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emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I've gotten into a habit of borrowing Emily Henry books from the library when I have a full shelf of unread books at home already. She's become my go-to author for lighthearted romance books that don't stray very far from what I expect in a romance novel. They also tend to be quick and easy to read, not because the books themselves are short, but because Henry's style as an author is very clear and straightforward.
I definitely think Funny Story is my favorite book of hers so far. It feels less like a list of tropes being checked off and more like a unique narrative with fleshed-out character arcs. There's some lag in the middle, and I do feel like the main romance was a little rushed without a lot of prompting from the other couple that influences this story as well, but these are more nitpicks than significant gripes. I felt more attached to the characters and the world they lived in this time. I had a fun time reading this, and I think other romance fans will like this book too.
I definitely think Funny Story is my favorite book of hers so far. It feels less like a list of tropes being checked off and more like a unique narrative with fleshed-out character arcs. There's some lag in the middle, and I do feel like the main romance was a little rushed without a lot of prompting from the other couple that influences this story as well, but these are more nitpicks than significant gripes. I felt more attached to the characters and the world they lived in this time. I had a fun time reading this, and I think other romance fans will like this book too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol
-A couple of make out scenes, one steamy hookup scene, and one full sex scene that only lasts for a chapter. Innuendos and casual sexual references pop up throughout the book.
-Miles and Daphne's dad smoke weed and cigars a few times.
-Miles works at a winery and there's a few drinking scenes, but nothing crazy.
-There's some backstory on Miles and his sisters' parents and their relationship with them. Brief but does describe emotional abuse.
Daphne's dad shows up unexpectedly with his new wife in the story, and suddenly disappears without warning a few days later. Could be upsetting to some readers, but it's not intense.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite this having some of my favorite tropes, I didn’t love it as much as other Emily Henry books I’ve read.
I love how Miles and Daphne grow and become friends as time passes. I also love Ashleigh and Daphne’s friendship. It felt refreshing and necessary for the story. And this book definitely had me kicking and giggling my feet. I just almost wish that the fake dating had been a slightly more prevalent thing since I feel like that was a large part of the marketing.
I feel like this one got real cheesy toward the end. I feel like I just missed some of the more gritty personal details on this one. That and Daphne’s dad and Starfire just felt a little uninspired or grasping for straws.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Emotional abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A sweet love story full of feel-good, big moments. I got more emotionally attached to characters than I was prepared for. Emily Henry does not disappoint.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Classism
Minor: Child abuse
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Vomit, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
04/27
Besides the humor and some of the sides characters there isn't anything else I liked about this book.
The plot goes like this: Daphne is an introverted librarian who gets cheated by her (ex)fiancé during his bachelor's party with his childhood best friend. Now Daphne is living with said best friend's (ex)boyfriend, Miles, because she had nowhere else to go and all her support system is through her cheating ex-fiancé. The first half has good pacing with a focus on Daphne and Miles bonding through being cheated on and Daphne making actual meaningful relationships outside of her love life. When they both receive invitations to their exes' wedding, they decide to fake-date to make them uncomfortable.
The two main problems with the plot were that 1) they never really focus on the fake-dating aspect and instead halfway through the book they do a 180 and make the story about Daphne's trust and daddy issues instead, which was a missed opportunity on some great drama; 2) Miles is a POS love interest and character who is no better than the ex-fiancé, he is completely uninteresting by himself who betrays Daphne at the moment she was starting to grow as a person.
I was expecting this book to be about these two getting back at their exes while also falling for each other and having a cozy feeling of found family but that all took a nosedive the minute the dad showed up.
03/07
The heroine was great, I loved Daphne. Except for the part that she ended up with a cheater like Miles after learning to stand up for herself the entire book.
This has to be the worst book boyfriend I have ever come across in a romance. How are you gonna tell your ex that you love your roommate BEFORE you tell her directly, it's the most idiotic and loser behavior ever, which is in no way resolved or addressed by the end of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment