In The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves, Going to the University of Illinois for a degree in English was a pretty scary thing for Annika Rose to navigate. She’s not exactly shy. She’s just never understood all the rules of how to behave socially–which makes even dating something of a nightmare. But with the help (read: insistence) of her roommate Janice, Annika begins to branch out and not only volunteers at the local animal refuge but she also joins the chess club. A game she loves that also calms her mind. And that’s where she meets Jonathan. The man who would change and improve Annika’s life in ways she would never have imagined possible.

Jonathan felt a connection right away with Annika. Beautiful, smart and wonderfully sincere with her feelings, she brightened his days at a time when everything seemed to be in question. As their relationship became something much bigger than a simple fling, Jonathan and Annika could see a future together beyond college. But circumstances tested their romance and they sadly went their separate ways for a decade. When a chance encounter brings them back together with Jonathan being divorced but ready to move forward, and Annika lonely but having achieved her dream career of being a librarian, it seems fate will again try to rip them apart. But are they strong enough–individually and as a couple–this time to overcome their struggles?


This. Book. Oh my goodness, the feels I had for this incredible couple and their epic romance. Tracey Garvis Graves always brings her A game but she truly did an outstanding job with The Girl He Used to Know.

It’s going to be really difficult to not give too much away in this review so I’ll do my best to keep it basic. First off, if you haven’t read anything by Tracey Garvis Graves then this would be a fantastic way to begin. I recommend ALL of her work but there was something so relatable about Annika (rhymes with Monica) and Jonathan’s relationship that I think it will resonate easily with readers.

This is a dual timeline story, set in 1991 when Jonathan and Annika met in college, then ten years later in 2001 when they rekindled their romance. I loved seeing the difference between how they acted/reacted to some of the same issues they faced down in their early twenties vs in their early thirties. Their personal growth was evident in that decade apart and I think it made all the difference in how they were able to move forward emotionally after that time.

Annika might not have been a typical romance heroine, but I simply adored her. She was exactly who she presented herself as and didn’t play games. She was very intelligent and caring in her own way–she was a huge animal lover and that made me like her even more–but she didn’t pick up on social cues. So Annika was always struggling emotionally and socially. She did learn how to read people better through help with her college roommate, a few others along the way, and even from Jonathan.

Speaking of Jonathan, what a great guy he was. Good-natured, intelligent, kind and caring. Of course just like Annika, he wasn’t without faults. But he turned out to be just who she needed at different times in her life–as she was for him when it really counted. Jonathan’s struggles were more towards the latter part of the book, and I can’t give away the shocking details I didn’t see coming until right before the “event” happened. But suffice it to say Annika stepped up for him in a huge way and gave him the love and support he wanted from her all along. It was a sweet, emotional–although rather abrupt–ending, and I could have used more time with Jonathan and Annika, to see where their lives took them as I loved them together so much.

Poignant, heartfelt, filled with joy and heartbreak, The Girl He Used to Know is a novel I will treasure for years to come. It showed the power of friendship and love, and will surely touch the heart of every reader.

Overall, this was a 3.5 star read for me. I know I'm in the minority of early readers, but I never felt like I fully "clicked" with either of the characters. I liked Annika’s character a ton! Definitely a unique perspective. I thought Jonathan was unrealistic, but maybe I’m too cynical. I adored the setting, as I’ve spent a ton of time in the primary locations of the book (U of I and Chicago). I liked the alternating POVs and the alternating timeline. I think this will stun a lot of people, but it felt pretty average to me. There was a surprising (to me at least) turn about 50 pages to the end, that seemed to wrap up rather suddenly. The ending felt a bit rushed. Strong novel and a 3.5 star read for me (rounded up or down I’m not sure yet!).

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

It was a delight to read The Girl He Used to Know by Tracy Garvis Graves with my friend, Jennifer the Tar Heel Reader. Jen is a fantastic book reviewer, great photographer, and all around pleasant and thoughtful person. I'm happy we were able to get to know one another a little better through reading! It had been quite some time since I had buddy read a book and it was lots of fun to be able to reflect on the things I loved with another reader. It was an added bonus that we both absolutely adored this story and decided to give it a five-star rating!

I read On the Island and Uncharted by Tracy Garvis Graves last month and fell in love with her incredible writing and storytelling. I couldn't wait to dive into more of her work as soon as possible. Thankfully this ARC was eagerly awaiting my greedy eyes and hungry heart.

I didn't know how badly I needed this feel-good read, which felt in some ways like a mash-up of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Kiss Quotient, each wonderful books in their own right. From the start, I found The Girl I Used to Know to be a fast-paced and easy read. Annika was a quirky, yet loveable character I was eager to learn more about. This book made me realize how truly important great characters are. In the first half of the story, it didn't feel as if there was much action taking place, yet I was glued to the pages as if I was reading a fast-paced Thriller - all due to my love of the characters. I adored being in Annika's head and understanding the unique challenges her life presented her with, all while attempting to figure out the mystery behind her romance with Jonathan.

Johnathan was another character I simply could not get enough of. His patience and understanding of Annika was tremendously endearing. It was refreshing to read a male character like him. Strong, yet soft in the ways a man should be. He was an all-around good guy and someone I would want to be friends with. In fact, Jennifer and I both agreed, we wouldn't mind being friends with everyone in this book, minus a couple of clear antagonists. I'm truly astounded by Tracy Garvis Graves's ability to craft such incredible characters in each book I've read of hers, but especially in The Girl I Used to Know. She handles delicate topics with sensitivity and presents challenging moments in a realistic manner. From now on, she will be an instant one-click author for me. I think it's safe to say, Jennifer and I both highly recommend this exceptional novel.

Pick up a copy on April 2nd.

“Are you going to kiss me?”
He laughed. “I was planning on it, yes.”
“Okay. I’m ready.”

While I enjoyed witnessing this story unfold and truly appreciate how Graves approached certain themes within this book, my true determination to reach the last page was because of the beautiful flower we meet called Annika Rose.

_______________

"Romance"
While yes, this is a romance novel filled with all the kisses and warm moments you'd want in one... I'd like to think this was more-so a story of hope. Hope for a strange and gorgeously odd girl that never really got the manual for life. I loved the way we saw Annika find herself and grow through the years and tears.

This story begins with Annika meeting her ex-college boyfriend Jonathan. At the start, we don't know why they split up or why this is the first time they are seeing each other after ten years but we know that somehow, it foreshadows to Annika's fault. Which after finishing this book, I can most confidently say that Annika deserves so much better.

"But I will call. I’ll apologize. Ask him if we can start over. “Clean slate,” I’ll say.
Such is my desire to replace the memories of the girl he used to know with the woman I’ve become."


The story itself moves from past to present POV's from both Jonathan and Annika. We watch as their love unfolds and Annika becomes someone she is proud of. I won't give away too much, and really I think it's better if you go into this one blind. Although there were a lot of sub plots and story arcs, I felt like it was easy enough to follow.

“Where do we start?” I ask.
Will smiles. “I’ve always found the beginning to be a good place.”


Before I address the parts that I felt really took away the magic of the story. I'm going to go through the parts that I really adored. I struggled to decide whether I should give this a 2 or 3 star rating and am still hesitant. Maybe as this review writes itself, I'll find out my final answer ;)



The Characters
Firstly, Annika has my whole heart at the moment and I am not afraid to throw down anyone who says she isn't the purest angel. She is kind and warmhearted towards everything and although she may not understand the world around her, she knows love. Annika was truly the winning piece in this story and I felt so comfortable reading her POV. It felt like being inside her head with all the weird fragmentations and beautifully blunt observations.

Secondly, Janice. Janice was the kick ass, bad ass girlfriend that everyone needs in their life. Especially through college when everything feels like it's constantly changing and you can't keep up. I really enjoyed that the author put in a girl advocating another girl instead of bringing her down trope. It makes my heart sing whenever I see cliches like that kicked to the curb.

Now... for Jonathan.
My mother warned me about men like him.

"His touch grounded me and made me feel as if nothing bad could ever happen as long as Jonathan had ahold of my hand."


I would really like to say that he was selfless, mindful of Annika's health and disorder, loving and noble. In truth, we were made to believe he was. However, reaching the end of the novel and watching everything come to light, I saw a wolf in sheep's clothing. The whole time we think that Annika did something, and without giving anything away - she went through such hard shit in her life and continues to blame herself for everything. Then enters Jonathan, who all but doesn't want to give her a "second chance" because he agrees!?!?

Next comes the dialogue and trust between the two of them. By the second half of the book, it truly came across that Jonathan felt like he was just settling. Annika loved him way more than he did her and it really fleshed out that way. We saw her constantly battling to be a better version of herself and there comes a point in the book when Jonathan all but tells her that he may never find his perfect girl, so Annika is good enough.

This man frustrated the living fuck out of me. He was selfish and under the surface manipulative. He reminded me of a lot of toxic people that wear a mask in order to pretend they are actually fucking living light. Every time I thought there would be some sort of redemption and justice, he went and mentioned how pretty she was.

"There’s something about having a pretty girl on your arm and knowing she’s into you that makes you feel like showing her off.”




The Writing
Having read Graves previous work "On the Island," I have really come to enjoy her simple yet subtly poetic writing. I loved that this wasn't a magic dick syndrome story or another "love can cure me" one either. It showed how important it is to take hold of your own life regardless of who you want to please or who you want to be with.

Overall, I enjoyed some of the warm moments that this story had to offer, but I wish there was more. Thinking now, I feel like this is a 2.5 stars, all because of Annika and the way she held herself and her dialogue. The other half of the rating was lost due to the endless amounts of sub-plots and Jonathan. Because fuck him.

An enjoyable and light story about love and second chances. This book also had unique characters, alternating timelines, and two different POVs. I loved Annika as a character, especially since she gives representation to a severely underrepresented group in romance novels! However, now the cons… This book just felt boring to me! The characters were a bit disconnected and I couldn’t feel attached to their relationship. And the ending was awful! It came out of nowhere (and not in a good “wow what a plot twist!” way) and was so rushed. The whole last part felt like a different book entirely and I think that’s where this book fell short. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Romance isn't usually my thing but I've been trying to open myself up to a wider range of books. This was a perfect middle-of-the-road choice because it was a different kind of love story with a different kind of protagonist. It wasn't apparent from the first page, but as we get to know Annika, it's obvious she isn't your typical single girl about town. She is awkward and uncomfortable in social situations, yet smart and beautiful and successful in her career. I have not had anyone close to me on the Autism spectrum so this was eye-opening for me to see what it's like to be a high-functioning adult on the spectrum.

The story is told in multiple POVs in alternating timelines. It starts in 2001 with Annika running into her college boyfriend, the love of her life, in a grocery store after losing touch for 10 years. The author jumps back to 1991 and tells the story of how they met and fell in love. I absolutely love Jonathan. He is the kind of guy we all hope our daughters will meet in college! He has some issues in his past that has left him feeling vulnerable, but that led him to Annika and changed his life forever. I also loved her roommate, Janice. I think she was key to this story because she taught Annika how to navigate life and love. (I would have loved to have a girlfriend I could talk candidly with just like her in my college years.) I'm a bit embarrassed that I have honestly never thought of the developmentally disabled dating and marrying someone who is not like them. It's not that I didn't agree with it, it just never occurred to me. This story opened my eyes to the struggles and also the perseverance they have. It is possible to build a "normal" life with someone you love despite the odds. You just have to find the one who doesn't consider it a burden. In most ways it's not that different from everyone else. We all have our issues that we have to work through, theirs are just different. Graves pulls you into the minds of the characters with ease and gives you a greater sense of what they are feeling throughout the story. Few authors can do that so effortlessly. I am impressed and humbled; she has convinced me that romance novels can be smart and profound too!

I thoroughly enjoyed this remarkable, unique story. It captivated me from beginning to end. Read it. Then tell me I'm not wrong.

Really enjoyed this book and I appreciate the chance to read it before publication! The authors writing style is right up my alley, and with just a hint of romance, I loved this book!

The Girl He Used to Know is outstanding--I was completely won over with the idea of a love story involving someone on the autistic spectrum, and thought it was handled with a lot of care and thought. The moving back and forth (timewise) also added a great a lot to The Girl He Used to Know. This is an emotional and very well done story.

I absolutely loved this book. It is is so heartfelt, relatable and incredibly poignant. I became a huge fan of this author after absolutely loving another one of her novels, On the Island, so I was extremely grateful to have the opportunity to read her next book. I absolutely loved this book!

The main issue without this book was that the romance wasn't centered enough, and Jonathan wasn't really interesting enough. I love second chance/dual timeline, but didn't like how this one executed. I enjoyed the heroine's jourmey and the supporting family and friends were lovely.

Overall, it was sweet but some major things were good over instead of explored, and the style of the author reminds me of hammering nails.

Wow, I loved this. Annika has an autism spectrum disorder which has made it difficult for her to make friends and to differentiate when someone has genuine intentions or when they're being cruel. My heart hurt so much for Annika at times; people can be so cruel. One of the things I love the most about Jonathan and Annika's relationship is that Annika's differences aren't just something Jonathan puts up with. He doesn't love her in spite of them, they're parts of her personality that he finds endearing. Jonathan never makes excuses for her or about her to other people, and never feels the need to explain anything if someone isn't understanding or is being rude.

This story varies in time between when they first meet their senior year of college and when they run into each other again ten years later. In the former time period, Annika hasn't made much effort to leave her comfort zone, and Jonathan is definitely the strong one in the relationship. I wouldn't say their relationship is one-sided, however. Something tragic happens*, leading to their separation, and ten years go by before they see each other again. Their relationship the second time around is definitely a more mature one: Annika sees a therapist and has grown a lot. She knows she needs to put effort into their reunion, and that it's just as important to show Jonathan she wants to be with him as it is to tell him. Jonathan says to Annika, "You need things from me, and I get that. But so do I. I need you to show me that you're not going to crumble every time you're faced with a little adversity. I need you to show me that we're in this together." I think Annika really takes that to heart and comes through for Jonathan, and that shows just how much she's grown. I was proud of her.

The one thing I wish we had more of was Jonathan's thoughts and feelings. I felt like most of the story was centered around Annika and her issues, and we didn't get enough of how Jonathan felt, aside from in relation to Annika.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC! This review will be posted on Goodreads, and on Barnes and Noble's and Amazon's websites at the date of publication.

-SPOILER-


*TW: miscarriage

Ah! This book completely hijacked my heart! Loved the main character, a young woman, which perceives the world a little differently and has a tough time reading people's intentions. Then, she meets a boy, an AMAZING boy. This is an incredible, tender love story, spanning through college years, then 10 years later. Might be one of my new favorites! I received an early edition copy for my review, all opinions are my own.

I loved this book and was waiting to review it because we had an interview on my podcast that will air when the book releases. I'll come back and add the link to her interview on Living in the Pages podcast then, but I just wanted to write that it's worth the time. The attention she gave to this story is evident in every page. A beautiful story.

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

This book was a really special one, full of awkwardness and heart and utterly endearing characters.

Annika and Jonathan meet in college at chess club in 1991. While others look at Annika and see an oddity, Jonathan sees her in quite a different light and is one to appreciate her as she is. For reasons you’ll have to read about, there is a heartbreaking breakup and the two don’t see each other until ten years later in Chicago.

The book skips back and forth between the then and now, between 1991 and 2001 and is written so beautifully that we get to experience every feeling, uncertainty, anxiety Annika and Jonathan go through. Every heartache and every heartbreak. I don’t want to say too much but I will say that I adored this book and the characters - ALL of them. Annika captured my heart and Jonathan just stole and ran away with it.

*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

A great read - quick, touching and dramatic. Annika is a girl unlike others - she operates in a different way, thinks differently and therefore has a harder time relating to others. She meets Jonathan. And her life changes completely. I love that this story was told in two different timelines - the first relationship and the reunion of Jonathan and Annika. This was very well written and I imagine it was very difficult to imagine oneself in Annika's shoes while also writing from Jonathan's perspective as well. I think this is an important book to look at because of our outlook now regarding differently abled people. This book speaks to an emerging and interesting type of literature. Check it out.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl He used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves, a new to me author that I will be checking out moe books by. A story of first love, heartbreak, and possible second chances. Likable characters and a great plot.

Like everything else Tracey Garvis-Graves has ever written, The Girl He Used to Know is beautiful and different, thought-provoking and emotional and it's so unbelievably romantic. I could not put this book down. I devoured it within a day and I was left reeling when it was over. I will never, ever, ever forget this story. 

Jonathan and Annika are two characters that will stay with me always. Annika is a remarkable young woman and the way Jonathan loves her is one of the most beautiful things I've ever had the privilege of reading. Their story is rich with heartache but it ABSOLUTELY OVERFLOWS with joy and hope and the most beautiful, honest form of devotion. There truly aren't even words, not ones I'm capable of putting together anyway, to describe the absolute splendor of the story that unfolds on these pages. 

I truly felt like I walked miles in Annika's shoes, like I could understand her feelings and her fears and her uncertainty and her utter exhaustion as she navigated her world, and it both fascinated me and effected me on a profound level. It speaks to Graves' remarkable storytelling and character development because I was wholly imbued with emotions I've never felt before. I'm not sure I've ever read about a character that took me on such a journey, a journey that changed the way I view the world. The Girl He Used to Know is not simply a second chance romance, it's a poignant story of unconditional love. It's Annika's solitary journey of self discovery, self awareness and acceptance. It's a story of a woman who learns how to be brave and fight for what she loves after a lifetime of feeling trapped by all the fascinating yet restrictive nuances of herself. 

The Girl He Used to Know is so many things, none of which I dare even hint at because readers should go into this book knowing nothing, I believe. Just know that you'll be taken on an emotional, complicated, richly layered adventure of the heart with Annika and Jonathan and that you'll come away changed, if not by their love story than certainly by her life story. This life affirming, thought provoking, soul searing novel is one I can't recommend enough. It's magical and painful and it took my breath away.

I really liked this book.
Annika is a complex character and The author did a great job with her.
The Book is told in two timelines: The past (1991) where She is in college and The present (2001) where She is working as a librarian.

In The past we see a shy Annika. She Just want to play chess and thats where She meets Jonathan. He is atractted to her right away and is really patient with her. Being a witness of her relationship was beautiful. The fell in love slowly and we fell in love with him Too and them together. And we see how they fall Apart Too.

Now 10 years later (2001) they meet again. And we see how She is way better and they try to reconnect.

I must say i did not see The last portion of The Book coming. I was so invested in Their story that i was in shock at The ending. I would have love a better, more clear ending. But it made the Book special.

The Girl I Used To Know is full of beautiful moments and a great story

A very sweet, unexpected love story. I was a bit disappointed with the twist at the end, and saw it coming from a mile away (did not find it very original either) but I thought the characters were lovely and I'm glad it had a happy ending.

This was a sweet, sweet story of Annika and Jonathan who met in college, fell in love, and planned to spend the rest of their lives together until circumstances pulled them apart. Annika is on the autism spectrum but has been somewhat babied by her parents and once away at college, has no real clue how to make friends or "read" people's cues. Fortunately, she has a wonderful roommate who helps her cope; she joins the chess club and meets Jonathan who loves her quirks and slowly becomes her boyfriend and confidante. Fast forward ten years when the book opens and the two run into each other after having been apart all this time. Told in alternating past and present time frames, we see how their relationship fell apart and how they must struggle to recapture the feelings they suppressed and fight for their future even as a catastrophe strikes. The novel is a compelling and compassionate look at the nature of autism, friendship, and the love that brings two people to find a path for their future.