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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Incredibly disappointing plot twist. The book had SO much potential for an amazing plot twist. The set-up was well-written and the complexity of the characters were deep and intriguing. But halfway, the authors decides to make everything much less complicated and took away all the deep complexities of the characters, dumbing them down to the bones. The plot had you at the edge of the chair and then douses you in cold water. Truly wished the plot twist had been a different one (it honestly could have gone so many ways that would be way better) and I think this may be the most disappointing thriller read yet. It's not even a thriller by the ending tbh.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
“Every lifetime contains pivot points—sometimes flukes of destiny, sometimes seemingly preordained—that shape and eventually cement one’s path.”
I can always count on Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen for a solid, creepy thriller. They write together so well and manage to really suck you into the story.
The dual perspectives work so well here, between Jessica and Dr. Shields. For me it really adds to the intrigue and creepiness of the story. Getting Dr. Shields’ perspective in first person gives this feeling of unease as her thoughts are always geared towards Jessica without her knowing. Jessica also becomes fascinated by Dr. Sheilds and wants to know everything about her. As the story goes on, it’s clear that there is something inappropriate about the relationship.
There is such a deep commentary on morality throughout the book. The experiment Dr. Shields is running is based on asking anonymous subjects questions on morals, but she goes deeper with Jessica. It’s manipulative and scary as it unfolds, especially as Jessica falls deeper into it. It’s a little obvious at times, but I think it’s such an interesting way to frame a thriller.
The audiobook is also fantastic. The bulk of the story is narrated by queen Julia Whelan, and the perspectives from Dr. Shields are narrated by Barrie Kreinik. It makes the story feel immersive and it’s so good.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've owned a copy of An Anonymous Girl for some time now and finally got around to reading it.
This book alternates between 1st person and 2nd person POV. One chapter will be about Jessica and her life as a makeup artist, trying to make ends meet and manages to lie to get herself into a paying questionnaire experiment. Than it switches a almost "chose your own adventure" type of story, with sentences like "you are wearing.. " or "unlike the others, you don't do.." and it feels odd.
When we're in Jessica's POV, the settings for the scenes easily throw off a reader. We're introduced to Leo but it takes a few sentences later to realise Leo is a pet and not a man. Than there's scenes where we're in Jessica's apartment before it suddenly switches to a bar setting the words used are "I walk into the lounge and look around.." turns out it doesn't mean lounge room, its a few sentences later we find out its a bar. I dunno about others but I've never used the word lounge to describe a setting a bar.
While we follow Jessica and "YOU", we also follow Doctor Shields and the break down off her marriage.
There's a lot of brand descriptions in this book that it feels too much. Some feel very specific to America, or even age specific to certain age demographics and as an Australian, it feels quite jarring.
One thing that i started to get over was seeing descriptions like "the dads who paid for bar mitzvahs and sweet sixteen parties." As someone who has very little experience with the Jewish community or the upper class community, i couldn't envison the right people. Instead every time a reference like that was made, i envisoned Adam Sandler.
This story is a round about way of 1) trying to prove your husbands a cheater and 2) what would you do to protect his name?
While in the same breath, giving fear to audiences about seeing therapists, who will use your information against you to fabricate lies and ultimately have the therapist to attempt to be the saviour of the story before being destroyed by their own truths.
This book alternates between 1st person and 2nd person POV. One chapter will be about Jessica and her life as a makeup artist, trying to make ends meet and manages to lie to get herself into a paying questionnaire experiment. Than it switches a almost "chose your own adventure" type of story, with sentences like "you are wearing.. " or "unlike the others, you don't do.." and it feels odd.
When we're in Jessica's POV, the settings for the scenes easily throw off a reader. We're introduced to Leo but it takes a few sentences later to realise Leo is a pet and not a man. Than there's scenes where we're in Jessica's apartment before it suddenly switches to a bar setting the words used are "I walk into the lounge and look around.." turns out it doesn't mean lounge room, its a few sentences later we find out its a bar. I dunno about others but I've never used the word lounge to describe a setting a bar.
While we follow Jessica and "YOU", we also follow Doctor Shields and the break down off her marriage.
There's a lot of brand descriptions in this book that it feels too much. Some feel very specific to America, or even age specific to certain age demographics and as an Australian, it feels quite jarring.
One thing that i started to get over was seeing descriptions like "the dads who paid for bar mitzvahs and sweet sixteen parties." As someone who has very little experience with the Jewish community or the upper class community, i couldn't envison the right people. Instead every time a reference like that was made, i envisoned Adam Sandler.
This story is a round about way of 1) trying to prove your husbands a cheater and 2) what would you do to protect his name?
While in the same breath, giving fear to audiences about seeing therapists, who will use your information against you to fabricate lies and ultimately have the therapist to attempt to be the saviour of the story before being destroyed by their own truths.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Thank you, St. Martin's Press via Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book!
Having missed the boat on The Wife Between Us (I still haven't read it), I immediately jumped at the opportunity to read and review An Anonymous Girl. One, I have adored Pekkanen's writing since day one and two, it sounded like an awesome concept. It doesn't pub until January 2019, but I couldn't wait to read it so....
I was not disappointed to say the least. This duo is an amazing writing team. Hendricks and Pekkanen created a psychological thriller like none I've read thus far. Every page brought new intrigue, making it impossible to put down. I read it in a day because nothing else existed once I started reading.
Jess is a makeup artist with a bit of a secret past; Dr. Shields is noted professor and psychiatrist running a study on morality. As the two come together things get dark, twisted, and obsessive right to the end!
I highly recommend this one - look for it in January!
I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am not compensated for any of my reviews.
Having missed the boat on The Wife Between Us (I still haven't read it), I immediately jumped at the opportunity to read and review An Anonymous Girl. One, I have adored Pekkanen's writing since day one and two, it sounded like an awesome concept. It doesn't pub until January 2019, but I couldn't wait to read it so....
I was not disappointed to say the least. This duo is an amazing writing team. Hendricks and Pekkanen created a psychological thriller like none I've read thus far. Every page brought new intrigue, making it impossible to put down. I read it in a day because nothing else existed once I started reading.
Jess is a makeup artist with a bit of a secret past; Dr. Shields is noted professor and psychiatrist running a study on morality. As the two come together things get dark, twisted, and obsessive right to the end!
I highly recommend this one - look for it in January!
I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am not compensated for any of my reviews.
I was happy so happy to receive an advanced review copy of this book and eagerly dove in. I was not disappointed- suspense, an interesting plot, likable and realistic-characters and a few twists were more than enough to hold my interest! The ending was also unanticipated! I would definitely recommend this book if you like psychological thrillers!
This was a real page turner for me, as soon as Jessica got into the morality study I was hooked and really wanted to see where the story was going to go.
I may have to review my instant dismissal of thrillers, as I've read a few lately this being one of them that I quite enjoyed.
Spoiler
I was actually surprised that Jessica got the better of Doctor Shields, I didn’t expect that to happen, the fact that Thomas actually assisted her also was a bit of a shock considering his was a serial cheater and also violated his oath as a therapist. I didn’t like that Jessica blackmailed him at the end, but I can also understand where that came from.I may have to review my instant dismissal of thrillers, as I've read a few lately this being one of them that I quite enjoyed.
The great thing I found about 'An Anonymous Girl' was that it had an extremely similar vibe to 'Gone Girl'. The entertainment factor was there, as well as the eerie sort of writing style that Gillian Flynn has mastered. If you are a fan of novels told from two different characters' points of view, get ready for this one, but don't blink! You may miss that this novel is told in by two interesting characters.
Picture a young woman, in her 20-somethings, trying to make a living by being a make up artist. Now picture this woman also has a deep, dark secret, along with many other secrets that have yet to reveal themselves. Now imagine a successful psychiatrist. One that has published books, conducts studies, and is a professor at NYU. Punctual. Professional. Conniving. These two cross lives by doing what they do on a daily basis. The make up artist needs money and the psychiatrist conducts a study. So where are we being led? Down a hole, where secrets are revealed, morality is tested, and suicides happen to the best of us.
I enjoyed reading this novel (thank you Netgalley). I will say, in the beginning, I was slightly confused by the differing tones, until I did realize that the chapters were alternating characters. But overall, the plot was interesting and kept my attention. I feel as though the end was rather abrupt and could have been handled differently, but also, the novel came full circle.
Picture a young woman, in her 20-somethings, trying to make a living by being a make up artist. Now picture this woman also has a deep, dark secret, along with many other secrets that have yet to reveal themselves. Now imagine a successful psychiatrist. One that has published books, conducts studies, and is a professor at NYU. Punctual. Professional. Conniving. These two cross lives by doing what they do on a daily basis. The make up artist needs money and the psychiatrist conducts a study. So where are we being led? Down a hole, where secrets are revealed, morality is tested, and suicides happen to the best of us.
I enjoyed reading this novel (thank you Netgalley). I will say, in the beginning, I was slightly confused by the differing tones, until I did realize that the chapters were alternating characters. But overall, the plot was interesting and kept my attention. I feel as though the end was rather abrupt and could have been handled differently, but also, the novel came full circle.
This did drag on a bit, and I don’t think most of it was as clever as the authors thought it was, but it wasn’t a bad way to pass some time.