Funny Story by Emily Henry, narrated by Julia Whelan, could have been a cautionary tale about moving to a new place to be with someone you love and not knowing anyone, but instead it is story about the power of change, forgiveness, and growing together.
Daphne moves to Waning Bay, Michigan, with Peter, a place where many of his childhood friends live, including Petra, and where he feels at home. Their life together begins with a house he puts in his name and that she cannot afford as a children’s librarian. Do you see the red flags? I certainly did. It’s not just in how Peter tells their meet-cute, but in how he expects things in their life together to be (mostly his way). Daphne is just happy to be chosen and goes along to get along. That is until Peter tells her it’s over and that his childhood friend he had no feelings for is suddenly someone he cannot live without.
Henry’s books often have meet-cutes that are unusual, and sometimes, the characters are not friendly with one another. In this case, Daphne and Petra’s ex-boyfriend, Miles, know very little of each other, except that they are both in the same boat – the jilted exes.
After being left to find a new place to live, Daphne and Miles become roommates, barely speaking roommates. Daphne has shoved all “wedding” related items into a hall closet, effectively shutting herself off from dealing with it, but still feeling all the emotions. Miles, on the other hand, listens to very sad music and continues about his day in a haze of smoke. But once the door is cracked between these two, the banter and interactions will have you laughing because they’re both awkward in different ways.
What I loved about this book is that neither of these characters can avoid talking about the hard stuff because they live in a small apartment. They bond over their jilted status, they plot together for revenge (even if half-heartedly), and they navigate some of their worst moments as friends.
But this story isn’t all a romance. There are new friendships born in these pages, and I cannot applaud that enough. It’s part of Daphne’s evolution as a person. She’s a quirky woman who has a really hard time with small talk, so joining poker nights and making friends are a bit outside her comfort zone. What isn’t outside her comfort zone is her passion for books, reading, and kids. I love this.
Funny Story by Emily Henry, is funny, romantic, and full of personal growth. It’s a story that will make you feel good and see some hope in the world.
RATING: Quatrain
