I'll preface this review by saying that I absolutely love Emily Henry's books. I have read all of them multiple times. She writes with such heart that her stories draw me right in. That said, this was probably my least favorite book so far. But that DOES NOT mean it's not good.

I can't really put my finger on *why* it just didn't click with me. The witty dialogue is there, there is chemistry between the characters. In fact, there are probably the most "romantic" scenes and situations in here of all her books. But first, I think I had an issue getting a good read on the characters, like even <i>they</i> don't know who they are. And it's hard to connect with an ambiguous character. And second, I honestly think there just wasn't enough <i>anger</i> for me. Like, both Daphne and Miles are way better people than I am; I would not have been so kind to <spoiler>the exes</spoiler>.

I will give this a second read, though. I liked <i>Happy Place</i> better on second read, and will definitely give this one another try.

This is exceedingly cute! I absolutely adored Miles and I found Daphne incredibly relatable (especially the dad issues omg, that was way too real!) They're chemistry and banter was top tier for me! I did find the middle of this book a little slow but I did love how it wrapped up in the end.

I am usually not one to pick up contemporary romance. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Beach Read and thought it was an average book, but I can definitely say that I am very impressed with this book. I love the whole concept of dating each other’s exes. It was super confusing at first but it was just hilarious and was an original idea that I haven’t read before.
This book definitely pulled me in and I went on an emotional journey. It was cute funny adorable all the “ooo’s” and “aww’s” were said.
The character building and world building and just the wanting the characters to be together was beautiful. this book just took my emotions to so many places and it was the right amount of spice, romance, and character development. The balance between everything was great. Emily Henry did an amazing job with writing this book and I really enjoyed it.

A big thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC exchange for an honest review

Every new release that Emily Henry has is my new favorite. Just when I think she can't get better, that I can't possibly love the new book as much as I loved her last, it happens, and Funny Story captured my whole heart. I love Daphne and Miles and the crazy situation they find themselves in as roommates. I loved how they became friends first, and I loved their friends, Miles' sister Julia, and the fact that Daphne works in a library. Really, Funny Story is just perfect, from the very first sentence to the very last.

When Daphne's fiancé, Peter, dumps her the night of his bachelorette party for his childhood best friend, Petra, she's immediately kicked to the curb. With nowhere to go and the small salary of a children's librarian in the expensive vacation town where Peter grew up, she moves into the spare bedroom of Petra's ex-boyfriend, Miles. The sad stoner is not her type, but when Peter catches her in a vulnerable moment, she lies and says they've happily moved on... together. In an effort to get to know the city Daphne moved to really only for Peter, and sell the lie she told him about her new relationship, Peter and Miles begin spending weekends together exploring the city and posting photos. Daphne finally starts to feel like her own person again, and is making friends on her own, but she's not sure it's enough to keep her in the town that was never hers to begin with.

Well, folks, it's no surprise that Emily Henry has written another stellar novel. It doesn't have quite the same ingenuity of Book Lovers or heartbreak of Happy Place, and it probably feels somewhat redundant to read it immediately after Abby Jiminez's Just for the Summer, to which it shares some plot points. But it's Emily Henry, so it means that even when it doesn't hit it out of the stratosphere, it still hits it out of the park. And it's my own fault for reading two similar books essentially back to back--where's a good mystery thriller when you need one? I have no complaints about this book, it's a classic, well-written rom-com, and a great installment in the Emily Henry universe (though Book Lovers will always be my favorite).

Thanks to Berkley and Berit Talks Books for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

Quite possibly Emily Henry's best work yet! No Notes✨

Give me a swoon worth MMC and a forced proximity, fake dating, slow burn romance all day everyday.Everything about Daphne and Miles' story was so loveable. It was witty and clever, while also being a bit messy. I laughed and cired, and quite literally could not stop giggling.

The characters were so incredibly relatable. Our main characters are all in their mid 30's which was such a breath of fresh air! I felt Daphne's struggle with social interaction around strangers and meeting new people to my core. The overall growth and healing between each character was so refreshing. This story explores topics of finding oneself, working through abadonment issues, and self love.

Just go ahead and proactively add Miles Nowak to your list of Book Boyfriends because he will infact steal your heart! This man had me blushing everytime he was even mentioned on the page. He is so incredibly easy going with the best sense of humor and the biggest charmer around. But ultimately he cares BIG!

As always, Emily Henry never disapoints when it comes to the banter and chemitry between her characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing a copy of this book with me in exchange from myn honest thoughts.

Emily Henry reigns as the queen of stories about millennials who are feeling confused and left behind by their peers and Funny Story is nothing but a triumph in that department.

In classic Henry fashion, the title of the book is hardly a funny story as we begin with two jilted fiances whose former partners are best friends and have run off to marry each other, leaving Miles and Daphne stranded and roommates by circumstance. As both heal from their respective breakups, they build a beautiful friendship that blossoms into something more slowly but surely as they fake a relationship for appearances after they receive an invitation to the wedding of their former partners.

The brilliance of this story is the character development. The plot chugs along fairly predictable lines for a contemporary friends to lovers/roommate romance, but being inside Daphe and Miles' heads is a treat. Their mundane and relatable struggles with their jobs and friendships really make this a book that doesn't boast or flash, but rather keeps you close and says "I see you". Or maybe that's just my slightly plastic-bag-in-the-wind millennial heart talking. There is a quiet confidence to this book that her previous works didn't, and I loved the story.

One small criticism is for Henry's continued tokenization/stereotyping of BIPOC and LGBTQ characters, which has happened in her previous works and happens here as well, unfortunately.

Emily Henry does it again in giving me exactly what I want from her books; a feel good story with some not-so-perfect characters. While I appreciated the love story in this one, I more so loved the story of friendship. Both main characters had a hard time sharing themselves with other people; keeping secrets and harboring childhood traumas, so I loved the role the secondary characters played in supporting and allowing especially Daphne, to come out of her shell. I wasn't loving Miles in the first couple chapters, but the author made you feel the exact way that Daphne felt, which was that he grows on you.

Aside from all this, I am a midwesterner, and my husband is from Michigan, so although Waning Bay may be made up, I loved all the references to Mackinac Island, Cherry picking, lake life etc, because all that was very real and warmed my Wisconsinite heart.

yuuuuup, emily henry does it again! I read this book in one day, I couldnt put it down! This book follows Daphne & Miles who wre both put into a situation when their current partners decide that they are in love and run off together.
Daphne, with no place to go, ends up living with Miles!

This has it all - friends to lovers, forced proximity, fake dating!!
I wont be giving spoilers for this one as it doesnt come out till the end of the month, but my goodness Emily Henry knows how to write banter and tension. I connected on a deep level with both of the main characters, I could see so much of myself in both of them. The desire to be loved for who you are and valued!!
Might I argue that Miles could be a top tier boyfriend in the emily henry book universe?!?

Thank you to Emily Henry & Net Galley for giving me access to this arc! I cant wait for you all to read and gush about these characters!

FIVE MILLION STARS. This is without a doubt my favorite and best Emily Henry. The plot point of the “others” after someone else gets their happily ever after, fake dating, forced proximity, opposites attract - just ALL OF IT.

Ugh. Just - go read this one 😍😭

Of the works by Henry I've read I might say that this is the most successful?

That does come with a few caveats though, because it's me and of course it does.

I'm a girlie that wants dual POV in a romance and I think that's important to note because a lot of this feels like Daphne's story. Which in the context of the book and now characters view her, is important... but it doesn't necessarily feel like two characters shared journey. It doesn't feel like characters coming together, and at times it feels like a sequence of plot contrivances made up for a fictional story ( which is all a book really is, but truly good books transcend that into something that feels universal, y'know? ).

Anyway, this is the story of how Daphne's partner Peter leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Now Petra being on this bachelor's trip should have already been a red flag, but Daphne moving into a house where her name was not on the deed despite the fact she was supposed to be marrying this man is wild. Hell, the fact that they bought a whole house before they were married seemingly so he could exclude her from having her name on the house should have been bad enough. But, newly single and not really interested in looking at the list of apartments that Peter left for her before running off to have a sexcation with his new girlfriend Petra, Daphne decides that it'd just be easier to move in with Petra's jilted partner Miles.

Now Miles really is the saving grace of this book. Daphne is almost too cookie cutter of a romance heroine, but that's fine. The two get along for the most part, giving each other as much space as is possible in the dingy two bedroom apartment that Miles used to call home with Petra.

It's not until a wedding invitation arrives for the pair that the duo decide to go out and drink at the utter absurdity of them getting an invitation. It's one of the first bonding moments the pair have. The next morning hung over Daphne realizes that she has RSVP'd to the wedding and when Peter calls to confirm that RSVP she makes up this lie about her and Miles being together....

It's here that we encounter our first issue. Dear Reader you might think that this little lie is going to be the premise for the rest of the book, that we are going to read about their fake relationship in the context of the book leading us toward that Labor Day wedding they RSVP'd to. I just want to do you the favor and let you know that's not actually what's happening.

You see when Daphne and Peter got together and were planning their life, they were living in the great Commonwealth of Virginia, the book is set in the great State of Michigan; more importantly Daphne's mother is living in the great state of Maryland. This is important because in the eighteen months she spent living in Michigan the only people she associated with were Peter's friends and she doesn't really have anything keeping her in this small town she finds herself in. Other than her job at the library and this fundraiser that was all her idea. It's this fundraiser at the end of the summer that we're really headed toward, something the narrative makes no secret about. It's this deadline that Daphne and Miles agree too when they set out to get Daphne to see just how great this small town can be.

The book is filled with some great side characters that you always get when you set your book in a small town and the main character has to get to know people. It's fun and cozy in the ways that you would expect and these friendship dates feel organic enough. Though on each one the reader and those around Daphne and Miles are always told that they aren't really together. Honestly the biggest plot hole in this book is everyone finding out that Daphne and Miles aren't really together and that fact never getting back to Peter or Petra; something that has to happen to keep the third act conflic in tact I suppose.

It's also important to know that Daphne and Miles' relationship with their parents are almost mirrored. I say almost because at least Daphne has a positive relationship with her mother whereas both of Miles parents were complicit in the abuse that his mother inflicted on him and his sister. The complex relationship that our main characters have with their various family members is explored for both, but only Daphne is able to get any kind of resolution. Partially because while we can't get his perspective, Miles' role in the narrative does seem to be to change into the kind of man that would be Daphne's perfect match. Not because he already is that already but because the narrative needs for him to shave parts of who he is to fit that.

The book does a lot of telling us who Daphne and Miles are, but the actions that each of them take don't ever really seem to match exactly this vision of who Emily Henry thinks that she's writing about. This feels really obvious with Miles and the way that we are meant to forgive him for some of the third act actions because he was also off being a manic pixie dream man.

Maybe I'm just a hater, but I do think that Miles knowing what he does and how he was supposed to be this champion for Daphne, good man or not and wanting to be helpful it does seem very silly to be helpful in the particular way he wanted to help in this story. Especially when he couldn't be bothered to say something...

Some of the issues with this book definitely have to do with wanting to use fake dating as a tool to incite these characters into being together, but it feels like almost anything could have pushed these two in that direction and as every character that crosses their path is immediately told the truth and all these excursions are framed platonically and extended to third parties it seems silly for it to even be part of the narrative. Even Petra and Peter's wedding serves as a plot contrivance that has nothing to do with the plot of the book, Peter and Petra have very little to do outside of being the boogeyman in our characters minds.

The community was fun to be in, and Ashley and Julia did a lot to make the book enjoyable. Miles really is a swoonworthy hero, but the fact we didn't get his persective did make a lot of what he was doing just feel off kilter and routinely undercut him as a character I was rooting for. Daphne... she might have been a little raggedy in the beginning and had a monologue moment at the end that seemed to say she didn't think Miles was going to be the one in a way most romance books want you to believe the hero will be the one... was ultimately fine? Just like the book. Lots of low lows, but it was ultimate a book that was easy enough to get through and definitely better than than pink book she tried to peddle as a romance last year.

I really loved this one! It was a bit of a mess which was one of it great qualities! The main character was fun and sassy as usual and I loved her! The main man was 😍😍😍😍 loved him too! I’m not sure if I love it more than Beach Story yet… I really connected with that story! I love how much Miles really morphed into this amazing and caring man when he started out as what seemed like this unmotivated bum! I think people are going to love this one!! So pick it up when it comes out in a couple weeks!

Thank you to the publisher for the eArc.

Emily Henry has done it again and I couldn’t be happier! Her books hold such a special place in my heart and I’m so happy that this one lived up to my expectations.

The chemistry between Daphne and Miles felt so real and the banter is back and just as good! Aside from the romance that had me kicking my feet, the friendships Daphne slowly forms in this book were just as cute and heartwarming. It was so nice to see the idea of having no idea how to make friends as an adult explored in such a relatable and grounded way.

I will continue to read absolutely anything Emily Henry writes and recommending it to everyone who will listen!

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance, PRH Audio, Libro.fm, and Netgalley for providing advanced copies of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

Emily Henry just never misses for me. I find her romances to be so endearing and humor completely relatable. And this latest book was no exception.

This reads quintessential Emily Henry - humorous, slightly heavy themes, and relationship you can't imagine working out.

The relationship between the main characters was fantastic. I loved getting to watch them slowly get to know each other and develop feelings. By the time they finally got together it felt so impactful since we got to actually watch them fall in love.

And just like in her other books, both main characters have personal things they need to work through. I always appreciate when the relationship isn't the "fix" but a way to help them grow.

If you're an Emily Henry fan, this will definitely be another hit for you. Everything about was heartfelt and somehow so relatable.

And if you're an audiobook listener, Julia Whelan, one of my absolutely favorite narrators, narrates this book and is (as always) outstanding.

At this stage in the game I don’t think any fans of this author actually need to know what tropes are going to show up in the next/latest release however if you’re looking for a summary, here you go : fake dating, for revenge (ish), opposites attract, they are also roommates.

Honestly, beyond the fact that it’s an EmHem — so of course I was desperate for this — I was drawn in with the “love interest is Nick Miller coded” pitch and while I wouldn’t say that’s wrong, Miles is definitely not as Nick Miller-y is I would’ve expected. Which, sorry to say, was kind of a bummer. But I got over it as things went on because Miles seemed to be a literal darling. Pure sunshine (though not without a little stormcloud tagging along for some depth). You could almost be fooled into thinking this was also a grumpy x sunshine trope except Daphne wasn’t actually grumpy, just reserved, practical, a little closed off under her armour, and took time to warm up. And not without cause, either. And it was their earlier interactions that had me thinking that, despite how things started off, this would be all rom and com and no angst at all and would, actually, be a funny story. Because there I was laughing and kicking my feet and loving the ride.

Until maybe the magic started to wear off a bit and I realized there was a little less substance, a few less layers, no real plot beyond some vibes (normally not a problem for me in a romance if I can get behind the characters, except..), and, worst of all, I found myself actually a little confused about who these characters really were when I wasn’t being told, over and over again, who they should be.

In abstract, in concept, it all works so well. And in some moments, if you treated it like a vignette, it was perfect because this author’s writing, her setting, it’s all so good. Great, even. As is usually the case with her characters, too. But in this case, for FUNNY STORY, on a whole, with all things combined? It doesn’t fully track.

And also there was the fact that riiight around the 75% mark — and sure you might (rightly) assume that’s around the third act break-up and so that’s usually where things fall apart — I just found there was more than usual happening which sort’ve made sense considering the mess everything was, but then (t h e n) something happened that I absolutely did not love. I think your mileage will vary with this one but I was pretty annoyed that the author had some side characters make a certain choice and wish it had been left alone. Also, whereas normally I love a good EmHem confessional love monologue, these ones felt a touch too extra.. though maybe it was just because I was trying to settle back into the characterization I had lost beforehand. Or maybe it was just a little too rushed and pacey near the end. Maybe all of the above.

But everything outside of these things? The early fun? The (noticing a trend) early tension? The small town vibes? So good. Even this, my lowest rated EmHem ever, is still a really good read because this woman can w r i t e. I just wish the end had been as good as the start.

Emily Henry, you have to stop doing this to me! The banter and tension were top-notch, my heart was sufficiently mangled, I laughed, I cried. I loved this book.

Thank you Berkley Pub for the free book and thank you PRH Audio for my #gifted listening copy of Funny Story! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #BerkleyBookstagram #berkleypub #BerkleyIG #berkley

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

★★★★★

I don’t know how it’s possible, but Emily Henry keeps getting better and better! Funny Story gets ALL the stars!!!!

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told the story of how they met. That is, until she realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. Now, stranded in Waning Bay, Michigan, working as a librarian and without friends or family, she proposes to be roommates with Miles, Petra’s ex-boyfriend. Miles is scruffy and disorganized, and Daphne is the complete opposite. While at first the two mostly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a friendship and also develop a plan to get back at their exes. After all, there’s no chance these two will fall in love, right?

This book was just so perfect. The characters, the banter, just everything. I loved how Henry included past family trauma and relationship issues on both sides and how well that flowed into the storyline. I mean just everything about this book was just so well done. I cannot find a single thing I did not like. I also loved all of the book references! Funny Story is without a doubt a top book of the year.

🎧I alternated between the physical book, and the audiobook, narrated by Julia Whelan. When Whelan is the narrator, how can you not listen, right? She was spectacular, as expected. I mean just a top notch performance! I could not imagine anyone else ever narrating an Emily Henry book. Talk about a dynamic duo with Emily Henry and Julia Whelan! I don’t care how you enjoy this book, but you are in for a real treat whether you read or listen to this one!

💙Found Family
💙Fake Dating
💙Forced Proximity
💙Roommates
💙Opposites Attract
💙Librarian + Book References

Posted on Instagram - Mini Review-on March 11, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
Posted on Goodreads on April 9, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around April 23, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on April 23, 2024
**-will post on designated date

I would like to preface that I’ve moved away from contemporary romance novels, but over the years I’ve read every Emily Henry book except Happy Place (on the library waiting list STILL). I think in order of her books I’ve enjoyed from fav to least fav it would be Beach Read, People We Meet then Book Lovers. So, if you have a similar ranking than me you may really enjoy this one, too!

This was easily my favorite of her books so far! Daphne and Miles are so incredibly lovable. The banter is well done—really all the dialogue in here is great and brought the characters to life. I loved Daphne’s journey of trying to discover herself and establish a life that doesn’t revolve around her partner. And MILES — he feels like someone I know in real life.

The story was well put together, even the subtle things like the countdown and changes to the chapter titles were clever. I loved all the descriptions of this Michigan town too. As someone who has visited the region before it felt pretty spot on and I was able to see this town so clearly in my mind.
—

My only complaints were name choices, like Mulder and Peter/Petra. I always had to double check to make sure I knew who I was reading about. Also didn’t love all the mentions of Daphne’s food moan. All minor, silly things that thankfully did not take away from the story for me.

Thank you Berkley for the ARC!

It’s going to take me at least three refills of my olawa and 37 applications of aquaphor to rehydrate after all of the heartfelt tears I cried while finishing this book.

Infinity stars forever and ever and ever. I now have a renewed will to live and to appreciate the beauty of this earth (how could I not, when Emily Henry inhabits it!!?!!?!) ♾️♾️♾️♾️

I want to preface this review by saying: I think it is impossible for me to read an Emily Henry book and not have a good time. Her writing and characters are literary catnip for me and I absolutely eat her books up time and time and time again. With that being said, this one sadly didn't become a new favorite of mine like I was hoping it might. Don't get me wrong, there were many moments between Daphne and Miles that had me grinning from ear to ear and kicking my feet, but I couldn't help but feel like I wanted even more of them together than we got. I feel like Funny Story had a little too much plot and not quite enough romance which feels like a stupid thing to say about a *book* but I think that the girlies who get it, will get it lol

TL;DR: this was a lot of fun but I wanted more smoochin'

cw: divorce/separation, cheating, death of a loved one, cancer, emotionally manipulative parents, absent parents