Representation: Biracial main character
Trigger warnings: Alcohol consumption, childbirth

5/10, this was a terrible UK young adult novel and if it wasn't for the ending I would have lowered this book's rating to two stars. Audrey and Grace were interesting characters since they were dealing with struggles behind their façade of perfection but they were relegated to the background most of the time which was a real missed opportunity. I would've liked to see more of those characters. Mia was rather insufferable and I had so many words to describe her but anyways she smoked cigarettes and got drunk at 16; I think she took that self-destructive path to develop her character eventually. Mia, Audrey and Grace were distant from one another until the end which irritated me but that's the point which didn't help that it was tedious with good moments interspersed.

I don't understand how Audrey and Grace were perfect since Grace just wanted to go to university to pursue her career that I forgot and Audrey was an Olympic level swimmer but then she stopped following her career and escaped to who knows where; by the way Mia does whatever other than a scolding from her parents and house arrest she gets away with it which doesn't seem like a fitting consequence for her. The sisters got together in the end and Mia experienced character development but I would've enjoyed it more if the book was improved upon; if you like books about relationships try this however there are better ones you can pick up. ( )

realistic teen fiction (narrated by a 16y.o. party girl in Britain, who happens to be part of an unmarried mixed race family with an incidentally gay friend). I was trying hard to like Mia (I love that the cover actually depicts her face and hair and not a silhouette, or just her hands, or some other thing that publishers usually do to non-white MCs), but by the end of chapter 24 she had done very little to redeem herself. Yes, she's the seemingly marginalized middle child outshone by her two sisters' obvious talents, and yes, we all have self-esteem issues that make us do things we regret, but I found her impulsive self-destructive behavior very difficult to relate to (and hard to like, when she's not even that nice to her friends). I felt that the sweet moments she shared with her younger sister Audrey and the bonding and eventual growth from her friendship with her older sister's boyfriend (and the impending train wreck that would surely come along before Mia gets a grip on herself) were not enough for this far in the book to keep me reading.
And also, Mia and Stella really need to be watching their drinks closely (from the moment the bartender mixes them through consumption) rather than letting those guys at the club buy them and bring them to them. I get that the sheer amount of drinking Mia does provides serious consequences, but teens and ladies IRL for sure need to be aware that date rape drugs are all too easy to get and a very real danger.

I would still recommend this book to others (esp. if they seemed like someone who would relate more to Mia) but would keep in mind that this book is pretty LONG compared to other teen fic fare (though might be riveting to a teen who was contemplating similar behaviors). Parental note: you probably aren't going to like this if you are asking, but there is a lot of drinking, a small amount of smoking (characters are trying to quit), and sex is overheard / mentioned (though Mia herself only gets as far as kissing in the first half of the book, she has had sex before and her older sister is pregnant at 19 y.o., but there are also clear consequences for most of these actions). ( )

All About Mia felt incredibly slow, but I liked the insight into Mia's unappreciated, middle child's feelings. I didn't like Mia but her insecurity about the future and living up to her sister(s) is definitely relatable. She is rather self-destructive and when she's not consumed with herself, she can be alright. Her friends seemed to put up with her for some reason. Also, it's really cute how much Mia's parents love each other.

Let me add with the way Mia (illegally) drank so much alcohol, she needed to be in A.A pronto. ( )

Literary Merit: Okay
Characterization: Lacking
Recommended: No
Level: Gr. 9-12

Mia is the middle child, sandwiched between an impeccable older sister and Olympic-bound swimming younger sister. All Mia is good at is partying and having a good time, and is hyper-aware of her shortcomings when compared to her siblings. Until one day her older sister comes home from a trip abroad toting her new boyfriend and an unexpected pregnancy. Instead of disappointment, Mia's parents are overjoyed, leaving Mia to feel even more despaired.

Throughout the book, Mia continually acts out, getting wasted and creating embarrassing and dangerous situations. She's a train wreck for the vast majority of the book. Then, in the last 40 pages, Mia helps in her sister's delivery and is suddenly changed. She sees the error of her ways and vows to change. This change of heart is too little too late and feels unrealistic, to say the least. There is nothing profound or moving in this piece. Not recommended. ( )