I didn’t get the hype of Emily Henry until happy place. I absolutely love that book but I feel like funny story is even better than that one. Henry can just write so many things. I was happy and sad and it was so funny but also something happened that made my heart drop. She isn’t afraid to write about hard things and I love that.

Steamy forced proximity, friends to lovers, opposites attract, sort of love triangle? I think those who really love Emily Henry's books will enjoy this one without any issues. It was my first of this author and I wasn't exactly blown away. At times it has a very Three's Company feel where things look differently than they are and assumptions make an a** of you and me, but otherwise it was a solid book.

Let me just start by saying that I never thought any other EH book would top Beach Read, which is one of my all time favorites, however, Funny Story exceeded every single one of my expectations and I can confidently say it is one of the best books that I have ever read.

This story just gripped my heart and soul from the very beginning. I literally laughed out loud and cried with these characters.

Daphne was one of those soft spoken characters that radiates a certain strength that only comes from enduring personal troubles. Miles is now one of my favorite main characters with his humble kindness and the sweet way that he cared for Daphne while mutually going through a betrayal from a person he cared deeply for.

I will be honest, not all of EH's books have been for me, but I am begging anyone (and that includes those who have had mediocre experiences with her past books) to give this book a shot. Compared to some of her other books, this one is a little heavier in the romance but still maintains that literary fiction vibe that her books tend to have. Overall, I just need everyone to experience reading this book because I am in love. This book has earned a million stars and then some from me!

Thank you Berkley Romance for allowing me to read this early and experience reading one of my new favorites for the first time in such a special way.

Emily….girl you always know how to get me in my feels…I can’t even tell you how many times I laughed, cried and just truly giggled at these two. I also highlighted half this book lol

This one was like the perfect romcom, it was funny, cute, heartbreaking and all together the book I needed from Emily.

The relationship between Daphne and Miles was built up so perfectly, the banter was amazing the friendship was incredible.

Miles….like every Emily Henry MMC was just…..chefs kiss.

I felt so seen with Daphne, she was really a character I really felt like I was reading about myself…were similar in many ways. There was so many moments in this book I just fell in love with these characters and their story. (Honestly I need more pls)

I couldn’t put this book down….i can’t wait to get my hands on the hard copy and be able to annotate this book!

Is this my favorite Emily Henry? No. Was it still fantastic? Yes.

Listen, I'm a Gus/Charlie kinda girl and the main dude in this just wasn't hitting. The story? Fantastic.

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC. Emily Henry is one of my favorite authors and I breeze through her books. Funny Story was my favorite of hers. I loved the characters (fell in love with Miles) and wanted to punch their exes. I liked how they grew close together and formed a wonderful friendship, especially since the main character felt so alone in the beginning. I also loved the setting- I want to go hang out at a winery after going to roadside stops to sample all the town has to offer. Overall 4.5 stars!

As a Librarian who grew up in Michigan, I feel a bit biased reviewing this book, however Emily Henry did it again and I absolutely loved this book. The roommate but also fake dating trop was right on point for these characters. I didn't love the conflict, but it made sense with the characters' storylines. Will definitely recommend!

Funny Story
by Emily Henry
Pub Date: April 23, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGAlley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.
I recommend this book for those who love rom-coms. I generally do not read them but I do love Emily Henry.
I have to admit I had doubts when I first decided to read this book because I've never been a fan of love triangles or ex-lover situations. When they are involved, things get messier, and emotions get blurrier.
The plot revolves around Daphne, who loves the story of how she met her fiancée Peter until he dumps her after the bachelor party to choose his childhood friend Petra over her, giving her one week to move from their shared house, heading to the Amalfi Coast with his new girlfriend! Yes, what a jerk! Homeless and hopeless, Daphne, who recently left her old life behind to start a new life with Peter, finds Miles: Petra’s dumped a few minutes ago boyfriend at Peter’s door, and she pops up the question: is there any vacant room at your apartment?
Fun read!

This book is exactly what you think it’s going to be from the minute you crack it open. And guess what? Sometimes that’s exactly the kind of read you need in that moment. I totally related to the librarian MC in several ways, including her daddy issues (unfortunately), and her love of Narnia. But I have never seen any staff member give themselves a manicure at the Service Desk, just saying. ☺️

Save this for that day you need to escape into a world where you can guess the ending but love every minute of getting there. ❤️

You don’t need the synopsis for this one. You’re gonna grab it no matter what, right? Just know it’s fake dating, self discovery, classic Emily Henry.

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

This book is releasing in April 🎉

Side note: When will these cartoon covers die? I can’t stand them!

I love everything Emily Henry writes. Her storytelling style is so natural and she always finds a way to make the characters very relatable. My absolute favorite novel of hers will probably always be Beach Read, but I still loved Funny Story as well. I instantly identified with the main character since she also works in a library. Henry's descriptions of working in a library were so spot on to my own experience and she really captured the weird essence of working within a community. I really liked Miles as a character, he was very instantly loveable, but I felt that his backstory was left somewhat unfinished. We learn a lot about his family life and his strained relationship with his mother, but we don't really see any resolution to that plot point. With the main character we see a lot of growth as is typical to Henry's characterization style. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and will always look forward to a new Emily Henry book.

Let me start by saying, potentially getting an eARC of "Funny Story" was the sole reason I joined NetGalley this past summer! I have been a school librarian for 10 years and work part-time at a public library, but never thought to join till I saw everyone on BookTok talking about trying to get ARCs for my favorite author's newest book. I screamed when the approval came in and then waited 2 months to read it, because I wanted to savor the moment.

What can I say, Emily Henry is the best in the biz! Another wonderful, heartfelt, and relatable romance that discusses important topics. I truly loved this book! I think I have given 5 stars to every Emily Henry book, even though I still have my favorites, as every Emily Henry reader does. And as we all know you can tell a lot about a person by their favorite Emily Henry novel.

"Funny Story" follows Daphne whose fiancé', Peter, always loved telling people the funny story of how they met, that is until he dumps her...for his childhood best friend...the night after his bachelor party. Not only was Daphne broken up with, but Peter's new girlfriend, Petra, breaks up with her boyfriend, Miles when all of this goes down. So naturally Daphne moves in with Miles since Petra will be moving in with Peter in one week. Daphne now has no friends in this new town and Miles isn't the most compatible roommate for her, but after a drunken night of bonding where the two RSVP to there exes' wedding they set off a spiral of fake-dating. Daphne is determined to make friends and build her own life, but this fake-dating may derail those careful plans that she loves to make.

This story was wonderful. It was laugh-out-loud funny, but also made me tear up several times. Miles might be Henry's best book boyfriend yet. Daphne and Miles are really good at communicating their feelings (for the most part) and I loved that. And as many other early reviewers have noted this is probably Henry's sexiest book yet. I think this book covered elements of all her previous novels...found friendship, childhood trauma, parent/child relationships, self-discovery and going for your dreams even if they aren't the original dreams you always had. I had some complaints, but they were minor and probably nit-picky and contain spoilers so I will leave those out of this review.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for a copy of this eARC!! Truly made my year! I cannot wait to reread when the audiobook is released since we all know Daphne would approve that listening counts as reading too.

After growing up moving from place to place, Daphne starts to feel at home with her fiancé Peter in his hometown of Waning Bay, Michigan. The morning after his bachelor party, he dumps her for his childhood best friend, Petra. With no friends or family in town and little savings, Daphne’s only option is to temporarily move in with Petra’s ex, Miles. Daphne loves her job as a children’s librarian but plans to relocate in a few months once the library’s highly anticipated read-a-thon is over. In those few months, Daphne and Miles fake date to make their ex’s jealous, Miles shows Daphne the beauty of Waning Bay, and she finds herself making new friends along the way.

This might be my favorite Emily Henry book yet! It has everything we adore from her previous books all wrapped into one—a cozy small town, fake dating, forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, opposites attract, book (library) love, and found family. Both the main and wide cast of side characters are lovably imperfect and the banter is hilarious. On a deeper note, Henry tenderly and realistically explores female friendships, self-discovery, and complicated family dynamics. This book is fun, sexy, and incredibly heartwarming.

I have looked forward to this book for so long, and it did not disappoint. As a librarian, I could totally relate to her job and the need to be perfect. The romance was sweet and I cheered at the end.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC copy of Funny Story by Emily Henry in exchange for an honest review.

As a librarian, Daphne was always a lover of stories and how they were told. The one she loved best was how her fiance, Peter, told their tale of meeting and falling in love. He enjoyed telling it and she loved hearing it... well, until the plot changed when he confessed his love for his childhood best friend and ran off into the sunset with her. Desperate for a new chapter to her story, Daphne finds an unlikely acquaintance in her new roommate, Miles. They have the unfortunate honor of sharing exes. His ex being her ex's childhood best friend and new found love. When Miles and Daphne unexpectedly receive invitations to Peter and Petra's upcoming wedding, they fumble up an plan to be each others plus one. Nothing could go wrong with fake dating your roommate... right?


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Everything Emily Henry touches is gold. I mean, it's ridiclous and I devour it. This book, while not my favorite of hers, is still a top contender for me when compared to other romance authors. Forced proximity? Check. Relationship of convenience? Check. Hot unconventional MMC? Check. I really did like Miles and Daphne. I love when characters are not buttoned up or something that fits in a sellable Lifetime movie. They're edgy and relateable. Miles being mopey and wallowing in sad love songs and romance movies? 1000% would be my husband if we broke up. Daphne having a negligent parent relationship? Common ground. I also love that the author adds depth to characters by giving them issues to deal with outside of the relationship (Miles with his parents and Julia, Daphne with her parents and Ashleigh). It makes the story about the romance, but keeps you around for everything else going on.

I would read Emily Henry's grocery list with fervor. I cannot wait for what she has in store next!

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free copy of Funny Story by Emily Henry (April 23, 2024) - below is my honest review!

Emily Henry knitted everything I loved about her last 4 books into one. The hijinks and friends-to-lovers from People We Meet on Vacation, forced proximity of Beach Read, small town and complex families of Book Lovers, heartbreak and melancholy of Happy Place. With Funny Story, we get it all!

Daphne moved around her whole life until she met her fiancé, Peter. Now settled in Peter's hometown of Waning Bay, Michigan, she loves her job as a children's librarian and is planning a read-a-thon in a few months. On the night of his bachelor party, Peter announces he is in love with his best friend Petra, the wedding is off, and Daphne has a week to leave the house. Miles, Petra's boyfriend, is as shocked as Daphne. Counting down the days to put this town behind her, Daphne is Miles's temporary roommate. When, in a drunken haze, they RSVP yes to Peter and Petra's wedding, they set off a chaotic series of events, resulting in Miles becoming Daphne's fake boyfriend. Miles is a good guy who is a little odd but universally adored and doesn't think Daphne should pack up and leave a job she loves just because Peter is a dick. He has until the read-a-thon to convince Daphne to see the beauty of Waning Bay. As Daphne begins to make friends of her own, she wonders what it would be like to finally put down roots.

This book has humor, whacky characters, big emotions, and personal growth. Waning Bay is a magical town of small businesses, farmers' markets, quirky bars, and quiet beaches. Miles and Daphne have a lot of baggage from their parents. He always tries to appear happy, and she never expects others to follow through. They grow to become friends and share raw emotions while grappling with attraction, not wanting to jeopardize a friendship that is important to them both. I could go on and on about this book. I loved it.

FUNNY STORY by @emilyhenrywrites 📣 4/23/24
❤️ romance • 🌟 5 stars • 📱 ebook
•
A BIT LIKE 🍒
🌅 sitting on the beach at sunset
📀 a classic 2010s rom com
🌊 BEACH READ & EVERY SUMMER AFTER
•
FAVORITE BITS ✨
🧔🏻 MILES MILES MILES (obsessed!!!! disheveled king!)
🗣️ EH’s BANTER WILL ALWAYS BE ELITE!
🏡 the small town vibes!
🌱 I wasn’t totally sure about the FMC Daphne at first, but her personal growth ended up being a HIGHLIGHT!
•
BITS TO BEWARE 💔
👩🏻 the FMC isn’t for everyone, but stick with her!
🤥 cheating is the entire premise
•
BOOKISH THEMES & TROPES 📚
🫂 forced proximity
🥸 fake dating
🧲 opposites attract
🌊 Lake Michigan!
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family dynamics
👯‍♀️ female friendship
💔 heartbreak & healing
•
IN MY BOOK 📖 this is a new TOP ROM COM! the fake dating! the small lake town summer vibes! the growth! THE BANTER!! MILES!! you’ll laugh, cry, gasp & fall in love. Add this to your spring TBR ASAP!

It’s strange that in every Emily Henry’s book I read, I always tend to find something relatable (except in happy place, I don’t think I could ever trade working in the hospital with pottery) I love the fact that there’s always something I could relate to, something or someone I could see myself in. Reading her books for me is the same as feeling seen and being understood. I loved the way I felt while reading this. No surprise that this is my first five star of the year.

The first two chapters and the messy situation got me slightly worried, but in EH I blindly trust. Miles is the best!! I can’t believe I doubt him for like two seconds. He’s so charming, so sweet, so caring, so naturally easy going, and he got me smiling and blushing like a fool the whole time. He’s just so good!!! He has set my expectations up so high. I really loved Daphne as well, I related to her and I just wanted to give her a warm hug. She said and though if a lot of things that got me feeling like yeah, same girl. Same.

I really really loved their relationship. It was just so fun, so sweet, so adorable, so steamy, and so charming and warm. I loved their adventures. That FIRST FAKE NOT SO FAKE KISS. Their chilling talks! I loved how they were both aware of the situation they were in. How they started moping then decided to be bitter about it and in the end they just moved on and found comfort in each other. I loved Daphne’s new friendship with Ashleigh and how she found a place to belong in the town. Her and Miles romance just totally stole the show for me. I’d give love a try if it’s gonna be with a man like Miles

4.25/5
First of all, can I say how much I loved the very accurate librarian representation?? This is, among other things, a love letter to libraries, which I obviously ate up. Daphne is a very relatable character for me. I'm so here for seeing introverted characters get their heroine moments. Miles is a golden retriever boy who honestly reminds me a bit of my husband, so of course I loved him too.

Daphne and Miles move in when they are both dumped, Daphne by her fiancé Peter and Miles by his longtime girlfriend Petra, who just happens to have been Peter's childhood best friend. Daphne is left homeless and so Peter convinces her to move into his apartment so they can live together in misery. Being that this is Emily Henry, this is a lot more than just a roommates-to-friends-to-lovers story. Both Daphne and Miles have some childhood trauma and family issues to work out before they can make it to their HEA and if you're a cryer like me, you will definitely get misty-eyed a few times before the end. There are so many lovable characters, relatable moments, and that blend of humorous, heartwarming, and heartbreaking writing that we've come to expect from Emily Henry. Not my favorite book of hers, but certainly not my least favorite! (And now I really need some chai.)

I love love love Emily Henry and I will read everything she writes, but I will say something about this one fell a little bit flat for me. Beach Read meets New Girl in this one with nothing else much to offer aside from that. Will I still be buying every special edition and gushing about Miles/Nick Miller? Absolutely.

Emily Henry hit all of the emotions with this one.
I knew she could write a rom-com in her sleep but I was wildly unprepared for the raw emotions that the two lead charachters ,Daphne and Miles , could elicit from me. They eventually unwrap hurts and hang-ups about themselves that struck a major cord with me, helping me to empathize and relate to their story on a meaningful level.
Sure,there are wonderful, kind of satirically tragic moments that elicit laughs but my main take away is the character growth in Daphne and Miles. These two people, thrown together due to the selfishness of others , find love from hurt and wholeness through the breaking.
I found myself very emotional while reading this book.
Emily Henry is one heck of an author, able to pull,humor and pain from characters in a magical way.
Already looking forward to her next publication!

Special thanks to Berkley and Netgalley!