Funny Story

Daphne and Peter's meet-cute involved her hat blowing off in a park, and it was adorable. Too bad Peter has now jilted Daphne on the night of his bachelor party, when he decided that he was actually in love with Petra, his long-time platonic best friend. Daphne had moved to the picturesque town in Northern Michigan where Peter grew up, and now she's out a fiancé and a place to live, since the house is in Peter's name. She still has her dream job (children's librarian), and she's determined not to leave the library in the lurch with a major fundraiser coming up, but as soon as that's over, she's out of there. As a temporary measure, she moves in with Petra's ex-boyfriend Miles, who has a spare bedroom and a really long playlist of very show more sad songs. Despite the sad songs, Miles is a generally cheerful person and convinces Daphne to give Michigan a try, taking her around to local sites and introducing her to some of the area's characters. She also starts a work friendship, realizing that all of her local friends were actually Peter's friends. Despite her intentions to leave at the end of the summer, she's starting to love her new town. And then she gets Peter and Petra's wedding invite, and in a fit of panic when Peter calls to ask about her RSVP, she tells him that she and Miles are in a relationship. Oops!

I've read enough Emily Henry now to expect her to deliver, and so far, she always does. Book Lovers is still my favorite of hers, but this is pretty high on the list (even if I could maybe do some nitpicking about the children's librarian stuff -- but I won't). All in all, a fun romance using the fake boyfriend trope. Fans of the author should not miss out -- and if you're new to Henry, this would be a fine place to start. show less

This book was everything I wanted and more. I gave it stars because it had all the Emily Henry magic, great banter, real emotions, lovable characters, and just the right mix of heart and humor. I laughed, I got teary, and I had the biggest smile on my face when I finished. It’s cozy, it’s romantic, and it hits you right in the feelings without ever trying too hard.

The FMC is so relatable and easy to root for. She’s going through a rough patch but handles it with the kind of awkward charm and quiet strength that makes you want to give her a hug and cheer her on at the same time. And the MMC?? Instant fave. The way their connection builds, slow, sweet, but with just enough tension, is chef’s kiss. Nothing felt rushed. It was all show more about the little moments: late night convos, inside jokes, the kind of closeness that sneaks up on you.

What I loved most was that even though it’s light and funny, there’s still depth. It talks about heartbreak, starting over, and figuring out who you are outside of someone else’s shadow. And it does it all in a way that feels easy to read but still leaves a mark. If you’re looking for something that’ll make you smile, feel a little bit softer inside, and believe in love again, this is the one. Total comfort read. show less

Daphne Vincent had life with Peter all planned out - that is, until he dumped her on his bachelor weekend for his childhood best friend, Petra, and she becomes roommates with Petra's ex, Miles. Now she's not sure if she wants to keep her job at the library or move back to Maryland to be closer to her mom, or if she really has any friends of her own since even college friend Sadie hasn't really spoken to her since the breakup. Meanwhile, Peter and Petra invite them to the wedding and when she and Miles agree to go, Daphne may have said to Peter that they're dating...

One thing I really enjoy about Henry's books is the depth of her characters. Daphne and Miles each have believable hang ups brought on by their childhood experiences, and show more when they have misunderstandings (with each other and with other side characters), it's a result of these deep-seated insecurities rather than a simple refusal to talk. And once they do talk, yes, I teared up more than once. It was refreshing to have characters in their 30s rather than young twenty-somethings. And Henry mostly gets working at a library right, though I would argue that no library would really approve of adults with no kids waltzing into a Storytime to hear the girlfriend/daughter/whatever relationship read a book. I devoured the book in two days after a string of more serious books, and it definitely fit the bill for what I needed over the weekend. show less

Several steps above most modern romances. Daphne (ugh, one demerit) is a children’s librarian; and her work is an integral part of the story rather than just window dressing. The difficulties and relationship issues feel very real. It’s not just between her and the love interest. She struggles making friends in general and has a complicated relationship with her mostly absent father. She doesn’t find completion in the love interest. Pretty good.
There is a slight hole that could have been exploited more explaining how they ended up as apartment mates.

I can count on Emily Henry's rom-coms to deliver instant chemistry and loads of fun banter but I’m tired of the mommy and daddy issues. This is the second one I've read where the lead character is dealing with either parental abandonment or death and for me it really ruins the vibe. I wish this had spent less time with the loser dad and more with Daphne's bff Ashleigh, especially the part where Ashleigh was telling her to stop being a 'we-girl'. That was some very good advice.

This book’s subtitle should be: everyone needs therapy. Also, I loved it! Realistic & healthy relationships, actual character development & honest conversations. Supporting the idea that you need friends and a community, not just one “perfect “ person. Miles & Daphne were a delight with buzzing chemistry. The supporting characters added so much especially Julia & Ashleigh, & the descriptions of Michigan were just the chef’s kiss. This one is one of my favorite of Henry’s books, tied with Book Lovers.

“It’s a library, Daphne. If you can’t be human here, where can you?”

I absolutely LOVE IxxJ + ExxP stories! I adored this book. I saw myself so much in Daphne it was impossible to ignore. She, Miles, Julia, and Ashleigh were all such interesting, fleshed out characters with their own interconnecting stories. Peter & Petra (weird that they both have names that mean "rock" lol?) definitely could be more interesting, but I'm not pressed about it because I like having people to blame & be unashamedly angry at. But Daphne, with her trust issues, side character syndrome, library career, cautious temperament, etc... it all was... ME. And her chemistry with Miles was palpable.

I like that the story played out all the tropes of forced proximity, fake dating, AND opposites attract. It seems like a person wouldn't show more be able to do all that well, but because it ping-ponged between a few tropes, it didn't lean on one so hard that it created a run-of-the-mill plotline.

It was refreshing to see a book in which the FMC has a strong family life, work life, and is working on a strong social life (and achieves it!). It was written so healthily, without the dumb mistakes that Abbie Jimenez's characters make. The issue that happened at the end of Funny Story was completely reasonable and handled/resolved well. Daphne learns to build a well-rounded life for herself, and Miles is only part of that.

I give Julia Whelan, as always, 5⭐️s. She's so great at voice acting. You FEEL everything she narrates, without getting a single bit of insincerity or cheesiness. show less