Emily Henry never fails to disappoint! I feel like this story was slightly different from her usual, but still a great read. I loved both Daphne and Miles and felt their characters were really well developed.

Definitely recommend to any Emily Henry fans!

I got approved for an arc on NetGalley and I’m so thankful that I did. I binged this book in one sitting, I simply could not stop reading. Emily Henry has a way of writing books that makes you so invested in the story that you forget the characters aren’t people you know.

Funny Story follows Daphne and Miles, the two now living together after their exes break up with them and get together! I fell in love with both characters. Their lives and their vulnerabilities felt so real to me, like these were two people I could imagine walking off the page. The narrative follows Daphne’s POV and she was so honest and raw that it made me tear up. Life is not perfect, but you can find your own perfect in all of its moments, and that’s exactly what Funny Story is all about.

You must read this book if you’re after something, romantic, honest, heartbreaking and also funny! Yes this book is a romance but it’s also about friendships, and finding yourself outside of a relationship. It’s about realising your life isn’t what you pictured it would be and being okay with that. It’s about knowing that that it’s okay to open up to people, and good people and good friends and good relationships are always out there for you. It’s truly a remarkable read and something I will think back to for a long time.

I think Funny Story is now my favourite of hers, and it takes a lot to rival Beach Read. I fell in love with the characters and with their story, and I simply will not stop thinking about this book. 5/5 stars seems to not do it justice, but that’s the highest rating I can give it! I need another Emily Henry book yesterday.

I LOVED this! The easiest 5 stars I have ever given. I’m so picky with romance books and rarely read them. I read this in one sitting, giddy, kicking my legs crying happy tears. An absolute gem

This was pretty much everything I wanted it to be at the time of reading and the first book in a while to make me laugh out loud. I was looking for a good time, something I could fly through with good pacing and just enjoy something that made me feel without having to overly think it did all those things.

Miles and Daphne are both mature and realistic characters, which is so refreshing. Both have their flaws but they are well aware of them and deal with their issues upfront and in a way that feels inherently human and mature. Their trauma has had an effect on them both but they manage to navigate it without being blissfully unaware or whiny about it and I loved that about their characters.

I also love the exploration of self love as I’m finding is seemingly a theme to Henry’s books.
Henry sets out to have her characters discover what’s right for them, to move away from people pleasing and to work on past trauma to make decisions that positively effect their own happiness and this isn’t limited to the main characters. Her books, Funny story included, bring a motivating and uplifting feel to her writing and give a sense of fulfilment for the characters and their arc.

I mentioned this book made me laugh out loud and I’m not kidding, I really did laugh at the sarcasm and hilarious one liners in this book, extremely well done and despite the heavier feeling towards the end of the book as revaluations are made, it kept things very much in the rom com world.

Tropes included all my favourites, forced proximity, found family and opposites attract, a huge bookish turn on for me and to top it off it’s kinda spicy too!

An all round win for me and I’m extremely grateful to have received an advanced copy.

REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Thank you to NetGalley & publishers for this ARC.

I honestly could not wait to get my hands on this. I started this book with knowing very little about content, I put my full trust into Henry's hands. After finishing Funny Story I found that I had split the book into 3 parts.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first 1/3 of the book. I thought the premise was brilliant. Daphne's whole life gets shaken up when her "perfect" Fiancé leaves her for his best friend, Petra. Daphne then moves in with Petra's now ex, Miles. The story was really well set up and I enjoyed the introduction of the characters.

The 2/3 I didn't enjoy as much, personally I like more drama and complications and I just found it was a bit too smooth sailing but if youre looking for an easy read that is not too stressful this is for you. There was still good development of characters and some really fun scenes.

The final third of really drew me back in. Emily Henry did was she does best. The end was so heartwarming I couldn't help but smile at the pages as I was reading.

This truly is a feel good novel, romance, some good laughs and likeable characters. Definitely going to be one of my recommends this Spring and Summer.

As always, another great romcom from Emily Henry. When Daphne’s fiancé, Peter, goes on his stag do, she doesn’t expect him to come back and break up with her for one of his female friends. Equally Miles doesn’t expect his girlfriend, Petra, to have left him a note, having moved out and in with Peter while he was at work. With their respective partners moved in together, Miles offers Daphne a room. But when Peter and Petra announce that they’re getting married and invite their exes, Daphne pretends that she’s now dating Miles. Will their friendship, and desire to get back at Peter and Petra turn into something more?

A great story with a bit of spice and Emily Henry’s trademark characters set in the world of books (librarian this time!). A solid 4.5/5.

Emily Henry has never disappointed before.
I think the connection between the main characters reminded me of Gus and January from Beach Read. I liked the focus on the two MCs in comparison to Happy Place....although that book was also great.
Fans won't be dissapointed and I'm looking forward to sharing thought with other readers.

This story was so fun to read despite the heavy topics it touched on! Henry's writing is emotional and moving, and she did a really good job at maintaining the emotions through all of the different plot points she effortlessly wove together. Every time I read an Emily Henry book I have a new favourite Emily Henry book and this was no exception!!

Reading an Emily Henry book has been an annual event for me the past few years and I could not be happier because of it. Especially since 'Funny Story' sparkled with the same ever-present joy and timelessness that Henry's backlist did for me. From the first sentence on the first page you can tell you are reading a book penned by this author. It's the feel, the vibe, the aura of it, though, because her characters are all fresh; they won't get confused in your head, even if you were to read all her books back to back.
So, it's like coming home in a way, reading an Emily Henry book.

Daphe and Miles's story does have the classic trappings of a romance with the forced proximity, fake dating and the taboo bit where they start dating 'as a result of' their partners cheating on them. It is not a trope-less story but it's done in a way that doesn't feel warmed over and exhausted. It reads realistic, for some insane reason, because why wouldn't the absurdity of the situation be a thing that can actually occur in real life? Well, you ask me and I will just tell you to read the book because somehow it is pulled off and it is executed so, so well.

I loved Miles, gosh. He might just be the friendliest, loveliest man on the planet, or at least he is that of Emily Henry's universe. That is not to say that he is boring because that couldn't be further from the truth. His story was as cathartic as Daphe's was, just in different ways. Both of them went on a journey not only to redicover who they are as themselves but also who they could be together as a couple. It was a joy to read about, you know? That kind of joy when you catch yourself beaming at your e-reader because they just did something so *obvious*, you can't help but grin and cheer them on, those silly geese.

Fans of Emily Henry will rejoice over this one!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Penguin Huddle for letting me read one of my most anticipated reads of the year two months early!

I loved this book! Emily Henry is so good at writing sweet, light-hearted rom-coms with the best characters. This story is both funny (sorry, I had to) and devastating. I teared up at quite a few chapters, was giggling at so many others. Its brilliant and messy and hopeful.

I think Miles Nowak might just be Emily Henry's best book boyfriend so far! I love how he didn't feel like a typical love interest at first, still reeling from a break-up himself. His communication was top-notch, and he was so gentle with Daphne. I want to protect him at all costs. I had so many feet-kicking cute moments while reading, but I love that the side characters stood out just as much as the romance. Ashleigh and Julia were real highlights for me.

Emily Henry's books will always be the books I reach for when I need comfort characters. While Happy Place is still very much my favourite of hers, I think this comes in at a close second! She just knows how to get the balance of banter, spice, nostalgia, heart, and emotion juuuuust right. She's perfected her rom-com cocktail and I will always be here to read her books.

Synopsis:
Daphne had her whole life planned out in front of her. That is until her fiancé dumps her for his childhood best friend and runs off into the sunset with Daphne's future. Left reeling and kicked-out, Daphne moves in with Miles, who just so happens to be the other half of this tragedy - the ex-boyfriend of the woman Daphne's fiancé ran off with. As they both try to come to terms with what happened, they become close and begin to unpick what they actually want from their lives, and ultimately, their love.

(4.75 stars rounded up for Goodreads)

Easily 5* stars for me. Loved it from the start, there was no dull moment for me in this book. I was worried it was going to be cliche given the plot but it wasn’t it was absolutely fantastic. I loved the main characters they were very relatable, and most importantly REAL. Some parts were emotional and got me in the feels as I have experienced what Daphne went through with her dad and ex and I think it was so well written. And the side characters were all different but great and relatable too. It was honestly such a great read I will be recommending this book to everyone. thank you for letting me read this early for an honest review. I’m sad I had to finish it.

Loved this so much! The chemistry between Daphne and Miles was AMAZING, and the tropes were done so well. EMILY HENRY HAS DONE IT AGAIN! Also plus points for having a character named Katya in it!

Emily Henry overran the contemporary romance world with Beach Read in 2021, and while Book Lovers (2022) matched that energy, Happy Place (2023) was very much a sad place for me (the whole forced proximity with an ex was lowkey triggering). So, when she announced Funny Story late last year, I was excited for the prospect of another five-star read. While it didn’t quite hit the five, Henry didn’t disappoint and I connected much better to this story than with Happy Place.
What attracts me so heavily to Henry’s writing is her approach to romance and dialogue. The vast majority of romance books focus on the chase and courtship of the couple, before they are all of a sudden in love and then facing their conflict. Henry, however, zooms in on the actual love story, giving us every single scene that leads to them falling in love. In Daphne and Miles’s case, we literally saw every interaction they had on their path to love. There was no summary of scenes or glossing over the three months they spent doing this and that, it was all there. We saw them fall in love first-hand, and I genuinely felt every emotion they felt.
The next thing I love about Henry is the convincing conflicts. There are no silly miscommunications or insecurities leading people to randomly run away from the relationship, and instead there are genuine roadblocks. I was just as betrayed by Miles as Daphne was and wondered how Henry was going to make us forgive Miles (I actually thought she might leave Daphne single and the love story was with herself), and while the explanation of what actually happened was a little muddled, it was convincing enough that I (and Daphne) was more than happy to reunite with Miles.
Henry also nails creating a character and world outside of the romance. Daphne and Miles both had other conflicts going on both in their other relationships and careers, which made me invested in them as people and not just as a couple. It allows us to dive deeper into their romance since we are experiencing them as well-rounded characters and aren’t just in it for the surface level sexual tension. Which reminds me (!), the spice was absolutely immaculate.
Despite being engaged and connecting with Daphne and Miles, I did only rate Funny Story a four out of five. There were some places that were a bit cringe, the plot was a tiny bit cliché, and there were a handful of errors that I’m hoping are just because it’s an advanced copy. I think this is what made it lack the zing of her other bestsellers like Book Lovers and Beach Read, and I would have liked to see development on the plot to make it more original.

Emily Henry is the GOAT- 'there's no one better, there's no one greater'

I just had this feeling that this book would be like sunshine and raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens - an instant addition to my list of favorite things!
Emily Henry crafts fictional men who are absolutely worthy of our love, and her female characters are equally lovable, real, raw, and honest. I find bits of myself in so many of her characters, and let's face it, feeling validated is just the cherry on top.

'Funny Story' may be considered Emily Henry's more mature work, it hasn't lost its humor or the themes we adore - the journey of growing up, letting go, and becoming a better version of yourself, all while savoring the little joys of life. This book seems tailored for a slightly older audience, and by older, I mean those fabulous 30s (like myself) and beyond. The book radiates a sense of maturity, humor, and sensitivity, making it a delightful read for a more seasoned audience.

While 'Happy Place' remained my favorite for its refreshing lack of a heavy romance plot, 'Funny Story' proved to be the perfect opposite. The banter, chemistry, and friendships were all on point. The character development was rich and endearing, and it felt deeply natural—truly perfectly executed!

'Funny Story' made me laugh and yearn to find someone like Miles or Daphne. It even brought a tear or two to my eyes, as I could deeply relate to Miles' struggles.

Thank you, Emily Henry! Can't wait for more!

Your appreciation is clear and heartfelt! Here's a slight refinement:

A special thank you to Ellie at Viking Books UK for the delightful surprise of sending me this ARC one late Friday afternoon. It made my day, month, and probably my year! (Not being overdramatic, just stating the facts).

*Advance copy provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.*

Emily Henry can do no wrong. In Funny Story she manages to make a story about two people grieving broken hearts funny and heartwarming without it feeling the slightest bit strange. This happened to fall into my lap when I really needed a hug, and that's what it gave me. Funny Story might be her best book yet, except maybe Beach Read.

Update: I just read this again! It is that good !

I wish I could rate this more than 5 stars .Emily Henry at her best ! She does it again! I want to eat this book with a spoon.How on earth can she do it every time is beyond me. How can every book be better than the previous? Don’t get me wrong I rated all her books 5 stars but every time I think “Okay, this is my new favourite book!” she knocks it out of the park and gives me a new favourite. every time reading Emily Henry book is like coming home.like rolling yourself in a warm blanket.it’s a comfort but at the same time is a new exciting feeling I get ,that only she can achieve with her work .
12/10!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

There seems to be a pattern where I absolutely love every other book that Henry writes. There aren't anything wrong with the other two, but I just find them slightly more bland. This was one of the good ones!

Daphne finds herself living with her ex-fiancés new fiancé's ex-boyfriend. Not an ideal living situation in a town you moved to for the sake of the fiancé who then left you for his best friend.

Daphne thought she had it all a house, good friends and a fiancé to spend the rest of her life with. He left her for his best friend Petra she also left her long time partner Miles. Now Daphne has to start all over again, begin a new story. She moves in with Miles they never got along great because they’re complete opposites but they understand each other’s pain. Eventually they start hanging out becoming friends and pretending to be something more in public.

Mark your calendars and put in your preorders, Emily Henry has done it again! Another love story with a flawed, real fmc with an inspiring story to tell. Daphne built her entire life around a man when things didn’t work out everything crumpled around her. She won’t make that mistake again but learning to prioritize yourself isn’t as easy as it sounds but trying is the first step. Daphne is an inspiration.

Moving on isn’t easy and I appreciate that Miles or Daphne didn’t jump into a relationship immediately. The attraction is there but the timing wasn’t right. Slow burn isn’t always worth it but in this case it definitely is.

Emily Henry never disappoints, the plot is unique, the characters are so lovable and eventually get the HEA they deserve. This is a must read if you love romance.

As always, Emily Henry hit this out the park.

Every single one of her books finds a way to touch me, this one more than most. I loved the banter between the two main characters and I adored their love story. The growth for both of them throughout was so beautiful to watch.

I would say this starts a little slower than usual for EmHen, and it took me around 30% to really be invested in their love story . . . but once it hit, it just kept hitting.

Emily Henry strikes again! There is nothing she could write that wouldn't cause me to endlessly gush about her talent. Another funny, warm story that wraps you up and whisks you away to romance wonderland, I genuinely could not recommend this highly enough!