An Anonymous Girl was very enjoyable. It’s about a woman named Jess who decides to do a psychological study for money. But is it worth it? All she thinks is that she will answer some questions and collect her money. It’s a must read!

Jessica works as a make-up artist for the company BeautyBuzz. At a client's home, she overhears a girl talking about a $500 survey. The girl says she is going to "blow it off". Well, Jess would like to take her place. She manages to get in and finds out that the survey consists of her being alone with a computer. A voice guides Jess through a Morality Survey which Jess did not have time to complete. Still at her parent's home in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving, Jess is called to complete the survey. She needs to be back in New York by Saturday. So she leaves her parents and attends the survey once again. The moderator, Dr. Lydia Shields, asks to see Jess in person. Jess does this and finds out that the survey has been suspended. However, Subject 52 (Jess) has become the sole focus. Since Jess' dad had been laid off, her family sure could use the money for payments and for her sister's care.

Dr. Shields is extremely generous with checks for Jess' visits and "performances ($600-$1000). She also gives her gifts, as well. Things get weird when Jess is told by Lydia (Dr. Shields) what to wear and what make-up to use as she is sent to a hotel bar, alone....

Lydia tells Jess (remotely) which men to try to pick up and (since none of them are Lydia's cheating husband) Lydia is bored and pays Jess $75. They both leave. Next, Jess is to give two women free make-up sessions (to see how well they tip on a freebie - sure!) and Jess wonders about her contract with BeautyBuzz - the non-disclosure clause. Then Jess meets Lydia's husband, Thomas, and they both realize that they had a one night stand, together, only two days ago. (Although Lydia is unaware of it....well, yet...)

The saga continues; Dr. Shields and Lydia become "friends" and Lydia is making good money. However, behind the scenes, Lydia has a hidden agenda that includes her husband and a former (dead) survey participant Subject #5. Lydia plays games with both Jess and Thomas. She is unaware that her husband and Jess may be on to her schemes. She loves Thomas but he has wanted to love her - she needs a psychologist, herself...


The last straw is when Lydia works behind Jess' back to have her fired, ruin a budding romance with Ben but yet still is able to convince Jess about anything that is to Lydia's advantage. Truth be damned!

Checkmate occurs when Thomas and Jess are at his office and he truthfully fills her in on all of Lydia's schemes and methods of control. Jess confronts Lydia at her townhouse. Weak and tired, Jess breaks down and goes along with whatever Lydia tells her to do. Jess vaguely remembers Subject #5 explaining (in her file) exactly what is happening to Jess now! As Lydia is cleaning up... "all traces of you were gone... as if you'd never been here at all... as if you no longer exist..) What will happen, thinks Jess, when Lydia finds out that she continually lied to her and slept with her husband. What will she do to me???

Entanglements are stretched to the maximum; deceit, lies and more are ahead. What will happen to Jess AND her family? What about Thomas, Lydia's husband ? And, even more so... what will happen to Lydia?

This is the second book I have read by this author - both books were entertaining and never a dull moment !I highly recommend this as a MUST READ for all!


Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a truly enjoyable read

Once again Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen did not disappoint!!! I could not put this book down! Best book I have read all year!
Without giving it all away...this book is written from alternating perspectives of good/evil, sane/insane and moral/immoral. Delving into the questions of morality and relationships while keeping the plot riveting is what makes this book captivating! Definitely will recommend to all! As a fan of The Good Widow as well, I can not wait for the next book from Hendricks and Pekkanen!

4.5 stars - This was another great psychological thriller from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Jessica Farris is a 28 year old makeup artist struggling to pay her bills when she sneaks her way into a psychological study run by Dr. Shields to earn some extra money. It turns out to be much more than she expected and she finds herself in a very dangerous situation. I highly recommend this book - you will not be able to put it down.

Absolutely amazing! Could not put this down, had me hooked from the beginning and genuinely scared and creeped out at the end with a twist I didn't see coming, LOVED this!

This was a complex, disturbing look at the twisted mind of a mad woman. What begins as a seemingly innocuous easy way to make a bit of extra income becomes a dark, ballet of murder and deceit. Complex characters and plot. Mind games and manipulation. Compelling read.

The morally intriguing story of An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen was extremely hard for me to put down.
This is the story of a makeup artist taking part in a survey for a therapist and becomes complex and terrifying with how quickly another person can gain control of your life by your answers.
Five horrifying stars!!

"Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed."

The plot for this story is incredibly original and is what initially piqued my interest in this book. But that's where it ends for me. I already know that I'll be in the minority with my opinions as this book will no doubt appeal to the masses.

Told in two points of view, that of Dr Shields, the alluring, manipulative therapist conducting a survey on ethics and morality, and Jess, the unlucky participant that has drawn the attention of Dr Shields. Dr Shields finds Jess is most suitable for a personal agenda and begins the process of grooming and manipulating her. Its clear that the chapters narrated by Dr Shields are meant to have a creepy feel but the atmosphere falls flat. Jess is likeable enough, devastatingly flawed and a victim of her own secrets.

I'm all for a slow burn but this book burns so slow it extinguished itself by the 40% mark and never really becomes engaging throughout.

The synopsis for this book paints a picture of a story more psychologically frightening than is actually between the pages. The story is totally implausible, which I could forgive if only the narrative had been told in a more captivating way. There are no twists in this book, no gasping moments, no real sense of mystery. The ending is just blah and completely farfetched. I found the story to be pretty lackluster throughout.

I would be remiss in not mentioning that clearly the authors are fans of fashion because nearly every scene includes a detailed description of what the characters are wearing down to the tiniest of details. These details lend nothing to the storyline and become laughable at points because of the absurdity of their inclusion in the book.

I'm giving this one 2.5 ⭐ rounded up for plot originality and the fact that I was able to finish the book despite it's failings.


I was provided an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The next time you consider signing up for a research study, you might want to think twice—and you will after reading this book!

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.

Jess is a makeup artist who came to New York dreaming of a career in the theater. She has a lot of secrets she's kept hidden, which has led her to become totally self-reliant, although money is one of the biggest sources of anxiety she has to deal with. When she overhears a client thinking about not showing up for a research study she was supposed to participate in—and it pays $500—Jess decides there's nothing wrong with pretending to fill in for the young woman, since $500 would really help with this month's rent.

Jess figures all she'll need to do is answer some questions, collect her money, and leave. She wasn't expecting the questions to be difficult, like Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt? Describe a time in your life when you cheated, or Have you ever deeply hurt someone you care about? But more than that, she wasn't expecting the psychiatrist conducting the study—whom she never met—to give feedback on her answers, and encourage her to be more honest and more in-depth.

As the sessions continue, and the payoff increases, Jess can't help but wonder what the study really is all about. While she is utterly unsettled when the psychiatrist, whom she finds out is the renowned Dr. Lydia Shields, asks whether Jess would be willing to expand her participation in the study. But when Jess learns that the compensation would be significantly higher, there's no way she can turn Dr. Shields' request down.

Expanding her participation in the study is definitely not what she expected. Dr. Shields starts to tell Jess where to go, how to dress, and whom to meet—and in some cases, that entails striking up a conversation with a specific man. Jess begins feeling uncomfortable, and wonders exactly what Dr. Shields wants to accomplish. More and more, she questions whether she can trust the doctor—and then Jess discovers a disturbing coincidence that she needs to hide from her, or the doctor could destroy her life.

An Anonymous Girl is a pretty wild book, full of twists and turns. You wonder how you might react in the same situation, but at the same time I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at times that Jess could be so clueless. There were definitely some surprises thrown in, but ultimately I had my ideas about how the plot would unfold. I just kept hoping that things wouldn't go completely awry, and I was pleased they didn't.

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, whose last book, The Wife Between Us, contained some shockers but didn't quite click for me, definitely kicked it up with An Anonymous Girl. I didn't love some of the characters (and I wondered whether some of this stuff could and does really happen) but the pacing of the book was terrific, and I was hooked from start to finish. I was also glad that the twists they threw in fit with the plot rather than just be included to confuse and shock.

I know this book will be everywhere when it's released in January, because it's the type of book you can't put down, and it definitely will keep you wondering what comes next. Hendricks and Pekkanen mesh well together, and I can't wait for their next book.

NetGalley and St. Martin's Press provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!

Original post: I want this more than the Kardashian's want a higher character count on Twitter!

In this case study I would like to give you three scenarios. Within your answers you may find yourself being able to dive deeper into your psyche more than ever.

Scenario 1:
Imagine you are back in high school and you have just sat down with your number 2 pencils ready to take a test. Your palms are sweaty and your heart is palpitating to the beat of the seconds on the clock. Would you consider cheating to make sure your future doesn't falter? After all, you think you are about to take the most important test of your life.

You thought wrong.

Scenario 2:
Now imagine you are strapped for cash, are trying to be a better person after some heartbreaking events, and are faced with an opportunity that could solve all your problems. However, there is a catch.

You belong to the study now.

Would you join at the risk of becoming part of a psychological experiment mastered by an evil genius?

Scenario 3:
Finally imagine you are a reader that has been dying to read a certain book. Especially after loving their first novel The Wife Between Us. You enter every giveaway, you mentally want to punch those who got an arc way before you, and you check daily to see if it's offered to review yet.

Would you scream in excitement and be so nervous that reading this book will make everything else in life fall to the wayside?

Go into this blind because if you don't you won't feel the insane amount of tension I felt. All I can say is that I secretly love evil geniuses. I especially love when said evil geniuses are so psycho they would be dream clients for those in their profession......

This book was just okay, nothing great and nothing special. It was a little too hokey. Like a lifetime channel movie. The main character is unlikable and annoying. Very immature for a 28 year old. Very fast read and maybe a good beach book, if you like these sort of books.

Ever since reading The Wife Between Us, authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have been on my reading list. There is something very powerful in their writing leaving you thinking long after reading their book.
In An Anonymous Girl, we are immediately taken into the situation of the main character, Jessica as she struggles with money issues and getting a decent career. We know there is some deep secret that she doesn't want to reveal yet and things start getting interesting when she takes the place of another girl in a research study.

An Anonymous Girl is written in several POVs which was a bit confusing in the beginning but then you get the idea after reading further into the story. There's the POV from Jessica, the protagonist, where she details all the events that occur to her, all her speculations, suspicions, and compassion. Then we see Lydia, the professor in the research study who we think she's a decent person, but the truth slowly unwraps itself in Lydia's own actions and rationalizations. She's calculating and even more suspicious and so fun to read throughout this story. There's also another perspective which seems almost like a third person or even that the voice of a computer or data analysis - well, at least that's how it's perceived to me.

I have to say that An Anonymous Girl is a true mystery. While there are several twists and turns in the story, the ending is almost predictable in a way that makes me think the authors are doing that deliberately. Perhaps they want the readers to guess the ending on their own. Whatever conjecture you come up with on your own, the ending was satisfactory if not a bit sad.

What I liked about An Anonymous Girl are the characters and the way the authors described them. Jessica is intelligent, intuitive, and yet quite vulnerable. She says she doesn't trust easily and yet she wants to trust people if only to feel just a bit more normal and to not have to carry this heavy burden of a secret in her heart.
Lydia, is beautiful and brilliant, a psychiatrist, who under the guise of doing research on morality and human ethics, decides to take things much deeper into her research. We are led to believe that she really is trying to research the topic for the book she is writing but as other factors and people show up in the story, we see that she is desperate to solve a piece of the puzzle that has troubled her from the beginning.

The writing of An Anonymous Girl is genius and fascinating. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but know that it's hard to put this book down until you have to read to the very end! The authors made me root for Jessica and hopes she can get out of the precarious predicament she is in. With Lydia, I had liked her at first, but then slowly as her actions reveal her calculations and manipulations, she was just any other suspicious wife if not a bit more psychotic. And perhaps that is what makes Lydia so different from other avenging wives. She is a psychology major and a famous professor and psychiatrist so she uses all of her wits and training to find out the truth. But that is also what makes her so dangerous.

Wow! Best mystery I’ve read in a long time. Gripping from start to finish. I’m a big fan of psychological thrillers and this one does not disappoint!

This book is an absolutely absorbing read that examines the underbelly of humanity. The characters are well written and the plot moves along at an exciting pace. I was wary of this one as I had read an advance copy of Hendricks/Pekkanen's first collaboration, The Wife Between us, and was not particularly impressed. However, they have more than redeemed themselves with this one. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers this one is not to be missed. Also.. no trigger warnings whatsoever. Yes, standard elements are here (including adultery, suicide and TONS of questionable behavior on both sides). But the more "delicate" elements are handled well. Kudos to this writing duo! I hope that this book blows their last one out of the water because this book is excellent.

I enjoyed this book more than their last book! I love the Dr. then I hate the Dr, Lots of twists, which I love! I was so agitated by the end with the Dr. I wanted to throw the book. And great ending ! I read it twice, and maybe we all interpret it different, but I like the way I read It! Great mix of characters. Enjoyed this book thoroughly!

*netgalley copy*
WOW! Another amazing read by an author I’m becoming quite the fan of. I love how you’re never really sure who’s dong what to whom or who you can trust or even who to root for. The twisty storyline and rather unlikeable characters somehow still make you unable to put the book down. This is definitely one of those “sorry honey, just one more chapter” type of reads. I just couldn’t get enough. Layers upon layers of lies and deceit keep your head spinning in the best possible way. I already can not wait for this authors next book!

Review: AN ANONYMOUS GIRL by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. Sometimes a therapist who coaxes out all of your secrets is holding the biggest one in the room. Excellent book,keeps you nervous and on the edge. Psychotic witch alert! Five stars!

Another amazing book from Hendricks and Pekkanen. If you liked The Wife Between Us, you'll love An Anonymous Girl. I wanted a few more twists, but this still had you wondering who was lying and who was being honest. I also thought the ending, or the last move on Jessica's part was absolutely amazing. Will be reviewing, recommending, and using in challenges in Chapter Chatter Pub. Also, if the authors would like to do a live chat in the group, after the book is released, I would be happy to have them'

The book seems very straightforward. Girl thinks she's participating in a psychology study. Professor in charge of study is actually obsessed with finding out <spoiler>if her husband is cheating on her again (not sure if this is really a spoiler but I will put it under spoiler tags just in case)</spoiler>. Nothing is really that surprising... although I started thinking it was weird even at the beginning when Jess was answering study questions and was getting responses from a live person during her session. I kept expecting there to be a twist, and waiting for a twist, I swear I saw somewhere that this book had a twist...but no twist ever came. The book was just...okay. Nothing that thrilling or suspenseful or twisty ever happened.

There are some Dr. Shields POV chapters- I must say, I did not enjoy them. They seem stilted and weirdly formal- I kept wondering, who thinks like this??

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

My review of An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.


This book turns from something that's too good to be true to an obsession. In this book we meet Jessica who wants to make some cash she desperately needs. The questions she signs up for on a personality study get more and more intense and personal. Soon Dr Shields only focuses on Jessica. Jessica starts doing things she wouldn't normally do in her life. Jessica starts looking for a way out, but is there one or is she way over her head?


I loved the writing and the tension is definitely there and this story touches all the bases with surprises all over. Just when you think she has dealt with the whole scheme of things she has another obstacle. It's hard to figure out who is the shady character, they are all either good or bad.I can see the Authors leaning over their keyboards smiles on their faces as they know they are throwing us another bone, another twist with curves and u-turns. All characters tie in to make this suspenseful. Be careful who you share your secrets with because it can be a whole new ball game. This is a page turner that will have you calling into work.

Thank you Net Gallery and St. Martins Press for this advanced copy to be released January 8th 2019.

Cherie'

I review on Good Reads, Amazon, and Book Bub.