Scan barcode
hotmessmamareads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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
Mika in Real Life is a beautiful and tender emotional ride through motherhood, generational and cultural conflict, overcoming past traumas/fears, and coming into one’s own. I picked it up on a whim, and didn’t know a whole lot about it going into the tale apart from what was on the back cover–and oh, am I glad I did.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
More...