I’ve always said that writing reviews for books you love is challenging because it’s hard to write something coherent that’s not just a bunch of screaming about how you’ve just found your new favorite book.

Every April or May, I find myself feeling this way about Emily Henry’s latest release, because she has an uncanny ability to just freaking NAIL it every time. Case in point? FUNNY STORY, her newest romance (out today!), might just now be my second favorite of her novels (BOOK LOVERS will always be my little baby).

Daphne finds her life flipped upside down when her fiancé decides he’s actually in love with his best friend. Without a place to live, Daphne ends up turning to Miles, who —SURPRISE— is the man who was dumped after Daphne’s ex-fiancé declared his love for his best friend. When these unlikely roommates receive their invitations to the upcoming nuptials of their exes, they decide that they’ll pretend to be in love in an act of revenge. As they spend more time together (Miles is hellbent on getting Daphne to love Michigan), their fake feelings turn real.

OBSESSED doesn’t even cover it. While HAPPY PLACE felt a little more introspective and melancholy and literary, FUNNY STORY is a true return to the rom-com. While it leans on a few tropes, Emily Henry works her absolutely potent magic to make them feel fresh and fun again. And speaking of romance, I’d say this is her steamiest book yet (While it’s no Kindle Unlimited romance with shirtless men on it, it has its moments.) ALSO — it’s 100% her funniest book. HELLO! THE BANTER! THE TEXTS!

What else did I love? (Um, everything?).

⭐️ I adored Daphne’s love and passion for the library, and I thought the use of her readathon event as a way to mark time and build suspense was fantastic.

⭐️ Most of Emily Henry’s work has one swoon-worthy dance scene to a beloved song that makes me feel obsessed with it (see BOOK LOVERS and “Carolina In My Mind). We’ve got two goodies here: CRIMSON AND CLOVER and HARVEST MOON!

⭐️ The fact that she almost became a librarian in Ocean City, Maryland. I was all 🥹.

Are we really surprised that I loved every single thing about this book? Emily Henry’s writing never fails to pull me in and her love story’s are always exactly what I need! Miles and Daphne were so endearing and I couldn’t get enough of their story. Emily Henry has her book boyfriend formula down and nails it every single time. I don’t understand how she does it! And the banter y’all, top tier as always. I loved the fact that Daphne was a librarian and loved books as much as she did. I felt so seen! The cast of characters and other friendships were amazing and made the book even more enjoyable. This is a must read and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Thank you Emily Henry and Berkley Romance for my gifted ARC!

This meet cute story is about Daphne and Miles. They become roommates after their significant others end up together, leaving Daphne and Miles left to pick up the pieces. At first, Daphne wants nothing do with Miles, but eventually she notices how kind and even cute he is. However, in an effort to convince her ex she’s moved on, she lies and says that she and Miles are dating. She comes clean to Miles and they start fake dating yo convince their exes they’re okay. Will they be able to keep things platonic as roommates and fake lovers? Or will they actually start to feel something for each other?

Overall, I loved this story. I loved Daphne, she reminded me a lot of myself. I also loved Miles. He’s not perfect, but he’s kind and caring. I also loved the Michigan setting. I also enjoyed that there was more to the story than just romance. There are side plot points about friendship and healing from family trauma. All in all this was an excellent read that I would definitely read again.

So I know that l liked this and the story truly tugged at my heart, but I feel like this was rushed at times. There just seemed like at times, I was trying to figure out how I got from one part to another- which is why this is a 3 read for me.
Also- spoiler alert and potentially an unpopular opinion....
Miles is a bit of or red flag for me. Sorry, but don't pick your ex over me, even if you're a genuinely kind person. It's called boundaries, bro!

I absolutely loved this book! It may be my favorite one yet. I loved that the main character was a children's librarian. It was also really accurate. I can't wait to read the next book she writes!

I don’t typically find myself reading romance that doesn’t have some sort of additional twist (magical realism, time loop/slip, etc) but FUNNY STORY had me giggling and kicking my feet for the entire book. I read this on my kindle and feel like I blew through it on double speed because I just couldn’t put it down.

I absolutely loved the way that Daphne’s and Miles’ relationship developed. It felt natural and I couldn’t do anything but root for them. Henry’s writing is easy to digest but never feels cheesy or awkward.

Even though I loved this book, there was one single scene with miscommunication near the end that pulled me out of the immersion because it felt very out of character. It was resolved quickly, but I wish the situation had been handled differently. This kept it from being a full five star book for me.

Here is my current stack ranking of Henry books that I’ve read:
1. Funny Story
2. Book People
3. People We Meet on Vacation

I definitely plan on reading the rest of her backlist and whatever she comes out with next!

I basically love everything by @emilyhenrywrites and I enjoyed this one! Per normal she rips your heart out {cheating trope - not by MMC} and then slowly puts it back together. I dislike miscommunication so I struggled with that but I also think both MCs had so much baggage it made sense.
I did love how Miles showed he loved Daphne with lots of little, meaningful things. It felt “real” even if it was rushed.

The way I am obsessed with this book is not okay. I'm a big fan of Emily Henry. Do I love all of her books? No. There are some I enjoyed more than others for sure. Last year's title Happy Place was good, but far from my favorite. Funny Story, however, may have finally stolen my hear away from Book Lovers.

Funny Story follows main character Daphne, an emotionally distant and untrusting childrens librarian after she gets her heart ripped out by her fiance, Peter, who after years of saying, "they've just friends," has left her for his childhood best friend Petra. Now living in a city she only moved to because of Peter alone with few housing prospects because librarians are paid pennies in the Midwest, she moves in with Petra's also recently dumped ex-boyfriend Miles on a "temporary" basis. Peter and Petra determined to make sure everyone loves them even when they're giant jerks, won't just let both Daphne and Miles live in peace so as a last minute, spur of the moment decision for revenge, Daphne tells Peter she's dating Miles. More than happy to go on with the ruse, Miles agrees to the plan. The plan was originally only meant for Peter and Petra to know but they naturally can't stop yapping so the lie spirals out of control. Very quickly though, Daphne realizes this might not be a good idea seeing as how Miles might be the best guy on the entire planet and super hot????? What's real and what's for show? Can Daphne trust her own feelings so soon after a massive breakup? What's the point of confessing her feelings to Miles if she's going to move away after her end of the summer fundraiser for the library is over?

Once more, Emily Henry has set impossible standards for white heterosexual fictional men with the character of Miles. I love him and I love Daphne and their story is truly so witty and entertaining. From the banter, the sexual tension, and the slow build of their feelings, this book has it all. I could not stop reading and I dare anyone else to try.

So glad Emily Henry is back! I was worried after Happy Place.
It was a fun and sometimes lighthearted mix of forced proximity, fake dating, and friends to lovers. I love Daphne and Miles. Miles has a quiet confidence, is thoughtful and insightful, selfless, and can cook (yay!). Daphne is loyal, level-headed, and is also selfless (as is anyone who chooses to be a children's librarian). Watching (reading) their relationship ship grow from acquantances who are forced together through an uncontrollable situation to friends to lovers was the perfect pace and a pleasure to read. They really got to know each other and both pushed each other to grow and try new things.
On a personal note, I love that Henry showcased the library world!
Henry's writing continues to amaze. It's difficult yet easy to describe. Simple but complex. Light while also digging deeper into the characters. I would have liked to have had a little more depth to Miles and I was a little disappointed the wedding never happened.
All in all, I hope Henry stays on this path with her next book!

I always feel weird when I’m the Black Sheep. Everyone seems to think this is Henry’s best work, but I just don’t know how they think that when Happy Place and Beach Read exist? Whatever the case may be, I liked this one, but it wasn’t taking any spots on my favorite shelf.

The first thing that comes to mind about this book is the writing style. I got sucked into this book and couldn’t stop reading it. But even with her amazing signature writing style, I ended up counting the amount of times she used chortle. Idk what it was, but this just annoyed me lol And the way this wrapped up so freaking perfectly? I get making sure everything is tied up and there are no loose ends, but Lordt this felt too for the plotty. Like it was too perfect? I know this is a romance book, but it was too perfect. I need a bit more tension or emotion. Like I was in TEARS in Happy Place, and I wanted the same this time, but I didn’t get that emotion.

The romance was great! I think they deserved each other. I’m not going to lie, I was like “HELL YEAH!” when she said “Yeah they were dating to her terrible ass ex. (TBH I think this is part of why I said it was too much for the plotty. Because she should’ve went off on his ass. They were getting married! And the way she is so like sensitive, I just didn’t believe that she didn’t at least cuss him out in that last scene.) I do wish she had spent more time with them together. I was sad that they spent so much of this book running from each other.

I also didn’t like that I didn’t find the Easter eggs in this one. She’s said there’s two very discreet ones, and while I think I caught them, I want to make sure. So I need someone else who’s already read it to let me know. LOL This has been eating me up since I finished it.

The characters were the best thing about this book. I LOVED Daphne. As a librarian myself, I knew I would. And Idk who she modeled this after, but these are the exact tasks I completed at work before too. And no I wasn’t a fan of Miles being a p0t head. I could have done without that part. Also, I though Petra was so cringe. Whyyyyyy are you being nice to this person when you just took her man? KNOWING that she was a thing. It’s one thing to cheat when you don’t know. BUT SHE MET HER? And they were still trying to be friends? Girl hell naw.

Henry’s book always feel so freaking real. It’s like I’m watching a movie or something. And with this one, it’s even more so real for me because of her job. This one didn’t take over as my first favorite, but it DID tie for 3rd place. So now it’s as follows, Happy Place, Beach Read, Book Lovers & this. People we Meet on Vacay is still the one I wish I hadn’t read lol Idk what it is about that one lol It’s just not for me. But this one is. In fact, this one is for everybody!

I cannot decide if I enjoyed Funny Story as much or more than Happy Place. I loved this book! I truly hated for it to end and have had many great conversations about it in the teachers lounge. While it was a little predictable, it was so very enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview!

QUICK TAKE: If you like Emily Henry books, you’ll like her latest, FUNNY STORY, an “opposites attract” romcom about two jilted exes who pretend they’re dating in order to get revenge on the partners who wronged them. It’s basically a fictionalized version of the Shania Twain cheating scandal, and it’s a lot of fun. Henry infuses the story with heart and humor, and while her writing can be a little over-descriptive (if i have to read about the male romantic interest smelling like ginger one more time…), I think this is up there with BOOK LOVERS as one of my favorites by the author. I listened to this one on audio and thought Julia Whelan did a nice job, especially voicing the MC’s father and stepmom, Starfire (spin-off, please!).

Emily Henry gets better with each book she writes! Funny Story is no different - I literally read this book in one 24 hour period because I could not put it down. When Daphne's fiance tells her he has fallen for his childhood best friend, Petra, (at his bachelor party), her world comes crashing down. Peter not only dumps her, but forces her to move out of their home, leaving her alone in a small Michigan town in which she knows only Peter's friends. With no other options, Daphne moves in with Petra's jilted boyfriend, Miles. Completely opposite, the roommates don't have much in common other than their broken hearts. But one drunken night, after receiving the invitation to Peter and Petra's wedding, Daphne RSVPs to the wedding with a plus one, and convinces Miles to pretend to be her boyfriend to get back at their exes. As the two spend more time together and pretend to be smitten, a real connection develops. Miles helps Daphne grow, showing her around town, taking her on adventures, and introducing her to locals. No longer does Daphne feel like an outsider, and begins to doubt her decision to move back home at the end of the summer. Henry's writing, character development, and plot twists keep this a page turner (and why I got very little sleep that night!). As always, Henry's characters are a pleasure to get to know and her writing style is fun, relatable, and totally addicting.

Emily Henry's best work yet! I seem to find her books hit or miss, and as much as I hated Happy Place I loved Funny Story. The characters from Funny Story had trauma but were so much more mature. And the communication? *chef's kiss*

Once again Emily Henry does not disappoint! I have not read a single book by this author I have not absolutely adored, and I'm so happy to say this one was not any different! I loved the characters, the romance and her writing was just as good as before. This one might've made it to my top 3 Emily Henry books and i'll definitely be recommending!

“Let go of the people who don’t hold onto you.”

I finished this beauty the week it came out and have been sitting on my review for a long time…simply because I don’t have the words to express how much I loved it.

When two wonderful humans, Daphne and Miles, are wronged by their significant others who choose to leave them for one another, Daphne and Miles are both left scrambling. Daphne moves in with Miles but they keep to themselves for the most part. They’re roommates who have both been wronged by the same people. They’re roommates who are both hurting. They’re roommates who don’t like others to see them suffer.

At least…until that changes. At first, I had no idea what to think of Miles. He isn’t painted in the right light by every other character, until he gets the chance to show us his true self. This just goes to show how wrong people can be about a person until they’re given the chance to show who they are for themselves.

This book handles grief in an absolutely raw and beautiful way—which is something that’s not easy to capture in a genuine capacity. Grief, loss, betrayal…but then also growth, re-finding oneself, and a love of life mark each and every page of Funny Story.

I wasn’t sure I was going to love Daphne and Miles together, mostly because of just how different they seemed to be in the beginning. But opposites definitely can attract, and these two are a match made in an Emily Henry world.

I think what I love most about Emily’s stories is how real they are. Don’t get me wrong, they’re fictional and far-fetched at times, but the experiences her characters go through, the feelings they experience… they’re all real and have happened to many others. Who hasn’t felt betrayal, loss, and love at some point in their lives? Who hasn’t felt the desire for more? The need to chase your own dreams? The want to start over? Emily manages to capture all of this and more and give us a glimpse of just how wonderfully it could all turn out.

“I’m a cynic. And a cynic is a romantic who’s too scared to hope.”

Tropes:
- Opposites attract
- Ex-fiance’s new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend
- Roommates to more
- Forced proximity
- Found family

First line: Some people are natural storytellers.

Summary: Daphne believes she has the perfect life. She is engaged to a wonderful man, has the job of her dreams (a children’s librarian) and lives in the beautiful town of Waning Bay, Wisconsin. But it all comes crashing down when her fiancé, Peter, realizes that he is in love with his best friend, Petra. In a spur of the moment decision, Daphne accepts the offer to move in with Petra’s ex, Miles.

While most days are spent avoiding each other, one night they form a bond over their shared heartache leading Daphne to accidentally insinuate to Peter that her and Miles are now a couple. As the two spend more time together and just happen to post photos of the two of them, Daphne starts to wonder if her friendship with Miles may become more than either of them expected. Maybe their fake relationship has become more real than pretend?

My Thoughts: I absolutely adored this book! It is definitely my favorite of Emily Henry’s rom-com books so far. She writes interesting characters (ones that all seem to be a part of the book world), who are witty and people that are easy to cheer for.

I loved the relationship between Daphne and Miles. The unlikely pairing who perfectly complement each other. She is the tight laced librarian and he is the free spirit bartender. We have all seen this movie or read this book. It is predictable but fun! But Henry adds backstories to each that make their relationships with everyone around them more complicated. And then there is the wonderful cast of supporting characters who add wisecracks as well as insight into the main characters. I wanted to live in this book.

If you are looking for a book to take on vacation, read by the pool or add to your Summer Reading Program TBR, then I would highly recommend this! However, I would also recommend any other books as well. They all pair well with the summer vibes that are nearly here.

My review for Funny Story is available at Washington Square News, New York University's student-run newspaper.

This was my first Emily Henry read and I can definitely see why she is so popular. Overall I really enjoyed the book but I did think that some of the overlapping plot lines got to be a bit much. I enjoyed the premise of the crossed relationships and trying to make lemonade out of life's lemons. The love interests were fun together and some of the initial awkwardness made sense with the plot instead of feeling cringy that I sometimes find in other books.

Funny Story may just be my favorite Emily Henry book yet.
I admit I still haven't read a couple, but I really, really loved book lovers and this topped that for me. Something about "I threw some almonds at them and they drove away" only 4% in had me like actually guffawing, and I knew I was in for a great time with the rest of the book.
I loved the building of their friendship, the fake dating, the real dating, the way people surprise you, everything about this was a hit for me!