Funny Guy

By: Emma Barry

Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Teddy Hamilton

From the author of Chick Magnet comes a heartfelt friends-to-lovers story about what can happen when a funny guy and his childhood best friend are stuck together in a small New York City apartment.

Sam can’t escape the smash hit “Lost Boy” because, well, he is the lost boy. His pop-singer ex immortalized him in a song about his childish ways, and now his comedy career is on the line.

At least he still has Bree, his best friend and confidante. Bree has always been there for Sam, but she’s never revealed her biggest secret: she’s in love with him. To help herself move on, Bree applies for her dream job across the country—and doesn’t say a thing to Sam.

But as Sam tries to resuscitate his career, he turns to Bree for support—and maybe more. In the confines of her tiny apartment, they share a different dynamic. A charged dynamic. But she’s his friend. He can’t be falling for her.

Except he is.

Are his feelings for Bree just funny business? Or is their smoldering attraction the real deal?

©2023 Emma Barry. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Lucy Rivers and Teddy Hamilton narrate the complicated friends-to-lovers story of Bree and Sam.… Hamilton…differentiates Bree and plays Sam's biting wit against his sweet affection for her.… As Bree decides between her unrequited love for Sam and moving away for a dream job, Rivers steps up her performance to skillfully express Bree's mix of anger and devotion. Part comedy, part therapy session, Funny Guy is definitely best on audio.”—AudioFile Magazine

“It’s a tug-of-war that would be hard for a less adept writer to pull off, but Barry’s work has always thrived on this kind of interplay. She seems to be feeling her way to a new kind of structure here, one that’s organic and messy but still generates a vital catharsis.”—New York Times

“This ingenious friends-to-lovers romance …[is] a fresh take on a favorite trope that perfectly marries humor and heartache.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Cute story

This was such a fun story! The narrators both did an amazing job with it.

Meh

He sounded like a bitter guy. Recalcitrance! I’m a sucker for sneaky vocabulary jewels. It wasn’t very funny. His apology was tepid at best. She just existed.

The face that it was Teddy faded away and Lucy, with complete respect, because I’m still listening, but please, please, please give us some personality with your characters.

Funny rom com

I was excited to see two of my favorite narrators taking part in this book. Lucy Rivers and Teddy Hamilton were so much fun to listen to. I adored this story. I'm a big fan of friends to lovers. If you're looking for a quick fun read this one is for you.

Fun story of redemption and required love.

I enjoyed this book. It was a bit predictable but made me feel good for the well defined characters.

The performance totally made this story

This was a really sweet childhood best friends to lovers story. Low on the angst but not lacking in the emotional aspect.

Lucy and Teddy totally brought the emotion that this story needed. Their performance was wonderful. I’m glad I chose to listen to this one instead of just reading it.

It’s told from 3rd person POV if that matters to you. It’s not always my favorite, but I honestly didn’t mind it this go around. I was still able to get into the story.