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.

I received a gifted audiobook FUNNY STORY by Emily Henry for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio and for the opportunity to read and review!

FUNNY STORY follows Daphne, a woman who thought she had her life on the right track. When her fiancé Peter dumps her for his old friend Petra, she finds herself still living in his hometown without friends to call her own and without knowing what is next in her own story. Her job as a children's librarian fills her heart, but not her bank account, leaving her wondering how to make ends meet.

Daphne's first solution is to suggest becoming roommates with Miles, the man that Petra dumped to be with Peter. Miles is the everyone's best friend type while Daphne is the polar opposite. Still, they begin to strike up a friendship, one that of course has the potential to be more.

I think this is my new favorite Emily Henry! I loved the librarian main character and the library love that this book delivered. The blurb for the book calls Miles and Daphne opposites, but I think it is more that Miles is comfortable in his home and his surroundings while Daphne hasn't really had the chance to be fully herself in this environment having made a home and friendships only in the context of being with Peter. I loved the self discovery that Daphne embarked in and the way that the romance part of the book was only a part of the big picture.

This book has a lot of great discussions about friendship and family, and the need to set boundaries in your life to keep things in balance. I loved that we got to see the evolution of friendships and romance and found family all really balanced together! The story brought in humor and also heart tugging emotion as well!

This was a fantastic read and the audiobook with Julia Whelan narrating was of course fantastic! I binge read the whole thing in a single day!

Emily Henry is the romance writer of our generation!!

Nobody pieces together these stories the way she does. And while I know you all love her and probably don’t need me to tell you to read this book 😂 I’m going to say it anyway ! Read this one friends!

Funny Story may just be one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Emily flawlessly writes about love loss and navigating the complexity of adult life in general, and for her books I’ll forever be grateful ❤️

I LOVED IT. Dare I say that it may be my favorite Emily Henry? Do you have a favorite?

It was the story of a man and a woman thrown together as roommates after their significant others broke up with them to be together. Opposites attract, close proximity, all of that. But with that perfect Emily Henry timing and banter. And a sock to the gut with heavy emotions that had me crying. I truly laughed and cried in the same paragraph. What lovable characters. What a heartwarming romcom. All the stars. All of them. My heart is full.

Emily Henry does it again. Her romances are engaging and suck you into the story and the characters. Funny Story will be another great addition to her collection.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the electronic advanced copy.

First Impressions: Whiney Babies

Okay, hear me out. In Funny Story, the main character (Daphne) and her mom played a game called Whiney Babies when Daphne was a kid. The goal is to go back and forth with complaints getting more and more petty until the person with the most ridiculous, inane complaint wins.

So! It’s not like this cover is bad; it’s exactly in line with the previous artwork for Emily Henry’s books. But like, would it kill the publisher to change it up a little? Yes, the illustration is super accurate, down to Miles’ Crocs (bless), but this is same old same old. I don’t know what would be better, I’m just complaining that it could be better. And that’s how you win Whiney Babies.

(I do hear all of you freaking out about how, if they change the design, you have to order all new editions, but y’all, we’re already there.)

What’s Your Type?

Fake Dating
Small Town Romance
Librarians
Bearded Bartenders
Dating Profile:

Having spent her adolescence constantly moving around with her mom, Daphne couldn’t believe her good fortune when she (literally) ran into Peter, a successful golden boy who held the promise of a happy life filled with contentment and their future children. They eventually got engaged, and she followed him to Waning Bay, a charming town on Lake Michigan, where the next chapter of their lives together could begin. Unfortunately, that next chapter drastically switched up the narrative, and now Peter is engaged to his best friend, Petra, and Daphne has moved in with Petra’s ex, Miles. Yeah, it’s NOT GREAT.

Daphne begins planning her exit from Waning Bay, but she feels a duty to stick around until after the Read-A-Thon, a huge event for kids and teens that she’s planning at the library where she works. Determined to just push through her grief, Daphne isn’t prepared for two glossy envelopes in the mail inviting her and Miles to Peter and Petra’s wedding. OBVIOUSLY these roomies have no choice but to RSVP yes, together, and pretend to be a couple in the weeks leading up to the nuptials (a decision made after a drunken night at a bar called Meatlocker, of course). But as Miles shows Daphne the best nooks and crannies of Waning Bay, she begins to question her decision to leave, not to mention her feelings for Miles, and what her vision of future happiness truly looks like.

Meet Cute: Make It a Double, Bartender

I never met an Emily Henry heroine I didn’t like, and Daphne is no exception! First of all, she’s a librarian. Immediate fan. She’s also got a killer sense of humor wrapped in a socially awkward package (again, fan!), and she’s well aware that she does not have her shit figured out. While her relationship with her mom is close and sweet and BFF vibes, her self-esteem is still haunted by her fair-weather father, who waltzed in and out of her life as a kid and continues to do so even though she’s a grownass woman. Daphne allowed herself to become completely absorbed in being a “we” with Peter, and now she has to figure out her own self, and though it’s a messy process, I was happy to be along for the ride.

Miles! Miles is an angel with whiskey breath. Miles has a beard and messy hair and works as a bartender at a winery. Miles grieves the loss of Petra by playing Bridget Jones’ Diary at top volume and crying his eyes out. After he and Daphne post their first pic as a “couple” on Instagram, Miles asks, “Are we evil or just immature?” He starts to read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe at Daphne’s behest and texts her things like “i want to live w the beavers” and “wat is turkish delight” and “edmund needs 2 chill.” I MEAN ADORABLE. Apologies for including a whole freaking paragraph from the book but I can’t explain Miles’ je ne sais quoi better than Emily Henry (the passage starts with Daphne speaking):

“Nah, cool, laid-back girls never face consequences for their spontaneity. It’s how they’re able to keep being cool and laid-back. They’re genetically predisposed to health. They’re not allergic to poison ivy or shellfish, and they never get migraines, even if they only sleep for three hours in a cold tent, and they never burn in the sun.”

“Huh,” he says.

“What?” I ask, right as I spot Julia in line at the food truck, waving us over.

“I just realized I’m a cool, laid-back girl,” Miles says.

Yes, Miles. Yes, you are. And that means, as much as y’all try to fight it, you’re the perfect match for Daphne, who is neither cool nor laidback. But more on that below!

The Lean: Like That Sweet Burn of Booze

Daphne and Miles are both crushed by their break-ups, and Emily Henry is incredibly skillful in the way that she lights a fire between them while never watering down their grief. Sure, it doesn’t take Daphne long to notice that Miles is a hot AF magnet who effortlessly charms every single person in the room, but she also needs him as a friend, and as much as I was thinking JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY, I understood both characters’ reluctance to act on their desires, because they truly become each others’ #1 confidantes and supporters.

Dirty Talk: Shirley Temple

There weren’t actually a ton of sexy times in this book? I’m okay with it, because Daphne and Miles’ refusal to take things to Boning Levels makes for some simmering tension. I particularly loved this line about Miles:

“…casting one last glance over his shoulder, a hazy look that makes me feel like a Christmas present he’s one sleep away from unwrapping.”

But also, seriously, IS IT MORNING YET?!!!

Ms. Perky’s Prize for Purplest Prose:

I lean back into my palms, breath quickening as he brushes my underwear aside, presses his mouth to me, murmurs my name in a low gravel that makes everything in me pull taut. I work my hips against him, his hands skating around to guide my movement until I feel like I can’t breathe, can’t see, like my heart might crack through my ribs if I can’t have more of him.

We Need to Talk: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Per usual, Emily Henry has staged her smokin’ romance in a world I desperately want to live in. Waning Bay is eccentric and darling and a little bit country, with a bar called BARn (with goats!), secret beaches, farmstands out the wazoo, and poker nights with sassy old people. It’s also the home to Ashleigh, a fellow librarian who becomes Daphne’s best gal pal. Ashleigh freaking rules. She named her son Mulder after The X-Files, y’all. At one point, she straight up says, “I’m the fun, take-charge one.” And when she meets Miles:

“Charmed,” she says, suddenly a Gilded Age heiress.

I only pray that someday, Emily Henry will consider doing a spin-off because I need more Ashleigh in my life!!!

Was It Good For You: Pleased As (Spiked) Punch

Just like the best nights at your neighborhood bar, Funny Story is a freaking great time. The chemistry between the two leads will leave you with an extremely pleasant buzz, and it’s crackling with characters you wouldn’t mind shutting the place down with. It may not be Emily Henry’s hottest book, but I would argue it’s her funniest, and she still packs that emotional punch that makes all of her stories linger in your heart long after the frisson of the romance subsides.

"Funny Story" by Emily Henry had me hooked from the start with its quirky premise and endearing characters. Initially heartbroken, Daphne finds herself in a hilariously awkward living situation with Miles, her ex-fiancé's ex-fiancé. Despite the odd circumstances, their budding friendship brings unexpected joy and growth. As Daphne navigates her newfound independence and discovers the charms of Michigan, Miles proves to be a supportive and genuine companion. Despite her initial reluctance, Daphne's journey towards self-discovery and genuine connections is both relatable and heartwarming. Henry's witty writing and delightful characters kept me entertained throughout. I found myself rooting for Daphne and Miles as they navigated life's twists and turns together.

Overall, "Funny Story" is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and growth that left me smiling long after I turned the last page.

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own.

Roommates to lovers
Fake dating
Opposites attract
Cinnamon roll hero
Childhood neglect/trauma

When Daphne's fiance, Peter, dumps her for his childhood friend, Daphne, now homeless, moves in with Miles, the ex-boyfriend of the woman Peter dumped Daphne for. And when Daphne and Miles recieve an invitation to their exes', Peter and Petra's, wedding, they decide to RSVP as a couple and pretend they are dating.

Funny Story was one of my most anticipated spring reads. I liked both Daphne and Miles and enjoyed their angsty romance. Both Miles and Daphne have childhood trauma they need to overcome to have a healthy relationship. There is a bit of miscommunication and a third-act break-up, which I didn't love, but overall, I enjoyed Funny Story. This book is not my favorite book by Emily Henry. This honor is reserved for Beach Read, but Funny Story is still an enjoyable rom-com/contemporary romance.

Funny Story is officially my favorite Emily Henry book. Miles and Daphne (is this a nod to Frasier? Yes I know it's Niles and Daphne but the idea struck me and I haven't been able to get it out of my head) were really cute together and I think they made each other better people. I didn't much care for Daphne at the beginning of the story but as she started to open up to the people around her and her community, I began to understand her more and started to see past that wall she so carefully built, just like the characters of the story.

This book has fake dating, strangers to roommates to friends to lovers and quirky small town environment in addition to some really wonderful side characters I'd love to see get books of their own. A very happy pub day to Emily Henry as her newest book enters the world!

Many thanks to @berkleyromance and @letstalkbookspromo for the ARC.

I am officially an EmHen stan! a fan! an enthusiast, if you will! this is without a doubt my favorite emily henry book and I will actually never shut up about how perfect this book is 😌

the writing in itself was absolutely jaw-droopingly beautiful! the way she can just suck you into this world with these characters is unmatched and I have never wanted to live in Michigan as bad as I did when I finished the book.

daphne is me. i am daphne. daphne the definition of people pleaser and just getting sucked into other people’s orbit and not knowing where exactly she fits and I just wanted to give her the biggest hug throughout the entire book. and miles?!?! HE’S SO BABYGIRL!! he just wanted to feel like loving him wasn’t an imposition and i’m so deeply in love with him. the buildup of their friendship was absolute perfection, and I just love the fact that they lived together and went through the motions of their break ups while getting to know each other. the tension between them was IMMACULATE and I was giggling and swooning the entire time.

my favorite part of this book (aside from the romance) was the real & raw portrayals of platonic and familial relationships and how important it is to nurture those relationships and I think it goes without saying ashleigh was the standout character. she was hilarious and everything that came out of her mouth had me cackling.

this book has my whole heart and I will forever be a comfort read for me! and it must be said please beware of the ‘reading funny story’ to ‘horrendous reading slump’ pipeline!

Emily Henry has done it again folks. Are we surprised?

Daphne & Miles felt so real to me, it was scary. These two are without a doubt EH's most 'realistic' or 'flawed' characters and I LOVED it. Sometimes EH characters feel so unattainable (don't get me wrong I still love them) but Daphne and Miles could realistically be someone in my every day life. At their core they are good people who were wronged by their exes.

I laughed with these two, I definitely cried with these two, I just absolutely ADORE them. these two deserve the world. let me not fail to mention the tension between these two either. I literally wanted to interject myself in the book and smash their faces together.

Witnessing Daphne's growth made proud. like genuinely so proud. I really, REALLY, resonated with how Daphne shut people out in as a way to avoid disappointment, and my god, was it just so REAL. (I know I've said real so many times here, but please believe me. this book is REAL!)

I am extremely grateful for this advanced copy. Thank you so much Berkley!

I NEED 12 TO 14 BUSINESS DAYS TO PROCESS MY EMOTIONS UNTIL I CAN STAND TO THINK ABOUT THESE TWO WITH FEELING VIOLENTLY ILL. Emily Henry’s brain is a beautiful gift to the world. Every book she writes she writes just for me I swear. Once again, she just blew me away with Miles and Daphne