Funny Story

By: Emily Henry

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Named a Most Anticipated book of 2024 by TIME ∙ The New York Times ∙ Goodreads ∙ Entertainment Weekly ∙ Today.com ∙ Paste ∙ SheReads ∙ BookPage ∙ Woman's World ∙ The Nerd Daily and more!

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

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?

©2024 Emily Henry (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“When romance novelist Emily Henry releases a new book, it’s nothing short of a literary event. And this spring’s Funny Story—which has already been named one of the most anticipated books of 2024 by everyone from the New York Times to the Today show—is sure to be no exception... this sumptuous novel is Henry at her very best.”—Bustle

“Bestseller Henry takes on fake-dating in this equally poignant and charming tale of love after loss… Henry perfectly balances sorrow and discord with love and humor, and romance fans will appreciate watching the growth of the characters’ relationships and of Daphne as a person. This is a heartwarming take on summer love.”—Publishers Weekly

Emily Henry does it again

Loved this one! It’s full of wit and Julia Whalen is the best when it comes down to narrator’s! For those that liked Beach Read and Book Lovers, this is definitely the one! Plus anyone that has a heart for Northern Michigan—you already know how it’s going to make you feel.

Investment in the relationships

Loved Miles and Daphne’s story. I was able to listen to it in one day as I couldn’t put it down!!

Never a miss

Absolutely beautiful story. I’m in love! Plus Abby and Julia is just the best combo.

Funny story…

This story is soo relatable and real! I have nothing bad to say. I love all of the characters, I’ve seen people say things about miles and it’s just not true! He’s is what we are all waiting for. Real and raw!

A joy to listen to!

I absolutely loved this! Initially, based on the book description, I worried I might find the plot too "done before", since it incorporates some common elements of romantic comedies. But I needn't have worried. It's an incredibly charming story with lovable, relatable main characters. Funny and painful, the book made me cackle out loud at times and tear up at others. Very well-written with good prose, pacing, and overall storytelling. The narration was perfection, too. The narrator didn't just read it; she performed it. The nuanced and convincing emotions in her voice, as well as doing subtly different voices for each character that helped distinguish who was talking, all brought the story and characters to life. I will definitely be looking for more from both the author Emily Henry and the narrator Julia Whelan.

My very minor nitpicks would be: 1) a slight overuse of the word "rasp"; 2) I thought the scene in which a main character opens up about his past could have used a little more oomph, whether from added substance, context, or foreshadowing; and 3) I would have liked to seen the eventual outcome/aftermath of Daphne's pent-up, had-it-coming confrontation with a certain person.

Just what I needed

Fun and uplifting and exactly what I needed to listen to!! The reading was so good!

Always the best

Her characters, their development, relationships and enough tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. My heart always feels what Emile’s characters are going through. Awaiting your next book!

Talented author

I have listened to maaaaany a romcom and Emily Henry is just gifted. I laughed. I cried. (I preordered and immediately devoured.) Sad it’s over!

Great read!

This is Emily Henry’s best book to date. My favorite thing was the sense of humor with the main characters. They had great chemistry!

Another Banger from Emily Henry

Couldn’t wait for her new book! This one was just as wonderful as all the last ones! She’s my favorite writer. Keep giving us these great love stories! The setting, the characters and plot were perfect. Loved the ending!