when at a job she hears about a study where she can make a large amount of cash and at this moment in her life she will do about anything for more income. Dr. Shields is the person running this study and she has quite a few reasons to run this study and they aren't all fo real academic research.

When I was pitched this book, the synopsis had me go hmmm. I was up for a psychological thriller with a study and a doctor at the heart of it. This is a spoiler but I have to share because this was the reason why I just couldn't enjoy this book and it is a sub genre that I just don't enjoy reading so if you don't either you may want to skip this one. The reason for Dr. Shields to enact her study is to get to the bottom of her husband's possible affairs. I personally do not like cheating husband books. Everyone may have a subgenre that they do not enjoy reading for any reason and cheating husband is the one for me that I doesn't enjoy reading - haven't experienced it, but just not something I like reading about. So if I had known that before starting, I would have possibly skipped this one.

Beyond that, the book was definitely set up well and the perfect twisty turny thriller. The pacing was right on and I liked the elements of it. I just didn't enjoy Dr. Shields' motive. I will read their next joint venture as long as we can stay away from the cheaters!

In the end, I have to say that I loved their first collaboration so much better. Go check out The Wife Between Us, it is such a great read that will go places that you could never have predicted!

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen's first novel, The Wife Between Us, completely creeped me out. So I was prepared for demented and twisty when I picked up their new novel -- An Anonymous Girl.

Not. Prepared. Enough.

Holy crap. There is nothing scarier than a scenario that could actually happen. This tale of jealousy, lies, manipulation, and madness could happen.....and that makes it the worst sort of mind game. Ok Greer & Sarah....kudos ladies! You got me again. I am totally creeped out.

Awesome story! I picked up this book this morning fully intending to read a couple chapters then get some laundry, chores, etc done. Poof...suddenly it's this afternoon and I got nothing else done but read this book. Total binge.

The basics: A make up artist in NYC needs a little extra cash. She's getting a bit desperate. She didn't hit it big doing makeup for theater productions like she dreamed....she's making calls on clients to pretty them up for dates, events, etc. It's a job....but not a high paying one. She hears about a blind study on morality and ethics that pays $500. She could use the money....so she tells a bit of a fib to get into the study. Little does she know that lying to get into this study on ethics will be more than ironic.....it's going to be twisted and dark.

The story definitely kept my attention from start to finish. Lots of psychological suspense. I felt sympathy for the main character, Jessica. Jess hangs on to guilt and self esteem issues from past decisions and actions....and those hangups are used to manipulate the crap out of her. It was disturbing because we all carry similar emotional baggage. In the hands of a knowledgeable manipulative person...maybe we all could be victimized like she is in this story.

Don't read this story looking for high literature.....this is mind candy of a disturbing nature. It's meant to create a feeling, an unease, discomfort....not existential literary fulfillment. Grab a classic for existential....grab this book for a total mind F. It makes for an awesome afternoon of psychological torment! I loved it! I can't wait to see what twisted plot they come up with next! I will definitely read it!

Any book that makes me binge the entire story at one sitting deserves full stars from me.... I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from St. Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Rating: 3 stars (rounded down from 3.5)

The writing duo of Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen wrote this year’s best seller, “The Wife Between Us”. I haven’t read that book yet, but I was excited to get my hands on their second book, “An Anonymous Girl” because of the buzz generated by “The Wife Between Us”. I was actually a bit disappointed in “An Anonymous Girl”. When I’d read the final page, I thought, “Wow, that ending was a bit of a letdown.” The book is a mystery in the Psychological Thriller genre. It started out well, but in my opinion ended with a bit of a whimper instead of the bang I was expecting.

This book is told from alternating points of view. First we hear from Jessica, ‘Jess’ Farris. She is a twenty-eight year-old make-up artist trying to make her mark in New York City. She’s had some set-backs along the way, and is usually scrambling to earn more money to make ends meet. She is secretly paying for some of her younger sister’s medical bills. She jumps at a chance to enter a psychological study focusing on morality at NYU that promises to pay her some good money for just a little bit of time invested.

Next we are introduced to Dr. Lydia Shields who is the psychiatrist behind the NYU study. From nearly the beginning of her narration, we understand that the coolly logical Dr. Shields is using this study to find the perfect human subject with whom to continue her own personal research project. That project to prove whether or not her husband is faithful. Jess is Subject 52, and is singled out by Dr. Shields for this extra-curricular research.

From there the cat and mouse game begins. At first Jess is completely taken in by Dr. Shields, but as she is asked to take on more complex tasks, she becomes more wary. Along the way are introduced to other characters, including Dr. Shields’ husband, Thomas, and the plot grows more complex. However, even with the complexity, the pace of story was a bit to slow for me.

I wasn’t sure which of the characters were unreliable narrators, and I enjoyed the suspense of that unknown. They very well could have ALL have been unreliable. The plot denouement occurs on Christmas Da. Sadly, it wasn’t the present of and ending that I was anticipating.

Was the book suspenseful? Yes.

Did it keep me on the edge of my seat? Not so much.

I think it was a good solid effort, hence the 3-star rating. It wasn’t a waste of my reading time, but it didn’t live up to the anticipatory hype I’d built up in my mind based on the acclaim of the authors’ debut book. It didn’t quite keep me as engaged, and didn’t surprise me to the degree that other psychological thrillers that I’ve read recently did.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, St Martin’s Press; and the authors, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen; for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Having enjoyed The Wife Between Us, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on An Anonymous Girl. It didn’t disappoint. It’s got twists and turns, and the dual narration keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

This was a fast-paced suspense novel about a beauty consultant, Jess, that sneaks her way into a study in order to make some quick cash. She soon becomes the sole study allowing her to make more cash on the side of her beauty consultant gig. I won’t say anymore about the plot because I believe you should go in not knowing much. I formed some opinions of what I thought was going on and the storyline kept taking a different turn. Is it believable? No, but I promise it’s enjoyable and hard to put down.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

As a big fan of thrillers, I enjoyed this book. I didn't rush to finish it, but rather liked reading each part and spiraling deeper down the rabbit hole of obsession and deceit and mind games. I didn't figure out the twist(s), but I also didn't find them shocking when they occured. I think this was because everything was laid out so well and the characters so well defined that when crazy things happened, they all made sense. An easy book to get into that definitely got under my skin at times.

Its remarkable how the simplest of decisions can create a butterfly effect...

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen wrote another readable thriller. It wasn't earth shattering but it was a quick read and kept me interested. While some parts seemed far fetched most of the book was very good.

Earlier this year I read The Wife Between Us, it was amazing. I love the way Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen write well together. And I LOVED the twists! I kept seeing the cover art for their newest book, An Anonymous Girl, everywhere. I was excited to receive an advanced digital copy of the ebook via Netgalley.


I'm addicted to psych thrillers and murder mysteries. While this book was addictive in that I could not put it down, it lacked the suspense I typically get from psych thrillers. However, I truly loved the story line.


Warning: There are mentions of suicide, grooming, sexual assault, and affairs.