The Girl He Used To Know is a contemporary romance, as well as a tale of loss and becoming. Annika and Jonathan meet in chess club, while in college. She is a bit different from her peers. He has just changed schools for his senior year, following a scandal. What follows is the story of their romance, separation and reunification. Told in dual timelines, we see the evolution of their love story, then and now.

I loved this book. I loved the romance, the unlikely feel of the pairing, the diverse voice of Annika and how the author so sympathetically handles the reason for their split (spoiler: I cried. A lot). I devoured this book in 24 hours, which is a rarity! My only criticism is with the final chapters. I’m still unsure whether that was due to my own race to find out what would happen, or if the writing was as rushed as it felt. Regardless, Annika and Jonathan are one of my new favorite literary couples! Pick up this book if you enjoy complex characters, a diverse voice, tension, and a great, solid love story with a bit of steam.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley #partner for the complimentary ARC and eGalley of this beautiful book! All opinions are my own.
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I loved this love story so much. I particularly loved how the main characters was on the spectrum and how true she rang to me.

Tracey Garvis Graves has stolen my heart with this evocative and emotional story. I read “On the Island” A few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Going into this book I knew I was going to be treated to brilliantly developd characters and an intriguing storyline. What I was not prepared for was The emotional toll this book would have on my heart! This book both destroyed me and pieced me back together again. I seriously feel a little squeeze on my heart just thinking about this book! If you enjoy stories with characters that will worm their way into your heart then this is a can’t miss!

The story bounces between 1991 and 2001 and is told from both Annika and Jonathan‘s perspectives. In 1991 both Annika and Jonathan are attending the University of Illinois, where they meet while attending chess club. Anica is a bit socially awkward, a little anxious, a little oversensitive to her surroundings. She is on the autism spectrum, however in 1991 this was not a common diagnosis so people saw her as quirky or just plain weird. Jonathan was immediately drawn to Annika and saw through to who she truly was inside. What follows is a beautiful and intense romance that was so special to read about. Watching Jonathan so tenderly and cautiously try to understand Annika and her needs was so sweet! He legitimately made my heart melt, I might’ve fallen a little in love with him myself. Sadly tragedy struck and the couple was torn apart. 10 years later Monica was at the grocery store when she hears a familiar voice, it must be fate because there is Jonathan in the bread aisle. Anica and Jonathan try to rekindle the flame, but has too much already happened to prevent this? Can Annika and Jonathan open their hearts up to each other again, regardless of the past?

In case you missed it, I really loved this book! The characters popped off the pages and the story was so well told. There is something about a second chance romance that really resonates with me. It’s definitely not that I want a second chance with anyone I’ve ever been with *shutters* I think it is the idea of hope, and this book had that in abundance.

Beautiful and moving, I cannot recommend this book enough, be sure to have Kleenex on hand before reading!

*** many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***

I’ve been waiting for Tracey Garvis-Graves to write us another book and The Girl He Used to Know was just what I was hoping for. This book has everything I expect from her books, a great story, fantastic characters, and swoons.

Annika (pronounced like Monica without the M) was a great character. From the start of the book it is clear that she isn’t like everyone else and I know that makes some people uncomfortable. The unfortunate part for Annika is that it makes her stand out and, in some cases, people react in a negative way. When she goes to college, it’s the first time in a long time that she has been away from her family and luckily, she meets some people she can rely on. I loved Annika. She’s real and although life isn’t perfect, she is motivated to make a place for herself and do it on her terms. Having the ability to experience the world from her perspective really helped in understanding her as a character.

The story kicks off with Annika running into her ex-boyfriend ten years after they broke up and from there, we get to learn what happened in the past as well as what happens from their chance meeting going forward. I loved how Garvis-Graves structured the story to provide all the backstory and character development as well as how she inserted chapters reflecting their story going forward from their run in.

One of my favorite things about this book was getting to learn how Annika’s and Jonathan’s relationship began and grew. Jonathan’s patience and understanding was amazing and although it’s clear something happened to end their relationship and Annika feels guilty about it, we don’t learn all the details until the story hits that point and although it was a painful point in the story, the way it is revealed and dealt with by both characters felt very real and also, heartbreaking. I can’t say enough about how much I loved Jonathan.

The other relationship I loved in this story was Annika’s friendship with Janice. It is clear that without her, Annika probably wouldn’t have stayed at college and it was wonderful to learn just how much Janice stepped up to help and support Annika. Not only while in college, but the continuation of their friendship was great and Janice’s ability to be real with Annika without being hurtful was something that helped Annika learn along the way.

I’m not going to say a lot about the ending of the book, but I will say that once I hit the last third of the book, I wasn’t willing to put the book down. Something happens that weirdly, I wasn’t expecting but when I thought about the timeline, I had a duh moment. I couldn’t stop reading until I found out how things were going to go for these characters, and I have to say, that is something that happens to me with every book Tracey Garvis-Graves writes. She makes me love and root for the characters in her books so well that I want their stories to continue forever. If you’re looking for a book that will give you all the feels, definitely check this one out. Trust me – the story inside is just as beautiful as the cover.

"The affection I once felt for Annika might have gone dormant for a while, but it roars out of hibernation and makes me feel better about life than I have in a long time. There's something so hopeful about being around her again." -Jonathan

The Girl He Used to Know is a powerful story about life and love with high-functioning autism. Annika always knew her mind worked differently than others' did. She had no expectations for having a best friend, and especially not a boyfriend until she met Jonathan.

I fell in love with the characters. They were all well-developed, especially Annika. The novel was beautifully written and deserves every bit of praise its getting for bring autism out of the shadows and making it trait to be embraced rather than one to be feared. I loved that Annika didn't end up along because of her developmental disorder, but rather, her quirks made Jonathan love her even more.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Disclaimer: If you are not comfortable with explicit sex scenes, there are two chapters surrounding Annika and Jonathan's intimacy about halfway through the book.

I would wait forever and forever for any book by Tracey! She doesn’t release a book super often, but they’re always so worth the wait. She has her own brand of romances that leave you with an unforgettable story.

I couldn’t tell you the amount of appreciation I had for this book. I’m a huge fan of second chance romances and Tracey gave us two characters who were different, but brought out the best in each other.

Annika was simply a heroine that so many people misunderstood and refused to try and understand. She has a lot of social hang-ups and there were many situations that she’d avoid like the plague. But Annika was so beautifully written and such an amazing character, it was hard not to love her. She has so much to offer the world, but not many deserved it.

Jonathan is her match, completely. Seeing her for the beautiful person she is inside and out, he was sort of a solid foundation for Annika. Whenever these two were together, all her worries just disappeared. He helped her in so many ways and his patience and understanding was something that I admired so much about him.

Usually I’m not a fan of flashbacks, but Tracey did a phenomenal job intertwining past and present without it being a hindrance. Not once did my wander throughout the story because Tracey’s words kept me glued to every single page. I can’t say this was my favorite of Tracey’s work, but it was definitely different with the topics she decided to write about and packing things in on the emotional scale.

The Girl He Used to Know made my heart so happy. I truly loved and enjoyed this one, Tracey’s books have easily become books that I can never get tired of. With that being said, I’m definitely looking forward to Tracey’s next book!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Synopsis: Annika and Jonathan meet at the university of Illinois in 1991. Annika struggles with social cues and relationships. They date during their senior year and somehow end up breaking up. Ten years later they run into each other in 2001 in Chicago. Will they be able to have a second chance at their relationship?

What I like about this book:
Multiple POVs ✅
Goes back and forth in time ✅
Short chapters ✅
Heartfelt story ✅

What else can you ask for?

Review: I just couldn’t stop reading this book! I was hooked from the beginning and just kept rooting for these characters till the end. Annika and Jonathan’s story is one I won’t forget any time soon. I also loved Annika and Janice’s friendship. Those friendships are hard to come by. The author does an amazing job at conveying Annika’s emotions, anxiety and struggles. I am looking forward to reading more from Tracey Garvis Graves!

This is a story about unconditional love, heartbreak and second chances.

Favorite quote: “All my life, I’d been waiting for someone I could be myself with. It had never occurred to me that I could be that person for someone else. His words choked me up and made me feel like crying.”

Thank you Netgalley and St.Martins Press for the advance copy in exchange of an honest review!

As always with Tracey's stories I loved the writing and the character development so much. This was light and compelling, a fantastic read even though I felt like the ending was rushed.

" All my life, I'd been waiting for someone I could be mylself with. It had never occured to me that I could be that person for someone else."

Annika has always felt a fish out of water, avoiding social interactions as much as she can but when she begins to study at university her life changes in different ways that will challenge her to discover and face totally new situations. Starting with her roommate who understands her like no one, past her fellows at the chess club and culminating with Jonathan.

Jonathan is fascinated by the different girl and does everything to get close to her and gain her confidence, even though each encounter is a greater challenge than he imagined. She understands him as no one else has and the love between them blooms in a beautiful and gentle way.

Their romance is the kind that makes us sigh with every touch, every gesture, every shared moment and every pain that comes. It was beautiful to follow the interactions between them and between them and people around them and it was exciting to follow this journey of love and achievements.

Narrated in the first person alternately between the protagonists, between past and present, gradually the motives for their behavior is unfolding in a linear and constant rhythm.

It amazed me how the writer chose to show the connection and the strength between them more towards the end of the book and how to show the extraordinary strength of Annika and were details like this made me perfectly understand the choice of the cover and the title, a work to deal with open and tight heart with a good box of tissues on the side.

What did I like about this book? Everything........I loved every single thing about this book! This book is about a love story. Not your typical love story but a deep unconditional love that only comes around once in a lifetime. The type of love that happens when you are aware of the faults, the little quirks that a person has but you just don't care. In fact, you love them even more so for them.

As we got to know Annika and Jonathan it became clear that they were not your normal college sweethearts. As their relationship grew, I did not realize how invested I was becoming until they split apart, for ten whole years! As they moved on in their life, I wondered if they still had a place in their lives for each other. Is it possible to rekindle that deep love that they had or did it never really go away?

I loved both Annika and Jonathan, they were both truly good people with gentle souls. In a world that can be cruel, these two give you hope that there is still good in the world. When Annika expressed her love of all creatures and literally jumped out of the car to rescue one, I wanted to high five her and hug her. She is my kind of girl!


I don't often have the emotional reaction I did after finishing this book. It had such a profound effect on me that I just sat there to process it. I found myself thinking, okay so the book is over, now what? It tugged at my heartstrings in a way that not many books are able to. How have I not read this author's other books, I am not quite sure. I can tell you I won't make that mistake again. I can't recommend this book enough.

4.5 Stars
“Did you ever fall in love with a girl who was different? Not just from any girl you’d ever dated before, but from most people in general?”

*graphic -bookstagram*

I love a unique book with unique characters, and Tracey Garvis Graves delivered that with The Girl He Used To Know . Set in 1991 and 2001, we meet Annika and Jonathan as they bump into each other in a grocery store in Chicago after a ten-year separation.

"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."

Told in alternating POV in both past and present, we are witness to their initial love in college. Annika, though they don’t say it initially, (It’s 1991), is on the autism spectrum. She is pretty but painfully socially awkward and prefers books and chess to people. At times she is like a child, sweet-natured and naive about other’s intentions. She lucked out in college and got a fantastic roommate, Janice, who took her under her wing, (I LOVED Janice!) and convinced her to go to a chess club meeting. There, she met Jonathan.

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

Jonathan realized she wasn’t easy to date, but to him, she was worth it. Her quirks, though at times frustrating, were the very things that made her who she is, and what he loved about her. But the two broke up, and we aren’t privy to why for a while. We just know that it was her fault, so when they reunite, they are both struggling with the past.

"Standing on the sidewalk, I wonder if she remembers how it felt to be in love with me?
I haven’t forgotten how it felt to be in love with her."

My favorite part of the Girl He Used To Know was being in Annika's head and seeing the struggles she has to fit in.
“Why were there so many things to think about? To remember? Why couldn’t I figure anything out in the moment instead of days or weeks later?”

*Quote graphic*

The story was a bit slow and introspective at first, but it totally worked for me. I loved seeing how a relationship progresses when one person has challenges to overcome. I liked how she was so worried about being the right person for him, that she never considered he loved her the way she was.

"All my life, I’d been waiting for someone I could be myself with. It had never occurred to me that I could be that person for someone else."

The last 20% almost felt like a different book. We lose a lot of Jonathan’s POV, and it was almost too big for the story. I feel like maybe it wasn’t necessary for this story, though it brought out every single emotion possible.

Likes:
•I loved Annika. Her realness, her flaws, her insecurities, her bluntness and her inability to see social cues.
•Her best friend Janice was almost too good to be true. She made Annika’s square peg fit into a round hole.
•It was so different from your typical romance.
•Jonathan always seemed to know what she needed and delivered for the most part.
•I loved how it was more about Annika’s journey than the romance.
•So well written.
•Brings out every emotion.
•I loved how the author brought up the difficulties in navigating life on the spectrum, from the danger of not being able to read people’s motives, to reading and imitating others for social cues and fitting into society in general.

Dislikes:
•While I loved Jonathan and Annika’s college romance so much, the “present day” romance didn’t measure up. I almost felt like he was settling for her.
•It was a little slow until the last 20%, then it felt a little rushed! lol
•Though I loved it, I’m not sure the big drama at the end was really necessary for the story, it was almost too big a climax for such an introspective book.
•Needed an epilogue.

The Down & Dirty:
A unique combination of Women’s Fiction and Romance, The Girl He Used To Know by Tracey Garvis Graves is special and memorable. It’s so refreshing to read about differently-abled characters and the daily struggles they endure being different. I absolutely loved being in Annika’s head. I enjoyed seeing the struggles in keeping a relationship going with someone that doesn’t always react the way you’d expect. The end was fast-paced and almost felt like it didn’t go with the story. While I still enjoyed the emotions it brought out, I’m not sure it was really necessary for the story, and it felt very similar to another story I read recently. It dulled the uniqueness of the rest of the book. What would have brought it back, however, would have been an epilogue, bringing back the quiet awkwardness of the couple, which is really the heart of the story. Despite a few niggling things, all-in-all, I HIGHLY recommend The Girl He Used To Know by Tracey Garvis Graves, it was a highly unique and meaningful read that I will remember for a long time.


Rating: 4.5 Stars, 2.5 Heat

On the Island is one of my favorite books ever. I was so excited to read this new release by the same author. I was hooked as I read through this new story and I was able to finish it in just a few sittings. I wanted to give this book a 5 star rating, I truly did. I loved the writing and the character development, but I felt the ending was too dramatic for the story, was rushed and didn’t quite seem to fit just right. Overall, though, I found it to be a fabulous read and one that I would still recommend to anyone!

4.5 stars. Tracey Garvis Graves has an enormous talent for writing love stories that make readers think. Annika and Jonathan's story was really interesting- the story flashes between when they first meet in 1991 and when they reconnect in 2001, and I wondered how Annika's life would be different if she'd been a college student now instead of 25+ years ago, and if she would have been diagnosed and going through the world differently. The main story between Annika and Jonathan- of the obstacles to their relationship and Annika's eventual, fearless decision that demonstrates the power of thier connection- made this book a real treasure to read.

The Girl He Used to Know


In my reviews I don’t give a synopsis, just my opinion. Having said that:
I really liked this book. The characters are well written, interesting and relatable. Annika is uncomfortable in social situations. Is this what draws Jonathan? This is more than just a typical story of love lost and then found. Annika’s character makes it more. The book is so well written, telling the story using side by side timelines from the viewpoint of both characters. I loved Annika and was completely invested in the story from the start, wanting Annika to be happy.
I highly recommend this book. Thank you #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for approving my request. All the opinions in this review are solely my own.

I very much liked the author's writing style and I did enjoy this book .

It is original and it got my hooked to the story.

I recommend this .

*4.5. stars*
This was my first book by the author and will not be the last! The writing was great, pacing good, and excellent character development. Jonathan and Annika felt like characters you would find in real life. Annika is a very unique character and I adored her. It's a second chance romance with them originally meeting in college and then seeing each other again 10 years later. I do wish there was a happier ending, preferably with an epilogue. I personally just needed a little bit more. But, this is a book I won't ever forget. These characters that will stay with me long after the last page. Highly recommend!

Thank you so much to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first novel by Tracey Garvis Graves and I've heard many rave about her past works so I was very excited to receive this book. But I felt myself really struggling with this book. I thought Annika was sweet, compassionate, and an amazing girl and I really liked Jonathan as well for how well he treated her and how amazing he was towards her and her special needs. Even though I loved the characters I'm still conflicted about how I felt when I finished reading.

Annika and Jonathan fell in love in college in 1991 after meeting at a chess club that they were both players in. Fast forward 10 years later and they meet again not knowing that they've both lived in the same city for the past 5 years. As they start to try and re-kindle the love they used to have Annika finally finds out why she's different from everyone else and why they broke up all those years ago.

The beginning of this book was a bit slow for me and I had a hard time getting into it. I did like that the book is told from the past and present, 1991 and current day 2001. I also liked that the story is told from both Annika and Jonathan's perspectives but I still struggled with this one.

The ending is what I feel really did it for me. There was barely any lead up in the book and then you get thrown a twist at the end and then the book just ends. Like, that's really all you're going to say about it? I would have liked the author to talk more about it instead of just ending the book.

I just love books with a quirky character or two. The Girl He Used to Know has the wonderful Annika, a woman with plenty of quirks. As she struggles living her life, she encounters a couple of people who 'get' her—they really 'get' her. And as they slowly and lovingly bring her out of her anxiety-filled life, she finds strength that she never knew she possessed.

This story, and Annika, captured my heart from the very first page. I turned the pages quickly–but not too quickly so that I could savor it all–and watched her life unfold before me, starting to understand what her life must have been like. When she feels that she has lost the person she loves the most, she faces her fears and forges ahead.

The Girl He Used to Know is a beautiful story of love, differences, and acceptance. It is a story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and one that I highly recommend. I will remember Annika, and her quirkiness for quite some time.

Annika and Jonathan met during college. She is awkward and would rather have books than people around her. She slowly allows Jonathan into her small world. Due to various circumstances (MUST READ TO FIND OUT!) they go their separate ways. Jonathan gets married and divorced. Annika gets an advanced degree and achieves her dream job at the Chicago Public Library. They accidentally run into each other one day in Chicago and both of their worlds change.

Jonathan is now my new book boyfriend. These two have such a strong connection. Jonathan has to be the most patient person ever. And he truly loves Annika. It comes out in every turn of the page. Annika is not like most women. She does not like to be touched, she cannot stand to be around people and she makes many social gaffes. She has struggled her whole life to overcome her awkwardness and she has, for the most part, done real well. But, to keep her relationship with Jonathon going, she must overcome more obstacles than she realizes.

This story completely captivated me. I started reading it on a Friday and finished it on Saturday. I have never read a sweeter story in all my reading life. I even texted my friend over at Silversreviews , just to let her know I was about to ugly cry. And I do not cry during books. This one had me tearing up! Let me tell you! Need a fantastic, captivating and emotional read, grab this one!

I received this novel from St. Martin’s Press for a honest review.

It is always such a pleasure to pick up a book by this author because I know I’m going to read a gorgeously written story peopled with the most unforgettable and beautiful characters. And this particular one has both of those things in abundance.

Annika and Jonathan just grabbed ahold of my heart and still haven’t let go. Their journey to each other was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read. It still fills me with emotion to think of it. Jonathan was so sigh worthy in every way and Annika - she just broke my heart with her courage and bravery and fabulous heart. Together they are just perfection.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of beautiful stories that are peopled with characters you come to love and never want to stop reading about. I truly loved this one.