There is absolutely no doubt that people are going to love this. But me personally? I found it so boring. And unfortunately, very bland.

Coming from someone who has never read Emily Henry before, I was expecting, well, quite a lot. I understand her titles tend to have an ironic sound to it, as if the title is the complete opposite of what to expect in the book or how it can foreshadow certain emotions and feelings. But still, I was expecting this to be funny and entertaining. I can confidently say that for the first 30% or so, I was enjoying it. The humor was on point, the dialogue was entertaining, the banter felt enough, the characters were standing out, and the moral of the story was promising enough. But as we continue moving forward, the whole appeal lost the spark and I started losing my interest. It is never good to lose interest and motivation this early on in the story, and it doesn’t help that everything that was working for me before begins to lose its shine and feel dreadful.

People’s enjoyment for this are going to vary, as it does with every book, but I found this story really boring. Neither character stood out to me after a certain point, and I found myself reading for the sake of reading, not for pleasure and entertainment. It felt agonizing. The so-called humor felt no longer relevant, the dialogue felt like too much, and the characters didn’t grow on me. Adding on to that, while I am aware this author leans more towards women’s fiction with romance, I was still expecting to feel something between our two main characters, Daphne and Miles, but they added nothing. I could not feel the chemistry, and it felt like they were just roommates and friends who found each other hot instead. The fake dating trope felt extremely irrelevant to the story, as if it was never something that set up the plot in the first place. There’s really no…fake dating. Obviously that’s okay, right? It’s not like the blurb points out that this is a big element of the story or anything… It’s not like this is marketed as “two roommates whose exes are not marrying each other pretend to date.”

Speaking of plot, nothing happens. While I am a romance reader first and foremost and hardly ever expect an actual plot in a romance book (to me the romance is the plot), it felt like Daphne and Miles were just going in circles, doing mundane things, meeting mundane people, and feeling mundane feelings. Everything felt so mundane, with zero emotions, no depth, and absolutely no development. It was as if the forced proximity—of them fake dating because they’re roommates who kind of want to make their exes jealous—was a plot device to put them together but the author forgot to actually add development. Like, “Oh, we live together and we just got dumped so obviously we’re gonna be sad and horny and find each other hot!” All in all, I didn’t buy into the so-called romance. Daphne felt emotionally unavailable at first, and I couldn’t bring myself to care about her personal life problems after reaching the halfway mark; Mile’s felt like he was just there to add some value to her life. As characters, Miles stands out the most, and it might be because I haven’t read this author before so it’s not like I can make comparisons to her other heroes; still, I was a fan of Mile’s attitude for the most part. I think he stood out enough to become enjoyable but nothing memorable. And Daphne wasn’t any better. She was too plain and boring, feeling like she had no character and personality. I appreciate the author for making them feel like realistic adults with real jobs, real life problems, and real life situations, but at the same time, I was unable to fully appreciate the characters.

Overall, not a fan. I was bored, felt no spark, and could not feel the chemistry between the characters.

Emily Henry is an auto read author for me. As soon as I see her new book making the rounds, I jump on the opportunity to read it. Her romances are always deep enough to have substance but fun enough to be the perfect vacation and beach read. Happy Place last year was the only one I didn’t love so far. Book Lovers and Beach Read have been tied on my list for my, but I think Funny Story just topped them.

Daphne always loved the ‘funny story’ about the time she met her fiancé, Peter. That is until he cancels their engagement the day after his bachelor party to be with his longtime best friend Petra, who by the way has just broken up with her boyfriend Miles for Peter. Heartbroken, Daphne is forced to move out of the place she’s called home. With nowhere to go, Miles offers Daphne his extra room while she finds a new place to live. Months later, both Daphne and Miles have been invited to Petra and Peter’s wedding. In a moment of panic, Daphne lies and says she and Miles are dating, cue the shenanigans!

I’m not a huge fan of the love-triangle trope, and I only like a ‘fate dating’ trope if it’s done well. Henry has done it well on both fronts! I just completely adore Miles! He’s the best leading man I’ve read in a while. He’s honest, selfless, and unapologetically him. I’d read a whole book just about him. Daphne was a good main character as well, and enjoyed watching her come into her own with Miles. As always, I adore quirky side characters, and I can totally get on board with both of our main ones this go around.

I’m seriously considering moving to Waning now and I wish more than ever I could work at a library! I loved all the petty snark, felt that Miles and Daphne balanced each other out well, and would be the perfect addition to anyone’s beach weekend!


Funny Story comes out April 23, 2024! Huge thank you to Berkley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books

You can always count on Emily Henry for writing a fun contemporary romance full of banter, likable main characters with great chemistry, and an emphasis on friendship and family. While Beach Read and Happy Place remain the top tier Emily Henry books for me, Funny Story once again hit the mark.

The first half of the book makes it seem as if this book is one of Emily Henry's lightest books (and I do think that is true - I readers who love less angst and more rom-com in particular will love this). The whole concept of fake dating your ex-fiancé's new fiancé's ex-boyfriend is ridiculous in the best way and Daphne and Miles have an excellent roommates-friends-to-lovers arc. The second half brings in the usual emotional depth that you can always expect from Emily Henry's books - at its core this story is about two very guarded people learning to be vulnerable with each other and healing childhood wounds.

Personally I wasn't as invested in the characters (both main and side characters) quite as much as other EH characters but I did ultimately love how their story ended. I also discovered that as someone who works in a public library I do not enjoy reading about a character who works in one (not enough escapism for me!) - though the portrayal of public librarianship was pretty accurate which I appreciated.

This book was absolutely amazing. The ending REALLY got me so much I started to tear up!! I love the emotions Emily Henry makes us feel when we are reading.

Living in a small Michigan lakeside resort town, Daphne has her dream job as a children’s librarian, a handsome successful fiancé, Peter, and a wedding just one week away. Everything seems perfect until it isn’t; Peter turns into a frog rather than the prince he had pretended to be. Daphne’s devastation at Peter’s betrayal with his best friend, Petra, whom he has known since childhood, sends her into an odd living arrangement. After being essentially kicked out of Peter’s house, Daphne ends up living with Petra’s ex-boyfriend, Miles. Miles appears to be just a stoner gliding along through life as everyone’s best friend in the community. Daphne draws Miles into a plot to pretend they are together after her idiot ex has the audacity to send her a wedding invitation for his nuptials with Petra.

At the outset, Daphne and Miles seem to have nothing in common except their mutual heartbreak. Once Daphne gets to know Miles, she realizes that not only does he have a kind heart and fun personality, but a very similar type of emotional baggage thanks to bad parenting in each of their childhood homes. Daphne has a no show, feckless father who caused her to feel that she was not worth anyone’s attention or care. Miles’s mother did a number on him as well leaving him with a self-esteem in the negative numbers.

Daphne has been so emotionally locked up, so that once Peter’s unfaithfulness happens, she realizes that she is very alone even with friendly co-workers. Slowly with Miles’ help, Daphne begins to make a new life in this quirky community. To add to the fun, Mile’s wild child sister shows up to live with them, ostensibly to help Miles over his recent breakup. Daphne and Miles both need to learn how to let go of their wounds and trust someone else to not hurt them beyond repair.

Ms. Henry has a talent for drawing likeable and interesting characters, and then raking her readers over the emotional coals. The title is a bit of a misnomer because a lot of this tale is anything but funny though implicit in the story, the title can be seen as ironic as well. It is more heavily Women’s Fiction than romance. Daphne’s role as a librarian, since books were a haven for her growing up, and Miles’s appealing personality, are the parts where the author excels and will draw fans into the story all the while hoping for a happy outcome.

Emily Henry did it again!

Funny Story is my new favorite Emily Henry book! I love the characters, I love the romantic chemistry and the friendship chemistry. I love the town, and the vibe, and everything about this book.

Daphne and Miles are so cute, and their story is LITERALLY such a funny story! This is EH’s funniest book yet, and I loved it so much. The set-up of the fake dating is hilarious, and Miles is probably my new favorite book boyfriend.

The family dynamics in the book are great! I love Daphne’s mom, I love Julia, I love all the different types of families we see. I even, somehow, kinda like Starfire (iykyk).

Read this book if you love
💜 fake dating
💜 forced proximity
💜 strong friendships
💜 libraries
💜 being a tourist in your own city
💜 laughing so hard you wake up your cat

I love this book with my whole heart. 5 stars.

I will post my review on Instagram on April 18th, and on Amazon on publication day.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Pub for my e-ARC of Funny Story!

This was a pretty entertaining read right from the start. I loved the witty and sarcastic banter between Miles and Daphne as it reminded me of my own sense of humor. The sexual tension between them was so high and I was waiting for something to happen for a while. I loved Miles though. He seemed like such a sweet and genuine guy who deserved better than Petra. The ending was absolutely hilarious and I’m glad everyone got what was coming to them!

This is my new favorite Emily Henry novel!! I love the Michigan setting, I love the fake dating synopsis, I loved the banter, and I love the way Henry writes men!!

For fans of Emily Henry and a good romantic comedy, this novel is for you!!

The best Emily Henry book so far! I loved Miles and Daphne characters so much as well as the town of Waning Bay..

Oh how I adored this book!!! Emily Henry can write a character with the absolute best of them. To the point that even if there are flaws in her plots (which I didn't think there were in this one), you truly do not give a shit because you just love reading about the people she creates. Even if you can see where the story is going from a mile away, you DO NOT CARE because the journey is so freaking satisfying and joyful. She hit this one out of the park.

Also, I love Miles.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the eARC and LibroFM for the ALC. I both listened and read this book and can whole heartedly recommend either format. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There's really nothing like reading a new Emily Henry book - it's a feeling I wish I could bottle up and sell to people, it's that good!

When Daphne's fiancee unexpectedly breaks up with her and runs away with his best friend , Daphne is left in the lurch. She's moved to small town Michigan to be with her fiancee and besides having a job at the library that she loves, she doesn't have much else, including a place to live. So Daphne thinks of the only thing she can - she goes to Miles, who just happens to be her ex-fiancees new fiancees ex-fiancee. Got that?!? Miles has an extra room and Daphne is in need - and then a run-in with her ex has Daphne lying and saying that she and Miles are actually dating....a lie that Miles is happy to play along with since it helps them both. Soon the fake dating shenanigans become real (as they do).

This book is just a delight - it's truly funny and heartwarming with the typical Emily Henry emotions. I loved Daphne and Miles...gosh I could write a full soliloquy on my feelings for Miles. He is just so so sweet and utterly bewitched by Daphne and I do love that in a man.

Read this for:
- Fake Dating
- Roommates
- Librarian
- Opposites Attract
- The Perfect Michigan/Midwestern setting

I truly just can't write more of a coherent review right now - I'd move to Waning Bay Michigan this very moment if I could!

thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

this story was beautiful. Daphne and Miles have my heart. this is the first book that I went into blind and honestly I think I want to do that from now on. I really enjoyed this book sm. There were moments that I felt like I could relate to Daphne.

Miles is everything. The things he did for Daphne had me melting. I loved their chemistry together.

Read this if you like :
- opposites attract
- forced proximity
- fake dating

I am so so happy Emily Henry went back to lake country where it all started! Funny Story is easily one of my favorite of her novels - it is up there with Beach Read for me - and I am so thankful and lucky to be able to read it early.

I anticipate some folks will get annoyed with our main heroine, Daphne. Homegirl has some issues - daddy issues, identity and self confidence issues - she's generally just trying to find herself after a major breakup. Our hero, Miles, is lost in his own way. And while, independently, I didn't love the two characters - they did truly shine together. (Personally, I love when characters are a bit lost and trying to find themselves - but again, can see how some readers may get secondhand frustration from them!)

Emily Henry has a way of writing scenes and dialogue that pulls at your heartstrings, makes you laugh, and, ultimately, root for her characters. These two grew on me and I loved it. I adore Miles and might even make an argument for him being my favorite EH hero.

I felt like the third act breakup and conflict could be a bit more fleshed out - but overall, I adored this book. I adore EH. And I cannot wait for others to read this bubbly, heartwarming story.

Another outstanding book by Emily Henry. the way these two found love after heartbreak and betrayal was beautiful. The banter and story was just A+

Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for my complimentary digital and audio copies. My thoughts are my own.

This was my first book by Emily Henry and now I know I need to binge-read her backlist!

The wedding dress is bought, the wedding is planned and Daphne is all set to marry Peter. She has left her family and friends behind to start her married life in Waning Bay, Michigan, when suddenly Peter breaks up with her and leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Devastated and with no where to go, Daphne moves in with Petra’s ex, Miles. At first, Daphne and Miles barely see each other, but gradually they become friends. One day when they run into Peter and Petra, Daphne finds herself declaring that she and Miles are now a couple!

I am not a huge romance reader, though I keep trying! What I enjoyed about this novel was that it was more than just your typical romcom full of awkward situations, laughs, and the dreaded miscommunication troupe. This story pulled at my heartstrings. Daphne is flawed and needy, just like any one would be in her situation. Miles makes for the perfect, if not also flawed, book boyfriend. Their romance was gradual, emotional, awkward, and fun. The secondary characters were also well-developed, imperfect people with needs of their own. This made for an enjoyable read that kept me thinking.
I love to alternate reading and listening to a book and the audio version was charmingly done by @justjuliawhelan. I recommend both the print and the audio versions.

Read (or listen to) this if you enjoy:
*Flawed characters
*Emotional stories
*Painful situations that are dealt with in sensitive ways
*Beautiful settings

Emily Henry we don’t deserve you. This book everything, I just love her. She’s been an auto buy author from me since 2020 beach read days, and every book just makes me feel one million feels. This isn’t book boyfriend, this is book husband material. I loved the summer and lakeside setting and everything clicked so well. The pacing was well and smooth and the build up just chefs kiss. Thank you for this ARC :)

Thank you to Netgalley, Emily Henry, and Berkley Publishing for an advance copy of Funny Story in exchange for an honest review. First off, this is an Emily Henry Stan account so I could not wait to get my hands on this book. As always, Henry delivers a fantastic story that I absolutely loved. Daphne & Miles are complete opposites that are thrown together in an unexpected way. Through ups and downs (in relationships, friendships, family, and her career) we see Daphne find herself and be the most authentic version of herself. I dont want to say much more because I NEED you to pick this one up too! Grab this if you love fun characters, fake dating, opposites attract, and books that deal with real inner life issues we deal with. You can grab a copy of Funny Story on April 23rd, 2024 anywhere books are sold!

I have to start by saying that I have the last four of Emily Henry’s books and was soooooo excited to receive a digital ARC for Funny Story!

Are you a fan of opposites attract, forced proximity, found family, book references and more? Look no further because I have a great read for you!

Daphne’s fiancee Peter dumps her for his childhood best friend Petra, after his bachelor’s party. Daphne’s left stranded in a new city without friends, family or even a place to live (or so she thought)….when she moves into Petra’s room and her ex-boyfriend - cue misery loves company? But you know that old saying “opposites attract,” well for Miles and Daphne it certainly wasn’t that from the get go - but they do devise a plan to get back at their exes!

This book is so bingeable and enjoyable - it will taking you on a journey just like all of Emily’s previous books. I found myself laughing and maybe a tear up or two. But Daphne and Miles aren’t the only lovable characters as Emily always writes excited supporting stars too! And with perfect pacing that never causes the story to drag, you cannot help but be totally sucked into this charming world she has created.

As a devoted Emily Henry fan, diving into the audio version of Funny Story was a treat I eagerly looked forward to. Emily Henry has a knack for crafting narratives that speak to the heart, and Funny Story is no exception. Julia Whelan's delivery perfectly captured the nuances of humor and emotion, making the characters leap off the page—or, more accurately, out of the speakers.
Henry's brilliant storytelling mixed with the superb audio execution made my workday fly by. The story's blend of heartfelt moments and witty dialogue felt incredibly relatable and kept me hooked from start to finish. Daphne's journey of love and self-discovery resonated deeply, but with light touch and humor.

I highly recommend the audiobook Funny Story by Emily Henry. It's a wonderful companion that entertains, uplifts and leaves you smiling long after you've listened to the last word.

5 bright stars from a fan.

To me, this book had so much promise and just… fell a little flat for me. It is rare for me NOT to give Emily Henry 5 stars, but this one just didn’t hit as hard as I thought it would. This book is still so great and I would recommend picking this one up. Miles and Daphne were put together by circumstances and rather than feeling like there was some kind of invisible string that tied them together, it felt like it was very much a “wow we fell in love just because we were around each other and were so emotionally vulnerable when we got together it just sort of seems the best that we stuck together” and to me, I felt that this book is a little bit more surface level than her other books and while that’s not always a bad thing, I felt that if the emotional parts of this book were explored a little deeper or maybe if I felt that the characters had a deeper connection, then I would have felt that this book would be a must read for everyone on the planet should read it. Not the worst book in the EmHen cannon, but not my favorite.