the girl he used to know

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

Had to think about this one a bit. It’s like the book hangover happens, then I find another book and keep going. I ended up scrolling through my reads from most recently til about last summer and found a great list of books that definitely gave me a book hangover.

I will recommend these books up and down all day. If you haven’t read them, YOU SHOULD.

A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR #2) by Sarah J. Maas

This may be the…fifth? time I’ve read this book since its release and still every dang time, I get a book hangover. I love it so much and I know I subconsciously compare fantasy romance books to it because Rhys and Feyre are forever favorites.

The Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski

I recently re-read these in just the last month and book two WILL ALWAYS BRING A HANGOVER. One so bad that I feel the immediate necessity to read book three and I know exactly what happens. That’s an amazing series.

Faking Under the Mistletoe by Ashley Shepherd

BEST CHRISTMAS READ EVER. I have plans to read it again in December because I loved it so. An indie author that deserves all the praise. This enemies to lovers book is just that fantastic.

New Orleans Rush by Kelly Siskind

You know what’s my favorite? This book is my favorite. Magical and romantic with a solid plot. I can’t wait for her new book this year!

If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. It is one of the best YA Contemporaries I have ever read. I love the character arc, the sweet romance and the real feel of high school. It has all the things.

Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove #1) by Shelby Mahurin

Top debut of 2019. Yup, I said it. THIS WAS AMAZING. I love a good forced marriage plot line. And the romance is MMM SO GOOD YES. Book two is sure to be one of my favorites of 2020.

The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom #1) by Danielle L. Jensen

Were you waiting for this one? I have made my love for this book KNOWN. I’m even listening to it for a third time in preparation for the sequel. And I’m getting giddy all over again!

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

Ooooo yes. I read this book in one sitting. ONE SITTING. And an actual I started it in the evening and didn’t go to bed until I had my ending. I loooooved this second chance romance. It left me dazed in the best way.

Air Awakens Series by Elise Kova

**Air Awakens | Fire Falling | Earth’s End | Water’s Wrath | Crystal Crowned**

I also have a very clear obsession for this series. I binged this all within two months because I couldn’t get enough. Fire Falling probably gave me the worst hangover. The entire series itself was such a masterpiece.

All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

Hoover’s ability to take real and utterly raw emotions of the human condition and make them a beautiful romance that makes you want to cry and cheer all in the same breath is unbelievable on it’s own. And that very long sentence is all this book needs for me to hopefully convince you to read it.

Instagram || Goodreads

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: Fiction + Contemporary Romance
Length: 291 pages
Author: Tracey Garvis Graves
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Release Date: April 2nd, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

A QUICK READ WITH ALL THE FEELS.

This is one of those books that came in hard and fast and left me reeling.

Annika is a brave, strong, caring and loyal woman. She is on the autism spectrum and while I can’t speak to whether this was a good depiction or not, I love how quirky, unfiltered, and sweet she was.

This was a second chance love story with Annika’s first everything love, Jonathan. I ADORED HIM. He was someone who may not have always understood Annika, but never tried to force her into something she wasn’t comfortable with or treat her poorly otherwise. I think we all want to feel that kind of respect and love in our lives. Their relationship flowed beautifully and I appreciated that this second-chance wasn’t because of some over dramatic break-up. Both Annika and Jonathan may not have handled the break-up in the best way (which they both acknowledged), they were at least finally able to discuss what needed to be said.

JANICE. What a friend y’all. I also think everyone needs a friend like her. She was absolutely wonderful and I thought her and Annika’s friendship was amazing. Their friendship grew and changed over time as well, and I love that they continually reached out to one another even when states apart.

I thought this was a great use of the back and forth timeline trope. Sometimes it can get bogged down in one area or another, but this one flipped back and forth at the perfect times. The chapters are shorter and easily flow. I literally finished this book in one day because I could NOT PUT IT DOWN.

The twist towards the end did blindside me a bit. There were definitely a few hints I am now looking back and realizing. Was it necessary to add that craziness? Maybe not, but I still panicked and flipped out nonetheless. I didn’t love how quickly it ended, but since I got my tender and sweet love story I’m okay with it. I could have definitely used an epilogue though.

Overall audience notes:

Fiction + Contemporary romance
Language: a little throughout
Romance: kisses, make-outs, a few explicit love scenes (but not vulgar if that makes sense)
Trigger warnings: bullying, miscarriage, depression, suicide ideation, plane crashes