Funny Story

Written by Emily Henry

Narrated by Julia Whelan

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ∙ A shimmering, joyful novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2024

Named a Must-Read Book of 2024 by TIME ∙ NPR ∙ ELLE ∙ Parade ∙ Woman’s World and more!

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex . . . right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Release date: Apr 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9780593826294

Emily Henry

Dopo gli studi all’Hope College, si è specializzata in scrittura creativa al New York Center for Art & Media Studies. Adesso vive a Cincinnati, Ohio. Scrittrice bestseller del New York Times, per HarperCollins ha pubblicato Beach read. Romanzo D’estate e Book lovers. Un amore tra i libri.

Reviews for Funny Story

[symjyb6rvb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sheer perfection! Funny, heart rendering, completely endearing. I don’t know why I haven’t read Emily Henry earlier. The audiobook is literally the cherry on top of this literary sundae. Such a feel good read.

[idaphillipsdvm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is gut wrenching and funny and beautiful. There was not a single moment when I wanted to speed it up. The women doing the reading to AMAZING and took the story to the next level. I wish I could read it again for the first time.

[Kaori · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good enough to read again, but not enough to where I remembered I've already read it. Ok finishing it again, the last 2 hrs is good. The rest was pretty good story telling. Nothing too exciting tho

[Veronica Torres · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was really cute except a little triggering for me personally.

[kennabear08 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so good!!! This is the second book I’ve read from this author and this one was so, so great! She does such a good job with the characters. I loved it! Predictable enough, makes you think, and takes you to ‘another world’. Would recommend it!!!

[delmy.ramon05 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love the on going love drama!!! It’s witty. It’s funny. It’s all around one of my favorites.

[kendall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story was really good. It held my interest. If I look forward to jumping back in later after a pause, it's a definite winner for me. It was a creative twist from the typical romance. I really appreciate that. It also has some pretty comical moments, and it was easy to imagine the scenes through the author's thoughtful and creative writing style.

[Renee Smith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very cute book. And the narrator was great.
And storyline was an old faithful, but the way they did it it was fresh

[jennifergrandlienard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emily Henry can do no wrong, and this book was maybe my new favorite of hers? ? Miles was the PERFECT book boyfriend, and I loved how the arc of Daphne figuring out her own independence!! 6 stars easy!!!

[kaethe_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I relate a bit too strongly with Daphne, as far as the effects of moving all the time. And also, if I had my adulthood to do over again, knowing what I now know, I would go to library school. Not that cancer research doesn't have its positives, too, just not so many kids and picture books.

Library copy, and given the length of the hold list I felt honor-bound to read it within 28 hours of picking it up.

[gflores29 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book, so romantic and cute. I enjoy listening to it.

[ardaiel-573470 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is now my second favorite Emily Henry book of all time, but only because nothing can ever beat Beach Read - even though this comes extremely close.

I think the reason her books are all so great is because they are incredibly engaging; she writes in a style that sucks you into the story and doesn't let you go. The characters are fully fleshed out and relatable, and when they feel something, YOU feel it. And as always her banter is witty and funny and I'm like "Ugh, why I can't I be that funny in real life".

So, the premise is that Daphne and Miles's partners are childhood friends. On the eve of their wedding, Daphne's fiancee suddenly realizes he is in love with the friend Petra, and dumps Daphne. He and Petra proceed to flaunt their new love, and Miles and Daphne end up "fake dating" to prove how much they don't care... but of course it doesn't stay fake for very long.

This is the steamiest of Henry's romances so far, and Miles is by far her best MMC. And I absolutely related to Daphne's issues with her father. I think a lot of us have experience with difficult or toxic family relationships, so very relatable. Both she and Miles have trauma and issues from their childhoods, and as always Henry has her characters handle it in a realistic and mature way that's such a refreshing change from many romances. It's got the light, fluffy fun of a contemporary romance, balanced by characters with realistic problems and mistakes.

If you've been a fan of any of her other books, rest assured that Funny Story can compete with the best of them, and you won't be disappointed.

[formerenglishteacher · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the third Emily Henry book I’ve read, and I’m not quite sure why I keep coming back to her because as a 74-year-old man, I’m definitely not the demographic she writes for. She really seems to appeal the female book club group, especially with this book. That said, I did enjoy the book; I didn’t, however, love it. The characters were believable and enjoyable to get to know. The situations were realistic. The “sex scenes” were pretty much PG13 rated, so while much of the book reminded me of a Harlequin Romance, that part of the plot was much tamer than HR books. And that’s fine. I was much more interested in what the characters were doing outside their sex lives. I’m not sure I’ll read another Emily Henry book, but the three I have read were a nice diversion from life as I live it.

[zetariemann · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really really enjoyed this. I feel like in a lot of ways it was the perfect romance novel. There was nothing wrong with it. I liked the characters and I believed in their relationship. It had all the right moments. I'd never read an Emily Henry book before. I'm always wary of straight romance novels, but this was great and I'm excited to read more. It wasn't too cringy and I really liked the premise. I especially liked that it was more than just the premise. It did feel a bit long and drawn out at times, but I'm not sure what I would have cut. This wasn't a five star for me just because it didn't feel particularly memorable. It was really great, but it also didn't necessarily *do* anything special. It was just a really good, well-written romance novel. I have no complaints. It just wasn't an all time favorite or the best book I've ever read. I don't think I'd ever need to reread it, but who knows. I really liked the main couple. In a lot of ways this felt like halfway a romance and halfway just contemporary fiction, but I think that's a good thing for the most part.

[shazjhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It just felt flat. Her first book was the best.

[acargile-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So very enjoyable. This novel was part of my bibliotherapy--I needed well written and entertaining romance. Some giggles thrown in are even better. Perfect!

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think what makes Emily Henry's books better than your average romance is that there is so much character development. Daphne & Miles have lots of healing to do after being abandoned by their exs. The process of going through that pain and then finding that their evolving relationship is really good is a rewarding journey.

[fictionvictim · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It took a couple days for me to figure out how to rate this…
I couldn’t decide between 3 or 4 because I want to remember this but I don’t know if I will. It felt what I needed in the time but now it doesn’t feel as powerful.

[carriewuj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5? Thanks to Libro for an ALC - Julia Whelan's narration goes hand in hand with the characters. I love Emily Henry's books and this did not disappoint. I do see a little bit of formula to the 5 books she has written, but she always manages to add a twist to some part of the sequence. I love the MI setting and can think of any number of towns that this fictional spot could be. The 'meet cute' happens twice - once with Daphne Vincent's fiancé, and once again when that blows up. No spoiler to recount that Daphne's engagement to handsome, charming, totally together Peter ends when he cheats on her with his best friend Petra a week before the wedding - and then they become engaged. Daphne moves out of their new home - into the apartment of Petra's jilted boyfriend Miles Nowak. He could not be more different than Peter - kind of scruffy, occasional pothead, underemployed - but walking kindness. The two bond over their breakups, then drink over their breakups, and immediately after drinking (a lot), RSVP to their exs' weddings as each other's plus one. They all run into each other frequently in this small-ish town, so Daphne and Miles try to be a convincing couple when that happens. Meanwhile, Daphne is counting down the days until she feels like she could leave and move back to Maryland to be by her single mom. She wants to see through the Read-a-thon fundraiser that she planned for the library where she works. Miles counters this with weekly sight-seeing trips around Waning Bay, and between pretending to be in love and spending lots of time together, things head in that direction. Complications arise with each of their own insecurities passed along from childhood and a bad dad (Daphne) and a bad mom (Miles). We almost always know the ultimate ending Emily Henry is leading us to, but she sure makes it fun to get there. Her signature witty dialogue, preposterous situations, and likeable characters always create an enjoyable reading/listening experience.

[2wondery_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Several steps above most modern romances. Daphne (ugh, one demerit) is a children’s librarian; and her work is an integral part of the story rather than just window dressing. The difficulties and relationship issues feel very real. It’s not just between her and the love interest. She struggles making friends in general and has a complicated relationship with her mostly absent father. She doesn’t find completion in the love interest. Pretty good.
There is a slight hole that could have been exploited more explaining how they ended up as apartment mates.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is definitely my new favorite Emily Henry romance. I loved the characters so so much! I wanted to move into this tiny Michigan town and befriend them all. They were all so funny and relatable and I loved that Daphne was a librarian. Everything was going perfect for Daphne; she and her fiancé Peter moved to this beachy little Michigan town and she befriended all his friends, fell in love with her job, and was more than happy. That is until she was jilted by her fiancé who decided that he was in love with his best friend Petra. Forced to move out, the only place she can find to go is to Petra's boyfriend's apartment. Talk about weird. They've both been jilted and are stuck with each other while Peter and Petra. One drunken night Will and Daphne decide that to get back at their exes, maybe they should pretend date to make them jealous. What could possibly go wrong?! The storyline sounds so cheesy but I promise, the book is so so good!

[da1andonlytia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book took me through soooo many emotions. Daphne was so real. Miles was so beautiful. This is such a wonderful story.

[thanesh_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My second book by Emily Henry and I must say that I am hooked. The writing style is pretty easy going and I am able to follow the story while multi-tasking and then pausing for the odd chuckle or guffaw at something happening in the book then resuming my activity thereafter. Looking forward to seeing the story on the big or small screen in the future.

[shelleyraec · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“Oh, I love a good meet‑cute. Let’s hear it.”

Funny Story is another sparkling romantic comedy from Emily Henry.

When Daphne’s fiancé, Peter, returns from his bachelors party he takes her by the hand and confesses he and his life long best friend Petra have realised they are in love, the wedding is off, and Daphne has a week to find somewhere else to live. Heartbroken, and with no where else to go, Daphne moves in with Petra’s equally devastated ex-boyfriend, Miles. They barely know each other, but when invitations to their respective ex’s wedding arrive just a few weeks later they agree, after more than a few drinks, to RSVP …as a couple.

It’s a terrific set up for a fake-dating scenario that sees Daphne and Miles slowly fall in love as they create a Instagram reality to make their ex’s if not jealous, then at least a little less smug. Mile’s laid back charm is the perfect foil for Daphne’s need for plans and schedules. Their banter is delicious and I loved the development of their relationship from roommates to lovers, Henry is able to build exquisite romantic tension between the pair, even though the outcome is inevitable.

I immediately sympathised with Daphne who had uprooted her whole life in expectation of sharing Peter’s in his home town, only to be dumped so unceremoniously. Though planning to leave as soon as she can (each chapter begins with a countdown), with her dream job as a children’s librarian being her only anchor to Michigan, Daphne soon finds herself reconsidering the move.

Daphne’s new friendships with her colleague, Ashleigh, as well as Miles’s younger sister, Julia, who is temporarily living with them, are a big part of that. Ashleigh and Julia made me laugh a lot and I really enjoyed their energy.

Though there is plenty of humour in Funny Story, both Daphne and Miles have some past issues to deal with which impact their relationship in the present. For Daphne it’s her relationship with her flighty dad, for Miles his tortured relationship with his parents, adding emotional depth to their characters and the storyline.

Crafted with wit, warmth and heart, this is a Funny Story romance readers shouldn’t miss.

[mchwest · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emily Henry never disappoints me with her back and forth banter and characters that just suck you in. I think Ive mentioned in other reviews of her work that even the character that you don't want to like grows on you . I also love reading anything set in or around the Great Lakes. Great book!

[mickyfine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

No one could have predicted that what looked like Daphne's happily ever after would turn into such a disaster. When her fiance, Peter, leaves her for his long-time best friend, Petra, Daphne ends up living in the spare room of Petra's ex-boyfriend, Miles. Seemingly opposites other than their shared heartbreak, Daphne is counting down the days until she can leave the apartment and her job as a children's librarian in the small Michigan town she moved to for Peter. But as Miles and Daphne start getting to know each other and Daphne starts letting others in to her life, she finds that maybe she's not quite so desperate to get away from the town after all.

As expected, a perfectly delightful romance from Emily Henry. Henry does such a great job of crafting characters who feel so real, with their own baggage, that you can't help becoming invested in their journeys as individuals and in the relationship between the leads. Daphne and Miles' story is a perfect summer read and great both for established fans of Henry's writing as well as a great one to try if you've never picked up one of her books before.

[bell7_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Daphne Vincent had life with Peter all planned out - that is, until he dumped her on his bachelor weekend for his childhood best friend, Petra, and she becomes roommates with Petra's ex, Miles. Now she's not sure if she wants to keep her job at the library or move back to Maryland to be closer to her mom, or if she really has any friends of her own since even college friend Sadie hasn't really spoken to her since the breakup. Meanwhile, Peter and Petra invite them to the wedding and when she and Miles agree to go, Daphne may have said to Peter that they're dating...

One thing I really enjoy about Henry's books is the depth of her characters. Daphne and Miles each have believable hang ups brought on by their childhood experiences, and when they have misunderstandings (with each other and with other side characters), it's a result of these deep-seated insecurities rather than a simple refusal to talk. And once they do talk, yes, I teared up more than once. It was refreshing to have characters in their 30s rather than young twenty-somethings. And Henry mostly gets working at a library right, though I would argue that no library would really approve of adults with no kids waltzing into a Storytime to hear the girlfriend/daughter/whatever relationship read a book. I devoured the book in two days after a string of more serious books, and it definitely fit the bill for what I needed over the weekend.

[sdbookhound · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Julia Whelan was fabulous in this narration of Funny Story by Emily Henry.

[spiritrider1101 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the audiobook for "Funny Story," which swept me off my feet! The narrator's performance was exceptional, bringing out not only the humor but also the profound relatability of the story. As a fan of Emily Henry's previous work, I can wholeheartedly declare this one of my all-time favorites.

The characters, Daphne and Miles, are incredibly authentic and endearing. Each one of them feels beautifully real, and it's impossible not to become deeply invested in their journey. Daphne, a librarian, and Miles, a man of many talents, find themselves drawn together in the most unexpected way when their respective exes become an item. Their emotional rollercoaster will have you laughing and shedding tears, as they navigate the humorous twists and turns in their narrative.

[kalliegrace · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This might be my favorite of Emily Henry's books. I haven't loved them all, Book Lovers was my past favorite. There aren't ridiculous miscommunications here, just normal working out of feelings. The characters and friendships that developed here were the best part.