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A review by talknerdybookblog
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Representation: Dyslexic love interest, Persian American supporting character, Black side character
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW drama
- Hero is very much still in love with his ex-girlfriend. He even remarks early on in the book that he'd be open to getting back together with her if she wanted him back (despite breaking up with him through a post-it note and leaving him for her best friend - the Heroine's now ex-fiancé)
• Does have OM drama
- Heroine's ex-fiancé eventually wants the Heroine back, but she firmly rejects him
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• Does have a brief separation
- Hero freaks out about his feelings for the heroine, which leads to him ghosting her for 24 hours. Given abandonment is a huge trigger for the Heroine, this causes her to put a pause on their relationship. Also, her decision is compounded byafter the Hero realizes his feelings for the Heroine, he gets a call from his ex sobbing, saying she's been broken up with. The Hero immediately goes to her rescue to help her move her stuff out of the house (the Heroine's ex-fiancé's house). The Hero is so busy playing White Knight to his ex that he FORGETS he promised to pick up the Heroine from work, leaving her stranded. Worse, the Heroine finds out the Hero went to his ex's rescue from her ex-fiancé, and when the Heroine asks where the Hero was, he says he was helping out a friend and only names his ex after the Heroine calls him out on his behaviour.
I think worse for me is that these events aren't ever revisited. The Hero says he freaked out. Eventually, the MCs declare their love for each other, implying that the past is in the past. It didn't feel like there was any closure regarding the Hero's relationship with his ex.
Honestly, this whole sequence of events is why having a people-pleaser for a love interest is rarely a good time.
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Abusive parental relationship between Hero and his mom recounted
• Toxic parental relationship between Heroine and her father explored on-page
• Fear of abandonment (plays out on page - see above)
• Infidelity (Heroine's fiancé cheats on her with his BFF and leaves her for his BFF)
• Ableism (challenged)
Ending:HFN
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW drama
- Hero is very much still in love with his ex-girlfriend. He even remarks early on in the book that he'd be open to getting back together with her if she wanted him back (despite breaking up with him through a post-it note and leaving him for her best friend - the Heroine's now ex-fiancé)
• Does have OM drama
- Heroine's ex-fiancé eventually wants the Heroine back, but she firmly rejects him
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• Does have a brief separation
- Hero freaks out about his feelings for the heroine, which leads to him ghosting her for 24 hours. Given abandonment is a huge trigger for the Heroine, this causes her to put a pause on their relationship. Also, her decision is compounded by
I think worse for me is that these events aren't ever revisited. The Hero says he freaked out. Eventually, the MCs declare their love for each other, implying that the past is in the past. It didn't feel like there was any closure regarding the Hero's relationship with his ex.
Honestly, this whole sequence of events is why having a people-pleaser for a love interest is rarely a good time.
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Abusive parental relationship between Hero and his mom recounted
• Toxic parental relationship between Heroine and her father explored on-page
• Fear of abandonment (plays out on page - see above)
• Infidelity (Heroine's fiancé cheats on her with his BFF and leaves her for his BFF)
• Ableism (challenged)
Ending: