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meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit and Alcohol
jennastopreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked this story just fine, but I didn't love it the way I expected to. Like all of the previous EH novels I've read in the past, it hits on some heavy hitting topics and has depth in ways that a lot of romcoms miss. But interestingly enough, I don't think I would classify this book as "funny" at all, and I guess I was expecting more humor with the title having FUNNY in it?
The setting of the story may have been my favorite part and it definitely has me excited to visit Michigan this summer! The town felt like a character in and of itself, it felt very Stars Hollow in a way. Some of the characters throughout the town really made it fun, too. I do wish that the setting of Daphne's work, the library, had been better fleshed out.
I liked Miles a lot (despite his constant wearing of Crocs) and I found him very endearing. I wish we had seen more growth in Daphne throughout the story, but she also was a very realistic, believable character. I wish we had gotten more of Julia.
Overall, it was a decent book and I wasn't bored, but it's not my favorite romance I'll read in 2024.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
amateur_bookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, Cursing, and Drug use
Moderate: Infidelity
soniajoy98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, and Abandonment
Minor: Classism and Infidelity
sunshinekmp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
When you’re reading one of her books, you almost feel like it’s a secret. Like if one of your best friends writes a book and you’re the first one to read it. Like you have the inside scoop. Like it’s exclusive. Like this story was meant to be read by you. Like its contents are something for you to cherish and feel in your own time, your own way.
Her writing does this magical thing where you feel so present inside her words that you never really leave them. You read other books, move on to other titles, but her stories remain. When all else feels like a dribble, her novels are the ocean. Constant. Resonating. Engaging with you even in your subconscious.
What I loved about Miles and Daphne was that they were so in tune and in sync with one another’s feelings and expectations, even when they thought they weren’t. The right person can make all the difference in the wrong moments.
Miles is easygoing and thoughtful, confident but considerate. Daphne is gentle and shy but also braver than she thinks and tougher than she gives herself credit for. They make a great pair of roommates, friends, cohorts, lovers. They are two halves of one whole that, for much of the book, they seem to acknowledge but don’t let themselves indulge in for fear of messing the good parts up, or not thinking they are what the other needs. They go through situations and feelings together, simultaneously, without realizing it. I like how natural and adult their conversations are, how honest they can be with one another when they need to, and how goofy and flirty they can be when they want to. How easily they fit into each other’s lives, literally and figuratively.
Most mature of her books I think, as far as characters and their actions. Well-rounded novel, nothing feels rushed or drags along. Perfect pacing. I wish I felt a little more connected to the characters’ decisions, but that’s more of a personal thing.
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Drug use
readwithria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Funny Story is my new favorite Emily Henry book! I love the characters, I love the romantic chemistry and the friendship chemistry. I love the town, and the vibe, and everything about this book.
Daphne and Miles are so cute, and their story is LITERALLY such a funny story! This is EH’s funniest book yet, and I loved it so much. The set-up of the fake dating is hilarious, and Miles is probably my new favorite book boyfriend.
The family dynamics in the book are great! I love Daphne’s mom, I love Julia, I love all the different types of families we see. I even, somehow, kinda like Starfire (iykyk).
Read this book if you love
đź’ś fake dating
đź’ś forced proximity
đź’ś strong friendships
đź’ś libraries
đź’ś being a tourist in your own city
đź’ś laughing so hard you wake up your cat
I love this book with my whole heart. 5 stars.
Thank you Berkley Romance for giving my an early copy and the opportunity to learn an honest, voluntary review.
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
erynlasbelin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
overbookedmama's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Since 2021, I have not managed to find a single romance novel to top my obsession with People We Meet on Vacation--and I have read several hundred romances. How Emily managed to beat her own book is absolutely beyond me. Funny Story now takes first place in my favorites list.
As I was reading my eARC (thank you, THANK YOU, Berkley) I decided to highlight everything that stood out to me. Three paragraphs into the first chapter and I was already highlighting a quote that had me snorting with laughter. The rest of the book made me feel precisely as giddy as those first few lines and I managed to highlight nearly 40 quotes and added countless notes.
Something that constantly impresses me with Emily's writing style is that while she maintains a classic romcom formula (meaning that the book is equally as funny as it is romantic), she doesn't skimp on depth and emotion. I have cried nearly as many times as I have laughed while reading each of her novels and Funny Story was no different. It dealt with themes like emotionally abusive family members and toxic romantic relationships. But it doesn't just glaze over them or make them feel unimportant. They're an integral part of the story and handled with so much grace.
This book also gave me an element I never knew I needed (?) in an EmHen novel: found family. It may have manifested in an untraditional sense, but it was absolutely part of the narrative and I really loved how it was cultivated and nurtured throughout the story. By the end of the book, I felt as though Ashleigh's friendship with Daphne was just as important as the romantic relationship with Miles.
If you're looking for something feel-good that will make you laugh so hard you nearly pee yourself, cry a little, and just fall in love with love all over again, you need to pick up Funny Story. I had the best time ever reading this book and I can't wait to pick it up whenever I'm craving some extra comfort. All the stars for this fantastic romcom!
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit