I honestly struggled to finish this book as I DID NOT CARE AT ALL. 1.5 but rounding up [!] because it wasn't the absolute worst thing I've read.

The setting:

1991 [seniors in college] Annika and Jonathan fall madly in love [but break up].

Annika, a beautiful [constantly mentioned] English major at the University of Illinois. Socially awkward/anxious. Gifted chess player. Loves books. Becomes a librarian.

Jonathan, also a good chess player. Pursues a career in finance. Moves to New York, then back to Chicago. Marries, then divorces.

2001 [life, 10 years later]. They meet up by chance. Hesitantly resume a relationship.

What/who did I like? Annika's roommate, Janice--a caring person who became her friend.

Chapters alternate between Annika [overwhelmingly] and some Jonathan. And the dual time lines, 1991 and 2001. And for the last [less than] quarter of the book, I actually groaned seeming to know the outcome. [I was right.]

Bored. Flat. Simplistic. Sometimes even felt juvenile. Never engaged. I found myself groaning and saying [to myself] yuck or oy many times! No real spoiler alert but if you can't figure out at the beginning [though not revealed almost until the end] that she's on the autism spectrum, well...

The only good thing I can say is it was a fast, easy read.

But, considering all the good reviews--maybe you want to try it--but the recommendation didn't come from me! However, I am clearly in the minority for the love felt for this book.

You know how some reviews you go to write, but you find that they are difficult and you struggle? That's what I felt about writing this review. It's one I've been putting off as I'm finding it difficult to put down the words I want too. I read this book for two reasons - the first is that the author is a favorite of mine and the second was that the topic is something I hold dear to my heart as I have several family members of different parts of the spectrum. In this book, we meet Annika and Jonathan whom first dated in college, but things didn't work out the way they wanted, and they ended up going their separate ways. Almost ten years later, the pair bumps into each other in New York. Annika is busy working as a librarian and Jonathan is on Wall Street. The couple reconnects and starts building another relationship until September 11th strikes and tragedy occurs once again. Will Annika and Jonathan get the HEA they want or is this a case of a couple who are never destined to be together? I liked this book as you could see the steps that Annika has gone through to try and normalize herself and her therapy sessions. What I loved most was the fact that Jonathan never judged Annika and loved her for who she was - quirks and all. Depending on your state of mind whether it be due to the autism aspect or September 11th, this book may trigger emotions and memories.

"Life isn't easy for anyone. We all have challenges. We all face adversity. It's how we overcome it that makes us who we are."
This quote is spot on for each and every one of us!
A beautiful story of life, and love.
Annika is a gorgeous young woman who knows she is "different".
Her mother takes her out of school in the seventh grade and home schools her. Why don't the girls like her daughter? Why are they mean to her?
Annika works so hard to fit into today's society. All she wants in life is to comprehend the simple things that she is missing. It is exhausting to "fit in".
This book reveals Annika and Jonathan's story in a gentle, yet realistic way that will have you laughing and crying while cheering them through each and every part of their journey that spans over the years.
It is well written and a wonderful read!

I really enjoyed this. Alternating between two points of view (hers and his) and two time periods (their first relationship and their reunion 10 years later) makes what could have been a familiar story very compelling. I also really enjoyed the unique voices of the leads, it really feel like I came to know them as I read on.

The story of Annika and Jonathon. A second chance romance, with them meeting up ten years after she split up with him in college. An emotional read with interesting characters.

Wow!
This book is an amazing, emotional ride. Annika and Jonathan are amazing and I loved them both from the beginning.
I highly recommend you pick up this book!

The Girl He Used to Know is an absolute delight. It’s a book about the complexity of love and relationships and communication and the possibility of soulmates. Told across a ten-year period and switching perspectives between Annika and a Jonathan, readers discover why a love story began, ended, and if it can begin again. This book isn’t about easy, fluffy meet cute love. It’s about active love, which is chosen each and every day. Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book! I enjoyed how it was told through alternating first person narrative of the two main characters, Annika and Jonathan. The story also alternated through two different years, 1991 and 2001, and this was a great way to tell this story.

The characters are the highlight of this book. Annika and Jonathan are supremely likeable and their relationship is special. I also found that this was written in a way that made it easy to read even though there were some painful situations. This book stands out as a great read and I highly recommend it!

Alternating between 1991 and 2001, The Girl He Used to Know tells the story of Annika and Jonathan. They met in college and fell in love only to break up and lose track of each other. Ten years later they reconnect and rekindle their relationship.

This all sounds like your ordinary romance novel, but Annika is on the autism spectrum. We get a glimpse into what life is like for her as she navigates being on her own for the first time. Through Jonathan and her friend Janice, Annika is able to find her independence and strength. I really enjoyed watching her grow and become more confident in herself as the story goes on.

I loved Annika. She is kind and relatable. I rooted for her the entire time. Her relationship with Jonathan is so real and loving. Knowing that one part of the book takes place in 2001 made me tense -- I knew September 11 was going to play some part in the story, but it still went differently than I expected.

This is a great love story and a kind, real look at someone with autism.

**I received an eARC from Netgalley**

I was thrilled to death for the opportunity to read an ARC of his new book. I was drawn in from the first chapter and could hardly put it down! Highly recommend!

I would classify "The Girl He Used to Know" as Women's Fiction with a dash of Contemporary Romance.

Our main characters are Annika and Jonathon who meet in college at chess club. We explore their relationship both in past and present by jumping back and forth in time. More of the book was written in Annika's POV but we do get a few chapters from Jonathon's POV as well. One of the things I loved was the references to the University of Illinois during the flashbacks as that was my Alma Mater.

I went into this story blind which I think added to the story. No preconceived notions. Just let the story unfold before you. Because, let me tell you, this is a beautiful story.

Annika is such a uniquely memorable character--shy, awkward and innocent with her own personal struggles. And Jonathon is our swooney white knight that just gets Annika.

Excellent storyline. Magnificent character development. This should truly be one everyone's reading list once it comes out.

***Advanced copy obtained from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley***

**Copy provided in advance through Netgalley**

I would have loved to have an epilogue, but otherwise this was a really good read.

Annika is on the spectrum. That added some originality to the story, which I love. I've read quirky or odd heroines before but Annika is on another level. I thought Graves did a great job putting us in her shoes. How she misses social cues, how she flubs social situations, how she worries about it, what it takes to center herself. It takes a special kind of man to "get" her. And that's Jonathan. He's patient and protective and sweet. He loved Annika so much. But how far can someone go in a relationship without getting it in return?

Told in two timelines ten years ago to present day, this book really takes us on Annika's journey of self-reliance and how to be reliable to others I highly recommend. Well done.

5* Forever Stars

The story begins with Jonathan and Annika running into each other at the grocery store 10 years after they parted ways. Their connection is still strong and alive. The story alternates between the present and the past and this enable the reader to get the back-story of how they met and how their relationship ended. You also get a good insight into who the two characters are and how likeable and realistic they are. I did have a few laugh out moments with Annika’s very honest ways and thoughts. I loved her from the beginning and I think everyone would love to have a Jonathan in their lives too. He was such a gentle soul with so much compassion and patience.

I love anything Tracey Garvis Graves writes and you know that you will be sucked into the story and have all the feels one can experience.

The love story of Jonathan and Annika was heartfelt and will stay close to your heart long after the book is read. I absolutely loved it!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for my copy to read and review.

The book alternates between August 2001 and 1991. The story alternates between the past and the present (male and female POVs).This book takes readers through filled with love and heartache, and at its center is a character who is memorable and remarkable.

I enjoyed Annika's story very much. As a teacher, I have worked with children who exhibit many of the same behaviors as Annika, which made her very relatable. I enjoyed seeing their story unfold.

This is most intense emotional roller coaster I have ever rode on, and I never ever want to get off. I laughed, I cried, I was thoroughly confused, and shamefully jealous, and angry and disgusted, and fearful and surprised... Did I miss anything? I'm sure I did... just add them to the list because if there is an emotion to be had, this book will bring it out of you. And in the most intense ways you can imagine. They all connect and mesh together into one big hug. This book IS a really big hug and man, did I hug back!

Annika (rhymes with Monica) is a bit socially awkward. OK, well, maybe more than a bit. She's anxious, doesn't like large crowds or noises, has trouble interacting with other people and gets confused really easily. But she's honest, she's adorable and lovable, and the most wonderful sort of quirky you could imagine.

Chess helps her get her mind off of things, makes her feel comfortable. The quiet solitude of the game was how she met Jonathan Hoffman. They seem to fit together like two puzzle pieces - they need each other. They complete each other and eventually fall in love. But something tore them apart, and it's slowly revealed after they bump into each other years later, and the possibility to rekindle the love that they shared in the past is there. But whatever happened, needs to be talked about, before they can ever move on and get a second chance at love.

I adored every single second about this story. There were times my heart was bursting with emotion for Annika and the struggles she faces in her day to day life. I loved Jonathan, and the two together was such a beautiful union, you find your self borderline jealous of the love and connection they share. And while there were parts that dredged up awful memories of a significant historical event, man, did the tears flow, but I devoured every word.

I haven't been this touched by a book in a long time. This one will stay with me - and will most likely be one I re-read over and over again. I fell in love with every. single. character. A beautiful love story!

I received an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time! It was definitely a book that kept you thinking! I would definitely recommend this book to fellow readers. Thank you!

DNF 28%

::sigh::

One of the worst things a reader can do is compare one of an author's books with another, but I am afraid that is what I do every time I picked up a book by Tracey Garvis Graves. I know you all know the book I am referring to, so I won't mention it because this review is not about that book, but every other story I have read by this author after that one has fallen very short for me. There is just always something missing. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but none of her other books have worked for me at all.

In The Girl He Used to Know, the lead character, Annika, is autistic. I LOVE that the author attempted to go there and develop a character with this type of challenge because in almost all of the stories out there, the female characters are near-perfect, however Annika honestly came across more emotionally stunted and intellectually delayed than socially awkward. Not only was her character extremely flat, but she just did not have enough personality to make me believe that she would be capable of being in any kind of a romantic relationship or that anyone would be interested in her that way. She lacked any kind of depth or spark and came across almost like a child instead of a grown woman. Granted, I only read to 28% and maybe this becomes more apparent a little further in, but if a story doesn't grab me by the first 25% or so, I just don't have it in me to go any further.

I know there will be people who completely disagree with my take on Annika, however I have read several other stories with lead characters on the spectrum and I was able to connect with them. I just was not able to connect with this character at all.

THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW by Tracey Garvis Graves is just a wonderful read that will have readers engaged from the beginning. I like novels told in dual narration and this one is told from Annika and Jonathan’s point of views set in 1991 (college) and 2001 (Chicago). It wasn’t just the plot in this book that I liked but also the way the author crafted Annika as a character. You couldn’t tell if she was quirky or if there was more too it and I really thought she was complex and fully-developed. I felt protective of her and proud of her so often as a reader. I also thought that Jonathan was a honest and engaging character. You could really feel their butterflies and their disappointments in each decade. Reading this book made me think of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce – books I loved where the lead characters just weave themselves into your heart and memory from the first chapter. While I was nervously reading it at times hoping for the best, I just loved this book. As long as you aren’t completely against sexual content in a book, you should pick this one up.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Annika and Jonathan, former college lovers, run into each other ten years later, in a grocery store. The story alternates between their senior year of college in 1991 and their present time of 2001, and the story is told from both Annika's point of view and Jonathan's point of view. Annika instantly wants to re-start a relationship with Jonathan, right where they left off, but understands why he would be reluctant to do so and Jonathan isn't sure he is willing to risk his heart again, with Annika.

We learn that Annika and Jonathan met at a chess club meeting back in 1991 and the attraction was instant on Jonathan's part, because of Annika's beauty but "weird, awkward" Annika doesn't even have a clue that anyone would ever be interested in her or want to have anything to do with her, except maybe to make fun of her or to use her. Jonathan perseveres and comes to really get to know Annika, finding everything about her attractive, as Annika learns to find safety, calmness and eventually, love, in her relationship with Jonathan. Then, something happens towards the end of their senior year that devastates Annika and when Jonathan leaves for his new job in New York, thinking that Annika will be following after she makes up her last semester of college, Annika knows she won't ever be moving to New York to live with Jonathan. She needs her special kind of stability, routine, and time alone, to learn to find her own way, by herself, even though she knows it means letting Jonathan go.

Fast forward to 2001 and Annika and Jonathan cautiously start spending time together. By now Annika fully understands that her difficulties being like others probably stems from autism and she's been in counseling to learn how to better deal with the way she is but also to help her deal with and understand her past. Despite never expecting to see Jonathan again, she often discusses their relationship with her counselor. I won't say more about what goes on between Annika and Jonathan in either timeline except to say that I enjoyed the story, their relationship, and the other characters in the story.

I do think that Jonathan let Annika down during their breakup, that he didn't realize was a breakup at the time, and once they get back together, I don't feel that it is acknowledged enough although being in the past, there is nothing that can really be done to fix it. Also, toward the end of the book, we lose the voice of Jonathan, for good reason. I do wish the book could have gone on longer and allowed us to know his thoughts, like we got to know them earlier in the book.

Annika was such a well developed character and I enjoyed reading about all the people in her life, Jonathan, her parents, her brother Will, and her loving and loyal, best friend, Janice. I didn't want to let go of Annika when the book ended but I know she'll be able to handle what life brings her way. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.