Just wanted to remind you that this is your story. If they don't like it, they don't have to read it. Don't create extra work for yourself just because others don't like something you did.
If you're goint to let the readers dictate the flow of the story, then that's something that you do from the outset, and use polls. Remember, when it comes to your stories, it's your world, they're just the squirrels, so tell them to back off yer nuts.