Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

What Happened to Anabel Taylor is Jennifer Shay Carta’s debut novel. Anabel has suffered much after a video destroyed her image and life. She thought she was getting back to normal, but she was wrong, because that video was meant to do one thing — completely destroy her — and they won’t stop until they’ve done it. As more details come out about her past, Anabel is forced to confront her deepest fears. Not everyone is happy for Anabel to bounce back, though, and they’ll do whatever they must to stop her. Can Anabel reclaim her life, or is it all too late?

What Happened to Anabel Taylor by Jennifer Shay Carta is an emotionally charged novel that moves from past to present. It’s a story about the complexities of mental health and the price celebrities pay for being in the public eye, and some things may be triggering for some readers. It’s a twisty story that will leave you quite breathless as you uncover what happened to Anabel and why. It’s written from several characters’ perspectives, all of whom are likable and relatable. The more you read, the more involved you become and the harder the book holds you. Although it covers a deep subject, it is actually fun to read, and it has some humor in it, too. An enjoyable novel and a solid start for a brand-new author — definitely someone to watch in the future. If you love a good psychological thriller or just a good drama, you'll love this book.