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chiiinkx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
I somehow enjoyed reading it but the book is just not for me .
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
barelycompetent's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
3.0
It has been a while but I had to wrack my brain in a way that is very unusual for me, to remember anything about this book and that should tell you quite a bit of my experience reading and having read it. This book has a topic and themes that could make it a great piece of fiction but in my experience, it’s entirely unremarkable and completely forgettable.
_jenna_s's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
coco43cl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
not sure how to feel about the mika / thomas relationship (although i gotta admit they had me kicking my feet a couple times which is quite a feat considering i’m not usually a fan of straight romance) but i really liked how this book explored the mother / daughter relationship and also the way it discussed adoption from the perspective of the biological parent, the adoptive parents and the child. in that way, it felt very informative or at least very layered and i’m glad it also focused on the loss of cultural identity that can occur when a bipoc child is adopted by a white couple, if the adoptive parents don’t make an effort.
to sum up, it was fun and interesting, the characters were likeable, some parts made me laugh, others made me tear up. overall very nice read!
to sum up, it was fun and interesting, the characters were likeable, some parts made me laugh, others made me tear up. overall very nice read!
laurapoulosky's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. I appreciated this novel about a closed interracial adoption. The characters felt pretty realistic. I'm not sure how to feel about the relationship between Mika and Thomas, though.
mobyskine's review against another edition
5.0
Having themes on finding identity, of dreams, family dynamics, motherhood and forgiveness—the blurb was so engrossing and I kind of falling in love with the characters later on.
Told in both narrative and epistolary format; Mika in Real Life started with a letter Mika wrote to Penny, a daughter that she had to place for an adoption when she was 19. At the age 35, Mika gets in touch with Penny again after Penny’s adoptive mother passed away. Mika’s life was at the lowest at that time (getting fired, failed in relationship with no savings); conflicts came and an unexpected incident making it worst when Mika fakes her success just to look good for Penny. In between making peace with her past and to start believing in herself, now Mika needs to make a decision before she loses Penny again.
Love the plot execution and its phrasing— it flows flawlessly, heart rending yet so ‘comforting’. Those dialogues, random flashbacks in between and the cute awkward gestures (love the interactions between Mika and Thomas)— it balances the story’s rhythm and its development. The characters dynamics were crafted well even for the secondary. Green flag for friendship even Leif the ex boyfriend too was not bad. I like the sensitive teenage Penny— she teaches Mika a responsibility and it kind of heartwarming too to read their parts. Hiromi was tough, her character was like a catalogue of stuff you hate but I love Mika’s take on her mom; every mother is a first timer for their first kid, and how their relationship grows toward the end was both devastating and uplifting to me.
Reading Mika’s thoughts can be depressing sometimes but she was so sincere; she gripped my heart and made me fall in love. Her flaws were a journey; those trauma and fears, to speak up on the truth and how she fights back— her characterization was the best! Fancy how the romance part (me rooting for Thomas!) was done lightly so it did not overshadow the main theme (heart swooning, still) that much. The culture and art references were interesting too— freaking super glad at the end, brave Mika you did so well!
Would recommend if you’re into a life-affirming theme like this, a story of healing and second chances; one that would juggle your heart making you cry and smile at the same time. I go for 5 stars to this; shelved it as my fav too!
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a proof copy to review! ♡
(having queer characters and scenes with TW on panic attack, rape, drugs abuse, alcohol poisoning)
Told in both narrative and epistolary format; Mika in Real Life started with a letter Mika wrote to Penny, a daughter that she had to place for an adoption when she was 19. At the age 35, Mika gets in touch with Penny again after Penny’s adoptive mother passed away. Mika’s life was at the lowest at that time (getting fired, failed in relationship with no savings); conflicts came and an unexpected incident making it worst when Mika fakes her success just to look good for Penny. In between making peace with her past and to start believing in herself, now Mika needs to make a decision before she loses Penny again.
Love the plot execution and its phrasing— it flows flawlessly, heart rending yet so ‘comforting’. Those dialogues, random flashbacks in between and the cute awkward gestures (love the interactions between Mika and Thomas)— it balances the story’s rhythm and its development. The characters dynamics were crafted well even for the secondary. Green flag for friendship even Leif the ex boyfriend too was not bad. I like the sensitive teenage Penny— she teaches Mika a responsibility and it kind of heartwarming too to read their parts. Hiromi was tough, her character was like a catalogue of stuff you hate but I love Mika’s take on her mom; every mother is a first timer for their first kid, and how their relationship grows toward the end was both devastating and uplifting to me.
Reading Mika’s thoughts can be depressing sometimes but she was so sincere; she gripped my heart and made me fall in love. Her flaws were a journey; those trauma and fears, to speak up on the truth and how she fights back— her characterization was the best! Fancy how the romance part (me rooting for Thomas!) was done lightly so it did not overshadow the main theme (heart swooning, still) that much. The culture and art references were interesting too— freaking super glad at the end, brave Mika you did so well!
Would recommend if you’re into a life-affirming theme like this, a story of healing and second chances; one that would juggle your heart making you cry and smile at the same time. I go for 5 stars to this; shelved it as my fav too!
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a proof copy to review! ♡
(having queer characters and scenes with TW on panic attack, rape, drugs abuse, alcohol poisoning)
lmcoffman's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aet_rebecca's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
naharobed's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in one rainy Saturday afternoon and it was a lovely story about motherhood, grief, sacrifice, and connection. It’s an extremely well-paced and plotted book. The writing isn’t the most extraordinary thing ever, but there was never a dull moment.
It is the story of 35-year old woman named Mika who feels like life has gotten away from her and everything is a mess. When she was a freshman in college, she became pregnant and ultimately ended up giving her baby daughter up for adoption. Sixteen years later, the daughter has managed to track Mika down and reach out to her. There’s a surprising additional element to the story as well, which I loved. It was really sweet, touching story that was definitely emotional at times. My only complaint is that I wish we got to explore more about Mika’s past traumas and her future with a certain someone who shall remain nameless. But I didn’t take a star away for that because I am holding out hope that there will be a sequel
It is the story of 35-year old woman named Mika who feels like life has gotten away from her and everything is a mess. When she was a freshman in college, she became pregnant and ultimately ended up giving her baby daughter up for adoption. Sixteen years later, the daughter has managed to track Mika down and reach out to her. There’s a surprising additional element to the story as well, which I loved. It was really sweet, touching story that was definitely emotional at times. My only complaint is that I wish we got to explore more about Mika’s past traumas and her future with a certain someone who shall remain nameless. But I didn’t take a star away for that because I am holding out hope that there will be a sequel