Mistakes We Can't Laugh About

THE LOSERS' CLUB SERIES #1

by inksteady

Someday you'll look back on your mistakes and laugh.

To name a few instances, these are those awkward first kisses you shared with your first boyfriend, those failed recitations that your classmates don't seem to forget, and those poor outfit ideas that you once thought were
cute.

lyong mga dating nakakahiya, nakakainis, at masakit para sa 'yo, pagdating ng araw, ngingitian mo na lang. Maybe by then, you'll realize how much time you've invested in being too emotional.

Pero may mga bagay na kahit matagal nang nangyari, hindi natin magawang tawanan.

Siguro dahil nakakahiya pa rin? Siguro dahil nakakainis pa rin? O siguro, dahil masakit pa rin?

For Amari Sloane Mendoza, it's all of the above. Among all the awkward, failed, and poor instances, falling in love with her classmate, Leon Ysmael Zamora, is the only mistake she can't laugh about.

© All Rights Reserved

Genres: Romance

ebook

Published May 3, 2022

About the author

FACTS ABOUT INKSTEADY
📌 "I'm Idy, and I started writing on [Wattpad] on September 9, 2020".
📌 She's born on July 16, 2000.
📌 BS Psychology, Class of 2022
📌 She's from Luzon, in the Philippines
📌 She likes cats.
📌 She has over 600K followers on Wattpad

Reviews

[dianne tris · Rating 5 out of 5]

❝ When the time is right, I'll knock on your door and ask for my place again.
When the time is right, I'll stand in the silence next to you to soothe the pain.
When the time is right, I won't have to hold myself restrained.
When the time is right, you'll still find me waiting for you in the lane.
Sleep now, M.
Until the time is right, my feelings for you will remain. ❞

Wow!

Inksteady did it. AGAIN! Each of her stories is getting better, and she exceptionally executed all the themes of each one... just like this one.

I know that Losers' Club Series centers on found family trope but this book intelligibly carried it out. All the characters played their role very well, may it be the protagonists, antagonists, or supporting characters. The academic rival trope and found family trope were pure *chef's kiss*! She did a job well-done for having to execute those tropes. I appreciate the character development, redemption arc, and the resolution in this book.

Leon Ysmael Zamora is an addition to my favorite tinta boys. Personally, he is my ideal guy; someone who's sensible to talk to, intelligent, and family-oriented. Plus pogi points that he loves to read and loves to go to a bookstore. So does Mari! I can relate to her because most of the time, I'm difficult to handle since I'm moody and I crave academic validation. Hence, I love them.

Anywaaay...

Do you know what I love about Inksteady's stories? The theme for each of her stories! As for this book, the theme was admirably executed. I learned a lot in this book, just like in her previous ones. Inksteady knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats while also, serving them with knowledge (academic or life experience) that readers may or may not take with them (hopefully, the former) once they finished the story. In addition, Idy knows how to drop subtle hints for her plot twists that you won't be able to decipher unless you are very observant.

The book explored the harsh realities of life. I love that poverty is not romanticized in this book. I thought it would be cliché whereas they will be both successful as they grew apart, and what I meant by that is they will be both rich. However, it did not; it consistently stuck with the theme and was still, reality-based. Albeit, Leon was still successful but the social status of being rich will be a long way for him and Mari which is totally okay because that's reality.

What surprised me even more was how Idy managed to put a little Mystery/Thriller genre, which I think she will be able to explore and be adept at if she'll write one someday because honestly? She has the potential! She can write a Psychological-Thriller since she graduated with a Psychology degree.

Most lines and paragraphs struck me to the core. If I were to compare my crying sesh in this book to Idy's other books, I did not cry that much in this but I still cried! One thing that Inksteady was good at, it's the way she knows how to pierce her readers' hearts and make them feel various emotions by writing the most relatable and painstaking moments and experiences that wake up each of our inner child within us.

Overall, Idy never fails to amaze me. How to be a great writer like you po? The consistency of her plot, the little to no typographical errors of each chapter, and how she tackles the theme left me in awe. Grabe ka na, Idy! Pang-international ka!

[e · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is the book of my life!! this is for the difficult girlies, for the misunderstood, for the ones misread bc they look brave and strong. amari, i see u. i get u.

[em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote a review of this book as a part of our requirements in Reading and Writing, and during our recitation, I was asked— if you were given the chance to name the book yourself, would you change its title? If so, what would it be?

I stood there for about a minute, thinking about the highlights of the book, and shook my head.

I wondered about the same thing when the story was still on-going. The blurb states why it's named that way— Amari's biggest mistake was falling in love with Leon, and that's the only mistake of hers she can't laugh about.

But aside from its romantic connotation, I think it can also be correlated with the fact that Amari was a product of a mistake, an affair. In fact, her parents consider Amari a mistake herself. However, the latter chapters of the book showed that Mari was not a mistake they could easily dispose, belittle, and most especially laugh about. I fully believe that it's also one of the reasons why it's named this way.

Losers' Club is definitely one of my favorite series, if not my top one, because I love found-family trope so much! From the first installment, it could be seen how much love and trust the four girls have for one another as they grew up altogether. It was a beautiful thing to read about.

This book, specifically, has a special place in my heart. Hindi ko alam, basta super attached ako kay Mari at Leon. Their love story was definitely a roller-coaster ride, it was unstable, and they went through many push-and-pulls, but personally, I found it beautiful. Na kahit ilang beses kayong mag-away sa umaga, alam mong magkatabi kayong matutulog sa gabi habang nakayakap s'ya sa 'yo. Na kahit gaano kasakit ang mga nararanasan mo, alam mong may taong handang sumalo sa pasan mo.

Leon Ysmael have my whole heart, and he will always be my favorite tinta. His love and respect for his family, for Mari, and his compassion for the people around him was so beautiful. Masyado s'yang perfect, 'di ko kinaya. :(

Amari Sloane is also my favorite tinta girl! Actually, pantay sila ngayon ni Millicent. Aaaa, my babies. She's such a strong, smart woman who never wanted anything but to be seen and nurtured by her parents— yet she also knows how and when to walk away, and it was, again, a beautiful thing. Academically, I'm someone who relates to her a lot. Someone who's willing to sacrifice anything for her studies. At the same time, I wish I was as brave and persevered as she is.

In terms of writing style, Idy is my favorite narrator! S'ya ang literal na “show, don't tell.” She's really good at making you feel what her characters feel, and she doesn't say things directly, she describes them, she lets you ponder over them. Her growth as a writer, from Chasing the Sun, to Words Written in Water, is commendable. I wasn't even that hooked with College Series, but LCS have me in a chokehold.

I really can't wait for Losers' Club to finally have their physical copies, for Katana's story to unfold, and for Psyche's book as well— kung meron man. Currently writing this while WWIW is on-going, which is another favorite of mine!

Future me, reply to this review once;
a. Losers' Club gets published
b. You find your own Mael

:)

[brieeeun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waited for every update of this story and it did not disappoint. I'm not in the best state to give a review because I'm still bawling my eyes out. Yes, that's how good of a story this is.

I don't know how the author did it but I felt every emotion through the narrations, the dialogues, and everything in between. Believe me when I say always get tingly inside (because of anticipation, I suppose). And when it gets too painful, I can hear my heart breaking. One of the best stories inksteady made, indeed. She did not only focus on the romance part of the book. She also covered a lot of events that is currently happening.

Thank you for one hell of a great fucking ride, Zamoras. I will forever love you, Amari and Leon. You shine the brightest together.

Miss Idy, thank you for allowing me to feel again. 💟

[‌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

❪ 4.5 ★ ❫ just got a good hit of marileon cocaine

[Marureviere · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAAAaaAaAAAAaAaaaAAAAaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaa

[Octavia Emmeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had to assign a numerical rating to Mistakes We Can't Laugh About (Loser #2) based purely on its merits as a piece of storytelling—its craft, its emotional impact, its character work, and its execution—I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Let me break that down honestly, because it's a book that does some things exceptionally well and other things that significantly hold it back.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀) - ೃ⁀➷

1. Character Depth and Psychological Realism

This is where the book truly shines. Amari is not a likable protagonist in the traditional sense, and that's a deliberate choice. She's difficult, defensive, self-sabotaging, and often cruel to the people who love her most. But she's also deeply wounded, brilliantly intelligent, and capable of profound growth. The book doesn't shy away from showing her ugliest moments—her jealousy, her competitiveness, her tendency to make Leon the target of her insecurities—and that makes her eventual healing feel earned, even if the romance itself feels forced.

Leon, similarly, is more than just a "perfect boyfriend" archetype. His unwavering patience is shown to have a cost. The book explicitly shows him breaking, admitting exhaustion, and raising a white flag. The epilogue from his perspective reveals the depth of his idealization of Amari, which is both beautiful and slightly troubling—a man who has built his identity around wanting someone who barely noticed him for years. That's complex, interesting character work.

2. Emotional Honesty About Trauma

The book doesn't romanticize trauma or use it as a cheap excuse for bad behavior. Amari's self-harm, her abandonment issues, her toxic relationship with her parents, and her crippling insecurity are all treated with weight and consequence. Her father's "conditions of worth" speech early in the book is genuinely chilling and psychologically astute. The way her need for parental approval warps her entire personality and relationships is depicted with uncomfortable accuracy.

3. The Secondary Characters

Mill, Kat, and Karsen are genuinely wonderful. Their friendship with Amari feels real and earned. Mill's irrational loyalty, Kat's quiet wisdom, Karsen's gentle presence—they provide the emotional grounding that Amari often lacks. Shaira, Zoey, and Meg add necessary levity and perspective. Ms. Lubrica is a lovely mentor figure. Even Psyche, who starts as a convenient antagonist, is given a backstory that reframes her entirely. The secondary cast elevates the book significantly.

4. Thematic Coherence

The ABC model of psychology (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence) is woven throughout the entire narrative with impressive discipline. Every major character arc—Amari's, Leon's, the twins', Psyche's—can be mapped onto this framework. The book asks: How much of our bad behavior is excused by our painful past? And it refuses to give a simple answer. That's genuinely thoughtful writing.

5. The Prose and Pacing

The writing is competent and often affecting. The code-switching between English and Tagalog feels natural and adds authenticity. The pacing in the first half is excellent—the rivalry, the slow burn, the tension. The dialogue crackles during the debate scenes. The treehouse becomes a genuinely resonant symbol of safety, love, and Leon's enduring hope.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀) - ೃ⁀➷

1. The Central Relationship Dynamic

This is the book's biggest flaw. The relationship is fundamentally unbalanced. Leon gives everything; Amari takes, resents, pushes away, and occasionally gives just enough to keep him hooked. The book tries to frame this as "epic love," but it reads more like codependency with prettier packaging.

Leon's famous line—"Nakakapagod ka nang mahalin, Amari"—should be the climax of the story, the moment of painful clarity. Instead, the narrative walks it back, has him "rest" briefly, and then returns him to the same dynamic. The ending asks us to celebrate a relationship where one person spent years depleting the other and the other spent years accepting depletion as love.

2. Amari's "Growth" is Rushed and Convenient

For 90% of the book, Amari's pattern is consistent: she hurts Leon, he forgives her, she feels guilty, and repeats. Then, in the final stretch, we're told she's changed. We're told she's done the work. But the actual transformation happens off-screen, in the gaps between chapters. Her undercover operation against her parents is framed as proof of her love, but it's also conveniently aligned with her own need for justice and closure. The one area where she does show consistent growth—her friendship with Psyche, her professional success—is sidelined in favor of romance.

The book wants us to believe that Amari has finally become the partner Leon deserves, but after 50 chapters of watching her fail at that, a rushed final act doesn't fully convince.

3. The Ending Feels Forced

The ending requires us to forget the years of imbalance, the emotional labor Leon performed, the times Amari wished for his failure, the way she made him feel like his love was a burden. The narrative contorts itself to deliver a happy ending that the genre demands, rather than the one the characters might have actually earned. Leon's epilogue is beautiful prose, but it reads like a man who has lost himself in loving someone, not a man who has found healthy partnership.

4. Pacing Collapses in the Final Third

The first half of the book is tightly plotted. The rivalry, the tension, the slow-burn romance—it all works. But once the breakup happens in Italy, the pacing becomes erratic. The legal thriller elements with Amari's parents feel rushed and underdeveloped compared to the rich emotional detail of the earlier sections. Psyche's backstory, which is genuinely compelling, is introduced and resolved too quickly. The final act tries to juggle too many things—the takedown of the parents, Psyche's coma, Leon's imprisonment, Amari's healing, the reunion—and none of them get the space they deserve.

5. The Book is Too Long

At 50 chapters plus prologue and epilogue, the book could have benefited from significant trimming. The middle sections, particularly during Amari's time in Italy, drag. The same emotional beats—Amari pushing Leon away, Leon pursuing, Amari feeling guilty—repeat multiple times without adding new insight. A more disciplined edit could have preserved the emotional impact while losing the redundancy.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 - ೃ⁀➷

3.5 out of 5 stars feels right to me. Here's why:

It's a 4-star book in terms of ambition, character depth, and thematic coherence. The psychological framework, the exploration of trauma, the complex protagonist—these are all genuinely impressive.

It's a 3-star book in terms of execution, particularly in the relationship dynamics and the rushed final act. The imbalance in the central romance and the convenient resolution hold it back from greatness.

Averaging those out gives me 3.5.

[Yricka Somcio · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the fuck is going on, Inksteady? As if it weren't already high enough, you have raised my bar again further. I literally wouldn't date again until I met my own Leon. Loving a mature, independent, and devoted guy is deep, mature, and brimming with passion. He is so flawless that it ought to be against the law to create men who are this unrealistically perfect. This is ruining my perception of love and I'm not even complaining.Living in a world without men like these is just unfair! Just this kind of love, please. a sensible, conscious, and nourishing love.

The entire narrative is on dealing with family issues, overcoming personal obstacles, and acknowledging and overcoming our inner demons. It's difficult to admit that I resemble Amari so much because of the way she builds her own universe to ensure her happiness and doesn't settle for anything less than she deserves. Her tenacity literally makes me strong, making her my spirit animal. I always adore situations that make me cry, and this duo absolutely destroyed my heart and then put it back together again. Leon was definitely something, and he is the epitome of a fighter.

Inksteady has a special ability to touch my heart, I swear to God. The characters in this novel were endearing, and you'll be fascinated by how they struggled to get their happy ending. The entire concept of the book was brilliant and exquisitely written. That helped me realize that love is really simply about finding the proper moment; if it doesn't, love will return and teach you lessons that only love can. I think it's a gorgeous book from the first page to the very last sentence.

[jai · Rating 3 out of 5]

[3.5★]

i would have given this a 4 or 4.5 ★ but then, there's so many conflicts in the story to the point that it felt so draggy and it's so exhausting to read. but it was a great story and well written.

[rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

❝ When the time is right, I'll knock on your door and ask for my place again.
When the time is right, I'll stand in the silence next to you to soothe the pain.
When the time is right, I won't have to hold myself restrained.
When the time is right, you'll still find me waiting for you in the lane.
Sleep now, M.
Until the time is right, my feelings for you will remain. ❞

Wow!

Inksteady did it. AGAIN! Each of her stories is getting better, and she exceptionally executed all the themes of each one... just like this one.

I know that Losers' Club Series centers on found family trope but this book intelligibly carried it out. All the characters played their role very well, may it be the protagonists, antagonists, or supporting characters. The academic rival trope and found family trope were pure *chef's kiss*! She did a job well-done for having to execute those tropes. I appreciate the character development, redemption arc, and the resolution in this book.

Leon Ysmael Zamora is an addition to my favorite tinta boys. Personally, he is my ideal guy; someone who's sensible to talk to, intelligent, and family-oriented. Plus pogi points that he loves to read and loves to go to a bookstore. So does Mari! I can relate to her because most of the time, I'm difficult to handle since I'm moody and I crave academic validation. Hence, I love them.

Anywaaay...

Do you know what I love about Inksteady's stories? The theme for each of her stories! As for this book, the theme was admirably executed. I learned a lot in this book, just like in her previous ones. Inksteady knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats while also, serving them with knowledge (academic or life experience) that readers may or may not take with them (hopefully, the former) once they finished the story. In addition, Idy knows how to drop subtle hints for her plot twists that you won't be able to decipher unless you are very observant.

the book explored the harsh realities of life. i love that poverty is not romanticized in this book. i thought it would be cliché whereas they will be both successful as they grew apart, and what i meant by that is they will be both rich. however, it did not; it consistently stuck with the theme and was still, reality-based. albeit, leon was still successful but the social status of being rich will be a long way for him and Mari which is totally okay because that's reality.

what surprised me even more was how idy managed to put a little mystery/thriller genre, which i think she will be able to explore and be adept at if she'll write one someday because honestly? she has the potential! she can write a psychological-thriller since she graduated with a psychology degree.

most lines and paragraphs struck me to the core. if i were to compare my crying sesh in this book to idy's other books, i did not cry that much in this but i still cried! one thing that inksteady was good at, it's the way she knows how to pierce her readers' hearts and make them feel various emotions by writing the most relatable and painstaking moments and experiences that wake up each of our inner child within us.

overall, idy never fails to amaze me. how to be a great writer like you po? the consistency of her plot, the little to no typographical errors of each chapter, and how she tackles the theme left me in awe. grabe ka na, idy! pang-international ka!

[Alvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their story was long overdue. It should've ended at chapter 30, kayang kaya isiksik sa 11 chapters lahat ng nangyari after graduation with some necessary emission of scenes because a lot of them are unnecessary. Their relationship is a constant push and pull, both want the other one to live a better life without them, knowing so well that their lives will be easier if they're together. I tried so hard to understand them—especially Amari dahil POV niya 'to, but sometimes I can't really understand her behavior. Totoong nakakasawa ma witness yung tug of war na atake nilang dalawa, skip skip na nga lang ako chapters 40 to 48 something kasi pati ako na d-drain na sakanila. Purgang purga na 'ko sa meaningful glances they both throw at each other from time to time tapos hindi naman nag a-act on it. Their story lasted more than a decade! Ang tanda tanda na nila pero palagi parin silang may issue ng selosan, ewan ko ba but hindi na siya nag w-work for me sa latter chapters kasi ang immature. Although ina-admit naman yun minsan sa story, I can't help but be annoyed. Isa pa, sobrang daming tiniis ni Leon for Amari kahit pinagtutulakan na siya minsan ng babae, pero isang beses lang na sinabi ni Leon na napapagod na siya ay hinold niya na yun against him for a long time kahit halata namang gusto siyang balikan ni Leon nung busy siya finding dirt sa tatay niya. Pero kahit ganiyan ay give ko parin sakaniya 'yang 4 stars kasi I really loved their story before graduation, it made me feel all the feelings I wanted to feel.

[rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

"love is patient. love is kind."

that perfectly captures the love leon has, not only for amari, but for everyone he loved and cherished.

when my friends eagerly gushed about leon, i was hyped as to what this leon could offer. with that hype comes the worry that maybe i'll find this book underwhelming, contrary to how they felt while reading. that maybe this was not my cup of tea, or it was just overhyped. but i was wrong.

gets ko na so much pagkahibang nila kay leon. 😩 if alipin by shamrock was a person, it is leon. i would do anything just to be loved by someone like him. the kind of love that supports you through ups and downs. the kind that challenges you to do better. the kind that patiently waits for you when things get messy.

leon is not the only good thing about this book. i'm so used to having books with a character na well-off while the other one is not so fortunate, that having two characters having the same struggles was a new experience to me. i was hurt for amari and the endless obstacles she had to face. the struggle of getting her basic needs, the need to be at the top, the validation she wanted from her father, the desire to even have a chance to have her own family, kahit acknowledgment lang.. my amari :( leon and amari are so real, that even if i want to be mad at their choices, i can never, because at the end of the day, they're just trying to survive.

this book is definitely not a mistake. :)

[ash Irish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet again, another masterpiece from Inksteady. Nothing could have ever prepared me for MWCLA. The story captivated me as a big fan of academic rivalries but for the six months that I've waited for this, I never got to a point where I was bored. She truly knows how to make her readers engaged with the words she writes.

The twists and turns in MWCLA were truly unexpected and I'm glad that miss Idy was able to write something this complicated without risking the characters, plot, and everything that binds the book in general.

Maybe the latter part of the book would have been better if all the ends were closed. But then again, I love how this book tackled a lot of common societal topics from another view. You have a bright future ahead of you, miss Idy! Love your work so much.

[4bgl · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have set my standards high once because of kalix from u series, and when i met leon fucking zamora, i knew it changed. i cannot explain how good and well written this is. its beyond words. the plot, revelation, characters, ALL OF IT IS SO GOOD TO THE POINT I PITTED MYSELF FOR NOT BEING SMART AS THEM HAHAHAHHAH. also my first time academic rival tropes. this book became half of me. i had a hard time finishing it cause obviously i dont want it to end. a book ill definitely read over and over again. i know im not straight, but bosit sarap maging straight pag isang leon ang hinarap saakin. the way he always have a soft spot for her in him is something else lalo na at first love niya si amari. huhu i want a physical copy ☹️☹️

nabalik bigla ang pagiging reader ko dahil dito huhu

[shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ MISS INKSTEADY !!! I DEVOURED THIS BOOK. truly one of the most brilliant filipino authors out there. her books are always so so so good written but THIS one just hits different for some reason 😩

apparently, it’s a found family trope BUT it’s also academic rivals to lovers (never a fan but ohmygod) miss inksteady just raised the standards. AGAIN.

i freaking love the characters in this book, especially amari, our academic burnout girlie, i love you so much. you deserve the whole world. and of course, leon ysmael freaking zamora !!! he’s got to be the most green flag male character out there and i’m glad i met him in this lifetime.

inksteady may never know this but because of her characters and inksteady herself, i fell in love with psychology- and i wouldn’t have it any other way.

[shamsa :3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story is a masterpiece. ang daming factors ng stories na to which really piqued me until the end. amari was so complex which I really loved because realistic yung character niya. the story has so much happenings.. like leon and amari were in a relationship, broke up, amari went back to the ph, leon tried to win her back, they were on and off and next thing I knew, the story turned into a thriller WHICH WAS TRANSITIONED SO GOOD!! it was really a refreshing read because the plot was so good ;>> hindi lang siya puro romance which was new to me. YOU GUYS SHOULD READ THISSSS!! and leon is so attractive lol

[Moonchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the wattpad books I have read, inksteady's books are the one I love. The composition of the book, it is well written an well versed. The plot twists - muy bien 🤌🏼

FOR THE DEEP FEELERS ONLY. (not the typical cliche, all easygoing stories) You have a lot of takeaways from each book. For me it made me aware of different mental health issues or disorders and I can't wait to reread all of the books once I have the physical of the book.

Cheers inksteady!
Ease your mind and you take a lot of rest.
We will wait your beautiful mind.

[soleilreads (on reading slump) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know, but reading The Losers series makes me feel so proud of our girls — Karsen, Mari, and Mili, Kath. They've been through so much. I love how Inksteady highlights the realities of people's lives and narrates everything so well. As a psychology student, I appreciate how deeply I can feel everything in her work. She's an amazing writer, and I'll keep rooting for you, Inksteady.

I'm currently reading the last book of The Losers series. Hoping we get to read Kath's story too — but if not, that's okay! I'm looking forward to your next book, Mx. Idy!

[saegarettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

fav couple sa buong lcs! sobrang nakakarelate ako kay amari :) i'm also so insecure to the point na pati sa partner ko, naiinsecure ako hahahaha. grabe si leon no? di ka ba talaga totoo, lods hahaha awit. pero sa totoo lang, nakakapagod din tlaga yung ganung ugali (kay amari). para kang naglalakad sa eggshells haha. anw, ang fucked up ng breakup nila! hated that part pero at least naggrow sila individually na eventually naglead din sa pagbabalikan nila ^_^ THE GRADUATION SPEECH THO.. i fear na 'i do' na agad isasagot ko after nun HAHAHAHAH POKPOK

[Yochabel Mica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story, not focus on bed scene more on what they experience, I feel bad for Amari and how his dad treat her, the way she do everything para madawat siya sa iyang papa but end up stand up and do what she need to do... Both matalino. I felt more bad for what Leon's Family went through, I felt so sad the way Leon's Mom died. and I could say mas gusto at mas naiyak ako sa POV ni Leon. And I'm so happy that sa kataas sa panahon sila gihapon and they get married sa Davao sa lugar kung asa na fall si Amari kang Leon.

[aye · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star para sa Academic Rivals Trope!!

Wala akong masabi kasi all throughout the story, roller coaster ang emosyon ko. Tatawa tapos biglang iiyak. Deserve ng hell ng mga magulang na laging namemressure! Kayo nalang kaya mag-aral 'no?? Anyway, I love how slow burn this is. Like iyong kilig whenever they do the smallest things a couple do, para akong binudburan ng asin. Special mention sa last chapters, slow burn ang pagbabalikan but the tension 🔛🔝.

[Ragean Francisco · Rating 4 out of 5]

inksteady has her certain type of way with words— how she narrates through her characters' voices and the way the story progresses and transitions, that just gets me.

4 stars because after Amari got the justice that she wanted and after she and Leon got back together, I already lost interest as I felt like the main characters getting back together was long overdue already. also, this book did not make me cry my eyes out... and I feel like if it did, I would've given it 5 stars.

[Sol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leon really set my standards so high. Also Amari. Like, just imagine their relationship?? Ang dami nilang napagdaanan pero nakayanan nila. Ang ganda nung book. Mahaba rin siya pero sulit yung oras at pawis mo. Kasi ang daming lessons about life, psychology, love, relationship, family, friendship, and other things. Kaya I love ate Idy rin.

Love ko sila, super :(

[Ssyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will always be my comfort story. And if this wouldn't be, I'm sure it's another book of inksteady, one of my fave Filipino author. I am planning to take BS Pscyhology for my college degree even before reading this. And now, that I've read this novel for the nth time, I hope I'll meet my Leon Ysmael in college. Hoping.

[bluebbries · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAVORITEEE !!!!! 😭😭😭💞💞💞 actually, five stars isn't enough to rate this; this book deserves a hundred-star rating 💯💯⭐️⭐️

i love you, Amari Sloane and Leon Ysmael !! i hope to find and experience the kind of love you both have for each other 💌

to Inksteady, thank you for writing this !! you're the best. 🫶🏻

[Aiah Pachico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally, I think Leon is the best written male lead character in Wattpad. He loves Mari so much but not to the point that he's flawless, which gave the book a realistic touch and enough to yearn for someone like him in real life. The academic rivals to lovers trope is also chef's kiss 🤌🏼✨, so well-developed.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inksteady is that author. Heartwarming and gut-wrenching at the same time. Re-reading this as a former gifted child but burned out now hits a lot more real :) because I read this when I couldn't even care about failing because I knew I would do well. It's just a lot more different now. College things <33

[ca daygon · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 her best book thus far (from what i’ve read from her) amarileon really stuck with me and i dont even want to leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! def one of the best books i read this year what a fucking rollercoaster of emotions TEW GEWDDDDDDDD GOOD LORD PLS INJECT THIS BOOK TO MY VEINS I LOVE LOVE LOVE MY AMARILEON

[kia · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT! It was a rollercoaster of sadness, happiness, longing and everything in between!! Lahat!! naibigay lahat ng author and she did it perfectly all the damn time! I felt every emotion wanted to be given!!!!!! ANO BA YAN!! ASAN NA LEON NG BUHAY KO 😭

[amarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a masterpiece. idy’s brain >>>

anw hahaha this book is just SO GOOD that i waited for her to update i think 2x a week (mind u i always make sure that the book is finished bef i start reading it) i was so hooked! not the cliche kilig romance typa book. I love this one so much hehe leon best boi