Member Reviews

Shay Miller is an insecure woman who is very impressed with her new friends, sisters Cassandra and Jane Moore. They seem to have it all together, and welcome Shay into their group. Gradually Shay begins to suspect that the sisters, and their very loyal group of friends, are not as they seem. Skillfully written and very suspenseful. Don't learn too much about the story before reading. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I have read all of the books by this duo and they are always getting better. Even though I figured out part of the mystery halfway through the book, I did not see the twist at the end coming.

Definitely a book to pick-up if you are looking for a great thriller!

Was this review helpful?

This is one of the most unusual tales I have read. It is about a group of women looking for friendship and acceptance only to be mulipulated by tow sisters. The characters are real and the situation is scary as the sisters try to cover up 2 murders and frame a young women who thinks they are her saviors.

Was this review helpful?

Review of Digital Galley

When Shay Miller sees Amanda Evinger jump in front of a moving subway train, her life changes in ways she could never have expected. Feeling guilty for not having saved the desperate young woman, Shay researches to find the woman’s address and then goes to Amanda’s apartment building, trying to make some sense of things. She leaves a flower on the stoop and, later, attends a memorial service for Amanda.

And before she realizes what is happening, Shay finds herself caught up in secrets and lies, as her lonely life becomes something that, after the first dizzy whirl of pleasure, seems just a bit too good to be true.

Set in New York City, there's a strong sense of place throughout the story, making readers feel as if they are actually in the city. Early on, they will become aware that not everything is as it seems; unexpected twists keep the story moving in new directions as the well-defined characters slowly reveal their true selves. The unfolding narrative slowly reveals its multi-layered complexity as the chapters, narrated alternately by Shay, Cassandra and Jane, Amanda, Valerie, Stacey, Daphne, and Beth, gradually expose the backstory so essential for readers to understand the manipulation and the deception.

There are moments that readers may cringe at Shay’s decisions, but the intriguing drama, filled with surprises readers simply won’t see coming, promises to keep them immersed in this unputdownable tale until they’ve turned the final page.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this digital eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley
#YouAreNotAlone #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Aye aye aye I’m going off the rails on a crazy train! I started my review with the lyrics of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” song because this book is literally heart throbbing, thrilling ride!

Well, I have to admit three things: This evil genius duo can write a hell of an incredible book and know how to play twisty, dark, edgy mind games with you.

Second thing: I had to check several times and made sure that book is not Harley Quinn and gang members’ adventures because we have a team of badass, vindictive, dangerous women out there acting like vigilantes and bringing the justice.

And the last thing: I read this brilliant duo’s three books and I honestly tell you this book is my favorite one. Their extra ordinary performances exceeded my expectations.

Without spilling too much spoilers which is really hard thing for me as a person who gives her friends Agatha Christie books as gifts and writes the killers’ names at the middle of those books. So here we go:

Shay Miller has a crash on a charming roommate recently found a possessive girlfriend who gives her fake smiles but probably fantasizes how to get away from her at the second Shay turns her back. Poor Shay has a little estranged relationship with her mother because of her assholish new husband and she is also about to lose her job, slowly drifting apart with her bestie who recently had a baby.

And I have to mention the most important thing about Shay: She is obsessed with statics, mathematical charts about awkward things like the percentage of women commit suicide by jumping subway tracks. Or statics about panic attacks and loneliness percentages of Americans because she believes that the numbers are pure and true. They never lie.

She also put those facts into her journal instead of writing: “Dear journal, I’m having a shitty day because I saw a woman jumping the tracks and killing herself at the subway. I thought this was like beginning of “Woman’s Edge” novel but thankfully the woman didn’t give me her baby because she doesn’t have one so it seems like I’m a part of another terrifying thriller story. I think I’ll visit dead woman’s a.k.a. Amanda’s apartment and leave some flowers.”

She didn’t write those words but she went to Amanda’s place and left the flowers and unfortunately she made another mistake by joining her memorial event. And yes, now she is a shiny, glamorous target on her forehead because she already got Siamese not evil twins but just ominous sisters Jane and Cassandra and their vigilante fight club’s attention.

Those sisters approach her with friendly intentions and lonely Shay slowly starts to break her walls, earning her own self confidence with their support but you may see those sisters had hidden agenda to destroy this naïve, shy, geek lady.

What I liked so so so much about this book: Fast pacing, intriguing, short chapters ending with mysterious finals like binge-watching series make you addictive and make you want more!

Sucker punches, surprises the author gave us!

The parts making you question everything you read: I changed several times to decide who the evil person of this book was because nothing as it seems and you change your mind about the characters several times. And interesting fact that I have to admit, at some parts I hate JODY more than the vigilante team members or femme fatale sisters. ( I think Margot Robbie and Jen Lawrence would be great duo to play their roles!)

Final expected twist! I loved the ending!

The things I didn’t like so much and make me give four stars instead of five:

I still have hard times why Shay didn’t question sisters’ motives so much because she’s so rational person with strong left brain skills and her fast emotional attachment was so instant.

And there were so much POV including Amanda’s last months and vigilante club members’ back stories. So I went back and forth to make sure I’m reading the right characters’ POV. It was a little confusing because most of them not the main characters of this story.

Overall: It was smart, exciting, riveting, entertaining page-turner. I had a great time and highly recommend this to the die-hard thriller and mystery fans.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing me this powerful thriller’s ARC COPY in exchange my honest review. I truly enjoyed it so much.

Was this review helpful?

This is my third book by Hendricks and Pekkanen. My burning question to the authors’ is: how do you write in such perfect synchronicity?

This is also my first thriller of the New Year and it does not disappoint. It’s actually un-put-down-able.

Shay witnesses a traumatic suicide on a subway platform. She quickly becomes obsessed with the dead woman, wondering who she was and what kind of life she led. She makes a fateful decision to show up at the woman’s memorial. A decision that unbeknownst to her has dire consequences.

Shay, is a person of interest, not by the police but by the friends of the dead woman and their close-knit and mysterious group. The two sisters in the group, Cassandra and Jane are publicists with an enviable clientele list. They are gorgeous and glamourous and all that Shay is not. When they introduce themselves to her at the memorial, she believes that they are genuine and full of concern but these sisters have a sinister agenda and Shay is now unwittingly in their sites.

Shay is down on her luck in terms of her career, her love life, and even her residence. Cassandra and Jane swoop into her life, suddenly showing up in odd places, filling the void she’s so desperately trying to fill with many of the things she lacks. Shay can’t believe her good fortune.

Until, a series of disturbing and unexplainable events leaves her feeling more and more unsettled.

Shay must finally confront the truth and face the fact that nothing with Cassandra and Jane is what it seems to be. But, Shay is no shrinking violet herself and she has a few tricks up her sleeve as she races to solve a crime and along with a tightly held mystery.

BRB Rating: Read It.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing an early copy of You Are Not Alone! Shay, a New Yorker down on her luck witnesses a horrific suicide and becomes entangled in the victim’s life. Unfortunately, this thriller felt a little contrived and I didn’t enjoy it as much as the authors’ previous novels.

There were too many characters who I could see being on the editing floor (Daphne and Beth) and the lead up didn’t feel intentional. The whole novel felt a bit phoned in, like the authors followed a formula and it felt more obvious this time. Also, the authors’ writing styles came across more this time. I felt that Shay’s chapters were much more compelling and moved the story along. The other POVs felt forced and gimmicky,

Was this review helpful?

Four crazy-pants stars! I'm giving no spoilers as I think this one is best going in cold with just the book summary.

I think what will remain with me most is Shay's loneliness at the beginning of the book. With statistics about activities, people engage in and feel lonely. It's not something I think about nearly enough so this has made me more mindful of that. As an only child, I find I enjoy my own company so reading about Shay, an only child had a completely different setting was captivating. Where I've always had the company I want when I want it, I've also been told it's sad when I'm perfectly happy to go to a movie alone or dine alone in a restaurant or anywhere with a good book (to the extent that people have approached to ask to join me so I'm not lonely!). It's often assumed that because one is alone they must be lonely. Shay fascinated me because she wasn't just alone, she was lonely. She craved connection but also expressed confusion at how she had lost the connections she'd once had. I found her very interesting at the start and less so as she was a bit subsumed with the friends' group. But then, the sisters Cassandra and Jane held my intense interest.

There were seven narrators and it was a lot. Some of the friends' group were never fulling visualized in my head as they seemed a bit vague in the reading. I admit to skimming a couple voices when it felt their parts weren't as pivotal to what was really going on. By the end, I still wondered about a couple of characters who just disappeared and if one or two threads left untied were to keep the reader wondering. Slush and mist aside, all in all, this was quite the page-turner. I definitely enjoyed this one and look forward to the duos next.

And of all the things that raised my brow while reading, this is the one that will remain with me forever:

"The average person will walk past sixteen killers in the person's lifetime."

I'm sorry... WHAT?!!!

Many thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the opportunity to read this free arc and share my thoughts. (less)

Was this review helpful?

“When someone conjures unease in you, there are usually good reasons behind it.”

Yes, friends! Our Momma’s were 💯correct when they foretold this warning when we were tiny tots!! Momma is always right I’ve learned and we should always trust our gut. We should always trust our intuition. Honestly, if you don’t believe me, just ask Shay! She’s the type of gal who trusts numbers and statistics. And to me - math and numbers are the devil!😂😂💯! Ok but on a serious note, if you want the scoop on this tasty treat you’re gonna have to read the book.🤷‍♀️😳 Too bad so sad! I’m never a gal to give up the goods of a story but I leave you with this.

You Are Not Alone hands down gets the Brandy 5 star rating. I love this dynamic duo writing team and this read was yet another one that kept me baffled. Loved it! 👏🏻👏🏻5 stars

Was this review helpful?

Wow! This was one incredibly ambitious book! I knew from The Wife Between Us & Anonymous Girl to expect a twist toward the end but this whole storyline was full of them throughout. It was so layered and complex, that even if you didn't enjoy this book- which I did very much- there's no way you can stop reading because you truly have no idea where the story is going! I actually read it in two days! I don't want to give a whole lot of it away other than just say stick with it- which isn't hard. There really isn't a moment where it drags or gets stale. The characters are all so likeable or glamorous or interesting in other ways that keep you going. First five star not only this year but in a long time! I will honestly read just about anything these two write.

Was this review helpful?

This is going to be a hugely successful book once again the authors give you major twists that keep you guessing. Once you pick up this book it is incredibly hard to put down. I loved you think you know what the outcome of the chapter is let alone the book and then here comes a twist around the corner that is amazing. I found myself reading this and being like "WOW" out loud not many books give you that feeling. IT is a MUST read that is for sure!!! WAY to go Shay (the main character) she kept finding herself in trouble then still finding her way out.

Was this review helpful?

I received a complimentary copy of You Are Not Alone from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Oh, this one was a lovely psychological thriller... Just when I thought I knew where the plot was heading, something new appeared and changed direction all over again! Shay, in the wrong place at the wrong time, witnessed a suicide on the subway platform, which then adversely affected her life in more ways than even PTSD style flashbacks of the event itself. Shay was a perfect oblivious/naive character, and was the poster child for the human condition--just wanting to be accepted and have somewhere to belong. (I found myself rooting for her in most cases and offering her advice in others.) The Moore sisters who took her under their wings during her time of need sounded so classy, I wanted to be friends with them too! This novel had so many unexpected twists, it REALLY kept me guessing. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Couldn't put this book down. I had one part of mystery figured out early on, but only a very small part. Full of twists & turns. What some people will do to have "friends" and how willingly they are to do things just to fit in can be frightening .

I received an advanced copy, but voluntarily left this review

Will leave 5 star review on Amazon under name of Connie
Thanks for granting me access to this book

Was this review helpful?

Shay, a woman who seems lost in the depths of New York City, finds her place after witnessing Amanda's suicide. Although a traumatic experience, she finds solace in Amanda's friend group of Cassandra and Jane. When Shay's life is falling apart, Cassandra and Jane are there to pick up the pieces. Just when Shay's life seems to finally be turning around, the nightmare truly begins.

I have read (and loved) every book by Hendricks and Pekkanen, but this one is something special. It is a tale of good vs. evil; privilege vs. desperation. It shows the reader that the most beautiful and groomed person can be truly twisted and evil, and the victim is often someone like us.

You Are Not Alone is my first 2020 must-read recommendation. You will not be disappointed. Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this excellent book!

Was this review helpful?

You Are Not Alone is creepy good!

This writing duo creates a memorable cast of characters; and, although there are many characters in this book, they are each well developed and their personalities well described.

The story itself pulled me in, and I couldn't wait to read more each day.

Thank you to the publisher, authors, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I hope you enjoy You Are Not Alone as much as I did.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review! I can’t explain how much I enjoy reading @greerhendricks and @sarahpekkanen ‘s books! Their writing just flows so well. I loved #thewifebetweenus and #ananonymousgirl . I can read their books knowing that the plot will evolve and move quickly. #youarenotalone is no exception! I was hooked immediately and quickly engrossed in the plot.
After Shay observes a woman committing suicide, she becomes seduced by the woman’s close circle of friends. However, things aren’t exactly as they seem. Are these women really out to replace their missing friend with friendship or do they have an ulterior motive? You’ll have to read to find out!
I really don’t want to spoil anything about the book, so I’ll leave it there. However, I will say that Shay is involved in one of my worst nightmares- having to prove the truth! 😳 Is this on your TBR? Make sure you add it for its upcoming release in March! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
#bookstagram #books #readersofinstagram #suspense #tbr #januaryreads2020

Was this review helpful?

Shay witnesses a suicide in the subway, she becomes extremely curious about the woman's life. When the woman's friends begin to friend Shay, she is flattered by their attention. But, WHY are they so interested in Shay? Absolutely loved this book which kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages as fast as I could. Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

You Are Not Alone is another great book by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. This duo knows how to suck a reader in and keep you guessing until the last second! Most of the story is told from Shay’s perspective, but I liked the chapters that told the story from a different character. It helped move the story around at a quicker pace when you saw things from another side. While you can start to piece a lot of the mystery together throughout the book, the end twists I do not see coming and I love that about these authors, they always manage to make the endings so worthwhile!

Was this review helpful?

Wow! The duo of Hendricks and Pekkanen have done it again! You Are Not Alone is a modern day film noir worthy of a Hitchcock award! Well crafted complex characters drive a twisty tale of suspense and manipulation. This is a must read for psychological thriller fans!

Was this review helpful?

“You Are Not Alone” by: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Shay Miller was an isolated and lonely single woman who loved numbers, data, and statistics. Her life revolved around probabilities and opportunities to belong, to be wanted, to feel confident, to be seen and to be admired. Without the self confidence, she constantly hid in the shadows of her charts and graphs. Until...

One day in the subway she witnessed a woman jump into the tracks and kill herself. Intrigued and disturbed by what she saw, she started to look into the woman’s life by going to her apartment, leaving flowers, and even attending her funeral and befriending the woman’s friends. This caught the attention of sisters Cassandra and Jane whom Shay takes advantage of.

In the series of lies told and assumptions, Shay gets caught up in a spiraling secret involving the woman’s death that no one wanted to be a part of.

This was my first thriller read from duo Hendricks and Pekkanen. I loved the storyline and plot twists that kept my attention for sure. The pacing is fast, highly entertaining and I loved it. I felt that the writing was solid and definitely an enjoyable read. I am definitely reading their previous two books in the backlist.

I recommend this read for fans of the duo or for first time readers of their work! This was so enjoyable!!

Was this review helpful?