My goodness, where are my smelling salts? Where is my fan? I find myself reaching for them and not for the first time since I started reading Christina Dodd’s Girl Anonymous. A much racier book than most of Ms. Dodd’s most recent books. The hotness is getting to me. Not that I am complaining my dears, Ms. Dodd is in the top tier of racy writers without going too far.
Years ago, Maarja Daire’s mother purposely blew up Dante Arundel’s father, a feared mafia boss. This time around, as a trusted employee of Saint Rees Fine Arts Movers, Maarja rescues Dante’s mother, Mrs. Raine Arundel from another explosion earning Dante’s trust. Almost immediately the newly established trust starts eroding after the explosion and other crimes are committed the day Maarja is at the mansion. The book starts with a bang and keeps the tension up, with one exhilarating moment after another.
Maarja hopes in vain that Dante doesn’t remember her as Maarja was there when her mother blew up Dante’s father and severely injured Dante, leaving him scarred and broken. Although Dante is healed except for the scar he kept as a reminder to his friends, family, and enemies that he is a worthy successor to his father. Marjas and Dante were both children when the bomb blew. Maarja has spent her life on the run, until finally she has decided to hide in plain sight. Evidently not a decision that is working out well for her with her assignment at the Daire mansion.
The duo spends their time on the run, hiding out in Gothic— a special treat--, fighting, extremely not fighting, and trying to figure out not who is after them, but who isn’t after them.
Those lucky enough to be long time readers of Ms. Dodd will recognize several of her tropes from past books including a bit of magic, a bit more of mysticism, main characters fighting, and some very funny lines in the middle of very unfunny scenes, trust me, those lines work. These may be tropes, but she makes them all fresh and fun. There are also some James Bond worthy car chases, crazed relatives and general mayhem. Such a satisfying read! The language is rough, there is an on-going battle between Maarja and Dante about Dante going to G-rated language. There is no battle about being in the sack.
Both Dante and Maarja have a lot to learn, about each other, about the world they inhabit, but most of all about themselves. Girl Anonymous is a fun read, that keeps the thrill level up.
“Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing Girl Anonymous for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.”

This book fits the following adjectives: earthy, carnal, dark, and exciting.
Maarja’s run of the mill job is anything but,
The steam between she and Dante is off the charts and I liked their back and forth with each other.
I loved the old world tendencies and the demand and loyalty.
One of the funniest scenes is between Connor and Dante while Owen and Maarja are nonchalant about it.
Dodd kept springing the surprises until the very end.
It kept me on the edge of my seat. I just want to know where I can find my own Dante?!

Girl Anonymous by Christina Dodd

I picked this one up because it was touted as The Godfather meets West Side Story. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to those two for me.

Here are some thoughts:
⚡️ pacing felt disjointed. Fast and confusing at first then slowed down and didn’t keep me quite as engaged.
⚡️ characters were hard to connect with, which made it hard for me to get into the story.
⚡️ genre fusion - romance and thriller. Readers will either love it or hate it.

I haven’t read any of Dodd’s other works, so I don’t know how it compares. Readers looking for a genre mashup, mobster motif, or fated mates may enjoy this one.

This was my first read by an author that is seems to be very popular. Honestly, I'm not really sure how I felt about it. Was it supposed to be a thriller? At some points, it did feel like it was but others felt like it was trying way too hard. Was it supposed to be romance? Definitely had that alpha male thing going which I generally like but I wasn't terribly fond of Dante throughout most of the book. Was it romantic suspense? I suppose it was but again, did it try to hard to add twists where perhaps they weren't needed? I skimmed a bit because some parts just bored me. I love a good, sexy suspense story, this just didn't hit me right, unfortunately.

There are many layers to this story from hints of mafia, to dark romance, thriller, along with betrayal, twist and turns, and a hint of paranormal. At first, I wasn't quite sure what to make of the interactions between Maarja and Dante - were they attracted to each other or was he an evil force that she needed to deal with? But boy did they have hot chemistry between them! There were many intriguing aspects to this story that had me eager to find out what was going to happen next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Girl Anonymous" by Christina Dodd. The story is action packed and keeps you invested until the very end! At times, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster and didn't know what explosive event would happen next. On top of that, there was a lot of moments that just made me chuckle. Maarja was a character that was fun to root for and her chemistry with Dante was palpable. If you want to read a solid escapist read, this is the book for you!

‘this game of fortune favored the ruthless’

Right from the start this book reaches out and grabs your attention. There’s no easing into the story at all, it’s one hundred precent octane starting with chapter one but then you get thrown off kilter with a hint of historical paranormal-ness that makes you blink. Suspenseful, check. Spicy, check. Humorous at times, check. The author’s best work, not so much but it really doesn’t matter, it’s a good story unless you’re a stickler for having all of your i’s dotted and your t’s crossed. If you are, skip this one. So it’s five stars for me on the romantic suspense front and maybe a three and a half stars on execution...we’ll call it a four star read this time.

Girl Anonymous by Christina Dodd is a thrilling romantic suspense novel filled with action, betrayal, and family secrets. From the explosive opening scene, the story keeps you hooked with nonstop twists and intense emotions. Maarja is a strong, determined heroine haunted by her past, while Dante is a brooding, powerful force in her life. Their chemistry is undeniable, but their relationship is full of tension and obstacles.
The plot is fast-paced with plenty of surprises, though some moments felt a bit over-the-top. The romance was passionate but sometimes seemed forced, especially early on. Despite that, the mystery and suspense kept me turning pages. The family drama and long-standing feud added depth to the story, making it more than just a love story. While not my favorite from Christina Dodd, Girl Anonymous is still an entertaining read for fans of dark, action-packed romance with a touch of mystery.

This story was nonstop action from beginning to end. There is murder, betrayal, lots of twists and turns and love. Family isn't always the one you were born into. Maarja lost both of her parents at a young age. She is working for the woman whose husband Maarja blew up when she was just a child. Dante is guessing that she was that little girl but wasn't sure at first. When an explosion almost kills the woman, Maarja jumps through flames to save her, only for her to die later. Maarja holds something that Dante's family will do anything to get, even murder everyone in their way. As Dante saves Maarja's life several times, someone is still after her. Someone in Dante's family wants to take over the family business and Dante needs to find out soon who that person is before the dead bodies start piling up. Will they live long enough to have a life together?

Maybe it’s because I just read an amazing suspenseful thriller, but this one totally missed the mark for me. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and I wasn’t a fan of the writing style.

Girl Anonymous was a thrilling, emotional ride from start to finish. Maarja’s past is shrouded in mystery and danger, and it’s fascinating watching her struggle with the consequences of her mother’s explosive sacrifice. The chemistry between her and Dante is electric, though their tumultuous relationship made me root for them and worry about their fates all at once. I loved how the story unfolded, with twists that kept me guessing, but at times the pacing slowed as the tension between them dragged on. Still, it was an intense, captivating story about love, betrayal, and fighting for a new future.

It is very difficult for me to give Christina Dodd something other than 5 stars. Her last few romantic suspense books were superb and I am a huge fan of her earlier paranormal series. For those reasons, anytime I see a new book I gobble it up. The this one happened and I started and stopped several times. The premise made this book sound like it would be another hit, instead it left me waffling between 3 stars and 4ish. The beginning is fascinating and well written and Maarja is far from the typical heroine. She has strength and believes in people despite her past, she wants to save the wife of the man her mother was forced to blow up. Dante was complex and had a lot of strength but he was overbearing at times.
After the initial scene and explosion two pulled me in the book jumped the shark for the first time with a lengthy and ill timed sexy scene. It was hot but it just felt off, there was no real connection between the characters.
We then are taken back to where it all began which was sort of interesting. I tried to finish the book to learn how everything tied together but this turned out to be my least favorite book by this author ever. That something extra that always pulled me into one of Dodd's books was missing here. I am going to chalk it up to my own preference and consider this book an anomaly and return for Dodd's next book. I'm going her three stars which is hard for me but I would probably not even go 3 stars if it were a different author.
You can't go wrong with any other books by this author but this one is a hard pass for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Romantic suspense with a touch of the paranormal. Maarja and Dante are linked because her mother blew up his father's house (and his father) but are they fated to be together? This is a popcorn read- one with big plot holes and implausible situations (and some bad decisions) but you know that sometimes that's just what you need. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Would be a good travel book.

I want to thank NetGalley and the author for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
This is a complex story full of mystery, mayhem and non-stop action. Beginning with a bang, literally, I was drawn into the search for answers to an age old feud between families. Of course the main characters Maria and Dante realize an attraction is developing between them even though they are supposed to be bitter enemies. Lots of dark secrets which kept me guessing the ending until the last chapter!

What an exciting, suspenseful and steamy story. Dante and Maarja make a perfect couple and all their family drama is something else.

The premise of this book sounded good, but unfortunately. the execution just wasn't great in my opinion. I was hoping to be excited but I got bored.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and for the alc.

As a child, Maarja Daire saw her mother ignite an explosion that killed vengeful mob boss Benoit Arundel and herself to save Maarja’s life. Maarja’s been on the run ever since.

Maarja hides in plain sight as a fine arts mover.. Work for a new client brings her to the mansion where the explosion from her childhood occurred. There she meets Dante, the Arundel family boss. A turn of events earns her his trust, when she leaps into flames to rescue his mother. What happens between them in the dark changes their life course, as Maarja abandons her caution and self-imposed isolation.

When Dante vows to end an ancient feud, his enemies seize the opportunity to destroy him and the woman he will do anything to protect. Dante and Maarja must navigate uncharted depths of betrayal and loss, to create a new beginning.

This book was alittle disjointed and hard to follow.

Girl Anonymous is a heart-pumping, action-packed romance that will leave you breathless, a juicy soap opera infused with a healthy dose of sizzling passion and a deep sense of hope. The narrative follows Maarja Daire, a resilient woman who has been rising above her past since her mother and the notorious mob boss, Benoit Arundel, met their demise. Now, grown and living under an assumed identity, Maarja works as a fine arts mover, but her past reemerges when she is compelled to return to the mansion where the events transpired. Enter Dante, the brooding Arundel family boss, whose rugged visage and dark gaze seem to pierce through Maarja's carefully constructed life, offering her a chance at redemption. When fate brings them together, and she rescues his mother from a fire, the sparks flying between them could ignite a wildfire of transformation. As Maarja confronts her inner demons and the pull of her attraction to Dante, she is forced to face her past and the perilous vendetta still targeting her, emerging stronger and more determined. Christina Dodd crafts a narrative akin to a runaway train, replete with twists and turns, as Maarja and Dante's relationship deepens amidst betrayal, vengeance, and passion, ultimately leading to a powerful, emotional tale of love, survival, and redemption. Girl Anonymous is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth, forgiveness, and love, tempered with a healthy dose of sarcasm and wit. Featuring a strong female lead, a mysterious love interest, and danger lurking in the shadows, this novel is a must-read for fans of romantic suspense, inspiring readers to hold onto hope and believe in the potential for positive change.

Girl Anonymous
Maarja moves priceless antiquities - she has an intuitive knowledge of art. While working, she saves an elderly woman from an explosion which triggers memories of an explosion which killed her mother.
That explosion and her heroics, place Maarja in danger. Dante will do anything to keep her safe.
Christina Dodd writes a modern gothic novel with humor and it was a treat to visit Gothic again. I grew up reading gothic novels - Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, Mary Stewart and there is always a brooding hero - Dante was perfect. The suspense lasted until the end. All the characters were well written and I hope to see them in future books.

Maarja, a fine arts mover, comes full circle to return to the mansion where a tragic event changed her life forever and sent her into hiding. If anyone discovers the secret she’s been hiding so many years, it could mean her death.

Dante is the Arundel family boss, determined to keep the family businesses legal, and to end a feud, but he meets with resistance from other family members. He’s drawn to Maarja but also has some doubts.

A story of feuding families, secrets, revenge, family dynamics, and more. I was glad to see Maarja stand up to Dante.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.