A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

This book made me feel miserable. I’m still reading it and I don’t think there’s much room for redemption unfortunately.

A lost chance and not much of a romance.

This is a very well written captivating second chance romance.
I was completely enthralled and addicted, I couldn’t get enough and kept saying to myself ‘one more chapter’ in the early hours until there were no more.
Amazing.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

I liked this book to a point - I liked the setting, I found Annika a very likable narrator, and I was gripped, in that I wanted to know what would happen. I'm a sucker for a second-chance love story.

However, I found a lot of elements of the story emotionally manipulative, and unnecessary. There seemed to be nothing nothing nothing, and then, unspeakable tragedy, unspeakable tragedy, unspeakable tragedy. The end seemed rushed and I really did not enjoy the use of the 'major event' as a plot point.

All in all, I enjoyed learning about Annika, and seeing how she fell in love with Jonathan, and them meeting again, however, the end (probably the last 75 pages) tainted the rest of the story and I left feeling unsatisfied and miserable.

The Girl He Used To Know is a beautiful love story that had me completely enthralled from the beginning.

Annika is a wonderful main character that was very easy to warm to. She is a fairly unusual main character, especially in a romantic story, but I think this is what makes the story such a special one. Her social awkwardness and other issues made me feel quite protective of her which made the story hard to put down as I had to keep reading to find out what happens to her.

The story is told from the point of view of both Annika and Jonathan, going back and forth between their time in college and the present time. This might sound confusing but it’s quite easy to follow as each chapter is headed with the year and place that chapter is set in. I thought this added to the story and I really enjoyed reading about events from both characters points of view.

The book does start as purely a romantic one which I was thoroughly enjoying on its own but then something happens that changes things and the story goes off in a bit more of a serious direction. The last quarter of the book was exceptionally gripping and I couldn’t put the book down until I found out how it was all going to play out. I found myself hiding away from the kids or letting them on their tablets while I desperately tried to finish the last pages.

The author has included some sensitive subjects in this book which some readers might find difficult to read about. These are dealt with sensitively as they weren’t over dramatic just for the sake of it. I haven’t any experience, thankfully, of this experience but from the stories I’ve read from people who have it seemed quite real. I thought the author was quite brave for discussing in her books.

Huge thanks for Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orion for my copy of this book via Netgalley. If you are looking for an unusual love story that is beautifully written, with some wonderful characters then I thoroughly recommend this book!

Ok so true confession time, I was genuinely unprepared for just how much I loved and reacted to this book-it is simply put, a beautiful love story between two people who are parted for ten years due to circumstances beyond either's control.

The story goes back and forth in time between 1991 and 2001, splitting the first person narration between Annika and Jonathan starting when they met at university and then as grownups in the real world. They meet due to their mutual love of chess and from there, a very unlikely and wonderful love story blooms.

Tracey writes very stylistically with short, sharp staccato sentences which made it a struggle to connect with Annika to start with and then the penny drops and you realise what is going on, a great big 'Ahhhh...' moment which I think is exactly the effect that she wanted to create. All the things that happen to Annika are not because of how she is, they are because people are awful to anyone who is even slightly outside of the norm. Honestly some parts of this book will leave you reeling at just how vile they can be and how they leave Annika feeling. So when she meets Jonathan, she is incredibly wary, but at the same time her feelings for him are so huge that they become all consuming.

Tragedy which is incredibly well wrought and described befalls them as they are preparing to graduate which leaves Jonathan entering the 'real world' before Annika and before long the gap between them becomes too big for either to bridge. Chance has them meeting again after a decade apart and then, once more, circumstances beyond their control conspire to pull them apart but this time around,will Annika be able to have the strength for both of them to make it work?

You fall in love with Annika so much that when Jonathan appears in the book, whilst you are willing her to find happiness, you as the reader are cautious and pretty much on the side of Annika's best friend , roommate and general guardian angel Janice who want the best for her.But you realise that when Annika says :

''Jonathan made me feel comfortable and safe in a way that no one else had ever bothered to,not that many had tried''

that you so so desperately want this to work because she includes her parents, everyone she has ever met in this. The parts where she has left university and goes home to live with her family just break you in two-they are trying to do their best for her but again, circumstance and a lack of support has left all of them floundering whilst trying to do their absolute best for this wonderful girl who wants to be a librarian, as she finds books so much less complicated than people.

At a date with reunited Jonathan,talking about her ex-boyfriend,Ryan and why they broke up in a very public fashion at dinner,she says :

''Then Ryan says,'Can't you for once just try?' and I had no clue what he was talking about because all we were doing is sitting at that table over there''-she points at a small table directly across from of us-eating dinner.Try what?

''I guess I didn't tell him what he wanted to hear because then he said,'Do you know what it's like to be with someone who looks like you but then opens her mouth and ruins everything?'and I told him I did not and that I had no idea what that even meant and then his face turned red.'It's a complete fucking waste,'he said,'I can't take it anymore,'Then he stood up and started yelling really loud about how crazy I was,and the restaurant staff made himm leave.''

The anger and the rage this induces on behalf of Annika and her poor heart where she is convinced that she needs to show Jonathan that she is not the person she was 10 years ago, she's not going to mess things up this time, hence the title of the book. She is absolutely not the girl he used to know, she is that person and so much more but her essential heart and the way she is is how they are drawn back together and why he wants to try again.

''She marched to the beat of an entirely different band.One you've never heard of,and undee no circumstances expected to like.When Annika would frustrate me,which was pretty often,I would tell myself there were lots of other girls out there who were not so challenging.But twenty-four hours later,I'd be knocking on her door.I missed her face and her smile,and I missed every one of the things that made her different.''

It's not saccharine sweet, it's not banging you voer the head with what is right and wrong, this book simply is, there is a mastery to the words which are used and the tone which is created between the two narrators which wrings all the emotions out of the reader and leaves them feeling bereft yet satisfied at the end of the book, It is a rare treasure which you want to press on your friends whislt simultaneously wanting to keep the experience of meeting Annika and Jonathan to yourself because it is a such a powerful feeling that it engenders-you want to hold this book close to you and be grateful for having read it.

After this you will be wanting to keep an eye out for all the blue ducks out there and helping them feel they are the same as the yellow ones. Highly recommended for all lovers of Marian Keyes, Jojo Moyes and Cecelia Ahern. 

Also be prepared to cry. I was unexpectedly caught at several points in the book with tears rolling down my face, which is fine if you are at home,and can go hide, not so much when you are out in public! Absolutely engrossing, engaging and wonderful,

This was a beautiful and poignant piece that captured my heart in every way. The story took me on a stunning journey with characters that moved me beyond all measure. The writing was powerfully poetic and I was pulled into the narrative from the opening pages and I loved each and every moment.



Tracey certainly knows how to create vivid and wonderful characters that jump off the pages and straight into your heart. I fell in love with Annika from the word go. Her differences and struggles were endearing and brought a whole new quality to what is required from a leading lady. Her relationship with Jonathan was poignant and beautiful and I fully bought into their relationship as their chemistry wove it's way through the narrative with charm and passion. It truly was stunning.



The writing was warm and wonderful and I was welcomed in with open arms like an old friend. The poetic language spoke loud and clear of passion and love and I fell under its charm with a spellbinding quality. The Girl He Used to Know is eloquent and profound with a beauty and love shinning forth from each and every page.

4☆ A Compelling, Powerful yet Poignant Second Chance Romance!

The GIRL HE USED TO KNOW is a heart warming story of Second Chances, Relationships and Love.

Annika and Jonathan are very different, yet they fit together perfectly.

Annika finds it very hard to socialise, she's very shy, timid, naive, and has anxieties.
Jonathan is patient, kind and has a heart of gold.
They quickly fall in love with each other. Jonathan is drawn by Annika's quirky traits and the two just compliment each other perfectly.

But life has a way of throwing curve balls and the two split up. I believe everything happens for a reason.
In this case it makes Annika stronger and more independent as she navigates life and the trials and tribulations of growing up and dealing with difficult situations.

But as i said everything happens for a reason, and fate brings the two back together ten years later, each grown up and with different life experiences. But can they rekindle their passion and Love for each other or is it too late?

It's fair to say that I adored both Annika and Jonathan, they melted my heart.
If they were a puzzle they would fit together perfectly!

The GIRL HE USED TO KNOW is such a warm and compelling, feel good read.
It's a beautiful story about a second chance at romance, the ups and downs and social anxieties.
It's told between the two timelines, of when they first met to present day. Which I loved as you really get to understand Annika and why they part and how she grows and blossoms in strength.
The Characters are strong, beautifully created, relatable, quirky and loveable.

So if you are looking for a beautifully Authentic, Compelling, Powerful yet Poignant Read, with Memorable Characters that will melt your heart and stay with you after you have read it, then I highly recommend reading The GIRL HE USED TO KNOW.

Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours and Trapeze Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

What a fantastic book!!

Annika is living her life but still thinks about her ex Jonathan…..and then one day they bump in to each other and reconnect. The story flits between the present day and when they met back in college. We learn all about Annika’s uniqueness and how she struggles with social situations, how she’s treated by others and how amazing Jonathan is. But what we don’t know early in the book is what happened. Why did they break up in the first place? Has too much happened in their lives for them to make another go at it? And what might face them in the future?You’ll have to read to find out!

I absolutely loved this. I love Annika – she’s so lovely and unique. She has her own quirks and watching how she has grown from her college days is heartwarming. Jonathan has always been a great guy and I totally fell in love with him. I was completely hooked, discovering how they had met and got together and what happened to them…..and hoping massively that they would get back together! Janice is also a fabulous character – everyone needs a friend like Janice that is kind, thoughtful and will help to turn your life around.

Just when things start to go right, something seems to get in the way and there is a massive twist in this that I wasn’t expecting – I was literally on the edge of my seat.

Tracey does a brilliant job in covering a number of issues, one of which is close to my heart – another reason why I love Annika so much. Tracey has done an amazing job of really understanding and portraying the condition covered within the book.

I honestly couldn’t give this book any more praise – it’s written so well, easy to follow, gripping, heartwarming and amazing. This is definitely one that you won’t want to miss!

Thank you to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers, Tracey Garvis Graves and Trapeze for allowing me to take part in this blog tour.
This book caught my eye from the blurb and I am glad that it did.
Annika’s character intrigued me right from the start, and I enjoyed discovering the story through her perspective. Although at the heart of this book it was a love story, there was the underlining story of Annika and it was refreshing for such a story to be told with a different character.
The story switches between the present and the past, 10 years prior, and between Annika and Jonathan. With the story being told like this it felt like it moved quiet quickly and it pulled you along wanting to know how the present circumstances and been effected by the past.
When I read a book I always like to be able to take something away from it that I can reflect into the own life and Annika’s character has certainly allowed me to do that. She has shown me that regardless of what challenges you face in life you can achieve whatever you want to achieve, no matter how big or small.
I definitely enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it. It is available now in both paperback and eBook.

A Beautiful and Emotional Love StoryThe Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves is a beautiful coming of age love story that is sure to capture to hearts of every reader. I was captivated from the very first page and I finished the book in one sitting. It is definitely one of my top ten books I’ve read this year.

The story starts in the present day when Annika and Jonathon meet by chance in Chicago where they are now both living. The surprise meeting catches them both off guard but nonetheless, Annika plucks up the courage to ask Jonathon for his number. Could this be fate? Perhaps a second chance at love?

The storyline jumps back and forth from 10 years ago to present day as Jonathan and Annika embark on a journey that might lead them to a second chance at love. Mostly the story is told from Annika’s perspective, but at times we do get an insight into Jonathon’s thoughts and his world.10 years earlier, Annika a quirky, shy and introverted young woman was studying to become a librarian. Annika is socially awkward and has little or no filter when it comes to speaking her mind. She was more at ease with animals then people as she felt she was able to relate to them.  Annika’s room-mate Janice was her only ‘real’ friend. Janice seemed to understand Annika’s quirkiness and helped to ground Annika and find ways to help her cope as she navigated the big wide world of college.

Jonathon had recently transferred to Annika’s college and he was in his final year of study. They met through a mutual love of chess when Jonathon joined one of the weekly chess groups Annika attended. Jonathon was intrigued by his new chess opponent and overtime he managed to break down some of Annika’s self-imposed barriers and love began to blossom.

Unfortunately, just as the beautiful relationship between Annika and Jonathon was becoming serious, tragedy struck, and Annika put the walls back up and isolated herself from the world.

As they rekindle their friendship in Chicago after the freak chance meeting, they begin to spend more time together. Can Jonathon forgive Annika for breaking his heart? Can Annika finally open-up to Jonathon and bare her soul to him?

Annika desperately wants to win Jonathon back. Slowly we start to see and understand how Annika’s character has grown and matured over the 10 years. She has learned to cope with life and her interactions with the big wide world. She has sought the professional help she needed and as a result, has been able to put steps in place to help her be more successful in her life. She is more confident and is able to finally fully engage in the real world.

Will this be enough to help her win Jonathon back?

Graves brilliant writing brings these characters to life and allows the readers to understand just what it is like to be locked in a world where social interaction is just too difficult at times. The reader sees first-hand what the pressure of trying to fit within the realms of society does to people who are unwillingly trapped in their own world.

The Girl He Used to Know is a beautiful and emotional love story the goes far beyond the realms of the kind of love most of us will ever experience – it’s the kind of love we can only dream about.

The protagonist in this book is Annika, a girl that is very different from other people. She sees the world and the people differently than most, her thoughts and her life story really sucked me in. The book was told from multiple perspectives, Annika and Jonathan, they both were sharing their life experiences. The characters in this book were unique, warm, pleasant, and so well written, that I absolutely fell in love with them. 🙂

The narrative keeps changing between present events and the times when both main characters were at university. I really enjoyed their story from the past, it showed how both of these characters grew as personalities, and it was mesmerizing to read about their journey. I really loved Annika’s openness in this novel, she was not scared to share her deepest and the scariest thoughts, and that was admirable. I found Annika quite relatable because I know few people, who are similar to her, so her openness kind of helped me to understand what might be happening in their heads as well. 🙂 The topics discussed in this novel were autism and how to adjust in the society, anxiety, relationships, bullying and many more.

I think the writing style of this novel was stunning, it was creative, intriguing and had me glued to this novel. I have to throw in a warning, that this novel has some “steamy” parts in it. The chapter length is very decent, and it hasn’t left me bored. I really enjoyed the ending of this book, and I think that it rounded up this story very nicely.

This is one of those novels that you read expecting one thing and get something so surprisingly and wonderfully different that you spend days in a book hangover when it's finished.

I was expecting a typical romance story - which I love - but what I got was lovable characters, a story of love past and present and a brilliant representation of what life can be like as an autistic woman.  

Annika isn't like everyone else but at college she meets Jonathan who seems to understand and love her the way she is but something causes their relationship to end leaving both of them broken hearted.  Ten years later an accidental meet brings them together again and so begins a new chapter of their story.

Not The Girl is intelligent and beautifully written and driven by wonderful characters.  The narrative is told by Jonathan and Annika and also moves timelines from present to ten years ago.   

Annika struggles with social situations, noise, smells and change.  She is written with such care and love and it's hard not to find her totally irresistible.  Her sensitivities really bring her to life and make her a very unique and realistic character and the way she has learned to manage these and develop her skills but still remains the same person at her core is just a delight to read across the two timelines.  I adore that she is written in a way that shows despite her difficulties, she can live a strong and independent life.

Jonathan is captivated by Annika form when they first meet and ten years later seems to have never gotten over her.  His perspective shows a different aspect of their relationship and although he can get frustrated with her (as all people in relationships do) he just seems to know how to support Annika when it's needed.

Together they make a perfect couple but life isn't always that easy and love isn't always a fairy tale. 

Once started, this novel is difficult to put down.  I cannot recommend it enough.

Annika Rose often feels lost in social situations, saying the wrong thing or acting the wrong way. She can’t read people and prefers the solitude of books or playing chess to being around others.
“I never know what people are thinking. It’s like visiting a country where you don’t speak the language and you’re trying so hard to understand but no matter how many times you ask for juice, they keep bringing you milk. And I hate it.”
This is the story of Annika and Jonathan who first meet at the chess club at The University of Illinois in 1991. Jonathan understands Annika and is kind to her, getting to know her and her strange ways and they fall in love.
But we find out early on in the story that things went wrong for them as they meet again for the first time after 10 years apart in 2001. A lot has happened over that 10 years – Jonathan has been married and divorced and is a high flyer in the world of investment banking. Annika has moved to the city and is pursuing her dream job as a librarian and with the help of a counsellor has found ways to cope with the curve balls life throws at her.
The books follows the dual time lines of 1991 and 2001 as we see Annika and Jonathan fall in love all over again.
I cannot express how much I loved this book! Annika’s voice is just perfect – she is sweet but her vulnerabilities are heart-breaking to read about. She is lucky at University to have a really good friend in Justine who looks out for her and helps her navigate social situations. The unkindness of people is just so sad, from college students to an early boyfriend who takes advantage of her naivety and later in life with some of her colleagues at work.
I loved reading about how the romance between her and Jonathan developed and how they rekindle their love 10 years later. I loved everything about this book – the absolute perfect mix of romance, heartbreak and tension with the one of the best heroines I think I have ever read about it. Written with amazing sensitivity, Garvis Greaves is a must read author. 5 huge shiny stars from me!

I gave this a 4 stars or 8/10. My thanks to Tracy Fenton for the opportunity to take part on the Blog tour for this book and thanks to NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story is told from the position of both Annika and Jonathan, with each character having their own chapter and also as a dual time frame read. I enjoyed the premise of the story and wonder what we would have done if we had been in Annika's shoes as the story developed. Annika was socially naïve in most situations, but this added to her likeability in my opinion. Jonathan obviously cared for her and understood her well, but sadly fate had the upper hand and their relationship wasn't meant to be. As fate throws them back together again, what will they be like around one another and will feelings that they once had for each other be rekindled?

This was a slow burner of a story. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Annika and Jonathan, how they learned to cope with Annika's naivety and her little foibles. The toing and froing of the chapters between the two main characters along with the years that they were set in, adds to the enjoyment of the story in my opinion. I can see this being made into a film if I am honest and I am sure that it would transfer well to the silver screen so to speak.

The Girl He Used to Know follows the lives of Annika Rose and Jonathan Hoffman who reconnect 10 years after the las saw each other in college after a chance meeting in a Deli.
The book is told from the points of view of both Annika and Jonathan and splits between Illinois 1991 when they first meet at college and Chicago 2001. Normally I would find this type of split narrator/timeline a little confusing but this time it seemed to work as you start to understand the relationship between these two people and what makes it different.
Annika has issues with dealing with social situations and can come across as either odd or distant. She has a tendency to say what is on her mind and is not very good at interpreting body language or acceptable behaviour. In the past this has led to her being bullied and ridiculed. Her roommate Janice sees past this and often has her back in situations so that she is able to cope a little bit better. When she meets Jonathan at chess club, he can also see that Annika is someone special and he is able to be himself around her and their relationship develops into something more.
As the book progresses you finally find out the event that split them up but as they grow closer again, they finally deal with the hang-ups from the past and move forward only for a major event to almost rip them apart again.
I have to say that there are times when I envy Annika’s inability to do anything other than say exactly what she thinks. There is nothing malicious in it but its just the way she is. I am not sure I would have wanted to live through the bullying she had just because she was different. We all have times when social situations can be difficult but to believe you are the one that has the problem because that is what everyone tells you must be something else altogether. The fact that both Janice and Jonathan can see past this to the person that Annika really is gives you hope that people can accept differences in others. Jonathan does sometimes get frustrated that Annika doesn’t always express how she feels about him but once he has got that frustration out, instead of taking it out on her, he immediately apologises for it and shows that he is not mad at her and understands it is not her fault.
The author has dealt with issues and situations with a sensitivity that keeps you turning the pages to find out how it ends. I found that I couldn’t put it down and read it from beginning to end in a day. If I had one criticism of the book it was how it ended. For me it felt like it didn’t quite get there…like there was something more that could have been written. Despite this it is still a heart-warming story with characters you can’t help but like.

In the early 1990s, Annika and Jonathan were together at the University. They got to know each other at the chess club - a place where Annika felt relatively safe. She used to get anxious in social situations and chess club felt always the same and she didn't have to engage into conversations. One day she's supposed to play against Jonathan, and he starts to see her in a different light than others. They eventually start dating and everything runs smoothly, until one day when something happens that tears them apart.
Fast forward ten years and Annika lives in Chicago, working her dream job at the library. Shopping at a grocery store, she runs into Jonathan and slowly they start to get to know each other again. But will they be able to sort the past out? To move on?

I adored Annika and I loved to see her growing, finding herself and accepting herself. She is altruistic, kind and honest, and maybe she doesn't understand the world around her completely, but she knows what falling in love is. The wonderfully blunt observations of hers are so true to life and genuine, she was simply strong, brave and loyal. Her best friend Janice is another winner in this story, the kind of bad ass best friend that we all need in our lives, and I loved her patience with Annika, the way she explained her the world and it was so great to finally see a girl supporting another girl, and not bringing her down.

The story is narrated by Annika and Jonathan and it worked really well in this book, as we get two points of view, often on the same situation, and it gives us a really great insight into how their minds worked and what made them tick. Each chapter has a date but I must admit that I only cottoned on why it is so important at the end of the story, when THIS happened. Gah. I really didn't see it coming and while I also didn't find it necessary, I was OK with it. We watch their love unfolding, and I must say this feeling was so pure and raw and genuine, and I liked it so much because they were not playing games, they simply followed their instincts and feelings - it was so different to all the will they/won't they stories, felt like a breath of fresh air. Although I must admit that I wasn't so sure of Jonathan's feelings, let me explain why - we were all the time left with a feeling that it was Annika's fault that they broke up with each other, and for me Jonathan was fully accepting this, however, when it was eventually revealed what has happened it became clear that it was as much his as Annika's fault, and he let her blame herself all the time, and I simply didn't find it brilliant. For me he was like yes, ok, let's try again because it suits me and I forgive you for what has happened. And it really seemed Annika has invested much more in the relationship, that she loved him more. But please, don't get me wrong here, he WAS a loving, caring person and Annika tried new things with him, she was founding her courage with him - but it was really Annika that made the story for me.

The writing style is flowing and it feels so lyric and Annika's voice is so special and distinctive, with all her feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and emotions brilliantly captured by the author. It was as if the author has got into her characters' heads and I found myself engrossed in their lives. I would only like the end not to feel so rushed and abrupt after everything that has happened in the book.

"The Girl He Used to Know" is a story about taking your life in your own hand, compelling and sensitive. It was so much more than a second chance romance, there was much more depth to it and it touched upon many serious issues but in an accessible, gentle way. A captivating tale of love and acceptance - truly recommended.

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Oh my, what a surprisingly gorgeous and emotional read this is! When I started it I was expecting a typical rom-com kind of story, but The Girl He Used To Know by Tracey Garvis Graves is so much more than that.

It’s the story of Annika Rose, a young woman who feels lost in social situations, never knowing how to say or do the right thing. She prefers to lead a solitary life, reading books or playing chess rather than being around people. But then she meets Jonathan, who accepts her for who she is. He doesn’t judge her or care that she sometimes says the wrong thing. And for a while they’re inseparable, but then something happens that tears them apart.

Ten years later their paths cross again, but Annika isn’t sure Jonathan will want to have anything to do with her after what happened all those years ago. The narrative flips back and forth between 1991 when they first met and 2001 when fate throws them back together again. But will they be able to put the heartache of the past behind them? Or will Annika have to accept that time has moved on and so has Jonathan?

It’s difficult to put into words just how incredible this book is. It tackles some difficult subjects with sensitivity and a warmth that melts your heart. I loved Annika, this beautiful girl who feels like she never fits in anywhere, from the outset. Her naivety and difficulty in reading social situations made her vulnerable to the unkindness of others, meaning she was sometimes taken advantage of, which is something that broke my heart as I was reading this book. People can be so cruel at times, but then there are others like Janice, Annika’s friend from college, who restore your faith in human kindness.

The Girl He Used To Know is a perfect blend of romance, heartache and tension. Once started I could not put it down, the story sucking me in as I experienced the highs and lows of Annika and Jonathan’s relationship right along with them. It’s a book that has everything, making me laugh one moment then burst into tears the next, moving me beyond words. What can I say? I absolutely adored this book!

A surprising, glorious and moving read that I highly recommend. I can’t wait to see what Tracey Garvis Graves comes up with next!

Despite the romantic theme, The Girl He Used To Know is far from the average romance novel and I loved every minute of it. Annika is an unconventional heroine, but I felt a lot of empathy towards her character, and found her relationship with Jonathan absolutely adorable. It was clear to me from the outset that Annika is not neurotypical and I really appreciated the care that Garvis-Graves took to ensure the portrayal was accurate right down to the sensory issues Annika experienced.

The Girl He Used To Know is set across two timelines: the early 1990s and 2001. This was really effective for me in terms of showing how the characters' relationship had developed and changed over time. It did take me some time to realise the significance of the dates, but once I did, the tension created by the alternating time frames was really engaging.

As The Girl He Used To Know reaches its conclusion, there is a lot of tension  At this time, I was desperate to know how things would work out for Annika and Jonathan and was reading way past my bedtime! Even when I had finished the book, I didn't want to leave the characters behind!