“Funny Story” by Emily Henry, framed with a casual and colorful cover, practically shouts its intent to be a light-hearted, feel-good read. The cover features two people, seemingly in mid-conversation over coffee, with bright, inviting colors that suggest nothing too grim lies within these pages. Emily Henry’s proclamation as the “#1 New York Times bestselling author of Happy Place” assures us that she knows her way around a book meant to lift spirits.

However, the title, “Funny Story,” begs the question: just how funny are we talking? The risk of such a straightforward promise is that humor is highly subjective—what’s hilarious to one might barely coax a smile from another. Will Henry manage to deliver laughs that resonate universally, or will the humor fall flat for those not tuned to her wavelength?

Adding a slight snarky twist, let’s hope this isn’t one of those tales where the funniest part of the “Funny Story” is actually just the title.

JABBIC Rating: ★★★½ – A likely candidate for those looking for an escape into laughter and relatability, assuming the stories within can live up to the breezy, comedic promise of its cover.