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hotmessmamareads's review
- 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
5.0
I loved every moment of it and didn’t expect that it would be so incredibly moving. There were striking sentences about parenthood peppered throughout that caused me to stop and reflect – and many, many moments of painful relatability when the story delves into exploring the disconnect between Mika and her mother. Ultimately, there was also a lot of love–familial, relationship-wise, friendship-wise, and loving oneself–infused in the tale, even when Mika experienced challenges.
I appreciated the way information and the resolution of issues was gradual, as it allowed me to really note the ways in which Mika grows. Along a path marred by her own mistakes, she learns to be brave, to stand on her own, to find her strength, her voice, her art, herself.
It was a joy to read, and the difficult topics were delicately navigated. There was so much authenticity woven into Mika’s character, culture, thoughts and emotions. It was easy for me to identify and empathize with her, which made the journey through her story far more emotional. I laughed. I cried. I related. I reflected.
There’s not really much more I can ask from any story than that.
For readers interested in content warnings, it may be helpful to note that the story does include the following: adoption, teenage pregnancy, sexual assault/rape, complicated relationship with rigid/stoic parents, death of a parent.
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
khymihr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Rape, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and Grief
Minor: Racism, Cancer, Death of parent, and Sexual content
mayy_y's review
- 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
4.0
I absolutely loved Hana and the friendships in general. So supportive!
I also loved the way everyone was taking accountability for their actions, none of that miscommunication trope that goes on for half of the book😒
The growing romance between Thomas and Mika was so cuteee!
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Rape
abbiechron's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Cancer, Bullying, and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Animal death, Terminal illness, Blood, and Toxic relationship
Job loss, immigrationd0505's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Pregnancy, Animal death, Rape, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Abortion
kaitlinlovesbooks's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Grief
The main character gives her daughter up for closed adoption when she is 18, and is reunited with her child when her daughter turns 16. This book very briefly touches on the complexity of transracial adoption and the associated trauma, but it is not the focus of the story. Also, the adoptive mother dies before the start of the novel, so there is both a warning for death of a parent and death of a spouse. The novel focuses more deeply on the estranged relationship between the main character and her mother, who is emotionally distant and controlling.readingwithmeredith's review
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Grief and Pregnancy
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Drug use, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual content, and Infertility