New York Times bestselling author of On the Island, Tracey Garvis Graves, presents the compelling, hopelessly romantic novel of unconditional love.Annika 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.… 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.
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My first read of 2019. What a great way to get my reading going.
I don’t think I can properly express my feelings about this one, so I’ll try to keep it short and start by saying that I loved it.
When I first started reading this book, I had no idea where the story would take me or the emotional rollercoaster it was going to put me through, but that first few pages had me holding my breath and my mind going wild trying to unravel what had happened between Annika and Jonathan all those years ago.
Every fiber of my being was moving along the pace of the story, meaning that I became so invested in it, that my emotions were exactly the same ones the characters experienced. You can’t help but fall in love with the story and its characters when the words flow so effortlessly as Annika and Jonathan guide you through the chess club where they first met, The University of Illinois where they first fell in love and their reencounter on Chicago 10 years later; all this, while you fall in love with them, their personalities and their story.
I cannot tell you enough how much I loved Annika. She is such a remarkable and strong character, she has a noble heart, and as I lived and felt her struggles, as I got to know her, all I wanted to do was hug her and be friends with her. And Jonathan? He is a exceptional man, he is so good with Annika, and he also has a heart of gold.
Not only the story has amazing characters but is filled with a few giggles, nervousness and fear, but mostly with touching and heartfelt moments that simply took my breath away.
I said I would try to keep this short, I realize now that I failed, but, believe me when I say that I could continue to write more on how much I loved this story and why.
Beautiful, moving and extraordinary.
4.5 Stars!
You’re like the ketchup in my life, I’d told Jonathan one night on the phone, and he laughed.
I don’t know what that means, exactly, but if it makes you happy, I’m honored to be your condiment.
What a beautiful story!
After a horrific experience in middle school, Annika Rose’s parents decide homeschooling was best for her. But when it came time to go to college, Annika’s parents encouraged her to leave home and explore her independence. It wasn’t long before she started feeling over stimulated, oversocialized and completely overwhelmed and wanted to go home. Fortunately for her, she had an incredibly compassionate and empathetic roommate who took her under her wing. She helped guide her and taught her how to navigate life. Janice refused to let Annika give up, she challenged her at every turn and provided her with something Annika never had, a true friend. It was when Janice introduced her to the chess club, that the beautiful and smart Annika learned to trust others and began to see there were people who could accept her as she was.
Watching Annika blossom from a young woman who struggled daily to survive in social situations, to a confident woman who learned social cues and gained an understanding of what other people are thinking and feeling, was truly beautiful to watch.
Do you want to go out with me Friday night?
Go out with you where? I asked
On a date. We can go wherever you want.
Why would you want to do that? Why would anyone?
Because I think you’re really pretty, and I like you. When I didn’t say anything, he dropped my hand and shoved his into his pockets. I feel like I can be myself with you.
Jonathan attends the same university as Annika and was also a member of the chess club. After college, he planned to move to New York and get a job on Wall Street. Around Annika, he found that he could be himself, without pretense. He enjoyed Annika’s quirks and the unapologetic way in which she lived her life. She said what was on her mind and did what she wanted. Jonathan was refreshingly honest and utterly charming. His patience was admirable and his love unconditional.
While reading, I want to experience what the characters experience. I want to laugh with them and cry with and for them. While reading The Girl He Used To Know, there were times that I felt the story was being told to me rather than letting me experience it. For example, with the passages between dialogue, the author does a wonderful job telling the reader what each character is thinking, I just wished I had been able to feel what they were feeling. Nonetheless, the author’s strong storytelling and character development carried me through to the end where the true magic of this story unfolds.
THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW is a beautiful second-chance romance, that encourages readers to discover their own power, accept each other’s differences, and love unconditionally!
I was provided a review copy by the publisher. This did not influence my opinion of the book nor my review.
This book is fantastic! I’m honestly not sure anything I write could do it justice-so just get it, read it & enjoy for yourself.
I adore these characters-they felt like old friends by the end. The author really made me feel Annika’s anxiety and fears, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. The story moved along at a nice pace.
I think my only complaint is that I finished it….
This book is the first I’ve read by Tracey Garvis Graves. I hope it’s not my last. I LOVED it. I had a bit of a book hangover when I finished. I’ve been waiting 4-5 days before writing this review because I needed to relax a bit. All I can think of was what a beautifully written, captivating second-chance love story this book is. I found the main characters interesting from the beginning. Actually, all the secondary characters were great too. I was immediately drawn to these people as if I knew them. Throughout this book, I felt as if I was kind of hovering over the characters watching as their lives and the story unfolded. My emotions were all over the place, from joy to sorrow and back again at different times. On occasion, my heart ached so much for the main characters that I had to stop reading and re-group so I could read on. I can’t say enough how well-written this story was. It was told from two characters’ point of view and went back and forth from 1991 to 10-years in the future. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t care for that at first, but as I got into the story, there was no question in my mind why the author wrote it that way. The more I read, the less that effected me. I got to a point where I just could not stop reading. The last 30-40 pages gutted me and had me on the edge of my seat. The Girl He Used to Know is simply a beautifully told, incredibly well-written story which brings you to a phenomenal conclusion that you will not soon forget. Definitely a MUST-READ for all hopeless romantics and everyone who ever felt like they did not belong.
Loved it. I connected with all the characters, I liked the way they and their dialogue were written. This is a very readable book that pulls you in and keeps you there until the end. Annika reminds me a lot of Edward (600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster) and Sheldon Cooper (Big Bang Theory) in that they simply don’t get social cues. Black and white, no gray area. What you see is what you get. And they’re relatable to their core. Open and often painfully honest. There were great descriptions of Annika and I could form a picture of her in my mind. There were not so many descriptors of Jonathan, like he was secondary to Annika’s character, even though he narrated part of the book. He is a good human being, you know, for a fictional character. I wonder if there’s some symbolism in that we just know he has dark hair and blue eyes.
This is a book I didn’t want to put down at night. I feel like I know the characters and was invested in their fate. This is a genuine, cleanly written, good read.
“Life isn’t easy for anyone. We all have challenges. We all face adversity. It’s how we overcome it that makes us who we are.”
This quote is spot on for each and every one of us!
A beautiful story of life, and love.
Annika is a gorgeous young woman who knows she is “different”.
Her mother takes her out of school in the seventh grade and home schools her. Why don’t the girls like her daughter? Why are they mean to her?
Annika works so hard to fit into today’s society. All she wants in life is to comprehend the simple things that she is missing. It is exhausting to “fit in”.
This book reveals Annika and Jonathan’s story in a gentle, yet realistic way that will have you laughing and crying while cheering them through each and every part of their journey that spans over the years.
It is well written and a wonderful read!
ARC received for an honest review.
Thank you St Martin’s Press for the super early copy of The Girl He Used To Know.
What a beautiful, heartbreaking second chance romance is this story.
Jonathan an Annika (sounds like Monica without the M) and their story was just wonderful. I fell hard for them as I was reading. Annika was some kind of extra special to me. I love all her quirks and her social akwardness..
Jonathon is all kinds of swoonworthy. I love how he sees Annika, not her quirks.
Word to the wise though – don’t be reading this story in public. I was reading the last quarter of this book during my lunch break today, and I was a sobbing mess. Lucky for me I was in the office by myself today and nobody saw my breakdown!
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.
You might think, at first, that you know where this story is headed: Girl-meets-boy-but-he-gets-away, girl-reconnects-with-boy-years-later. But there’s more to this heartfelt tale: an unlikely protagonist who takes nothing for granted, learning what it means to love as well as to stand on her own in a world she is ill-equipped to navigate. An original and enjoyable read with an ending that will leave you satisfied.
I wish I could give this book 100 stars! I truly loved it. Annika and Jonathan’s story is not typical. They meet and fall in love in college and break up then meet again 10 years later. Annika’s story is one of heartbreak, bullying, and having a very hard time in social situations. She has the very best roommate at college, Janice, and she helps Annika with college life. Jonathan and Annika’s story is a true love story until everything falls apart in college.. When they meet 10 years later, it is wonderful to see them reconnect again. I LOVED the characters in this amazing book! I wish I could be Annika’s friend! I truly loved this book and will be recommending it to all my friends! I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All opinions are my own.
The Girl He Used to Know was a romance like no other I have ever read. It evoked quite an array of emotions in me while reading it, and I have a feeling many of those will linger. Annika and Jonathan’s relationship was singularly captivating. Reading of Annika’s social anxieties and how hard she worked to fit in was both sad AND inspiring. Jonathan was a quietly supportive, understanding, and loving hero for this uniquely remarkable heroine. Oh, and I feel I should mention, be prepared for a variety of tears.