Disclaimer: This might contain spoilers for the series. So, if you have not finished reading it I suggest to return here once you complete the series. Also I am not a professional so do not take any of this personal. Thank you and enjoy reading.
Hello, I finished reading Our Yesterday's Escape (OYE) today. Thus, I completed University Series by 4reuminct. I thought that I would share my thoughts about it: how I felt reading it, my ranking of the stories and characters, and my over-all unsolicited review of the series.
It has been hours, after I finished OYE (Kierra and Ciandre's story). So I guess that would affect my judgments hehe.
It was last year, 2021, when I started reading The Rain In España (TRIE), which was the first story in the Univ Series. It was suggested to me by my friend and it was trending at that time so why not give it a shot. I will just drop it if I do not like it, fortunately I enjoyed it (even though I said to myself that I will not like anything that is vanilla especially if it was a straight relationship). I paused for a while and read another story by binibiningmia, and returned to reading the series and finshed it the same year. I wanted to read OYE once it's completed. That's why I read it this year because it's finally completed (sadly, I was spoiled about the ending in TikTok).
Without further ado, let's start with how I felt reading each book in chronological order.
1.The Rain In España (TRIE)
It was confusing at first because they were in a club and were mentioning brands of alcoholic beverages, which I'm not familiar with. But looking back, it was smart and cute and nostalgic to start it with them drinking in a bar during their college years and introduced us the characters. Luna and Kalix's story is vanilla, a very typical romance. It was special to me because it features university in the UAAP especially the Big Four (ADMU, UP, DLSU, and UST). Luna from UST studying BS Architecture and Kalix from ADMU studying BS Legal Management later on went to Ateneo Law School. Their personality were opposite and that's what made it exciting. The conflicts were not as heavy as the other stories but it was because it's a series that's why conclusions will be in the last story. Luna's humor and Kalix's cold demeanor was a match-made in heaven. I also liked...(I will share this even though it is completely embarassing but here goes nothing)... I also liked their intimate scenes. And I will not accept any questions, char. I guess because Kalix was so caring and so careful doing it especially in New York. Okay moving forward, this was not my favorite, but it was a good start for the writer and for the story to unfold later on. It gave us foundation on who are the characters and their possible route for their story. I also loved when Luna gave us what their jobs were after graduating so it was a nice start over-all.
2. Safe Skies, Archer (SSA)
This was completely new in terms of romance novels for me as newbie reader. Yanna trampled upon the complete Maria Clara concept of how a woman should act and present herself. It was captivating and heartwarming (I think I would use this word a lot in the next series so I would use it's synonyms). Their love story escalated from being fubus, which was a unique take for the author, to being parents and later on a clingy married couple. It was something that was never portrayed before but the trope that "we should not fall in love" is a classic Wattpad take on the story. Yanna is from FEU (or piyu as she would call it) studying BS Tourism and Hiro from DLSU studying BS Mechanical Engineering and earning hours in FlyingAsia to become a pilot, which later on he will pursue in Florida. The part when Yanna told her back story how she was bullied for having developed features, her mother being an adult performer, and being called inappropriate names and sexualized has opened that perverts will disrespect you regardless of what you wear. The double standard is also highlighted in the book where a sexually-active woman is shamed while a man is praised for doing the same thing. The part that breaks my heart is when Yanna knew she was pregnant and the inevitable flight of Hiro to America to pursue his dreams and take care of his dad. The date where they hiked and Hiro hugged Yanna's tummy broke me. The lines (non-verbatim) were "yakap tayo ng daddy mo, anak" was my tears cue to fall. Also the moment Yanna wrote her letter to Hiro mentioning "Safe Skies, Archer" was a WoW moment to me for it gave a nod to the title of the novel. Their 18+ scenes were almost everywhere making it tiresome for me but I think it was because of the fubu situation so it made sense. Over-all it was a good story and a favorite.
3. Chasing in the Wild (CITW)
This was Sevi's redemption story. From being the second lead to Luna and the one who made Kalix and Hiro jealous to being in his own romance story with Elyse. I liked that Elyse gave us a fresh perspective outside the friend group of Luna. Sevi's sense of humor mixed with Elyse's sassiness is the perfect combination. Sevi studying BS Civil Engineering in UST while Elyse studies BS Applied Corporate Management in DLSU to be the heiress of the Ledezma Company of her dad. They met in Elyse's debut, which I think is a good starting point in a romance story and ended with their wedding so it became a full-circle moment in this novel. This story featured UAAP Competitions especially Basketball and Cheerleading. The events are portrayed as accurate as what we watch in live-telecast in television. Their love story is somehow felt like a basic story too, but that doesn't mean it's bad; it's just that the other stories are better. Ida was introduced as Elyse's bestfriend and she is independent and a unique character that help developed Elyse's character. Kuya Roel also has become a witness to the romance of the two because he was Elyse's driver that drives her or them to their dates. The second lead tropes are present in the story to move the plot, but the second leads are not the ones we root. They were obviously flirting with the lead who is already in a relationship. This also introduced Shan as a protective brother to Elyse. Knowing Elyse being a fashionista I liked her "Material Girl" vibes and Sevi being an athlete made sense in my fantasy. So over-all, it's just a step higher than TRIE and a step lower in terms of unique plot than SSA.
4. Avenues of the Diamond (AOTD)
When I read this story, I knew I was bound to fall in love with the characters. This story includes tropes like arranged marriage and enemies to lovers (which is my ultimate favorite). Sam is from Ateneo studying AB Communication and Clyden studies BS Biology in UP Manila and pursued Med School after. I love the one-house trope that is probably a sub-genre of arranged marriage trope because it showed them as housemates who loved bickering with each other. Clyden's sarcasm and Sam's charm sold the story. The way Clyden delivers his sarcastic lines that is secretly implying that he cares and he is inlove. He fell first then Sam fell too with his efforts like cooking her packed lunch and helping her sober from parties. Sam's extrovert side was a facade she showed throughout, but upon reading this story it showed that the pressure of always being prim and proper expectation plus the family problems that involved politics exhausts her. She always choose to wallow in her own pain and building walls so that she will not burden other people was something relatable. I love her trait that she always check up on her friends. Naomi was one notable character throughout. She was closing her doors to Sam, but Sam knew that she is like her. She like building walls too. And that pushed Sam to really get to know her sister. Her death opened my eyes on suicide and it is something that we should destigmatize and spread awareness about. Mental health is highlighted in this series. It is as important as our physical health. Moving forward I love Clyden's straightforwardness and not being torpe when Sam comes back here in Philippines after working as a model, a Victoria Secret Angel, and a socialite in America. The paparazzi was a part of the conflict, which is a good choice especially in Sam's job. Clyden is also vulnerable towards Sam, which I love to see that men can be sensitive too. It's theme about politics, one that Clyden feels passionate about, is also a great reminder to be smart in choosing who to vote for. Over-all this was a favorite-favorite, which showed that the author is driven to tell this heartwarming story. Side note: I just wished it included their marriage because it's an arranged marriage trope, but it was included later on so nevermind.
5. Golden Scenery of Tomorrow (GSOT)
This story is a masterpiece by 4reuminct because it gave us a background of their high school days, how the barkada is formed, and showed a glimpse of their future partners high school life too. I also commend the effort that came in to writing this plus the official soundtrack that made me so kilig. I listened to it while reading the story so the feels were really lovely. My favorites were the Ginintuang Tanawin, which is a nod to its title, it's well-written and is accompanied by heartfelt tune. The friends to lovers trope with a lot of sideways and zigzags is a cute choice for this story. Via's story is a also a heartbreaking one because she has a golden voice unfortunately she was traumatized by her mother's addiction to fame, which broke her. Via chose to pursue BS Architecture in UST because of her Tita (the one who pays for her tuition and after graduation she will work for) and Arkin studied BA Film in UP Diliman. They planned to go to the same university in college but Via failed to pass in UP and Arkin applied to UP because he became passionate in photography and music (playing instruments and singing). The two friends who were inseparable in high school found themselves parting ways. They are still seeing each other from time to time, but there is the gap that is growing between them. Arkin's commercial sidelines turned to a sudden rose to fame as he becomes an actor. Via's trauma to performing and being a public figure like her mom becomes the story's conflict. The story featured how people especially Filipinos are die-hard fanatics of love-team culture, which the story gave another perspective into. Not all loveteams we see on-screen are lovers in real life, different from what the fans expect. The constant attack of paparazzi to Arkin and Clea dragged Via into the picture, which opened a wound that was supposedly healed. The moment they broke up and Via going to Spain reminded me of OFWs (I cried a lot when they were packing her bags and she entrusted her tasks to her siblings). I love how they featured that, it was an accurate representation of how OFWs are when they are leaving. The moment Arkin went to Spain to perform is a bittersweet moment for Via because of what happened and her emotions. I was really passionate in writing this so over-all it was a favorite-favorite-favorite. The epilogue that gave a nod to the title by giving the twist that it was a movie that Arkin was directing was a WoW moment for me.
6. Our Yesterday's Escape (OYE)
This was the last for the series, and it took me a year to read it because I was waiting for it to be completed. And I must say that it's worth the wait. The story revolves around Kierra from UST studying Architecture and Shan who graduated from DLSU with a degree in Psychology and is studying in DLSU Law School. The themes presented in this story is not for the faint of heart. It focuses on abuse verbally and physically, which was experienced by our protagonists. Reading this felt heavy on my part, so occasionally I would take a breather just to process what I have read and continue when I am ready to divulge myself into this ocean of trauma. What Shan have went through with his Father was something a child should not experience. Being on the receiving end of the anger in your family because of their failed marriage and ego of Alfred is a heavy and heartbreaking parts that broke me reading this novel. While Kierra, on the other hand, on her abusive relationship with his boyfriend and breaking all her romantic notions about love broke me the same because I also happened to be hopeless romantic too. Consuming romantic stories may it be on books and shows and movies is my fave. But, most importantly, I am a sucker for tragic romance stories that's why this happens to be my favorite out of all the novels in the series. This just feels right reading it. It opened the point of views of the characters that have intrigued ever since the beginning. Kierra who is a fierce woman from her friends POV is a hopeless romantic who doesn't want people to pity her. Shan, a walking heartbreak and a playboy, who is secretly a softie who is good in a lot of things except committing to a relationship because of his trauma. What an unlikely combination of character. Kudos to 4reumcint. The ending in OYE is my favorite next to GSOT. My favorite scene was their own wedding in the rain. Shan waiting in the podium and Kierra walking in the aisle is so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Knowing that that wedding is their real wedding and they never got the chance to celebrate it with the people that they cherish the most. The message that Lawyers who choose to fight for the right thing always die young because of the people in power who choose to hide their dirt. Shan is an inspiration. I cried a lot in this story especially in their eulogies and Kierra updating Shan everytime she travels to his dream destinations. Over-all, this was the best and congratulations to our author. Don't mind them haters who hate this kind of route of the story, because I thought it was the best.
RANKING OF THE NOVEL IN THE SERIES:
1.OYE
2.GSOT
3.AOTD
4.SSA
5.CITW
6.TRIE
RANKING OF THE MALE PROTAGONISTS:
1. CLYDEN
2. SEVI
3. ARKIN
4. KALIX
5. SHAN
6. HIRO
(I love them all! I just ranked them based on who I would date in real life, not that they would want to date me though)
RANKING OF THE FEMALE PROTAGONISTS:
1. VIA
2. LUNA
3. YANNA
4. SAM
5. KIERRA
6. ELYSE
(I love them all! I just ranked them based on who is the most relatable to me)
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