by Laura Speidell (link)
Genre het, romance, drama
Pairings Isaac/OFC, Taylor/OFC, Zac/OFC
Length 99 chapters in 7 books
Status Unfinished (with prequel)
The introduction for this story explains that it began as part of another story, but developed its own life. The author assures me that I don’t have to read the first story to make sense of this one. I did, just in case, and it honestly didn’t help.
The prequel, told from both Isaac and Zac’s point of view, gives a quick introduction to how Isaac and Taylor met their girlfriends and got married. My Father, Taylor Hanson, however, opens several years down the road, with Taylor narrating during a trip to Disneyworld with his wife and kids.
Perhaps the most baffling thing about this story is the fact that one of Taylor’s daughters was named Zoe. There’s no reason given for this, but at least the other Zoe has decided to go by Gen, thus clearing up some confusion. I was confused by all of the Hanson history I had to learn to understand what was happening in this story, and I didn’t like feeling so lost.
One good thing I can say about this story is that even though it is made up of seven books, each one is fairly short, and many of the chapters are very, very short. That is, sadly, the best thing I can say about it. The books end at random spots, are rife with randomly placed exposition, and seem to have little plot at all.
I’ve noticed a trend of authors who seem to care more about some idea they’re in love with than actually telling a story. That seems to be the biggest problem with My Father, Taylor Hanson. Lots of things happen, but I have trouble feeling connected to any of them, and I’m left wondering what the point is. A story about Taylor as a father (written before he actually was one, to boot) could be very interesting, but this story just isn’t.
Review by Bethany (website)