This was a fun best friends to lovers romance that also skirts the grumpy/sunshine line. As someone who grew up watching sketch comedy shows, I really enjoyed the look into Sam's life as a sketch comedy writer and performer. Bree is our sunshine heroine, and she does amazing work for a non-profit in New York, while Sam is our jaded and, self-declared, asshole comedian.

I've always really enjoyed the whole, I've loved you forever trope, and this book has it in spades along with a razor sharp wit, and great supporting characters that really engaged me. I thought their love story was a really good slow burn, there weren't a ton of spicy moments, but the book really didn't need them. All in all a great romance story between two flawed characters overcoming a lot of childhood trauma.

Thanks to Montlake Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Funny Guy is a childhood best friends to lovers contemporary romance. Famous comedian Sam is fresh off a front page newsworthy (and chart topping tell all song) breakup. His best friend, urban planner Bree has been in love with him since childhood. When he retreats to her couch to hide from the bad press surrounding his ex’s hit song expose, Sam and Bree are forced to confront their long hidden feelings for each other.

This book made my heart ache for both Sam and Bree as they fumbled around their feelings. Their lives were so entwined that it was easy to see why neither would want to rock the boat and confess to feeling more than friendly towards the other. Most of the book was really sad as they struggled to communicate.

Their happily ever after was hard won, and even though this is a book about a comedian and a late night comedy show there weren’t many funny moments. It was a heartfelt and emotional romance with two realistic characters that you are rooting for to win.

If you're looking for a cute childhood-friends-to-lovers romance then Funny Guy's worth giving a chance. Emma Barry's writing is easy to digest and her characters are very charming. I'm a sucker for celeb MCs, so I was hyped to find out that Sam was a comedian. I love how his career was explored.
Definitely don't go into this thinking it'll be some memorable twist on tropes. But do read if you're looking for something to satisfy your friend-to-lovers itch.

A solid friends to lovers contemporary romance that suffers a little from a lack of engaging characters. Charming a-hole Sam is the toast of the entertainment world when he isn't scorching his own reputation by lambasting total strangers in coffee shops and going off on his co-workers at "Comedy Hour" (Saturday Night Live) and Bree is his long suffering best friend who's been "secretly" in love with him since they were children together bonding over their equally broken homes.

I genuinely enjoyed this. The banter and deep friendship between Sam and Bree is the strongest part of the book. Unfortunately the actual story around them isn't as strong. We're not really given enough of a grounding in how they've gotten where they are, the what came before that might make the reader more invested in their success now and the flowering of their friendship into something more. And when things go south as they always do in these stories it feels too much like a plot device and not enough like an actual conflict.

All that said this is a charming and funny read that makes up for what it lacks in substance with sweet, and often quite sexy romance.

I just adore everything Emma Barry writes. I think she has such a unique voice and her characters are so well-drawn, particularly the heroes. I loved Funny Guy. It checked all the boxes for me in terms of what I want in a romance and I read it in two days. Not 100% sold on the cover, but that’s just me.

I was struggling in the beginning, but after chapter 5 I was into it.

Sam is a comedy star in a television show, and sees himself exposed to the world when his ex-fiancée releases a song called “Lost Boy” exposing all his acts throughout their relationship. He uses his own feelings and crappy stories to make fun on TV, it’s his coping mechanism, to pretend he is okay with everything, but the only place he doesn’t have to pretend is when he is with Bree, his childhood best friend.

Bree has loved Sam since they were kids, but never had the courage to declare her love to him. When she sees the opportunity to work in another state, she sees it as a way to leave Sam and get over her feeling, which she very much knows it’s not reciprocated.

I loved their relationship development, while reading you could feel how much they love each other even just as friends, and upgrading it to a relationship was somewhat cute and sweet, because it took him so long to realize he loved her, even before they saying it to each other.

While reading it, I felt like something was missing and I can’t still figure it out what, made some chemistry between her friends?? The fact that she held up a secret from him all this time, idk.

I feel sympathy for those who love their best friends but never had the courage to express it, it’s the best kind of love, when you don’t have to pretend around someone, and feeling like the person is everything you’ve asked for.

Loved the book, totally rom-com style, but I still hate third person writing. Sorry.

A good read -- I thought the characters were well-developed and I really enjoyed their dynamic/chemistry.

I really enjoyed Barry's previous romance Chick Magnet so I was really looking forward to this one - and I wasn't disappointed! Setting up the MMC as a kind of handsomer Pete Davidson was genius and I loved it. Sam is a famous stand-up comic on a weekly comedy TV show (essentially SNL) but he's also a guy with a lot of problems - not surprising given his shitty upbringing in a poor and broken household. His co-dependent relationship with childhood friend Bree is also not surprising, and I really enjoyed how the plot unfolded as they discover they mean more to each other.

When Sam's ex (a Taylor Swift-style pop star) writes a song that eviscerates his personality and becomes a huge hit, it hurts his pride and he immediately flees to Bree's apartment to dodge the paps and lick his wounds. Bree knows that she shouldn't be so dependent on her relationship with Sam - he's always been a huge part of her life - and is thinking of physically moving cities for work to gain some distance and independence (and hopefully get over her lifelong crush on her friend). The pain of being in love with your best friend is a huge part of her lifeand it hurt my heart!

When Sam suddenly realizes he actually LOVES his best friend, it's like a lightning strike and things quickly become complicated. Bree can't believe all her daydreams about being in his arms are coming true, but she is still considering a massively great opportunity for her career which would mean leaving New York. She doesn't want Sam to hold her back, and dreads his reaction to this news.

I raced through this book, I absolutely adored every bit of it. There's quite a lot of trope-y moments - celeb romance, forced proximity, a splash of fake dating - but it all works really well. I was fully invested in Sam and Bree and their love story and will definitely read more from this author.

Bree had been in love with her best friend, who happened to be a famous comedian on the hit show, Comedy Hour. Despite her attempts to move on, her feelings for Sam kept her from pursuing relationships with other men. Eventually, she decided to start a new job in Michigan, but she dreaded telling Sam about her plans.

As Sam's career took a nosedive following a viral song that exposed all his flaws, he turned to Bree for support. Staying on her couch, he realized that he had deeper feelings for her than just friendship, but his destructive behavior threatened to ruin everything.

Despite the challenges, Bree stood firm in her decision to prioritize her own goals and dreams, and she refused to let Sam's issues derail her plans. The story ultimately culminated in a satisfying happily ever after, which celebrated Bree's newfound self-worth.

One unique aspect of the book was its comedic theme, with Sam's profession as a comedian adding a fun twist to the friends-to-lovers trope. However, the lack of chemistry between Sam and Bree, combined with the distracting image of a celebrity lookalike, detracted from the overall reading experience.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book, provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was kinda meh about this book. I didn't really feel any tension or pull between the characters, and it just seemed sort of boring for chunks and chunks of the story. I normally love friends to lovers, but this one seemed, I dunno. I just wasn't into it. It was definitely funny at times, so that was good!

This review is for the e-ARC, Funny Guy, by Emma Barry. This book was just okay. I liked the beginning - I appreciate characters that are thought out thoroughly. My problem is that I just don't feel like Bree and Sam are a good couple. I did not root for them to get together, and I only ever saw them as really good friends who happened to hook up. I liked the development of the main characters outside of each other, but when they were together I really didn't see much growth. When they got together and throughout the middle-end of the book really dragged for me. I wasn't sucked into their lives, I had to make myself finish the book. There was an HEA, though. There were a few phrases/words that confused me. I know that since one of the main characters is a comedian, it might have been a joke, but the phrase "put the cart before the house" was used. If it was a joke, I didn't get it. Also, I don't know if the author is allowed to name actual brands, but "Lily Pulitzer" was mentioned, and that's spelled "Lilly." During one of the spicy scenes the author also used the word "devested," and I'm assuming she meant "divested."

Bree and Sam are childhood friends. She has been in love with him for years, and when she finally decides to move across the country to her dream job, he realizes that he loves her too. After two years of pure bliss Sam finds out that Bree is moving and they break up. Sam is a comedian known for not being able to have stable relationships and keeps getting in trouble with the press, to the point of losing sponsors. Realizing that he was being unfair with Bree, he decides to make a special Christmas episode in his comedy program, to try to get their relationship back.
It's a sweet love story where childhood friends fall in love. Not exactly original and funny as I expected, but I liked it anyway.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC. The opinions above are my own and given freely.

I appreciate that Emma Barry’s books introduce me to worlds and situations I don’t already know much about (in this case, sketch comedy), and not only get me to care about those worlds more than I ever thought I would, but they also tell a beautiful love story in the process. Her metaphors- perfection! I’d say read this if you like stand-up comedy and Saturday Night Live, but I went into this not being a huge fan of either of those two things and still came away loving the book!

Review copy courtesy of NetGalley

I went back and forth on enjoying this romance, which was clearly inspired by Pete Davidson and SNL. It was hard sympathizing with a hothead guy clearly in his own way, and the romance wasn’t as sweet as I wanted. It was enjoyable for those who enjoy celebrity romances.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Funny Guy is a friends-to-lovers romance.
Sam and Bree are childhood friends who end up needing to live together in a small apartment in NYC. Bree has known she's in love with Sam... forever? But she hides her feelings thinking they won't be returned. [ typical ]
While living together, their dynamic changes just a tad... which makes Sam realize he just may be falling for Bree. Surprise, surprise.

The book is cute. Wholesome really. It's fairly slow at times but overall, it's mostly engaging and easy to read.

Thank you Montlake for an eARC; all thoughts and opinions are of my own.

The way this book broke my reading slump. (I mean I haven't read anything since then either, but like that's entirely on me and not the book). It was different and fun and a friends-to-lovers romance!

Sam does comedy for a fake SNL show, but his life is also a mess because he has thought control problems and control problems in general. Bree has been in love with Sam for forever and works as an architect, but is bored and wants more from work. Quick run down: Sam's engagement, a hastily done one too, ends in a big split and accompanying song (that happens when you get engaged to pop stars) and ends with him on Bree's couch away from paps--again. Bree is STABLE, like I wish I was her. ~emotions~ happen and yeah, fill in the rest.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book for many reasons. 1) who hasn't been keeping up with Pete Davidson over the past few years? 2) CHILDHOOD FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS, 3) The side characters and plot and the characters in general were very fun and interesting.

I loved all of the pent up emotions and such coming from Sam and Bree. Sam's moments of realizing he was in love with Bree were chef's kiss. The teetering moments on the brink of saying things. Those are the best moments. I also adored Bree. She is so cool. I felt like Sam and Bree's dynamics were also well crafted and framed.

To me what was missing was the history. There was a lot of discussion between Sam and Bree's past together. There were hints at the various traumas that they had endured. But there was never any deep discussion. If there had been a few flashbacks, not necessarily to the specifically awful times but maybe the pieces that deepened their relationship? Like when Bree realized she was in love with Sam or the first time one of them did something big? Idk, but I felt like I was told they had grown up together so many times without actually feeling like they did?

Also, this might be connected to the previous thought, but while reading there also felt like there was a screen between us and the characters. In Barry's earlier novel I felt so connected with the characters. They had life and excitement. And these ones just felt less. It could entirely be a me thing. I liked the characters enough in theory, but I never got that engagement I wanted. Perhaps because they were both passive characters?

Long story short, I do recommend this book. It brought me out of a reading slump that I had for a while and I finished it within a day. It was very unique in its characters and all of the smaller pieces to the plot, which I loved. Plus, friends-to-lovers? CANNOT be beat. Even with my few moments of reserved feelings, I enjoyed the book and think it's a great read.

This is the second book I've read this year where one of the plot points is a knock-off Saturday Night Live. Not sure what that says about me, but...I thought it should be mentioned.

Sam and Bree have been best friends since the age of 5. Now, as adults, they live and work in New York, both escaping terrible childhoods and creating their own family unit. Bree works in urban development, and Sam is one of the stars of the aforementioned "Comedy Hour".

Bree has long harbored feelings of love toward Sam, but Sam is the man about town, dating models and pop stars. When his latest ex-girlfriend, Salem, writes a catchy hit song, "Lonely Boy," about him, Sam's world is turned upside-down. Needing to hide from the paparazzi, Sam stays with Bree for along weekend and they grow closer.

Is this a classic friends-to-lovers tale? Yeah.
Did I still enjoy the hell out of it? Also yeah.

Despite being what I would normal categorize as "chick lit", this book provided depth, humor, and much-needed romance. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Bree and Sam grew up together in a small town in Ohio. Both of them had terrible parents in different ways - Sam' father routinely hit his mother and Bree's mother embezzled money meant for Bree to use at university. Both of them escaped to college, but Sam quit to make his way as a comic which he does in a big way by making his way to the top comedy series in the country as a regular cast member. They both end up living in New York City and stay best friends.

The only thing is that Bree has always been in love with Sam and can't make a relationship work with any other guy. Sam has a tendency to self-destruct, but Bree is his anchor. When he goes viral for yelling in a coffee shop about his most recent failed relationship, Sam crashes on her couch in her small apartment. Bree and Sam are both relatable characters with very human flaws. Close proximity at its finest, as Sam starts to think of Bree as more than his best friend and it is a delight to see how he deals with this sudden realization.

This book is one of the most heartfelt, genuine romances I have read in a long, long time. It became an immediate comfort read, because I read it again after I finished it!

I just reviewed Funny Guy by Emma Barry. #FunnyGuy #NetGalley

I was caught off guard by the angst in this story. Really well done. I liked the complex characters and the backstory. There was a bit of a doormat vibe from the heroine that was a bit off putting and the breakup was a bit ridiculous. Overall, I did enjoy.

“Just friends? She and Sam weren’t just anything. They were everything.”

Funny Guy by Emma Barry revolves mostly around Sam. After his pop star ex-fiancée released her new single “lost boy” about Sam, his career is on the line and he needs a place to lie low. He knows he can rely on his childhood best friend. Bree will always be there for Sam - not only did they grow up together, but she’s been in love with him for years. So much so that she’s made plans to move away to escape these feelings. But, this week in her apartment Sam and Bree are starting to feel things change between them…

This story promised a humorous, slow burn, forced proximity, friends to lovers situation, and while it was that, it also… wasn’t. I don’t think this could be classified as a rom-com, because there were comedic elements and there was a romance, but as a whole, it dealt with more emotional, deeper feelings.

I will say that there were many things I enjoyed about Funny Guy. This book WAS funny and did make me laugh. The beginning captivated me and the pacing may not be as fast as I wanted at times, but I never felt the story lagged. Sam’s crankiness and cynicism were hilarious and I loved him as a character immediately. He gets himself in trouble because he just HAS to say certain things which is a trait I always love to read about! He for sure needs therapy, but his tenderness to Bree and his willingness to try with her was great. The way he completely threw himself into making it work between them was so good! Though he had real traumas, he was able to learn from them and call to mind the examples his parents set and do the opposite. Sam IS flawed, but all of that makes him such a lovable, complex character, so when he has to make a grand gesture you just wanna root for him!

It’s already established at the outset of the book that Sam has commitment problems, but Bree’s love life was hung up on Sam. Bree was tiring, and I know she had trust issues from her past, but her doubts that Sam could ever love her were irritating. After her and Sam get together the story becomes too cerebral. She gets exactly what she wants out of this relationship with Sam, words that she’s been waiting YEARS to hear, and instead of communicating (I mean they’re 30 years old and 100% capable of having these REAL conversations) all her fears to him, she lies to him about a VERY important aspect of her life that HEAVILY affects the trajectory of their relationship. While I completely understood that at one point she needed to sever ties with Sam, to hold onto this secret was extremely immature. Bree’s own actions were the catalyst for their downfall. To me, Sam’s “lost-boyness” is not the problem in this story- it’s Bree.

I think if this were written in first person/dual POV this could have been a 4 or 5 star read for me. I enjoyed reading this and it was a quick and entertaining story. This is a humorous book and the writing was really good. I would recommend this book to people who like a slow burn, friends to lovers trope, but may not be looking for a rom-com and who don’t mind the miscommunication trope.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.