Another much anticipated book from Henry. Like, Beach Read this one is also set in a Michigan beach town. I really wanted to buy the “falling in love with your ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex” premise of Funny Story. I wanted to like it more, but it kept on feeling both too good to be true and too contrived- ironically as a result of trying too hard to come across as spontaneous.
There wasn’t much enjoyable banter, I had zero laugh out loud moments which is disapointing for a book titled “Funny Story”. It was seriously lacking in the romance department, and the main characters, Daphne and Miles were just not compelling enough. Although there were a couple strong moments for the main character they were far and few between. There’s a laundry list of things I felt were problematic and unnecessary with the characters and with the plot. For instance, even after a month after the breakup Miles still had pictures of his ex in his room. And then there is Miles’ illiterate texting style. To which I ask Why?
My final quibble involves a spoiler. At several points Henry reminds readers that Daphne’s ex-fiancé Peter and Miles’ ex-fiance Petra belonged with each other. So I was not convinced that Peter and Petra, who were engaged to be married had called off their wedding. This wedding was the sole reason why Daphne and Miles began pretend dating. And as a reader I was looking forward to watch that looming wedding scene unfold. But no. I will now stop myself right here.