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.

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.