If you're trying to pastiche shojo manga in a loving and otaku-friendly way but enough under the surface that you may be the only one to know about the subversion

Please tell me that's what you're doing, because I would so read that.

And yes, I agree that fun first, deep later is the way to go. Because I know that when I'm reading, I'm usually not looking for the story that has the deepest themes or the best plot or the most exquisite pacing--I'm looking for something *fun*.