Mmmmmmmm, an interesting but at times uncomfortable story of a girl kidnapped from a Florida Theme Park 15 years ago...
The story is told in 2 halves, one chapter from ‘Anna’s’ narrative the other from the Sister, Rosie’s.
Anna is in America and Rosie in London so the differences in narrative style keeps you on your toes as you swop continents
The story is there for you from the beginning and then you work backwards from the present day to the day of the kidnapping ( and before )
Mamma ( the American one ) is portrayed wonderfully, if scarily, as a ‘Carrie’ type Mum whilst the UK Mum is just about coping 15 years on
The use of the internet and forums in the story is fascinating as people ‘air their ideas’....but someone knows more than they are saying....
The outcome of why Anna was taken is scary and even more so as its believable and the conclusion of the book moving and a little sad tbh
A darkly intense story that kept me involved and wanting to know how, why, what for and what will happen now
8/10 4 stars

When Emily disappears as a toddler from a Florida theme park, it leaves a family desperately craving answers. On the fifteenth anniversary of her disappearance, it seems they are no nearer to discovering the truth - until younger sister Rosie starts to delve into the murky depths of the internet.
In America, Anna is starting to question who she is. When she receives a mysterious letter from a man in a white suit, her life begins to unravel.
This is an excellent read told from the two viewpoints of Emily and Rosie. Full of suspense it kept me turning the pages as I followed the girls' journeys. In any story involving missing children, there is unlikely to be a happy ending - lives have been changed and when so many years have gone by it is impossible to fill in the gaps especially when nobody is who they seem. Nevertheless, there is at least a sense of closure and new beginnings in this story. Thoroughly engrossing.

Finished this book in a day.
Very easy reading. and the story draws you in straight away.
It is predictable at times but the plot is engrossing and well written.
Will look out for more from this author.

Thank you netgalley, Random House and Lizzy Barber for allowing me to read and review this book.

This book almost seems predictable, you know from the blurb what's coming and start the book knowing how it will develop. So it came as quite a surprise that the book draws you in regardless and the flow between one life and another's is seemless. You know a book is good if you care about the characters and can feel their pain and joy. This cleverly written tale does just that.

Definitely worth reading, it's a 4.5 from me, leaving a little room for the next offering by this author.

Really enjoyable book telling the story of Anna who’s been bought up in America with a very religious Mother and the story of Rosie growing up in the UK with a mission sister. The story is quite predictable in that Anna is the missing sister however the story is still very well written detailing the ups and downs of both girls, how it happened as well as religious sects and how they prey on the innocent and naive. Easy to read and would highly recommend!

It is quite obvious from early on in this tale where it is going, but even finding out how it will end is not the centre of the story as far as I am concerned. Anna is introduced on her eighteenth birthday and has spent her life with her Mamma bringing her up very strictly, reading the bible, scrubbing her hands to avoid dirt and germs, holding her at arm's length but allowing her no freedom, keeping her close to home.

The chapters alternate with Rosie who lives a very different life in the centre of a loving family, but one that restricts her freedom too because they have had their eldest child abducted 15 years earlier. This mother is loving but too protective of her second daughter and life revolves round the perfect, missing daughter. Emily is no longer part of the family but all their lives are focussed on looking for her and she is perfection, or so it feels to Rosie. Lizzy Barker introduces a very interesting picture the effects a missing child has on, not only the parents, but the rest of the family - a child who was still a tot when Emily disappeared and a boy who was not even born.

A fascinating debut - can't wait to read the next offering from Lizzy Barber.

Many thanks to Netgalley/Lizzy Barber/Random House for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Gripping from the start when Anna’s story unravels as she realises she is not who she thought she was. As a reader you switch between both families’ stories - one still grieving the loss of a daughter and sister whilst the other trying to figure out who her real mother is. Absolutely fascinating. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Chilling and thrilling this story of a missing child, a creepy religious cult and the need to never lose hope is absolutely gripping. Highly recommend!

It was a really enjoyable book, from start to finish. The characters of Anna and her 15 year old sister were very well written. Reading the story from Anna’s point of view was interesting. Although her upbringing was strict, she seemed happy and content with her life. However, the unexpected flashback threw her in a spin. This showed her courage, determination as well as kindness towards her mother. I really liked how the story ended...There’s more to the story. I want to now know, how does she cope with her new found freedom as well as family? Will she stay where she is and therefore end up losing the one person who believed in her?

This was a complex story about two girls living on the opposite sides of the Atlantic. It was an interesting idea, well written and with appealing characters. The conclusion was rather obvious once you had been introduced to all the characters, which took the edge off a bit. but it was still an enjoyable story.

What an excellent story. One little girl goes missing from a theme park and we hear about her sister and parents' lives in the aftermath. How they search for years and never give up hope. Then we hear about Anna who is brought up by her mother in a very strict, religious home. Gradually all the pieces of this jigsaw fit together. Wonderful! I didn't want the book to end. I wanted to find out what happens next. I suppose that is the idea of a good book, you feel satisfied with the ending but want more. I shall definitely be looking forward to the next book from this author.

This is a really good debut read about Anna, who lives alone with her very strict church going Mamma and who has no real knowledge of her past. No baby photo's, no real family history and then, she begins to have flashbacks that she doesn't understand.

Alongside Anna's narrative is that of a Sister (Rosie) that Anna doesn't know she has, who live on the other side of the Atlantic and from whom Anna was taken many years ago.
Rosie tells the story from her perspective and it's heart wrenching to read how her Sister's disappearance has impacted her and her family.

The story flows well and the characters are well constructed, although, I'd like to have had more detail on the British family of Rosie, Rob and their parents. What is told is heartbreaking, it's just I didn't feel I got to know much about them.

Overall, It's a predictable read in parts, but, it's well written and compelling and it deals really well with what is very sensitive and difficult subject matter.

Many thanks to the author, Random House UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview in exchange for this honest review.

Not an obvious thriller, this is more sophisticated than the usual. The stories of two teenage girls, one in America and one in England weave together. The author has cleverly made them very distinctive voices. The book also touches on internet trolls, the power of the media and the rise and fall of public opinion. I really liked it, although I would have liked more at the end of the book about the difficulties of adjustment.

Exciting and gripping story!


The book is set in the UK and USA and takes a bit of thought to get into the story.  It is told from the point of view of two girls, Anna and Rosie, who experienced very different childhoods from each other.  


I enjoyed the twists running through the book. The story touches on heartbreak, friendship, family, loss and love.  I would highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Lizzy Barber for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

The price of this book is way too steep, even though this is definitely a 5 star read, that price is a bit ridiculous. So thank you Netgalley for my copy.

Wow, wow, wow! When I read the blurb to this book I just HAD to read it, and boy am I glad I did! The characters were perfect, the story was amazing; twisty, turny and UNBELIEVABLY awesome.

I was not expecting this to be such an amazing read, but it was... I'm still so speechless about it. The author's writing style is brilliant; draws the reader in from the first page, keeps the readers hooked, describes everything to perfection. Anna was such an amazing character to read about, and as her story unfolds, you're left with your jaw dropped onto the floor.

I can't praise this book enough, an amazing psychological thriller, a definite page turned and one you won't be able to put down. AMAZING!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone, Century and the author, Lizzie Barber, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of My Name Is Anna in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

I thought this book offered a good read. The storyline was well written, with engaging characters. The plot was definitely intriguing and delivers what was promised in the description. An author I will definitely read again. 3.5 stars.
Well worth a read.

Anna has been brought up by her strict and religious mother in Florida who still treats her like a child. On her 18th birthday she and her boyfriend Will (the pastors son), to a local theme park behind her mothers back, where she has a heavy feeling of Déjà vu. This and other strange feelings encourage her to break up with Will as he doesn’t take her inklings seriously.
Rosie lives in England with her parents and younger brother. Fifteen years ago her sister vanished at the same theme park whilst they were all on holiday in America. She was never found and the tragedy has dominated her childhood. Rosie starts looking into it and events quickly take a sinister turn.
I felt intrigued in the story but also felt like I knew the ending already, I would have liked a bit more of Rosies story to balance things and I thought it was also a bit slow in getting to the meat of the storyline which got me a little bored and inpatient. I did persevere though and I’m glad I did as on the whole this was a well written, interesting book.

Our names are such a crucial part of our identity, so when Anna reaches her eighteenth birthday and has reason to question who she is and where she really comes from, her whole life is suddenly not what it seems. Neither is her stiflingly close relationship with her single mother, Mary.

Having been brought up to absorb specific teaching and automatically observe strict religious practices instigated by her Mamma, she begins to seek the truth and reasoning behind it all. Anna eventually discovers that their lives are rooted in puritanical teaching based on cult beliefs.

Rosie is also on a quest. Her little sister Emily went missing fifteen years ago and has never been found. With the anniversary provoking fresh publicity and the threat of trust funds about to dry up, her parents might be tempted to call off investigations into Emily’s disappearance and try to resign themselves to life without her.

Taking matters into her own hands, Rosie anonymously joins internet chat forums still pondering the mystery of Emily’s disappearance. In the process, she meets people who have ideas about the case, and some who are able to provide information themselves when she tracks them down. She also puts her life in peril by getting close to the truth.

It is clear fairly early on in the book what links Anna, Rosie and Emily to one another, though it takes time to unravel the story and for their lives to converge. And to dig deeper into the sinister religious cult, led by the charismatic but unsavoury Father Paul, that holds Anna and Mamma in its thrall.

Although I would have liked to have had Rosie’s family explored more and seen how Anna coped beyond the great reveal itself, this excels as a dark, disturbing, captivating and twisty story, maintaining interest and intrigue to the end.

The book is told by Anna and Rosie, two teenagers attempting to discover what happened to Emily, who was abducted from a fun park years ago.
When Anna reaches 18 years of age, she decides to try and find out what happened to Emily, wondering what secrets have been withheld. Anna’s mother is a strict disciplinarian, always checking up on her, unable to show love, and Anna is convinced she is holding something back.
In places I found the story difficult to follow – it’s slow moving at first and confusing. As one girl begins to uncover secrets of what happened to Emily, it goes to the next the chapter told from the other girl’s viewpoint, which takes the story back to the beginning. Rather than making the book become more exciting and dramatic, it becomes frustrating to read.
The book addresses a disturbing subject, and is quite chilling in places.

Review left at Amazon 1/11/2018
https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/create-review/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_wr_but_top/thankyou?asins=B07CN8RM2L&channel=glance-detail-thankyou

I really enjoyed this book and found it very hard to put down .The story centres around Anna who at 18 after a visit to an amusement park finds it has triggered past memories about her missing sister Emily who 15 years before had disappeared from the park and had not been seen since .The story starts slowly and gradually builds up to a somewhat predictable ending but still a very good read .Many thanks to the Publisher .the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review