Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Funny Story

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Funny Story by Emily Henry

312 reviews

entiresunset's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

This was my first book of Emily Henry and this will definitely not be my last. I absolutely loved this book! And I connected to so many of the characters it's almost unbelievable.

First of all, having a lot of dry humor myself, I instantly felt connected to Daphne. But also the deeper and more emotional parts of Daphnes character made me feel very connected to her. Not knowing who she is after giving everything up for all the people she loved - deeply relatable.

I also loved Miles character. He is such a kind, lovable and warm person. I loved there was more to him than just his sunshine personality and that this part of him also was there for a reason.
I loved how he made Daphne realize how important she is and how worthy of love and how Daphne on the other hand helped Miles realise that he has been bearing too much all this time. And that

the dark parts inside of him could never be too much

.
Their conversation where Miles talked about

his childhood experiences

actually broke my heart. The way Daphne helped him see how much he

did for his sister and how he saved her

touched me deeply.

It was so sad to see how

both of their defense mechanisms drove both of them away from each other: Miles panicking and self sabotaging and Daphne pushing him away after he stood her up, afraid to let him in.

But I liked that this was a realistic consequence of Miles behavior

and that Daphne did not magically take him back just cause he apologized and told her he loved her.

And I loved that it wasnt unnecessary drama or the obligatory third act break up. The conflict felt organic and understandable from both of their points of view.

I felt for Daphne deeply. How she

was stood up and left so many times. And again and again by her dad :(. How she drew the conclusion that she was the problem and something about her made her unlovable. No wonder she couldnt forgive miles just like that. It just cut too deep.

And I also felt deeply for Miles. How he

believed he was only lovable showing his best parts and was not allowed to show his dark sites.

The way he thought he

was responsible for all the shit his parents put him through broke my heart

Being a trauma survivor myself with experiences in parental abandonment and emotional abuse

I connected deeply to both Daphne and Miles.

At times, especially in the beginning to middle, the story or rather Daphnes and Miles bond felt a bit rushed. Also, I would have loved to explore Miles past and its consequences a bit more.
But still I loved the complexity of the characters and felt like the consequences of experiencing

that kind of trauma

were accurate and felt natural.

I loved how the story not only focused on romantic but also on platonic and familiar love and explored Daphne and her moms and Miles and Julias relationship as well as Daphnes and Ashleighs friendship.

Really looking forward to my next Emily Henry book :)

Content Warnings

noellegrace8's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

asm15's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

annaflaaolson's review against another edition

3.5

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Sweet romance. Not my favorite of Emily Henry’s books, but a very enjoyable read. Loved the characters, as always. Audiobook was expertly narrated, as usual.

Content Warnings

my_personal_escape's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Content Warnings

relin's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

It was a lovely situation romance set up! Though I was left worrying about the sister.

Content Warnings

risten's review against another edition

2.5

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

alexiconic's review against another edition

4.0

funny hopeful relaxing medium-paced

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

Daphne could be such a frustrating main character at times. I am not sure what to take from that.

I would have loved to read more of her and Miles’ relationship developing after she decides to stay (because we do see her make healthy choices, for herself) and learn how she grows. But then, I do believe that she learns and grows in the book already.

But it is a lovely story. And I believe the portrayal of the ways in which we can develop deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, as well as how those come out. It’s just frustrating to read - and it’s a shame the drama lasts somewhat longer than the rebuilding.

Content Warnings