I enjoyed some of the moments in this book but I felt the book could have given me more
I really didn’t like the main character in the book. He was manipulative and not a nice person
I didn’t like the large number of plots within plots
A poor book

Annika works in the library, something she has always dreamed of doing-” to be surrounded by books for the whole of her adult life”. By chance she bumps into someone she used to know at university, Jonathan, and they go out. Alternate chapters take us through their college life ten years beforehand and the difficulties Annika faced with life and dealing with others. I quickly grew to like Annika and her sensitivity around others, of dealing with social situations that others take for granted, and even what to wear when you have always been comfortable in the same things. Jonathan understands her and appreciates her as does her friend in college Janice and they both take her under their wing. We know something happened ten years ago which split them apart but not what. Annika takes her confidence from those around her and has had some hard knocks-something most of us can understand in one form or another. “Women are like tea bags- you don’t know how strong they are until they are in hot water” (Eleanor Roosevelt). I didn’t take much notice of the dates until it hit me big time. Oh my. I had a lump in my throat and on the edge of tears. If there is one book to read about hope and determination then this is it. I have my own 5** for about 10% of books read (I read around250 a year) for those that have that special something. This one deserves 10**. I can;t recommend it highly enough.
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((amazon done- misfits farm)

The Girl He Used to Know is a story about the complex .... and her ex boyfriend from 10 years ago.

I took this book on holiday with me and quickly became keen to keep reading and was getting up early to sneak in some reading time whilst everyone else was asleep. I liked how the story switched from 1991 to 2001 so you got to know the characters for who they were and who they have become.

The journey of Annika gave you insight into how she viewed the world and the daily judgement she encountered. It demonstrated how over time she had changed and learnt to fit in with those around her as people still don't accept everyone as they are.

A brilliant uplifting love story of how the grass isn't always greener and how if you truly love someone you accept them and don't try to change them or worry about other peoples views.

This story covers coping mechanisms through counselling enabling Annika to achieve her career ambitions and face her fears despite feeling that she doesn't always understand the world that she live in

I really enjoyed this book and feel it is a story that people would benefit from reading and remind people that we should all be loved for who we are

'The Girl He Used to Know' is a beautifully written romantic story between Annika and Jonathan. Annika is socially awkward, anxious and shy. She is on an autism spectrum but there wasn't much awareness about this in the 90s so she was considered just plainly weird or a freak by the people surrounding her.

1991. At college, her roommate Jannice is everything Annika could ask for. She understands and takes care of her like the sister she never had, and Annika is grateful for having Jannice in her life. Janice introces Annica to a chess club at college where starts to play regularly during sundays. And that's where she meets Jonathan. Jonathan is immediately drawn to Annica, mainly because she is gorgeous and wants to try out his luck on her. Soon he understands what she's really like and treats her soft and sweet, making her comfortable around him. They develop a bonding which soon becomes inseparable and loving. But a terrible tragedy strikes, and the couple are torn apart. Jonathan moves to New York where he starts his Job.

2001. Annika now works at a Library in New York, a job she's passionate about and loves every bit of it. She meets Jonathan at a supermarket and immediately wants to rekindle their relationship. Jonathan, now divorced has his divorced, has his doubts but knowing Annika he too, wants to try it out. Will the second chance work for these love birds? Has too much happened in the 10 years that would stop them from uniting forever?

Written beautifully, I don't know if I loved Annika more or Jonathan less. Jonathan is every girl's dream. He's so gently, caring and honest with Annika. I have never had the pleasure of meeting someone like Annika, but now I want to befriend such a person for life. I did not understand the importance of the timeline until the story presented itself with a twist! That was quite unexpected and a job well done. I loved this book so much and it was a quick read for me.

I am thankful to the publisher for having me on the official blog tour and sending along a proof copy. All opinions are mine.

Well THAT was unexpected! This really is the PERFECT not-so-perfect love story; a lesson that there is someone for everyone and that in life there is love, hope and maybe a second chance.

Annika is someone who, by her own admission, looks on the outside like she fits in, but inside feels that she doesn’t belong. She is slow at picking up on social cues and thus constantly worries about what to say and do in any situation; having anxiety as her constant emotional companion. She is straight-talking, blunt, and painfully honest but she is also smart and funny, and is absolutely beautiful.

Jonathan is besotted with Annika, there is chemistry between them as soon as they meet and they make an enviable couple. Jonathan is everything that Annika thought she would never have; a rock; a companion; a soulmate. He has never once made her feel stupid for the weird things that she blurts out, and he understands her completely. In turn Annika is Jonathan’s reason for existing; a concept which is totally alien to her as she is incapable of believing that she could be a saviour whilst being saved herself.

After being forced apart, they meet by chance a decade later and the story unravels through these two timelines. One charting their college years in the early 90’s and the other when they reconnect in 2001. The narrative is dark and morose at times and Garvis Graves tackles some difficult themes.

Without giving too much away, there is a sudden change of pace towards the end of this book; everything steps up a gear and I found myself reading quickly, urgently and breathlessly. It was emotionally draining yet SO compelling! I even shed a tear as I turned the final pages!

Garvis Graves has written a story with so much heart and sensitivity I found myself wanting to post-it a quote in almost every chapter of this novel! One particularly memorable part has Annika describing herself as being in a foreign country, asking for orange juice but constantly being given milk because no one understands her.

I tore through this book in only a couple of days and looking back I wish I’d savoured it a bit more – I’ve quickly grown a fond attachment to Annika and Jonathan and I shall miss them dearly.

The Girl He Used To Know is an emotional yet uplifting journey which blew me away. I have already recommended it to several people and shall be searching out Garvis Grave’s previous titles whilst I eagerly await her next offering.

This is definitely a book for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (by Gail Honeyman), The Cactus (by Sarah Haywood) and Needlemouse (by Jane O’Connor).

I adored this story and characters, so well written and pretty much awe inspiring.

It wasn't so much the storyline, but the characters that made me love this one so much! They were what made this story so memorable for me!

The story flips from two different timelines - 2001 (now) and 1991 (then)

This book stuck with me and kept me reading well into the night. Definitely a story that I will be revisiting in the future.

4 stars!

**Copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

It is 2001 - Annika and Jonathan bump into each other in Chicago while grocery shopping. It transpires Annika and Jonathan were college sweethearts who broke up ten years before. What caused them to break up? Can they rekindle their romance?

Switching between college in 1991 and the present in 2001, we learn their story from the beginning from Annika and Jonathan's alternate points of view and the events that led to the breakup, as well as watching them rekindle their relationship. Overall I really liked it. The story is beautifully written - it is impossible not to warm to Annika and her quirks as she struggles to cope with autism and anxiety, as well as to Jonathan who embraces her differences and loves her through thick and thin. I found myself rooting for them and didn't want to put the book down as I became fully invested in their romance.

My only criticism was the ending - having felt emotionally invested in the characters and their relationship, the ending felt a little abrupt and I was left feeling somewhat cheated. That aside I would recommend it as a heart-warming, heartfelt story that has so much more to say than your average romance novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for the advance copy.

Wow! I couldn't put this book down.
The story of a girl who sees life differently to many of us and the way she makes her way through a sometimes confusing world. A book which some will relate to and will give others an insight into how some people see the world.
Just as you feel the story is reaching a wonderful ending a curveball is thrown in.
I loved the way the book was written from two viewpoints. I cannot commend this book enough.

I started the book expecting it to be a light hearted romance, but found it to be a really sweet love story about two characters who had meet at university and the struggle to stay together once their courses had ended. They meet up again 10 years later and try to pick up from where they left off. One thing I wasn't expecting it the twist at the end which made it much better than I thought as it added so much more to the story. I would recommend as a light and refreshing read.

What an absolutely fantastic book! I loved The Girl He Used To Now from start to finish. It tells the story of Annika and her reunion with her college boyfriend. Annika is one of the most original and endearing characters I have encountered in years. I was utterly entranced by her and her unique outlook on life. this has easily been one the best books I have read all year.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

Tracey Garvis Graves has totally astounded me with this evocative and emotional story. I haven’t read any of the other books by this author and so I had no real expectations other than the reviews I had seen and the plot synopsis. I was not prepared for the emotional suffering this book inflicted on my heart!

“The Girl He Used To Know” was one of the best love stories I have read for some time that had me enthralled from the start.

One of the things that made this book special was Annika Rose. As the main character, she was so easy to relate and warm to. I could completely identify with her social awkwardness and her many other issues - from being unsure of what those around her were thinking, to the constant need to scrutinise other people and copy their behaviour in an effort to fit in and be accepted as normal.

For his part, I loved Jonathan’s level of patience and understanding. He put others’ expectations aside even though he didn’t know how he could help Annika.

Tracey Garvis Graves created a set of characters with such complexity and depth, helping to make this love story quite special. There are so many books in this genre that, inevitably, comparisons will be drawn, however, this was a totally and fabulously unique story for me.

The book is told from the point of view of both Annika and Jonathan, going back and forth between their time in college and the present. As Annika and Jonathan alternately tell their respective stories, the reader gets to know more about the two of them and the events that caused their separation. The reader then comes to understand Annika’s problems, how she has been able to overcome them and how they have both developed as individuals.

Even though there were instances when this was a difficult read for me, I loved where Tracey Garvis Graves took her story, right through to its conclusion.

I know I have found another author to add to my ever-growing list of favourites. I thoroughly recommend this book as it is definitely worth a read.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Orion Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I have read books by this author before and was a little disappointed. Whilst it is encouraging to see a book written about someone on the autistic spectrum I didnt really enjoy the story, it was very slow and felt that it lingered too much on things that were stopping Annika. whereas in reality she was a strong character doing her best to fit in. Loved the character of best friend Janice and thought that Jonathan was selfish and unlikeable. The last 20% of the book was like reading a completely different book. which whilst it picked up the speed of the story and certainly made it more interesting didnt make the whole book work for me

This is a sweet story, full of hope and love, something we always dream but not always get, trust me, this is a book you will want to read!
Since the beginning I felt connected with Annika, a girl that doesn’t know how to connect with the people around her, she prefers solitude and a book that being surrounded by other people or having to share her space with them. So, when she meets Jonathan, she doesn’t expect to be taken care off or feeling comfortable with him… But this was 10 years ago, and the relationship didn’t end well between them… maybe now it will be their moment?
I am not sure if I like Jonathan, on one side he really seems to like being with Annika and likes her for how she is, doesn’t want to change her. But then, he always comments how pretty she is, making me think that he “accepts” how she is only because she is pretty…
But, even if you don’t like “totally” the characters, the story is really sweet, how Annika has changed and tries to “improve” her way to talk to other people and be more “normal”; and that’s why after 10 years without talking to Jonathan, when she saw them, she felt compelled to call him and change what did go wrong the last time…
Annika has really changed; she dresses different and now she is more “comfortable” with people; and the most important thing, she really wants to connect again with Jonathan. But Jonathan has passed a divorce and knows the pain of a broken heart too many times, prefers to keep the distance with Annika…
But you know what? True love is something too deep to fight or to try to ignore… is it true love what Annika and Jonathan feel for each other? Or their time together has passed and now they can only be a dream?
You will have to read the book if you want to know the full story, and I am sure you’ll love it! 😉

This is a lovely story and I just connected with the MC Annika so much, she’s just so lovely and you want to take care of her ! A beautiful love story you just fall into and don’t want to leave. Well worth reading and thoroughly and highly recommended

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I have read one book by Tracy Garvis Graves before - On The Island - which I really enjoyed, so when I saw The Girl He Used To Know available to request on NetGalley I was quick to request it, and I’m so glad that I did.

The main character is Annika, and although the book jumps between two timelines (her time at the University of Illinois, and ten years after she graduates) and two perspectives, she is the character with whom we spend the most time and get to know the best. The other first-person narrative comes from her college boyfriend Jonathan, the ‘He’ of the book’s title.

I thought that Annika’s differences were depicted really well, and she came across as a character with whom the reader can easily sympathise. I was relieved that she had her lovely roommate Janice as a friend, and that when we meet her as an adult she has slightly widened her social circle while still remaining true to herself and not being pushed to change her ways. I especially liked how Janice would gently guide Annika on the social norms of college but without ever making Annika feel inadequate or less than normal for not grasping them without being told.

And now... the twists in the tale. I did guess one of them ahead of time, I must admit, but that didn’t spoil anything for me. I definitely didn’t guess the second twist, which caught me by surprise and prompted me to race towards the end of the book in my hurry to see how it was resolved. My one niggle is that I think the ending was ever so slightly rushed, but that may just be because I didn’t want it to end! This was a super enjoyable read and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction.

This book totally took me by surprise to be honest. I thought it was just going to be a straight forward romance, and it certainly started out that way, and then it became one of those books that just grabs your heart and compels you to keep reading. I ended up staying up until three a.m. to finish it and I don’t regret it for a second.

The main character is Annika, a girl who isn’t quite like everyone else. She has always been branded weird and has severe social anxiety, so has led a sheltered life without friends until she goes to college, where she finally finds a couple of people who understand her and help her come out of her shell.

One of these is Jonathan, a boy she meets at chess club, who finally seems to be someone who can accept her and love her for who she really is. But then, something happens that sends their relationship off the rails and they part and don’t see each other for ten years until fate brings them together again and they try and find out if they can work through what went wrong all those years ago.

This is a split timeline book, as we follow events while Annika and Jonathan are at college, and then when they meet again ten years later, so we can see how they have both changed over that time. The structure works really well and was very clear and easy to follow. I connected with Annika’s character immediately, even though she is someone who walks her own path. She is someone you can’t help wanting to protect, and for things to go right for her because she is such a sweet and gentle person, who is just out of step with the rest of the world. Jonathan was a bit more of a problematic character as, although he was good to Annika and she loved him, I had glimpses of times when he needed things from her that weren’t quite true to herself. However, it was obvious that the relationship has certain unique difficulties for him, so I guess that was only to be expected and was kind of the point, showing the challenges of being in love with someone that doesn’t quite fit in to the definition of the norm.

The plot of this book is very gentle most of the way through, which was not a problem, I loved it for what it was and would have been happy if it had carried on that way to the end. The writer is very accomplished and her portrayal of two people and their relationship was enough for me to enjoy the book just for that. However, something then happens that jolted me out of my complacency and took the book to a totally new place and a different level that I was not expecting. The last 20% of the book had an extremely dramatic effect on me, hence the late night reading binge, and elevated the reading experience to something quite out of the ordinary. It is difficult for me to say more without giving away any spoilers, you will have to read it for yourself. I read another review of this book that said this book contained no surprises. I can honestly say this absolutely was not true for me (maybe other readers are more astute), the ending was like a punch to the gut.

This book deals with some sensitive issues and some things which some people may find problematic or upsetting. I applaud the writer’s bravery in tackling them, I think these are things that need to be written about and we, as readers, should not shy away from reading books with tough themes. These things are the truth of human experience and by engaging with them, we can only gain insight into and empathy for our fellow man. I have to say that some of the issues discussed are not ones with which I have had personal experience so, although they felt authentic and sensitively handled to me, I am not really in a position to attest to whether this is actually the case.

I thought this book was quite stunning. It stood out as something very different and brilliantly written. I was left feeling like the time I invested in this book had been repaid tenfold by the reading experience and I am excited to find a new writer that I can’t wait to read more of. Please read it.

I found this to be a totally heartwarming and quirky story, featuring the character of Annika who is such a gentle soul that you can't help fall in love with her, and her ways!, and it's a book that has a lovely gentle flow about it that time just flies by while you're reading it!

Annika first met Jonathan back in college and her awkwardness and honesty won his heart. This was back in 1991 and with the help of Jonathan and her very understanding and sweet roommate Janice, she gets by in a world that often overpowers her and leaves her feeling very anxious and deflated. She is such a sweet person and has had to deal with people treating her badly because she was 'different' over the years that she shies away from social situations, and when she is faced with a difficult situation her response is to shut down and sleep. But Jonathan and Janice love her for the way she is and that helps her gain a little more confidence and belief in herself.

Fast forward 10 years and she's living and working in Chicago and by chance bumps in to Jonathan again. We then get to see their stories unfold from back then to now, alongside her visits to her therapist whom she opens up to about everything and how to deal with the feelings she has now towards Jonathan. You get the feeling there's a lot of sadness that she's had to deal with and you're desperate to find out what that was and desperate for her to enjoy some happier times in the company of others.

I loved the character of Annika mainly because she's different! There's nothing fake about her and even though she likes her own company, she still has that part of her that would like to spend more time with other people and feel needed but she can't help the way she is and she just wants to understand it more.

It was fascinating to see the way the story was told over the missing 10 years, and how they'd changed as people and Jonathon is an extremely understanding and compassionate character and a rarity in seeing through the awkwardness of Annika to see the real, sweet and genuine person she is. There's sadness, laughs and all the feels in this book and it's one I highly recommend picking up!

If you want to lose yourself in an extraordinary love story, do yourself a favour and pick this book up right now!
This book absolutely blew my mind. I knew it will be good, but I didn’t expect it to be quite so different from other romances that I have previously read. But I was so wrong! This is definitely something else.
The story opens with Annika bumping into Jonathan, her college boyfriend, 10 years after they first met. It then jumps back and forth between 1991 and 2001.
Annika is the quirkiest, kindest and most loveable heroine I have ever met in a book and I loved that half the story was written from her POV, as I really felt like I was navigating through life with her. She is different, and while she suffers from it, she has luckily found some amazing people who stand by her and accept her for who she is.
Jonathan, the other main character (and Annika’s love of her life) is simply amazing. The other half of the story comes from his POV, which truly makes the story whole. He’s such a caring guy, I wish there were more people like him out there!
So, while this is clearly a love story, written from the two main characters POV and in two timelines - 2001 and 1991 - it so also so much more. It is a heart-warming story about acceptance, being brave and standing up for what we believe in,and also about being kind to others.
I could go on and on about this book for hours, I read it in little more than 24hrs and it is one of my absolute favourite books now. I simply loved everything about it. I know this unique story and the amazing characters will stay with me for a long time. I don’t even know what to read next, this will sure be hard to top!!

Thank you NetGalley, the publishers and the author for my free advanced copy to read and review!

On choosing this book to read, I would have never have predicted the outcome. I thought it was going to be, boy meets girl, they fall in love, lose eachother, then find one another again, the end. But it was way more than that.
I love relationships in this book, the characters, the awareness it brings to certain stigmas put on people who do not fit into the "normal" category of life.

"Do one thing every day that scares you" Eleanor Roosevelt

After finishing this novel this morning. I think there are a lot of really great threads. It engaged me throughout where I read pretty steadily over a 2 day period, Some reviews have noted that it was a non-stop read but there are threads that are very "angsty" and serious and personally, I needed the time to take a step back especially the last 20% with a Neurodivergandant heroine, it was expected that a smooth sailing romance/chick lit wouldn't be typical.
I have to note the time jump (2001 and the 90s) works really well. Both developing the characters and enriching the love story. The beats that I really appreciated where was when the author explored "normal" to Annika, her having learnt/growing/mimicking behaviours to allow her to be "normal". I quote normal as this was Annika's want/need to be seen as "normal" (not on the autism spectrum) by the hero Jonathan. It showed repeatedly with every difficult situation ( social interactions, coping mechanisms which went wrong, driving a car) the characters great development within herself and finally learning to accept and grow to someone who she wants to be.
Personally, from the 70%, it gets ramped up with tension, To the point at the plot developments at the 80-90 mark leaving me speechless. I gasped out loud, and hand on heart got very angry at the author for playing with the idea of the HEA. I read on, and although there are several knocks (SPOILER- the man in the car at the end, this was very triggering, as the whole time I was scared of the consequences, when he came to her door at the hotel, although it went fine, the threat of this might be triggering especially through the heroines eyes who doesn't always appreciated the dangerous element).

I also want to mention Liz. The spectre of the other women. In Jonathan's head, I don't think even with the bitterness of divorce as a dark cloud to his inner thoughts the author dealt with the other women well. Her mentions were rough. It slightly read like internalised sexism. The other women for wanting a career-dies. She dies at the end and is never given a chance by the reader or author to not be the horrible, unloving, completely different women. That's a shame.

Jonathan throughout despite the above was caring, loving and very very lovely, Aniika was an engaging challenging and beautifully glowing heroine. Their second chance love story really touched me.

Final note, you can easily see where the author has been inspired by, books like " Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" and the more recent but bestselling " The Kiss Quotient". Books like these need to be read. We are living in a time where Cis-white H/h middle-class contemporary romance's as the norm are being questioned. Good. We need more race, class, LGBTQA+, neurodivergence, Disability, own voices and more diverse reading.

***I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review