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A review by mobyskine
Mika in Real Life by Emiko Jean
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)