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Mika in Real Life
One phone call changes everything.
At thirty-five, Mika Suzuki’s life is a mess. Her last relationship ended in flames. Her roommate-slash-best friend might be a hoarder. She’s a perpetual disappointment to her traditional Japanese parents. And, most recently, she’s been fired from her latest dead-end job.
Mika is at her lowest point when she receives a phone call from Penny—the daughter she placed for adoption sixteen years ago. Penny is determined to forge a relationship with her birth mother, and in turn, Mika longs to be someone Penny is proud of. Faced with her own inadequacies, Mika embellishes a fact about her life. What starts as a tiny white lie slowly snowballs into a fully-fledged fake life, one where Mika is mature, put-together, successful in love and her career.
The details of Mika’s life might be an illusion, but everything she shares with curious, headstrong Penny is real: her hopes, dreams, flaws, and Japanese heritage. The harder-won heart belongs to Thomas Calvin, Penny’s adoptive widower father. What starts as a rocky, contentious relationship slowly blossoms into a friendship and, over time, something more. But can Mika really have it all—love, her daughter, the life she’s always wanted? Or will Mika’s deceptions ultimately catch up to her? In the end, Mika must face the truth—about herself, her family, and her past—and answer the question, just who is Mika in real life?
Perfect for fans of Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age, Gayle Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and Rebecca Serle’s In Five Years, Mika in Real Life is at once a heart-wrenching and uplifting novel that explores the weight of silence, the secrets we keep, and what it means to be a mother.
In this brilliant new novel by from Emiko Jean, the author of the New York Times bestselling young adult novel Tokyo Ever After, comes a whip-smart, laugh-out-loud funny, and utterly heartwarming novel about motherhood, daughterhood, and love—how we find it, keep it, and how it always returns.
At thirty-five, Mika Suzuki’s life is a mess. Her last relationship ended in flames. Her roommate-slash-best friend might be a hoarder. She’s a perpetual disappointment to her traditional Japanese parents. And, most recently, she’s been fired from her latest dead-end job.
Mika is at her lowest point when she receives a phone call from Penny—the daughter she placed for adoption sixteen years ago. Penny is determined to forge a relationship with her birth mother, and in turn, Mika longs to be someone Penny is proud of. Faced with her own inadequacies, Mika embellishes a fact about her life. What starts as a tiny white lie slowly snowballs into a fully-fledged fake life, one where Mika is mature, put-together, successful in love and her career.
The details of Mika’s life might be an illusion, but everything she shares with curious, headstrong Penny is real: her hopes, dreams, flaws, and Japanese heritage. The harder-won heart belongs to Thomas Calvin, Penny’s adoptive widower father. What starts as a rocky, contentious relationship slowly blossoms into a friendship and, over time, something more. But can Mika really have it all—love, her daughter, the life she’s always wanted? Or will Mika’s deceptions ultimately catch up to her? In the end, Mika must face the truth—about herself, her family, and her past—and answer the question, just who is Mika in real life?
Perfect for fans of Kiley Reid’s Such a Fun Age, Gayle Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and Rebecca Serle’s In Five Years, Mika in Real Life is at once a heart-wrenching and uplifting novel that explores the weight of silence, the secrets we keep, and what it means to be a mother.
In this brilliant new novel by from Emiko Jean, the author of the New York Times bestselling young adult novel Tokyo Ever After, comes a whip-smart, laugh-out-loud funny, and utterly heartwarming novel about motherhood, daughterhood, and love—how we find it, keep it, and how it always returns.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2022
706 people are currently reading
30755 people want to read
About the author
Emiko Jean
12books2,618followersEmiko Jean is a New York Times best-selling author of adult and young adult fiction.Her books have been published in over thirty languages. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America as a GMA book club pick, by Reese Witherspoon as a young adult book club pick, and in publications such as: Marie Claire, Entertainment Weekly, Time, Cosmopolitan, Shondaland and Bustle. She lives in Washington with her husband and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,560 reviews
August 3, 2022
such a sweet and touching story, but im mainly impressed with the balance of it all.
it explores a lot of real, complex relationships, but its done in a way that gives enough attention to everyone. nothing feels lopsided, or rushed, or overdone. i feel like i was able to fully understand mika, her new connection to her birth daughter, her strained relationship with her parents, her budding romance with pennys adoptive dad, and her strong attachment to her best friend.
i also enjoyed the topics the story touches on. there are a fair few, which could have been messy, but i think everything is handled with care and honesty and is exactly what make this story so heartwarming.
so everything is very well-developed and leaves me, as a reader, feeling quite satisfied.
thank you, william morrow, for the ARC!
� 4 stars
it explores a lot of real, complex relationships, but its done in a way that gives enough attention to everyone. nothing feels lopsided, or rushed, or overdone. i feel like i was able to fully understand mika, her new connection to her birth daughter, her strained relationship with her parents, her budding romance with pennys adoptive dad, and her strong attachment to her best friend.
i also enjoyed the topics the story touches on. there are a fair few, which could have been messy, but i think everything is handled with care and honesty and is exactly what make this story so heartwarming.
so everything is very well-developed and leaves me, as a reader, feeling quite satisfied.
thank you, william morrow, for the ARC!
� 4 stars
August 10, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, @BookClubGirl, William Morrow, and Emiko Jean for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 8.2, and also a GMA Book Club Pick!!**
"Suddenly I see
This is what I want to be
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me" -KT Tunstall
Emotional, funny, honest, and hopeful!
Mika hasn't ever lived up to anyone's expectations...least of all, her own. After getting let go from (yet another) job, she heads to Target, pondering how much cheese and wine she can buy with the last bit of free-flowing cash from her bank account when she gets an unexpected phone call...a VERY unexpected call. No, it's not Randy from Chase Visa, but rather her daughter Penny...the same daughter that Mika gave up for adoption 16 years ago, during her college years.
After the call leaves her stunned, Mika decides this is her ONE chance to build a relationship with Penny, and she's not going to miss the opportunity. After all, her daughter is still dealing with the passing of her adopted mother, and Mika feels an even stronger desire to forge a bond and shower her with love. Through a series of phone chats and some video calls, Mika begins to describe a beautiful and fanciful life to Penny, full of accomplishments and excitement.
The only problem?
None of the events she describes have actually HAPPENED.
So when Penny reveals to Mika that she's headed to Portland (adopted father, protective-yet-hunky Thomas, in tow) to meet her...Mika panics. Enlisting the help of her best friend and roommate Hana, can she find a way to meld her fantasy life with her real one? Or is Mika truly doomed to disappoint the most precious person in her world...and lose ALL of her remaining dreams in one fell swoop?
Mika in Real Life manages to be so many things, all at the same time: a bildungsroman of sorts, a romance, AND most importantly, a tale about mothers and daughters and what that bond means. It's easy to like Mika and it was even easier for me to identify with her. Coming from strict parents, and a mother who never failed to remind her how much she'd sacrificed, Mika was forced to put so many of her dreams aside, but never got the returns on her investment.
Are there some aspects of the novel that felt predictable? Sure. But what I appreciated most about the read overall was the way Jean wasn't afraid to tackle the good, bad, and ugly of the mother-daughter relationship and how these seemingly insignificant moments from early life and childhood can MATTER...and how it matters IF your mother is truly there for you...or wants to be. As a mom now myself, I connected so deeply with Jean's descriptions of Mika's love for Penny, her yearning, and her deep desire to do anything and EVERYthing for her child.
My only quibble with any of the characters is that Penny's voice felt a bit younger than her 16 years, but since Emiko Jean comes from the YA world, that could be the reason. Every OTHER supporting character, however, from work colleagues to ex-boyfriend alike, not helped to support Mika, but to add depth and breadth to the narrative. These are truly the sort of characters you'll miss when the story ends! (and don't get me started on how badly I am now LONGING to go to Portland...words I never thought I'd say!) 😂
Though Mika's background and passion lies in art, perhaps her biggest and most important work will ALWAYS be a work in progress, as she continues to add color and light to the most vital canvas of all: her messy, complex, and perfectly imperfect life! 🎨
4 stars
Now in paperback!
"Suddenly I see
This is what I want to be
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me" -KT Tunstall
Emotional, funny, honest, and hopeful!
Mika hasn't ever lived up to anyone's expectations...least of all, her own. After getting let go from (yet another) job, she heads to Target, pondering how much cheese and wine she can buy with the last bit of free-flowing cash from her bank account when she gets an unexpected phone call...a VERY unexpected call. No, it's not Randy from Chase Visa, but rather her daughter Penny...the same daughter that Mika gave up for adoption 16 years ago, during her college years.
After the call leaves her stunned, Mika decides this is her ONE chance to build a relationship with Penny, and she's not going to miss the opportunity. After all, her daughter is still dealing with the passing of her adopted mother, and Mika feels an even stronger desire to forge a bond and shower her with love. Through a series of phone chats and some video calls, Mika begins to describe a beautiful and fanciful life to Penny, full of accomplishments and excitement.
The only problem?
None of the events she describes have actually HAPPENED.
So when Penny reveals to Mika that she's headed to Portland (adopted father, protective-yet-hunky Thomas, in tow) to meet her...Mika panics. Enlisting the help of her best friend and roommate Hana, can she find a way to meld her fantasy life with her real one? Or is Mika truly doomed to disappoint the most precious person in her world...and lose ALL of her remaining dreams in one fell swoop?
Mika in Real Life manages to be so many things, all at the same time: a bildungsroman of sorts, a romance, AND most importantly, a tale about mothers and daughters and what that bond means. It's easy to like Mika and it was even easier for me to identify with her. Coming from strict parents, and a mother who never failed to remind her how much she'd sacrificed, Mika was forced to put so many of her dreams aside, but never got the returns on her investment.
Are there some aspects of the novel that felt predictable? Sure. But what I appreciated most about the read overall was the way Jean wasn't afraid to tackle the good, bad, and ugly of the mother-daughter relationship and how these seemingly insignificant moments from early life and childhood can MATTER...and how it matters IF your mother is truly there for you...or wants to be. As a mom now myself, I connected so deeply with Jean's descriptions of Mika's love for Penny, her yearning, and her deep desire to do anything and EVERYthing for her child.
My only quibble with any of the characters is that Penny's voice felt a bit younger than her 16 years, but since Emiko Jean comes from the YA world, that could be the reason. Every OTHER supporting character, however, from work colleagues to ex-boyfriend alike, not helped to support Mika, but to add depth and breadth to the narrative. These are truly the sort of characters you'll miss when the story ends! (and don't get me started on how badly I am now LONGING to go to Portland...words I never thought I'd say!) 😂
Though Mika's background and passion lies in art, perhaps her biggest and most important work will ALWAYS be a work in progress, as she continues to add color and light to the most vital canvas of all: her messy, complex, and perfectly imperfect life! 🎨
4 stars
Now in paperback!
August 15, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
Took me forever to get through this one because life got in the way and I wasn't necessarily pulled to read it. Overall satisfying and great characters and storyline.
This is the story of Mika, whose life is pretty much a big mess. She's 35, just got laid off, lives with her best friend in a messy house, and doesn't get along well with her parents. When she was in college, she got pregnant and gave the baby up for adoption. Now Penny has just turned 16 and has contacted Mika, wanting to get to know her more. Does Mika tell her about her messed up life? Nope, she lies and when Penny and her father come for a visit, the lies threaten to bury Mika and her relationship with Penny.
I really liked all of the family dynamics portrayed in this story. There are multiple layers of relationships that are deftly and emotionally explored. There are cultural nuances to the tale, as Mika and her parents come from Japan and Penny is half Japanese. Mika is also forced to reevaluate her life and her choices, trying to learn and grow and realize that what happened in her past does not have to completely define her future.
It's really refreshing to read a book featuring a character like Mika. She doesn't have her life all together, in fact it is not together at all. Throughout the course of the book she learns how to accept that all of her expectations might not be met, especially when it comes to her relationship with her mother. Mika has to come to the acceptance that people are who they are, they can't always be who you want or need them to be.
I liked and appreciated this first adult novel from Emiko Jean. I'll be interested to see which direction she takes with writing in the future because I've enjoyed her YA offerings as well.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Took me forever to get through this one because life got in the way and I wasn't necessarily pulled to read it. Overall satisfying and great characters and storyline.
This is the story of Mika, whose life is pretty much a big mess. She's 35, just got laid off, lives with her best friend in a messy house, and doesn't get along well with her parents. When she was in college, she got pregnant and gave the baby up for adoption. Now Penny has just turned 16 and has contacted Mika, wanting to get to know her more. Does Mika tell her about her messed up life? Nope, she lies and when Penny and her father come for a visit, the lies threaten to bury Mika and her relationship with Penny.
I really liked all of the family dynamics portrayed in this story. There are multiple layers of relationships that are deftly and emotionally explored. There are cultural nuances to the tale, as Mika and her parents come from Japan and Penny is half Japanese. Mika is also forced to reevaluate her life and her choices, trying to learn and grow and realize that what happened in her past does not have to completely define her future.
It's really refreshing to read a book featuring a character like Mika. She doesn't have her life all together, in fact it is not together at all. Throughout the course of the book she learns how to accept that all of her expectations might not be met, especially when it comes to her relationship with her mother. Mika has to come to the acceptance that people are who they are, they can't always be who you want or need them to be.
I liked and appreciated this first adult novel from Emiko Jean. I'll be interested to see which direction she takes with writing in the future because I've enjoyed her YA offerings as well.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
December 30, 2022
I honestly didn't know anything about this one going in except for the fact that I've read other books by Emiko Jean and really enjoyed them. I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. There were highs and lows and a main character that is a lost train wreck from beginning to end. It's able to maintain a light feeling throughout the story despite the characters hitting painful life hiccups. I loved seeing a flawed character who does not end up "fixed" by the end of the book. She's still a mess, but there's a shift in her that will help her grow moving forward. I want more books like this where we don't see characters do a full 180, but rather where they end up at a point where they realize things need to change. it's a HIT!
May 8, 2024
At 35 years old, Mika has just been fired from her job and had to ask her parents, again, for money to make ends meet. Living with her hoarder best friend, Mika's last relationship was also a massive failure. So Mika is surprised when she gets a phone call from the daughter she gave up for adoption sixteen years ago. Her daughter who wants to meet Mika. Mika is ashamed of what her life looks like, and one white lie spirals into a series of many and Mika struggles to keep up the facade.
Based on the description, I wouldn't normally want to read a book like this. But I absolutely adored Emiko Jean's Toyko Ever After books and wanted to give this book a chance and I am really glad I did. I loved it. While slightly predictable, I think what this book offers best is a character study of a young woman who didn't know how to handle how hard life hit her. Mika desperately wants the relationship with her daughter that she never had with her Japanese mother. There are so many nuances in this book that worked together so well.
If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend the audio version of this one because the narrator did a fantastic job. And as for Emiko Jean, this is 3/3 wins for me and I think I found another author to put on automatic-read/buy.
Based on the description, I wouldn't normally want to read a book like this. But I absolutely adored Emiko Jean's Toyko Ever After books and wanted to give this book a chance and I am really glad I did. I loved it. While slightly predictable, I think what this book offers best is a character study of a young woman who didn't know how to handle how hard life hit her. Mika desperately wants the relationship with her daughter that she never had with her Japanese mother. There are so many nuances in this book that worked together so well.
If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend the audio version of this one because the narrator did a fantastic job. And as for Emiko Jean, this is 3/3 wins for me and I think I found another author to put on automatic-read/buy.
September 11, 2022
This read like a zany early 2000s rom-com mixed with a *good* lifetime movie and I honestly enjoyed the heck out of it!!
CW: adoption, rape, hoarding
CW: adoption, rape, hoarding
August 7, 2022
4 memorable character stars
Mika is a character to remember! She’s complicated, flawed, a loyal friend, funny, and so very human. I found myself rooting for her even as she sabotaged her life.
This one explores themes of identity, adoption, Japanese culture, and maternal relationships.
We meet Mika at 35 when she’s just been fired from her latest job. She’s doing a little retail therapy when she gets a call out of the blue. A call from the daughter she gave up for adoption 16 years ago. They start to build a relationship over the phone and then Penny decides she wants to visit Mika in Portland.
Uh oh. Mika realizes she doesn’t want Penny to see her real life and circumstances. One little lie leads to a whole fake life that Mika builds. Her friends rally behind her, and Penny’s arrival day finally happens. I hoped things would work out, but I had doubts that this was the best way to build an authentic relationship.
Mika and Penny have ups and downs as they work to bond and figure out this new life. Mika is also drawn to Penny’s (adoptive and now widowed) father Thomas. Through it all, it feels like Mika has put important parts of her life on hold for years and it might be time to tackle who she really is now.
There are important maternal elements explored here. Mika has always felt like she disappointed her mother and they do not have a great relationship. Penny decides that she wants to meet her grandmother. How does Penny reconcile her relationship with Mika with the one she had with her adopted mother?
This book really resonated with me, and I was very happy with how it all wrapped up. I would definitely read a sequel as these characters made for a great story.
Thank you to William Morrow/HarperCollins for the copy of this one to read and honestly review.
Mika is a character to remember! She’s complicated, flawed, a loyal friend, funny, and so very human. I found myself rooting for her even as she sabotaged her life.
This one explores themes of identity, adoption, Japanese culture, and maternal relationships.
We meet Mika at 35 when she’s just been fired from her latest job. She’s doing a little retail therapy when she gets a call out of the blue. A call from the daughter she gave up for adoption 16 years ago. They start to build a relationship over the phone and then Penny decides she wants to visit Mika in Portland.
Uh oh. Mika realizes she doesn’t want Penny to see her real life and circumstances. One little lie leads to a whole fake life that Mika builds. Her friends rally behind her, and Penny’s arrival day finally happens. I hoped things would work out, but I had doubts that this was the best way to build an authentic relationship.
Mika and Penny have ups and downs as they work to bond and figure out this new life. Mika is also drawn to Penny’s (adoptive and now widowed) father Thomas. Through it all, it feels like Mika has put important parts of her life on hold for years and it might be time to tackle who she really is now.
There are important maternal elements explored here. Mika has always felt like she disappointed her mother and they do not have a great relationship. Penny decides that she wants to meet her grandmother. How does Penny reconcile her relationship with Mika with the one she had with her adopted mother?
This book really resonated with me, and I was very happy with how it all wrapped up. I would definitely read a sequel as these characters made for a great story.
Thank you to William Morrow/HarperCollins for the copy of this one to read and honestly review.
May 30, 2024
Mika Suzuki is a 35 year old woman who’s life is on the downside she lost her job, she is a disappointment to her parents etc now she is at home 🏡 & gets a phone call from her daughter Penny who she adopted out at 19 , Penny comes to see Mika as she is grieving for her adopted mother who has stage four cancer.
Now I had issues with the narration which turned me off this sounded more like a YA novel than what was written the narrator by Sarah Sue & Andy Arndt got on my nerves the whiny voice went through my brain this just was one big letdown.
Now I had issues with the narration which turned me off this sounded more like a YA novel than what was written the narrator by Sarah Sue & Andy Arndt got on my nerves the whiny voice went through my brain this just was one big letdown.
March 24, 2023
I think that’s what being a parent is all about—loving something and letting it go.
What the fuck- I bawled eyes when I finished read this.
This is such a wonderful, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story of a family, love, and daughter. I learned a lot when I read this book whether about being a daughter and mother later, about truly believing in yourself, about really finding out and realizing who you truly are. This is a great book and I am so relieved to find this book. I use admit it almost hit close to the home, such like growing up in an Asian family though without tension as tight as Hiromi and Mika has in the house, like how Mika feels about herself was somehow the same with how I feel about myself at some point in my life, how how the heartbreak that she felt also almost mirroring to myself. This book is such a relatable book and fuck I have a soft spot for relatable and realistic fiction book.
Okay on to the review.
The writing is not my personal go-to POV that I like but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really like the time span in this book is long and it really emphasized Mika's growth until the end of the book, and it's not just her self-growth but also her growth in relationship with Penny, Hiromi, and Thomas. I also really like how the author keep slipping Mika's past in between of her vulnerability in certain times in the book, it felt so relatable you know? How out of nowhere you suddenly and unconsciously dragged yourself back to the lowest or sometimes most humiliating or most hurtful moment in your life? It was suck and I felt that it was such a great thing for Emiko to put in this book. The flow was no way slow and fast too, I like that each moment took its time to flow.
The plot is oh my gosh- it was stupid to be really honest but I deeply understand why did it happen and where did it come from Mika, it was all part of her journey to find her true self. I just couldn't really convinced myself to accept that it was make sense in my head. Well at least the first conflict, we have two huge conflicts here. The second one did stabbed me right in my heart, I was bawling my eyes when I hear the hurtful words that directed toward Mika and I understand that so much how she felt, I cried with her. The realization of the truth that hit so hard in her head she almost swayed when retreating. Goodness, I really am a sucker for such a heartbreaking book and it's almost like a sickness at this point 😭 I really hope Mika made Penny grovel to ask for forgiveness to her you know but then I realized that was not how it works with parental love. I was stupid indeed. How could a mother would do that to her own flesh? And that made me reflect on the times when I hurted my mom too, we rarely say sorry and somehow just immediately talk to each other and lowkey slowly back on a good term. And I supposed it was the same with Mika and Penny, and I understood that.
The characters was just okay. I supposed Mika really spoke through me with her whole journey but Mika didn't really amazed me and I think it was intentional. I did side with her throughout the story though, I suppose I do like her in certain ways, I just couldn't explain it. I rooted for her, I stood beside her, she spoke through me, and I love her, but she just didn't dazzling in my eyes though. The side characters were amazing though Hana, Charlie, Penny, Thomas, Hayato, Leif. It was like they did their part rightfully and properly in complimenting the whole story, the book, and Mika.
For the end note, I just have no other things to say that I really like this book and this is a really great book. I recommend to you guys who enjoy family dynamic relationship and a journey of finding one true self.
4 stars!😭🫶🏻
TW. Rape, adoption, death, alcoholism, etc.
What the fuck- I bawled eyes when I finished read this.
This is such a wonderful, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story of a family, love, and daughter. I learned a lot when I read this book whether about being a daughter and mother later, about truly believing in yourself, about really finding out and realizing who you truly are. This is a great book and I am so relieved to find this book. I use admit it almost hit close to the home, such like growing up in an Asian family though without tension as tight as Hiromi and Mika has in the house, like how Mika feels about herself was somehow the same with how I feel about myself at some point in my life, how how the heartbreak that she felt also almost mirroring to myself. This book is such a relatable book and fuck I have a soft spot for relatable and realistic fiction book.
Okay on to the review.
The writing is not my personal go-to POV that I like but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really like the time span in this book is long and it really emphasized Mika's growth until the end of the book, and it's not just her self-growth but also her growth in relationship with Penny, Hiromi, and Thomas. I also really like how the author keep slipping Mika's past in between of her vulnerability in certain times in the book, it felt so relatable you know? How out of nowhere you suddenly and unconsciously dragged yourself back to the lowest or sometimes most humiliating or most hurtful moment in your life? It was suck and I felt that it was such a great thing for Emiko to put in this book. The flow was no way slow and fast too, I like that each moment took its time to flow.
The plot is oh my gosh- it was stupid to be really honest but I deeply understand why did it happen and where did it come from Mika, it was all part of her journey to find her true self. I just couldn't really convinced myself to accept that it was make sense in my head. Well at least the first conflict, we have two huge conflicts here. The second one did stabbed me right in my heart, I was bawling my eyes when I hear the hurtful words that directed toward Mika and I understand that so much how she felt, I cried with her. The realization of the truth that hit so hard in her head she almost swayed when retreating. Goodness, I really am a sucker for such a heartbreaking book and it's almost like a sickness at this point 😭 I really hope Mika made Penny grovel to ask for forgiveness to her you know but then I realized that was not how it works with parental love. I was stupid indeed. How could a mother would do that to her own flesh? And that made me reflect on the times when I hurted my mom too, we rarely say sorry and somehow just immediately talk to each other and lowkey slowly back on a good term. And I supposed it was the same with Mika and Penny, and I understood that.
The characters was just okay. I supposed Mika really spoke through me with her whole journey but Mika didn't really amazed me and I think it was intentional. I did side with her throughout the story though, I suppose I do like her in certain ways, I just couldn't explain it. I rooted for her, I stood beside her, she spoke through me, and I love her, but she just didn't dazzling in my eyes though. The side characters were amazing though Hana, Charlie, Penny, Thomas, Hayato, Leif. It was like they did their part rightfully and properly in complimenting the whole story, the book, and Mika.
For the end note, I just have no other things to say that I really like this book and this is a really great book. I recommend to you guys who enjoy family dynamic relationship and a journey of finding one true self.
4 stars!😭🫶🏻
TW. Rape, adoption, death, alcoholism, etc.
August 7, 2022
�4.5 stars
�
What a delightful read! In her newest book, author Emiko Jean brings us a poignant yet ultimately uplifting story about a woman who, after experiencing trauma and setbacks in her life, goes on a path of self-discovery that helps her to overcome her insecurities as well as better understand who she is “in real life.�
Mika Suzuki’s life can only be described as “a mess� � she keeps getting fired from job after job, her love life is in shambles after a bad breakup with her latest boyfriend, she has a strained relationship with her traditional Japanese parents whom she can’t help but perpetually disappoint, and she lives in a messy house with a potentially cracked ceiling that belongs to her eccentric but lovable best friend Hana (who, by the way, may or may not be a hoarder). Oh and she’s also broke and, as much as she hates doing it, has to repeatedly borrow money from her parents for basic daily necessities. It is at this time, when she is at the lowest point of her life, that she receives a surprising phone call that catches her completely off guard � the call is from Penny, the daughter she had placed for adoption sixteen years ago. Penny wants to get to know her birth mother (which is something Mika secretly yearns for as well) and so the two of them start slow, with phone calls and video calls every couple days. In her curiosity about Mika’s life, Penny asks a lot of questions, but Mika isn’t keen on letting her daughter know about the sorry state of her own miserable existence, so she decides to embellish the facts about her life just a little. But one lie leads to another and soon, Mika has fabricated an entire life that is opposite of the one she is actually living. When Penny tells Mika that she wants to fly to Oregon (Penny and her adoptive father Thomas live in Ohio) to meet her, Mika panics � but luckily, her devoted friends come to the rescue and help her turn the fake life she created into a reality. Will Mika be able to sustain these lies throughout the entire visit or will things eventually blow up in her face? More importantly, what will become of the newfound but fragile relationship with her daughter?
I honestly didn’t expect this story to grab me as much as it did. I’m usually not tremendously keen on romances (which I erroneously thought that’s what this book would be), but the more I got into the story, the more I realized that’s not what the book is about at all. Sure, there is romance (and in case it matters for some, heads up that there are a few “spicy� scenes in here, though they are very brief), but the crux of the story is actually about the complexities of parent / child relationships, especially in mixed race families, which, for me, gave the story unexpected depth and meaning. In juxtaposing the various parent / child relationships within the narrative � between Mika and her parents Hiromi and Shige, between Mika and her biological daughter Penny, between Penny and her adopted parents Thomas and Caroline � Emiko Jean explores the complicated dynamics of parental love and how it not only can manifest itself in different ways, but also can be heavily impacted by culture and upbringing. This made the story relatable on so many levels, but for me specifically, what resonated most was Mika’s relationship with her mother Hiromi, the nuances of which, having myself grown up in an immigrant household with traditional Asian parents, I also struggled with at some point � for example: the emotional distance caused by lack of meaningful communication between family members, the cultural expectation to keep silent about matters deemed “shameful� to the family, the pressure to be successful in both life and career in order to “repay� the sacrifices that our parents made in choosing to immigrate here, the feelings of inadequacy and never being able to live up to their expectations, etc. There’s also the exploration of how that relationship impacts Mika’s relationship with Penny, and the struggle with understanding better where her mother was coming from but at the same time, wanting to forge a different path with her own daughter.
In addition to parent / child relationships and love in its different manifestations, the story also explores topics such as adoption, race and identity, interracial relationships, cultural expectations vs societal conventions, etc. Even with the heavy topics however, the overall tone of the book was lighthearted and hopeful, with humor playing a significant role in the narrative. In fact, that’s one of the things that stood out the most for me � how Jean was able to strike such a perfect balance throughout the story between the serious and humorous elements without verging into melodramatic (not an easy feat with these types of stories). I also loved the way the characters were rendered, especially Mika herself, who came across so realistically for me, with her insecurities and flaws and the various struggles in life that she has to deal with.
This book surprised me in a good way and I’m really glad I read it. Of course I definitely recommend this one, but with the caveat that each person’s experience reading it will be different. On that note, I also wanted to share this interview that Emiko Jean did, where she talks about her inspiration for this book � it’s a very insightful read:
Received ARC from William Morrow via NetGalley.
May 21, 2022
Wow, I did not expect the depth of feeling I found in this book. An amazing and insightful look into adoption, trauma, culture, friendship and the mother-daughter relationship. I LOVED this story.
Shopping in Target one day, after losing her job and feeling like an utter failure, main character Mika gets a call out of the blue from Penny, the daughter she gave up when she was eighteen. Thus begins a relationship Mika wasn't sure would ever be possible. Unfortunately, Mika wants this to work so badly, she begins lying about parts of her life she wishes were better: her job, her living arrangements, her boyfriend and well...everything basically. In her mind, the Mika that she is portraying to Penny is her version of what Penny would want her to be.
The story moves back and forth with Mika remembering things about her childhood, her upbringing and the circumstances that have brought Mika to the place she is in life. Mika immigrated to the US with her family from Japan when she was a toddler. She has always felt that she won't ever live up to her parent's expectations, especially her mother's. They have a difficult relationship. Penny was adopted and raised by a couple who loved her dearly. As part of the adoption agreement, they write a letter to Mika each year to update her on Penny's life. These letters are an integral part of the story and I loved how they gave the book a less traditional feel.
Without giving too much of the book away, let me just say that this story is filled with humor and insightful observations. Mika is a beautifully flawed character that you will root for from the start. The side characters are also well written and interesting. There is a trauma alluded to early on in the book which is slowly explored throughout the story. The effects caused Mika to halt her dreams. The toll that took on her life was captivated in the following line:
"Most things fade with time. Even the things you try desperately to hold on to. Maybe that's what makes you age. The weight of events drooped your shoulders, carved lines in your face...The mind may forget, but the body always remembers."
I loved Mika's friend group. Hana, her best friend, is exactly the kind of person you want on your side. Someone who has seen all of your warts, has stood by you during your difficult times and always has a listening ear. Penny's relationship with her parents was also lovely. The story explored some of the issues that can come when parents and adopted children are from different cultures. The effects it has on the child - not feeling that they know their history, and on the parents - the disappointment they feel knowing that they are unable to fully provide that.
But to me, the absolute genius in this story revolves around the observations on motherhood, and mother-daughter relationships. There were so many beautiful lines that I highlighted on this subject. There were also such honest and heart-wrenching lines from Mika as she had Penny and knew she had to give her away.
"Then I held you one last time. Unwrapping your swaddle, I kissed each of your ten fingers, your two cheeks, your one little nose. Finally I pressed my palm to your chest. You were warm, and I felt you brand me. "I'm sorry," I whispered, apologizing for what I wanted but could not keep."
"My body had a purpose, and it was you. In the span of a single breath, I was unmade and made again."
I loved this book and highly recommend it! It had a YA feel initially, but that morphed into more of a women's fiction/RomCom feel to me. A little bit of a slow burn at the beginning, it gained speed throughout and the anticipation of how each situation would resolve kept me flipping pages quickly. I loved the ending and I loved all of these characters. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this GOODREADS GIVEAWAY WIN! Pub date: August 2022.
Shopping in Target one day, after losing her job and feeling like an utter failure, main character Mika gets a call out of the blue from Penny, the daughter she gave up when she was eighteen. Thus begins a relationship Mika wasn't sure would ever be possible. Unfortunately, Mika wants this to work so badly, she begins lying about parts of her life she wishes were better: her job, her living arrangements, her boyfriend and well...everything basically. In her mind, the Mika that she is portraying to Penny is her version of what Penny would want her to be.
The story moves back and forth with Mika remembering things about her childhood, her upbringing and the circumstances that have brought Mika to the place she is in life. Mika immigrated to the US with her family from Japan when she was a toddler. She has always felt that she won't ever live up to her parent's expectations, especially her mother's. They have a difficult relationship. Penny was adopted and raised by a couple who loved her dearly. As part of the adoption agreement, they write a letter to Mika each year to update her on Penny's life. These letters are an integral part of the story and I loved how they gave the book a less traditional feel.
Without giving too much of the book away, let me just say that this story is filled with humor and insightful observations. Mika is a beautifully flawed character that you will root for from the start. The side characters are also well written and interesting. There is a trauma alluded to early on in the book which is slowly explored throughout the story. The effects caused Mika to halt her dreams. The toll that took on her life was captivated in the following line:
"Most things fade with time. Even the things you try desperately to hold on to. Maybe that's what makes you age. The weight of events drooped your shoulders, carved lines in your face...The mind may forget, but the body always remembers."
I loved Mika's friend group. Hana, her best friend, is exactly the kind of person you want on your side. Someone who has seen all of your warts, has stood by you during your difficult times and always has a listening ear. Penny's relationship with her parents was also lovely. The story explored some of the issues that can come when parents and adopted children are from different cultures. The effects it has on the child - not feeling that they know their history, and on the parents - the disappointment they feel knowing that they are unable to fully provide that.
But to me, the absolute genius in this story revolves around the observations on motherhood, and mother-daughter relationships. There were so many beautiful lines that I highlighted on this subject. There were also such honest and heart-wrenching lines from Mika as she had Penny and knew she had to give her away.
"Then I held you one last time. Unwrapping your swaddle, I kissed each of your ten fingers, your two cheeks, your one little nose. Finally I pressed my palm to your chest. You were warm, and I felt you brand me. "I'm sorry," I whispered, apologizing for what I wanted but could not keep."
"My body had a purpose, and it was you. In the span of a single breath, I was unmade and made again."
I loved this book and highly recommend it! It had a YA feel initially, but that morphed into more of a women's fiction/RomCom feel to me. A little bit of a slow burn at the beginning, it gained speed throughout and the anticipation of how each situation would resolve kept me flipping pages quickly. I loved the ending and I loved all of these characters. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this GOODREADS GIVEAWAY WIN! Pub date: August 2022.
June 25, 2022
[3.5] Mika in Real Life surprised me - in a good way - even though it was jam-packed with drama. Mika has a troubled relationship with her Japanese immigrant parents and hasn't recovered from a trauma she experienced in college. She reunites with her biological daughter but it turns out that relationship also has pitfalls. Plus there is a romance with ups and downs... Fortunately, Mika is an appealing character and I was happy to go along for the ride! Thank you to William Morrow for the ARC.
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September 21, 2022
Just Emiko Jean low-crawling her way onto my favorite author list!
Ugh this book made me laugh. Cry. Rage. And sob. It is so, so good.
Ugh this book made me laugh. Cry. Rage. And sob. It is so, so good.
March 15, 2022
MIKA IN REAL LIFE
by Emiko Jean
William Morrow
Pub date: Aug 9
Loved, loved, loved this newest by author Emiko Jean, about flawed MC Mika, whom you grow to adore and root for as the story unfolds. At 35, she's unlucky in love and career, a failure in the eyes of her Japanese parents, and mother of a baby, Penny, she gave up for adoption.
As she grows up, Penny desperately wants to meet her birth mother, and when she finds her, Mika concocts a much more successful version of her life. Which just might catch up with her after she meets Penny's adoptive father, a widower. At first contentious, their relationship grows and when the truth of Mika's life comes out, watch out!
This is a warm and heart-tugging tale that fans of delightful romantic stories will embrace. And another big win for Emiko!
Thanks to the author, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#MikaInRealLife #EmikoJean
#WilliamMorrow #NetGalley
by Emiko Jean
William Morrow
Pub date: Aug 9
Loved, loved, loved this newest by author Emiko Jean, about flawed MC Mika, whom you grow to adore and root for as the story unfolds. At 35, she's unlucky in love and career, a failure in the eyes of her Japanese parents, and mother of a baby, Penny, she gave up for adoption.
As she grows up, Penny desperately wants to meet her birth mother, and when she finds her, Mika concocts a much more successful version of her life. Which just might catch up with her after she meets Penny's adoptive father, a widower. At first contentious, their relationship grows and when the truth of Mika's life comes out, watch out!
This is a warm and heart-tugging tale that fans of delightful romantic stories will embrace. And another big win for Emiko!
Thanks to the author, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#MikaInRealLife #EmikoJean
#WilliamMorrow #NetGalley
August 9, 2022
The first half of the book was a 5 star for me - I loved reading about Mika and her daughter Penny’s relationship. I thought the author handled discussions of generational trauma, sexual assault, and adoption especially well.
That being said, I wasn’t a big fan of the second-half romantic plotline, which ultimately caused me to lower my rating. To me, the romance between Mika and Penny’s adoptive father was forced, not to mention a bit creepy and off-putting. I felt it detracted a lot from the book. I thought the book would have been perfect if it solely focused on the exploration of mother-daughter relationships, and Mika’s self-transformation.
That being said, I wasn’t a big fan of the second-half romantic plotline, which ultimately caused me to lower my rating. To me, the romance between Mika and Penny’s adoptive father was forced, not to mention a bit creepy and off-putting. I felt it detracted a lot from the book. I thought the book would have been perfect if it solely focused on the exploration of mother-daughter relationships, and Mika’s self-transformation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2022
I had such a difficult time with this one. I loved other books I've read by Emiko Jean and was excited when I was approved for Mika in Real Life. However, once I started it, I knew this wasn't going to be my favorite. I had a difficult time finding anything likeable about Mika - her selfish, self-destructive behavior filled with bad decisions and all-around laziness was too much for me and made me so anxious. I did enjoy the interactions with Penny and her father but the rest of it was impossible to overlook.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
August 31, 2022
At thirty-five, Mika Suzuko's life is a mess. Her last relationship ended in flames. Her roommate-slash-best friend might be a hoarder. she's a perpetual disappointment to her traditional Japanese parents. And, most recently, she's been fired from her latest dead-end job. Mika is at her lowest point when she receives a phone call from Penny - the daughter she placed for adoption sixteen years ago. Penny is determined to forge a relationship with her mother, and in turn, Mika longs for someone Penny is proud of. Faced with her own inadequacies, Mika embellishes a fact about her life. What starts as a tiny white lie slowly snowballs into a fully-fledged fake life, one where Mika is mature, put-together, successful in love and her career.
This is a deep and heartwarming story. Woven throughout, we learn of Japanese culture, language, and traditions. It also covers transracial adoption, mother-daughter issues and sexual assault, which are written about sensitively. The characters are likeable and well fleshed out. I liked reading how Mika and Penny were trying to get to know each other. This is a beautifully written story.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #MichaelJoseph #PenguinRandomHouse and the author #EmikoJean for my ARC #MikaInRealLife in exchange for an honest review.
This is a deep and heartwarming story. Woven throughout, we learn of Japanese culture, language, and traditions. It also covers transracial adoption, mother-daughter issues and sexual assault, which are written about sensitively. The characters are likeable and well fleshed out. I liked reading how Mika and Penny were trying to get to know each other. This is a beautifully written story.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #MichaelJoseph #PenguinRandomHouse and the author #EmikoJean for my ARC #MikaInRealLife in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2023
THOUGH A TAD PREDICTABLE THE RAW EMOTIONS CARRIED THE PLOT THROUGH
Actual rating: 3.5�
From the start I knew where this story was going. It was like reading a Hallmark movie. But even though I was not really surprised at any point, I was still engaged and entertained throughout. Because of the beautiful way that Jean wrote about the emotions of the main characters. No Hallmark movie will ever get close to that raw honesty.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Emotions: Emotions are beautiful. Especially when they are written with honest commitment. That is definitely the case of the emotions in this book. I will gladly admit to having ugly cried while reading this.
Characters: There were so many wonderful characters to fall in love with! Mika was of course a great draw - I love how she slowly allows us into her life and close to her heart. Its a slow process, but also riveting and grabbing. Hana was a hoot, but my favourites were probably Thomas and Penny. I loved Penny's effervescence and Thomas' slowly unfurling personality. They stuck with me throughout the story.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Predictable: As I said, this was predictable. The plot offered nothing in the way of surprises. From the beginning, I had the ending pegged. But I still enjoyed it and will read more from Jean.
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Actual rating: 3.5�
From the start I knew where this story was going. It was like reading a Hallmark movie. But even though I was not really surprised at any point, I was still engaged and entertained throughout. Because of the beautiful way that Jean wrote about the emotions of the main characters. No Hallmark movie will ever get close to that raw honesty.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Emotions: Emotions are beautiful. Especially when they are written with honest commitment. That is definitely the case of the emotions in this book. I will gladly admit to having ugly cried while reading this.
Characters: There were so many wonderful characters to fall in love with! Mika was of course a great draw - I love how she slowly allows us into her life and close to her heart. Its a slow process, but also riveting and grabbing. Hana was a hoot, but my favourites were probably Thomas and Penny. I loved Penny's effervescence and Thomas' slowly unfurling personality. They stuck with me throughout the story.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Predictable: As I said, this was predictable. The plot offered nothing in the way of surprises. From the beginning, I had the ending pegged. But I still enjoyed it and will read more from Jean.
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September 14, 2022
Overall, this didn't really work for me, but I did like the ending and am glad I stuck through it. It was hard for me to be sympathetic with Mika and the whole making up a life concept. However, I did appreciate that the deception plot only lasted half the book; that was unexpected and I was fully prepared to have it last the entire book and not be revealed/fall apart until the end.
Also Mika and Thomas's relationship just felt icky to me so I was never on board with that.
2.5/5
Also Mika and Thomas's relationship just felt icky to me so I was never on board with that.
2.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2024
“Right here and now. Her body light. Her heart happy.�
August 15, 2022
I LOVED this book. 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐀 𝐈𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 is a sweet and touching story, with poignant, unexpected depth.
It's a beautifully written exploration of relationships, mothers and daughters, adult friendship, and the complexities of adoption. It's also a coming-of-age story for both 35 yr old Mika and her now 16 yr old daughter Penny, who she's just now getting to know.
Their journey is complicated, yet it was somehow perfectly balanced. All the characters felt so real, so human. Just fabulous.
BONUS: I spent a year in Japan as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. I loved revisiting the traditions, but especially the food. It made me crave all the Japanese flavors.
It's a beautifully written exploration of relationships, mothers and daughters, adult friendship, and the complexities of adoption. It's also a coming-of-age story for both 35 yr old Mika and her now 16 yr old daughter Penny, who she's just now getting to know.
Their journey is complicated, yet it was somehow perfectly balanced. All the characters felt so real, so human. Just fabulous.
BONUS: I spent a year in Japan as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. I loved revisiting the traditions, but especially the food. It made me crave all the Japanese flavors.
July 28, 2022
Thanks to William Morrow for the free book.
This is a beautifully written book about mothers and daughters, adult friendship, adoption complexities and what it means to be a happy adult. I fell for Mika and her flaws right away. She felt so real and relatable. This book tackles complex situations - Mika is contacted by Penny, the daughter she put up for adoption sixteen years before. From there, the book spirals into what this relationship could be like, with lots of missteps along the way because that's life. Jean didn't hold back and captured the raw emotions between characters when they messed up or were changing and growing. I was so impressed with how much she made me feel for each character in this story. I think this story can also be appreciated by parents and what it means to be one, especially when you're child is on the cusp of adulthood. (Not close to this yet, but it gave me a lot to think about) I think Jean captured the nuances and complexities of all these situations so well without overwhelming the reader, and this is a book that I will be thinking about for a long time. I recommend going in knowing that this is a book about people and their imperfect lives and letting Mika, Penny, Tom and the supporting characters immerse you in their journey.
This is a beautifully written book about mothers and daughters, adult friendship, adoption complexities and what it means to be a happy adult. I fell for Mika and her flaws right away. She felt so real and relatable. This book tackles complex situations - Mika is contacted by Penny, the daughter she put up for adoption sixteen years before. From there, the book spirals into what this relationship could be like, with lots of missteps along the way because that's life. Jean didn't hold back and captured the raw emotions between characters when they messed up or were changing and growing. I was so impressed with how much she made me feel for each character in this story. I think this story can also be appreciated by parents and what it means to be one, especially when you're child is on the cusp of adulthood. (Not close to this yet, but it gave me a lot to think about) I think Jean captured the nuances and complexities of all these situations so well without overwhelming the reader, and this is a book that I will be thinking about for a long time. I recommend going in knowing that this is a book about people and their imperfect lives and letting Mika, Penny, Tom and the supporting characters immerse you in their journey.
September 1, 2022
DNF. I gave it a shot, but I just couldn’t get into this book. The premise of a daughter finding her adoptive mother and the mother lying about her life�.it just wasn’t working for me. Others may love it though.
August 29, 2022
Thank you @williammorrowbooks for the gifted copy of #MikaInRealLife .
This new release is a heartwarming story of an adoption reconnection. Exploring motherhood, interracial adoption, identity and past wounds, it had more depth to it than I originally anticipated. I especially connected with the vulnerabilities and challenges of motherhood and found so many touching moments within the story. While I think the romance element could have been left out, I still appreciated Mika and Penny’s journey as mother and daughter and would highly recommend listening to the audiobook narrated by Sura Siu and Andi Arndt.
This new release is a heartwarming story of an adoption reconnection. Exploring motherhood, interracial adoption, identity and past wounds, it had more depth to it than I originally anticipated. I especially connected with the vulnerabilities and challenges of motherhood and found so many touching moments within the story. While I think the romance element could have been left out, I still appreciated Mika and Penny’s journey as mother and daughter and would highly recommend listening to the audiobook narrated by Sura Siu and Andi Arndt.
October 4, 2022
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)
August 6, 2022
This was such an endearing read, and I’m excited to read more by author Emiko Jean.
Mika was such a great character, and I loved tagging along her journey into finding herself and healing from past trauma. The story on Motherhood was so touching, as we see Mika make the difficult decision to put her daughter Penny up for adoption, and later build a relationship with her as a young adult.
I also really enjoyed learning more about Mika’s Japanese heritage and the food descriptions had left me so hungry!
*many thanks to William Morrow for the gifted copy for review
Mika was such a great character, and I loved tagging along her journey into finding herself and healing from past trauma. The story on Motherhood was so touching, as we see Mika make the difficult decision to put her daughter Penny up for adoption, and later build a relationship with her as a young adult.
I also really enjoyed learning more about Mika’s Japanese heritage and the food descriptions had left me so hungry!
*many thanks to William Morrow for the gifted copy for review
January 10, 2023
Endearing, raw, humorous and painful, introspective and messy. Mika in Real life has its flaws (looking at you problematic love interest) but I found myself flying through this one.
Mika in Real Life reminded me a lot of another book I read last year, The Candid Life of Meena Dave. Mika is the darker of the two, but they both play on the same themes of identify and adoption.
3.5 stars (oh how I wish goodreads would let us give half star ratings)
Full RTC.
Mika in Real Life reminded me a lot of another book I read last year, The Candid Life of Meena Dave. Mika is the darker of the two, but they both play on the same themes of identify and adoption.
3.5 stars (oh how I wish goodreads would let us give half star ratings)
Full RTC.
June 29, 2023
Mi-a plăcut neașteptat de mult pentru că este reală, este sensibilă și amuzantă.
Aparent o carte banală care descrie viața Mikăi și relația părinte-copil dar mie mi s-a părut foarte faină și puternică.
E posibil ca relația pe care eu am avut-o cu părinții să influențeze părerea mea dar chiar și așa mi se pare o lectură tare frumoasă.
Aparent o carte banală care descrie viața Mikăi și relația părinte-copil dar mie mi s-a părut foarte faină și puternică.
E posibil ca relația pe care eu am avut-o cu părinții să influențeze părerea mea dar chiar și așa mi se pare o lectură tare frumoasă.
August 5, 2022
Mika in Real Life surprised me, in the best possible way. It's been a while since I read a book about family that just felt so real, and human. Don't let this cute book cover deceive you, because while this book is totally heartwarming, it's also real and covers some heavy topics that made this book really stick.
Mika is a Japanese-American woman in her mid-30s who's life looks nothing like the one she had once imagined. Mike is a a low point when her daughter she had given up for adoption 16 years earlier, reaches out to her, hoping to connect.
In her quest to be a person her daughter Penny is proud of, Mika creates a few white lies which, of course, end up snowballing into something way bigger than she ever imagined. While this storyline seems predictable at first, it ends up being the foundation of a novel that capture the essence of what makes a parent and what makes a life.
Not only is Mika endearing but she's also beautifully flawed. Author Emiko Jean delves into how our own pasts have made us who we are, and how our families expectations have shaped us but also don't make us. The Japanese American immigrant experience was woven in throughout this story so seamlessly and added so much to the storyline. In addition, the side characters are multifaceted and add so much to this brilliant novel.
I can't say enough about this book and I know it will stick with me for a long time. I am so appreciative to publisher William Morrow Books for allowing me to read and review this book and I highly recommend adding to your end of summer reading list.
Mika is a Japanese-American woman in her mid-30s who's life looks nothing like the one she had once imagined. Mike is a a low point when her daughter she had given up for adoption 16 years earlier, reaches out to her, hoping to connect.
In her quest to be a person her daughter Penny is proud of, Mika creates a few white lies which, of course, end up snowballing into something way bigger than she ever imagined. While this storyline seems predictable at first, it ends up being the foundation of a novel that capture the essence of what makes a parent and what makes a life.
Not only is Mika endearing but she's also beautifully flawed. Author Emiko Jean delves into how our own pasts have made us who we are, and how our families expectations have shaped us but also don't make us. The Japanese American immigrant experience was woven in throughout this story so seamlessly and added so much to the storyline. In addition, the side characters are multifaceted and add so much to this brilliant novel.
I can't say enough about this book and I know it will stick with me for a long time. I am so appreciative to publisher William Morrow Books for allowing me to read and review this book and I highly recommend adding to your end of summer reading list.
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