alicelalicon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
abbiechron's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Spoiler
Mika and ThomasGraphic: Grief, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Alcohol, Bullying, Cancer, and Cursing
Minor: Animal death, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Medical content
Job loss, immigrationbeckyyreadss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Cancer
Minor: Infertility
cinderellasbookshelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
momreadsbooksinbtwn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Cancer
katiemack's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I love Emiko Jean's Tokyo Ever After books, so I thought I'd give her adult debut a try.
The beginning focuses on Mika, a thirty-five-year-old who has just been let go from her job and is not traditionally successful--especially not to her parents, who moved with her from Japan to the U.S. in search of better opportunities. When her sixteen-year-old biological child, Penny, reaches out to her, Mika finds herself entangled in a web of lies of her own making to seem more impressive to her daughter.
I have a huge problem with books based on the main character's lies, so I was prepared to cringe the entire way through the rest of the book. Thankfully, that aspect of the plot is resolved about halfway through the book and gives way to a more in-depth exploration of trauma (particularly generational trauma), motherhood, and the nature of creativity. It feels more personal than Jean's other books, but it still has its moments of funny dialogue and compelling side characters. The romance feels abrupt but makes sense, in the end.
Try this if you're looking for a tender, diverse read about motherhood and, well, being an adult.
Moderate: Rape and Xenophobia
Minor: Toxic relationship and Body shaming