by Calla (link)
Genre drama/angst, romance
Pairings Taylor/Natalie, Zac/Kate, Zac/Natalie, Zaylor
Length 6 chapters
Status Completed (with unfinished sequel)
I wasn’t so sure about this story when I read the description. Zaylor stories? Love them. Stories about Taylor’s shotgun wedding? I’ll eat them up with a spoon. Stories that pair Zac with Natalie? Didn’t think I liked them. This story (and a few recent others) may have just won me over.
The thing is, Mistakes isn’t really about Zac and Natalie’s relationship. What it’s about is the strange connection between Zac and Taylor, a connection that leads Zac to pursuing a relationship with the girl who Taylor poached. Being with Natalie means being closer to Taylor in a strange way, and eventually Taylor comes to feel the same way once he knows about Zac and Natalie’s secret relationship. Natalie is the catalyst for Zac and Taylor finally realizing and admitting their feelings for each other, and she knows it.
But I mentioned the shotgun wedding, right? It’s the result of a threesome that leaves both boys uncertain who is the father, but Taylor (who narrates this story) chooses to marry her to protect Zac. Unfortunately, Taylor can’t protect himself, and… well, the story takes a dark turn, let’s put it that way.
Mistakes is only the short prequel, though. The chapters reveal bits and pieces of events that lead up to Zac running away from the strange life he was building with Taylor, Natalie and the baby girl that might be his. Zac takes over narration of the sequel, which I’m looking forward to. The occasional bit of stilted dialogue aside, Calla has a real way with words and an amazing ability to tap into both my favorite tropes and strange and new kinks that I didn’t even know I had before I read them.
Review by Bethany (website)