It's the way Emily Henry tells a story for me. It's the way she makes me rage for Daphne in the first chapter, when her fiancé tells her he's dumping her for his best friend. It's the way she makes me work to get to know Miles, who's ex is now the ex-fiancé’s new fiancée. Even though you know how this story is going to go, what's waiting for Daphne, Emily Henry's writing makes me walk through it, instead of racing to the end. It's the little moments where I find myself smiling at Daphne's quirks or Miles' moods.

As a character-driven reader I love the way she teases out the real reason Daphne comes across as buttoned up, the real reason Miles seems like he's "just a bartender."

With certainty, she's reached the pinnacle of women's fiction/romance, one of the best in her genre. This book continues to proves it to me. She writes heartfelt, emotional novels and, in this one, a gentle, funny story.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Emily Henry's stories related by Julia Whelan really hit the feelings for me. Funny Story started as not at all funny but heartbreaking. The outcome was ironic, not humorous funny. With only a week to find somewhere to live, Daphne ends up with the ex-fiancé (Miles) of her ex-fiancé's (Peter) new fiancé (Petra). Uh, yeah.

Daphne had moved from her friends and being near her Mom, to Michigan to Peter's hometown, family and friends. So now she has no friends of her own as she was focused on what Peter needed and his friends. Miles turns out to be an amazing guy who supports and encourages Daphne as she tries new things, makes new friends and does her own supporting and encouraging of others.

Initially, Daphne plans to go back to the east coast where her Mom is. But Miles gets her to agree to weekly Sunday outings to see what is great about Michigan. Peter never showed her places. Miles is also fun and kind. Daphne and Miles have their being dumped and parent issues in common. Daphne is determined not to get involved with Miles because she is leaving after her Read-a-thon event and because men are not reliable. But Miles is reliable.

Things really come to a head when Daphne's fickle, tumbleweed father shows up. Daphne realizes she needs to make her own friends like her co-worker, Ashleigh, not people who are someone else's friends, and have her own interests besides work. I love seeing her growth and the connection she and Miles build. I loved this and was fully invested with my emotions rolling right along with Daphne.

Ughhh, how is everything Emily Henry writes so beautifully perfect? This is the story of Daphne and how she met, then lost her fiancee Peter, when he realized he was in love with his childhood best friend Petra, then moved in with Petra's now- ex boyfriend Miles. When Daphne and Miles each receive an invitation to Peter and Petra's wedding, they joke that they should go together as a couple, and Daphne accidentally tells Peter that she's actually dating Miles. The two embark on a fake dating ploy to get back at their exes, but this book is so much more than your standard fake dating romp (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Things I loved: library setting (and a pretty realistic one!), complicated families and mental health issues representation for both mc, amazing slow burn spice, amazing focus on female friendships and the importance of being your own person within a relationship, representation of real apology without excuse, the found family, the small town setting, the weird library kids, the list goes on and on and on.

Things I didn't like: I wanted to stay with these characters and this setting for longer.

Thank you thank you thank you to Emily Henry, Berkley, and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Daphne’s ex Peter calls off their wedding only to run off with Peter’s best friend, Daphne finds herself as the new roommate to Peter’s best friend’s ex Miles. The unlikely pair they make yet a unique bond they form. On a whim, Daphne calls Miles her boyfriend, but their fake relationship is anything but. Between Daphne’s complicated relationship with her dad and the growing uncertainty when it comes to Miles, could she work through the complexity of it all and just be happy?

Emily Henry does it again! This is a close second fave (as BOOK LOVERS is still #1). Daphne’s personality, her profession, couldn’t be any more opposite of Miles’ easy going demeanor, but the way they care about each other as acquaintances turned friends turned lovers, it was just so great to watch unfold. The way they found each other (thanks to their exes) makes it that much more intriguing, too! Thoroughly enjoyed. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned!

I was a little bit hesitant coming into Funny Story because I didn’t love Happy Place. But I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed Funny Story! I really enjoyed Daphne as our main character and her character arc. I loved her relationship with Miles, but I think the gem of this book was her friendship with Ashleigh and her relationship with the town. This is a 4.5 star for me, and I think it could have been my new favorite Emily Henry book, had it been dual POV. I thought Miles was such an interesting character and wished we got to see some of this story from his perspective. Overall I really enjoyed this one.

This book feels like home. It feels warm and happy. Cold and scary. Confusing. Complicated. Complex. Emily Henry has always been able to masterfully craft a story about finding yourself while also finding a close-knit circle of people who help you be your best self.

FUNNY STORY is a book for those who love New Girl. Besides the clear reference of girl-meets-boy-after-moving-in- after-ending-a-relationship, Miles is such a Nick Miller type of guy. He might be my favorite Emily Henry beau to date (though Gus is up there too, if my homosexual brain remembers correctly.

I am so grateful to have been able to read an advanced copy of this through Berkley!

emily, the author that you are, oh my god

cheers to another year of emily’s iconic banter, flawed yet charming characters, pure chemistry between MCs (she really showed out with this one😭) and the sweet and organic love stories she creates

our fmc daphne find herself in peculiar situation when her fiancé suddenly decides that she isn’t the right woman for him and he would rather marry his childhood best friend. the very logical decision daphne comes to?? she’ll just move in with her ex fiancé’s new fianceé’s ex boyfriend

ENTERS MILES NOWAK!!! (a major hottie from emily if i do say so myself) she really had something to prove with this mmc! he was just such a sweetie who genuinely wanted to make everyone happy even if that meant putting himself on the back burner

and our lovely daphne, given the many unideal events taking place in her life (new and old) we watch her start to grow and recognize that she deserves to put herself first and not build her life purely around everyone else

funny story was genuinely such a treat! as much as we had our very real and insightful moments throughtout book, this was genuinely a happy, feel good book that i can definitely see myself rereading time and time again!

emily and julia whelan as a duo will always be my favorite! it’s not surprising that julia gave a PERFORMANCE!! she brings books to life in such a special way that is truly unmatched

I think this might be one of my FAVORITE Emily Henry novels! Thank you @prhaudio for my early audio copy of Emily Henry’s newest novel, FUNNY STORY.

FUNNY STORY follows Daphne, when her fiance leaves her behind for his childhood best friend, so she ends up swapping places and lives with the BFF’s ex-boyfriend. Yes, it is really that bazaar.

Miles, Daphne’s new roommate is kind, funny, chill, laid back, and a great juxtaposition to Daphne.

I loved the growth that Daphne has throughout the novel, as she makes her own true friends, owns her mistakes, and grows as a character. The side cast of characters at the library and game nights are worth reading, for that reason alone!

Daphne’s flighty dad shows up at one point, and brings several laugh out loud moments, while endearing Daphne (and Miles) to me as a reader even more by the time he leaves town!

This was good, because Emily Henry is a good writer, but after the slam dunk of PWMOV and Book Lovers, her last two releases have felt a little lackluster. It was good but not great from an author who has the capacity to be great.

I loved this book. My husband asked what I was listening to because I was smiling so much. Some moments tugged on my heartstrings, but this story made me feel happy while reading it.

This is a slow burn, friends to lovers, fake dating, forced proximity, opposites attract with a children's librarian, literary references, and found family. It's a well-crafted and engaging romance with likable, relatable characters. And each character feels like someone you could know in real life.

The main characters, Daphne and Miles, had a dynamic that was swoon-worthy and deeply emotional. They were friends first, which made their blossoming relationship even more heartwarming. Both had past family trauma, and the author touched on some complex issues through them, leading to tender moments and character growth. The chemistry and romantic tension between them were palpable. I loved them both, but Miles is my favorite MMC Henry has written. He is perfectly imperfect, humble, exceptionally kind, a great guy, and hot, too.

Henry's talent for witty dialogue is on full display in this book. And it isn't just the MCs who get great lines. The secondary characters also get funny and insightful scenes, making them endearing. I adored the friendships in this one. This will stand out among my top reads of the year with its blend of humor, heart, heat, and hope.

I alternated between the ebook and audiobook and enjoyed both formats. Julia Whelan narrates the audiobook and shows again what a talent she is! I love her voice. She embodies all the characters with nuance and emotion, and her narration adds another layer of depth to the story.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing, Penguin Random House Audio and Netgalley for the free book and audiobook.

Thank you @berkley and @letstoalkbooks for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book will be a hit because it has all of the elements: a cute meet cute; witty banter that is Emily Henry’s trademark; compelling characters who are somewhat relatable and a place (Michigan) that is its own character. If you love Michigan or want some love for your home state, Funny Story is for you.

Here’s the start: Daphane is a children’s librarian who has moved to Waning Bay, Michigan to marry her fiancé, Peter, whose family were vacationers turned homeowners in Waning Bay. She has no friends in Waning Bay and her job, which she loves, barely pays the bills. But that’s ok because Peter is loaded. As they are heading toward their wedding day, Peter realizes he is in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Petra dumps her finance and moves in with Peter, leaving Daphne homeless. Until she moves in with Petra’s ex-fiancé, Miles, who is the opposite of Peter. Insert fake dating troupe here and go…….

It’s cute and well written if you need something lighter with substance. Did it surprise me? No. Emily Henry is all about the HEA.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY FOR ALLOWING TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO READ THIS ARC.

Funny Story by Emily Henery follows the story of Daphne & Miles who are both semi fake dating once the receive save the dates to through through exes wedding.

It been a while since I read an Emily Henry novel and truly this book just made r,entered all this things I love about her writing. I love how this book is not heavily focused on the fake dating trope and invested so much character development our main characters. I love the communication in this novel between and I genuinely felt I was watching a friend fall in-love. I love how our characters family problems reflected in their personal relationships but also their platonic ones. The side characters eat down it didn’t feel like they was just thrown in there but genuinely helped the plot move forward. Just wow the banter and the tension. Truly was such a phenomenal novel.

I absolutely adored this book. ADORED.

I think I started off this book with a goofy smile on my face and it never quite left me throughout my entire read. I laughed, I cried, and finished this book with a skip in my step. Emily Henry knows how to write a romance with deep adoration and Funny Story is definitely Emily at her finest.

From the very first page you can't help but love these characters. Miles with his kind open heart and Daphne with her passion for reading and willingness to grow. Both characters have to deal with testy family relationships and one of my favorite parts was them falling in love but also supporting the other through that as a package deal.

I loved the themes of loving people for who they are even when they aren't at their finest. The comfortable, easy friendship melted deliciously into a love that made my chest ache. There's nothing I quite adore more than strangers, to friends to lovers and this was done so effortlessly. Because these two start off as friends due to shared circumstances they have a vulnerability and candor with one another that really takes their relationship to the next level.

I really connected to the main character Daphne and her thought processes. Miles is easily one of the best boy next door, easy to love male main characters. I loved the female friendships presented and all the side characters even in smaller roles.

JUST so dang charming. Easily a top favorite romance of the year for me. I could not put it down!

Librarian Daphne moved to a small Lake Michigan town to be with Peter, her seemingly perfect fiancé. Right before their big day, Peter cancels the wedding when he and his beautiful best friend Petra realize they are in love and can't live without one another. They leave town for a week so that Daphne can pack up and leave Peter's house. Petra's heartbroken boyfriend Miles, continually playing sad love songs, invites Daphne to move into his spare bedroom. Miles is the total opposite of Peter as well as Daphne. But Daphne soon learns that Miles is a good guy as the two jilted exes get to know one another. Daphne has a major children's event planned at her library and after it is done, she plans to leave town and is counting down the time to leave her heartbreak behind. Unless there becomes a new reason for her to stay.

Funny Story, the new Emily Henry contemporary romance, reaffirms her place as one of the best authors in the genre. The fake-dating, opposites attract, friends-to-lovers tropes have been done so many times before, but Henry makes it all fresh and thoroughly enjoyable. The story deals with family relationships and how they impact future relationships. You'll care about the main characters as well as the secondary ones, the sweet people of the town who all seem to adore Miles. You will too. Make this charming book your first beach read of the year.

I adored everything about Miles and Daphne's story and everyone in their lives, especially Julia and Ashleigh!! It was really great to see Daphne and Miles work on themselves and help each other as well as their community. I wasn't a huge fan of the immaturity in Happy Place and was a little concerned going into this book but the character development and just everything about this book is chef's kiss perfection!

Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.

Funny. Full of heart. OH, how cheered for this couple!

Dumped by her fiancé, Daphne must find a new home... and quick! As it turns out, Miles, who’s ex is now shagging Daphne’s former fiancé, has an extra room. Total opposites. Both pining after love gone bad.

Enter scene ➡️ TV blaring a wine-fueled Bridgett Jones in pajamas singing “All by Myself.” Miles can’t listen to it loud enough. Daphne thinks she might lose her mind if he rewinds the scene one more time.

And that’s the moment I knew this story was perfect for me!

I fell head over heels for Henry’s writing when I was introduced to her in Beach Read. It checked ALL the boxes (and then some! 🥵).

Then last year, I felt such intense letdown when I found no happiness in Happy Place.

But then this book came along. And not only did it feel reminiscent of everything I loved in Beach Read, but it also gave it a run for top billing as my favorite. (5 letters--- Miles. 😮‍💨)

All the little details... they just worked for me. The witty banter. The friendship that emerged into so much more. The introspection. The heat and chemistry. 🔥 The adventures they went on. The read-a-thon! The way they accepted and respected each other as they were.

I closed this book with a big ole cheesy grin from ear to ear after having spent the entirety of the read blushing and giddy. Funny Story perfectly satisfied.

🎧 @justjuliawhelan delivers yet another brilliant performance. I’ve come to think of her as the voice of Emily Henry’s books. She effortlessly breathed life into both Daphne and Miles giving each nuance and distinction, and her delivery accentuated the tenderness, connection, and chemistry. Does anyone else get a bit weak in the knees listening to Julia’s male voices? 😮‍💨 Whelan is at her best here, which should come as no surprise.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I love Miles’ dry sense of humor and laid back attitude about life, and I would love to attend Daphne’s storytime at the library.

I thought that the story was paced really well, and I laughed out loud so many times. Ashleigh is an excellent side character and I loved all the people Daphne and Miles interacted with, from the local cheesemonger to the members of a recurring poker game.

It’s no surprise that Emily Henry is a master at storycraft, and this is easily my second favorite of her books. (Beach Read, you’ll always be my first and forever favorite!)

I cannot wait to re-read as an audiobook and hear Julia nail Miles’ sexy man voice. 🤩

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for an eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this title early!

I love Emily Henry. That alone could be the whole review. I love her and I need you to trust me.

I end up saying this about every book that she writes, even the ones that I didn't love quite as much as the others. This one I did love. I am so happy she went back to writing about books and people who love books--I am someone who has made a home and a career in libraries and I was so happy to read about all the things that make me love libraries (especially in a world that isn't always super nice to them lately!) through Daphne's voice.

Miles was REALLY enjoyable as a love interest--he was charming and funny and a real breath of fresh air. I am so tired of grumpy/brooding/whatever. It's boring! Miles felt like a guy I could run into at any point and not in a scary way. I really enjoyed the dynamic between him and Daphne, as well as his sister! The supporting cast was really delightful.

Emily Henry also seems to just know what's going to GET me--without spoiling or oversharing, I felt what Daphne felt so viscerally in a way that I wasn't ready for. I've been where she is. I'm actively there. I'll probably always be there.

As always, we get another banger from the Henryverse. This one was a delight.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Emily Henry, and Berkley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Even when I doubt Ms. Henry, she finds a way to redeem herself!! Being fully transparent, I am rounding up my true rating of a 4.25/4.5 because rounding down seemed too low but also this was not quite a full five stars for me personally. I am ~unique~ in that my favorite EmHen book is actually Happy Place because I lean more towards women's fiction with romance rather than romance books, and Happy Place definitely reads more women's fiction. So, for me, reading Funny Story as her direct release after Happy Place, I was a bit disappointed because I feel like this is definitely a more generic story overall. Regarding my opening statement of this review, my biggest complaint with the novel was that there was a major conflict that happened around 86% that I truly thought was going to derail the book for me. Luckily, once it was explained and resolved, Henry found a way to make it okay and justified within the story to where I was okay overall with what happened. It did still read a bit too late in the story for what happened for me personally, and I would have liked to see more time given for the resolution. I also wanted to see more of the characters and the side characters throughout, as again, this read a bit shallower than some of her other books. HOWEVER, I wanted to get the "negatives" (which are not really negative and more just pickiness from me) out of the way first because I had a blast reading this, and I think the public is going to love it!! Daphne and Miles are SO fun, and I loveddd the banter in Funny Story. There were truly so many moments throughout that had me giggling!! I was pleasantly surprised that this book was a little bit flirtier and snarkier through the characters than her previous ones, and it also felt a little bit steamier!! Reading this felt like watching a rom-com, and Miles is perhaps now my top EmHen man. As a children's librarian myself, I cannot tell you how much the children's librarian representation meant to me reading Daphne's perspective with her job. It was truly SO ACCURATE, and it made me cry how Henry truly made this a love letter to the job. Overall, I truly believe Emily Henry deserves all the hype she gets, and Funny Story is a great new addition to her work. Now, time for a reread of all her works this summer, so I can properly decide a ranking now that there's 5 books!

You did me proud Emily Henry, BRAVO! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Emily Henry’s newest release, “Funny Girl” and if you can’t tell by the 5 star rating, I LOVED it.

FMC Daphne is living the dream, she just moved to her fiance’s home town, in a beautiful Victorian house and started her dream job as a children’s librarian. Until all of that falls apart when Daphne’s fiance falls in love with his best friend, Petra. Given a couple of days to find a new place to live in a town where she knows none, what better solution than to move in with Petra’s ex-boyfriend. Enter our MMC Miles, the most charming, scruffy and romantic bartender you’ve ever met. Literally, Miles is the definition of cinnamon roll and may be leading for our leading MMC of the year…I said it. Will opposites attract?! THE TENSION!

Ugh, I love Emily Henry’s writing, but I especially loved this story and characters. I also enjoyed how Emily was able to build this romantic relationship while keeping the FMC’s independence in check. Also, have I mentioned the MMC?!!?

This is my favorite Emily Henry book to date, I cannot recommend an add to your TBR enough!!

Thanks to Berkley for the advanced copy!