This book was published ten years ago. I think I remember reading it on Wattpad when I was in junior high school. It’s been such a long time, yet Inggrid remains one of those unforgettable writers who always leaves me breathless.
“Do not support teen pregnancy, but support teen parents.” It means we shouldn’t encourage teens to get pregnant—but if it already happens, we must make sure they’re okay, too. That sentence hit me differently now that I’m older.
The story begins when Raskal realizes he’s in love with Joana, his childhood friend. But when he finds out Joana is dating someone else, jealousy consumes him. One night, drunk and broken, Raskal crosses a line that changes everything. Joana, thinking she’s helping him, drives him home—only to end up with a nightmare she’ll never forget.
Weeks later, Joana discovers she’s pregnant. Her parents shut down everything and force her to move in with Raskal. And that’s when the real story begins.
Oh my, even now I still get emotional. What Raskal did can never be justified—but as someone who grew up with no one by his side, he desperately clings to the only person he loves. He wants Joana to stay, never knowing she actually liked him since they were twelve. And Joana… poor Joana, who once believed Raskal would always be her safe place, only to realize he’s the one who broke it.
This isn’t an easy story. It’s not butterflies-in-your-stomach romance—it’s heartbreak, trauma, and forgiveness tangled together. My heart kept sinking page after page. Raskal tries his best—he knows Joana hates him, yet he works several jobs after school to make sure she’s comfortable.
I still remember one of my favorite scenes: when Raskal falls sick and Joana finally lets her guard down to take care of him. She asks why he’s always home so late, even on weekends, and that’s when he confesses—he’s working as a graphic designer, at a gas station, and wherever he can. That scene... it’s the moment I realized how hard he’s trying, and how much Joana starts to see it too. She cooks for him, takes care of herself and the baby, and for a second, I thought—is this their happy ending?
Well... not yet. And I won’t spoil it here, ha!
What I truly love about Inggrid is her ability to turn a cliché theme into something deeply human. She makes you feel every ounce of confusion, pain, love, and responsibility. It feels so real—well not gonna mention with the “bad boy, gang leader” trope. Both Joana and Raskal never wanted this to happen, and yet they face it head-on. The problems are messy and complicated, but nothing is left hanging. Every emotion finds its place.
If I have to be honest, the only part I didn’t enjoy was the side story of Gavin and Shinta. I just couldn’t connect with them, and reading their parts felt like a chore. But well, that’s just me.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s painful, honest, and beautifully written—a story that still hits me, even after all these years.