Okay, the most important thing is that I liked this more than Happy Place. However, this was a pretty mid-book from an author with Emily Henry's skill level. Her writing was simplified, which isn't bad, but it was a jump-scare from Henry, who always manages to pack a strong and elevated emotional punch with her prose. SUPER HAPPY! that she didn't rely on grief to drive any of her character's actions in this novel but then I'm left wondering "Can she only pack an emotional punch when she is writing about loss" which again isn't a bad thing but I would love for her to keep exploring how to make her characters backstories more diverse in terms of upbringing, economic background, etc as she continues to push out more romances.
I did enjoy Miles and Daphne as characters and am happy that they ended up together but they didn't feel like soulmates. If anything their love felt more out of convenience rather than "written in the stars". I was waiting for their "invisible string" moment which never came. I think not breaking Peter and Petra up would've helped with this feeling. But since they broke up and we learn that Peter and Petra were just assholes for the sake of being assholes I was left wondering why Daphne and especially Miles were with them in the first place. If that was always the plan then I wish we got more of their relationship origins with Peter and Petra. These were people they thought they would marry!!! There had to be something else there.
I also loved Ashleigh in this book! She was such a fun character and added much light to the story. I wish Henry would state her character's race earlier on in the novel. I don't know why it took us until 80% to know that Ashleigh was Persian. There was also Ashleigh and Daphne's boss who I am ASSUMING is Black based on the fact that Henry stated he looked like Morgan Freeman and he was wearing a Howard sweatshirt at one point. Would've loved a simple "he's Black, loves to xyz, etc." I shouldn't have to assume race while reading a book it should always be clear!
Even though I called this book mid at the beginning of this review I still really enjoyed it! It just didn't feel memorable in any way compared to previous works. But as always I'm excited to see whatever it is she does next!

Emily Henry never disappoints. This was such a cute story. I am getting several copies for my library and I know they will circulate well. Such a good book and fun beach read.

Read this if you like:
•forced proximity
•found family
•complicated family relationships
•opposites attract

I will always read an Emily Henry book and even more if Julia Whalen is the audiobook narrator, since she brings books to life like no other. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the librarian aspect. I loved the forced proximity. I thought the complicated parental relationships were so real.

Thank you PRH for the ALC

4.5 stars

Synopsis: When Daphne finds out that her fiancé Peter is actually in love with his childhood best friend, Petra, her whole world crumbles. She's forced to begin a new story that is comprised of being stranded in Waning Bay, Michigan, without her family or friends. The silver lining? Her dream job as a children's librarian. Left with no other choice, she decides to become roommates with the only other person who could possibly know how she feels: Miles (Petra's ex). Misery loves company, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? So begins an interesting journey of forced proximity, fake dating, and opposites attract, all while trying to heal from a broken heart.

Thoughts: Julia Whelan + Emily Henry is just the most perfect pairing. I opted to listen to this one (thank you PRH audio), and Julia just does an excellent job bringing Henry's stories to life. I thought that this was a super cute story, and I particularly enjoyed how Henry wrote about Daphne's and Miles' personal grapplings with their breakups. She has been incorporating more emotional components in her stories, and I adore these rich backstories. While Happy Place remains my all time favorite of Henry's, I know that readers will love Funny Story!

Emily Henry strikes again! I'm telling you, there is truly nothing better than an Emily Henry novel read by Julia Whelan. I loved this one, shocking no one. Daphne was a female main character I really related to as she tries to figure out her life after everything gets turned upside down. Her relationship with her mother was touching and her profession as a librarian was basically my dream. Miles was, as expected, a great love interest for Daphne. I loved the opposites attract trope here as their relationship progresses from friendship to more after their significant others leave them for each other. Witty, funny, touching, vulnerable, heart warming - all the good words for Emily Henry's newest. This will def be a favorite for me!

Honestly, I don’t think Emily Henry could publish a book and me not be interested enough to want to read it asap. There is something about her writing, and her characters that just hit different than any other books I’ve read, and this book is no exception. If you’ve liked her other books, I truly think you will love this one. It honestly felt like a mix of all of them in one!
Daphne and Miles met and probably one of the most unconventional ways to people can meet, and because of certain circumstances they were kind of thrown into life together. Watching them kind of learn each other’s quirks, personalities and habits was honestly really fun.
I truly think Mile Nowak is one of the best book boyfriends Emily Henry has written yet! He’s caring, charming, selfless, easy-going, adventurous- Honestly, he just seemed like, outside of the relationship aspect, a wonderful and loving friend, which is exactly what Daphne needed at the time. He’s also insanely hot, which I mean cherry on top. Miles also has like a bit of this bad boy persona going for him, especially in the beginning, but he definitely proves that wrong once you get to know him with his sense of humor, good heart, and just natural kindness. I absolutely adored his relationship with his sister and how natural and real that felt.
Daphne is used to experiencing life in a different way than Miles. She is much more reserved, quiet, a button up, children’s librarian. So, when she becomes roommates with a carefree, adventurous guys who’s always working odd jobs she realizes maybe her life isn’t as much her own as she thought…
So without spoiling anything, the situation of becoming roommates with your ex-fiancée's new fiancée's ex-boyfriend isn’t exactly the easiest situation to navigate. Both Daphne and Miles I feel like handled the situation in a very genuine, reasonable and smart way. Even when they actually dentally find themselves in a fake dating situation, they’re honest with their thoughts throughout that’s the main reason why I love these characters so much they’re conscious of their own flaws and weaknesses. They’re not really whining over what was. they help each other trauma and for unique, beautiful, accidental friendship. I love how their guards were slowly lowered, and they started exploring themselves more. they acted so much and were careful with each other‘s feelings. It was just so wholesome and refreshing to read about.
Overall, it comes as no surprise that I loved this one. While it may not take the spot as my favorite Emily Henry book, it is still a five star without question, and I will always recommend any of her books!!

*Thank you Berkley Romance and team for an e-ARC of this book an exchange for an honest review. All opinions above are 100% my own!*

Emily Henry never disappoints. Her writing is tender, funny, wise, and everything I love in a romance. This story is another beauty!

Thank you Berkley for my free ARC of Funny Story by Emily Henry — available Apr 23!

Read this if you:
✨ love our romcom queen, EmHen
💜 have ever lost yourself inside a relationship (become a "we" girl/guy)
🥂 wish you had a roommate who cooked and brought you chai

Daphne's dream man just came home after his bachelor party and told her he's in love with his best friend Petra — the girl he told her was like a sister to him. Devastated and stuck in a town that HE wanted to move to, Daphne is counting down the days until she can leave at the end of summer. But her new roommate, who just happens to be Petra's ex, is convinced that Daphne will fall in love with the town if he shows her all its secret spots. And really, who can blame the two of them if they take a few cozy photos during their adventures to mislead their cheating exes into thinking they're together? They deserve a little jealousy. But wait — Daphne isn't actually falling for her ex-fiancé's new fiancée's ex, is she?

Ummm I loved this one. I have to say, it starts a little slowly compared to my favorite EmHens (Book Lovers and Beach Read), but it started to pick up the pace after the first quarter or so. It's not quite as laugh-out-loud funny as those two either, but man I loved Daphne's journey through this story. I think most of us have probably fallen victim to the "we girl" experience in a relationship, so everything that happens in here is ultra-relatable!

One of my favorite aspects of this book was actually Daphne's new friendship with Ashleigh, who is a riot. And to be real, Miles' tour-guiding made ME want to move to Waning Bay. Very cute read with some seriously emotional "stuff" in here!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emily Henry novels are twofers -- a two-for-one of romance and solidly rewritten self-actualization relationship fiction. Sure, the characters quickly fall in love and get down to business, but they are also explore deep issues within themselves that the reader will likely see mirrored in their own lives or in those of someone they know.

It was refreshing to see working class main characters -- Daphne is a children's librarian and Miles is a purchaser and bartender a winery and restaurant who also works odd jobs in the off-season. When Miles's fiancé runs away with Daphne's, they each find both themselves in need of a roommate and a friend.

In a moment of brokenhearted solidarity, they agree to post pictures together on Daphne's Instagram to suggest to their exes that they are now a couple. It doesn't feel quite right to refer to this as fake-dating romance, though -- their romance begins quietly and slowly as roommates cooking meals together, visiting each other at work, and spending time as friends.

My only complaint is that the conflict towards the end of the book would have been easily corrected if they had communicated better, which seems out of character for each.

Still a recommended read, and Emily Henry is always one to pre-order.

My favourite Emily Henry yet--fizzy with sharp dialogue, and a truly crushable love interest. So thrilled to have such a fun and diverting read with real heart at the centre of it!

Funny Story is my favorite Emily Henry yet. I absolutely ADORED Miles and Daphne were perfect for each other. I really loved the trajectory of roommates to friends to lovers - the tension built perfectly and allowed us to really fall in love with the hero and heroine as individuals while they were falling in love. Emily Henry does it again - this will be one of the buzziest books of the year and for good reason. 5/5 stars!

Probably my favorite Emily Henry book since Book Lovers! The main characters are both so likable in their own ways, but the supporting cast are the real stars of the show. I love a well-rounded romance book that develops relationships/friendships outside of the main romantic plot. I also enjoyed the twist on the typical "pretending to date" trope and appreciated it didn't feel forced and also wasn't the only reason why the MCs eventually fall for each other.

I don't think you can ever go wrong with an Emily Henry book, they've always been a winner so far. And this premise was a hook line, and sinker. It's not everyday where you're becoming roomies with your ex-fiancé's new girlfriend's, ex-boyfriend. Ooof that's a mouthful. But there you have it, a start of beautiful friendship.

Every single thing about this book was an absolute win for me. And I think it may be my favorite Emily Henry book so far. It's allll about the journey that these two have and they've come quite the ways.

I'm not even going to talk about this much cause I don't want to spoil a thing. Loved it, loved it, loved it!

A digital copy was gifted through Netgalley by Berkley, all opinions are my own.

This feels like Em Hen’s most nuanced and horny book and I am here for it!

Yes, this is a romance novel but I would say it’s much more than that. It’s definitely for the girlies that come from dysfunctional families (me) and it touches on found family and finding yourself in your 30s.

I enjoyed Daphne’s growth throughout the book. I think it's a honest portrayal of someone who has lost themselves in a relationship and then has to face the consequences once it ends. Daphne and Miles’ opposites attract vibe was super fun. All the side characters made me smile (especially Ashleigh) and the library setting was so sweet (coming from someone that grew up as a library kid). I think people will love this one and I’m excited for its official release date!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Huge shoutout and thanks to #partner @berkleypub for the gifted eARC!

I didn’t understand the effect of an Emily Henry book. I thought they may have been overhyped, and I did not want to get disappointed. But I am. DISAPPOINTED IN MYSELF FOR NOT READING ONE OF HER BOOKS SOONER!

I’m calling it now that this will be in my top favorites for 2024. I laughed, I cried, I yelled, I cheered. You can’t help but root for the MC Daphne - and her now roommate Miles - after their respected partners and best friends leave them and quickly get engaged to one another. Not only that, along the way there is a lot of self discovery. I related to Daphne so much on this level. Having to rediscover yourself after conforming yourself to your partner for so many years. It scary, but worth it. But this was such a great book. And I cannot wait to read more by her - which I have to dig out of storage or just buy them again on my kindle.

Quotes that stuck out to me:
“Life isn’t a competition, and neither is love.”
“Life’s Short enough without us talking ourselves out of hope and trying to dodge every bad feeling. Sometimes you have to push through the discomfort, instead of running.”
“So many of the most beautiful things in life are unexpected.”

I really enjoyed this book by Emily Henry. It was a very unique storyline which made it hard to put down. I was hooked right from the beginning!

If a book says "By Emily Henry" there's no doubt in my mind I'll be giving it anything less than 5 stars.
Funny Story follows Daphne, a 30-something Maryland librarian who decides to uproot her life to Michigan to be closer to her fiancée, Peter's, family. Daphne's life gets flipped upside down when her fiancée comes home from his bachelor party and confesses that he's in love with his childhood best friend Petra.
Daphne move's in with Petra's ex-boyfriend Miles where they both wallow in their sadness until they receive an invite in the mail not even two months post break up - Petra and Peter are getting married!
And what better way to give them the ultimate "F&SK YOU!" then by rsvping "yes" as a couple!
Funny Story is equal parts silly, whitty, and sarcastic while also diving into deeper topics like troubled childhoods, harmful parents, and learning to love and trust. I read this in e-book format but believe me when i say nearly HALF of this book is highlighted.
I laughed, i cried, i swooned, and then i cried some more.
Emily Henry you've gotta stop putting out bangers like these -I'm going to be broke.

I laughed, I cried, I swooned. A typical Emily Henry book in the best way possible. The way she describes subtle familial emotional abuse is just so good.

Emily Strikes again with this book! I loved every second of it. I can at times see myself in Daphne in the beginning with Peter I was not excited to see characters break up and realize Peter wasn't the jerk I was making him out to be through reading the description of the book itself. As a childrens' librarian myself I love all things library Daphne is me at so many points in the story. The MMC Miles was someone I wanted to love because of his shared heartbreak immediately. He was so much the opposite of Daphne and I began to love him. The fake love revenge plot is everything I love in a trope. This will be the next big read I promise. I can't wait for it to be on the shelf so I can tell my friends to grab it!

she did it again, folks!!! emily henry, you are a queen. your banter is unmatched! the way you write romance IS the blueprint. the heart! the wit! the warmth! it truly is unmatched and in a league of its own, and i loved this story dearly. reader, i cried. (of course i did). i swooned. i laughed. i want to reread all of my other henry books now, just to live in the world of her words even longer. it was a TREASURE.

miles was engaged to petra. peter was engaged to daphne. petra and peter were best friends (UH HUH, SURE THEY WERE). bet you can guess what happened here...

and EVEN WITH a predictable couple swap, fake dating that led to real love, a third-act break up due to miscommunication, and other reliable tropes, nothing (and i repeat, NOTHING) about this felt tired or old. every page sparkled with emily henry magic. and the side characters?! amazing in their own right!

gah. a gem.