PLOT: 5/5
CHARACTERS: 4.5/5
ENTERTAINMENT: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
When Emily Henry writes, we read – period! We have already established this fact from her previous bestsellers. While “Happy Place” will forever be my favourite, “Funny Story” comes in a close second. It was my most anticipated read this year and it didn’t disappoint. If adulting wouldn’t have gotten in the way, I would have read this non-stop.
What is the plot of Funny Story?
Daphne meets her fiancé, Peter, on a random walk, and this is a funny story that Peter tells best. This casual encounter leads to love, and thus when Peter proposes, Daphne, quite excitedly moves with him to his lakeside hometown in Waning Bay, Michigan, leaving behind her close friends and family. There she also starts her dream job as a children’s librarian.
But on the night of Peter’s bachelor party, he comes home and breaks his engagement with Daphne. Peter realises that he is in love with his best friend Petra and that marrying Daphne would be a huge mistake. He gives Daphne one week to find new accommodation.
As for Daphne, she hardly knows anyone except for Peter and his friends, and in this chaos, the only person who can understand her situation is Miles – Petra’s ex. Since Miles now needs a roommate, as Petra leaves him, they decide to be roomies.
Miles is the exact opposite of Daphne, a free-spirited tattooed man who is the friendliest person ever. This is a complete contrast to Daphne’s reserved buttoned-up personality, who is a librarian with zero social circle. They co-exist until one day they receive an invitation to Peter and Petra’s wedding and they decide to RSVP it.
One thing leads to another, and Daphne blurts out to Peter that she is dating Miles. This starts Miles and Daphne’s fake relationship. But before that, they become friends who do stuff together and, in the process, get attracted to each other.
Can Daphne forget her plans of leaving and start a new chapter in a town with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancé’s ex?
My thoughts on the book
Emily Henry writes, and she delivers yet again. Unlike her other books where the characters take predominance, here one will find the romance element more. No doubt, both Daphne and Miles are flawed with their own issues, but that’s the beauty of their characters. Funny Story is their story first as roommates, then friends, and eventually lovers, which is what takes predominance here.
Emily’s writing is fantastic, especially her witty dialogue for all characters, even the side ones, which had me laughing aloud numerous times. I couldn’t wait to dive into the book, and if it weren’t for adult responsibilities like school mornings and household chores, I wouldn’t have put it down until I finished. It’s that captivating!
In spite of the fake dating thing, they still act like friends, being honest with their feelings and not wanting to jump into things when they both have been dumped badly in the process.
Daphne rediscovers herself, trying to be more open to people and trying new things that she likes and wants to do. Miles, on the other hand, is a perfect book boyfriend, who wouldn’t even hurt a fly and is friendly to everyone under the sun, because that is just who he is – curious and caring to a fault. He has his own baggage, and together with Daphne, they tackle them and complement each other.
Emily writes characters that are quite relatable as both Daphne and Miles face issues that are quite common with most people – self-love, stepping out of their comfort zone, abandonment, and even guilt, and this book delivers just that.
This is essentially Daphne’s story, but I wouldn’t have minded a chapter from Miles too.
Funny Story is one book that I will be re-reading sooner rather than later and I hardly re-read books so that says something!
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Funny Story using the link below.
