Henry has done it again. What an absolutely joyous read! FUNNY STORY has all of the warmth and feeling of Henry’s previous books, with added emotional weight: Daphne and Miles’ commitments to their previous partners, and the question of whether they still hold space for them after so much wrong has been done, brings a cutting reality to their potential relationship with each other, and as a reader, I couldn’t help but fully invest myself in them and their future.
I loved everything about this book, but most particularly the friendships that were developed, and the appreciation of the people that surround you. I really enjoyed reading about the connections Miles was able to form with the various small businesspeople in Waning Bay, and how he taught Daphne to open herself up to new experiences and do the same. Ashleigh and Harvey are true sweethearts, I’ll be damned if Emily Henry doesn’t know how to write a small coastal town in the most romantic way possible. FUNNY STORY is a breath of fresh air that I had no idea I was dying for — the hopeful feeling it’s brought me is one that I hope will last.
Congratulations to all involved <3

Love this author and can do no wrong in my eyes…. A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common……. This author’s books have the ability to simultaneously make you unable to stop reading while wishing you could bury the book somewhere deep underground where it can't be found. Compelling and didn’t want it to end!

I’m calling it now, this will be one of my top three books of the year, even though it’s only January. That’s the power of Emily Henry. How can be take tropes and devices that should feel cliched and overdone but make them feel new, exciting and move you to tears? This book was beautiful, funny, inspiring and emotional. I loved Daphne and really connected to her as a character. I think the last time I felt so attached to a character was Nora in Book Lovers.

Another absolute banger from Emily Henry. Rarely does an author deliver as well as and as frequently as Emily Henry so it was a delight to read this book (just like all her others). Henry creates such vivid and real characters that by the time you put the book down you feel as though you are saying goodbye to friends. Her characters have realistic, niche, and loveable flaws. She injects so much energy into the fake dating trope, it doesnt feel like the tired, worn-out, or predictable like so many other authors utilising this trope do.
Couldnt stop smiling while I read this book. Absolutely adored it.

Emily Henry does it again!!! I could not put this down and devoured it in one sitting. Emily has a way of balancing steamy and witty, all her characters have such interesting personalities that they all so much fun to read and Daphne and Miles are no different. This was so much fun and enjoyable to read that Emily henry has proven that she is in a league of her own.

Emily Henry's characters >>>>

Hesitant at the start how such opposing characters could work out but should never have doubted. Fantastic opposites attract roommate romance, filled with moments of finding yourself, nurturing new friendships and re-defining familial relationships.

Despite the variety of leading characters she's created at this point I feel like each time Emily Henry manages to develop that relatability factor that makes you feel so understood.

**Thanks to Viking Books UK for providing this arc in exchange for an honest and unbiased review**

4.5 stars

I am so so grateful to team EmHen at Viking for sending this to my inbox on blue Monday. It was THE best surprise!

When Daphne’s fiancé Peter leaves her for his childhood best friend Petra, she realises she has built her entire life around him. Her home, her friends and even the town they live in all belong to him. She’s even kept parts of herself hidden to fit in with his family and his life. She has nothing of her own except for her job at the local library. She’s contemplating where she can move to with only a weeks notice and no friends in town, when Miles Nowak, Petra’s now ex boyfriend, shows up at the door.

As I always say, Emily’s books are never just fluffy romance, they are so much more and Funny Story was no exception. She always goes deeper.. in this case delving into family issues, friendships, insecurities and finding your own place in the world. We also had plenty of popular tropes but with her own refreshing take on them -roommates to lovers, opposites attract, fake dating and found family. Her writing always grips me from the first until the last page.. I never want her books to end.

I really liked Daphne but if there is one thing in this world I know to be true, it’s that Emily Henry knows how to write a man! Miles was perfect! He may just be my favourite MMC of hers yet! I obviously need to reread every EmHen book first before I can decide such an important ranking but he’s definitely making the top two!

Another great book, now I’m just sad I’ve got to wait another 1+ years for her next one 😆

Thanks again to NetGalley and Viking for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

If you love Emily Henry, you won’t be disappointed with this one. It has everything you want from an Emily Henry book🥹 It’s tender, intelligent, mature, fun. There are many books with the same trope, but her books are never dull. She is truly a master of love story. I really love that her books often focus on the message that we can let go of baggage or the past that damaged us and it’s important to live in the moment. It’s a simpe message, but everytime I read her book, I get reminded of that. The real bonus of this book is that the FMC is a librarian! We all love seeing that in a book, don’t we🥰

Read this if you like:

-roommates
-opposites attract
-letting go/living in the moment
-bookworm FMC

5 stars⭐️

When I say I started this the second it landed on my kindle, it is not an exaggeration. Did I also read it in one feverish sitting? Yes. Finally, did I feel the immediate need to rewatch New Girl (specifically, the final minutes of season 2 episode 15 IYKYK)? Also, yes.

Funny Story is the funniest and spiciest of Emily Henry’s books, but that doesn’t mean it lacks an emotional punch in the gut! Following the story of two newly heartbroken singles - Daphne and Miles - it’s a delightfully lighthearted romp through northern Michigan, fit with a scruffy, casually sexy bartender and a socially anxious librarian with too much love to give. Needless to say, I adored it.

There comes a time in every girl’s life when she sees herself a little *too* clearly in one of Emily Henry’s FMC and, for me, it was Daphne. Her anxiety, fear about opening up, and willingness to mould herself around what her friends need was extremely relatable. I loved seeing her friendship with Ash develop, and adored how her relationship evolved with Miles. His golden retriever, friend to all personality was so refreshing and I really liked seeing an MMC who was just genuinely such a good person. Their chemistry was unmatched and I found their shift from heartbroken roommates to tentative friends to lovers so sweet and tender. Ugh, Emily can truly do no wrong.

Like all her books, she perfectly mixes humour, the extraordinary brightness of falling in love and a delicate exploration of what makes us tick. Perfection, as always.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. And I mean this deeply. Thank you to my CORE. Early access to Emily Henry is on par with a lotto win for me, and the fact that it was delivered to my inbox? There are no words.

… maybe no words on my feelings about being so lucky, but I DO have words about Funny Story. I think I’ve said this about my last 2 EH books - but there is no one, I repeat, no one that does banter like she does. It is unrivalled. And the writing is BEAUTIFUL. I could love this book for the intelligence and wit it oozes alone, but here are some more wins:

- The care that Miles and Daphne show each other in their raw/rough times. It was very *sweet*
- A take on fake dating that doesn’t rely on “oops we were found out” as the complication ✅✅
- A take on family complexities and relationships that felt very nuanced and respectful
- Emotions and pain that lift out of the page and into your heart. I only ever seem to cry with EH romances. This time it was because of a side plot! See below.
- A side cast of characters that were just as fab and charming as the leads. They didn’t feel tokenistic. The side story with Daphne’s co-worker was a wonderful exploration of adults trying to make friendships later in life
- Relatable content. So relatable. After personally being left for a “oh we don’t have feelings for each other” friend, I may have taken this book on harder than others ha.
- Was this the horniest EH book? I think it was and I’m not gonna complain. In fact I’ll give it a bonus point.

There are three things that held it back from being 5 stars for me:
- I was disappointed that there was a miscommunication complication device. I know why it was there, but it doesn’t sit with me when reading 36/33 yo leads (I’m 36 and I don’t buy it). I had an idea of what the complication would be, and when it wasn’t that, and was a miscommunication instead, I harrumphed.
- There was a lot of weed in this book? And a lot of “let’s go drinking.” I might sound like a bit of a prude, but I just don’t like drugs and booze in my romances. It always makes me feel ick if the leads kiss/touch or progress anything when judgement could be slightly impaired. I don’t think it was necessary (obv except for Miles’ job - I just mean it could be balanced out better)
- There was a profession of love at the end that did NOT feel like natural dialogue. It was a bit *extra* and slightly crossed my sap-tolerance. And my sap tolerance is high.

In short: I would read Emily Henry’s shopping list. The whip smart dialogue is consistent with her other books, and Funny Story will not disappoint. Lost a star because I’m a cynical old prude.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc!!

So the book begins with Daphne’s husband to be Peter leaving her on his bachelor night for his best friend, and Daphne has a week to move out where she ends up with Miles who turns out to be the now ex boyfriend of the best friend her fiancée left her for.

I’d say this is definitely up there as one of my favourite books by Emily Henry! This book is centred around the fake dating trope, which I absolutely love!!

Now this book made me emotional, with Daphne trying to find herself outside a relationship and finally doing things for herself, her upmost admiration for her single mother and her complicated relationship with her deadbeat father.

Also absolutely loved the chemistry between Daphne and Miles, but one issue that I did have was the miscommunication at the end, which was understandable but <spoiler>I just wish Miles would have communicated with Daphne with what he was doing, but I know why he didn’t communicate with her because of his past and because he knew that she would be hurt knowing what he’s done protecting her </spoiler>

I relate so much to Daphne’s character of her getting sucked in and becoming a “we” person, but I’m so glad that her character progressed to more than that <spoiler>and when she lets her new friend down because she gets sucked into a “we” with Miles, I liked that she did more then apologise and was actually there for her!!</spoiler> <spoiler> And I’m so glad that the couple didn’t immediately move in together (aside from the original circumstances) as it would have actually destroyed all her character development. </spoiler>

One of the only issues was the ickiness of her moaning everytime she had food that was remotely good at all??<spoiler>like she does this at that readathon full of kids too?? </spoiler> and her constant compliments to miles being the same thing, <spoiler>which I’m also glad he calls her out for, saying that he only has certain opinions because he’s “nice”? </spoiler>

I read Funny Story over two days (when I should really have been doing other things) I enjoyed everything about this book, it has wonderful characters and is beautifully written. The banter between Miles and Daphne was very funny and you could feel all the emotions in this book coming off the page.
It’s a feel good book but it deals with deep family issues too.
I’m now a big fan of Emily Henry

I actually squealed when Funny Story popped into my inbox out of the blue. I know how lucky I am, and I’m very grateful to Penguin Random House – thank you! This was 5-star perfection.

Daphne and Miles have little choice but to cohabitate after her fiancée and his girlfriend dump them on the eve of Daphne’s fiancée’s bachelor party.

What follows isn’t just a path to new romance but the realisation of the importance of all relationships - friendships and family alike, and an awakening to self worth and self care. By the end, Daphne has improved herself, her relationships with everyone she loves and doesn’t hinge everything on a romantic one.

I have LOVED every single one of the Emily Henry novels I’ve read, and incredibly, every time I think she cannot surpass herself – she does.

Going into a fake-dating book, I always cringe as I’ve seen it done very badly from other authors. A lot of the time, I have no belief in the characters or their motivations. When Emily Henry does it here though it is 100% believable, with absolutely not a cringe in sight.

Daphne and Miles ripped my heart out for what they had gone through. And then they put it back together with their amusing banter and insane chemistry.

From the start I couldn’t imagine Daphne’s relationship with Peter could be anywhere near as perfect, filled with chemistry or organic as it is with Miles, and although poor Daphne gets put through the emotional wringer, I found her actions and the story to be refreshingly unpredictable.

Her connection with Miles is undeniable and their interactions were funny, adorable and very sexy. The side characters are completely hilarious and adorable. I want to join a poker game like that.

I love the way Henry writes and Funny Story is no exception. She is so witty and her metaphors convey so much emotion, she wraps me up in her books and makes it hard to put them down. I find myself slowing down and savouring every moment towards the end as I never want it to be over. And the poor book I read after one of hers – forget it.

Não sei o que esperava deste livro, mas sem dúvida que não esperava encontrar um favorito da vida na minha 2ª leitura do ano. Sem dúvida que é o meu livro favorito da Emily Henry! Aqui conhecemos o Miles e a Dahlia numa situação atribulada. O ex noivo da Daphne traiu-a com a namorado do Miles a semanas do seu casamento. Como era de esperar, a noticia não assentou bem.

Miles estava agora solteiro e precisava de alguém com quem partilhar a renda (que antes partilhava com a ex namorada) e a Daphne precisa de um sítio onde viver, já que foi literalmente expulsa da sua casa. Assim, começam a viver juntos, pouco falam até que os dois recebem um convite para irem ao casamento dos seus ex. Numa noite louca e com algum álcool no sangue, aceitam o convite e dizem que vão juntos como casal. Estão a imaginar a situação?

Primeiramente, berros. Eu amei! Chorei, ri. A Emily Henry tem esta capacidade incrível de nos levar numa montanha russa de emoções e tocar em temas tão sensiveis com uma maturidade e beleza incrível.

Mais uma vez, como já é típico da Emily Henry, temos um livro que fala em livros, e este sem dúvida que surpreende. A Daphne é uma bibliotecária, aposto que tem ADHD, genuinamente senti-me descrita nas páginas. O Miles é um personagem tão querido e carismático, sempre preocupado com os outros, bondade em pessoa e que faz tudo para ver quem ama feliz.

Temos momentos cómicos, imensa tensão sexual (este é o livro com mais spice e smut da autora e eu vivi para isto).

Foi uma leitura incrível e quero desde já agradecer à equipa da Emily Henry pela oportunidade de ler a ARC deste livro.

Sem dúvida que via ser um dos livros mais falados de 2024.

I do not know what drugs Emily Henry imbues her writing with, but I could not put this down. A smart, sexy, funny, gut-punch of a novel, and my new favourite of hers.

I loved so much about this - once again the starting place is a fun twist on a familiar rom-com trope: what if you weren’t one of the childhood best friends who finally realised they’d been in love all along? What if you were the side-character in their story who got dumped along the way? It’s a really delicious premise, and this book totally delivers on it.

The romance is handled beautifully, the slow burn friends-to-lovers perfectly pitched. Every single character is a fully realised, utterly real person. Every choice they make - especially the bad ones - makes perfect sense to the reader because we know them so well. The emphasis on friendship and found family, is a joy and given just as much weight as the romance. I laughed aloud so many times, but I also cried, and that last line made my stomach ache. It’s brilliant writing, rich, emotional, vivid. I loved it.

I was invited to read this book and I was not disappointed at all! Another amazing book by Emily Henry I absolutely adored it and I couldn’t have gotten through it quicker! Thank you to NetGalley and they Publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

I have been looking forward to reading this book since Emily annouced it and was ecstatic to have been lucky enough to have been provided an eARC from NetGalley and Penguin General UK in return for my honest opinion.

Emily Henry NEVER disappoints with romance. I'll go as far as to say she is the Queen of easy to read and lovable romance books. Funny story is no different. It gives us a slowburn roommates to friends to lovers, forced proximity fake dating and opposites attract, what else could you want in a romcom? Funny story is told through the POV of our FMC Daphne, a childrens librarian that moved her whole life for her ficance, only for him to dump her and run off with his childhood best friend. Stuck with no-where else to go, Daphne moves in with her exfiance's new fiancee's exboyfriend, the loavable and charming MMC Miles.

I was almost a little hesistant going into this book, I didn't know how Emily was going to pull off this storyline but boy does she do it well! There's no rushing into a rebound, which I find always leads to a messy and emotional trainwreck. Daphne and Miles relationship is slowburn built on a friendship, you can't help but fall in love with them and route for them! There is a lot of character growth and challenges for both MCs in this book that is wonderfully done. It's raw and believable. I also appreciate that there was no love triangle where one of them wants to or gets back with the ex (I was dreading this but again Emily is a queen who doesn't need to stoop to this to write a good book). There is a little bit of spice in this book, nothing too crazy, but this book didn't need that!

There's lots of interesting and enjoyable side characters and plots in this book. I'm a sucker for romances where the MC is a librarian, so adored reading about Daphne's job and the readathon!

Overall a beautifully written love story, that looks into the love we want and the love we deserve (and how our past shapes this/how to overcome this). This is one that I could easily reread again and again (especially since I absolutely devoured it the first time).

Thank you for my eARC of this book. I am always excited to read a new Emily Henry novel, and this didn’t disappoint.
I loved the romance, the female friendships, the dialogue and the themes of family. Bring on the next one!

I’m going to cut out my heart and send it to Emily Henry. She deserves it, she’s won it, she owns it. I’ll put it in a cute gift box and tie it up with a big ribbon. Wait. That sounds a lot more Stephen King or Hannibal Lecter than I meant it to.

Emily Henry is the story teller who just keeps on giving me five star reads. I am one hundred percent in love with her characters. I need them to be my best friends. Miles Nowak and Daphne Vincent are my newest favourite made up people in the who wide world.

Cheesemongers, cherry farmers, lavender growers of Michigan can’t be wrong. Miles Nowak is wonderful. And Daphne, she could be my actual twin. Put me in a room of books and I would be as happy as a pig in poo. Daphne has my dream job; oh to be a librarian and get to read books to kids and put on all the voices. You haven’t experienced life properly if you haven’t heard my rendition of the Smartest Giant in Town.

There has to be a little bit of crossed wires and misunderstanding and then a heart meltingly adorable scene; it’s an Emily Henry book, it’s what she does. When you start pretend dating your ex fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex boyfriend there’s bound to be some hilarity. The supporting characters are superb too.

Sign me up to volunteer at the readathon.

This scene. This writing. This is what I live for:

“I close my eyes, and every sensation amplifies: the sunbeams drenching my face. Miles’s arms crooked beneath my back and knees, the way his breath presses his stomach against my side on every inhale, the lazy squawk of seagulls in the distance, and the grit of sand on my feet, and a complete kind of safety. Like being in a womb. Like lying on a quilt in the yard of our house, the one we shared with dad, on a summer day, legs tickling as a roly-poly climbed over the back of my calf. Like being tucked back in the library stacks with no one around and a good selection. I let my eyes open, and now the sight of him - that messy hair, his sun freckled face and scruffy jaw, those chocolate brown eyes - it cuts through my veins, a thousand little boats with Miles on their sails, headed straight toward my heart.”

Emily Henry does it again!

I was beyond excited to find this in my inbox last week and I absolutely sped through this book. I couldn't put it down.

Forced proximity, opposites attract with a dash of friends to lovers? Yes please. This book rips you up in the beginning to slowly patch you back together over the course of the book.

I love Miles, he is by far my favourer EmHen book boyfriend. He's incredibly smart despite first impressions and I love how he wins Daphne over.

It's such a beautiful, well written book that I will definitely be rereading over and over again. I will be posting a full review closer to the publication date, but for now if you are holding out for this book please know that you won't be disappointed. Emily cooks and serves with this book.