by Tiffany (link)
Genre romance, drama
Pairings Isaac/OFC, Taylor/OFC, Zac/OFC
Length 30 chapters (with two endings)
Status Completed (with sequel)
Tiff appears to have been a quite prolific and popular author, and while I don’t know if these two stories, beginning with Every Word I Say were her most popular stories, they are some of the only ones that remain online in full. She seems to be a thoughtful author, judging by the FAQ she includes with the story, and that’s something I appreciate.
The story begins in medias res, right in the middle of an argument between Taylor and his girlfriend Mercey. It’s a technique I like, although it can be jarring. Here it’s only a little jarring thanks to the fairly quick changes in point of view, but for the most part I don’t mind the short scenes and quick changes. Tiffany includes a song or two at the end of each chapter, and it feels a little unnecessary to me. I do like a soundtrack with a story, but I’m not crazy about having it interrupt my reading.
It can be really frustrating to read a story where a couple have trouble communicating. Taylor and Mercey seem to constantly talk circles around each other, but it works. It’s one of their biggest problems, after all. Tiff drops a few hints that there’s something in Mercey’s past that she isn’t sharing, and those few hints are just enough to keep me intrigued without being an annoying constant reminder that there’s something I don’t know.
Then again, maybe there isn’t something more below the surface. It isn’t revealed, at least not in this first story. Oddly, the story has two endings, both bittersweet but one slightly more of a happy ending. Neither one feels like it really leaves the story open for a sequel, but evidently Tiff felt differently. I’m curious to see what she’s done with it. Every Word I Say does make my head spin a bit with the short scenes and chapters, but Tiffany happens upon some really nice prose every so often, and that makes reading it feel a little more worthwhile in spite of the other frustrations.
Review by Bethany (website)