Emily Henry

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.
 
Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.
 
 Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads —Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?
 
But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

Funny Story

Lindy

But keeping every glimmer of hope out has isolated me too, and I want to be seen. I want to be loved. I want to live with the hope that things can get better, even if, in the end, they don’t. 

But as an adult, I find kids so much easier to understand.

They say how they feel, and they show it too. There are fewer ulterior motives and unwritten rules. Silences aren't unbearably awkward, and abrupt segues to different subjects are the norm. If you want to be friends with someone, you just ask, and if they don't want to, they'll probably just tell you.

"It's not cynical. If you don't give other people responsibility for your feelings, you can have a decent relationship with most of them."

Jane.

Y me siento afortunado cada vez que me miras. No porque crea merecerte, sino porque tengo la sensación de que no necesitas que lo haga. Como si… te gustara tal como soy.

Y resulta que una sorpresa es distinta cuando procede de alguien que te conoce y te quiere.

No es cinismo. Si no responsabilizas a los demás de tus sentimientos, puedes tener una relación decente con casi todo el mundo.

Ya sabes por qué nos han invitado, Miles. Porque son adictos a que los quiera todo el mundo. Y se les da bien. Tanto como para no darse cuenta de que no se puede esperar amor de las personas a las que has destruido por completo. Ahora mismo se creen que son los buenos de la película. Pero no tienen derecho a verse así. Van a pasarse años viviendo con la certeza de que son los idiotas.

Paige Leitner

"There's steadiness and dependability, and those are great. But settling? Just deciding you already know everything you like and dislike on the entire planet, everything you're good at, every friend you're going to make, and every food you're ever going to eat? The guy wouldn't even let me repaint our bedroom! I wanted to know new parts of him, and I wanted to find new parts of myself."

This is my problem. I don't know how to talk along the surface of things, but I also don't want to unearth the ugly stuff, over and over again, for people who are just passing through my life. It's depleting. Like every time I dole out a kernel of my history to someone who’s not going to become a fixture in my life, a piece of me gets carried away, somewhere I can never get it back.

Emma Hak-Kovacs

“You're the reason for the word wonderful. It really shouldn't be used for anything else.”

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

“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.”

The same universe that dispassionately takes things away can bring you things you weren't imaginative enough to dream up.

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.

surtified™

“Funny story . . .” he says, but he doesn’t go on, just watches me and waits. He knows how much I love to tell it.

“We shouldn’t mope,” he goes on, with another shake of his head. “But I’m getting so good at it,” I whine.

“They,” I say, “suck.” “She’s the love of my life,” he says. “The love of your life sucks,” I tell him. He fights a smile. There’s something adorable about it, so puppyish that I find myself tempted to ruffle his already messy hair. When I do, his smile just barely slants up. The movement makes his dark eyes glimmer

these guys have the perfect chemistry dude.

Don’t be,” I insist. “You’re not the one marrying Petra instead of me.” He winces a little. “Shit! Now I’m sorry,” I say. He shakes his head as he sits back from me. “I just need a minute,” he says, avoiding my gaze. He turns his head to stare out the window. Oh, god. He’s crying now too. Or trying very hard not to. Shit, shit, shit. “Miles!” I’m in a panic. It’s been a while since I comforted someone. “I just need a second,” he repeats. “I’m fine.” “Hey!” I crawl across the couch toward him and take his face in my hands, proof that the wine has hit my bloodstream.

” He smooths my hair back with his free hand as I cry into his T-shirt, which smells only very faintly of weed, and much more of something spicy and woodsy.

we're 32 pages in and this guys already like this oml i'm gonna weep

Somehow, out of everything, that’s what does it: I start to cry. “Hey.” Miles moves closer. “It’s okay. It’s . . . fuck.” He pulls me roughly into his chest, his wine bottle still hanging from his hand. He kisses the top of my head like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Cassidy Nolan

Miles slips his arms around my waist, the woodsmoke and ginger smell folding around me, my heart pattering at the feeling of him kissing the side of my neck. I let myself lean back into him, the best feeling in the world. At least, the best feeling that’s appropriate to have in front of your mother.

“You really don’t know this already?” I ask Elda.

“It’s how Daphne and I got together.” Miles’s arms tighten around me.

I crane my neck over my shoulder to look at him. His dimples sink into his beard, and it feels like my heart is unzipping, stepping out of its calloused skin, a glowing, sunlit thing.

“Funny story . . .” he says, but he doesn’t go on, just watches me and waits.

“You’re the most generous person I’ve ever met, even to people who’ve given you no reason to be generous, and you 

 come through for the people you care about. I honestly can’t totally figure out why someone as 

 as you would love me, when I can be kind of a pessimistic asshole. But I do feel like the luckiest person in the world, to be who you want. Because I want you too. I love you too. I love you in a way that feels brand-new. You make every single thing that went wrong feel like it was just a step in the right direction, and it - it makes me excited. For life to keep surprising me.

His voice thickens: “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 as I am.

“And I feel lucky every time you look at me. Not because I think I’ve managed to 

 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 

“And I know I’m not who you pictured yourself with, but I think I could be, eventually. If you’ll let me. So don’t go. Because I don’t want you to. Because you’re my best friend, and I’m in love with you.”

I love my coworkers, and I love the patrons. I love the lake and the farm stands and BARn and Ashleigh and Julia and Miles.

One thing I like about Emily Henry books is the main character’s relationships with other people. I fear I have grown beyond her books, but thank you for getting me back into reading 

Funny Story de Emily Henry fue un libro que estuvo en mi lista de pendientes por un buen tiempo, pero no me había dado la oportunidad de leerlo hasta hace poco. Al principio, la historia no me enganchó como esperaba, pero, página tras página, fui dejándome llevar. La narración deja entre ver cómo se va desarrollando la amistad entre Daphne y Miles y todo el desenlace de esta conexión que surge a raíz de un par de corazones rotos y te atrapa, sinceramente. Es un libro entretenido: Miles me pareció adorable, y Daphne me encantó como personaje. Al leer todo desde el punto de vista de ella (Daphne) es un viaje constante a través de sus emociones, pensamientos, temores y todo lo que se encuentra en su cabecita (más o menos). Es mi primer libro de esta autora y me ha gustado mucho su forma de escribir, además sus portadas siempre han sido muy bonitas y llamativas, así que quizá por eso también me atrajo en una primera instancia.

This was my fifth vacation read and I have to say, for that- easy, low-threshold entertainment without too much substance, it was a perfect pick. 

, so i wasn't disappointed, I guess. I have been thoroughly entertained for the duration of this read and won't remember much about the characters, conflicts or settings in a couple of days/weeks (to be fair, as it is the case for most romance books for me). 

Emily Henry is a you get what you expect kind of writer and for some that reliability of knowing what to expect, also of feeling represented in her books (she does Center a lot around bookish themes), might be just the reason why they like her as an author. 

I'm mostly indifferent, I might pick a book up if I feel like I need exactly what she offers and that's alright. No one has to reinvent genres all the time and also doesn’t have to tick all the boxes at the time. 

Okay, this was more a ramble than a review, but reading some really bashing reviews for this book, I somehow had to sort my thoughts for a second to find my own opinion. 

Two things i did not enjoy in this one was, 1) the double edged behavior of the main characters (the birthday thing is unforgivable and was poorly resolved in my opinion), 2) the abuse of some expressions/mannerisms the mc seems to display any time she eats, which do not, in any way, contribute to the story. Just make her a lil quirky, right? No. 

This was okay. This will be forgotten in a matter of days. That's okay, too.

Leonie

This was my fifth vacation read and I have to say, for that- easy, low-threshold entertainment without too much substance, it was a perfect pick. 
I didn't go in searching for the next romance, so i wasn't disappointed, I guess. I have been thoroughly entertained for the duration of this read and won't remember much about the characters, conflicts or settings in a couple of days/weeks (to be fair, as it is the case for most romance books for me). 
Emily Henry is a you get what you expect kind of writer and for some that reliability of knowing what to expect, also of feeling represented in her books (she does Center a lot around bookish themes), might be just the reason why they like her as an author. 
I'm mostly indifferent, I might pick a book up if I feel like I need exactly what she offers and that's alright. No one has to reinvent genres all the time and also doesn’t have to tick all the boxes at the time. 

Okay, this was more a ramble than a review, but reading some really bashing reviews for this book, I somehow had to sort my thoughts for a second to find my own opinion. 
Two things i did not enjoy in this one was, 1) the double edged behavior of the main characters (the birthday thing is unforgivable and was poorly resolved in my opinion), 2) the abuse of some expressions/mannerisms the mc seems to display any time she eats, which do not, in any way, contribute to the story. Just make her a lil quirky, right? No. 

This was okay. This will be forgotten in a matter of days. That's okay, too.

Another Emily Henry piece that I adore with my whole heart? Most damn likely! Oh she just never fails to make me happy (& cry). Every EH book I read just keeps on getting better. This was such a breeze, I finished it in a day. Was debating whether I’d sacrifice my sleep by reading it in one go, but priorities & all that.

fortunately, i loved this book enough to not leave a review that read, “it was really NOT a funny story.”

shiya

great escapism + made me cry. wow love. emily henry’s characters always feel so modern + their perspectives on relationships (and inevitable self sabotages/make-ups) feel like they make sense even when their situation is unrealistic. some questionable decision making and miscommunication towards the end but hey it’s a romcom

julia

karina

This book was a really slow read- it probably was not until halfway through I was engaged :/ but the second half was good, still pondering if this left something to be desired or not. 

Neeha Mian

reads a bit like a self insert fanfic or a made up reddit rant post. now i do loveeee a good tropey fanfic as a feelings evoking read? sure! it was a fun read and i ate it up. however there were so many weird plot points and odd character choices. daphne seemed so abrasive for no reason and miles was this “perfect” man who would erratically be a dipshit. i didn’t really get why he was into her at the beginning ? would’ve enjoyed more friendship build up. i mean maybe he just thought she was hot though and that was the immediate bond. 

henry tries to explore childhood trauma and how that impacts dating and this characters were Traumatized fr. kind of clumsily overdone imo

Daphne Li-Chen

reads a bit like a self insert fanfic or a made up reddit rant post. now i do loveeee a good tropey fanfic as a feelings evoking read? sure! it was a fun read and i ate it up. however there were so many weird plot points and odd character choices. daphne seemed so abrasive for no reason and miles was this “perfect” man who would erratically be a dipshit. i didn’t really get why he was into her at the beginning ? would’ve enjoyed more friendship build up. i mean maybe he just thought she was hot though and that was the immediate bond. 

henry tries to explore childhood trauma and how that impacts dating and this characters were Traumatized fr. kind of clumsily overdone imo

cute easy read though 

One of the things I liked about this book was that Daphne was not perfect, and her character actually developed. In other popular romcom books, all of the characters are always fully-formed; the conflict usually comes from their fully-formed-ness conflicting with others’. This is especially true for the MC’s female friendships. It feels like they are a placeholder or soundboard for the FMC to speak to someone other than the MMC. 

I know it sounds weird to say, but I fell in love with Daphne as a character when she forgot Ashley’s birthday. It felt really real that she would make an actual mistake and need to make it up to her friend. The way her and Ashley’s friendship formed and then overcame that challenge was one of my favourite parts of the book. Watching them share more and more of their lives with each other was so heartening. It really underscores how romantic relationships are informed within a context of all our other relationships, and they are all equally important for our development as people. Daphne was better able to understand Miles and have compassion towards him because of her own mistake. 

On a similar note, I also LOVED that Daphne and Brie reconnected, especially on Daphne’s accord having decided to reach out to her. It made my heart glow that she re-wrote the ending to that story between her and Brie, something the Daphne we met at the start of the book could never have done. She was able to realize her part in a self-fulfilling prophecy and change it by being brave. It’s a wonderful example of how tropes like the evil ex-best-friend can sneak into books and remain unchallenged, oftentimes reinforcing our own conceptions about people. Real life people are hardly ever so villainous. I appreciated Henry’s treatment of the subject and all its intricacies. I found how she navigated blame, accountability, mistakes, forgiveness and growth masterful. 

Lastly, I found Daphne’s response to conflict extremely relatable and well-written. When in conflict with both Miles and her dad, she said she didn’t want to hurt them and tempered her response accordingly while still being honest and, when necessary, setting boundaries. Daphne’s genuine kindness as a focal point of her character really guided her in so many situations, and I found this refreshing since oftentimes characters’ character changes from situation to situation in service of the plot. I found it especially refreshing that this was done with a positive trait like kindness. 

The fact that the majority of my review has nothing to do with the romance aspect of the plot speaks to how rich I found the relationships between the characters while still being well-paced. I think the level of depth reached in the construction of each character sufficient, which I hardly ever feel. I wanted to understand more of Miles’ history and emotional lore; I felt I understood Daphne’s internal motivations more than Miles’ in this regard but that likely has to do with the point of view of the book. 

This was my first book by Emily Henry and I can’t wait to read more! Since I read this as an audiobook, my apologies if the names are spelled incorrectly.

H. H. 

One of the things I liked about this book was that Daphne was not perfect, and her character actually developed. In other popular romcom books, all of the characters are always fully-formed; the conflict usually comes from their fully-formed-ness conflicting with others’. This is especially true for the MC’s female friendships. It feels like they are a placeholder or soundboard for the FMC to speak to someone other than the MMC. 

I know it sounds weird to say, but I fell in love with Daphne as a character when she forgot Ashley’s birthday. It felt really real that she would make an actual mistake and need to make it up to her friend. The way her and Ashley’s friendship formed and then overcame that challenge was one of my favourite parts of the book. Watching them share more and more of their lives with each other was so heartening. It really underscores how romantic relationships are informed within a context of all our other relationships, and they are all equally important for our development as people. Daphne was better able to understand Miles and have compassion towards him because of her own mistake. 

On a similar note, I also LOVED that Daphne and Brie reconnected, especially on Daphne’s accord having decided to reach out to her. It made my heart glow that she re-wrote the ending to that story between her and Brie, something the Daphne we met at the start of the book could never have done. She was able to realize her part in a self-fulfilling prophecy and change it by being brave. It’s a wonderful example of how tropes like the evil ex-best-friend can sneak into books and remain unchallenged, oftentimes reinforcing our own conceptions about people. Real life people are hardly ever so villainous. I appreciated Henry’s treatment of the subject and all its intricacies. I found how she navigated blame, accountability, mistakes, forgiveness and growth masterful. 

Lastly, I found Daphne’s response to conflict extremely relatable and well-written. When in conflict with both Miles and her dad, she said she didn’t want to hurt them and tempered her response accordingly while still being honest and, when necessary, setting boundaries. Daphne’s genuine kindness as a focal point of her character really guided her in so many situations, and I found this refreshing since oftentimes characters’ character changes from situation to situation in service of the plot. I found it especially refreshing that this was done with a positive trait like kindness. 

The fact that the majority of my review has nothing to do with the romance aspect of the plot speaks to how rich I found the relationships between the characters while still being well-paced. I think the level of depth reached in the construction of each character sufficient, which I hardly ever feel. I wanted to understand more of Miles’ history and emotional lore; I felt I understood Daphne’s internal motivations more than Miles’ in this regard but that likely has to do with the point of view of the book. 

This was my first book by Emily Henry and I can’t wait to read more! Since I read this as an audiobook, my apologies if the names are spelled incorrectly.

im glad i waited a bit to review this book, because at first i gave this like a 3. but i think it's because its an emily henry book that is a little tooo close to home. like the main character is an only child with dad issues, and that was just a little too real LOL. i on first sitting did not like something the main guy does at the end, but again after sitting on it, it doesn't piss me off anymore and i think i was just being too harsh. also i know the main guy got a lot of hate because he smokes weed and wears crocs, but listen i like that and i wont elaborate further. 

alice l

Fun read, not as quick as I was expecting, the second half kinda dragged on and I felt like it could have been shorter, but I did like the premise and character development and felt like I could relate a fair amount to the characters. Many sentences that just punched me in the gut, hit the nail on the head. Oof. Very insightful author who I think must have had a lot of therapy (I have not lol) or maybe she's just naturally intuitive. Though I wouldn't read this one again, I'm interested to check out her other books!

Bethany

Creative storyline only reason it’s not a 5/5 is because I didn’t relate or feel much from Miles’s trauma 

Bailey Dunn

To be loved is to be seen. That is exactly what this book is all about. Such a sweet loving romance, the way Miles went ABOVE & BEYOND to ensure Daphne felt seen for exactly who she is. Daphne did the same thing for Miles, so naturally. As if it was second nature to both of them.  That’s what true love is; being exactly who you are & working through your fears & anxiety TOGETHER. Emily Henry’s are truly a blessing to read. She did it again, ATEEEEEEEE with this book as always. Chef’s kiss 💋 

ezmeralda 

I've rated Funny Story on the basis of how much I enjoyed reading it. I felt like a young teen again, staying up until all hours to devour it. Emily Henry's ability to craft layered characters so real you feel like you are facing them, and feeling the presence of human sunshine, is masterful. 

daphne

obviously a 10/10 per usually for emily. love that girl. loved this one a true romcom!!

claudia alford

I adore Emily Henry’s writing and characters. She just gets it every time. Miles is such a cutie 

Kate W

Super cute book but also felt like i knew what was going to happen and that the romance wasn’t real. 

Haley Bucklin

such a good wholesome story! i feel like everything just came full circle in the end, and this is the only emily henry novel that i loved the ending so much because it didn’t feel rushed with an epilogue for an ending. although i do have my doubts (currently) if they’re gonna stay together for long, but the 1 year skip was a clear indicator that they would considering they’re both mature enough to handle problems. 

i love the transparency and the dialogues exchanged between miles and daphne. they are so wholesome and so raw with each other throughout the book.

this may be the only emily henry novel that i didn’t feel so devastated and sad when it ended. like it took me awhile to finish not because it was boring, but because i didn’t want them to end yet. (maybe also because they aren’t dealing with grief because of a death of a loved one). they are such a comfort couple to me. and miles. mygod MILES. such an honest and ambitious and insecure male lead to whom i related to so much (more than daphne). 

such a good wholesome story! i feel like everything just came full circle in the end, and this is the only emily henry novel that i loved the ending so much because it didn’t feel rushed with an epilogue for an ending. although i do have my doubts (currently) if they’re gonna stay together for long, but the 1 year skip was a clear indicator that they would considering they’re both mature enough to handle problems. 

i love the transparency and the dialogues exchanged between miles and daphne. they are so wholesome and so raw with each other throughout the book.

this may be the only emily henry novel that i didn’t feel so devastated and sad when it ended. like it took me awhile to finish not because it was boring, but because i didn’t want them to end yet. (maybe also because they aren’t dealing with grief because of a death of a loved one). they are such a comfort couple to me. and miles. mygod MILES. such an honest and ambitious and insecure male lead to whom i related to so much (more than daphne). 

i love them, my indie couple 🥹

Very good story line and LOVE that it was set in Northern Michigan. Fell in love with the “Hallmark-style” romantic plot with a surprise emphasis on friendship. 

Had a hard time following the character development. Felt like some “trauma” that each character had to work through didn’t have enough backstory and was difficult to follow.

Sarah Wilson

Very good story line and LOVE that it was set in Northern Michigan. Fell in love with the “Hallmark-style” romantic plot with a surprise emphasis on friendship. 

Had a hard time following the character development. Felt like some “trauma” that each character had to work through didn’t have enough backstory and was difficult to follow.

i am a HUGE fan of emily henry and have read all of her books, but this one honestly took me a bit longer to get through than the others. i checked it out from libby as soon as i could, but i actually wasn't able to finish before the ebook was returned, and i had a good 2 months until the book returned to me once again to reflect on why. i think daphne's personality was a bit harder to pin down than henry's other characters. we're told she's type A — the kind of person who doesn't like surprises, who plans everything out, who hates people being late, etc. etc. but i don't feel like we actually see as much of it beyond being told? and likewise with miles — i found it harder to fall in love with him than with henry's other mls. i actually can't tell if it's that both daphne and miles are different from me, so it's harder for me to understand their perspectives, or if they just aren't written with enough depth and consistency for me to have understood. i quite liked julia and ashleigh and wished there were a bit more of the dynamics with daphne and them; in fact, i felt like henry was trying to build a cast of characters, but that there still wasn't quite the right amount of depth, particularly since julia just disappeared to chicago and basically didn't come back for several chapters + we hear about her whole debacle from miles instead of from her. i know some people have previously said that henry's other books all feel like the resolution happens all at once at the ending and then it just ends. for me, this isn't a problem lol but i wonder if she tried to address that and weave more of the emotional threads throughout the plot earlier so that the resolutions would feel less abrupt. if so, i feel like her attempt to do so wasn't seamless. in general, this is a rly long review of me just complaining hahah i will say there are plenty of moments i quite liked, and i admire that henry was trying to do something different here in terms of how she tells her stories, and i want her to keep trying and keep becoming a stronger and stronger writer! i will obviously still be there for the next book and will continue rereading her previous books, but this one might be a skip for me in those future rereads.

lucia

Emily Henry's books are so good I can't even explain to you the high they give me. Funny story follows Miles and Daphne, who's partners, who are best friends, realise they love one another and leave, meaning Daphne is forced to move in with Miles. And the interations between these two are adorable. I genuinely loved this book with my whole heart; there's something about Emily Henry's men where they just hit the right spot, they're so kind, and I just love them and the way they treat the women. Like miles, immediatly at the first 100 pages or so, he shows this emotional depth I didn't know could exist in men, and I find it so godamn fine. And then there's the adorable cute stuff he does, going the extra mile where he tries to sort out Daphne's issues before anyone elses. What I would recommend is that, I would have liked to see the wedding, and I also would have liked to see more into Miles' trauma, I think what we got was rather minimal, and I would have cried even more if we got his backstory with a bit more detail, if you know what I mean. An overall amazing book, which I loved and recommend whole heartedly. 

Funny story is officially my favorite Emily Henry book 🤍 It was the perfectly imperfect love story I needed! I can relate so much to Daphne & Miles. Their background & dynamic is so similar to mine & my husband’s so it was great getting a bit of advice from Daphne’s mom! I loved her friendship with Ash & the poker group as well as her rekindled relationship with Sadie. Now I want to move to Michigan!

Funny Story

Reviews

Highlights