“It’s easy to be loved by the ones who’ve never seen you f up. The ones you’ve never had to apologize to, and who still think all your quirks are charming. It’s easy to be around people who don’t know you. But as soon as someone starts to figure you out – as soon as you can’t be perfect – it’s easier to move on. Find someone new to be the cool, fun, laid-back one with. But after a while, someone either finally sees you, or they don’t. And either way, it sucks! Because if they see you, and it’s not what they signed up for, then they’re out of there. And if they never see you, it’s worse. Because you’re just alone…”
Earlier this year, I read Emily Henry’s newest release and one of my most anticipated book releases of 2024, Funny Story. I was equal parts excited and scared for this book because my experience with Emily Henry’s books has been one of uncertainty. While Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation were good, they were just that for me. I wasn’t blown away. The book that did that was Book Lovers, one that I look back on fondly even today, because it really understood a bookworm’s love for books. And then came Happy Place, which felt like a trough to Book Lovers’ crest even though I ended up liking it quite a lot.
And now came Funny Story, a book that took my breath away with the way it started and ended so perfectly. The contrast between the first page and the last page is what makes romance girlies go nuts over fictional men. Anyhoo, before I gush more about it, let me tell you what Funny Story is all about.
If you’d like to watch my review instead, here’s the link: Funny Story Book Review on YouTube.
The Plot
Funny Story…
Which isn’t really funny because Daphne’s fiancé, Peter, has decided to leave her for his childhood best friend, Petra. This comes the morning after his bachelor party where Petra was also present, because, you know, BFFs and all that. They apparently realized they are in love with each other and now, Peter is telling Daphne that he and Petra are going away for a week, to give Daphne the time to “process” the news and leave the house. The slimeball – for more reasons than one, trust me – then walks out to the car where Petra is waiting for him.
Daphne is, very obviously, reeling from this shock and sometime later, Miles shows up at the door. Who is Miles, you ask? Good question. Miles, is Petra’s now ex-boyfriend, who got broken up through a note. Given that the real estate market is oh-so-accommodating, Daphne ends up moving in with Miles.
There are bound to be a lot of foot-in-mouth situations but the ultimate one happens when one evening, Daphne and Miles decide to stick it to Peter and Petra by announcing that they are together.
It’s going to be no big deal, they say.
It’s just going to be for show, they say.
They find each other attractive, they don’t say.
But fall for each other’s ex’s new fiance’s ex is still a bad idea, isn’t it?
Is it though?
What I Liked About It
Okay, where do I even start with what I liked about this book?
The thing I like most in romance books these days and one that will guarantee that I love it is some well-written, respectful but funny banter. Emily Henry does this exceptionally well and Funny Story is a prime example of it. She finds a couple of things that are specific to these characters, that amplify their personalities, and uses them so well to establish a connection between them that is so believable, you’ll find yourself writing your own love story with them.
Second, the characters aren’t perfect. And that, ironically, is a perfect description of the characters – that they are so much like the people in real life – flawed, imperfect, but so deserving of love. Characters like Miles may seem unreal, but people like him exist. Trust me, I know. Of course, there are characters who are complete twats too, just like in real life. (I’m looking at you slimeball Peter.) But when you put all of it together, Emily Henry’s books are like that perfect little microcosm that you would love to live in.
Third, it made me cry. Look, if a book shifts something deep inside me or if it makes me feel seen or makes me cry, rest assured, I’m going to love that book. And Funny Story is that kind of book. At one point, Daphne says, “I honestly can’t totally figure out why someone as good as you would love me, when I can be kind of a pessimistic asshole. But I do feel like the luckiest person in the world, to be who you want.” And I LOST it. I am that pessimistic a-hole and I have that someone good and he was sitting beside me as I read this, looking at me like 🥹 as I bawled over two fictional characters talking to each other.
Fourth is that I absolutely adore the fact that even though Emily Henry’s books are out and out contemporary romances with a fair amount of smut in them, they also focus on the main characters’ relationships with the other people in their lives. So while Book Lovers also weighed heavily on Nora’s relationship with her sister and Charlie’s relationship with his parents and his responsibilities, and Happy Place also shone the spotlight on Harriet and Wyn’s relationships with some of their oldest friends, Funny Story is an ode to making new friends while battling childhood trauma and parent-child relationships.
This is another reason why this book feels like a mirror.
As an introvert and a naturally reticent person, I can come off as stiff and unapproachable, just like Daphne. I have the resting bitch face syndrome and I know it, but I can’t do anything about it. I try to smooth my face over as and when I realize I’m doing it, but it’s exhausting.
So to see someone like me make friends, fumble and eff up, but be willing to learn and apologize, and her friends not giving up on her, makes me so happy. It is what pushed me to email my local library with the intention of joining a book club. I haven’t yet been able to attend a meeting, but I’m hoping it will happen soon. And on that day, Daphne would be proud, perhaps.
The fifth reason why I love Funny Story is the butterflies it sent through my tummy. It’s the glances, the brush of the fingers, the silent understanding, the gulping down of emotions because why would one want to thrust them upon another, that feeling of safety, that feeling of home, the realization that love is not transactional, the smile that graces the lips at the thought of that special someone, the missing of that special someone, the excitement at getting to spend time with that special someone, doing something lovely for them, even if it is something as small as getting them their favorite chocolate as a little surprise – it’s in the tiny details. And this book FLOURISHES and nourishes all of these, and HOW.
And then, the writing. It’s easy, it’s lovely, it’s quick, it’s emotional – it’s a typical Emily Henry book and the most heartwarming scenes are told delicately but firmly but also compassionately. It’s easy to fall in love with this story, with Daphne, with Miles.
Speaking of Miles, Miles is probably my second favorite Emily Henry male lead, just after Charlie Lastra from Book Lovers. But there is still stiff competition going between the two for the top spot, and who knows? Miles might just pull ahead.
Last but not the least, have I told you how I ADORE the contrast between the first page and the last page? The grin that stretched my lips was so wide when I realized what she had done. I mean, it’s a simple thing, but then again, it’s the nuances that push a book from ‘a funny story’ to “OMG I just read the loveliest funny story ever.”
What I Didn’t Like About It
There’s nothing about this book that I didn’t like. I mean, sure, I was a little “WHAT” about Daphne’s foot-in-mouth situations, but to be honest, I’ve had my fair share of them and I can confirm that they are fueled by panic and by not knowing what to do in the moment. But I didn’t dislike her actions. It’s only a few characters that I dislike (some I hate, even), which is perfectly acceptable and NOT a sign that I dislike anything about the book that contains them.
I don’t know why I’m saying all this as if you don’t know. Maybe it’s the sugar rush from the book. AAAAAAAAAA!
Final Verdict
Even months down the line, I absolutely ADORE this book! It’s funny, it’s lovely, it’s sweet, it’s tough at times, it’s real, it’s gorgeous – everything I was expecting this book to be.
So that was my review of Emily Henry’s latest book, Funny Story.
What did you think of my review? Did you like it? Did you not like it? Have you read Funny Story? If you have, what did you think of it? If you haven’t, will you pick it up after watching my review? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
If you’d like to watch my review instead, here’s the link: Funny Story Book Review on YouTube.
I’ll see you in the next blog post.
Until next time, keep reading, keep watching, and add melodrama to your life!
The Melodramatic Bookworm 