Funny Story
4.4 | 114,057 ratings
Price: 17.72
Last update: 01-21-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Jeeves Reads RomanceLoved itMy love for this one grew with every page, as these roommates shed their depressive fogs and started to truly see the potential of what was right in front of them. They go from acquaintances to companions in heartache to roommates to friends to lovers, slowly shifting the dynamics of their relationship with every interaction. It's such an interesting concept, one that's full of complex feelings, forbidden vibes, sexual tension, and these gorgeous moments of connection. I loved that both characters were flawed, and that they were able to open up to each other in a way that they'd never done in their previous relationships. These opposites attract in the best of ways, and it was easy to see that they were so GOOD for each other. The slow build while they mended their hearts was so angsty - my eyes were absolutely glued to the page once this hit its stride, and I found myself unconsciously rubbing my chest on more than one occasion. It's another powerhouse of a read from this talented author, and I really did love it.
The story follows Daphne, a woman who was unceremoniously dumped by her fiancé right before their wedding. Turns out, her fiancé's feelings for his best friend weren't so platonic after all, and that's got Daphne questioning their entire relationship. Heartbroken and without a place to live, Daphne moves in with an unexpected roommate - the ex-boyfriend of her ex-fiancé's new girlfriend. Miles is as heartbroken as Daphne, so the two are happy to give each other space as they process their emotions at their own pace. Though Daphne's ex never liked Miles, she soon realizes that he's not quite the disaster everyone made him out to be. Sure, he's a mess - who isn't - but there's a genuinely good guy hidden in there too. As the new roommates grow closer, they connect in a way that neither anticipated. But they're both dealing with broken hearts, so starting up something is a recipe for disaster.
Since Happy Place ripped my heart out with its angst, I was a little worried about what a book called "Funny Story" was going to do to me, and there was definitely cause for concern, lol. Both Miles and Daphne are in a very bad place emotionally when the book begins, and it takes awhile before either one is even open to the idea of moving on. I loved how original the concept felt, and I loved keeping an eye out for the subtle shifts in their interactions. I wasn't convinced that I was going to like Miles at first, but he grew to be this adorable, tender-hearted man. I loved him. I also thought Daphne and Miles were great together, the kind of opposites who bring out the best in each other. It's clear that was missing from both of their previous relationships, and Henry does a fantastic job of exploring some heavier concepts while still keeping the story entertaining. The forced proximity was so good, and I loved that Daphne and Max were able to come out the other side even stronger. It's a nuanced, complex read, and the kind that will leave a lasting impact on me.
Audio note: The audio was so, so good. Not that I'm surprised - Julia Whelan always gives phenomenal performances, and the hearty dose of angst in the story made her narration even stronger. She truly does perform the story, infusing so much emotion into her voice. The runtime (11 hours) made this a full day binge, and the longer I listened, the more I was hooked. It's not super spicy at all, but there is a bit of heat - more than Henry's usual. The topics are also heavier than I usually like for a workday listen, so not sure I can recommend it as that. But the audio absolutely enhances an already-excellent story, so I highly recommend it in the format. - Sarah CoxLiked it but missing that EmHen sparkle[4 Stars????] If Emily Henry writes it, I'm going to read it. But Funny Story wasn't my favorite and well, that's kind of a sad story.
I liked Daphne and Nick Miller-coded Miles, but I thought their characters were not as sharp as I'm used to from Emily Henry protagonists. I LOVED the premise of Funny Story and I thought she paced their roommates-to-friends-to-lovers romantic development perfectly.
Everything about Funny Story checks the boxes on the "Emily Henry Starter Kit" list:
Book-loving heroine? ✅
Witty banter? ✅
Sensitive family histories? ✅
Thoughtful MMCs? ✅
Some angst? ✅
Great writing? ✅
HEA? ✅
All the makings for another masterpiece from the queen, right?
Except....Funny Story was missing that EmHen ✨sparkle✨ and I was a little bored during my read. Or, maybe a lot bored. In the end, I thought it was a bit uninspired--like a watered-down version of Beach Read.
Even though I was underwhelmed by Funny Story, I'm still a huge fan of Emily Henry, and I believe she can't write a "bad" book. I will continue to read and recommend her work due to her ability to create relatable characters, emotional storylines, and romantic tension that will stay with me for a long time.
Since I still haven't read Happy Place, so my current ranking of EmHen books is:
????Beach Read
????Book Lovers
????People We Meet on Vacation, Funny Story [TIE]
????Happy Place [UNREAD]
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Details:
????Contemporary romance
????Romantic comedy
????Dual, first-person POV
????No third act breakup
????????Would re-read
Tropes:
????Fake dating
????Forced proximity
????Found family
????❤️????Friends-to-lovers
????Opposites attract
????Secrets
????Slow burn
❌The Ex Factor
Spice:
????Non-explicit content (medium)
____________________________________
Emoji Ranking System:
????Excellent to Fantastic (4.75-5.00)
????Very Good to Great (4.25-4.50)
????Good to Really Good (3.50-4.00)
????Just OK to Decent (2.75-3.25)
????It's A No (1.00-2.50)
????DNF