My Friend Anna - Rachel DeLoache Williams

My Friend Anna

By Rachel DeLoache Williams

  • Release Date: 2019-07-23
  • Genre: True Crime
Score: 4
4
From 540 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
ONE OF TIME’S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Sex and the City meets Bad Blood and Catch Me if You Can in this riveting true crime memoir that tells the astonishing firsthand story of Anna Delvey—the fake heiress who conned New York’s elite—and the friend she betrayed.

When Rachel DeLoache Williams meets Anna Delvey, Anna claims to be a wealthy German heiress with boundless ambition and an extravagant lifestyle. She treats generously, covering lavish dinners, luxury hotels, high-end workouts, and nights out across Manhattan. Drawn into Anna’s orbit, Rachel is flattered by the friendship and dazzled by the access it provides.

The illusion shatters during a dream trip to Marrakech, when Anna’s credit cards suddenly stop working. Anna insists the problem is temporary and persuades Rachel to front the costs—first flights, then meals and shopping, and ultimately a private villa costing thousands per night. By the time they return to New York, Rachel has been charged more than $62,000, and Anna’s promises of repayment quickly unravel.

As Rachel pieces together the truth, she discovers Anna has left a trail of unpaid bills and deception throughout the city. Determined to reclaim her life and dignity, Rachel goes to the authorities and finds herself at the center of the investigation that brings down one of the most infamous con artists of the decade.

Fast-paced, immersive, and deeply personal, this memoir offers an insider’s account of fraud, privilege, and the seductive power of ambition—told by the woman who lived it.

Reviews

  • Enjoyed more than I thought I would!

    5
    By Geena Rosanna
    Familiar with the stories and articles, but surprisingly enjoyed hearing Rachel’s experience after Morocco and trying to recoup payment from Anna. I feel for her, and believe her! It hit the spot for more on this story.
  • Is Anna leaving reviews?

    4
    By Skinnyblondedemon
    I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. It does a good job of showing the slow burn to being Anna’s friend to being conned. I don’t know how all of these one and two star reviews got here other then Anna and her multiple phones
  • Loved it!!!

    5
    By Litadelazari
    Could not put it down! After watching Inventing Anna, this is a great narration of the other side of the story.
  • My Friend Anna

    2
    By jal1111
    Self serving. I know it’s not the $$ amount but you’re not a Madoff victim.💐💗
  • Raw truth with well timed and done sardonic humor

    5
    By kaykaybean13
    I’m floored at how relatable, mature and authentic she remained throughout never covering the ugly the panic the distraught angst she was feeling festering itself in the recesses of her brain. I was disappointed and PO’d learning that Anna never served time for her fraud on someone this woman let down her defense enabled for herself to be vulnerable and it would never make what transpired better, easier. It’s something that I’d guess she’s going to have triggers from prob her whole life. It’s a traumatic experience and sounds as if she was first hand experiencing PTSD in the aftermath because it was such a disregard of her friendship and feelings and the betrayal was too difficult for her to process which is why she allowed Anna to string her along for another month and BECAUSE she loved her friend once and was having a lot of guilt and doubt and fear trepidation of the repercussions of her assistance and approved towards the authorities and prosecutors. This woman has an incredible beautifully bright soul and her spirit is strong and willful. She will prevail. The universe is rewarding her with a lot of happiness at her feet, a lot of unsuspecting WONDERFUL circumstances that is exactly everything she needs. Take care kindred spirit. Love😘
  • A con who manipulated a con

    1
    By Green Tee 🍵
    Rachel Williams and Anna Sorokin are the same - both con artists and thirsty. 😂
  • Scary true story

    4
    By AuntJannie
    It’s so easy to overlook little signs that a person is dishonest. I get that and applaud the author for telling her cautionary tale. It’s well-written and easy to follow, though a bit too detailed for my taste, hence 4 stars instead of 5.
  • Great Read

    5
    By sunaugs
    Thanks to Rachel for sharing her story. There is quite a bit of honesty and self reflection which cannot be easy given all that transpired. The ability to take a difficult situation, learn and grow is a special quality. I read this book in just three days and look forward to more from Rachel.
  • Not a fan

    1
    By demmmmmiiiiiiid
    This book could be summarized in 10 pages and it might be the most boring 10 pages you’ve ever read. I had to skip page after page because it was such unimportant monotonous details. Definitely don’t recommend.
  • Frenemy

    3
    By wordthrill
    Rachel paints the picture of an innocuous and yet dubious creature. There are certainly two sides to this story and I am not sure we get the full picture from the author who was so closely tied to the story that transpired. We all hate the idea of opening our hearts and making ourselves prey to deception. But to actually be conned so thoroughly must truly make one question reality and life perceptions. Upon realization, it flavors every subsequent relationship. Rachel walks us through her friendship with Anna, shows us the masquerade that she herself never looked too hard underneath to discover the real depths. Part of the con was dependent on good manners which prohibits questioning others, especially about matters as personal as finances.