The Girl He Used to Know: A Novel
<— FIVE STARS OF FAN-FREAKING-TASTICNESS!!! Holy moly, you guys weren’t kidding!!! When the recommendations came in fast and furious, letting me know it was a MUST-READ,
Shara: Just finished the girl he used to know. Loved it! It was so beautifully written. Loved both the H/h. Definitely 5 stars for me. Highly recommend
Michele G: I finished The Girl He Used To Know yesterday afternoon. I absolutely loved it! It was primarily written from the POV of Annika which made the book so special because seeing things from her perspective was such a gift. It was helpful to get some chapters from Jonathan’s POV as well to better understand his thought processes as well. I just can’t sing enough praises – it was such a beautifully written, original story of not just love but hope.
Linda: The Girl He Used To Know was a “must read EVERY word” kinda read. Absolutely adored the H/h.
Mona: I just finished The Girl He Used to Know … and wow! This story is about Annika and Jonathan. It is a second chance romance and goes back and forth between present and past and gives both POVs. The clincher is Annika has autism spectrum disorder. I love books by Tracey Garvis-Graves! You have to read this book!
y’all forgot to mention…
QUICK NOTE BEFORE I CONTINUE TELLING YOU ABOUT IT: I recommend going into this book BLIND (just knowing that you’ll lose yourself to it and LOVE it, I promise!!) but stop reading here if you don’t want to know any more.
I don’t spoil it below, but I really appreciate having gone in without knowing a thing.
*ahem* Back to what I was saying… 😉
Y’all forgot to mention that it had my favorite kind of book-temptation. A jaw-dropping, knock-me-flat-on-my-butt, throw-the-book-across-the-room twist!!! THAT. WAS. AMAZING!!!!!!
Maryse: Whoa. Everyone has to read this awesomeness. This author is a genius storyteller (and you’ll see why)!!! I made it through. It soothed me, intrigued me, and then it made me panic and I LOVED every bit of it!! Review to come, but the review will say this: 5 STARS. READ IT!!!
Kristen: Wow. I have no other words. Saw this post, bought this book and crashed in head first. I read on my phone, so no throwing it at walls but I did have to put it down for a time. 😉 Best way to spend an evening!
Maryse: OH THIS MAKES ME HAPPY!! You freaked out too!! 😉 OMG GOODNESS though, right??? WHOA.
Kari: Absolutely loved this book!
But I appreciate not knowing anything “jaw-dropping” was coming. Would I have devoured it faster had I known? Yep, probably. But it was an even better surprise not waiting for it. I DID NOT see that coming.
I went in completely blind other than knowing our heroine was on the spectrum in some way – possibly Aspergers – and I love reading those. I love exploring the world from another view entirely, and so often, I feel I can relate. I get it. So I was IN from the start.
BUT!! While I was enjoying it throughout the whole read (and pretty much devoured it in one day, almost in one sitting), I kept wondering what about it, made so many readers “5-star” it THAT hard. It was, good, interesting, and a look back and forth into the lives of a couple that almost made it, and then lost each other. And then… unexpectedly see each other again in a coffee shop ten years later. Eeeeeep!! Exciting and nerve-wracking when all of those feelings, heartache, and regrets come flooding back.
It was fascinating, a little heartbreaking, stressful at times (would they get their true second chance? What happened?) and yet so soothing at the same time. AND THEN…
WHOA!!!
So many things come to light.
AND THEN.
WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!
I. WAS. FLOOOOOORED!!!!
Maryse: OMG STOP IT!!!!! I just hit a part in “The Girl He Used to Know” and I threw the book (I have a print copy so it’s safe… albeit bent). I don’t “know” exactly what I’m about to read, because I threw it too fast, but… I need to pace.
Val: It’s so good! I really loved it. Pick that book back up and get on it.
Maryse: I just did… OMG I’m FREAKING OUT!
Val: we are holding your hand virtually! You got this. We got you.
Christine: Its really good and I thought the same thing when I was at the same spot you were . . . . Just wish there was an epilogue
Juana: Awesome Read! Stays with you for awhile definitely book hangover after reading this book!
Ang: Ok so I am reading this book right now. Have not reached this part yet. Can not wait for it now. Love Tracey Garvis Graves writing.
Pamela: I have it on audiobook and was driving when I got to this part….
Maryse: GASP!!!!!!!
Char: I know what part you’re talking about because the same thing happened to me! LOL!! I had to take a break. I felt like someone actually punched me in the stomach. Great book, though! LOVED it!
Terry: I loved this book. Started on chapter 1 as i didn’t want one single little hint. I bet you are on the same page i was. But I controlled myself and just slammed it on the couch.. lol
Reyna: I went through the same emotions with this book! I absolutely loved
Keri: This was the BEST book!!! Just wish it would have had an epilogue. I wonder if I can convince her to write one? …At a certain part in the book, I had some anxiety. I had to put it down because it had me overwhelmed with unpleasant memories. Amazing book but I wasn’t expecting that.
Nadia: I’m having such a hard time getting into it but you just made me want to pick it back up.
Crystal: same here! I started it but put it down, guess I’ll have to try again!
Maryse: PICK IT UP!!!!!! It’s soothing until…
Carol: Great book. She does this. Weaves in *spoiler* when you aren’t expecting it at all!
Maryse: She’s incredible. I DID NOT see that coming. Not for a second!!!
Lori: Finished it Friday. #bookhangover
Okay… my butt may have still been on the couch (even though I was floored), but my book was thrown straight across the room. MY JAW DROPPED. MY GASP and my book-throwing panic had my dogs looking at me like I had lost my mind.
They’re I was, hypothetically on my butt… when it all clicked together, in absolute awe at how amazingly clever this author is, as well as being an amazing writer and storyteller. YET AGAIN, I fall in love with her characters and yet again, I completely lose myself in her world.
MUST READ IT!!
Rachel: Just bought because of this post!!! Can’t wait to start.
Cindy: The only other time I heard of someone throwing a book it was “The Exorcist” so Omg 😬
Anne: I am waiting on my copy to arrive — hoping tomorrow. Definitely excited after reading all these posts!
Michelle: It was so good!!!!! Worth every penny!
Sandy: This DARN book!
Courtney: I just bought this one…this makes me excited to read it. ♥️
Susan: Whaat! I have to read this!
Maryse: YES YOU DO!!! 😀 !!!
5 STARS!!! EASILY!!!! Unforgettable, and the ONLY thing I wish for, for this story… is an epilogue. The ending moved pretty quickly, and I felt it needed just a bit more attention to detail. Maybe that will come? *fingers crossed*
P.S. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy. I’m sorry I threw it. 😉
Maryse I totally agree about an epilogue!! Didn’t want to say anything prematurely because truly a 5* read but I needed more closure!! Ending way to rushed.
AGREED!!! For such a beautifully detailed book, that ending came and went way tooo fast!
Been reading this for over a week. It is my commute book. It’s good. Around 70% in. If the part I hit is the gasp part I guess I’m not as emotionally invested as I should be. It was sad but I didn’t have that strong of a reaction. Maybe there is something else?
Hrmmm…. nope. I don’t think you’re there yet. 😉
Actually 79%…..and not the sad part . They are on the way to visit her family and she is trying to drive. Is the brother dating the wife? Lol. Now my mind is going to run rampant.
Hey, can we do spoiler tags now?
LOL!!! Definitely not at the part 😉
*squeeeeee*
I will look into spoiler options for the comments… that just might be a great idea!
I just saw the date.
Skipped your review, but your “5 Star Jaw Drop” comment had me!!
YAY Jean!!!! :D!!!
GO IN BLIND!!!
YES YES YES to everything you said!! I know what part you’re talking about. I saw the date and was all, “no, no, no, no, motherf’n NO!!!!! You are NOT going there!!” It’s been a while since I flew through the last part of a book just to see what was going to happen.
Annika and Jonathan…oh, my heart. I fell so hard for BOTH of them.
And I have to say, I loved the last line. It was such a perfectly timed little bit of inconsequential info, and an adorable way to end it. 😉
Yeees Maryse! This book is that amazing. A 5 star even with that rushed end. Love it! Have you read The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang? It’s Just as good. It’s kind of a mix of this book with pretty woman. I love it. I couln’t even sleep till I finish it.
Awesome review
I need this book in my life right now!
I can’t wait to read this!!!! It looks so good! Love your review! ❤️
Thank you for the chance. I’d love to win the arc for this book.
This sounds awesome!
Sounds awesome l!
Sounds awesome!
I haven’t had a chance to read this one but now I want to move it to the top of my TBR! Thanks for the chance at winning an ARC copy!
A book that you threw?! MY TYPE OF BOOK!!!! I cannot wait to read this one!!!
Just clicked today. Can’t wait to read.
After reading your 5* Review & having it reduced to $1.99, I 1-clicked!!
I just discovered this book blog and scrolled through it to see what kinds of books you discuss. I discovered this book at Target a couple weeks ago and read it in one sitting. I think I know what you mean by the spoiler; I watched the dates in the present time get closer and closer to “THAT” date and thought oh, no. I too would like an update, only it might not be what we want it to be. I watched the news recently about a 41 year old former policeman who recently passed because of his exposure and time spent there at that location. Remember that the hero had two serious bouts with pneumonia.
Anyway, this book is now on my keeper shelf. I haven’t added on to that shelf in several years.