When I started reading The Girl He Used to Know I was unsure whether it would be a book I could stick with. I found the style of writing quite strange at first but after a couple of chapters I quickly became immersed in the story line. It’s a story of love and second chances and you’ll find yourself rooting for Annika’s character.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author for the chance to review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The synopsis for The Girl He Used to Know drew me in straight away – Second chance romances are one of my favourites and the description provided of Annika contains characteristics I immediately identified with.

This is a departure from the more light-hearted and comedic style of Tracey Garvis Graves’ Kate and Ian series – the only other works of hers I’ve had the pleasure of reading so far – which is by no means a criticism, but a credit to her versatility as an author.

I loved the unique writing style and while it felt stilted at times, I imagine that’s natural because Annika’s view of the world perhaps would feel that way.

The story is written from dual POVs, where Annika and Jonathan’s individual characters shine through so well, the identifying chapter headings are merely superfluous.

The characters were relatable - they both made mistakes, but their flaws are what helped them come across as authentic.

The story developed at a good pace - it wasn’t action packed, but it wasn’t laboured either. I would call it an easy read if not for the attention required to keep the time lapses and side stories straight. Having said that, it was still easy to follow.

The plot was engaging and although I’d guess the clues to the events that would happen towards the end portion of the story may have been obvious to some, I didn’t predict them or the reason for the break-up when it was finally revealed.

There were some pretty delicate subjects, as well as sensitive past events, which were tackled throughout the story and I was particularly impressed with how sympathetically this was done. Also, the way true historic events were worked into the storyline made it feel all the more authentic to me.

When I came to the end of the book it ended so abruptly, I initially thought there were pages missing from my copy. Yet whilst The Girl He Used to Know is gravely lacking an epilogue, it is a well written, refreshing change from the formulaic romance novels the market is oversaturated with. I’ll certainly be reading more from Tracey Garvis Graves in the future.

***ARC generously provided by Orion Publishing Group, via NetGally, in exchange for an honest review***

#TheGirlHeUsedToKnow #NetGalley

This book should come with a warning: 'Highly addictive - Do not start reading unless you have the next few hours of your day free!'

Luckily for me, I did have time to finish this in one sitting as it would have been a torture otherwise. Annika and Jonathan used to date at college and haven't seen each other for 10 years. When they bump into each other at a supermarket, they are reminded of their time together. The chapters from the present time are intertwined with chapters from 10 years ago when the couple met and got together. Annika is not an ordinary girl, while good-hearted and honest, Annika suffers from overwhelming fear of social situations and finds it challenging to make friends.

Told from both Annika's and Jonathan's point of view, the story is simple, yet captivating and beautiful. The story unfolds just at the right pace, making it a mesmerising read. Both characters feel real and you get to love them almost instantly. I would recommend this to all fiction readers looking for an uplifting read that makes you smile.

Every now and then you come across a book that has a different kind of writing style and this book is no exception. It is so refreshing and a beautiful story. It’s both unique and breathtaking
Thank you to both NetGalley and Orion Publishing for my eARC in exchange for my honest unbiased review

I thought that this was an excellent book and it is definitely one that I would recommend!!

It had my hooked from the very beginning and I must say that I thought it was a beautiful plot, ups and downs a plenty and I was well and truly addicted.

Five stars from me for this one, very highly recommended - an excellent book!!

An unconventional love story with a surprising nod to a horrific historical event. Beautifully told, I know you will love Annika.

This was such a lovely story! It’s a refreshing story to read and one that’s easy to follow. The chapters jumping back and fourth between 1991 and 2001 kept my interest throughout, which is unusual as I tend to get mixed up as to what year I’m reading about 🙈 I also liked how we read about the difficulties Annika has with social cues and how she grows to develop coping mechanisms to overcome these. The love story between Annika and Jonathan is sweet but it’s real. It’s nice to read how their relationship grows and how Jonathan is so supportive of Annika.
I would have liked an extra chapter at the end, possibly from Jonathan’s perspective and maybe another 10 years in the future? I just feel like I could read more to see how things worked out.
I do recommend this book if you’re looking for an easy happy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Orion Publishing Group for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl He Used to Know, Tracey Garvis Graves

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance, women's fiction.

Usual moan, women's fiction – just why? Why assume men won't want to read something? Isn't that as sexist as assuming women's wont/can't do something, enjoy something?

I adored this story, refreshing, unique and satisfying on the romance front, its a simple plot but has so much contained within it. My only criticism ( well my only two crits!) were I wasn't convinced by the break-up, I know it was a pretty dark time for both, and Annika's unique perspective made it harder, but it didn't feel right to me. I didn't think they'd end just like that. Then the actual ending felt a bit rushed, hurried, especially given the intensity of the preceding few pages, taking in 9/11 and really making the reader feel events on a personal level. I'd have liked a bit more detail, maybe an epilogue a few months/years later. As it was I got to end and was tapping Kindle, convinced there was still more to read.
I loved Annika, felt for her as I have the same, though on a much smaller scale, issue with social occasions and people. I don't always “read” conversations, spend time wondering just what to say and practicing different lines in my head....Poor girl has it so much more though, for me its just a nuisance, for her its coloured her whole life. As we read further we begin to see just how much, just how hard it was for her mum to balance protecting her child against teaching her independence in a cruel world. We only get one shot as parents and for kids like Annika most parents just have to do what they think best.
I loved her roommate who became a life long friend. She helped Annika so much, at college and years after, but what folk often miss is seen here, she also gained from knowing Annika, made her understand others better, gave her a different way of seeing the world. Life for someone with disabilities isn't all depending on others, we have a lot to give too and Tracey shows that so well here. It comes over too when she finally meets Jonathon, he needs to be different with Annika, to work at it if he wants a relationship with her, and he can see how vulnerable in ways she is and yet how her openness and way of saying exactly what she means is refreshing, there's no game playing, no deception in dealing with people like Annika. Some can't take it, others value it for the gem it is.
Jonathon is wonderful, patient when getting to know Annika and loves her uniqueness. I found it hard, knowing how close they were, how in love, that he would let their relationship end but he did, it did. Then when they meet ten years later, despite all that's happened t o both of them in between they still have that same attraction. Jonathon has been married and divorced though, he's not sure he wants to open to Annika again, nit sure he can deal with getting his heart broken again if it goes wrong. Annika has done so much though, really worked at her issues in the intervening years, and sees a therapist. I loved those insights, when the therapist is helping her decide what to do, helping her analyse what action, what worked, what didn't. That was a great insight into how she's coped with life, and also just how hard and tiring it was for her. Everyday issues become major hurdles and when one's brain is full on constantly it is very exhausting.
Its a fabulous story, some gentle but very real romance, some valuable insights into life as a person who thinks differently to most others, and some realistic events over 9/11. I could imagine that playing out exactly as Tracey has written it.
I don't know if she knows anyone with Annika's issues or if its from research but from someone who shares a few traits though on a much lesser scale I can say its incredibly well written and made Annika and her problems feel so believable.

I wasn't sure about requesting this, I'm so glad I did , its a wonderful story.

Stars: Five, a perfect read, very different than just the usual reunion romance. I just wish there was more of an ending.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

Loved this. A unique & refreshingly different writing style. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I loved this story. There isn't much of a plot - the story is about two people who loved each other, separated, and then met up again years later. Because the author goes back and forward in time, my interest was held. I thought Annika and Jonathan were lovely together, and the way the author writes about autism is very well done. The inclusion of 9/11 was also well done and added another dimension. If I have one small criticism, it is that the ending felt rushed. I would have liked a bit more, but otherwise I think it's a great story - a pleasure to read. Thanks again NetGalley.

I was craving a simple, sweet contemporary romance, and this story was exactly that.

This is a simple story. The writing was fairly basic, however, there was an ease to Graves´ writing, specifically through Annika´s narration, which kept me turning the pages. Although I adored both of the protagonists, I found I shared similar traits with Annika; I don´t like change, I never know what people are truly thinking and loud environments make me uncomfortable. Oh, and I´m with her when she says she prefers books to some people. Graves overall portrays Annika’s issues with anxiety excellently and with authenticity.

There isn´t much of a plot. Told over two timelines with alternating perspectives from Jonathan and Annika, this is simply a story about two people rekindling their love for one another. They discover their feelings for each other are unchanged, despite being apart for 10 years. Graves didn´t sugar-coat the romance, it felt real, and I was compelled to see how their rekindled relationship would develop.

Unfortunately, the ending was disappointing. After an easy breezy story, it took an intense turn which only felt out of place and ended on a rather abrupt note. I was itching for an epilogue. Their story wasn´t over for me and I needed a glimpse into what the future would hold for Jonathan and Annika. Nonetheless, overall, this was a heartening, easy story. I love that characters on the spectrum or who are dealing with mental health issues are becoming a common representation in contemporary fiction. If you’re looking for a light read, I’d highly recommend giving this a go!

Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are bored with formulaic romance novels, this is the unique read you are looking for! I liked how the main characters were not what you come to expect from a romance novel, but were fully formed characters. They had a uniqueness and I liked that it dealt with the topic of autism in a relationship. A really enjoyable and refreshing read!