Author: Tracey Garvis Graves
Pages: 304
Publisher: St Martin Press
Release Date: 2nd April 2019
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Women's Fiction
Format: Kindle
{GoodReads Synopsis}
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.
As I was reading I kept thinking that this is one of those feel-good books, where you witness two characters' lives and love story. There is more to this, of course. Annika is an autistic woman and this makes many things more difficult and challenging for her. I adored her! Jonathan, the other half of the love story, is a guy who sees Annika's awesomeness and falls in love with her. I adored him! Basically, there is no bad character for me in this novel.
By the time I crossed the half point of the novel, I was worried that things seemed to be heading in a too good to be true direction: where is the twist? the drama? the unexpected something? It comes when you see the date at the beginning of one of the chapters: September 8. And the year 2001. So that's why this story is set so many years ago! I literally stopped reading, closed the book, and whispered: "oh, my God! I hope not!" Because 9/11 can only mean one thing.
It was a good novel, it was funny and Annika was an endearing character, as was her best friend, Janice (if I remember correctly...)
One thing that bothered me was all the explicit love scenes; the graphic depictions could have been left out and nothing of the romance of the story would have been lost. In order to understand that Annika and Jonathan's love story was possible, I am sure we could have done without being given all the details of their intimate moments. Annika would have cringed had she seen this part of her life exposed. Just sayin'. It seemed that their story was hard to believe possible, so we needed to be proven through detailed love-making that see? they can be a normal couple. It was a belittling of the characters.
Other than this unfortunate part, I enjoyed this novel. Annika reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant of Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, but this is only because these two novels are the only ones with an autistic character.
I received a free e-book copy of the book from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
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.
As I was reading I kept thinking that this is one of those feel-good books, where you witness two characters' lives and love story. There is more to this, of course. Annika is an autistic woman and this makes many things more difficult and challenging for her. I adored her! Jonathan, the other half of the love story, is a guy who sees Annika's awesomeness and falls in love with her. I adored him! Basically, there is no bad character for me in this novel.
By the time I crossed the half point of the novel, I was worried that things seemed to be heading in a too good to be true direction: where is the twist? the drama? the unexpected something? It comes when you see the date at the beginning of one of the chapters: September 8. And the year 2001. So that's why this story is set so many years ago! I literally stopped reading, closed the book, and whispered: "oh, my God! I hope not!" Because 9/11 can only mean one thing.
It was a good novel, it was funny and Annika was an endearing character, as was her best friend, Janice (if I remember correctly...)
One thing that bothered me was all the explicit love scenes; the graphic depictions could have been left out and nothing of the romance of the story would have been lost. In order to understand that Annika and Jonathan's love story was possible, I am sure we could have done without being given all the details of their intimate moments. Annika would have cringed had she seen this part of her life exposed. Just sayin'. It seemed that their story was hard to believe possible, so we needed to be proven through detailed love-making that see? they can be a normal couple. It was a belittling of the characters.
Other than this unfortunate part, I enjoyed this novel. Annika reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant of Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, but this is only because these two novels are the only ones with an autistic character.
I received a free e-book copy of the book from the publisher via Net Galley. All thoughts expressed here are my own.
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