Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Funny Story by Emily Henry

65 reviews

emotional funny reflective slow-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

Emily does it again. She makes me fall in love with characters that are so real, I feel like they’re mirrors of myself or friends I’ve made throughout life. I loved Daphne and Miles. Not only is it apparent he fell first, but he also fell harder. I love that for Daphne. I really like the peaks of family drama that came through in this one! I liked that sometimes, people are just shitty and we have to deal. 

I loved how fun and petty this felt at times. That first kiss was iconic. 

This one may be my favorite. Don’t tell Beach Read. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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: Yes

There’s a reason why Emily Henry is the queen of romantic comedies and this book, right here, is it! After being disappointed by “Happy Place,” “Funny Story” is going to easily land among my favorites of hers (though I’m not sure “Book Lovers” could ever be surpassed, I’m keeping an open mind!!).
Henry has this talent for crafting characters that you feel like you have known for years, and Daphne and Miles may be amongst my favorites. While forced proximity and fake relationships aren’t my favorite tropes, I devoured every page of this delicious book. While not overly spicy, the steam in this one was just right. I found myself unable to put this one down until I could finish it simply because I needed to know more about Daphne and Miles. Not unlike Abby Jimenez, Henry broaches some difficult topics in this book and challenges us to think about how past traumas impact the ways that we live, love, and communicate with the world around us. There’s some really genuinely funny laugh out loud moments which Henry deploys at needed times, and I think Miles may be one of my favorite book boyfriends to date! Incredible work from the champion of romcoms. I can’t recommend this one enough for your next fun vacation read!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny 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: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Emily Henry makes you feel like you’re the only one reading her book. Which is a good thing—a great thing!! Let me explain.

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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings