Funny Story by Emily Henry: Book Summary, Characters, and Review

“Funny Story” is a romantic novel by Emily Henry released on April 23, 2024. The story circles around Daphne, a children’s librarian who moves in to Waning Bay, Michigan, in support of her fiancé, Peter. Life took an unasked turn, and Peter dumped her for his childhood best friend Petra, leaving Daphne shattered and homeless.

Readers and critics alike love “Funny Story”: it received 4.23 out of 5 on Goodreads, with over 800,000 ratings and over 107,000 reviews. The novel was also called a Must-Read Book of 2024 by TIME, NPR, and ELLE. This July 2024, it was announced Emily Henry would adapt “Funny Story” into a feature film, which she will write and executive produce.

Author	Emily Henry
Publication date	April 23, 2024
Goodreads Rating	4,23
Page count	400 pages
Genres	Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Chick Lit, Adult Fiction, Humor

Funny Story Book Summary

Daphne, a children’s librarian, moves to Waning Bay, Michigan, to start a life with her fiancé, Peter. But when Peter reveals he’s in love with his best friend from childhood, Petra, and leaves Daphne just before their wedding, her world is turned upside down. To make matters worse, Petra also dumps her boyfriend, Miles, and the two run off on a romantic vacation, leaving Daphne and Miles to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Heartbroken and homeless, Daphne accepts Miles’s offer to be his roommate, and they begin an uneasy yet supportive friendship.

As they settle into their new cohabitation, Daphne and Miles get the ultimate kick in the guts: an invitation to Peter and Petra’s wedding. Angry and humiliated, Daphne spontaneously informs Peter that she and Miles are a couple now and will be attending the wedding as such. Reluctantly, Miles agrees to play along with the lie, and the two start spending more time together. Miles is a winery buyer, buoyant and outgoing, and shows Daphne around town-exposing her to many things she hadn’t experienced with Peter. Movie nights, shared heartbreak, and the vulnerability of starting over have them connect.

Through friendships and individuality separate from the relationships setting a precedent for her thus far, Daphne finds herself over the summer. Meanwhile, Miles confronts his insecurities and feelings unresolved. The betrayal of Petra leaves him full of self-doubt over his worth, though the volatile childhood family dynamic taught him to bury his feelings at the expense of his happiness time and again.

As they become closer, Daphne and Miles grow to have real feelings for each other, which eventually lead to a romantic relationship. However, their newly fragile relationship is put to the test when Miles disappears after their first night together. Peter shows up, admitting his relationship with Petra was a mistake and asking Daphne to take him back. However, Daphne realizes she no longer wants the life she had with Peter-a life where her needs were secondary to his. This is a point of realization, as Daphne now truly comes into her own independence and rejects Peter.

Eventually, Miles returns, apologizing for his disappearance and declaring his love for Daphne. She rejects him at first, telling him she needs stability and consistency, not gestures. Later, Daphne finds out that Miles had driven out to confront her estranged father, who had shown up briefly only to leave without saying goodbye. Miles’s act of compassion and effort to protect her from further pain shows his quiet dedication, and Daphne reconsiders her feelings.

At the end of the summer, Daphne and Miles do get back together, but she has made sure to say she still needs to grow. A year later, they are living with friends and family around them, celebrating life together. The story ends with Daphne and Miles telling the “funny story” of how they met-a story of heartbreak, healing, and unexpected love that brought them together.

Funny Story Characters

• Daphne: A children’s librarian who moves to Waning Bay, Michigan, to support her fiancé, Peter, only to be blindsided when he leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne is reserved, thoughtful, and deeply reflective while navigating the heartbreak of being dumped and rediscovering herself outside of relationships. She learns throughout the story to put herself first, make meaningful connections, and not be afraid of her independence.
• Miles: Miles is Petra’s ex-boyfriend, Daphne’s new roommate, and he is a buyer at the local winery. He is friendly and laid back, still facing some self-doubts and bottling up his feelings due to a difficult upbringing. Heartbroken-but a good friend to Daphne, she shows him the town, introduces him to new things, and encourages him to be more adventurous. Miles and Daphne come closer with healing, but Miles’s insecurities and fear of vulnerability complicate it.
• Peter: Daphne’s ex-fiancé who leaves her for Petra, claiming he has always been in love with her. Peter is arrogant and self-serving, seeking to affirm himself in his relationship with Petra. Even after his betrayal, he tries to win Daphne back but only more fully cements in her mind that she no longer wants a life revolving around him.
• Petra: Miles’s ex-girlfriend and Peter’s new wife. Petra is assertive and takes control, dumping Miles and then marrying Peter on a whim. In so doing, she pushes both Daphne and Miles to deal with their insecurities and start the healing process.
• Julia: Miles’s younger sister, who visits Waning Bay and becomes a source of support for Miles and Daphne. She provides insight into Miles’s character in that he loves and cares, even though he doubts himself. Julia adds warmth and humor to the story.
• Ashleigh: A coworker of Daphne’s who becomes her friend, introducing her into a local social circle that includes a monthly poker night. Ashleigh encourages Daphne out of her comfort zone, helping her start to connect to the community and embrace her road to independence.
• Daphne’s Father: An absent and unreliable figure in Daphne’s life, he shows up unexpectedly during the summer, only to disappoint her once more by leaving abruptly. Forcing Daphne to face her feelings of abandonment and rejection, his actions afford Miles an opportunity to show his quiet devotion to her.

Together, these characters find their way through love and heartbreak, self-discovery, and showing up for those people you care about in both big and small moments.

Funny Story Review

Funny Story by Emily Henry is a passionate rom-com, deftly balancing levity and pathos as self-discovery meanders into the fray. Centered around the cohabitation of two strangers brought together by shared heartbreak, this book takes readers through the messy, awkward, and beautiful way one rebuilds a life after loss. From charming characters, small-town vibes to her signature Emily Henry wit, there is indeed so much to love-but also, not without flaws. Here’s a breakdown of some pros and cons:

Pros

• Relatable Characters: The characters, especially Daphne and Miles, are so relatable and well-developed; one can’t help but root for their growth and happiness.
• Humor and Wit: Emily Henry’s signature humor balances out the emotional depth with lighthearted moments.
• Themes of Self-Discovery: It has meaningful themes, such as self-worth, independence, and finding love without losing oneself.
• Natural-sounding Dialogue: The conversations sound real, adding to the chemistry between the characters.
• Slow-Burn Romance: The romance is well-paced, building tension and emotional depth before reaching its resolution.
• Quirky, Cozy Setting: Waning Bay, Michigan, provides a charming small-town backdrop that enhances the story’s intimacy.

Cons

• Predictable Plot: The fake-dating trope and reconciliation arc may feel familiar to readers of contemporary romance.
• Frustrating Miscommunication: Miles’s disappearance and Daphne’s initial rejection could feel contrived to some readers.
• Side Characters Underdeveloped: Some side characters, even though enjoyable, don’t get enough depth or resolution, such as Ashleigh or Daphne’s father. 
• Slow Pacing: The self-growth may feel extended for readers who like a quicker-paced storyline.
• Too Much Internal Monologue: Daphne’s reflections are deep, yet for people who prefer action, this might be what slows the story down.

All in all, Funny Story is a sweet, humorous romance with a very strong emotional core, though very reliant on some too-worn tropes and pacing that is not for every reader. Great pick for fans of Emily Henry or just anyone seeking a thoughtful romantic comedy.