Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen | AN ANONYMOUS GIRL

Plot (via Goodreads):

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 in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

Review: 

Last year, the dream-team Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen took the world by storm with The Wife Between Us and I was a victim of this novel. Every single place you looked, The Wife Between Us was staring back at you and everyone you know who is an avid reader was talking about it. It was stylish, taut, and sexy and completely held me hostage with it's devilish story, brilliant characters, and twisty ending. Well, if The Wife Between Us is Hendricks and Pekkanen's baby, An Anonymous Girl is the chic and alluring older sister that you're dying to befriend. Well, be careful what you wish for. 

Initially in the beginning of An Anonymous Girl, I was a little more confused than I was with its predecessor. I couldn't get a grasp where this story as going and at times was pleading for answers as this story progressed into something psychologically terrifying and cloaked in mystery. I loved the two narrators that take the reader though this crazy intense and puzzling story. While one narrator is honest and down to earth, the other narrator is dangerously smart and conniving reminding me of Catherine Tramell from the movie Basic Instinct. It's nerve-racking as a reader to develop such a sense of fear that this character of Dr. Shields is not only toying with Jessica, but I was on high alert as I realized she could also be messing with me as well.

I loved reading this one so much as it was not only enticing, but the contrast between both narrators was a splendid aspect of this novel. I was about halfway through before the dots started to connect and I got a grasp as to what I thought was going on. To keep a reader confused and intrigued that entire time without losing their interest or feeling frustrated at any moment is a testament to how exceptionally talented Hendricks and Pekkanen are. I'm so thankful I try to save my most anticipated reads for the weekend because there's no way I would have been able to put this one down longer than it takes to shower or eat a quick meal. Not only is it impossible to put down, but it's the kind of novel that you're searching your mind for theories as to what could or would happen even if you just run outside to get the mail. 

What I enjoyed the most about this one was the pacing was more calculating with this novel than The Wife Between Us. With The Wife Between Us, there was the ultimate shocking twist that left me speechless, but with An Anonymous Girl the twists and shocks were relentless and yet still believable as they were carried by both narrators to reveal a story that is radiant and sharply paralyzing. If the contrast between both novels is any testament to what we should expect with book three, I might need to start mentally preparing myself now.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 5/5