Funny Story

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?

These book club questions were prepared by Bookclubs staff.

Book club questions for Funny Story by Emily Henry

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Daphne prioritized her relationship with Peter over her own interests and identity. What motivations or past experiences do you think contributed to her putting so much of herself into being a "good" partner?

The setting of Waning Bay, Michigan acts almost like its own character. How did the town shape Daphne's emotional journey? Would you want to live in a place like Waning Bay? Why or why not?

Examine the theme of "funny stories" that recurs throughout the book. Why do you think Henry chose this title? What does it represent about how we frame difficult life experiences?

Compare and contrast Miles’ more carefree and spontaneous personality with Daphne’s reserve. Who did you relate to more?

How do Daphne and Miles grow and change over the course of the novel?

Emily Henry is known for creating complex characters that battle their own personal demons. Did she strike the right balance for you between building and centering the romance versus exploring individual growth and development?

What did you think of the pacing of the novel - did you think the characters got together too fast? Too slow? Just right?

Funny Story covers a lot of “typical” Romance tropes, such as opposites attract, friends to lovers, forced proximity (as roommates) and fake dating. Do you usually enjoy any of these tropes? Did Henry's portrayal subvert or adhere to expectations?

Discuss the role of platonic relationships in the novel. How do her friendships help and shape Daphne?

If you’ve read other Emily Henry romances, how do Daphne and Miles stack up against her other main characters for you?

Let’s talk about the epilogue! What did you think?

Funny Story Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Funny Story discussion questions