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funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Enjoyed this light Rom-Com. Even though the ending was just as you predicted, it was a fun journey to get there. Characters had realistic flaws and introspection to notice them in themselves and each other. Main characters were loveable and the side characters were lots of fun, bringing energy to parts of the story that needed it. Liked that it jumped right into the story and didn't waste time in the intro. Appreciated that the chapters counted down/kept track of where we were in the timeline, making it easier to follow along (and reflecting Daphne's affinity for scheduling). Even though the love story moved kind of fast, it seemed believable in their case, with each taking turns acknowledging the unlikeliness of their journey. Would highly recommend for a fun read! HEA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Death of parent
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity
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
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
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book made me giddy again. Reading this book pushed me back to being a tween in my room listening to my favorite boy band and doodling my crush's name on my homework. I loved being able to read a book that made me feel like I was living the story with the characters. I definitely recommend this read to anyone who is looking for a love story in the most obvious sense of the word.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Gaslighting
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
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
“I don’t want to just be a part of we,” I say. “I want to be an I.”
Such a fun and heartwarming read! I really enjoyed the combination of the overall romcom vibes and the character depth. Daphne and Miles were great as roommates, friends, and lovers, genuinely bringing out the best in each other at every turn and pushing each other to confront their issues. That’s my favorite type of romance—the kind where the relationship becomes a catalyst for growth. I was also surprised by how well the overlap between the development of their attraction, friendship, and actual romantic feelings worked for me. Normally, I enjoy rather different progressions, but here, their situation and they both in people just made so much sense, I completely bought into it.
I also absolutely adored Miles’s arc. Even though this is a single POV book, his part of the story was so clear, and I felt for him so much. He’s one of those sunshiny characters who are actually hurt and scared inside, and the author masterfully pokes at his wounds while maintaining a sense of hope and healing throughout. It was great to have his younger sister be such a big part of the plot, too, both as means of driving certain points home and because she’s such a great character and the two of them have the best sibling dynamic.
My favorite part was absolutely the way this wasn’t just a love story, but—perhaps even first and foremost—a story of Daphne finding her footing, discovering herself, and separating what she’s been taught to want from what she actually wanted. She stumbled more than a few times a lot of the way, but she ended up in such a good, healthy place and pulled Miles right there after her. I just can’t stop smiling thinking about their ending. Yes, that one chapter near the end got kind of cheesy, but it was a *good* kind of cheesy.
If I have to name any flaws, they’re mostly from the realm of editing (if you’re going to give two characters very similar first and last names as a gimmick, maybe triple-check things to make sure they don’t keep exchanging last names every now and then? 😅) Oh, and while there are plenty of library activities, for a supposed bookworm who loves books so much Daphne doesn’t really spend any time reading (unless it’s for a library activity), not a fan of informed attributes like that. That’s it, that’s literally all I’ve got.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity
Neglect