Good. Full of romance and friendship. Shows how relationships happen when you least expect it in the unlikely of circumstances. Also a must for any book lovers as the authors love for books just shines through. Another wonderful addition to the bibliography of Emily Henry. Thank you for letting me read this.

I’m so grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me for this title. I am a big Emily Henry and have been very excited for this release… and it certainly did not disappoint!! This book had me giggling and squirming and laughing the whole way through. It had so many of my favourite romance tropes but somehow still felt like a fresh new story which is so difficult to accomplish in this day and age. I loved the characters and the twists and turns and while at first was thinking oh god no these two cannot be together.. they cannot do this, somehow I was okay with it because I fell in love with them as a couple. And then Emily’s satisfied my wishes and made it perfectly okay for them to be together by breaking up the two P’s and I was grateful for that. Overall I found the writing was great and the story was so fun, I absolutely devoured this one!!

I’m so grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me for this title. I am a big Emily Henry and have been very excited for this release… and it certainly did not disappoint!! This book had me giggling and squirming and laughing the whole way through. It had so many of my favourite romance tropes but somehow still felt like a fresh new story which is so difficult to accomplish in this day and age. I loved the characters and the twists and turns and while at first was thinking oh god no these two cannot be together.. they cannot do this, somehow I was okay with it because I fell in love with them as a couple. And then Emily’s satisfied my wishes and made it perfectly okay for them to be together by breaking up the two P’s and I was grateful for that. Overall I found the writing was great and the story was so fun, I absolutely devoured this one!!

*Thank you to Penguin Random House and Viking Books for the early access!*

l've noticed a trend of me starting every Emily Henry review this way, and I am so happy whenever a new book comes out and I get to do it again: she continues to outdo herself.

Once again, "Funny Story" is so much more than the marketed romcom. The depth, effort, and emotion put into developing every relationship in this book is so painfully heartwarming and real that it's hard not to get caught up in their universe. It's so comforting to see adult characters still figuring out life.

Like Nora (Book Lovers), Daphne is another character I quickly grew attached to and really related to. Maybe it's the third culture kid in me (LOL) and the constant moving around while growing up, but it was so nice to finally meet a character whose struggles with stability are well thought out and well written. All this to say that I truly believe there is at least one character throughout the book that every reader can relate to. The "side-characters" absolutely do not feel like side-characters, Emily Henry provides with so much depth to them outside of their attachment to Daphne and Miles. So much so that I found myself rooting for them and crying over these platonic relationships. (Yes, I did cry multiple times while reading this - non-stop in the last three chapters, to be specific).

I am so excited for this to be published in April and can't wait for everyone to get their hands on a copy!

What an incredible book this was. Emily Henry just cannot do wrong. Funny Story has insanely relatable characters, going through personal issues and coming together to resolve them. The depth of the characters and their growth throughout the story was admirable and inspiring. I have finished this a few weeks ago now but cannot stop thinking about Daphne and Miles, and they're currently living rent-free in my head.

I loved this! It took some time to get into the story, but after a while I couldn’t put it down. I loved Daphne, Miles and most of the side characters, the way the story developed and just the overall vibe. At moments it really felt like I could be in this town with the people and I could picture the places they’d been going to.
I will never get enough of books about books and Daphne’s work was such a fun element in this story.
I slowly fell in love with Daphne and Miles and their story. Besides Book Lovers, this is now definitely my favorite Emily Henry book!

I was extremely excited to be approved for this arc, seeing as I have loved all of Emily Henry's books so far.
We fall into this 'funny' story with our main character, Daphne, having just found out her fiance, Peter, is breaking up with her and getting together with Petra, his childhood best friend. What's 'funnier' is that she ends up moving in with Miles, who happens to be the guy Petra broke up with in order to get together with Peter.
Daphne is a woman who's had a lot thrown at her in life, with an absent father and a long list of places she and her mother moved to over the years. The one constant in her life was books. And her job as a librarian is perfect for her. She's used to disappointment and not feeling good enough.
Then, when things start to change with regard to her feelings for Miles, who happens to be rather hot and is living in the room next door, she isn't sure if this is the right thing to happen or not.
I don't want to regurgitate the story, but what I will say is that it was filled with lots of brilliant, imperfect characters, and oh, my, the spice was definitely present in a few scenes! I had to shield my Kindle away from other train passengers when reading one particular scene! (And my face!)
A fantastically written story about a woman who needs to learn to trust again and to believe in herself and the people around her who really do care. And to remember that we never know what will happen next, but we cannot live afraid of 'what ifs'. We all have our own way of telling our story...
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC.

Fake dating to me always feels totally unbelievable, but in the hands of Emily Henry I thought it might work and I was right. It didn't feel like I had to suspend my disbelief too much as the whole fake dating aspect wasn't forced into every scenario and I was able to sit back and relax. I liked how, as with other Henry books, there's a cast of characters outside of the central pair that feel developed and complex too, though I did think Miles' sister was a bit of a shoe-in. Additionally, I read a review about how Henry's characters are *very* self-aware, and whilst usually it doesn't bother me, here I did feel like there were quite a few passages of the characters, particularly Daphne, therapying themselves and telling me everything rather than showing.

I think giving an Emily Henry book anything less than 4 stars is sacrilegious but I must admit if this were any other author it might have been a guiltless 3 star rating. Throughout this book I kept waiting to love it. I kept asking myself what exactly was missing and honestly I think it was the plot. Like OBVIOUSLY a romance unfolds between roommates Miles and Daphne but I just didn’t fall in love with them. I didn’t particularly care about their problems, their chemistry was pretty much nonexistent and I found the start and stop of their romance was a bit tedious. Miles had his moments of being a great golden retriever book boyfriend but overall was just a bit lacking and I think Daphne gives librarians a bad rep. Might give a .5 bonus star for Starfire and her past life. What a giggle.

Emily Henry is one of those perfectly dependable authors. Gorgeous stories, characters you’ll fall in love with, well written narrative and a little bit of dazzle. Funny Story is no different.

If you haven’t read a Henry novel, this is a great place to start. If you have, get this one down you too.

Another incredible romance by Emily Henry! Funny Story is beautifully written, there's something about Henry's writing style that just sucks me into the book. It's about a messy, messy relationship between Daphne, Peter, Miles and Petra, but somehow it never becomes ridiculous. All the characters feel like real people, which is where this book shines. Daphne and Miles are just ordinary people with ordinary jobs and lives and issues, but their relationship, from friends to lovers, is anything but ordinary. All the characters, main and secondary, are well-rounded and wonderful additions to the story. I especially loved Daphne's relationship with her mother and coworkers/friends. It was great to see how Daphne learned to stand up for herself to her dad and her ex, and realize that she has so much to offer and deserves much more than she's gotten so far. Funny Story is incredibly heart-warming, fun and has plenty of emotional depth.

Another smasher from Emily Henry. I've loved all her books and this new one will be added to my collection as soon as it's released. She's a beautiful storyteller who manages to capture characters' vulnerabilities and deepest fears without ever veering into trite sentimentality. Daphne and Miles were both gorgeous characters - his chocolate labrador energy gets an extra gold star - and I thoroughly enjoyed their story.

In "Funny Story," Emily Henry presents a delightful tale of unexpected connections and budding romance set against the backdrop of Waning Bay, Michigan. Daphne finds herself stranded in this picturesque town, grappling with a failed engagement and a job as a children's librarian that barely makes ends meet. Her solution? Rooming with Miles, the ex of her ex-fiancé's new love interest. Despite their contrasting personalities, Daphne and Miles form an unlikely friendship and embark on a scheme involving misleading photos and summer adventures. But as they navigate their complicated feelings, Daphne begins to wonder if love might be waiting where she least expects it.

This novel is an absolute joy to read, offering a perfect blend of humor, heart, and romance. Henry effortlessly weaves together familiar tropes with fresh twists, creating a story that feels both comforting and refreshingly original. I found myself swept away by the charming chemistry between Daphne and Miles, rooting for them every step of the way. Henry's characters are beautifully crafted, each with their own quirks and vulnerabilities that make them feel like old friends.

What sets "Funny Story" apart is its honest portrayal of modern love and relationships. Henry eschews flashy embellishments in favor of authenticity, grounding her story in the everyday struggles and triumphs of her characters. Through Daphne and Miles, she explores themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of second chances, leaving readers with a warm and fuzzy feeling long after they've turned the final page.

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC (advanced reader copy) of "Funny Story," and I can confidently say it's a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. I rate this book 4/5 stars and eagerly anticipate diving into more of Emily Henry's work in the future. If you're in need of a feel-good read that will leave you smiling, be sure to add "Funny Story" to your shelves on April 23rd 2024!

I’d like to thank NetGallery, the Publishers, Author and all those who helped created this novel behind the scenes and those who handled my request for an advanced reader copy. I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book and share my thoughts!

I can't resist a Emily Henry book and this one is now near the top of my favourites!

Daphne thought she had her life planned out with partner Peter... until his bachelor party went wrong and he ended up leaving her for his best friend Petra. Not knowing what to do or where to go, Daphne ends up living with Miles, Petra's ex!

Something Emily Henry always does so well is characters and humour. This book is no different. Even though Daphne ends up in an awful situation, she and Miles try to dig themselves out if it... together. One small lie turns into something huge and puts Daphne and Miles in some interesting situations.

I thought the whole book was hilarious. I really enjoyed watching Daphne and Miles, two completely different people, get to know one another. They learn to lean on each other in a bad situation and make the most of what they have.

Of course, there has to be a few different times where things go wrong and I enjoyed these too. One of my favourite books this year!

Oh wow! I think this might be one of my favourite books of 2024. It's definitely my favourite Emily Henry book. It was just so spectacular! Wow, wow, wow!

This book is one of Emily Henry’s BEST! I loved the setting and the developed characters. The slow burn was actually SLOW, which I loved!

The first half was brilliant- so well written and fleshed out. I found the 3/4 mark a little bit trickier- the writing style seemed different, more distant. But the ending was fine, if a tad rushed.

But overall, a very enjoyable read!

Miles and Daphne have been both recently suffered break ups and in fact, theirs exes are now dating each other. They were practically strangers but circumstances has them living together at this emotional time in their lives and we see how they become friends and support each other.

This book has fake dating, small town romance and brilliant banter. It is a funny, moving and romantic story with Henry's typical character journey to self discovery and acceptance. I loved the wonderful bookish setting of the library, the great protagonists and brilliantly crafted side characters. I think this is a serious contender for top spot of my Emily Henry reads.

Emily Henry is definitely one of my favourite authors, I have loved every single book of hers, they never fail to make me smile, reflect on life and think about something I hadn't necessarily considered. I also find that when I relate to a character, she manages to get the feelings that I often struggle to get into words down in such a flawless way.

Thank you to Viking books for my review copy of this one that is out in April 2024.

What a gorgeous, powerful romance. I adored the friendship, humour, vulnerability and growth in both Daphne and Miles stories. Daphne and Miles are presented with a pretty dire state of affairs - being jilted by their partners - and end up sharing Miles’ apartment. This is, of course, a perfect recipe for a little frisson of romance to bloom and my god but was I ready for it? Despite knowing a good trope when I see one, I really was not.

MILES. Charming, funny, irreverent, totally capable, implied slight jack-of-all-trades, wine bar manager and total ‘normal guy but super hot dreamboat’ is an utter gem. His story was so perfectly revealed as the novel developed and his past problems with family are explored and meaningful. His and Daphne’s conversations had depth and a genuine care to them, which so many novels miss in favour of getting to the steamy, teasing parts. But fear not - the steam was there, the teasing was palpable and the scenes were gorgeous!

Daphne is one of my favourite EmHen protagonists. Her journey and growth in addressing family issues, the relationships she navigates post traumatic dumping and the friendships she developed endeared me to her a lot. I loved seeing her friendship with Ashleigh particularly and could honestly read a book about her alone!

It goes without saying (but I will anyway), that Emily Henry has done it again. A true master of a beautiful, romantic, funny story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Another fabulous book by Emily Henry. I have always loved fake dating romance but it can be done well or terrible and this one was perfect for me.
Daphne for me was a breath of fresh air. And interesting character with a background and personality I have not had the joy of reading about in a while. The male main character miles was also really interesting. I love how when we first meet miles we see him through daphnes eyes which is based on what her jealous ex told her, then we get to see him evolve into an actual person with value, emotions and personality as she gets to know him.

A quote I loved:
“You are either the friendliest man on the planet,” I say, “or a world‑class serial killer.”
“Why not both?”

The way the story is written you get to see such a natural progression in their relationship and I love how it’s illustrated with small mini instances and moments that allows you to see it building bit by bit. One of my favourite parts of a good book is how it allows us to live through the character and experience their life as it happens to them.

With Emily’s writing each book give us a chance to see different characters with interesting personalities and traits and we get to learn about their backgrounds and what built up to their insecurities and their joys. Learning about people in this way allows us to attempt to empathise and feel the experiences and emotions of people that we will never be and to find ways to relate to all humans in some aspect.

Overall really enjoyed reading this. Another 5 ⭐️ read. I just love it when a book starts off good and you get the feeling that this one will be a 5 star book and that actually carries through all the way to the end and doesn’t fall flat midway.

well, well, well.

This is my most anticipated release of the year, alongside Carley Fortune #3.

if there's one thing I can guarantee in my life, it's the ability to fall in love with an Emily Henry book (except you, Book Lovers). Funny Story is absolutely no exception to that.

This is in my top 3 EH books now, alongside Beach Read and Happy Place.

Funny Story is, at times, a funny story. I laughed! I may have also wanted to cry! That's just the duality of Emily Henry's works. Funny Story hit a little TOO hard at some points (much like Happy Place & Beach Read did), but that's what I love about the way EH writes.

Sure, her books are categorised as romance and are irrevocably, romance novels, but they feel much more human than that. The way EH writes about real, human experiences, troubles, longing, heartbreak, and struggles is so considerate and beautiful it really elevates the reading experience and makes you see yourself within her pages of writing. She weaves the contemporary and real struggles into it to really develop the plot and the story wonderfully, and this feels more evident than ever in Funny Story. I feel like her writing growth from Book Lovers to Happy Place is continuing to shine through in this novel.

The characters of Daphne and Miles are SO awesome. I adore them both. Miles is truly giving Gus a run of his money of being my favourite EH male character, he is so great and you can't help but fall in love with him. His banter with Daphne is >>>>>

Daphne is an incredible character and is one of my favourite EH females. I love the focus on her female friendships and familial relationships, this is another aspect of the depth and humanisation of this story that is so well-done. She is relatable, funny, and loves her chai lattes (very much me core).

You cannot help but fall in love with Daphne and Miles and their relationship.

I don't have anything bad to say about this, besides the silly miscommunication in the latter quarter of the story (a huge pet peeve of mine; just communicate!), but the journey Funny Story takes us on is a great one and once again EH delivers a banger.

Thank you Emily Henry for writing these novels <3


Thank you endlessly to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for the arc, this means the world to me!