With strong contemporary romance tropes like opposites attract, forced proximity, and fake dating, Emily Henry’s Funny Story has quickly become a modern classic among bookworms of the genre. An easy, feel-good read with a relatable bookworm main character and a charming underdog love interest, it is easy to understand all the love this Emily Henry book has garnered on BookTok or any other platform one can go on to share thoughts on their favorite romance books. But this book is more than this delicious push and pull between an uptight librarian and a free-spirited bartender. It has a strong storyline that takes these characters on an emotional rollercoaster, diving into deeper aspects of their souls to give us a story worth swooning—or at times fuming—over.
Let’s take things from the beginning, though; how do these two polar opposites even find themselves living together? Well, it’s kind of a Funny Story…
Bookworms beware: spoilers ahead!
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The book starts with children’s librarian Daphne narrating the “funny story” of how she and her fiancé Peter met and, against all odds, fell in love. They both fell hard and fast, with Daphne moving into the new house he bought for them, finally feeling safe enough to dream of a true home, a place where she finally feels she belongs. However, things take an abrupt turn for the worst when Peter returns from his bachelor party to announce his best friend Petra, confessed her love to him and they will be running off together. Daphne has only one week to vacate the apartment and pack her whole life into boxes with no destination.
With nowhere to go and no friends to turn to, she makes the boldest decision she’s ever made when she moves in with Miles, Petra’s ex-boyfriend, whose life has also been turned upside down by this shocking revelation. Miles Nowak is nothing like Peter; where Peter is an organized fitness freak, Miles is a laid-back, heavily tattooed, stoner bartender, in other words, the chaos Daphne has been avoiding her whole life!
Daphne makes it a point that this is a temporary solution, as by the end of summer she plans to leave Waning Bay as soon as she’s finished with the read-a-thon she’s been pouring her soul into ever since she started working at the library. For now, though, she’s stuck in this unique living situation she’d rather not even think about.
A storm is coming, and neither of the roommates is holding an umbrella when they each get a wedding invitation from Peter and Petra—yes, the actual names of a couple that, surprisingly, no one ever comments on in the book! Miles and Daphne decide to join forces to drown their sorrows in alcohol, but they forget the one worst side effect of drinking: stupid decisions. In this case, this stupid decision comes in the form of an RSVP to the dreaded wedding, which triggers an even more dreaded phone call from Peter the next day. When he asks about her plus-one, hangover Daphne panics and blurts out she’ll be bringing her new boyfriend… Miles!
After this twist, the pair agree on fake-dating until the wedding in a desperate to get back at their exes. Things start getting too real, though, when Miles finds out Daphne has never truly experienced the town, and promises to become her personal tour guide, taking her on several Sunday dates to all his favorite spots. As their bond grows deeper, a unique chemistry neither of them could have predicted starts to sneak up on them.
As Daphne begins to discover Miles’ kind and loveable side, she also finds a new friend and confidante in Ashleigh. Unlike her other friend, Sadie, Ashleigh is not afraid to pick her side and break through the tough exterior she keeps up to protect herself. Through the eyes of her new friend, Daphne starts to see herself in a different light, embracing her own vulnerability. That vulnerability brings her to recognize her growing feelings for Miles, even though they both know this attraction is too dangerous to pursue. So stay friends? Sure, that will work out, it always does in romance novels!
When the sexual tension reaches levels too much for either of them to bear, family drama arrives at the door, in the form of Miles’ sister Julia and Daphne’s absent father—fully equipped with brand-new, spiritual, kooky wife. A recipe for disaster, or the perfect recipe for a gripping rom-com? As the once partners in misery now friends—with occasional benefits—navigate their complex relationships with this unique set of side characters, their bond becomes even deeper. Pretending is not an option anymore, and Daphne confronts Miles, essentially giving him the what-are-we talk.
After a lot of soul-searching, Miles is finally ready to answer that question with his own feelings, and they finally give in to the passion that’s been building for months. What’s a contemporary romance novel, though, without its infuriating 3rd-act plot twist? Miles has gone MIA, and Daphne gets a surprise visit by her ex-fiance, who is trying to get back in her good graces after breaking off his engagement with Petra. Daphne’s heart breaks when she realizes that Miles has run off to Petra. Even when gets back and confesses his love to her, she is too hurt to give him a chance to explain. She makes up her mind to leave this small town for good, and she finds the perfect job to do that. Don’t worry though, our good boy Miles is not entirely, in the wrong, if only a bit misunderstood. This infamous plot twist gets resolved by the end, at which point it’s only a small part of the long funny story of how Daphne met the true love of her life.
Emily Henry’s writing has a unique way of digging deeper into the characters while maintaining a fun and breezy vibe. Daphne is the introverted bookworm you want to root for, you want her to get out of her shell to explore what she loves and find the self-confidence to pursue her own happiness. In true opposites attract fashion, Miles’ extroverted—not to mention adorable—personality perfectly complements Daphne’s. He’s the shoe that fits after years of squeezing into a pair you think you love, but is actually hurting your feet.
In addition to the gripping premise, the plot moves forward with the fake dating trope, which hilariously piles on top of the forced-proximity-roommates trope. This creates all the awkward tension and co-living high jinks—hello wedding gown scene—for a heart-warming romance to blossom. Two heartbroken strangers forced to act as a couple to get back at their exes while sharing an apartment? Grab the popcorn!
More than romance, this novel explores themes of self-discovery. More specifically, it’s about finding the right people to share your life with and grow together to discover your true identity. Daphne’s friendship with Ashleigh gives her strength to believe in herself, but like all friendships, it goes through trials and tribulations it can only survive with honesty. Daphne learns to break that barrier of self-protection and really connect with her friend.
Miles’ younger sister Julia is also a complex character that urges both Miles and Daphne to be more honest with themselves and those they love. She takes Miles’ carefree and turns into careless, but in an endearing way. She is not afraid to speak her mind and call it as it is, a direct juxtaposition to Miles and Daphne concealing their growing feelings and facing the challenges that pull them apart.
The witty and heartfelt dialogue makes the book impossible to put down. Even from their very first chaotic drunk night out on the town, Miles and Daphne exchange clever banter that effortlessly slips beneath surface level. Despite their differences, the chemistry between them is always there to break the tension and keep their conversation interesting. When Daphne realizes Miles is a genuinely good person she can laugh and cry with, she knows she has found the one. She is finally free to be herself and let go of her defenses.
Emily Henry’s Funny Story is everything you want in a romance—laughs, heart, and characters you can’t help but fall in love with. Packed with witty banter and all the feels, it’s a must-read—or listen. Snag your copy on Amazon or tune into the audiobook for a rom-com you won’t forget.
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The setting of "Funny Story" by Emily Henry is a small, cozy town in Northern Michigan. The setting adds a lot of charm to the story, making it feel intimate and relatable as the characters navigate their relationships and personal growth.
Yes, "Funny Story" has some steamy or spicy moments, but it isn't overwhelmingly focused on that aspect. Emily Henry tends to include romantic scenes that are more about enhancing the emotional connection between characters, rather than being purely explicit. So, there are spicy elements, but they support the story's themes of love and intimacy.
Emily Henry's most popular book is "Beach Read," which is widely loved for its blend of humor, romance, and emotional depth. Other books like "Book Lovers", “People We Meet On Vacation” and "Happy Place" are also very popular for the same feel-good vibes that keep readers coming back for more.
Eirini is a passionate book nerd with a keen penchant for the whimsical and the witty. She holds a degree in English Literature - because what's better than reading books for homework? - and delights in dissecting the subtleties of storytelling. When it comes to fiction analysis, she is determined to turn every stone and go through every theory of the stories that excite her. Known for her playful approach and keen observations, her contribution offers readers a delightful exploration of literary themes that resonate with enthusiasts and casual readers alike.
