The instant #1 New York Times bestseller (January 2019) everyone is talking about! People Magazine’s Book of the Week • Bookish’s “Must-Read Books of Winter” • PopSugar’s “Best Books of Winter” • Cosmopolitan’s “2019 Books to Bring to Your Book Club” • Bookbub’s “Biggest Books of Winter” • Refinery 29’s “Best Books of January 2019” • Crime Reads’ “January’s Best Psychological Thrillers” • … • Crime Reads’ “January’s Best Psychological Thrillers” • InStyle’s “7 Books That You Should Resolve to Read This January” • HelloGiggles’ “The 50 Most Anticipated Books of 2019” • USA Today’s “5 New Books Not to Miss” • Marie Claire’s “The Best Women’s Fiction of 2019 (So Far)” • Hypable’s “Winter Releases You Can’t Afford to Miss”
“Hendricks and Pekkanen are at the top of their game…You won’t see the final twist coming.” —People Magazine
“Beware strange psychologists…the authors know exactly how to play on their characters’ love of danger to bring them to the brink of disaster – and dare them to jump off.” —New York Times Book Review
“Slickly twisty [with] gasp-worthy final twists...major league suspense.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“For those who relished the creepy stalking in Hendricks and Pekkanen’s The Wife Between Us, this unnerving tale will have them rethinking what secrets are safe to share and if moral and ethics really matter when protecting the ones you love.” —Library Journal (starred review)
“Masterfully escalates the suspense.” —Booklist (starred review)
Looking to earn some easy cash, Jessica Farris agrees to be a test subject in a psychological study about ethics and morality. But as the study moves from the exam room to the real world, the line between what is real and what is one of Dr. Shields’s experiments blurs.
Dr. Shields seems to know what Jess is thinking… and what she’s hiding.
Jessica’s behavior will not only be monitored, but manipulated.
Caught in a web of attraction, deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.
From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, An Anonymous Girl will keep you riveted through the last shocking twist.
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Story: Jessica Farris is a make-up artist who participated in an academic exercise. This exercise is quite personal with expectations of honesty and vulnerability. It’s an experiment on trust, morality, and ethics.
Overall: I’m intrigued and my curiosity peeked trying to determine the direction of this experiment. The story kept me on the edge of my seat with the anticipation for the unexpected. The story had clever plotting and attention to details. The twist and turns were unexpected. Every move was so calculated.
I like this book better than The Wife Between Us. The style and delivery has many twists and turns that brings about an endless amount of entertainment. I thought this was a smart and intelligent story. I immediately liked the characters and was drawn to them because of this experiment. I liked Jessica’s recklessness, it fortified her characters drive to search for answers and investigate the psychiatrist. So many times readers tell you that this book was a page turner well I’m here to confess that in this case it truly was a page turner.
Suggestion: When Lydia is having thoughts that are being expressed while in the same room as her husband it would be helpful to change the font to italics so to separate these words from the voiced thoughts. Also, the chapters need to state whose point of view is being addressed.
Hendricks and Pekkanen deliver readers a dark, suspenseful thriller. The story is so compelling and complex that it almost impossible to put down. Not since Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train has a novel grabbed my attention from page one and kept my anxiety at peak level until the very end.
The characters are dynamic and complicated by their perspective and assumptions. This novel is a dark look into the ethics, morality, loyalty, and fidelity within our relationships.
I highly recommend this book to fans of the psychological suspense genre. I voluntarily read and reviewed a complementary copy of this novel.
After Jessica impulsively enters a psychology study without even knowing its subject, her life takes an unexpected turn. Struggling to make ends meet as a makeup artist in New York City, Jessica has a difficult time turning down what sounds like easy money. Answer some questions on a survey for $500? Sold. But, what happens when the study escalates into real life scenarios? Are the ever-increasing paychecks worth it?
“It’s remarkable how the simplest of decisions can create a butterfly effect; how a seemingly inconsequential action can cause a tsunami.”
I’ll be honest and say that I didn’t understand the hype about this writing duo’s debut, The Wife Between Us (3 stars). While I liked the writing style, I didn’t find it very suspenseful, the plot was lacking, and the twists were just ho-hum. This one, however! This one was just … WOW. It was intense, suspenseful, and compelling. It kept me on the edge of my seat for the duration as I tried guessing what would happen next. It made me feel tense and uncomfortable in the best of ways ha. If you love suspenseful page turners with complex, intriguing characters, then this is a must read! Just beware that reading it might make you paranoid about who you should trust. 😉
“Sometimes a therapist who coaxes out all of your secrets is holding the biggest one in the room.”
Location: New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book was a real page turner with a lot of twists n turns. It’s keeps you guessing until the very end.
I am trying to come up with three words that will best describe this book. If I really had to choose, it would be creepy, haunting, and disturbing.
Creepy. This whole book gave me the creeps. From the morality test, to Dr. Shields, to the plot. It all gave off a creepy vibe. More than once during this book, my skin crawled. I felt like I, too, was being tested. Am I sane? Am I moral? How far would I go to find the truth?
Haunting. Again, Dr. Shields. That woman is one messed up woman. I wasn’t sure if she was genius or evil. I am still not so sure. Her character definitely would give any person nightmares if she existed in real life.
Disturbing. You guessed it. Dr. Shields. Are you seeing a trend? I just can’t get over her. Her willingness to go as far as she does is highly disturbing. If I am honest, the whole book is disturbing. I am sure there are individuals like her in the world, and that scares the crap out of me.
This book is twisted, have no doubts. Did it shock me? Not really. However, that is not to say it won’t shock many. I read so many of these kinds of books, it seems to be hard to shock me these days. I will say, the first half of the book is slow. I almost gave up. But I kept it moving, and it really picked up in the second half. It was worth it.
Now after reading two books by this new writing duo, I am looking forward to what they will bring us next.
Once I started this book, I could not put it down. It pulled me in with the twisted mind games that took place. The way it ended had me basically with my jaw dropped and shaking my head because I didn’t anticipate it. All I can say is that if you love a good psychological thriller, this book is for you! Happy Reading!
Ok, if you enjoy psychological thrillers, this one is sure twisted and will keep you page turning.
Obsessive, cunning, and just as good as her previous book that I devoured, The Wife Between Us, and you won’t be able to put it down until you have the answers, and then this one will linger with you for a long time, and maybe looking over your shoulder.
Wow, big brother has nothing on these folks, they seem to know even your personal thoughts.
A don’t miss book that you won’t forget.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin’s Press, and was not required to give a positive review.
An Anonymous Girl is the second psychological thriller by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.
Jessica Farris (Jess) is in need of money and signs up for a psychological study conducted by Dr. Shields. Jess got more than she bargained for in this morality study. Dr. Shields seems to know what Jess is thinking and is always step ahead her. Jess is naïve, honest, and questions herself and Dr. Shields. Dr. Shields is mysterious, manipulative and cunning.
An Anonymous Girl is a fast paced page turner with twists and turns in every chapter. The story is told from both Jess and Dr. Shields views. It is full of lies, guilt, obsession, betrayal and suspense. I highly recommend this book. Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Makeup artist Jess Farris makes a decision that will change her life when she steps into a client’s spot in a paid psychological research study dealing with ethics and morals. But, the study is easy, quick money that Jess could really use. There’s no harm it that, right?
AN ANONYMOUS GIRL is compelling and hard to put down. From the first page, I felt invested in Jess’s story. Told from the alternating viewpoints of Jess and Dr. Shields, the authors do a great job of keeping readers guessing throughout the book. As soon as I thought I had it all figured out, another twist would be revealed that changed everything. I love it when I do not figure it all out too early in the book. The characters are not always likable, but they are delicious in their moral and ethical dilemmas. I hesitate to write anything more about the plot here – I believe the best reading experience here is to not know what is going on beforehand.
AN ANONYMOUS GIRL is an addictive, twisted book of suspense full of ambiguity, jealousy, betrayal, and secrets. It will definitely make you think about your own ethics and morality and how far you will go for money. What would you do in Jess or Dr. Shield’s shoes? Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from St. Martin’s Press and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
Last year I read and loved The Wife Between Us by the fabulous writing duo, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. After finishing The Wife Between Us I was very eager to find out what other twisted tale they can come up with! Their newest book, An Anonymous Girl, does not disappoint. These ladies do know how to write nail-biting suspense for sure! I couldn’t put An Anonymous Girl down and was blown away by the story.
The book is about Jess, who signs up for an anonymous psychological study about morality because it promises to be an easy way to make some extra cash. But, of course, it turns out that the study is not quite what Jessica signed up for. Jess develops a complicated relationship with Dr. Shields, the study’s professor, who gives her increasingly more bizarre tasks in the name of research. The line between their professional and personal relationship starts to blur until it explodes with dire consequences for all involved. Will Jess come out on the other side unscathed? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have never read this author before but I will read them again for sure! This is a very intriguing suspenseful book! Just as soon as you think you have something figured out, forget that thought because you are going to turn the page and things will change again! Great book! Thanks!
“Forgiveness is not always possible; forgetting is unrealistic.”
A psychological thriller that truly had me guessing until the last chapter.
What a young girl will do for money to pay her bills and help her parents is how this all starts.
Jess needs money, but at what price?
Secrets she has hidden from her family, begin to come out when she participates in a study that states “Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.” Simple and easy? OH NO IT IS NOT!
The plot begins to thicken as you will soon see.
This is the second novel I have read by the two authors and it left nothing unturned! It will keep you guessing and definitely on your toes until the last page!
Well done!
This was a well written book. I’m so impressed with the level of detail the author provided through out the story. I flew through the book because you just can’t put it down as you may miss what’s going to happen next….
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of An Anonymous Girl. This review is in my own words.
This is the second book I’ve read by these authors and I must say, I love the way they weave a story. It’s more of a slowly built suspense, with details sprinkled all throughout, and that underlying feeling of, what part of this is ominous? Which detail is important? What’s the actual mystery? You start to get the feeling that no character is pure and good, they all have a skewed moral code. Which is kind of the point, really. I mean, this book highly focuses on questions of what is right and wrong when it comes to life choices. It even makes the reader question what they would do in these situations.
Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen is everything it promises and more. Ethics and morality has always intrigued me and I knew these authors would not disappoint. I read this book in two sittings. I was sucked in after the first chapter and then the insanity began! It is completely intriguing and will have you racing to the next chapter to see what could possible happen next. It is twisted and devious in all the best ways. The Wife Between Us made me a fan of these two authors and Anonymous Girl has locked me in as a fan for life!
I was immediately intrigued. The story grabbed me and did not let go. It had twists and turns, and though I did figure out some things, I had no idea what direction the story was going to take. I probably should have seen some things coming, but I did not.
This was the perfect read to curl up with during the holiday break when I had nowhere to be and nothing to distract me, because once I started, I couldn’t put it down. Told from alternating view points, this was a psychological thriller that left me wondering what would happen next with every page I turned. In addition, the questions asked during the sessions were thought-provoking.
This was the first read for me by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, and it was a thrill from the beginning to end. This is a highly-anticipated novel, for good reason. This was a great book to start the year off with a bang.
#AnAnonymousGirl #StMartins
I received an advanced reader copy. I am voluntarily leaving a review. Jessica needs money. She helping her parents out and secretly funding her sister’s treatment. She finds out about a psychological study and sneaks in. The researcher becomes intrigued by her and offers Jessica additional funds to participate further. But nothing is what it seems with the study or Dr Shields. This story is a mind f*&k.
Jessica sneaks herself into a morality and ethics study. $500 for answering some anonymous questions on a computer screen. She could really use the money to help with therapy for her disabled sister. As time passes the questions get more personal and the assignments make less sense. Jessica gets tangled up in between Dr. Shields and her husband Thomas. She had no idea how her ideas about morality could change based on the situation.
This thriller has you wondering from page to page what is going to happen. The authors did an amazing job of keeping the story going and the reader anticipating Dr. Shields next move. This books makes you question everything you think you know about morality. Loved that we were drawn into the characters minds a little at a time. This was my first read by these 2 authors but won’t be the last.
This is an advanced copy that I won from St Martin’s Press. This book comes out on Jan 9 #AnAnonymousGirl
Everyone should get it and read it! I loved it. It is a very intriguing read. Jess is trying to work at BeautyBuzz to give money to her parents for her sister and she is also trying to become the woman she should be but she has so much guilt and everything that is going on in her life. She is doing the makeup of one of her clients when she sees a message about a study that Dr Shields is doing and you get paid a lot of money for answering some questions. Jess decides to take her client’s place since she is pretty sure she won’t show up and Jess needs the money. This is what starts the snowball effect of things that happen to Jess. You will have to read it to find out what happens…..