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.

FIVE FULL STARS!

Roommates to lovers
Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
Fake Dating
Ex’s new fiancé’s ex!
Librarian FMC & bartender MMC
Single POV


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

When children's librarian Daphne gets suddenly dumped by her fiancé after his stag do, Daphne desperately needs somewhere to live. However finding out her fiancé is now with his platonic best friend Petra, it turns out the Petra’s ex Miles has a spare room and needs help paying rent. The perfect solution right? But Daphne is counting down the days until she can leave town. But can Miles persuade her to stay?

I LOVED

Daphne was such a relatable FMC, bookish, introverted and struggles to make friends as an adult. I loved her journey and for someone that really struggles to love a FMC she was great.

Miles, oh Miles…this is my first reverse grumpy x sunshine and it was so great to finally have a sunshine MMC. He was such a golden retriever and I loved him so much.

I always love how Emily’s books have a seriousness to their romance, and I loved the themes of finding yourself, learning to love yourself and fining a place where you belong.

The Michigan setting was enough to have me googling lakeside houses and wanting to start kayaking when I have absolutely no desire to do this as a hobby in real life.

Thank you Viking books & Netgalley for my gifted copy.

The day that Peter decided that he was actually in love with his childhood best friend, Petra and not his fiancé, Daphne, was the day that Daphne’s new life story began. Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian, she begins her countdown to when she can leave and begin a new life, far away from Peter and Petra. The only person who could possibly understand her predicament is Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. When Daphne proposes to Miles that she be his roommate, begins their friendship. Upon discovering that Petra and Peter are engaged, their friendship goes one step further, when they post misleading photos of themselves together as a couple. Yet, as Miles and Daphne explore Waning Bay together, they discover their feelings are more than those of friends.
This was such a beautiful and tender romance, where I found myself savouring every conversation between Miles and Daphne, as they revealed their past hurts. I did not want to miss one part of it. Here are two characters that were quite destroyed by their exes and yet, took solace in each other, never complaining when one of them divulged parts of their past relationship. Emily Henry manages to gradually unpeel the layers away from all her characters so that by the time I finished reading this story, I could see how the first impressions of Miles was not who he was deep down. Likewise, I loved how Daphne grew in confidence from her friendship with Miles and could see Peter for who he truly was. Great secondary characters which further added to this wonderful story. I loved every minute of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well, what can I say. Emily Henry never disappoints. I absolutely loved this book, just like any other Emily Henry book. It was a really interesting story with banter, humor and meaning.
The characters were so realistic and lovable and I loved their journey together. There was definitely character development as the story progressed and I adored Daphne and Miles. They bring out the best in each other.
I really liked Ashleigh as a side character and her newly developed friendship with Daphne. I feel like she helped her a lot.

I absolutely recommend this one and I can't wait to see what comes next!