My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress

My Friend Anna: The True Story of a Fake Heiress

  • Downloads:4253
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-02-22 02:21:34
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Rachel DeLoache Williams
  • ISBN:198211410X
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Sex and the City meets Bad Blood and Catch Me If You Can in the astonishing true story of Anna Delvey, a young con artist posing as an heiress in New York City—as told by the former Vanity Fair photo editor and friend of Delvey’s, who was scammed out of more than $62,000 and is featured as a character in the Netflix series Inventing Anna

Rachel DeLoache Williams’s new friend Anna Delvey, a self-proclaimed German heiress, was worldly and ambitious。 She was also generous—picking up the tab for lavish dinners at Le Coucou, infrared sauna sessions at HigherDOSE, drinks at the 11 Howard Library bar, and regular workout sessions with a celebrity personal trainer。

When Anna proposed an all-expenses-paid trip to Marrakech at the five-star La Mamounia hotel, Rachel jumped at the chance。 But when Anna’s credit cards mysteriously stopped working, the dream vacation quickly took a dark turn。 Anna asked Rachel to begin fronting costs—first for flights, then meals and shopping, and, finally, for their $7,500-per-night private villa。 Before Rachel knew it, more than $62,000 had been charged to her credit cards。 Anna swore she would reimburse Rachel the moment they returned to New York。

Back in Manhattan, the repayment never materialized, and a shocking pattern of deception emerged。 Rachel learned that Anna had left a trail of deceit—and unpaid bills—wherever she’d been。 Mortified, Rachel contacted the district attorney, and in a stunning turn of events, found herself helping to bring down one of the city’s most notorious con artists。

With breathless pacing and in-depth reporting from the person who experienced it firsthand, My Friend Anna is an unforgettable true story of “glamour, greed, lust for power” (The New York Times), and female friendship。

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Reviews

Ashley Bergman Carlin

Read this in a weekend -- an easy, fun read! But then, I find the Anna Delvey story pretty fascinating。 I would not recommend this book to anyone not already interested in the story because it's not that notable and rather repetitive (I definitely skimmed some sections) but, again, it was fun for me。 Read this in a weekend -- an easy, fun read! But then, I find the Anna Delvey story pretty fascinating。 I would not recommend this book to anyone not already interested in the story because it's not that notable and rather repetitive (I definitely skimmed some sections) but, again, it was fun for me。 。。。more

Laura

I remember reading about Anna Delvey as her crimes came to light。 I was appalled at her audacity and ability to carry out her deceits。 Rachel Williams’ account of what happened to her through her friendship with Anna was fascinating。 I plowed through this one in less than a day!

Anne Greengrove

Excellent!! Couldn’t put it down

Gracie Gustafson

I’m giving this 4 stars as a recovering Anna Delvey admirer。 I think Williams is thoughtful and this book is a nice perspective of an often one sided story。 Logistically, this book is riddled with details and anecdotes that ought to have been removed, and could have benefitted being 75-100 pages less。 Ultimately, Williams is an unsuspecting victim of a full blown psychopath, who may or may not have ever cared to be her friend。 A pretty insane story of Williams being conned into buying a $70k vac I’m giving this 4 stars as a recovering Anna Delvey admirer。 I think Williams is thoughtful and this book is a nice perspective of an often one sided story。 Logistically, this book is riddled with details and anecdotes that ought to have been removed, and could have benefitted being 75-100 pages less。 Ultimately, Williams is an unsuspecting victim of a full blown psychopath, who may or may not have ever cared to be her friend。 A pretty insane story of Williams being conned into buying a $70k vacation… for herself。 A fine read if you *seriously* don’t mind irony。 。。。more

Sarah Bradfield

I found my heart pounding harder as I read this book and was stressed out for the author! I have been conned myself and never did receive the money back that I was owed。 So I have an understanding about how horrible that is, and I empathized with Rachel。 I guess if something seems too good to be true, it probably is。

Alyssabedford

Man I hope I never go through something this devastating only for Goodreads reviewers to judge the victim。。。yikes。 The author was in her 20's when this all took place for gods sakeAnyways I started and finished this today and I loved every word of it。 Super juicy and has what can only be considered the happiest ending possible for what the story was。 Give me all the "rich" people behaving badly memoirs please Man I hope I never go through something this devastating only for Goodreads reviewers to judge the victim。。。yikes。 The author was in her 20's when this all took place for gods sakeAnyways I started and finished this today and I loved every word of it。 Super juicy and has what can only be considered the happiest ending possible for what the story was。 Give me all the "rich" people behaving badly memoirs please 。。。more

nineveh_rains

Read this after watching Inventing Anna on Netflix。

Fraser

Amazing story, cautionary tale, extremely well written。 I couldn't put it down。I chose this rating because i haven't read a book this engrossing in a long time。 It is a cautionary tale for our times as scammers and sociopaths circle the globe looking for marks。 It is a story of the shallow existence of some and the depth of character of others。 Bravo, Ms。 Williams, for coming forward and for relating your story so purely。 Amazing story, cautionary tale, extremely well written。 I couldn't put it down。I chose this rating because i haven't read a book this engrossing in a long time。 It is a cautionary tale for our times as scammers and sociopaths circle the globe looking for marks。 It is a story of the shallow existence of some and the depth of character of others。 Bravo, Ms。 Williams, for coming forward and for relating your story so purely。 。。。more

Karen Mck

Fascinating, disturbing story but the writing was a little long-winded。

Carol

Anxiety producing tale。 The last half gave me a queasy stomach and had me on the edge of my seat。 It’s hard to imagine someone could be sucked into such an obvious scheme but I’m sure it happens all the time。

Robin

Fascinating!

Mariska

After watching Inventing Anna, I wanted to read My Friend Anna as well。 Turns out this is not as juicy as the series was。 It is mostly the story of Rachel’s life: her childhood, studies, vacations and her cool job (lots of namedropping and traveling)。 Basically, how she had everything sorted out by working hard and being nice。 And then she meets Anna, who ruins her entire life。 There is something in there about Anna and the luxurious life Rachel was a part of for a while, but pretty soon it beco After watching Inventing Anna, I wanted to read My Friend Anna as well。 Turns out this is not as juicy as the series was。 It is mostly the story of Rachel’s life: her childhood, studies, vacations and her cool job (lots of namedropping and traveling)。 Basically, how she had everything sorted out by working hard and being nice。 And then she meets Anna, who ruins her entire life。 There is something in there about Anna and the luxurious life Rachel was a part of for a while, but pretty soon it becomes a repetitive and therefore boring account of how she did not get the 70,000 dollars back she lent Anna。 It must have been a traumatic event, and it seems very smart to process it by writing about it, though perhaps this should have been a diary, not a book。 I do admire how the Rachel fights to be heard and to tell her side of the story。 。。。more

Mar

This story was pretty captivating。 I've been seeing all the hype for the show "Inventing Anna" but I'd much rather read the book than watch the show。 I didn't want to see the over glamourization of it, because, to be honest, the author's life already sounded glamorous。 Internships in Paris, working at a fashion magazine, life in the city, etc。 Things don't seem that different when she starts hanging out with Anna, just more excessive。All in all, it was a good read。 Totally wild in the scope of i This story was pretty captivating。 I've been seeing all the hype for the show "Inventing Anna" but I'd much rather read the book than watch the show。 I didn't want to see the over glamourization of it, because, to be honest, the author's life already sounded glamorous。 Internships in Paris, working at a fashion magazine, life in the city, etc。 Things don't seem that different when she starts hanging out with Anna, just more excessive。All in all, it was a good read。 Totally wild in the scope of it-someone who can't afford a thing, consistently ordering/demanding the most expensive of everything。 It also totally hits home if you've ever known someone who lied/manipulated。 I had to take a break at one point to go sneak a peek at the real Anna Sorrokins Instagram。 It's still up- an artsy look at this real person's life, deceitful but filled with pretty things。 。。。more

Димитър Клатуров

I will never read this book and honestly I have to idea why people support her and buy the book。 After living with Anna and not paying for anything she got all get money back and even made a lot of money from Anna。 The only person I am sorry for is Anna which is in prison for more then 4 years now。

Christy

I preferred listening to this once since it’s read by the author!

Jenn

I binged the Netflix show Inventing Anna and was really invested in the story of Anna Delvy and as it turns out I had already had this book on my Kindle。 The book didn't really add much more from the Netflix show and it did not really make me sympathetic to Rachel honestly but still I enjoyed this memoir I binged the Netflix show Inventing Anna and was really invested in the story of Anna Delvy and as it turns out I had already had this book on my Kindle。 The book didn't really add much more from the Netflix show and it did not really make me sympathetic to Rachel honestly but still I enjoyed this memoir 。。。more

Loren

This is getting three stars because it’s juicy。 I read this right after watching Inventing Anna, and it did not disappoint。 However, you should be warned that the narrator spends the entire book trying to convince the reader that the reason she was swindled is because she’s just *such* a good, tenderhearted, empathic person。 I wish she had demonstrated the slightest bit of self awareness and just admitted she wanted to be close to Anna because of her perceived wealth and status。 I get it — I’m f This is getting three stars because it’s juicy。 I read this right after watching Inventing Anna, and it did not disappoint。 However, you should be warned that the narrator spends the entire book trying to convince the reader that the reason she was swindled is because she’s just *such* a good, tenderhearted, empathic person。 I wish she had demonstrated the slightest bit of self awareness and just admitted she wanted to be close to Anna because of her perceived wealth and status。 I get it — I’m from a small town in the south, too。 You get stars in your eyes when you meet someone who is glamorous and part of a life you’ve only seen on TV。 But Rachel makes it seem like she was just so selfless, so vulnerable, and that’s why she fell for Anna’s game。 It’s really obvious that she got into her position — I do believe she was swindled — because she wanted proximity to wealth, etc。 A little self awareness would’ve gone a long way with this book。 That being said, if you love too much info about crimes that have nothing to do with you, read this one。 。。。more

Tina Ann Nguyen

Before “Inventing Anna” became popular on Netflix, here’s the account of Anna Delvey written by one of her former friends。 I had known about the notoriety of Anna Delvey a few years ago after reading an article about her。 This book is a first hand story of what happened after the infamous trip to Morocco。 You can’t help but think that Rachel was able to make some money off her story。 At times, it was confusing on who the book was about: Anna or Rachel? I feel sorry for Rachel, but in some ways s Before “Inventing Anna” became popular on Netflix, here’s the account of Anna Delvey written by one of her former friends。 I had known about the notoriety of Anna Delvey a few years ago after reading an article about her。 This book is a first hand story of what happened after the infamous trip to Morocco。 You can’t help but think that Rachel was able to make some money off her story。 At times, it was confusing on who the book was about: Anna or Rachel? I feel sorry for Rachel, but in some ways she did make her money back and some。 Looks like everyone got a piece of the pie。 。。。more

Fleur

This is an interesting read about how a friendship grew and then disintegrated leaving one person betrayed and in extreme dept and the other still living in Lala land thinking she did nothing wrong。 I really do feel for Rachel and can see when your young and a apparent rich and bubbly gal comes along and wants to being you into their fold and have fun you slowly disregard the signs that show something isn't right。 Anna certainly knew what she was doing with her long con and making sure she kept This is an interesting read about how a friendship grew and then disintegrated leaving one person betrayed and in extreme dept and the other still living in Lala land thinking she did nothing wrong。 I really do feel for Rachel and can see when your young and a apparent rich and bubbly gal comes along and wants to being you into their fold and have fun you slowly disregard the signs that show something isn't right。 Anna certainly knew what she was doing with her long con and making sure she kept her circle small, moving around and in a way isolating her marks from others so the dots couldn't be connected was smoothly done。 While it was awful what happened to Rachel and everything she went through, if it hadn't been her then who knows how long Anna would have continued conning people as she is one hell of a manipulator and actor while also cold and emotionless。 。。。more

Anna Willis

Probably a 3。5 - fascinating story and the way it's told really drives home the despair and makes you see how she was able to get away with it for so long! Probably a 3。5 - fascinating story and the way it's told really drives home the despair and makes you see how she was able to get away with it for so long! 。。。more

Carpool Book Club

This books was so entirely captivating that I read it in a single sitting。 I feel like I barely blinked for fear of missing anything。 I normally feel odd asssigning a rating to a true story as it’s someone’s life。 But, this one is so well told it’s worthy of a grand 5⭐️ rating。 Recently released as a Netflix show (“Inventing Anna”), MY FRIEND ANNA chronicles the author’s friendship and eventual deception by fake German heiress, Anna Delvey。 I saw a printed critic describe this story as “Catch Me This books was so entirely captivating that I read it in a single sitting。 I feel like I barely blinked for fear of missing anything。 I normally feel odd asssigning a rating to a true story as it’s someone’s life。 But, this one is so well told it’s worthy of a grand 5⭐️ rating。 Recently released as a Netflix show (“Inventing Anna”), MY FRIEND ANNA chronicles the author’s friendship and eventual deception by fake German heiress, Anna Delvey。 I saw a printed critic describe this story as “Catch Me If You Can meets Sex in the City” and I’m not going to try to come up with anything else as it’s a perfect and apt summary。 The story is full of New York glamour, luxury travel, deception, panic and justice…all true! A short read at 290 pages, this book is well-written and fascinating in all of its many aspects。 I highly recommend! I’m off to watch the Netflix version and hope it does the book justice。 。。。more

Rebecca Nagrodski

I decided to watch this after watching Netflix's Inventing Anna series - I was just confused by the character of Rachel that I really wanted to learn more about her。 After reading this, I can say that I didn't gain any real respect for Rachel。 I acknowledge that Anna remains the villian of this story - but Rachel's vanity and thoughtlessness is still hard to ignore。 Still - It's a very quick and interesting read。 Especially for people totally intrigued by Anna (like me)! I decided to watch this after watching Netflix's Inventing Anna series - I was just confused by the character of Rachel that I really wanted to learn more about her。 After reading this, I can say that I didn't gain any real respect for Rachel。 I acknowledge that Anna remains the villian of this story - but Rachel's vanity and thoughtlessness is still hard to ignore。 Still - It's a very quick and interesting read。 Especially for people totally intrigued by Anna (like me)! 。。。more

Deb Lancaster

Well。 It's clear to see that Ms Deloache Williams' talents do not lie in writing。 This is so so so boring。 I've seen inventing Anna and read up on it etc, expected this to add something at least。 It's transparently attempting to paint Rachel as a sort of Saint like ingénue rather than a bit of a div。 and I don't doubt it was a crappy experience but my god, she is lucky this is the worst thing that's happened to her by her age。 Anna is obviously a criminal and is even a psychopath of some kind。 B Well。 It's clear to see that Ms Deloache Williams' talents do not lie in writing。 This is so so so boring。 I've seen inventing Anna and read up on it etc, expected this to add something at least。 It's transparently attempting to paint Rachel as a sort of Saint like ingénue rather than a bit of a div。 and I don't doubt it was a crappy experience but my god, she is lucky this is the worst thing that's happened to her by her age。 Anna is obviously a criminal and is even a psychopath of some kind。 But this book isn't about Anna。 It's about Rachel。 And it's not good。 。。。more

Caitlin

Interesting true story but super stressful to read

Ania Miceli

I came away from this book less sympathetic for all involved than I thought I would be, however I did find the unreliable narrator strangely compelling。 I’m also not sure why the editor of this book was not more ruthless in organising what details should be included in this book and which could easily be excluded, but the story could have been told in much less words than this book presents。 Missable。

Daniel Pertuz

I liked it。 I esepcially liked the conclusions about how people look at the fashion and see Anna as a hero instead of the criminal con artist she is。 I related to anna's financial woes (though I didn't get how someone owing that amount of money can then take a weekend trip to san francisco or keep spending as much money eating out and drinking) and at the end you really feel for her。 Now I kinda wanna see the other side of the coin about anna and how she percieves her malicious ways。basically a I liked it。 I esepcially liked the conclusions about how people look at the fashion and see Anna as a hero instead of the criminal con artist she is。 I related to anna's financial woes (though I didn't get how someone owing that amount of money can then take a weekend trip to san francisco or keep spending as much money eating out and drinking) and at the end you really feel for her。 Now I kinda wanna see the other side of the coin about anna and how she percieves her malicious ways。basically a quick, entertaining read。 。。。more

Tamara Hala

Entertaining, fast read。 I did the audiobook of this which was kind of annoying because there are a lot of text transcriptions。

Nicole

Yeah yeah yeah we get it。 Anna is evil and you were just the sweet, innocent, southern down home values girl giving her the benefit of the doubt。 I’m sure your sainthood is coming any day now。 In all honesty, it sounds like you conned her as much as she conned you。 Between dinners out, celebrity personal trainer sessions, and spa treatments she likely spent $70k on you。 What a waste of time reading this drivel。 Not to mention the baby valley girl voice narrating…。 This whole book reeks of desper Yeah yeah yeah we get it。 Anna is evil and you were just the sweet, innocent, southern down home values girl giving her the benefit of the doubt。 I’m sure your sainthood is coming any day now。 In all honesty, it sounds like you conned her as much as she conned you。 Between dinners out, celebrity personal trainer sessions, and spa treatments she likely spent $70k on you。 What a waste of time reading this drivel。 Not to mention the baby valley girl voice narrating…。 This whole book reeks of desperation。 An equally culpable woman trying to paint herself as a victim to gain notoriety and make a buck。 Who’s the real scammer here? 。。。more

Rosheen

I completely agree with reviewer “Katie”s review from 2019。 Juicy。 You also might roll your eyes。 But also be horrified about the whole thing。 Very good chaser to concluding your weekend binge of inventing Anna。