Funny Story by Emily Henry

Daphne's fiance Peter leaves her for his lifelong best friend Petra and immediately gets engaged and plans their wedding. Meanwhile Daphne moves into Miles' spare room - Petra's ex. The only thing they seem to have in common is their respective exes... or is it?

Wow, Emily Henry just gets better and better! She is by far the best writer for dialogue and I loved this book so much. Great characters, setting, story... and I couldn't put it down. Fabulous - very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I think I have to come right out and say it … I am officially an Emily Henry fan. Funny Story is a rom-com/drama about Daphne, a librarian, whose fiance leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. With nowhere to go, Daphne moves in with Miles, who also just happens to be the ex-boyfriend of Petra. Events would have it (… of course … that is why we read these books!) that Daphne and Miles pretend to annoy their exes by fake dating. The plot then moves to close proximity romance but rest assured, there is always much more to an Emily Henry novel than pure romance.

‘It’s more, controlling the expectations you have for certain people. If a person lets you down, it’s time to reconsider what you’re asking of them.’

Funny Story may start with all the rom-com chuckles but romances are never all smooth sailing. Apart from dealing with being dumped, both Daphne and Miles have personal family issues that need to be faced. So while romance is what we are all about here, there are equally important personal issues to be addressed in each character's growth arc.

‘… it matters way more that you’re present than that you’re perfect.’

What I love here is … yes, okay, Miles! He is wonderfully sweet. The respect and friendship that develops between the two is heartwarming. There are also wonderful side characters that bring depth to the story, particularly with a view to Daphne’s growth in what it is to be a friend. The fictional town of Waning Bay, Michigan is also brought to life wonderfully well - from wine bars, to beaches, to the library and coffee shops it all adds to the story.

‘All those moments throughout the days, weeks, months that don’t get marked on calendars with hand‑drawn stars or little stickers. Those are the moments that make a life. Not grand gestures, but mundane details that, over time, accumulate until you have a home, instead of a house. The things that matter.’

Funny Story seems to veer more towards drama rather than straight out romcom which I like. With issues of family and friendships, identity and abandonment put under the spotlight it gave so much substance to an already swoon worthy plot. It is everything readers of Emily Henry have come to love - the banter, the angst and the underlying themes of being brave and embracing change.

‘I want to know myself, to test my edges and see where I stop and the rest of the world begins.’

I loved this book- it might even be my new favourite Emily Henry! It was full of fun, and made me laugh as well as cry. Definitely gave me that five star feeling.

cw: cheating, parental abandonment, emotional abuse and gaslighting
When children's librarian Daphne gets dumped by her fiancé, only to announce he's going to marry his 'platonic' best friend, Petra, she's left in urgent need of somewhere to live. Meanwhile, Miles, Petra's ex, needs someone to help pay rent on his apartment. It seems like the perfect solution. Daphne's counting down the days until she can leave town. But can Miles persuade her to stay?
Emily Henry always makes me swoon. I felt for both main characters immediately. I loved Daphne's indignation when Peter tried to downplay his behaviour, and I loved her passion for children's literature, as well as the way she encouraged the readers. Miles was such a cinnamon roll. I loved his idea of being Daphne's tour guide, but more than that, I adored his kindness and how considerate he was of Daphne's feelings throughout. Their banter was hilarious but also so authentic, and I loved how natural their chemistry felt. The intimacy felt earned, yet effortlessly beautiful. I swooned so much. No spoilers, but the scenes with prom and the wedding dress were two of my favourites. Meanwhile, chapter thirty-five absolutely broke me in the best possible way. Did I mention how much I adored Miles? What an absolute SWEETHEART!
I found the narrative on the strain in friendships after a breakup relatable and sadly realistic. That said, I LOVED Ashleigh. She was the kind of whirlwind friend we all need when we're in a rut. I also loved her more vulnerable moments, and my heart broke for her after her birthday. The poker game was brilliant, and, anyone who names their child Mulder is a legend. Meanwhile, Julia, Miles's sister, was a lot of fun, and I felt for both her and Miles when they spoke about their mother. Miles and Daphne both had parental issues, and both had to overcome insecurities born from these issues, which I found moving. I loved that Daphne was finally able to address hers with her father. I also loved that by the end Miles was able to see himself the way others did, and the ending was both moving and deeply satisfying.
Another swoony read from Emily Henry.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5
Heat Rating: 🔥.5

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own*

Favourite Quotes:

"That a**hole already took your house. Don’t let him take your self‑esteem.”
“It wasn’t really my house,” I say. “It was in his name.”
“It was still your home,” he says.

“It makes me feel a teensy, tiny bit better to think she could see a picture of me sitting in your lap and staring adoringly at you and remember that you deserved that all along.”

You can’t force a person to show up, but you can learn a lesson when they don’t. Trust people’s actions, not their words.
Don’t love anyone who isn’t ready to love you back.
Let go of the people who don’t hold on to you.
Don’t wait on anyone who’s in no rush to get to you.

“I want to kiss you all the time, Daphne,” he says. “Sometimes it’s just easier to find an excuse.”

“...You like people almost as much as they like you. And it makes being around you feel like - like standing in sunlight.”

“You always assume I’m being so selfless. Like it hasn’t occurred to you I might want to hang out with you. So when you turn me down, I have to figure out if you just don’t feel the same way, or if you think you’re doing me some kind of favor. And I never can.”

"I think you’re the first person who’s really seen me. Past what I want people to see. You make the people you care about feel like . . .” He pauses. “Like you want all of them. Not just the good parts. And that’s terrifying to someone who’s spent a lifetime avoiding those other pieces of themselves.”

“I didn’t learn what love was supposed to feel like. It doesn’t feel natural, or come easily to me, to let anyone close. But you—you make love so easy, Daphne. You make me think I already deserve it, exactly how I am.

"...I feel lucky every time you look at me. Not because I think I’ve managed to earn you, but because it feels like you don’t need me to. Like you just . . . like me.” He shakes his head, voice fraying as he corrects himself: “Like you love me. That’s how I feel with you.

This is my first Emily Henry and she comes highly recommended. I've always been hesitant since I don't typically like this type of genre, but I adored this story. I didn't want to put it down.

From the protagonist, to the love interest, and all the side characters, they were brilliant; every single one was written fantastically. Everything felt so real, and I was rooting for the main couple the entire time. I will absolutely be reaching out for more Emily Henry books in the future.

“You’re worth it, Daphne,” he says, hand soft on my jaw and eyes closed.

Rating: 4.5/5

- Fake dating
- Roommates to lovers
- Ex’s new fiancé’s ex!
- Librarian FMC & bartender MMC
- Single POV

I just love Emily’s writing so much! It’s like coming home – the perfect blend of witty banter, descriptive prose, and tender moments. Her banter always delivers, and I freaking love it!

“You are either the friendliest man on the planet or a world‑class serial killer.”
"Why not both?"

The premise of Funny Story is captivating from the get-go! An awkward librarian who loves schedules and can’t handle small talk gets dumped by her fiancé after he declares his love for his “platonic” best friend.

So what else is she supposed to do but move in with her ex’s new fiancé’s ex? And when they get sent wedding invitations, it makes sense to fake a relationship to make them jealous. And for Miles, the nicest guy on the planet, to show her around and make her fall in love with their town… and maybe him in the process.

Daphne and Miles were very much opposites, but I loved their comradeship and dynamic. He had this easygoing, natural way of pushing her out of her shell and supporting her while cataloging all the small things that made her HER.

But as with all of Emily’s books, Funny Story is not without its layers. In this instance, it’s complex family dynamics. It’s Daphne being left behind by those who love her, making her scared to take that leap with Miles for fear he’ll end up not wanting her around, too. It's Miles letting Daphne see all the parts of himself.

“I do want all those parts of you.”
“Good. They want you too.”
Then he kisses me. It’s perfect.

Also, this is 100% Emily’s horniest book yet, and I was here for it.

Eternally grateful to Viking Books for the early copy!

Funny Story gently pressed against all of the tender spots in my heart, and I truly think this is Emily Henry at her best. Daphne and Miles' story is a beautiful reminder that everything will be okay, no matter who you are, where you are in life, and what you may be carrying.

Daphne seems to have it all, the job of her dreams, a fiancé she loves, a big house to build their family together… until Peter, her fiancé, declares his love for his childhood best friend Petra on the night of his bachelor’s party and immediately kicks Daphne out of the house. Now, Daphne’s only choice is to live with Miles, Petra’s heartbroken ex-boyfriend.

Funny Story is actually a funny story. This is a (revenge) fake-dating, friends-to-lovers, meet-cute-ish romance between two people deeply hurt by their significant others, and it all starts when the two a**holes have the gall to invite Daphne and Miles to their wedding.

The romance aside*, this is about finding a place where you belong (and actively making it a place where you belong), making friendships when you’re an adult (I know how hard that is), finding yourself, and learning to love yourself again after going through hell. (*But of course, I loved the romance! I love how kind and considerate Miles was and I could relate to Daphne so much.)

Funny Story might be my favorite of Emily Henry’s novels so far (I still haven’t read Happy Place but soon). It’s lighter than Beach Read or Book Lovers emotionally, which I liked though I was ready to cry my eyes out for Daphne and Miles (it still made me tear up), and it made me feel nostalgic for summer and long for this beautiful town in Michigan. I just loved this book!

i can’t believe i took almost a month to read funny story, but in my defence, i was trying to take my time for once and not binge it all in a week. this book was one that i knew i’d have such a fun time reading based off the premise and it didn’t not disappoint at ALL. the characters all felt so real and fleshed out, the banter was perfect and had me cackling and the romance was absolute perfection.

i knew going into this book that i was going to deeply dislike peter and petra for leaving daphne and miles respectively, but god i didn’t expect to hate them as much as i do. my blood pressure was going crazy anytime they appeared on page. this book was a really funny spin on the romance books that usually has the main character and the love interest leave their current partners for each other. i usually love those stories, with all the drama and angst of their forbidden romance. they never really tell you what happens to ex’s afterwards, how they took the breakups. or if they do, they’re often villainised (although they’re usually already terrible people in those stories) and so you don’t really care how the break up affected them. this book made me look at that trope in such a different light. this time it was the typical ‘main leads’ that were the horrible people who upended all their lives. i love how emily is able to find such refreshing stories to tell in each of her novels, and they never feel repetitive even when they share some elements in their stories.

daphne was a character that i immediately related to with her upbringing almost to a t, it was kind of weird (made me feel like emily had done a background search on me lol). she was such a loving and caring person who simply wanted to live a normal life with the man she loved and ends up being betrayed in the worst way possible and the fallout immediately after made it even worse. it barely took 8 pages for me to root for her and to see her get the happy ending she deserved. her relationships with her mum, ashleigh etc were so wonderful to read, i loved how they were clearly as important as her romance with miles was.

speaking of miles, he instantly became my favourite emily henry male lead from the moment he appeared on page. he gave me golden retriever/brown labrador vibes so much it was so sweet. he is such a romantic and loving person and was honestly for perfect for daphne, even with all his faults. getting to know him and his heartbreaking backstory had me choking up with tears as he opened himself up to daphne. i just want to give him such a big hug. i love that we got to know him so well to the extent we did despite this being a single pov book and with daphne at times struggling to get a read on him.

the romance was written so well and the tension had me gripping my book every time it reached a peak before something would happen to interrupt them (until it didn’t 🌚). they had such effortless chemistry and it felt so organic and real. daphne describing how she felt when she realised she had fallen in love with miles made me feel as though i was her and feeling the exact same way. when it came to the confession scene and the chapters leading up to them, i was so stressed my stomach was hurting, then i was crying when we got to them finally talking it out. i didn’t expect to love these two hopeless romantics as much as i did.
the banter between the two of them was ridiculously amusing and i could genuinely read an entire book on just them talking and interacting with one another. ashleigh was also such a wonderful character and friend and honestly the funniest character in the book, i adore her.

i couldn’t tell you if this book replaced happy place as my favourite emily henry book the same way happy place replaced people we meet on vacation, simply because it feels so differently from her previous novels. it’s definitely in my top 3 favourites but for now, i’m not changing my rankings as i stew on how i feel about them all. it doesn’t change the fact that this book will always stay with me, along with these characters that truly spoke to my soul, they will always have a little corner of my heart.

For some reason, Emily's books have never done anything for me. Until now! I looooved this and literally raced through it. I was OBSESSED!!!

Emily Henry always manages to capture her style in her writing regardless of her different books and it’s something I always find quite comforting to read- familiar without being overly familiar and that was the same in this book.

I really enjoyed the characters in this one; their development felt organic and naturally which helped with the connection I felt towards them and the interest I had in their relationship. I really liked Miles and thought the MC’s had good chemistry that wasn’t over the top. I think to anyone that loves romance they will really enjoy this one.

All that being said I did find this book to have a lot less depth than her other books. Not necessarily in a bad way but I think it felt a lot more romance without any sub genre than her others. For me, what I love about her other books is the way I find parts of myself in the characters however, without the depth I didn’t find myself being able to do this one AS MUCH and sort of found myself comparing these characters to her previous book characters as appose to relating them to myself. Again, this is a very mr preference and I did still enjoy this book I think it’s just something that I personally really look for in a romance with it being a genre I don’t often read.

Overall this book was good but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have if there had been a little more depth to the characters and maybe even a bit more humour.

I've found myself completely captivated by the book I'm currently immersed in. It's a captivating blend of mystery, humor, and passion, which have woven together seamlessly to create an emotional journey that resonates with me on so many levels.

With each turn of the page, I'm drawn deeper into the lives of the characters, feeling as though I'm experiencing their joys and struggles alongside them. The mystery elements of the plot keep me eagerly guessing, while the moments of humor and levity provide much-needed relief, allowing me to connect with the characters on a more personal level.

Moreover, the steamy scenes in the book ignite a fire within me, making my heart race with anticipation. It's rare to find a story that manages to strike such a perfect balance between these different elements, but this book does it flawlessly.

As I continue to delve deeper into the story, I find myself completely engrossed in the rich tapestry of emotions it evokes. I'm constantly amazed by the depth and complexity of the characters and their relationships, and I can't wait to see how their journey unfolds.

In a world where every book I read seems to surpass the last, I'm thrilled to have stumbled upon this literary gem. It's a journey I never want to end, and I eagerly anticipate each new twist and turn that awaits me.

Emily Henry never fails to deliver when I want to feel better about the world. Her humorous writing, sarcastic banter and engaging characters always hit the spot.

This book isn't my favourite of hers, but it definitely provides the right mixture of warm, syrupy goodness. It's about Daphne, who finds herself in her early thirties, unceremoniously dumped by her fiancé Peter who runs off with his childhood friend Petra. In a strange town with nowhere to live, Daphne ends up moving in with her ex-fiancé's new girlfriend's ex-boyfriend - got that? He's called Miles, and to save some face, the two thrown-together flatmates decide to tell their respective ex-partners that they're happily dating.

I liked the premise, but this book isn't really about fake-dating. The two develop real feelings for each other quite quickly, and overall they're actually really respectful of each other's boundaries and problems. There's a lot of talk of weddings, but I was disappointed that a wedding never really materialised - I would have loved an Emily Henry wedding, with the fake-date trope on top!

But, ultimately, this book does raise itself above dating tropes. It's actually quite an emotive story of a woman at a crossroads in her life. Getting dumped after her fiancé's bachelor party isn't a great start, but throughout the story she discovers a new place, friendships, and love in equal measure. The Lake Michigan location is brought to life beautifully, with the characters kayaking on the lake, watching the sunsets, visiting farm shops and drinking at bars in barns.

For me, it did feel at times that things fell a little too perfectly - but that's romance. This was ultimately a heartwarming, uplifting story which is guaranteed to melt hearts.

Funny Story by Emily Henry
I give this book 4.75 stars

Daphne always loved the way Peter told their story.
Until it became the prologue to his actual love story with his childhood bestie, Petra.
Which is how Daphne ends up rooming with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra's ex, Miles..
One tequila night they form a plan.
If it involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their adventures together, well, who could blame them?

This now has top spot out of all this authors books. The sign of a great read the characters come alive! I absolutely loved the way the romance developed between Miles and Daphne and I was engaged by both their growth as the story progressed (separately and together.) Daphne is an overthinker (I can relate) and a children’s librarian (my dream job) and Miles turned out to be my favourite dream book boyfriend. Funny story has the perfect premise,side characters that added to the plotline and ended up making me we want to move to Waning! As with all her books the fun and romance is equal to the serious issues explored and the story and characters always feel real and relatable.Emily Henry is the master of rom com. Do opposites attract….. I believe they do.
With thanks to Emily Henry, Penguin General Uk,Viking and Netgalley for my chance to read and review this book.

This book was absolutely brilliant, and completely re-affirmed for me why Emily Henry is one of my favourite romance writers of all time,

Daphne has recently been dumped by seemingly perfect fiance Peter for his totally-nothing-to-worry-about best friend Petra. In the thralls of heartbreak and having being made homeless, Daphne is forced to rely on the one person (other than the perfect couple) she wants to avoid. Miles, Petra's long term ex-boyfriend. She moves into his flat, keeps herself to herself and gets on with her work as a children's librarian for Waning Bay. That is until she comes home one day and hears the unrelenting, extremely loud and dramatically sorrowful tunes of Bridget Jones Diary being played on repeat coming from Miles' bedroom. And thus, a fake-dating romance ensues.

This book was absolutely brilliant, and completely re-affirmed for me why Emily Henry is one of my favourite romance writers of all time. I am usually quite a slow reader, having many other boring life things to do, but this book made me cast aside every responsibility. In 24 hours I had devoured it all and felt like a warm blanket had enveloped my little ball of coal for a soul (cringe I know, but true).

I won't say too much as I don't want to spoil anything and I think every scene needs to be a surprise, but if you like fake-dating, forced proximity and unlikely romances that deal with heavier subjects like psychological abuse, control and mental health issues carefully and deftly- you will LOVE this!!!

Also, how have I not said this yet, this book is hilarious!! Absolutely, laugh out loud, grinning ear to ear, knee-slapping funny. Just, go and read it!

Children’s librarian Daphne was all set to get married to Peter. Until his bachelor party, when he realised that he wanted to be with his childhood best friend, Petra, instead.
A disillusioned Daphne ends up moving in with Petra’s ex, Miles, and tells her former fiance that they are together, posting some photos on social media to prove the point.
This story gets off to a cracker of a start, especially for those like me who hadn’t read what the book was about. What’s not to love about a complicated situation of being roommates with your ex-fiance’s new fiancee’s ex! Emily Henry has become a must-read author for many but I never really got the devotion. But finally, with Funny Story, I did.

Delighted to have been sent a finished copy prior to publication so I can gush about this early. Happy Place was my top read of 2023 so Funny Story had a lot to live up to, and I'm very happy to report that it succeeded!

Emily always writes such real, tactile characters. Right from the first page, Daphne's terrible story-telling voice clangs through and had me giggling and gasping at her misfortune. I fell in love immediately. And then Miles, with his Bridget Jones and poor pot habits, popped his head out of his bedroom door and I fell in love again.

Funny Story recounts the tales of these two unfortunate ex-partners - no no, they're not each other's exes, it's so much worse than that. Daphne's ex-finacé, Peter, has left her for Miles's love of his life, Petra, right before their wedding day. In the wake of such destruction, Daphne and Miles (now roommates) have to rebuild their lives and themselves, with Daphne planning to leave Michigan as soon as the annual Read-a-thon at her library job is complete.

This book - dare I say it - is Emily's spiciest by far. The way this woman writes sexual tension is so delicious and I've genuinely never read anything like it. Poor Daphne was so confused while I was giggling and kicking my feet like a teenage girl at her first crush. I loved every minute of it.

Highly recommend Funny Story to anyone who already loves Emily's books or is just discovering her. Perfect for anyone who likes Christina Lauren, Ali Hazelwood, Lynn Painter, Elena Armas etc. or just wants a damn good romance. Emily Henry never misses and I will advocate for her with every release, without fail.

Just two people who were not supposed to fall in love, but did in the best way.

Daphne has the life every woman could dream about, a loving mother, a fiancé she's ready to marry, amazing friends and a fantastic home, expect all is not what it seems. When Peter, her fiancé, goes away on his bachelor party, Daphne could have expected him getting drunk, having fun with friends and maybe a massive hangover, but what she did not account for was him coming home to call off the wedding because he's in love with his childhood best friend Petra.
Oh, and they are going away for a week and she's moving in with Peter so Daphne has a week to up change her life. Good thing Petra's boyfriend (now ex), Miles, has an extra bedroom in his flat.

Daphne does not want to stay here, she loves her job as a School's librarian but she doesn't seem like she fits in. And with Peter and Petra parading everywhere, what could possibly make her stay?

Daphne and Miles are genuinely the sweetest couple I have ever had the chance to read about. They're both dealing with a breakup where their exes have gotten together so they can relate but they are also complete strangers who live together so it's awkward, but that's what I love about Emily Henry, she makes it real.
I devoured this book in two days and want to pick it right up again because this book about found family, amazing friendship and love makes it all possible in the world, even if you're in love with your ex-fiancés new fiancés ex boyfriend, it doesn't matter.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this proof, along with Emily Henry.

Another Emily Henry book that I couldn't put down! Daphne is one of the author's quieter heroines, which made her all the more relatable to me personally, and Miles is possibly her sweetest hero.

For fans whose favourite book of Emily Henry's is Beach Read, the frame work of the plot gave me similar vibes, with the central couple coming together to explore the town/city Daphne has found herself adrift in since her ex dumped her just before her wedding. The fact that she's now living with Miles, who is the ex of her ex's new girlfriend (the friends to lovers trope but from the perspective of the dumpees) and they decide to put on a fake relationship, just adds the icing to the cake as it delivers a touch of much deserved pettiness! This book is full of the gorgeous escapism of young people having fun in beautiful locations, new friendships, and as always, there is plenty of heartfelt emotion to put your heart through the wringer! Another wonderful read.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for the NetGalley ARC.

I really enjoyed Funny Story, the characters are great (especially Ashleigh!) and I loved it from start to finish. Highly recommend!