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.

What a sweet story of love, loss, and learning to accept yourself. I loved following Jonathan and Annikas story. It had me rooting for them from page one! I felt the ending seemed a bit rushed but overall I loved this book!

I received an advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel about first loves, heartbreak and the hope of second chances.
There is nothing like reading a book and falling so in love with the characters. That was the case for me with Annika. This "love" story follows Annika and Jonathan who met while they were seniors at the University of Illinois. While they initially have a connection of sorts, an event happens (don't want to give anything away) and they are torn apart.

Fast forward ten years and they run into each other in Chicago and try to reconnect but with so many unresolved issues from the past. Will they find each other and reconnect emotionally?

This is an incredibly touching and moving book about more than just second chances.
The writing in seamless and I never wanted to put this book down.

#The Girl He Used To Know; #Net Galley; Author - Tracey Garvies Graves.
As we grow older, we all change! Jonathan loved Annika just as she was when he met her in college. However, Annika knew that she must change to be able to live a fulfilled life.
This wonderful love lost, love found again story was a heart warming read. Then - the author created the "must finish now" ending. Wow - I never saw it coming!
I give this book five stars and can't wait to read more by Tracey Garvies Graves.

I really liked this book. Annika was so unusual and getting her perspective through the story was eye opening. While the time flips did get a bit confusing at times, they did serve to highlight her growth. Jonathan was a dear and for some reason, I did not see that huge event coming at the end. Not sure how I missed that! My only criticism was the abrupt ending. All of a sudden it was just over. I could have used a bit more closure.

The book flips back and forth between 2001 and 1991 and tells the story of Annika and Jonathan.

Annika Rose was a socially awkward English major in College. She's naive and somewhat child-like in a world of adults. Her friendship circle centered around her roommate and a couple of her chess club teammates. Still, she managed to live through college, and even experienced that one true college love.

Ten years later, Annika happens to meet Jonathan again and as they get reacquainted, their romance is rekindled.

TGHUtK is basically all about Annika, but it's so much more than that. I fell in love with Jonathan through his love for Annika and I fell in love with Annika through her own struggles and mini conquests.

This story is what I truly hope happens to some people as they face their own challenges, as they learn and grow and become as they realize their potential. This is one of those books that you wish you could have read for the first time again and again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was sweet, touching and heartbreaking.

Annika was just as sweet as sweet could be. I loved watching her grow and step out of her comfort zones. Her character was written beautifully. Jonathan was the bestest boyfriend. He was so understanding and patient. If everyone has a bit of his patience then kids with autism would never have to endure what Annika went through.

What I like most was that they weren't perfect these characters. It felt real to me, thier experienced, thier feelings.

The story flowed great. Loved the past/present/seperate POV's. I think that's what nade the story telling work so well.

Great story the only reason I didnt give it a 5 was the ending. The ending was just a tab abrupt for me. I read it three times thinking I kissed something.

Wow! I do not even know where to begin about how I feel about this wonderful book. Such a pure love story between two characters that you can’t help but adore them both. I savored each page making sure to get the full “feels” of the story. Even with taking my time, I didn’t even consider the events of the time the story was going on until it hit me with an omg later. All I can say is this is definitely a must read and I’ll be recommending this book for a long time. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for introducing me to this wonderful author.

Annika Rose feels like everyone else in the world knows the proper way to act in social situations, but Annika always seems to say the wrong thing and becomes easily overloaded by too much sensory stimulation. She's much more comfortable at home alone with a book. One public place she is comfortable, however, is in front of a chessboard, probably because she is not required to talk and can just immerse herself in the game. Which is where she meets Jonathan during her senior year at college. He takes the time to get to know her and actually appreciates the qualities that others find odd. For the first time in her life, she falls in love . . . but can their love withstand the challenges that life brings their way?

This was a thoroughly sweet, engrossing book that was just a pleasure to curl up with on a winter day. Very enjoyable!

Oh how I loved this book. It just may be my favorite novel of the year. The story was so very sweet and I just loved the characters. Highly highly recommended.

I absolutely adored this book. Such a wonderful, poignant love story. All the stars & all the feels! Full review to come on kmcreads.wordpress.com but I will definitely be recommending this one to everyone!

I did not expect to LOVE this book. It hooked me from the first chapter! Told in flashbacks and present day (which in this novel was actually 2001). I enjoyed all the characters so much - it was adorable, sweet and heartbreaking. I can’t believe I was so blind as to where this novel was heading in the ending. I tore through the last chapters frantically. If you’ve read Love in Other Words or My Oxford Year you will enjoy this book!

Had you given me this book and made me guess who wrote it I wouldn't have guessed Tracey Garvis Graves. Not in a good or bad way, it just felt different than her other books. This book made you root for Annika and really respect Jonathan. It was cute and endearing! There was a section in the middle I was kind of waiting for something more to happen but it didn't take too much away from the book. Then man, the feels with that ending. I ended up seeing the 9/11 twist coming due to the fact that the book was taking place in 2001 but it didn't take away from the emotion. I couldn't decide what I thought would happen and it left me with teary eyed and emotional for sure!

This was really not my type of book seeing I read more thriller and mystery, but I was a well written book. It had me rooting for the characters and did help me fill my book slump with an easy read.

Words cannot express how much I loved this book. I wasn't expecting the ending at all because I didn't pay attention to one key detail that was throughout the book and I'm so glad I didn't because that mean the ending so much more impactful. I loved the way the author handled the main character's autism. I felt like it was done really well. I highly recommended this book!

Annika and Jonathan connect over chess at the University of Illinois during their senior years. Annika - a home schooled, socially awkward, book loving girl - finds love and acceptance with the kind Jonathan, who works night shifts at a bar and hopes to pursue a job in financial banking in New York City. When a personal tragedy threatens their relationship, Annika retreats rather than follow Jonathan to the Big Apple. They bump into each other in a Chicago grocery store ten years later and discover a chance to try again. 

Terribly bittersweet, you will cheer Annika as she strives to overcome her inner demons and succeed in her fervent wish for a second chance with Jonathan. But all this comes to a crashing halt as the fall of 2001 arrives and the inevitable occurs in New York City. A deeply personal, realistic look at first love and all its painful ups and downs.

3.5/5

What a unique read this one was! It really wasn’t the story itself that made it so unusual but rather the memorable characters that left such an impression on me. I can never really answer the question, is a plot or the characters more important to you? But after reading this I may have to say great characterization can make or break a book for me.

This is told via two timelines, one back when Annika and Jonathan first meet in college and then ten years later when their paths cross again. You hear from both of them, and while I did truly like Jonathan, Annika was the star of the show for me. She is quirky, beautiful and intelligent and she has major anxiety in social settings, therefore she doesn’t have many close friends. Going to college away from her parents is a huge deal for her and I loved how the author explored her coping mechanisms to just get through a normal day of college. I thought she did an excellent job highlighting Annika’s issues in a really authentic way, it was realistic and truly moving.

I really don’t want to say too much more because I did find this to be slightly predictable and I would hate to ruin things for anyone else. I really enjoyed this second chance romance with diverse characters but I really wish the ending would’ve been handled differently, it was just a little sudden for my liking but overall a sweet read.

The Girl He Used to Know in three words: Unique, Emotional and Compassionate.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow.

I have to admit I was hesitant about starting this. I really didn’t care for another book by this author (like, I REALLY didn’t care for it). Needless to say, I went into this with very low expectations and I was very pleasantly surprised.

The characters created by Tracey Garvis Graves are remarkable, REAL people. People you probably know in real life. One of the things I liked most about this novel was the character development. They are likeable, but not without their flaws. They are human. I was particularly partial to Annika. Getting to know her was a pleasure and seeing her grow as an individual was remarkable.

My familiarity with the locations in this novel (Chicago born and bred and many visits to friends attending U of I) only added to my enjoyment of this book.

I didn’t want to put this one down. I’d give it 4.5 stars if I could. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Tracey Garvis Graves and St. Martins Press for allowing me to review The Girl He Used to Know! Full review will be posted shortly.

WOW, nope, not even close to give this book enough credit.
This is one of those books that redefines how to rate books, because 5 stars is just NOT ENOUGH!

What I have just read was a romance unlike any other. I was totally enthralled almost from page one, and right to the very end.

Pretty much every single thing in this book is amazing.