Opening intriguingly with a chapter heading "Wednesday, May 1st: 108 Days Until I Can Leave", this fun novel introduces us to Daphne and Miles, whose respective fiancé and girlfriend have just left them and got engaged, leaving Daphne homeless and Miles in need of a flatmate.

Daphne is reticent and no good at small talk so she surprises herself when she gets drunk with Miles, they RSVP to their exes' wedding and then when Peter calls to patronise Daphne, she claims she and Miles are an item. Hilarity, but also (naturally) increasing closeness and a bit of intimacy ensues. But also we delve back into why neither likes to commit or be vulnerable.

There's also a lovely plot line of Daphne's growing friendship with her library colleague Ashleigh, and in fact the crisis that always happens at 80% in light novels read on Kindle is in their friendship rather than a relationship, which is refreshing. There are also lovely diverse characters, library kids with two dads and/or of variuos heritages, an older lesbian couple who run a farm ... and plenty of detail about how they run the library programme, which is all building up to a Read-a-thon Daphne is planning.

The title refers cleverly to two sets of people's stories being told in a way that illuminates their relationships, and the who book is clever and heart-warming but with some serious themes which are knitted well together.

My blog review will be out 07 May here: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2024/05/07/book-review-emily-henry-funny-story/

✑ FUNNY STORY, BY EMILY HENRY🧡💍🍹
rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ stars (5) adored it!

Let’s be honest, are we even surprised this is a 5-star for me? At this point, we honestly shouldn’t. Because Emily Henry rules my heart, and Miles and Daphne have officially taken over.

I have said it once, and I will say it many others because this mixture of feelings is one that no one but EH has accomplished to awaken in me. I have burst out laughing, I teared up, and my heart has grown three sizes since reading a funny story. It is so easy for Emily Henry to transport you into her books and evoke in you the same feelings her characters go through, and it still manages to shock me how good and unique her writing is. 

Miles has crowned himself as my new EH boy ever, I am obsessed with him, how funny he is, how he shows attention and love through his small gestures, the physical contact he CANNOT hold with Daphne close, and how he loves. How he feels. He is such a sweet, affectionate boy and deserves all the love one can have. His love confession towards the end (and his confession to Daphne in the truck scene) had me in a puddle of tears.

Then there is Daphne. I truly feel like I have connected with every single one of EH’s female characters in some aspect or another, but I think Daphne and Harriet (from Happy Place) are the ones I can identify with the most. She is such a well-rounded character, and seeing her overcome her fears and realise she is worth loving (as well as Miles accepting it too)… speechless. 

Also, the bookish & character references in the book were so fun, and I need to specially mention Júlia, Miles’ sister, because she was so fun to read about. 

The depth, the banter and the tension in this book and within the characters were amazing and, once more, a complete success for me. Emily Henry can never go wrong, and I am beyond thankful to her for gifting us Miles and Daphne. 

Thank you to the publisher and the EH team at PRH International for gifting me with an arc of this book. I couldn’t be more grateful (even though I waited until release day to read it)!!

I think Emily Henry’s books get better and better. Funny Story was my favourite so far. Starting with a unique meet-cute, the twists and turns of Daphne’s and Miles’ friends to lovers story is captivating. A must read! I can’t wait for the next book.

Like many other readers Emily Henry’s books are always my most anticipated reads of the year, for good reason. Her books are always funny, romantic and realistic and Funny Story is no different. I adored it!

Daphne always loved how Peter told their story until it became the prologue to his love story with his childhood best friend, Petra. That is how Daphne ends up being roommates with her opposite, Petra’s ex, Miles.

It isn’t a match made in heaven, until they make a plan which involves posting misleading photos of their adventures together. But, it is all just for show because there is no way that Daphne would actually fall in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex, is there…

The characters in Emily Henry’s books are always delightful and Daphne and Miles are exactly that. Daphne is introverted, bookish and caring. She is a librarian who struggles to make friends as an adult and as a librarian who struggles to make friends I related to her a lot. I loved watching her grow, learn about herself and create a group of friends who love her. She is amazing.

Then we have Miles who I would argue is the best love interest Emily Henry has ever created. He is selfless, caring, adventurous and charming. I loved reading about him, seeing the little things he does for the people he cares about and how well he and Daphne work together.

The pair are excellent together. They are honest with each other, know their own flaws and weaknesses and care deeply for each other. They find themselves in a messy situation at the start of the book but thanks to this a beautiful and unique relationship is created. They are incredible together.

Not only are the main character amazing but I also loved all of the side characters in this book. In particular, the poker group that Daphne ends up being a part of. They were a joy!

I feel like this book tackles a lot more than just romance too. I won’t give any spoilers but expect Emily Henry’s usual adorable romantic story weaved with harder-hitting topics in a perfect way. On top of that there are some amazing quotes and as a librarian one in particular was my favourite. The quote is: “Sometimes the job of a librarian is to simple not ask.” which I immediately wanted to put on the wall at work.

Overall, Funny Story is an adorable, heart-warming and joy-filled book which I cannot recommend enough. Emily Henry’s novels are always a joy to read and I will be talking about this one for a long time.

I have very few comfort authors but Emily Henry is definitely one of them. She pairs romance with self-discovery and builds fully-fleshed out lives for her female protagonists that makes it impossible for them to be defined by their romantic relationships. Funny Story is a perfect example of this as this idea is at the very core of the plot.

Emily Henry’s latest novel is what it says on the tin - it’s witty, it’s romantic, it’s realistic. Reading her books is like watching a movie which always makes for a great, immersive experience.

However, I do feel there were a few elements that lacked a little which prevents me from giving it a top rating. It’s not as though I even like the fake dating trope, but Henry introduces it and then fails to really commit to it here. I think this element was superfluous to the narrative in the end. Also, I did love Miles as a character although he’s been divisive - I just wish we had explored his character a little further. I didn’t really grasp the complexity of his family situation and I’m not positive there was any resolution/conclusion there.

Regardless, this was one of my highly anticipated releases of the year and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

Fun, romantic and just a little bit frustrating- this book is everything I love about Emily Henry. She writes much more intelligently than so many other romance writers and her characterisation is excellent- particularly Miles!
Highly recommend

Oh Emily Henry, my love, you will never disappoint me!
In my opinion, what Emily Henry writes best are characters. They feel incredibly real and three-dimensional, and, most importantly: they seem to genuinely like each other. The character development? Impeccable. The build-up of the relationship? Just yes!
Emily Henry's books are a guaranteed good time, but she always manages to slip some hard truths and impactful discussions into the fluff. And suddenly I'm crying, but love the book all the more for it.
If you are one of the lucky few yet to read an Emily Henry book, pick this one up now (but do come back for her others).

Emily Henry just keeps getting better. I think this is my favourite of her romance novels yet!

I love a good fake-dating tale, and Funny Story didn't disappoint. Emily's MCs are always great, but Daphne and Miles are just gorgeous! Daphne is a closed-off library mouse whose financé breaks up with her after he hooks up with his female best friend at his bachelor party. Miles is the partner of aforementioned female best friend, and is also left devastated in the aftermath.

Daphne and Miles haven't met before, but when Daphne is asked to leave the home she shares with her fiancé, she ends of living with Miles out of sheer convenience. When their exes announce they are getting married, the two fall into a fake relationship to prove they're okay with how things have transpired, and are moving on with their lives. But it's fine! Because they are completely incompatible and will never fall for each other, right?

Honestly, this is Emily Henry at her best. The characters are so well-drawn and likeable, and the cast of supporting characters really added to the story. This is a comforting and entertaining rom-com with plenty of humour and banter, and just enough miscommunication (too much and I'm frustrated!). I could identify with Daphne so much, and Miles is such a beautiful human!

I absolutely loved this! I am 100% #TeamEmHen.

I really enjoyed this book though there was something that stopped me from really loving it. The writing is fabulous (in true Emily Henry style), with great banter and excellent found family vibes. I adored the small town setting. But I wanted more from Daphne and Miles. I just didn't feel the chemistry between them and didn't fall in love with them like I wanted to. While it was definitely enjoyable, this book didn't have the emotional gut punch that I've come to expect from Emily Henry books

A great read, emotional at times. Daphne ends up living in with Miles after their respective partners leave them for each other. An opposites attract romance,I wanted everything to work out for them both.

I read this in less than 18 hours. I was reading it on the train to work and I was cross when I had to put it down and get off and walk to the office. I was reading it on the train home, and was cross when I had to stop reading and get off the train - even though I was really hungry and wanted to go home for my dinner. And I finished in bed that night when I should have been going to sleep. Luckily I was near enough to the end that it didn't end up being a 2am finish and the Bad Decisions book club.

I enjoyed Happy Place last year, but I liked this so much more. This is back towards the pure romance end of the spectrum, whereas Happy Place was closer to the Women's Fiction end. This was back to Book Lovers levels of enjoyment for me and I would happily have read another hundred pages, especially if those pages included more comeuppance for Daphne's awful ex-Peter. The only thing I didn't really understand - to start with at least - was why Daphne would have been with Peter in the first place, but Henry did a really good job of making that understandable.

I really enjoyed this book. The two main characters were very likeable and I enjoyed watching the relationship between them develop. Highly recommended.

Every time I think there's no way that Emily Henry can write another stunner of a book and I get so nervous before reading, but she continues to have no flops for me! The way she captures vulnerabilities is transparent and beautiful, her characters are fallible but always making progress, and she perfectly weaves together heartbreak and falling in love in that complicated, messy, confusing way that is so true to life.

I adored Daphne and Miles' story, getting to know them and all their quirks throughout the book as they found their own solace both in themselves but also in each other. I feel like every Emily Henry book teaches me a life lesson I keep with me, and this is absolutely no exception.

Another fabulous story from Emily Henry. I think it’s her best yet. Sizzling dialogue and a wonderful duo you want (need) to get together. Can’t wait for her next.

Emily Henry has once again managed to create a small town which is so wonderful that it makes you want to pack your bags and move immediately. Even though Miles and Daphne’s personalities could not differ more from one another, they could not be more perfect for each other. It was a funny, heart-breaking story, impossible to put down but also never wanting this book to end. Perfect beach read!

Absolutely loved the book. I laughed, cried and fell in love with Daphne and Miles and their journey of self discovery and love. A curl up cosy read for the summer !

I have read a few Emily Henry books before and i particularly enjoy the writing style. The characters leap off the page and feel familiar, i become so invested I feel sadness when the book finishes. This one is another exquisite example of her wonderful books, definitely a five star read and a huge summer hit for sure. For anyone who has ever felt a little lost or unsure of where their life is going; THIS IS YOUR BOOK, THIS BOOK SEES YOU.

I’ve only started reading Emily Henry last year and was blown away by her book. I thoroughly enjoyed this one too, and fear it has set my summer expectations to ‘unreal’ it’s light and funny and exceptionally cute. The set up of meeting ones ex’s ex has done before so I was a bit sceptical, but it turned out wonderful. It’s a good book for your summer vibes!!

Instant 5 stars. This might be my new fave. Her books are basically so addicting and I read it in one sitting. Loved it so much!

Receiving the e-mail inviting me to read Funny Story is definitely one of the highlights of my 2024. I am an Emily Henry stan first, human second. Her books just speak to me — I always manage to find myself in her books, and find words to summarise feelings that I previously couldn’t articulate. It’s a truly wonderful and emotional experience to find yourself within a book.

I think this book speaks to not knowing where you belong, to never feeling sure in yourself or your relationship with others, to feeling you’re both too much and not enough… It was and emotional journey filled with trauma, part hurts and heartbreaks, and I loved that both Daphne and Miles got their own separate character arcs and developments as well as learning to grow together and to challenge each other. I thought their romance was beautiful.

loved this one for its wit, its humour, the romance, and the friendships. I cried, laughed, raged…it was a full on emotional experience that I’ve come to expect from each and every one of Henry’s works.

While this didn’t take the cake as my favourite Emily Henry book, this was still a magnificent read with skilful writing and character work.

Random Note: I keep calling this book “Funny Place”, which should mean I call “Happy Place” “Happy Story” which I do not. Yet.