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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I blew through this book at lightning speed. It’s definitely one of my top reads of the year, potentially tied for first, but I need to sit on it for a while to be sure. Annika was a dream, and I loved how Jonathan was with her…99.9% of the time.
This book made me swoon, ugly cry, hyperventilate, and hold my breath for a dangerously long period of time. Today, it’s all I can think about, and while it took turns I’m not sure I 100% agree with, I can say, the whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts—and there were only 2 parts that I even questioned.
The story alternates between past and present—a style that only works for me if I’m equally invested in both, and I totally was. Matter of fact, I could read these characters in any time period, in any setting, and never tire of them.
Many reviews mention the lack of an epilogue. I didn’t need one at all. I thought the ending was perfect.
I hope you snagged a copy when it was on sale a couple weeks ago, but if you didn’t, it’s still worth every one of the 1,399 pennies it’s selling for.
I was intrigued by this story and the sensitivity with which the characters were treated. The author has a great deal of knowledge about people with Asperger Syndrome and used that knowledge to tell a wonderful story.
The book is well written and very engaging.
I enjoyed it immensely.
4.5*
The story flips back and forth in a ten year time span. Annika and Jonathan meet in college, then again years later after their breakup. You see the evolution of both characters, more in Annika than Jonathan, but both characters have to make some self discoveries to insure that their relationship can withstand the tests of time.
I loved this book so much! I felt like the author was describing my feelings so many times. I truly bonded with all the characters and the secondary characters are just like someone you know. Very well done!
Wow this book was a really nice surprise, I didn’t know what is was about.
The heroine aka Annika is a beautiful woman that has some kind of autism and anxiety, and because of that people are mean with her.
When she’s in college she plays chess and during the sessions of the chess team, she meets Jonathan, a handsome man with aspirations and a good heart, so they start dating until tragedy occurs and they must go separate ways.
A decade later they meet casually and decide to go out in order to speak, could they have a second chance? Read and find out.
Sweet but simple.
This is a romance with a twist. Because it’s really the story of Annika, a high-functioning woman on the Autism Spectrum Disorder continuum, as she slowly learns how to function successfully in the adult world. Her story moves back and forth in time. Part follows her budding college romance with Jonathan, a fellow student she meets when both join the university’s chess club. For reasons you will discover yourself (if you read the book) their romance ends close to graduation. So, the other part of the story explores how the reconnect ten years later.
What was most interesting to me was learning more about some of the everyday difficulties those with this disorder experience. As well as the ways they can be taken advantage of. But there was something a little too contrived about these two characters. And about their story. First, of course, both are incredibly good looking. And there didn’t seem to be any good reason to make them so. Then, near the end of the book, there’s a surprising plot twist, which completely takes over the narrative and, to me, provided way too much of a pat resolution to their romance.
Overall, an interesting and quick read, suspenseful near the end, but certainly not great literature.
I absolutely adored this novel. It was one of those novels that I wanted to savor but couldn’t put down. It was relatable, beautiful and breathtaking. It very quickly became one of my absolute favorites.
Excellent book, beautiful story, and I highly recommend it!
A wonderful look into the world of autism and the relationships autistic people work so hard to create and maintain. You will never think of autism the same way again. Bravo!
I loved this story between a woman on the autism spectrum and her college sweetheart. Warm, emotional, and wonderful. I highly recommend.
Loved the characters. Great book.
There were a lot of ups and downs for me in this book. The pace was a little slower than I would have liked, but I feel like at the end I understood more. It took a while to get to the backstory and I was craving that knowledge the whole book. Johnathan stole my heart. His patience and understanding was awe worthy. There were times he didn’t understand what was going on with Annika (like the move to NY) but heartbreak can make you do dumb things. I felt the angst along with them and it’s just another book that reiterates that communication is key. This is a couple that never stopped loving eachother, no matter what. They were so obviously destined to be together. The end made up for the rest of the book but I wish I would have read it instead of listened to it.
I went in blind on this one. I read The Book Bee’s review and knew I would read this.
I love Annika. I loved and enjoyed every minute of her journey. The way the story is told in past/present was brilliant. It added to the depth of their relationship, their love, the growth of the characters. Annika is someone fiercely special.
Jonathan was an amazing beautiful patient person. I love and respect him soo hard. He was perfect.
And then there were the other people in Annika’s life that made this story inspirational.
This type of story is why I read
The story ended and in no way shape or form was I ready to part ways from Annika and Jonathan.
I was in tears in the end. Sad and Happy tears.
A 2nd chance
~ “All I wanted was to show you that I’ve changed. That I’m not the same person I was in college”
“Well, guess what? You haven’t changed all that much. You’re still the same girl I fell in love with at twenty-two. And here’s a newsflash: I like that girl and always have, and I never once said I wanted her to change”
Good story about someone with austism finding love and brave enough to demand her own independence.
The Girl He Used To Know was such a fabulous second chance romance. My first book from this author and her writing absolutely entranced me. I knew there was something special about Annika because of her behavior and my instincts were right. The author captured and explored it with care and respect. I liked Annika and Jonathan. They just worked thanks to Jonathan and his easy going personality. He just saw Annika for who she was , gave her room and accepted her. Such a good man. Annika’s roommate Janice was terrific too. That’s what you call a best friend. I felt the drama towards the end kept on for a little too long and man I would’ve liked an epilogue. But despite that it was a damn good book!
4 Show Me Love Stars
Great audible! Tracey Graves nailed Anika! I enjoyed this story. Was not expecting the ending. I do feel there were too many sex scenes that took away from the story of Anika,Jonathan, and Anika’s family and friends.
Interesting viewpoint of main character who is autistic. She has some unexpected happenings to her in book, but has a good ending.
I enjoyed this second chance at love book. I loved the backstory chapters within present day chapters, where the overall package presented a clear, well thought out storyline. I am no expert but I think the author did a wonderful job exploring the inner turmoil of Annika, falling somewhere on the high functioning spectrum. Jonathan was such an amazing character with his open heart. This story is heartfelt and is about empathy and fighting your fears to live the life you want. 5 stars for this lovely book.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a sweet, uplifting love story. There was nothing I didn’t like about this book. It was an easy read and had great characters. I loved the love story!
This was my first book by Tracey Garvis Graves, but I intend to read more.
Please pick up a copy and be ready to be thrilled by it.
If there was one second chance romance you need to read it would be The Girl He Used to Know. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming and yet feel it in your gut read. Annika and Jonathan just have this way about them. You can’t help but be drawn in by Annika. She is just this special person that we all wish we had in our lives. She makes you smile with her mannerisms. Jonathan you will simply love him. He is the guy you’d hope Annika ends up with in the end. Jonathan sees Annika as she is and is so supportive of her. This college romance is special. As you read along and relive the past with Annika and Jonathan you can’t help but wonder will this chance meeting bring on a second chance for them. They just have this wonderful love that you can feel pouring from the pages. By the end I was clenching my tissues for not only Annika but Jonathan too with both sad and happy tears. Tracey Garvis Graves has this ability to hook you from the start and slowly build this wonderfully beautiful story that will not only leave you filled to the brim with emotions but also wont let you go. I really loved this one and I didn’t want to put it down until I was on the last page. This book made my heart happy in the end. A MUST READ. YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE ANNIKA ANS JONATHAN.