I bounced off Patrick O'Brien for very similar reasons - I could tell that a story I would really love was happening somewhere in the book, but it wasn't the story the writer was telling us, and I particularly disliked all the romances. I continue to enjoy the fanfic, as you say it looks like a lovely fandom full of enthusiasm.

And I had no idea Milne wrote anything other than Pooh, I'm going to go and read that now, it sounds like a lot of fun.