Loving the Sky

College Series #3

by inksteady

He's my sky. The one who witnessed my sunshines, dark clouds, and hurricanes.

And now, even if he's happy without me, even if he no longer needs me, even if he isn't mine, he's still my sky.

I can love him even from afar.

Genres: Romance

Unknown Binding

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

[Kace | The Booknerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars!

This is the last book in the series. I liked the previous two books in the series. However, I admit that this one has been my favorite thus far. This does not only discusses teenage pregnancy, but it touches on sensitive topics such as abortion, post-partum depression, violence, and last but not least, the value of learning to take responsibility for your own actions.

There were times, plenty of times actually, that I was kind of disappointed with Deborah because of her abortion, her - blackmailing Rouge, and even threatening him about Sol's scholarship. Girl, stop! Regarding her abortion, I understand her reason for doing that; it is her body; her choice, and obviously was not yet ready to have a child. But the fact that she lied to Rouge and didn't have the decency to inform him. I'm not okay with that. Remember, it takes two to tango. Thank god, she got major character development! I loved that we got a good picture of what was going through Deborah's head before, during, and after her second pregnancy, her being a single parent, and far from her family. Deborah's transformation from the beginning to the end of the book is heartfelt and moving.

This is a very thought-provoking read! I enjoyed the author's writing style here, the character development, and how she presented LOVING THE SKY.

[Marureviere · Rating 4 out of 5]

*spoilers ahead*

This series is quite angsty and heavy on the feels, especially the second one. I actually stalled from reading this because I thought that it'd be heavier than book two but thankfully, it wasn't. It was feelsy, but I didn't really cry.

Anyway, the three books in this series tackled an array of mental health issues and brought forth + highlighted their importance, but this novel in particular is probably the one that I like the most since I feel like this was plotted and executed better. There were still some loose ends, but most are tied up nicely. And I also appreciated the author's message on her A/N.


As for the story, we were introduced into two perspectives here, and both viewpoints are valid and understandable. Here we have Deborah, the female protagonist that underwent an abortion, and I can 100% understand her perspective as she was still young and was not ready yet to have a child. She was, after all, still just a kid herself. Also, her body, her decision and I respect that. I personally am pro-choice.

We also have Rouge, her love interest, that despised her because of her decision, much more so because she didn't tell him. He wanted that child; he deemed that he was ready to have a family with Deborah. That, also, is valid. In fact, all their pain, anger, frustrations, and fears are all valid.

They made mistakes, and honestly, at that point in their past, they weren't really ready for the responsibility yet, especially since they had different mindsets and dreams then, so I felt like their relationship would've even crumbled even without the abortion. It wouldn't've worked out in the end. Nonetheless, having said that, we'd never really know how they'd have ended up if they communicated more. If they made the same decisions. If they consulted their families. If Deb didn't do what she did. All I know is that I can't really fault her for it.

But those aside, what I like about this the most is probably the consequential redemption for both of them. They have caused each other a lot of heart aches, a lot of agony, a lot of grief. But they healed together, they forgave, they learned, they were able to get through them together. They made peace with themselves. They were able to dream again, and this time, they shared the same one: to be with each other because they're each other's dreams. To raise their daughter together and to build a big and loving family. And I, being a hopeless romantic that I am, found that endearing.

[Dokushoka Ai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best installment in the College series for me. I definitely learned a lot in life from this book. I love Rouge so much! Overall it's five stars for me! Love this book so much, highly recommended!! 🫶🏻

[anri · Rating 5 out of 5]

10000/10 YALL YOU SHOULD READ THIS !! FUN FACT: I ALREADY KNEW THAT I WOULD LIKE THIS BOOK BC OF ROUGE HARVIN AAAAA HE SO HOT 🥵🥵🥵

[Yricka Somcio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review and rating are a little biased because I adore Harvin from the first installment, but this book made me fall even more in love with him and his personality. It's a brilliant and painful book, and I think this plotline was my favorite. I like how the author approaches this one, how she isn't afraid to write about widely debated and extremely heavy topics that may be argued by a few. I admire how brave she is in writing this one. it allows her views heard and recognized. You can tell I'm now a huge fan of @inskteady(ㆁωㆁ)

It wasn't easy for Reese and Rouge to fall in love. There were many miscommunications, misunderstandings, and other obstacles to their romance, but I never doubted their love for each other. I was occasionally irritated by how both characters were difficult to read and didn't do what I wanted them to do, but that just incorporates to the thrill. I enjoyed the reading journey, the way the plot was introduced, and the communications surrounding and supporting the plot. It is both informative and significant.

Growing up surrounded by women, I appreciate how this book addresses abortion and having a say over your own body. It gives me such a sense of empowerment and a chance to remember that I have a choice and that I should never be judged based on that. This book has become even more important in light of the fact that other women around the world are losing their rights to their own bodies. It's reassuring, impactful, and empowering.

It's about so much more than romance. I wish you could all read this book because it is now one of my favorites. I looooove Alya, and she deserves a family who loves her. I relish this book and the lessons it teaches. I was giggling, smiling, crying, irritated, hurt, annoyed, and in love throughout the whole story. This book is the whole package, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

[booknerdmechi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Save the best for the last.

Compared to the other two books in the series, I think this one's lighter, I didn't cry but I really love the topics tackled- teen pregnancy and abortion and how the author managed to show us their pros and cons through the perspectives of Deborah and Rouge.

I also think that this book is better constructed than the other books in the series, be it in terms of story line and transitions (which, if you're following my reviews, are my main critique in book 1 and 2). The twists are unpredictable! Though there are still loose ends and parts that I wish is more tackled but I don't think it did harm to the overall story.

If there's something that left a mark on me, it will be Deborah's views in life and her character development. How she faced the responsibilities of parenthood and her views teenage pregnancy is well tackled in the story and is something to look forward to.

Also, I like to commend the author for perfectly writing the symptoms of mental disorders, not just in this book but in the whole series. I'm actually handling real life cases of the mental disorders mentioned in this series and what I've noticed is that every signs and symptoms is similar to real life cases, perfectly executed. I know that it comes with the author's background in school (she's a psychology major).

Now that I've finished all the books in the series, I think it is safe to say that Loving The Sky is my favorite! I am looking forward to more stories from inksteady.

[charleyyy · Rating 2 out of 5]

i fr don’t remember anything about this book aside from the heavy topics. anyhow i do remember the secondhand embarrassment i got from the girls actions. looking back i hated the way she approached the guy like HE DESERVED WAY WAY WAY BETTER THAN HER. and i get it she went through her fair share of bs but idc girl she’s a frustrating character to deal with.

[Kace Jia · Rating 2 out of 5]

could've been 3 stars if hindi sila endgame 🤷‍♀️ hate harv though i just really hate all the boys in inksteady's stories (except for calix)

[Samantha C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading the last book of the college series', Loving the Sky. It was a nice read just like the first two books. But I'll probably just give this one 4stars.

It's not that I don't like it, I just can't help but compare it to the two other books, and there's also a factor that I pretty much connected well with Sol, and Chin.

It's like reading my own biography by reading their stories, it felt like I was really the one inside that book -- the poverty, the sacrifices, the traumas, the suicidal thoughts and indications, the toxicity of their family, the everything -- it was just perfect.

++ Maybe because I got used to ate Idy's writing style that the last book got predictable for me and less thrilling. So I can't help but to compare CTS and TTW to LTS, but still this is such a great book that also warmed my heart.

Overall, the College Series deserves a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Really got me entertained while on a vacation and got me thinking about the characters 24/7. Realized ✨SO MUCH✨ while reading and gave me a new reason to live and continue on with life. (Began being suicidal lately and I'm not proud of it).

It's like in God's plan for me to read this to show that everything takes time and I still need to wait and hold on a little longer for everything to be alright. This really really touched my heart till it reached its roots. This series literally saved me, who knows, maybe one day I'll call Him and pray all may sorrows and battles again.

Finished the series but still looking forward to read her other works. Esp my most fave bestie, Vina.

[SG · Rating 1 out of 5]

there are some who glorified what this girl did, saying "her body, her choice". Well... Yeah. That's right. but it's also a choice not to have unprotected, pre-marital s*ex and facing the consequences later on. hindi rin naman hiniling nung bata na gawin sya overnight ng magulang nya. Yeah, yeah. Katawan nya yan, walang dapat magdikta sa kanya. que anong gawin nya, go lang. walang dapat pumalag dahil katawan nya naman yan.

nauunawaan ko ang sentiments ng mga babae sa ganyang sitwayson, lalo na yung mga biktima ng abuse. hindi nila ginusto, pinilit sila at tinakot. kaya valid yung gumawa ng ganung bagay lalo na kung ipapa-alala lang nung bata ang kahayupang ginawa sa kanya.


but it's different with this lead female character. for a fact that she wasn't forced. their intercourse was consensual. alam naman pala nya na may pangarap pa sya, so why have s*ex without protection? mura lang naman siguro yung cond*m, hindi ba?

and to those who'll be antagonizing this review, kesyo bawal raw diumano na bumili ng cond*m ang minors, well---yeah. Just like na bawal din dapat silang gumawa ng bagay na ginagawa lang ng legal na mag-asawa or ng adults. I'm sure these two characters know but they still do it, anyway. so what's the difference? None. they just want to do the thing, but doesn't want to face the effect of it afterwards.

anyway, I don't wanna elaborate. baka dumogin pa ko ng fans ng author nito. hehe 😁

[rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

i disliked the main characters so much that i can't even root for them even with their character development, especially rouge.

the moment reese blackmailed rouge to be her model, she lost me. hindi naman nagkulang sa disclaimer that college series' characters will be flawed, but among all books in the installment, i liked reese the least. however, when it was revealed that the reason rouge hated her so much is because she chose to get an abortion, all my dislike went to rouge.

men will never know burden women get when they get pregnant, especially when it's not even planned. kahit pa sabihin na blessing ang isang anak, raising a child is something that changes a woman. nakakainis na valid ang reasons ni reese for the abortion, especially that they're both minors, but all rouge could think about is how he wanted that family with reese. it just reeks of male privilege: hindi naman ang buhay niya ang hihinto kasi nagpapalaki ng tao sa tiyan niya for 9 months.

after that reveal, no yearning could make me root for rouge. i cannot stand a man like him. it ends all well, them finally having their happy family. mabuti na rin 'yun especially kay alya, but i don't really get rouge's appeal.

i am also not a fan of the twists on why they had to break up. it felt like a plot twist of a filipino teleserye which i don't like.

loving the sky is my least liked book from the series.

[Lilsiszie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loving the Sky (College Series #3) by Inksteady (⭐⭐⭐.75/5)

"I didn't expect Deborah to have a life-changing experience because of Harvin."

The last book in the series—and honestly, I'm torn. LTS could’ve been my favorite, but I just couldn’t fully give in, and here’s why.

I admired Harvin in Chasing the Sun because of how genuinely he loved Solene. But reading the backstory behind everything made me lessen the admiration I had for both Harvin and Deborah. I honestly didn’t like how Deborah resorted to blackmail just to win Harvin’s attention back. And considering what she did in the past, it only made Rouge’s hatred toward her feel even more justified. I don't want to give spoilers but it tackles about teenage pregnancy, depression, and violence.

This book is filled with another round of miscommunication and misunderstandings, leading to a major turn of events I did not see coming. It made me love the plot even more—but also made me like the characters a little less.

I admittedly shed tears, but it was all too much to handle at times.

Still, until the very end, I held on for the conclusion and the character development—and the author did not disappoint.

[AA Gemini · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ate Idy is a great author. Ayoko lang ng mga pinupush pang end game ‘yong mga male leads. Lahat ng male leads dito sa College Series hindi deserving na end game. Isa sa nakakadisappoint kay Harvin ‘yong biglang pagbaluktot nya ng mga sinabi nya about kay Sol kay Reese nong sinusuyo na nya si Reese. Like kaya sya pumayag maging model ni Reese dahil gusto nya makasama ‘to, na hindi dahil sa ipapastop ang scholarship ni Sol. Tsk. ‘Yong blinackmail nga s’ya na ileleak ‘yong s ex tape nila hindi pa din s’ya pumayag pero nong si Sol na usapan pumayag s’ya. Pinipilit pa ng fans na di daw nagkagusto kasi daw base sa POV ni Harvin. POV na confusing din. LOL. Never nga sya nagkagusto sa kahit sinong babae sabi nya pero nong nakilala nya si Sol ineffortan nya din. I mean, ok lang naman ‘yon kasi break sila ni Reese non e. He has all the right pero ‘yong parang palabasin na di sya nagkagusto or sinabi nya lang na gusto nya si Sol para saktan si Reese is kinda off. Same din sila halos ni Duke e. Yong biglang papalabasin na yong female leads lang talaga minahal nila at wala lang yong iba just to be valid.

Hunter is way better to end up with.

[Ragean Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't able to count how often my heart hurt in this book. I'm not going through what Reese had experienced but I was able to sympathize and empathize with her because her emotions were raw and authentic. I loved the "Flipped"-like trope— at first, Reese was the one who kept on chasing Rouge, and then eventually, Rouge became the one who kept on chasing Reese. this book has been on my Wattpad library for months and I left it on chap 10 (I think?) and decided to continue two days ago when I felt bored, and after that, I couldn't stop reading it... even if I had so many schoolworks to do! I highly recommend this because it really tackles an important social issue, and of course, who wouldn't recommend a book that got his heart in pain almost every chapter? (good cry = good book!)

[Cosmo Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, but it just didn't click for me. The premise had potential, but the pacing dragged and I often found myself struggling to stay engaged.

On top of that, the relationships leaned too toxic for my taste, which made it hard for me to root for the characters. Some of the FMC's choices also frustrated me, and I couldn't fully connect with how her situation was portrayed.

That said, I'll give credit where it's due, the character development was solid. I could see how the characters grew over time, and I understand why this story spoke to other readers.

It definitely had some eye-opening elements and sparked conversations. But personally, I was hoping for something more heartfelt and less draining, and in the end, it just wasn't the right read for me.

[janabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been kind of a hard read for me. First, I thought I would understand both of their sides. But, I only understood Debs'. Maybe it was only a matter of preference or personal belief but i didn't really like how Harvin continuously blamed Debs for aborting their child, when it's her body and her choice! They're both also still a minor, and so even though abortion do provide risks, it is still a better option than carrying a child you don't want in this world, jeopardizing your studies, and even letting go of your dream. I'm glad Harvin managed to mature and understand Debs' decisions by the end of the book.

[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.

[aye · Rating 3 out of 5]

My second favorite from the series.

Walang kupas ang galing ni author. Love how this story become an eye opener to everyone. It tackles different psychological issues and 'yong way of writing ni ate Idy, pinakita niya kung paano nga ba nangyayari ang mga 'yon at the same time the solution. Dumagdag pa sa thrill ng story ang trope nito, mahilig pa naman ako sa gano'n. Overall, such a good read and highly recommend!

[flor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one’s the most realistic story. When it comes to abortion, men’s minds and ears will automatically be closed as if they understand women who choose to have an abortion. And sobrang daming unnecessary hate kay Reese sa comment section; hate na walang sense. Them being opinionated sa abortion ni Reese as if naranasan na nila o kung nilagay ba nila mga sarili nila sa point of view ni Reese habang nagbabasa. Favorite ko above all

[Jia ✶⋆.˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maganda. Parang mag pbb teens. Tho di ko na gets kung bakit pinatawad ni Debs si Harv. Ch. 37 na ko, 3 chaps na lang pero di ko na tinapos kasi parang magkakatuluyan ata sila. Sorry pero ayoko talaga kay Harv. Mas gusto ko talaga si Hunter. SAYANG. Pero oks lang may anak na rin naman sila pero ayoko talaga eh. HAHAHAHAHAH.

[yanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating this a 4 star because this is my type of angst 😋 loved that. also, i like how it touched on some real topics in today's society that are still hard for people to accept and understand.

hated the comment section though (read it on wp), 😩 some comments there about the book's topics/issues reflected the ph's educational crisis eme not eme

[saegarettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

my fav cs story! tho i kinda hated reese for being so desperate sa umpisa. but hey! a woman knows what she wants! and i totally understand harvin huhuhu. pero tangina nung mga masasakit na scenes. esp. nung nakita ni reese si harvin n sol na naliligo sa ulan, GAGO SAKIT! +ung fashion show ahahahha will surely reread tho!

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is an illness to a woman who has goals and dreams to achieve. I hope people widen their perspective on this. Not everyone is ready to be a mother. Abortion is the mother's choice, not yours. I hope let's stop shaming those mothers who chose to choose themselves over someone who is fucking unborn.

[saffiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I'm still crying because of this😭 I have a lot to say, but Idk if I can even find the right words right now. I'm gonna miss you, reese, rouge, alya, cali, ralph, cliff and more😭 I love how well written the book so thank you, author!

[Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reese, how Iconic you we're.
Thank you for being such a diva.
I did not like that you're chasing a man at the beginning of the story, but as soon as it reaches chapter 15 damn okay I understand now, dear. I love you so much, and you'll forever be a diva in my heart.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely on the heavier side, as most Inksteady books are, but wow this book was so good! The character development was done so well in this book and you really get a good appreciation on the characters and why they did the things they did. Overall a really great read!

[Achi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book! ‘You and Me’ is its theme song. I’ve cried so much because of what happened to them, but I’ve realized that you can use your past and mistakes to mature and grow. I love Rouge, he’s so gentle, and I hope I can marry a guy like him someday.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAVVVVV even though a lot of readers don't like Reese since "she was desperate on taking Rouge back". Maybe I just somehow relate on her??

And Rouge making a company with Reese Deborah's name???? ugh, chef's kiss 💋

[jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

they remind me so much of lia and michael from the naturals.. but also this and the past books from this series talaga showcase the fl's suffering more than the ml's. and idk if it's because apaka-short lang ng guys' pov but damn, the scale is tipped kahit saang anggulo tignan.

[Rein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review soon!

Rating: 4.5⭐