This story is amazing! I usually prefer stories written in third person point of views because it includes reactions in a wider perspective, but I really liked the way you wrote it.

Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it with us.

This is probably one of the best Broadchurch fanfics I've read! I loved the little bits about Alec and Ellie. The whole story was great! I think Fred would have a really interesting view point as he got older.

Amazing story I love how you kept Frederick the focused yet used the other characters so well

Wow, this was one of the first Broadchurch fics I stumbled across, the first multi-chapter I ever read, and I devoured it in one sitting and went on the whole emotional rollercoaster, became totally invested, completely attached and left somehow wanting more.

I’m surprised in a way that this got me so hooked, seeing as I was just dipping my toe into the fandom when I started reading this; I didn’t know where my interest lay, which characters I loved the most, who I wanted to read about, and yet I found myself caring deeply about everyone in this fic, without knowing who were minor characters and who were OCs, and I rooted for every relationship you portrayed.

Loved seeing all this through Fred’s point of view. I wanted to know more about Alec and Ellie, but in a way, just getting incidental drips of information through Fred’s casual day-to-day observations made it so much more real. It was lovely getting to know him as his own person, a young man with this shroud of confusion and secrecy and betrayal surrounding his childhood, who just wants his family to be happy.

It was a sad outlook, in terms of the length of resentment and punishment Ellie endured. I don’t like to think of it happening like that, but at the same time, the payoff at the end was worth it.

I enjoyed the relationship between Jamie and Fred, too. Loved how you never made a point about either of them being gay - it was just a fact and nobody blinked an eye and I liked that a lot. It also (particularly for involving two OCs) felt like these really were real people navigating an impossibly complicated situation but also finding that the reality of it was simpler than they thought. I liked that neither of them seemed keen to define what they had, but neither of them particularly wanted to let it go either. Jamie had more of a problem with Fred’s family than he wanted to admit, and Fred was being more of a doormat than I think he really wanted to. I would almost like to see a sequel, in which they get a chance to talk about things like that, but I’m not sure I really want to hear Joe’s side of the story, haha. Then again, if it came from you, maybe I would!

The building climactic scenes after Fred got roped into the wedding had me frantically clicking to each new chapter, heart in my mouth, desperate to know what was going to happen next. You had me truly afraid that something terrible was going to happen to Ellie.
And then the part where she disembarked from the boat and there were people all around to help and support her - I nearly cried.

Almost cried again at the grapes thing. Alec is sentimental and my heart can’t take it!

‘Alec has no sense of timing’ This line was one of my favourites. So understated, yet conveyed such an image and such a sense of emotion. I can totally picture him having this idea in his head for when she wakes up, and not allowing himself to think it but still deep down afraid that she won’t, and then when she does he just shoves them at her because his relief doesn’t allow any room for poise. His gruff telling-off just squeezes my heart too because we know that’s the only way he can express how terrified he was of losing her, especially with an audience.

Also, what you said about Joe trying to hide who he was even from himself, at Danny’s cost, was very powerful, and rang very true. It helped ME understand it a little bit better.

I’m glad Fred got to make his film in the end. And having the footage from the wedding - that was a real surprise, but totally did give him the angle he needed. After all, that was the story YOU told, and I certainly got invested!

Thanks for writing such a lovely, emotionally fraught, complex but subtle tale for our favourite townsfolk! I really, really enjoyed the read :)

Absolutely fantastic. Loved every bit of it; the story was imaginative and something completely original to the fandom. You've got a fantastic mind for little storytelling details around building up the world your characters are in. I noticed in particular when you wrote "His Majesty's..." Since, of course, over two decades from now it's terribly unlikely that we'll still have a Queen (though it wouldn't surprise me if she somehow manages it!) Small, but gives life to the story that you thought that through. I thought it was a nice touch. This is quite probably my favourite Broadchurch fic now. :)

I enjoyed reading the whole story, you kept me interested all the way although Ellie & Alec are not the main characters here. Well done :)

I loved your Story.
I am happy that I found it and I didn't care that it was not so much about Alec.
It is an interesting for Fred to find out about his past. He can't remember anything not like everyone else.
I shipped Fred and Jamie right from the beginning. I am happy about the ending.
The only thing I never understood is why Ellie never got divorced.
Thanks for this amazing story.

Interesting take on our beloved Broadchurch characters.
Fred is so much like Ellie. I like that he is gay.
Your Alec and Ellie also sound fun. I like that you say one moment they're a thunderstorm and the next they taking about scones. Lol.
More Hardy and Miller pleeease? Perhaps in the context of this story how they fell in love?

Whoops, hit the enter button too soon! But what I meant to say was that I loved all the little things about Alec and Ellie that we catch and how he reacts when she's lost at sea and then goes into cardiac arrest. And OMG THE GRAPES. That was hands down the BEST PART even if Fred had no idea what was going on and was like this is so embarrassing how did Alec ever win over my mother. And I'm so happy that Beth and Ellie got their resolution. It wasn't out of character and I feel like it was the ending that they deserved (and I hope they get since I've only seen episode 1 of S2) and Ellie was welcomed back into Broadchurch again! I can't believe Joe's been paroled, it feels strange even though it probably will happen, but I'm glad he never made an appearance. I was worried about Fred's friends but I'm glad Ellie saved them and then Beth and the others saved her. I really enjoyed reading this, it was very well-written and I liked Fred's voice. I hope you continue to write in this fandom and I wouldn't mind reading that story about little Alec and Ellie!

I LOVED THIS! Seriously, when I started this I wasn't sure how I felt about the whole documentary thing but the way it all came together without Fred even really trying was awesome. I can't believe Fred got together with Jamie but I loved the pairing and how it should've been completely wrong but they actually fit perfectly and were remarkably similar. And of course I lovedddd all the little

Oh my god I love this! It's brilliant! I love Ellie and Alec's relationship :)

The grapes :D And the conversation at the bedside...
That was absolutely perfect.

I love Ellie and Beth's reconciliation. It feels right.

Have I mentioned how much I love the vision of that "I don't want to go to school"-tantrum and Alec's smartass way of dealing with it? It's brilliant :)

So, I've read all of this, more than once but, to be honest, I'm a horrible reviewer. I rarely do that and I feel bad about it all the same because I know how much it means to any author to get reviews - good or bad.

Since I should be writing my dissertation right now, it's obviously the perfect timing to give you some credit for your amazing story. I think you have done a marvellous job. I love the set-up, it's convincing, I love that you have a homosexual relationship at the core without making a big deal of it (it sounds bad to say it like that but I usual get sad when people feel the need to constantly emphasise representation of same-sex couples) and the characters in itself work very well.

There's a fair bit of drama going on (although compared to the start of series 2, I'm quite certain it's not over the top) and there's lots of confrontations but you escape getting too melodramatic (and if we're honest, even that could be a logical consequence of series 1).

I'm not sure I am a shipper of Ellie/Hardy, but the way you describe their relationship in this story (which you do so brilliantly because their actions and the conversations with other people describe their relationship for the most part) I'm totally buying it.

Great job! I really hope you'll be inspired by whatever Chris Chibnall has in store for us in the future ;-)