Synopsis in a sentence (or two): Daphne and her fiancé Peter have the cutest backstory about how they met, fell in love, and eventually ended up in his hometown. It is the perfect story until Peter admits to being in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne quickly realizes she needs a roommate, and Petra's ex happens to fit that need despite being her exact opposite in every way. 

Characters:
This one started so differently from other rom-com stories in that the reader is thrust into what feels like the middle of the story without knowing the characters. By the second or third chapter, I’d completely fallen in love with the bookish, introverted MC, Daphne, and by ten percent in, I was equally in love with her roommate, Miles. The banter in this one is subdued, yet each funny moment was so perfectly placed that it almost surprised me when I found myself laughing out loud. Each new character that Miles and Daphne meet (except for their exes) is endearing, and their interactions with people and each other are so incredibly fun to watch.

Pacing/Storyline:
I loved the way the plot of this story unfolded. Yes, the breakup of Miles and Daphne’s relationships is the catalyst to the story. Still, the central story is the evolution of Miles and Daphne’s friendship/love. I rarely read a book in one day, especially if I don’t have an audiobook. It’s just not doable for me. That said, this was one digital review copy that I couldn’t put down.
I’ve read all of Emily Henry’s, and this is my favorite. I’ll recommend it to everyone, and I cannot wait to pick up the audiobook to hear Julia Whelan read it to me, as well. I just don’t want to say goodbye to Miles and Daphne anytime soon.

Read this if you love:
📚Abby Jimenez, Katherine Center, Jojo Moyes
📚found family tropes
📚heartwarming opposites attract tropes

Rating: 5.0

Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the Digital Review Copy of Funny Story. All opinions are my own.

Emily Henry is one of my favorite rom-com writers and this one did not disappoint. I’ll admit I was pre-disposed to liking it because fake relationship is one of my favorite tropes. Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their meet-cute story until his story changed and he left her for his childhood best friend. Left without a lot of time or options she moves in with her ex-fiancé’s ex-boyfriend (clearly nothing can go wrong here). While she loves her job as the Children’s Librarian she feels dumb for staying in this place she only moved to for her ex-fiancé. I thought the romance was sweet and I didn’t expect everything about the twist that eventually tore them apart (aka the part of a rom-com when I cry). I thought the side characters could have been developed a little more and honestly I would have also liked a bit more of the workings of Miles too. But this book made me laugh and cry and in the end I was left happy, who can ask for more? Overall I gave it 4.5 stars rounded up because I liked the ending. This book would made a great movie, which to me is the sign of a great rom-com.

Daphne and her fiancé Peter had the perfect meet cute story. They moved to his hometown, Waning Bay, Michigan, where she found her dream job as a children’s librarian. Daphne found herself ensconced in an idyllic life, surrounded by Peter’s family and friends, living in a comfortable house in Peter’s name.

She loved their story… until Peter blew it up the night of his bachelor party, when he decided he was really in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. Now, she has to start over. Daphne moves in with the one person who understands her pain: Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex. The bearded Miles spends his days wallowing and listening to tearjerking ballads.

Organized and buttoned-up Daphne and messy, always-late Miles make an odd couple, but Miles determines that he’s going to show Daphne all the delights of Waning Bay—things that prim and proper Peter avoided. If pictures of their adventures might mislead Peter and Petra into thinking Daphne and Mile are falling in love…well, it just serves them right. Opposites Daphne and Miles would never really fall in love.

I *loved* this book. Part of why I loved it was personal. The very swoony Miles is bearded and works at a winery… like George. Daphne is an only child and grew up with a single mother. The book also addresses female friendships which can be so hard as adults! The side characters are also great: Daphne’s boss and coworkers, Miles’s sister, and all the townspeople while the scenes in the library warmed my heart.

The challenges Daphne and Miles encountered seemed legitimate and relatable, not just poor communication which is a pet peeve of mine.

It’s hard not to talk about Emily Henry without discussing her previous books, so my assessment: BEACH READ has remained my favorite, although now I like FUNNY STORY as much as or more than BEACH READ.

Daphne and Miles are roommates with one thing in common. Their exes just dumped them… for each other. Daphne’s ex, Peter, left Daphne for his longtime best friend, Petra, who had been dating Miles. It’s a long, not so funny story, but when Peter and Petra send a wedding invitation to Daphne and Miles, they accept under the guise that they’ve moved on and are dating each other. With a setup this convoluted, only Emily Henry could pull off this witty, heartfelt, and, yes, funny story. Like all of Emily Henry’s books, Funny Story is filled with main character banter and captivating side characters. In the rankings of Henry’s books this isn’t the top, but it’s still pretty great. Also, for other anxiety-ridden readers worried about the ex factor, there are a few mild run ins, but they’re not too awkward.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is currently my favorite Emily Henry book yet. TRULY MY FAVORITE. I laughed, gasped and teared up a little. And of course loved the HEA.

The journey of Daphne and Miles coming together was absolutely delightful. Both having lost their significant others (one a fiancé and the other a girlfriend) to each other, they find solace in their childhood friendship blossoming into something more.

Daphne's decision to move in with Miles after uprooting her life for her ex-fiancé, Pete, was both heartwarming and relatable. Witnessing Daphne transition from counting down the days until she could leave to eagerly anticipating their next adventure together was a joy to experience. Watching her fall in love again, find someone who truly cares for her, and discover a newfound family with Miles was incredibly touching.

As for Miles, his scruffy and chaotic nature, paired with a love for heartbreak ballads, provided the perfect contrast to Daphne's practical and buttoned-up demeanor. Despite their differences, their friendship blossoms over shared sorrows and a plan to navigate their predicament.

The synopsis perfectly captures the essence of the story: two individuals navigating unexpected twists of fate, forming an unlikely friendship, and embarking on a journey filled with humor, heart, and a touch of romance. Emily Henry masterfully weaves a tale of love, friendship, and self-discovery against the backdrop of Waning Bay, Michigan. Overall, "Funny Story" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys heartwarming contemporary romances with a healthy dose of humor and charm.

Funny Story was a great return to form for Emily Henry, after the absolute miss Happy Place was for me last year. Can't recommend it enough!

Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an arc for review

Emily Henry has this ability to perfectly balance self-growth, introspection, and hurt with romantic comedy in the most heartfelt and relatable way. Funny Story might have just made its way to my #1 spot in the rankings of her books. It’s messy, it’s raw, and just so wonderfully written. Miles is the fictional book boyfriend we deserve.

Emily Henry’s books are usually hit or miss for me with the ones that most people tend to love most being the ones that didn’t work for me. 🙈

BUT…I’m happy to say that I found 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 absolutely delightful. A lighthearted romance with great characters - I loved both Daphne and Miles, as well as the great cast of supporting characters - you’ll enjoy this one if you like:

- slow burn romance
- fake dating
- roommates/friends to lovers
- forced proximity
- opposites attract
- witty banter
- small town settings

5/5 ⭐️

this book came at the perfect time in my life, and it felt a bit like fate. daphne’s story healed some parts of me i didn’t even know needed healing. i am daphne, she is me.

this my first book by emily henry and it won’t be my last. i’ve been meaning to read her books for a while now, but i never got around to it. i think funny story was the perfect place for me to start my emhen journey.

are you a mirrorball/archer/yoyok girlie? this one is for you. daphne goes through a lot of growth in this book, and yes miles helps her a lot, but it’s not about her going from the arms of one guy to another’s, it’s about her finding herself first.

she goes on this self-discovery journey after realizing how empty her life is and how she doesn’t even know herself anymore. she tries new things, makes new friends (as someone also in her 30s, i found it refreshing to read that!), discover new places, and realizes that, at the end of the day, love and friendship might not always last, but it’s not a reason to avoid opening up to others. daphne’s trust issues, her fear of people always leaving her, was very reminiscent of my own issues and i cried while reading her thoughts and feelings because they resonated so much with me.

miles is just an all-around great guy. he’s very nick miller coded, but he has his own issues when it comes to dealing with negative feelings and expressing them. he’s perfect for daphne and i love how they complete each other. he helps her see the positive and the possibilities in life, and she helps him deal with his negative emotions and teaches him that he doesn’t always have to be happy.

if you’re looking for the perfect summer romcom, with emotions and character growth, this is the one!

i would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

read this book if you like:
- romcom with emotions
- roommates to lovers
- fake dating
- forced proximity
- opposites attract
- found family
- summer read

Reading Funny Story was such a treat and felt especially rewarding considering the fact that Happy Place didn't meet my Emily-Henry romance standard.
Funny Story was centred around the heartbroken life of Daphne who, recently dumped by her fiancee who left her for his best (girl) friend, somehow ended up moving in with said best (girl) friend's ex-boyfriend as a solution of convenience. Time passes, boy and girl sharing the same space, shared hatred towards their devious ex-partners... the tension was REAL!
The story is messy and fun and at some point I became really heated about the way the relationships/ friendships panned out due to circumstances (and miscommunication!!!)
Emily Henry's latest book was overall a very fun read. It was lighthearted and enjoyable and I enjoyed that the bickering and character interactions felt genuine. Reading this book felt like watching a good feel-good rom-com!
Emily Henry's novels almost always take place somewhere sunny and on vacation/ a getaway. I think this was the first of her novels that explored the idea of being 'home' where home wasn't exactly cozy but rather a very strange and unfamiliar setting in Waning Bay, Michigan, far from her true family 'home'. It actually kind of follows the idea of 'getting away' but not in the vacation sense haha - still very much gave off the feeling of being on vacation/ exploring unfamiliar territory.
One thing I will say about this novel is that the miscommunication trope was so hurtful to my romantic heart! Emily Henry knows how to play with our heartstrings that's for sure!

I'm a big fan of Emily Henry's works as I enjoy her writing style and I find her view on the romance genre to be more tasteful than most. While Henry's romance novels are still typically cheesy (as they should be!) I find that her style of writing makes the romance-cringe more tolerable and easier to digest. Her characters are realistic and easy to like (or hate!)
Definitely enjoyed this book enough to recommend it and re-read in the future!

Two jilted exes start fake dating in light of their exes upcoming wedding

Emily Henry never disappoints me! I loved this book! Miles and Daphne are thrown together after their significant others, who were best friends, leave them for each other. I loved how Miles was there for Daphne and took her on adventures and helped her find herself again. He is top tier book boyfriend material!

As with all of Henry’s books, the secondary characters and the fictional town were both charming and delightful, making me wish they were real. I was invested in these people and their emotions. The mix of romance and emotion was so good. Henry’s books are always so full of heart and this one deals with parental abandonment and abuse, yet manages to leave you feeling hopeful and empowered. Highly recommend!

4.5 Stars, rounded up

This Emily Henry novel found me at the right time, since I just finished a full marathon of "New Girl".

If you're a fan of Jess and Nick, you need to read this book immediately! It's a children's librarian and a wine bartender trying to get over their exes together. If you had told me Henry pulled a "Fifty Shades of Grey" on this one I would have believed you (It also meant she would have pulled it off much better, for the record).

This was an instant page-turner for me and I found myself upset it was over once I finished it. While it ends perfectly, Daphne, Miles, Ashley, and Julia were so fun to follow that I wanted more adventures with them. The only downside of the story was that there is some miscommunication in play with the ending, but I did appreciate the author trying to justify the plot point. I'll probably still find myself rereading this one at some point, because everything else in the story made that one hiccup worth it.

Please keep in mind the references to cheating, toxic family relationships, and narcissistic parents. Also there are adult scenes in this story. If you have trouble with those subjects, then I'd recommend skipping this one.

Thank you Penguin Random House Audio and Berkley Romance for this complimentary audiobook and gifted copy.

This book was fantastic in every way, and the audio was perfection. Emily Henry writer + Julia Whelan narration, just wow. Funny, heartwarming and addictive, I have a new favorite.
A must read, all the stars.

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱?

𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆!

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

Emily Henry can really do no wrong. All of her books are delightful, including this one. Loved the roommates-to-lovers and exes’ ex tropes here.

Ever since I read Emily Henry’s Beach Read, I’ve been waiting for one of her books to hit me the same way. Book Lovers didn’t do it. Neither did her other bestsellers. But, Funny Story, her latest romantic comedy, has two wonderful protagonists I wanted to root for. I read this one in one sitting. It was just what I was waiting to read.

Daphne Vincent followed boyfriend, Peter Collins, back to his hometown in Waning Bay, Michigan, found a job she loves as a children’s librarian, and moved into the house that Peter bought. When Peter returned from his bachelor party with the news that he realized he loved his lifelong best friend, Petra, and was dumping Daphne, she had nowhere to go. Daphne had turned Peter’s life into hers. She ended up moving in with Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex.

Now, Daphne’s on a countdown. As a lifelong introvert, the public library was always her safe place. She has a Read-a-thon planned for the library, and she doesn’t want to leave Waning Bay until she successfully completes the event. But, she wants to be anywhere but in the town where Peter and Petra grew up.

Miles didn’t grow up in Waning Bay, but he loves the town. He’s grieving his loss of Petra as much as Daphne grieves the breakup with Peter. They decide to show Peter and Petra that life goes on without them. They joke that they’ll date each other, post pictures on social media, and show how happy they can be without their exes. And, Miles is going to show Waning Bay to Daphne so she’ll love the town as much as she loves her job as a children’s librarian.

Funny Story what happens to Daphne and Miles. Yes, anyone can see it coming. But, Henry gives us two characters in their thirties who have been hurt by their parents. Daphne and Miles have to look at themselves and their families before they can move on. Daphne has to be willing to let someone into her life and her heart. Miles has his own work to do.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming romcom, try Funny Story.

Thank you @prhaudio and @berkleypub for the #gifted copies! #partner

I have clearly been living under some type of bookish rock, as I’m extremely late to the phenomenon that is Emily Henry, but now I know what all the hype is about! Funny Story is a treasure! Obviously it’s funny (hello, the title!) and romantic, but it’s so much more! It’s playful, flirty, clever, and emotional. I loved Daphne and Miles together and I loved them separately. Daphne is a children’s librarian (she does all the voices at story time!) who’s awkward and endearing, and Miles is a scruffily hot tattooed bartender who is the personification of a cinnamon roll MMC… well, let’s just say I think I found my favorite book boyfriend ever. The two of them together have so much chemistry and their banter is irresistible!

This rom com has some of my favorite tropes: fake dating, forced proximity, friends to lovers, and opposites attract. There’s plenty of emotion here too, with two broken relationships and lots of dysfunctional family baggage to boot. There’s a bit of a found family vibe with Daphne’s budding friendship with her coworker Ashleigh, who is a fantastic side character. I also loved the Lake Michigan setting – I’m an absolute sucker for authentic Michigan vibes! Although Waning Bay isn’t a real place, everything around it is: Traverse City, Mackinac, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and even grocery shopping at Meijer and Family Fare.

I both read and listened to this one, and when it comes to the audiobook, I have just two words. Julia. Whelan. Her narration is simply fantastic. Now please excuse me while I go listen to her narrate Emily’s backlist!

This book has a wildly original premise and I loved how funny the novel was. Emily Henry can do no wrong!

A smashing success! Emily Henry's work is akin to Taylor that the worst book in her catalog according to the reader would still be better than most everybody else's work, but in my opinion this is one of her best. My critique would be limited to it having some Beach Read similarities. Oh no! (sarcasm) I for one just think it is a return to her very best writing. She has made such a weird premise work so well in a day where I think a lot of romance writers in particular are writing based on tropes and trying to shoehorn in a lot in order to capture readers attention. Henry just takes a bit a does it better, truly. I was so happy to reading this and feeling like I was reading something I hadn't yet read which is such a great feeling as an avid romance reader, it is a high I am always chasing. I fear I will be waiting for this feeling again until her next. There are so many great authors and works out there but Emily Henry has cemented herself and continues to as the queen atop the hill, she stands alone writing books for readers and lovers of books. Henry is to romance books as Swift is to music, legends we have the privilege of watching.

EMILY HENRY DOES IT AGAIN!!

I'm not sure how she keeps doing it, but every novel she writes she knocks it out of the park. Book Lovers/Happy Place remain tied for my all-time favorites, but this book might take second place!

It follows two nice people, Daphne and Miles, who get dumped by their significant others...who left Miles and Daphne for each other. This leaves Daphne without a home, and Miles without a roommate, so naturally they move in together. Gosh the story sounds cliché, but it ISN'T. So much about gaining independence, while still being brave enough/vulnerable enough to open your heart and still let people in. Learning that you're enough on your own, while also learning to accept love from others. I related to this book in so many different ways. GAH I LOVED IT SO MUCH.

Daphne moved to Waning Bay, Michigan following her fiancé, Peter, back to his hometown. Her planned future with him is everything she’s always wanted: stability, family, friends, and a gorgeous Victorian home. Everything is perfect until Peter decides he’s actually in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. They get together leaving Daphne homeless, so she ends up moving in with Miles, Petra’s ex-boyfriend, also dumped. Daphne’s counting the days until she can pick up and move.

I loved everything about this romance! Miles and Daphne bonding over fake dating, fun outings, whacky family, new friends, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments! They also bonded over sad things: heartache, toxic family, and feelings of not being good enough. Waning, Michigan sounded beautiful as Miles shows Daphne around to all his favorite parts!

Funny Story ties with Book Lovers and Beach Read as my favorite Emily Henry’s! The story brought pure joy to my heart!

I alternately read an e-copy and listened to the audio version of Funny Story and recommend either version. Julia Whelan is such an excellent performer! She really enhances any story she narrates! All characters are distinct, their emotions come through loud and clear! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.