by Mandee (link)
Genre het, drama, romance
Pairings Isaac/Nikki, Kate/OMC, Taylor/Natalie, Zac/Kate, Zac/OFC
Length 25 chapters
Status Unfinished
Reading Hold Me Down is like taking a real trip back in time to college, and not just because that was when I first read this story. There’s something of a trend of Hanson fans being a bit alternative, and this particular story is populated with tattooed and pierced original characters whose careers range from being Suicide Girls to being in a ska band that just so happens to be opening for their old friends’ band–Hanson.
All of that said, the premise isn’t so cheesy or really all that complicated. Much of the beginning of the story deals with some interesting, but not over the top, drama surrounding what it must be like to be a random girl on tour with Hanson. Even the wives are written somewhat likeably, although Mandee does plant a few hints that all is not right with Kate.
Those hints eventually come to head when Zac and Jovie discover their significant others in bed with each other. The scene is written as a confusing flashback of sorts that just doesn’t work, even though in other parts of the story Mandee does show some way with words. It’s easy to almost miss the big reveal–that Jovie’s fiance isn’t cheating with his ex, but with Kate.
Up to that point, there had been little to no romance, and not really even any major drama in the story. Although it’s clear from the start that Zac and Jovie would end up together, their relationship is nicely platonic until circumstances force them together. Unfortunately, that’s when Mandee stopped writing Hold Me Down, so we’ll never know if Jovie overcame her issues about pursuing a relationship with him.
Review by Bethany (website)