Thanks for the opportunity to read this book and I really enjoyed it. Gripped me and I couldn't put it down. Not what I expected but fab book

I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. Not your usual suspense but something different. It is innocent or is there a lot more going on behind the facade?

I noted 197 errors in this book. They were mainly the wrong words ie of instead off, Afair instead of affair, cofee instead of coffee. Very irritating and interrupted the flow of the book for me. Had to make a note of each one and it slowed me down. Having said that I did enjoy the book and wanted to finish it to see how it ended up.

My review in Good Reads is as follows and the link is below:-

This type of book is not my usual type ie psychological thriller but have read a few of this genre recently and I am finding I like them.

It tells the story of Jess who thinks she is taking part in a research project about morality. It starts off with simple questions via a computer screen in a solitary classroom. Then she’s asked to undertake further tasks involving going out and reacting to various scenarios. Then it becomes clear that all is not it seems and that Dr Shields the person in charge of the research has ulterior motives.

There is also the mysterious patient number 5, Dr Shield’s husband, a death and just who is telling the truth?

Keeps you guessing to the end.

Thanks to Net Galley for a copy to review.

This was my second experience with Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen and it was better than the first. I read The Wife Between Us by this duo last year via NetGalley and was a tad underwhelmed. However, An Anonymous Girl maintained a good pace throughout and while there was no mind blowing twists, I was intrigued from start to finish.

The alternating chapters were great. The book switched between Jessica's and Lydia's point of view and I loved Lydia's chapters. They were written so formally and exactly how I'd expect Lydia to conduct herself while the Jessica's chapters were more relaxed like her.

Jessica Farris is 28 and a make up artist, she hears a couple of her clients Taylor and Mandy discussing a survey that you can earn $500 to just answer a few questions. So she makes a note of the details and decides to learn more and maybe take part as she could really do with the money.

As a result Jessica then takes part in the Morality & Ethics research project, she is subject 52 and the questions seem harmless, but she is soon telling her secrets..... !

Dr Shields who is running the survey, asks to meet Jessica as she wants to carry on the surgery, with further face to face questions and ‘assignments’ where her life is basically under control of Dr Shields. A story about the trust we place in so called professionals, with some thought provoking questions on morality and what trouble a lie can cause.....some creepy moments too.

I was totally engrossed and while I have read many psychological thrillers this was certainly original and downright unsettling....a definite must read and one of my favourites this year.


I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook for free in exchange for a fair and honest review

An Anonymous Girl is one of the creepiest books I have ever read that isn’t a horror story.

The tension starts very early on in the story, as Jessica sneaks and lies to trick her way onto a psychological study to make some extra cash, and it is clear from the beginning that there is something very odd about the study and the doctor who is running it.

Themes of lies, deceit, self-interest and manipulation run throughout the novel and no character is exempt, whether it is white lies to save a relationship or intricate deception to cover deep dark secrets. To quote House, ‘everyone lies’: the trick here is to work out whose lies are innocent and well-meaning, and whose are very, very dangerous.

The story is told from two different perspectives in alternating segments, with Jessica’s viewpoint alternated with Dr Shields. Dr Shields’ sections are addressed in the second-person, to Jessica, which gives them an uncomfortable directness that helps to keep the reader off-balance and increases the psychological impact of events.

I was a little surprised at the abruptness of the climax – I would have liked the big moment to be more dramatic and dangerous after such an atmospheric build-up – however I did enjoy the way the plot continued to twist unexpectedly even after what I thought was the ‘end’.

This is a clever psychological thriller that will leave you feeling unsettled and wary. Recommended for fans of the intriguingly uncomfortable.



Remember the rules: Be open and truthful, and avoid pivoting away from any embarrassment or pain these questions provoke.
If this initial query, which is relatively mild, unsettles you, then you might be one of the women who wash out of the study. Some subjects don’t return. This test isn’t for everyone.
You continue to stare at the question.
Maybe your instincts are telling you to leave without even starting.
You wouldn’t be the first.

– Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen, An Anonymous Girl

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

Jess manages to sneak herself into a paid psychology study. It starts out easy enough, a few questions on a computer but soon it becomes more involved. Jess finds herself being told what to wear, where to go and even who to meet but why. Who is this Dr Shields and just what does she want from Jess?

This was a clever twist read. I could never tell which way it would go and who was after what. I love a story that keeps me guessing until the end. This one is also told from more than one perspective which allows us to see into Jess and Dr Shields. It added so much more depth and intrigue to the story. The plot was good and kept me turning pages. The ending was brilliant and finished it off just perfectly for the subject matter.

There are few characters in this so it allowed for good development of each. Jess is intriguing as she grows and changes through the story. I also enjoyed the development of Dr Shields too.

The is a lot of hype around this book but I didn’t find it engrossing as the first book written by these two authors, which was ‘The Wife Between Us’.

I don’t believe I really connected with the characters and at times for me, this was made more difficult as it was written with two points of view. As a rule I have no problem with this kind of direction but it often took me a paragraph or two to work out the character, so I lost some momentum.
I do read a lot in this genre and think the loss of character connection played a big part for me with this book.

Still, I think I’m in the minority here and it certainly hasn’t put me off reading another by this duo.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

No offence to the authors and publishers but I couldn't seem to get into this book or relate to it. I appear to be in the minority group. The storyline sounded excellent when I chose it, so perhaps it was my fault but I put it down half-way through. So sorry. In view of this, I don't think it would be fair to post this review on my Blog or social media. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan

This book follows Jessica, who is a hard-working make-up artist struggling to make ends meet. She has the opportunity to make some extra cash by sneaking into a psychology study about moral choices and ethics. The professor gives her the chance to go further with the study, but as it progresses there is something about the study that makes her feel uncomfortable. Maybe there is another reason Dr Shields has chosen her, and the study isn't all it seems to be.

I really enjoyed the previous book written by these two authors, "The Wife Between Us", so when I had a chance to read their new book, of course I jumped at it. This book is similar to the last one in that it is psychologically tense, full of secrets and involves twisted relationships.

The positives for this book would be that it had a good premise; I loved the idea of Jessica being Subject 52 in a psychological study. The plot progressed steadily, it was fast-paced and this was the consistent tempo throughout the book. I liked the honesty of Jessica's lifestyle which is realistic for a single, modern woman living alone in a big city.

Sadly, I was disappointed with this book. It didn't grip me as much as the previous novel, and I felt like the writing seemed a bit stiff. I didn't feel very much character development in terms of actual personality so I found it hard to relate to any of the characters, even Jessica who was really the main protagonist.

I also thought that some of the twists which were meant to be quite shocking and clever were not as intelligent as I was hoping for. I was quite gripped by the book at the beginning, but the further into the plot I went I kind of just lost that feeling that I couldn't wait to read what would happen next. It became a little bit strained and turned into something I wasn't quite expecting, which was not as much of a psychological thriller as I wanted it to be.

This book just didn't quite have the edge or the big finale that I wanted. There has been a huge amount of hype around this book and it didn't meet those expectations for me - it was okay, but nothing special or memorable.

Thanks to Net Galley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
Some books just need two words as a review , BRILLIANT READ!
This is so cleverly written, it’s addictive from page one, and the tension builds throughout the book, as makeup artist Jessica wangles her way into taking part in takes a mysterious psychological study, that she overheard a client discussing. How hard could it e to answer a few questions on morality and be paid highly for it.
Dr Shields meets Jessica and wants her to take the study further and carry out some assignments for higher compensation and so begins a gripping cat and mouse game. Dr Shields husband is also a therapist and soon Jessica doesn’t know whom to believe or trust, she is caught up in a web of deceit and jealousy. The tension builds and the characters practically come alive as the story unfolds.
This is psychological thriller writing at its best!!!!!!

Thank you to the Publisher, and Netgalley, for an advance ARC in return for an honest review.

Seeing a chance to make easy money Jessica ‘gate-crashes’ a study on morality. She answers a few questions then receives her cheque. But the head of the study, Dr Shephard texts her over Thanksgiving to participate further into the ‘morality’ study, and Jessica finds herself doubting her sanity.

This is a book on morality and adultery. Jessica is the queen of ‘One Night Stands’, and she is not worried if they men are married or single. Dr Shepherd believes in monogamy and long-term commitments; and is separated from her husband Tom who cheated on her.

All three of them are toxic, and the novel twists and turns with the three of them lying to each other. The dual timeline between Dr Shepherd and Jessica moves the novel on, the characters are not always telling the truth, and I was left unsure as to who was stalking whom.

I found myself racing to the end to find out what happened. For me it’s a definite 4 stars.

If you love suspense then this is definitely for you. A very enjoyable read, very creepy in places, and keeps you guessing.

The writing didn't really work for me - perhaps as it was two authors, I'm not sure. It just felt very disjointed, and I couldn't get into it.

"An anonymous Girl" was a collaboration between two authors and I for one couldn't tell: it was a seamless undertaking that if I hadn't been aware beforehand I would still be completely in the dark about.
These two writers obviously complement each other's styles greatly.
This for me was very much a mixed bag.
Mystery and intrigue combined with such a gripping and freshly unique subject matter.
I especially liked that this was so different to all else around at this moment.
This started out so well, pulling at my sense of curiosity and reeling me in, unfortunately, what began with such finesse rapidly fizzled away leaving me feeling a trifle deflated.
This took a while to get off the ground and during this slow start "An Anonymous Girl" lost my attention slightly.
Luckily when things did start to move along I was still somewhat invested in this story.
So this one is a difficult one to explain its such an unusual concept.
Purley a psychological thriller at heart this mainly deals with morality and choices made, but not really in the obvious way that you will initially perceive here.
This is told from Two POV: Jessica and Dr Shields, Dr Shields thoughts are really more of an ongoing voiceover with Jess herself taking centre stage for the majority of this book.
Jess is a viable test subject in morality for a supposed ongoing study, but really she is a pawn for others in a dangerous psychological game where caught in the crossfires she is a casualty of others choices and ultimately their actions.
So while I did enjoy this I did find the writing style wasn't quite a fit for me which impacted slightly on my enjoyment here hence my three rating: this is still, in my opinion, an interesting undertaking that I would certainly recommend.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of An Anonymous Girl.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I really enjoyed The Wife Between Us so was looking forward to reading this and it did not disappoint.

The book starts off a little slower, as it sets up the situation and we get to know Jessica a little. Once it gets going however, there are a number of twists and turns and the chapters are short.

The characters are fascinating - Jessica at first seems pretty straightforward but we find out she is hiding a dark secret, but Dr Shields is always a bit of a mystery.

I think this story benefits from having two authors as this seems to helps the two very different narrations.

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

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 is real in her life, and what is one of Dr Shields’s manipulative experiments.

Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

I started this book a while ago, then left it alone for around three weeks. When I picked it up again, it was as though I had not stopped reading it: I immediately picked up the story again.

This is definitely not a book for the faint hearted – I didn’t know who to believe or who was lying. And isn’t lying just a different version of the truth? One person will see it one way, and another differently?

I loved this book and would highly recommend. 5*

Jess a make up artist in New York is busy with her free lance job that pays her peanuts. When she arrives to do a job for two young carefree girls a phone call turns her fortune around.

Deciding to attend Taylor’s appointment for a psychological study means Jess meets Dr Lydia Shields who takes a special interest in Jess, sending her out to complete morality tests within the community. But Dr Shields has an ulterior motive, sending Jess life spiralling.

An Anonymous Girl was an incredible and incredibly mind-bending read! It was so very addictive and I very much felt victimised by the end of it.

I loved the idea of the novel. It started so innocently, and twist after twist happened. The further into the book the more twisted and confusing it got. I loved how much mind completely warped into Jessica's feelings, and how the more aggravated I got from it. It was a weird yet addicting feeling.

An Anonymous Girl just caught me completely by surprise. I did not know how the story was going to go, but I was surprised entirely! This novel is mind-twisting at its finest. It was unexpected in the best way.

An Anonymous Girl was a hit for me. It was thrilling, confusing, aggravating, confusing and all the best parts that make a good thriller what it is. I absolutely loved it, more so than the first novel by these authors. This book has an edge and originality that I have never seen. I would most definitely recommend this to thriller lovers who like to live on the wild side of life. Incredible!!

An Anonymous Girl is a psychological thriller with a difference, it is unlike any I have read before in a good way.
I have to say I am struggling with how and what to say in this review as I think your best coming in as blind as you can be, I was sent this ages before I read it and I’d forgotten the blurb and the first chapter I was thinking I wasn’t going to like it but by the end of the second chapter I knew it was going to be hard to put it down. It is a very intense and twisty thriller with love, lies and deception making up a big part. The book is split into alternate chapters so you get to find out both characters thoughts and feelings and their plans! Trust is the main issue here and is what the whole book centres on and the authors have done an amazing job in keeping the storyline moving all the way along. I have read the wife between us and personally I do prefer that one but this is very close.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Pam Macmillan for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.