An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Brief Summary: Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study by Dr. Shields to earn some extra cash and assumes that she will just have to answer some basic questions. However, as the questions on ethical morality make her think and grow darker; the stakes get higher. When you loved a book like the Wife Between Us as much as I did you wonder if an author team can top a smashing debut? Rest assured they can and they did. I also recommend going into this book with as little information as possible; it is about so much more than a research study.

Highlights: Point Blank; It’s easy to judge other people and we make judgments every day. I loved the way the authors got me to think about this. Of course, I also loved all the psychotherapy references. Also, this is such a brilliantly twisted plotline there were several times I had to stop and ask myself what is really going on here?

Explanation of Rating: 5/5: I loved all the aspects of psychotherapy and ethical morality woven into a thriller. And it kept me up until 2 am!

Psychology Factors: Though there are many psychotherapy references that those familiar with mental health will appreciate; this isn’t a book where you will really learn about psychology, practice, or research. It did make me think about ethical morality and grateful that actual psychological research is heavily monitored by IRBs.

Favorite Quotes: “And I realized a long time ago that not everyone’s dreams are meant to come true.” Though it sounds like someone resigned to their fate; it’s really about carving a new course when things don’t go as planned.

It was really hard to do this brilliant work justice while keeping the plot a secret for readers to unravel themselves. Don’t miss this page turner. Perfect for book clubs or your next vacation!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Ok, so, “An anonymous girl” is a super creepy, haunting, intense, and very lots of twists kind of story. I absolutely loved this and it kept me in my seat until it was over. I didn’t go to the store, nothing....until I finished. It’s that FABULOUS!!! I seriously love the psychological thrillers with lots of suspense. If you so too, this is for you!!! Enjoy!!! :)

The author took me on a complicated, thrill ride. There were many twists and turns to the story that kept me turning the pages.

Jessica Farris is a makeup artist and suddenly runs across a research opportunity through one of her beauty clients. She decides to try and join the study as the money is good for the time commitment. Jessica is invited for more studies after Dr. Shields decides she could use her help.
Jessica begins doing jobs and odd things for Dr. Shields and begins to question what these tasks may mean.
This book grips you from the beginning and holds your attention to the very end. The ending was surprising and satisfying.

"Was it all worth it, Jessica?" The last line in this suspense/thriller!

Fantastic story with lots of twists and turns. How much and how far are you willing to go for money and to help care for your family! How far is too far? Will it be too late before you find out?

"An Anonymous Girl" with many of the female-focused thrillers released in the last few years. I enjoyed getting the perspective from both sides of the story, the perpetrator and the victim. I found I couldn't put the book down and couldn't wait to find out the next twist in the story. I look forward to reading more from these authors.

There was not much of a plot in the novel. The beginning was interested, but quickly went downhill. I thought that the story dragged and was drawn out. It could have been better if it was shorter. Still, I liked the ending and it was an easy read. I recommend this for fans of Paula Hawkins, Ruth Ware, and Megan Collins.

Another mystery that does NOT disappoint. I love the ease of reading and the ability of the authors to keep me picking it up again and again. Leaving dishes and laundry for the day to engage and enjoy an amazing story is always a blessing!

I was so excited to start reading this book. It only took a few lines from the first chapter to get my attention. It was a little different story than I usually see in thrillers. Interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen for the ARC to review. I loved The Wife Between Us, which I loved, and was thrilled to get this ARC. However, I was disappointed. I had a hard time getting through the book, hoping, it would get better as I went along. A total let down.

Make-up artist Jessica Farris is looking for a way to earn some extra money. She has been helping her folks with her sister's bills and she is willing to answer a few questions on a Psychology Study to get that extra money. She shows up and from the very first question, Jessica feels a little uncomfortable. "Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt?" The questions get increasingly more personal and Jessica feels increasingly uncomfortable. Because she does have secrets. But, the checks keep getting increasingly bigger. With each session, Jessica starts to learn a little bit more about the psychologist behind the questions. Dr. Lydia Shields is mysterious, intelligent, and very beautiful. Soon Dr. Shields hires Jessica to be part of a special study where she is asked to do unusual things for the name of "science." Like, give free make-up sessions to women. Or approach a man in a bar and try to seduce him. The money is seductive and Jessica cannot refuse Dr. Shields. Until she realizes that Dr. Shields has been keeping her own secrets. Secrets that could harm Jessica. Will she continue to allow Dr. Shields to manipulate her actions to keep the money coming in?

An Anonymous Girl is another thrilling psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Jessica is somewhat of a complex character. She did something many years ago that had consequences that are still being realized. I understand her desire to help her family, but I feel that the minute things started getting weird, she should have stopped "working" for Lydia. Having said that, I can see where Jessica was seduced by the alluring Lydia Shields and her money. She was smart and sophisticated and would hang on to every Jessica's every word. The "secrets" that Jessica discovered was a bit shocking, too. It was the proof needed that Dr. Lydia Shields was just as crazy as her patients. The way she used her "study" to manipulate Jessica and her husband was proof that she was mentally unstable. The twisted relationship between Lydia and her husband was more than enough "psychological thriller" for this book, but there was more! The end was a little shocking. The one part - anyway. The book had a satisfying, yet unexpected, conclusion. - CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS.

Bottom Line - An Anonymous Girl is a great psychological thriller to kick of the new year of reading. You will find yourself hooked from page one and you won't be able to put it down until you get to the last page.

Details:
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Pages: 384
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 1/8/19
Buy it Here!

If you’ve been here for a while, you know THE WIFE BETWEEN US is one of my favorite reads of this year. Ever since I read it, I’ve been dying to read more from the authors. Turns out, my wish came true – they have another book coming out, and it’s also amazing! I’ve had the privilege to read an ARC of it, which I devoured as soon as I got it, and today I will be telling you all about AN ANONYMOUS GIRL.

To start off, this has one of the most unique plots I’ve had the pleasure to read. I can’t remember ever reading a book, especially a thriller novel, revolving around psychology studies and questionnaires. There might be a lot of them out there, but this was a first for me. In AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, we follow Jess, a makeup artist who struggles to pay the bills on a monthly basis. As she is doing a client’s makeup, she hears them talk about a questionnaire, which she learns is very generously compensated. She decides to join, certain that she will answer the questions and soon be done with it. However, it may not be as simple as it initially seemed… How cool is that premise!?!?

Let me tell you: after this book, I will probably never join a questionnaire again – which I have in the past, so this hit close to home 😄 For some reason, these two authors’ books always have some kind of element that resonates with me on a personal level… it’s pretty odd, really. In my review of their previous novel, I mentioned the similarities between one of the main characters’ life and my own, which had me very spooked 😅

As far as the writing goes, I found it to be very similar to what we encounter in the previous novel: gripping, fast-paced writing with a grave and unsettling tone to it. The authors really know how to make you feel uncomfortable and fear for the characters. The story is told from two different perspectives: one of them frequently written in the second person, which makes it feel like the character is talking to you, targeting you. This, as you can guess, enhances the unsettling feeling you get whilst reading.

What I enjoyed the most about AN ANONYMOUS GIRL was the web of lies the authors manufactured. I don’t know how they do it, really! The (screwed-up) characters and their past were so meticulously thought out and explored, all I wanted to do was keep reading until I knew everyone’s secrets. And the way they wrapped the story up… this novel’s execution is fantastic!

Overall, AN ANONYMOUS GIRL is an unsettling novel that features fucked up characters (deliciously so) and an intricate web of lies that is sure to hook you. This is definitely a hype-worthy follow-up novel to The Wife Between Us, and I can’t wait to read what the authors come up with next 🙌🏼

An Anonymous Girl is a psychological thriller with a lot of hype about it. It didn't disappoint. A female patient in a study and a doctor in charge who must have control at any cost. When the study branches into reality, who is actually sane? It's a dark menacing thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. The characters are complex and unreliable. The overall story is good and very intriguing. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book by the two authors together, but they have worked together for years. Greer was Sarah’s editor before she decided to join her writing psychological thrillers. Their first book, The Wife Between Us, left me gasping with a racing heart. I had pretty high expectations for this book and it didn’t disappoint. The story starts with makeup artist Jessica taking the place of one of her clients in a university psychology study. She thinks that it will just be a few hours of questioning and she’ll collect the money and be done. However, Dr. Shields takes an interest in Jessica and asks her to continue in further study/experiments with the promise of excellent compensation. Jessica agrees but is instantly unsure as she finds herself lying and keeping things from her best friend, new love interest, and family. Dr. Shields continues to ask Jessica to go more places, interact with more people, and is very specific in her directions. Each assignment makes Jessica more and more unsure about her involvement. She is left wondering if the money is worth it? This book had my heart racing and I did not want to put it down. I give it ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ ☀️ *I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.*

“When it comes down to it, you’ve only got yourself to rely on,” and isn’t that the truth! How do you outmaneuver someone who’s as sly as a fox and as crazy as a loon? Whose “sharpest weapon is her mind...(and) she wields it mercilessly”?
Knowing yourself, your limitations, and the lengths you would go to for your loved ones is really only part of the battle. Jessica finds this out the hard way when she places herself in a situation that has twisted and dangerous consequences.
Hendricks and Pekkanen combine forces to create a truly diabolical plot and characters with brilliantly, albeit sometimes sick, minds.
This riveting book grabbed my attention and didn’t let go through the end. As you’ll see, sometimes people get what they deserve.

This was a great psychological thriller! The characters were all so twisted in some way. There are so many times when I couldn't decide who to root for and who was the bad guy. They have so many issues and disturbing obsessions. I was kept on my toes the entire story. The characters were hard to like because they had so many character flaws. There is vengeance, manipulation, deceits, and betrayals.

The main character, Jessica Farris, takes the place of another girl in a psychology study on morals and ethics run by Dr. Shields. She needs the extra money, and all she has to do is answer some questions. Then Dr. shields takes a personal interest in her. The question is, is she trying to help Jess or is there something more going on?

I said I wouldn't read as many psychological thrillers in 2019, but this one is a holdover from last year. Thankfully, this is one of the better ones I have read, so I feel confident in recommending it. This novel focuses on a young woman who becomes involved in a clinical psychological study with the mysterious, Dr. Shields. As the novel unravels, it becomes evident that Dr. Shields is manipulating the main character. With villainous manipulations, you won't be able to look away. While I did pick up on the big twist before it happened, it was still a rush of a read. I was continually shocked by the wickedness and genius of the antagonist, and I could not put it down. Plus, it will make you question what you would do in similar situations.

I got a copy of this book from netgalley.com for an honest review. Thank you so much for this book! I went through this book in just a few days! It would have been a few hours if only I had the time. Loved the suspense and writing style! Really started to feel the deceit and manipulation and the creepiness of it all. Loved all the different turns it took and was always wondering what could happen next. Great book!!

I loved this book so much! Had me guessing and questioning. Had me stressed and on the edge of my seat. It was so dark and twisted! I can’t recommend this book enough. I need this good thriller in my life! My favorite so far this year!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Just like most of the other reviewers, I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. The plot was immediately interesting despite Jessica’s vacuous personality and poor decision making. Dr Shields was someone I loved to hate, with her internal monologues and her unemotional personality. At times she reminded me of a robot, until she started having feelings – and boy, were they unexpected!

The authors made each character an unreliable narrator, so you are thrown off balance towards the end, where the twists start to happen. The characters’ past affects their future in unexpected ways, and the authors do a great job of showing how tragedy affects people differently. The underlying tension of the morality study’s probing questions juxtaposed with Jessica’s difficulty with her own morals will make you think about your own actions, both past and present.

The psychological scars of each character shape their actions and decisions, giving the impression that we are no better than the sum of our past. As more light is shed on each character and their own past, things start to make sense – sort of. Once we learn Dr Shield’s motivation, the tension ramps up and you simply must devour each page in order to find out what happens next.

I found it quite interesting that the authors chose to have both women be strong characters, with Dr Shield’s husband somewhat of a weak link. He shows up in the book later on and is just as unreliable as the two women. Despite a strong beginning, he is no match for Jessica and Dr Shields as the story line comes to a head. That being said, all three of these characters manipulate morality for their own benefit.

Dr Shields is a nearly perfect example of someone who needs control at all costs and will go to great lengths to gain it. At times she seemed too perfectly perspicacious, always seeming to be one or two steps ahead of Jessica’s machinations. However, each character has a flaw that can be exploited, and once those flaws are revealed the story starts to twist and turn as the characters unravel. I stayed up all night until I finished AN ANONYMOUS GIRL – it truly was that good. This is the book everyone will be talking about this year – don’t miss it!