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Yun's Reviews > Funny Story
Funny Story
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Can a book survive on nothing but banter? Well, Funny Story sure tries.
Okay, all you rabid Emily Henry fans. Before you chuck your rotten eggs at me, please let me explain.
If ever there was an Emily Henry book that I should connect with, it's this one. Daphne is a librarian (my dream job) and she's in a pretend relationship with her roommate, Miles, in order to get back at her ex-fiancé (an intriguing premise). And yet, something was missing. I kept waiting for the story to grab me, and it never really did.
I hate to say it, but the crux of the problem is that the whole thing was rather forgettable. I only just finished the book, and already I hardly remember anything about it. The characters, the interactions, even the conflicts, while all feelgood on the surface, were in fact fairly bland underneath.
I enjoy a low-stakes beach read as much as the next gal, but there is a difference between low stakes and no stakes, and this was too much in the latter. At no point was there anything really on the line. The story just shambled along, with lots of banter and some minor conflicts here and there, until the requisite 300-some pages were met, and then it was called a book.
Speaking of the conflicts, I totally didn't understand Daphne and Miles' issues, or even Daphne and Ashleigh's. Do people really get so upset and potentially break up relationships and friendships over such small issues? And each one, blown up to be so important, can only be resolved after much back and forth, with pages upon pages of dialogue of each person's feelings and the associated parental trauma that was at the root of all their misgivings. It was a bit much.
Don't get me wrong, I did have fun. There were entertaining moments, and the banter was truly top notch. And it wasn't just for the main couple during romantic moments. No, the banter was interspersed everywhere and among everyone, so we got plenty of chuckle-worthy moments.
But you can't just sustain a story on banter alone, no matter how delightful it is. When the characters feel as lackluster as Daphne and Miles and their conflicts equally bland and forced, it was hard to care either way if they ended up together, which is always a bad sign in a romance.
I feel like I'm the only person out there who doesn't get heart-eyes at the merest mention of an Emily Henry book. My experiences so far have been largely underwhelming, or maybe I just haven't read the right books by her. Either way, I'll add this to the pile of Emily Henry books I've pretty much forgotten the moment I finished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
Beach Read
People We Meet on Vacation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
Okay, all you rabid Emily Henry fans. Before you chuck your rotten eggs at me, please let me explain.
If ever there was an Emily Henry book that I should connect with, it's this one. Daphne is a librarian (my dream job) and she's in a pretend relationship with her roommate, Miles, in order to get back at her ex-fiancé (an intriguing premise). And yet, something was missing. I kept waiting for the story to grab me, and it never really did.
I hate to say it, but the crux of the problem is that the whole thing was rather forgettable. I only just finished the book, and already I hardly remember anything about it. The characters, the interactions, even the conflicts, while all feelgood on the surface, were in fact fairly bland underneath.
I enjoy a low-stakes beach read as much as the next gal, but there is a difference between low stakes and no stakes, and this was too much in the latter. At no point was there anything really on the line. The story just shambled along, with lots of banter and some minor conflicts here and there, until the requisite 300-some pages were met, and then it was called a book.
Speaking of the conflicts, I totally didn't understand Daphne and Miles' issues, or even Daphne and Ashleigh's. Do people really get so upset and potentially break up relationships and friendships over such small issues? And each one, blown up to be so important, can only be resolved after much back and forth, with pages upon pages of dialogue of each person's feelings and the associated parental trauma that was at the root of all their misgivings. It was a bit much.
Don't get me wrong, I did have fun. There were entertaining moments, and the banter was truly top notch. And it wasn't just for the main couple during romantic moments. No, the banter was interspersed everywhere and among everyone, so we got plenty of chuckle-worthy moments.
But you can't just sustain a story on banter alone, no matter how delightful it is. When the characters feel as lackluster as Daphne and Miles and their conflicts equally bland and forced, it was hard to care either way if they ended up together, which is always a bad sign in a romance.
I feel like I'm the only person out there who doesn't get heart-eyes at the merest mention of an Emily Henry book. My experiences so far have been largely underwhelming, or maybe I just haven't read the right books by her. Either way, I'll add this to the pile of Emily Henry books I've pretty much forgotten the moment I finished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
Beach Read
People We Meet on Vacation
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
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Funny Story.
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Reading Progress
May 7, 2024
–
Started Reading
May 7, 2024
– Shelved
May 11, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 174 (174 new)
message 1:
by
Jayme
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
May 13, 2024 07:30AM
I hated Beach Read and the rest have been pleasant enough but I find her overrated. Definitely not my favorite romance author though this was my favorite of her books. Fair and honest review! 💞
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I have mixed feelings about Emily Henry's books. They're fun to read, but often have the same characters in each book. The miscommunication between the two MCs always drives me batty. I like it more when there is an actual obstacle, not just the characters being unwilling to have a conversation.
I highly doubt I'll be able to enjoy a book that is mainly banter and not much else. Fair review, Yun. This seems like a decent one-time read. :)
This is exactly how I felt about Book Lovers. It was bland enough to turn me off of picking up another Emily Henry book.
Ah, man, I'm sad to read this review. I am so curious about Emily Henry's books and this one did sound like it could be one I'd enjoy. But based on the things you've pointed out, I'm no longer so sure. Are there any Henry books you recommend?
well now i’m glad my thoughts weren’t too far off. 😂 i didn’t like this one either, as you know, but i hope your next read is much better! 🧡
Very nice review, Yun. I guess I'll pass on Funny Story. Maybe watch some old Seinfeld episodes. They had plenty of mindless banter, but at least I found it funny
Jayme wrote: "I hated Beach Read and the rest have been pleasant enough but I find her overrated. Definitely not my favorite romance author though this was my favorite of her books. Fair and honest review! 💞"Thanks, Jayme! 💖 I think we're pretty much aligned on EH. I hated Beach Read too! 😭 And this one and People We Meet were both pleasant but not really exciting for me.
Mara wrote: "I have mixed feelings about Emily Henry's books. They're fun to read, but often have the same characters in each book. The miscommunication between the two MCs always drives me batty. I like it mor..."Yeah, I feel similarly. There's just something about the way she writes her characters that don't really work for me. And the way the characters communicate drives me a bit batty too.
Rosh wrote: "I highly doubt I'll be able to enjoy a book that is mainly banter and not much else. Fair review, Yun. This seems like a decent one-time read. :)"Thanks, Rosh! Haha yeah, it was a good one-time read. :)
Lynsey wrote: "This is exactly how I felt about Book Lovers. It was bland enough to turn me off of picking up another Emily Henry book."This is my 3rd EH book, and I feel like her books are this interesting mix of pleasant + bland haha.
Bethany wrote: "Ah, man, I'm sad to read this review. I am so curious about Emily Henry's books and this one did sound like it could be one I'd enjoy. But based on the things you've pointed out, I'm no longer so s..."What works for one reader doesn't always work for another, and vice versa! So please don't let my thoughts deter you. I've only read 3 EH books so far, and found this one and People We Meet to both be pleasant enough.
len ❀ wrote: "well now i’m glad my thoughts weren’t too far off. 😂 i didn’t like this one either, as you know, but i hope your next read is much better! 🧡"Thanks, Elena! 💖 Glad it's not just me haha. 😂
Paul E wrote: "Very nice review, Yun. I guess I'll pass on Funny Story. Maybe watch some old Seinfeld episodes. They had plenty of mindless banter, but at least I found it funny "Thanks, Paul! You know, that's probably a solid plan! ;)
I’m a big fan of her books Beach Read and Happy place. The others I rated around 3 stars. I was so excited for this one because the premise sounded promising but I was so disappointed. I’m 50% in and I’m seriously considering dnf’ing because I’m kind of bored which is so disappointing!
You are not alone. I actually decided to pass on this one entirely because I couldn’t get through her last one, Happy Place; and I gave another only 3 stars before that one. I think I just don’t like her books. And that’s ok!
EH is hit or miss for me, but I loved this one. Hope you find a fun rom-com that you really enjoy this season. 💜
Yes! I totally get what you are saying! Henry does rely on character snappy banter to carry her stories. Sounds like an audio recommendation to me (if the narrators are good). Thanks for that info Yun. Very helpful.
I understand where you are coming from. I usually like this author but I didn't enjoy," Happy Place" as much. A fair and good review Yun!!
So many books I have read that I don’t remember the first or last details about. I don’t even remember if some of them are actually good books or bad. Just books that I can’t remember.I’ve never read a book before by Emily Henry, so I know that I won’t be reading this one.
But I loved reading your review, Yun! Good job! 😎😘☺️
Exactly my thoughts. The last two Emily Henry novels have been misses for me.
Shannon wrote: "I’m a big fan of her books Beach Read and Happy place. The others I rated around 3 stars. I was so excited for this one because the premise sounded promising but I was so disappointed. I’m 50% in a..."This one is an interesting blend of pleasant and bland lol, so I totally get why you're disappointed.
Thank you for this review, you put in words perfectly my issue with Emily Henry: it's all banter with little to no stakes. The banter is clever enough to give her books a three-star review for me. But I need something more to put it on that 4 to 5 star echelon so many seem to place it on.
Amy wrote: "You are not alone. I actually decided to pass on this one entirely because I couldn’t get through her last one, Happy Place; and I gave another only 3 stars before that one. I think I just don’t li..."Thanks, Amy! Glad it's not just me that can't connect with EH books. I've given one 1 star, and two 3 stars so far. Not a great track record.
R.J. wrote: "EH is hit or miss for me, but I loved this one. Hope you find a fun rom-com that you really enjoy this season. 💜"Thanks, R.J.! So glad you totally loved this one! 💖
Barbara wrote: "Yes! I totally get what you are saying! Henry does rely on character snappy banter to carry her stories. Sounds like an audio recommendation to me (if the narrators are good). Thanks for that info ..."Thanks, Barbara! Hmm good point that this is probably better on audio! I haven't worked up the courage to try an audiobook yet though haha.
Tina wrote: "I understand where you are coming from. I usually like this author but I didn't enjoy," Happy Place" as much. A fair and good review Yun!!"Thanks, Tina! :)
Maureen wrote: "That’s a fair and honest review Yun."Thanks, Maureen!
Zain wrote: "So many books I have read that I don’t remember the first or last details about. I don’t even remember if some of them are actually good books or bad. Just books that I can’t remember.I’ve never ..."
Thanks, Zain! Haha, that's fair. To be honest, I have the same problem and that's why I started writing reviews, so I don't read the same bad book multiple times due to poor memory. ;)
Adair wrote: "Exactly my thoughts. The last two Emily Henry novels have been misses for me."Glad we agree and it's not just me!
Courtney wrote: "Thank you for this review, you put in words perfectly my issue with Emily Henry: it's all banter with little to no stakes. The banter is clever enough to give her books a three-star review for me. ..."Yes! Banter is all fun and good, but it isn't a story, you know? Glad you feel the same way! :)
This book sounds so boring, thank you for trying her new releases so I don't have to :) I didn't like Beach read, abandoned 2 other, I want to enjoy her but I can't!
Fair and honest review, Yun! You set out your (case) thoughts perfectly. No egg throwing from me!!!!
Oof, thanks for the review. I loved Beach Read and have not really liked anything since. I think I'll give this one a pass.
this one felt like a better copy paste of beach read tbh. also, happy place >>>>> all emily henry books
great review!! i had the same thoughts, and i especially agree with your point on the conflicts being dragged out. also, "book lovers" was my favorite emily henry, and hopefully i can see your thoughts on that sometime!
“Do people really get upset over such non-issues?” So you’ve ghosted a friend after making 1:1 plans for their birthday and expected them to not be upset or…? 🥴
Book Lovers was exceptional for me. I enjoyed Beach Read at the time. People We Meet On Vacation and Happy Place made me want to pull my hair out so I genuinely suspect that Emily Henry was a one hit wonder for me and I’m scared to pick up this one because it might just confirm that notion 🥺
I won’t be chucking any rotten eggs, but I reserve the right to disagree if I ever get the book (I’m number 1200 and something which means I may buy it like I did the last one!). Great review!! 😎🌺
I remembered why i started following you! I’m about 100 pages in and i was intrigued at first but am now losing steam.
I loved Beach Read but her books after that one have fell a little flat. Thanks for putting my feelings into words
A very fair and honest review, Yun! Sorry this one didn't quite work for you. I can definitely understand your point about how this story focused more on vibes and witty banter than plot. While I did end up enjoying this one, I definitely shared your frustration regarding the third-act conflicts / miscommunications here. They did seem tacked-on just to bring about Daphne's "lessons learned" at the end of the tale.
Sinceramente tampoco me gusta las historias de Emily Henry. No conecto con ella.
Excellent review, Yun! Too bad the characters were dull- I agree- you can't rely on the banter alone to carry the story. 💖
nastya wrote: "This book sounds so boring, thank you for trying her new releases so I don't have to :) I didn't like Beach read, abandoned 2 other, I want to enjoy her but I can't!"Thanks, Nastya! I remember our mutual dislike of Beach Read haha! You're not missing out. ;)
Angela wrote: "Fair and honest review, Yun! You set out your (case) thoughts perfectly. No egg throwing from me!!!!"Hehe! Thanks, Angela! :)
Lea wrote: "Oof, thanks for the review. I loved Beach Read and have not really liked anything since. I think I'll give this one a pass."I haven't read all of her books, so I can't say for sure. But this one doesn't feel like an essential read to me, so I think you're safe giving it a pass! ;)
ariel wrote: "this one felt like a better copy paste of beach read tbh. also, happy place >>>>> all emily henry books"No arguments from me regarding Beach Read, since I hated it lol. I haven't read Happy Place yet... will keep in mind! :)
