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funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The beginning had my blood pressure so elevated (and contemplating murder) and then effortlessly moves into a really rom-com. This read like a love letter to libraries and the incredible staff who help communities everywhere (I fucking love the library) and the awkward growing pains of making friends as an adult. As always I want to know all of these people, visit these places and eat every single food that was mentioned. What can I say, Miss Henry doesn't miss. This is the most ‘Rom-com’ of her books and I needed that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first Emily Henry book and I enjoyed it. Light and predictable, but even I need a break from the darker reads I normally gravitate towards.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abandonment
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Honestly, how do you even begin to review an Emily Henry book aside from *pterodactyl screeching noises* and *unintelligible fluttery hand gestures* to properly convey how much you love it? Just when I thought I couldn't love her romcoms more, she goes and writes Funny Story.
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!
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!
**Unrelated and semi-unimportant but fun fact time: A truly delightful part of this for me was that the Richmond they reference time and again is Richmond, Virginia... which just happens to be where I was born and raised and lived until 2021. Seeing it mentioned over and over made me really happy. Now, if only I could convince Emily to do more tour stops there...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
emotional
funny
fast-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol