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. 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. She invents a whole new bright and shiny life to share with Penny, one in which she owns her own home, is in a relationship with gorgeous, brilliant Leif, and has just quit her job to open her own gallery. Moving, witty and layered, this delightful book is one that will linger long after turning the final page. Now she has T-minus 10 days to clean her hoarder home, fake get back together with Leif, and somehow pull off a gallery opening.

Mika In Real Life is a poignant and compelling exploration of identity, love, and what it means to be a mother.

Mika in Real Life is all about making deep connections, figuring out one’s identity, and rebuilding one’s life.

With warmth, humor, and heart, Mika in Real Life explores the challenges and complexities of mother-daughter relationships in their many different forms. There are also some instances of alcohol—once by a minor—as well as of language and some mild consensual sexual content. 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. If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend the audio version of this one because the narrator did a fantastic job. 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.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. There’s nothing that I love more than a good redemption story and Mika might just be making my dreams come true! I really enjoyed spending time with Mika- a relatable 30 something who is dissatisfied with where she is in life. Author Emiko Jean, who penned the best-selling YA novels Tokyo Ever After and Tokyo Dreaming , examines the sometimes fraught reality of mother-daughter relationships and how a delightful, lovable character learns to stop running away from the truth about herself.

It is so easy for us to get caught up in where we thought we should be in life and compare ourselves to others and Mika is a great reminder why that isn’t healthy and why we should celebrate what we have rather than chastising ourselves for what we don’t have or didn’t accomplish. KT: ​​Speaking of mothers, I thought one of the most resonant moments of your novel was the line about how mothers often look to their daughters as a do-over opportunity to achieve everything they couldn’t. We equip them with everything we can, but we really don’t know what storms they’re gonna face and what leaks they’re going to spring. The culture and art references were interesting too— freaking super glad at the end, brave Mika you did so well!it explores a lot of real, complex relationships, but its done in a way that gives enough attention to everyone. By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Amidst the backdrop of cherry blossoms, castles, and royal life, she has real-world struggles trying to fit in to two cultures.