Thank you very much to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Annika Rose and Jonathan Hoffman meet during chess club at the University of Illinois. She is an English Major who dreams of becoming a librarian and works in a wildlife animal clinic because she feels much more comfortable around books and animals. Jonathan is a business major who transferred from Northwestern. His future aspirations are working for a big financial firm in NYC so he can make a lot of money and take care of himself and his mother. Annika is socially awkward and very lonely. Jonathan is down on his luck and intrigued by the quiet beauty and as their relationship grows, they find comfort in the strength of their relationship. No good book can be with out a little adversity and Tracey Garvis Graves does a masterful job of creating a story that is so touching and wonderful I am sad to have finished it.

It is extremely rare for me to want to flip back to the beginning and start again as soon as it's over. This is my first book by the author and it definitely will not be my last. The cover art is what caught my attention and the story will stay with me for a long time. The characters were very well developed and relatable, which made the impact of twists that much more powerful. I thought the story was going to be boy meets girl, boy and girl break up and then boy and girl get back together again. Due to how much I loved the characters and this story, I was perfectly content with that. It was so much more and I can't wait to recommend this to everyone I know.


I will post my review in March 2019 on my Goodreads/Amazon/Instagram/Facebook and Listy accounts.

This book was great! I wasn’t sure quite what to expect as I started reading it. It was very intriguing.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I’m not typically a romance kind of reader, but this one sparked my interest as a psychologist, due to the female character being on the spectrum. Well-written, with well-developed characters that you don’t realize how much you care about until the gut-punch climax.

It's been a while since I've read a proper romance book so The Girl He Used To Know was a nice break from the more heavy books I've been reading recently. It had plenty of romance, which I loved but also had some great life lessons.

The novel moves between the past (1991) where Annika and Jonathan first meet in college, fall in love but are torn apart by a tragic event - and the present (2001) where they reconnect and get to know one another again. Each chapter is told either in Annikas perspective or Jonathans,

The characters in the book were likeable and I enjoyed getting to 'know' them, especially Annika Rose, the main character. Annika is an extremely kind and sweet young woman, who has been through some difficult experiences in her past due to her being deemed 'unusual' by those around her.

We find out that Annika is on the Autism spectrum, and for her parts of the novel we experience the world as Annika does, with an open heart and a joy for life. I enjoyed reading about her persevering character, as she develops and finds healthy ways to manage her anxiety. It was such a great feeling as a reader to see her progress and overcome aspects of her mental illness which were holding her back from enjoying her life to the max.
The writing style flows so nicely - I was once told by my english teacher that writing doesn't flow but it's the best way to describe it! Each time I put the book down, I couldn't wait to pick back up with the story and get back into the sweet love story which Garvis Graves created.

It would be impossible to write a review and not mention Jonathan - he's the type of character that I like reading about. A genuine good guy, who doesn't pressure Annika but is understanding and accepts all her behaviours, without patronising her. Simply put, he gets her, and it's sweet to see the way their relationship grows. While he's not as developed as a character and I didn't connect with him as much, I didn't mind it too much as it felt like - to me anyway, that Annika was the main star of the novel.

I didn't expect to get emotional but what do you know? The last few chapters in particular are heartbreaking and warming all at the same time - I didn't see it coming but it hit me hard all the same. I don't want to spoil anything as it's another major climax in the novel, but just know it will evoke some emotion!

My only critique would be the ending as I would have liked a bit more, it just felt sort of lacking in comparison to how good I found the rest of the novel. Perhaps the characters can be revisited in another book or short story?

Overall, I can say I really enjoyed this novel and would happily read any other books by Tracey Garvis Graves. It's the type of book I enjoy, a good romance with deeper issues explored within it, what's not to love.

4.5 wonderful stars!!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up The Girl He Used to Know - I’ve read and loved previous novels by Garvis-Graves (On the Island & Covet) and both dealt with the situations of love in somewhat taboo situations (tutor student, extramarital) so the story of Annika and Jonathan taking a totally different turn really surprised me and I absolutely love how this novel played out. Annika is a girl who is stunningly beautiful, but her autism has her lacking confidence when it comes to relationships. When she meets Jonathan at a chess match, they fall in love and her walls begin to come down a bit. The story takes place in two different timelines and the reader is aware something happened between the then and now to push them apart.

This book has such strong characters who are well developed and feel real as well as plot lines that will stay with you for quite some time (they will with me for sure)! I don’t want to spoil anything but I can say this book is a masterpiece and an absolute must read. Tracey Garvis-Graves has outdone herself here and I was thrilled to be an early reader of this beautiful book.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley. My opinions are my own.


Annika and Jonathan fall in love in college. Annika has a past that involves bullying and that has caused her to withdraw socially, even more so than she already does naturally. She experiences most firsts with Jonathan, including her first time falling in love. They have a beautiful love affair until they don't.... then one day, ten years later, they bump into each other in the grocery store. They begin to reconnect and then tragedy strikes. I loved reading about how odd Anniak is, her quirks, coping skills and her achievements. I loved reading about how much Jonathan and Anniak loved each other in college. I loved the angish of trying to find out if Anniak and Jonathan had what it takes to make an adult relationship work. There came a point where I almost stopped reading the book. Not because I disliked it, but because I really didn't want to know if this would not work out for the two love birds. I will admit, I am a sucker for all things "The One That Got Away". This book is way more than that. I love when books become movies but I almost wouldn't want The Girl He Used To Know to become a movie because I loved the way I imagined it.

The cover is beautiful and the premise of the story is interesting. It was well thought out but just not my cup of tea.

This is the first book I have ever read by Tracey Garvis Graves, and it was amazing! It had the perfect storyline that kept you interested to the very end. The ending had the perfect twist to make the great even more amazing!!

I've been waiting a long time for another book from Tracey Garvis Graves. I loved her other books and had the honor of meeting her at a book signing in Iowa. I couldn't wait to read this book. And I'm telling you whether you have read one of her books before or this is your first one, you will not be disappointed. I devoured this book from start to finish. Page after page, I was amazed with the story. Annika is a beautiful young lady that by looking at you wouldn't know she was on the Autism Spectrum. Struggling through her life she finally finds true friends and a love that will last a lifetime. Tracey does an amazing job of portraying this beautifully courageous character. Annika was real in my mind as I was turning the pages I could picture her and her life and the daily struggles that she faced. This book is beautiful, amazing and was an honor to read. It had me laughing, crying, on the edge of my seat and had my heart so full of love at the end. You won't be disappointed. The challenges Annika faces are real and can be overcome with love and support. Tracey hit it out of the ballpark with this one. I'd definitely give it more than five stars if I could

“The Girl He Used to Know” by Tracey Garvis Graves is a genuinely heartwarming look at the love story of Annika and Jonathan, told in their present (after a chance meeting in a grocery store) and their past when they met in college 10 years ago. The books flips between their individual perspectives as well as the two different time frames, and I really didn’t want to stop reading. When Jonathan’s friend asks him if Annika moves to the beat of a different drum, he responds that she moves to the beat of a whole different band. And that’s a perfect description. I found myself completely caught up in Annika’s approach to life and Jonathan’s ability to understand her and to love her. I started reading the book two days ago, and it only took so long because real life got in the way. Had I started it on a weekend, I probably wouldn’t have stopped…I was that taken in by it.

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

Annika is quirky, and I knew early on that she must be on the autism spectrum, but that isn’t confirmed until late in the story. This facet of her life is what drives her persona. She deals with the world and people differently, and Jonathan is exceptionally good at understanding her and making her feel calm and safe. I found myself wondering what could have possibly happened to split them up to begin with, and there is a hint early on that Jonathan met someone else. I really wanted to find out HOW he ended up meeting someone else though because he was so in love with Annika that I couldn’t imagine why they would ever split up. The 10 years apart, however, help her to develop into the independent woman she is even with her careful and structured place in the world.

I will admit that I didn’t pay attention to the timeframe in the chapter headings until I saw September 10, 2001, and Jonathan was flying to New York. I actually gasped when I realized what would be coming. Up until then, the chapter headings had the year 1991 for the past and August 2001/September 2001 for the current day. At that point, I was pretty desperate to finish. Having been glued to the news after September 11, I was anxious about where the author was taking the story. As Annika’s search for Jonathan carried over into several days, I was preparing to write a review that talked about how horrible it was that Annika and Jonathan came back together only for him to die two months later.

I was satisfied with the happy ending, but I would have liked a little more, which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It wrapped up Annika’s growth pretty well, but it was way too fast. I wanted to know how their story turned out. An epilogue of the present day would have been nice, maybe with Annika and Jonathan teaching a child to navigate the same world that Annika inhabits.

Overall, though, a nice take on a love story that I would definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is scheduled for publication in April 2019.

This is my first book from this author but I can guarantee it won't be my last. TGG had me hooked on her writing from the very first page. The story she built in this one was addictive and beautiful. The growth in the characters was unbelievable, especially with Annika. The flow of the story never got stuck and kept you captivated until the very last word.

Annika will easily be a heroine that won't be forgotten. Her resolve to make it in a world she didn't always understand was admirable and so damn inspiring. She did march to the beat of her own band but she never ever let that deter her from a life she wanted or deserved. Although there was a one huge dark cloud that I worried she just wouldn't shake she took me by surprise and by the end of the book I had goosebumps for the resolve she had. Her perseverance is something we should all aspire to have in our own lives.

Johnathan was just that guy. That guy we all love and can never find anything wrong with. He's just a good guy finding his own way in the world. His patience and understanding of Annika, both past and present, made me love him even more. He was the peace to Annika's chaos and it doesn't get better than that.

The author took on some pretty heavy topics in this book but she did it gracefully. It never felt over the top but just right. These are the types of books I am addicted to. Ones with meaning and will touch not only your heart but your soul in some way. This one will stay with me for a long time.

Loved the characters in this book. They're real, imperfect, and captivating. Annika and Jonathan meet over chess and the alternating timeline give a story of love and love lost with a twist.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this new novel by Graves but I read The Island a few years ago and loved it. I enjoyed that she was able to take a unique perspective and this book was completely engrossing from the start.

This story focused around the main character, Annika, who is on the Autism spectrum. Annika has previously struggled with relationships and friendships until she meets Jonathan in college in 1991.

I was very impressed by her ability to portray Annika's perspective through the eyes of someone on the spectrum, and how just exhausted and confusing social situations can be. The book takes place in two different time periods (1991 and 2001) and the reader is aware something happened between Annika and Jonathan that initially pushed them apart but it isn't clear at first what happened.

When they meet again, both have changed and learned about themselves and I loved seeing this progression over time. I love books about second chances and also loved seeing the transformation of not only this relationship but also the characters individually. This was not only a romance but also a book about self-love and acceptance and also hard work. This was a beautiful book and it will stick with me for a long time. Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t remember the last time I read a book with tears streaming down my face. Except for this one! (And only for a few certain chapters) I see this in a purely positive way, because the story and the characters and their love story touched me so deeply I felt like they were my own family and friends. This is all so much deeper than just a love story because we really get to see into the mind and spirit of a highly functioning with autism, as well as the man who loves her. However, the author didn’t make it totally about that. It is also the story of a young woman (Annika) coming into her own in a world that is sometimes chaotic and confusing. I could relate to a lot of what she went through even though I’m not “on the spectrum.”

The story is told alternately from Annika’s point of view and Jonathan’spoint of view, and the setting and time go back-and-forth between their days in college and their days now, 10 years later. It sounds like it might be confusing, but it totally was easy to follow and easy to understand, and switching back-and-forth like that had a powerful effect on the totality of these two characters’ stories.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[2.5 stars]
It wasn't a bad book by any means, it just wasn't my type of story. I think anyone who enjoys drama and romance should give it a chance, especially those who've had a good time reading other books by the same author.
I understand where Jonathan was coming from with his need for Annika to be open about her feelings but it didn't stop it from being annoying. Maybe she just doesn't express affection the same way you do and that doesn't make her a coward, y'know?
I also couldn't help but compare the book to The Kiss Quotient, which just means that autism isn't nearly represented enough for me to dissociate two completely different stories, and that makes me sad.
Anyway, it was a good enough book but it didn't blow my mind. I'd still read more from this author, though.

As a long time fan of On the Island, I was intrigued to see that Tracy had written this book. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it after I saw the simplicity and beauty of the cover. What I found inside was something I was not expecting in the least bit.

There is something about reading about characters with mental illnesses that really fascinates me. I love to see them working, thinking, and interacting with the people and the situations around them. I love learning things with them and experiencing all of the things with them. It really helps me with connecting to said characters. I get vulnerable, my guard is down and I am completely open to all possibilities when it comes to characters like Annika. She's a wild card but I love that about her. I love her honesty, her sensibility, and her personality so much.

The writing in The Girl He Used to Know was so addictive. Resembling a lot of Taylor Jenkins Reid's work (whom I love), the writing flowed well with the story and really made it hard to put down. The messages and themes that were touched on weren't over done and the story-line never drug on. I was genuinely enjoying myself and the author's work while I was reading.

Very rarely do I ever crave an epilogue. I can live my life without them in so many books that I read but for some reason I REALLY itched for one in this story. I can't explain it. But their story wasn't done for me and I really needed that last little bit of stretch to align the cherry on the top of my cake.

Although this story revolved around Annika, I couldn't help but fall in love with Johnathan. He was those good type of heroes that I love to read about. The vulnerable ones who aren't like any one else around them. The ones who fight and show the woman how much she really means to him. He was so much good in Annika's life but that brings me to my next point.

Annika did not need him. I think that is what really sold me with this book. Annika lived her life, achieved her dreams, all without a male or his romance in her life. She fought and clawed and did things her way without deterring in any type of direction or following any body else. She really did march to the beat of her own band.

I was wildly in love with this story and these characters. I think these are the type of romance books I yearn for. The ones with powerful messages and meaning to them. The ones that viscerally slice you open and make you feel the things that the characters within the novel want you to feel. I hope you go into this story blind. I hope you find all of the beauty inside of it that I did. I couldn't put it down. Annika drew me in from the beginning and I couldn't let go of her even when the book was over.

I received an ARC of this novel from Net-galley in exchange for my review. This story is about Anika and Jonathan a couple who met in college and mysteriously separated and met up again 10 years later . The story is told from both Anika and Jonathan's perspective . Early on there is a sense of something in Anika's behaviour and her lonely life on the fringe. The reader is taken on the journey of a love affair rekindled after many years with two very different people. This is a love story.

I thought the story was a little slow to start off but soon picked up and it was hard to put down. The ending a real surprise. I recommend this book as a very good read you will not be disappointed also read On the Island by this author another very good read.

The Girl He Used to Know takes place in 1991 and 2001, centering around the relationship between Annika and Jonathan. I really enjoyed how the book switched back and forth between the two time periods. Some authors don't handle that change well, but I loved how it not only showed the progression of the relationship, it also revealed Annika's personal growth. Her self-discovery explained her choices in the past. It also made you cheer as she pushed past the boundaries she had placed in her life to be there for the person she loves.

I’d first been introduced to Tracey Garcia Graves in On the Island. I really liked that book, but woah, I loved this! <B>The Girl He Used to Know</b> was refreshingly different. It has a spin on a second chance romance trope. I love a quirky heroine but here, with Annika, she steals the show. I’m not going to spoil her for future readers, but let’s just say this author nailed it with her personality. A person like her takes a special someone and our hero Jonathon was very much “her person.”

I pretty much devoured this book. With both dual point of views and flip flopping timelines, sometimes I get a bit confused or frustrated with the flipping back and forth. Here, I did not. Not at all. Garvis Graves builds their current romance while taking us back to their original romance back in college when both met up in the chess club.

Beware of a lot of review-reading. I think this book really needs a fresh introduction to Annika and Jonathon and too much detail may tarnish the gradual “getting to know” her. That’ll make you appreciate the talent of this author all the more.

Looking forward to what’s next by Tracey Garvis Graves!

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This book is really, really great. It's about college and careers, chess, autism, falling in love, making relationships work, 9/11, ectopic pregnancy, soulmates, and some other stuff I don't remember that I'm missing. There are really only two characters in this book, Annika and Jonathan. There are mothers, roommates, co-workers, and therapists mixed in, but they're so minor. It's amazing that this book, with only one real storyline going on at once, is THIS hard to put down. Just goes to show that exceptional writing and well developed characters can completely make a novel. I wish I knew these two people in real life. I want to be friends with them and go on double dates. Wonderful story!