THE GIRL HE USED TO KNOW
Tracey Garvis Graves
Publication date: April 2, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: St. Martin's Press
GOODREADS | AMAZON
S Y N O P S I S
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.
M Y T H O U G H T S
Do you ever come across those rare stories that are so
perfectly “you?” This is one of those stories for me. I fell in love with these
characters and their story. This is what my
kind of five star read looks like.
“Did you ever fall
in love with a girl who was different? Not just from any girl you’d ever dated
before, but from most people in general?” - Jonathan
Annika knows she’s not like everyone else. Awkward and
unsure in social situations, overwhelmed by noise and crowds, and never able to
intuit what others are thinking, she counts on her roommate’s guidance to
navigate through her daily life.
“I try so hard to
fit in. I spend hours studying appropriate behaviors.” She makes little air
quotes around the last two words. “I will never get it right! Do you know what
that’s like? It’s the most frustrating thing in the world.” - Annika
Annika and Jonathan meet over a chess board in college.
Annika – focused on winning, Jonathan – focused on the beautiful but shy girl
across from him. A tentative friendship leads to a romance that is
life-changing for them both. They weather tragedy together and when Jonathan
graduates and moves to New York City he wants Annika to go with him. But Annika
retreats into herself and pulls away, leaving Jonathan no choice but to move
on. A chance meeting ten years later brings them face to face with their past
and a second chance seems possible – if they can face what went wrong the first
time.
“I can hardly
remember the names of the girls who came before her, and after her there was
only Liz. But I can recall with unbelievable clarity almost everything that
happened during the time I spent with Annika.” - Jonathan
Graves wrote Annika with such a deft hand and made her a
fully realized character, not just a label, or a generic “quirky girl with
issues.” Annika was complex, disarmingly self-aware, and equal parts timid and
incredibly brave. I connected with Annika from the very start. I understood
her, I was frustrated with her, I cheered for her. Her daily life was a
struggle, most personal interactions were confounding, but she found ways to
cope. I loved this woman who took things at face value, who didn’t understand
sarcasm or nuances, and who was completely with artifice.
“I tried to fill my
days with more social interaction, but that only left me feeling overwhelmed
and exhausted. A personal connection with someone was what I craved most.
Someone who understood my needs and was willing to speak my language.
Someone Like
Jonathan.” Annika
Neither Annika nor Jonathan were perfect, but they were
perfect for each other. Jonathan took the time to see beyond Annika’s unique
challenges and saw her for the special person she was. He was kind and patient,
observant and attentive. He wanted to protect her from those who would see
Annika’s differences and consider her somehow less than, but he also encouraged her
to try new things and push her limits.
“How can you want
to be with someone like me? How were you able to fall in love with someone who
acts the way I do?” “It was easier than
you think.”
Told in alternating timelines – the college years in 1991
and their present set in 2001 – this was a story that captured my heart and my
emotions. The dramatic events near the end, which in less skilled hands could
have felt gimmicky, were instead used beautifully to show real character growth
and the lengths one will go to overcome fears for the one they love.
The Girl He Used to Know is a one of a kind story that
became an instant favorite. I loved these flawed characters who felt utterly
authentic. Annika and Jonathan’s story was sweet and compelling and emotional
and I loved every minute I spent with them. This is truly a story of my heart
and will stay with me for a long time to come.
5/5 STARS
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.
