The Girl He Used to Know - by Tracey Garvis Graves (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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.

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.

Review Quotes

Careful to balance the emotional and intellectual power between Annika and Jonathan, Graves creates a believable love affair in which Annika is not infantilized but rather fully realized as simply different. And her differences become her strengths when catastrophe strikes, compelling Annika to take the lead for the first time in her life. A heartwarming, neurodiverse love story. - Kirkus

Graves's strong, autistic heroine fights for the love she once lost in this sensitive, affecting romance. - Shelf Awareness

An accidental meeting rekindles the romance between former college lovers Annika and Jonathan. Endearing characters will reinforce your faith in people's goodness. - Good Housekeeping

There are a lot of romantic books coming out in April, but none quite like The Girl He Used to Know. - Cosmopolitan

Unputdownable - Refinery29

The perfect modern rom-com read. - Hellogiggles

A second-chance romance that will get you ready for days of dreamy summer reading (and dating)... - Bustle

Tracey Garvis Graves is a must read author. Her voice is wise, tender and refreshing. - Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The Six

Tracey Garvis Graves has crafted an incredible story with a unique premise and characters you'll want to root for. The last thirty pages had me on the edge of my seat. This book is beautiful. - Colleen Hoover, #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us and All Your Perfects

I adore Tracey Garvis Graves' work. - Sarah Pekkanen, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Wife Between Us

Written with sensitivity and spot-on truth, this is the most riveting, rewarding, refreshing novel I've read in years. - Barbara Delinsky, New York Times bestselling author of Sweet Salt Air

From page one, this enchanting story resonates with gentle humor and lush detail. I adored this book. - Tammara Webber, New York Times bestselling author of Easy and Breakable

Smart and sensitive, with wholly original characters you can't help but root for, The Girl He Used to Know is unlike any book I've read. I loved every page." --Camille Pagán, bestselling author of Life and Other Near-Death Experiences

"Tracey Garvis-Graves keeps the tension high throughout, and readers will be rooting for this pair's happy ending from the first page until the last." - Kate Hilton, bestselling author of The Hole in the Middle andJust Like Family

Tracey Garvis Graves pens a compelling novel with beautifully rendered characters, an extraordinary tale filled with sensitivity and empathy that gives readers a peek into the world of autism through the eyes of a woman who proves to be as audacious as she is charming. Readers, don't you dare miss this love story. - Kellie Coates Gilbert, author of the Sun Valley Series

Tracey delivers another romantic gem! This time an engaging exploration of second-chance love mixed with real-life drama. The last few chapters had my heart beating fast and furious." --Dina Silver, author of No Time To Blink and One Pink Line

Tracey Garvis Graves has the magical gift of capturing enduring love in the face of adversity, and The Girl He Used to Know is no exception . . . well written, engaging and quietly romantic. - Renee Carlino, National bestselling author of Blind Kiss

"Tracey Garvis Graves is a master at writing layered characters you're thrilled to spend time with, and Annika and Jonathan are no exception. The Girl He Used to Know is a consume-in-one-sitting read, full of heart and depth, with a most satisfying ending. I loved it!" - Karma Brown, bestselling author of The Life Lucy Knew

"Both charming and unique, The Girl He Used to Know follows Annika and Jonathan as they grapple with how the past defines their present. The climax of their sweeping love story will slam you hard in the chest, leaving you grasping for tissues as you race to find out if they'll find their happy ending." - Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke, bestselling authors of The Good Widow

"Tracey Garvis-Graves has written a beautiful novel that goes far beyond the classic boy meets girl. Annika is a unique character who will stay with you long after the last page and the ending will have you cheering and reaching for a box of tissues at the same time. A true love story for the ages. - Anita Hughes, author of California Summer

"On the surface, this book might appear to be a girl-meets-boy, girl-loses-boy, girl-gets-boy-back-years-later type of story. But dig a little and you'll find so much more. The girl in question is not your usual heroine: she's somewhere on the autism spectrum. And the boy isn't typical either--he's not trying to take advantage of her, he's trying to heal too. Both a touching love story and an interesting insight into life on the spectrum, I raced through this in a day and felt all the feels when life intervened in a way that might have kept them apart forever. I recommend it." - Catherine McKenzie, bestselling author of Hidden and The Good Liar

"This wonderful novel deals with life and love on the spectrum with captivating and heart-warming characters who will stay with you long after you've finished. Memorable, and remarkable, Tracey Garvis Graves has written another winner." - Kaira Rouda, bestselling author, Best Day Ever and What Comes Around

About The Author

Tracey Garvis Graves is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into thirty-one languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, Cherish, Heart-Shaped Hack, White-Hot Hack, and The Girl He Used to Know