An Unexpected Adoption

Although I knew of Mui Thomas through social media, I was not familiar with how she came to be adopted and the many, many struggles her parents went through to make it happen. The book captures the years-long process of adoption, revealing the many obstacles the family faced—from legal and bureaucratic hurdles to emotional and social trials.

The family's honest portrayal of their struggles and unwavering commitment paints a powerful picture of parental devotion. Beyond the adoption story, Tina openly shares her own childhood story. The courage and strength they show are such an inspiration. I couldn't put the book down, as I followed their story. I have nothing but admiration for the Thomas family and am grateful that they decided to share their story with us!

I know Mui personally, so I've always been impressed by her sense of humor, resilience, and kindness. Once, when I had a frustrating flare-up of eczema, I told her it gave me the tiniest glimpse of what she goes through every day being born with Harlequin Ichthyosis. She didn't brush it off—she was genuinely sorry that I had eczema and even offered me a cleansing glove that would be useful. That's just who she is: an adorable, kind, and funny friend who is strong inside and out.

When I learned that her mother, Tina, had written a book, I had to read it. I wanted to understand where those incredible qualities in Mui come from and how she turned out to be the person I'm lucky to know.

I'm so glad I did. Tina recites their experience so vividly that you can feel exactly what she feels on every single page. It was deeply engaging to get a glimpse behind the scenes of Mui's life—not just the public struggles and triumphs, but the private moments of love, fear, obstacles, and fierce determination that shaped her. The book doesn't shy away from the crushing toll that bullying, discrimination, and invisible illnesses take on a family's mental health—while also showing how unconditional support and open conversations can become a lifeline.

Now I see even more clearly where Mui's strength and warmth were nurtured. This memoir is raw, honest, and absolutely beautiful. Reading it gave me a new perspective on how to better support my own mental health and that of the people I love. If you want to understand the power of a mother's love and the resilience of an extraordinary young woman—and how you can better support yours and loved ones' mental health—read this book.