The Girl He Used to Know on April 2, 2019 Pages: 291
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New York Times bestselling author of On the Island, Tracey Garvis Graves, presents the compelling, hopelessly romantic novel of unconditional love.
Annika (rhymes with Monica) Rose is an English major at the University of Illinois. Anxious in social situations where she finds most people's behavior confusing, she'd rather be surrounded by the order and discipline of books or the quiet solitude of playing chess.
Jonathan Hoffman joined the chess club and lost his first game—and his heart—to the shy and awkward, yet brilliant and beautiful Annika. He admires her ability to be true to herself, quirks and all, and accepts the challenges involved in pursuing a relationship with her. Jonathan and Annika bring out the best in each other, finding the confidence and courage within themselves to plan a future together. What follows is a tumultuous yet tender love affair that withstands everything except the unforeseen tragedy that forces them apart, shattering their connection and leaving them to navigate their lives alone.
Now, a decade later, fate reunites Annika and Jonathan in Chicago. She's living the life she wanted as a librarian. He's a Wall Street whiz, recovering from a divorce and seeking a fresh start. The attraction and strong feelings they once shared are instantly rekindled, but until they confront the fears and anxieties that drove them apart, their second chance will end before it truly begins.
I have loved Tracey Garvis Graves since On the Island and I really enjoyed The Girl He Used to Know.
A high-functioning heroine on the autism spectrum… I enjoyed watching Annika’s growth from college to ten years later. Annika captured my heart… her honesty, her realness, her open-book personality—there was just something so endearing about her.
I loved Jonathan’s love and patience for her… that he was able to see under her quirkiness to the real her, that he appreciated her for who she is and loved her so much.
Let’s not even talk about Janice… the best friend of ALL BEST FRIENDS EVER! I could not love her more with her protective heart, her ability to help Annika see things in a different perspective and her want to help Annika at ever turn.
I enjoyed the timeline, the back and forth between 2001 and 1991. Watching Annika navigate life and prove to Jonathan how she is still the girl he knew back in college but how she has also grown and changed and is now more independent. I kinda knew where it was going seeing where Jonathan was traveling for the work and the dates because I was there and even knowing, my heart was still in my throat with the what if, and was he…?
I’m being vague… I know… but read the book!
Everything from how these characters met at chess club to the fate of finding each other again after so many years touched my heart. It’s a story of growth and love and different from what’s out there now… I truly enjoyed my reading experience, having a paperback ARC instead of reading on my Kindle and reading with my flashlight well into the night lol. This book just felt so refreshing.
I love this author and will read anything she writes. <3
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About Tracey Garvis-Graves
Tracey Garvis Graves is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into thirty-one languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, Cherish, Heart-Shaped Hack, White-Hot Hack, and The Girl He Used to Know. She is hard at work on her next book.