Binding 13 & Keeping 13
Boys of Tommen
By: Chloe Walsh

“He wants to save her. She wants to Hide.
She’s damaged. He’s determined.
Fate brought them together. Love binds them.”

Hi Johnny. Hi Shannon.

Two teens from opposite worlds collide in this emotional and captivating read.

I may be one of the last girlies to read this series, but I’m so glad I waited. I feel like I saved this duo for the perfect time, and I absolutely LOVED.

What to Expect:
- School Setting, Ireland
- Friends to Lovers
- Slow Burn
- Angst, Tension
- Rugby
- Who did this to you?!
- Protective Hero
- Safety/Comfort

A complex dynamic arises amidst friendship, first loves, tragedy, fame and secrets. Where tenderness meets supportive, heartbreaking meets smiles, and love meets soulmates. This was an emotional journey. 🤍

I can’t stop thinking about these characters, and I can’t wait to continue this series!

Wow. This is an incredible start to the Boys Of Tommen series and I'm going to need to read them all. Shannon and Johnny are magic together and I love his patience with her and letting her reveal her secrets in her own time. Her home life is terrible and she's been bullied at school, but Johnny proves to be a safe space for her. She doesn’t treat him like he's a rugby star and wants to know the man not the player. I also enjoyed the loyalty of their friends and the way they supported each other. It's a bit long and I think some of it could have been shortened in the middle, but I found myself all in by the end and anxious to read the next book. I love a series that builds on familiar characters and settings.

I am so disappointed that I did not enjoy this book. I have heard nothing but good things about it saying that it made readers laugh and cry and feel all the things and I just….didn’t. I truly wanted to like this book so bad. And I know I’m in the vast minority of those who dislike this book and I’m okay with that.

My biggest thing is as a grown woman I felt so uncomfortable reading about descriptions of a teenage boy’s boner and his masturbation problems and the description of a 16 year olds breasts. It felt super inappropriate to me. And I get that it’s labeled as a young adult novel. But to address that - the content in this is HEAVY and I feel not appropriate for anyone under the age of 18.

And talk about a slow-burn. Holy cow. The min characters did not have their big kiss until 93% of the way through the book. 93%! That is entirely too long to wait.

I felt nothing but anger while reading this book. I’m so disappointed.

This story was soooo beautiful yet also so heartbreaking. Sports romance. I can't wait to read more of this series.

this book had my feelings all over the place but let me tell you, it had me hooked. this is officially the longest book I have ever read and I am not typically one for long books. this definitely made it feel like I was pushing through at times, since it didn't feel like I was making any progress, but at the same time I was so invested and the storyline was super interesting. the best part of this story are all the different side characters who are so entertaining and the found family which I can already see slowly building. the ending left me questioning the fact that I read it but ultimately I realized that I was so invested and probably will end up reading the second book, even if it is even longer. definitely an entertaining and captivating story, with its fair share of both funny, lighthearted but also heart-wrenching moments.

Absolutely obsessed with this. So angsty, so romantic, so beautiful, so heartbreaking. I loved Johnny so much and their friendship was so cute. The slow burn was everything, and this book made me feel so much.

I first want to say thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an e-arc. I really enjoyed reading this book it had me going through so many emotions. I ended up doing a buddy read with my best friend and sister and I didn’t want to put this down unless I got frustrated with certain characters. The writing, the characters and the storytelling basically everything about this book is *chefs kiss* . It’s heartbreaking finding out what the main character has been going through throughout the entirety of this book. This has been one of my top reads of the year. I recommend this to everyone who can handle the trauma . Also you will need to get the second book once you finish cause oh my god.

*Binding 13* by Chloe Walsh is a frustrating and disappointing read. The story, meant to be an emotional romance, often feels like an uncomfortable mix of cliché tropes and problematic themes. The characters are underdeveloped, with the male lead, in particular, coming across as toxic and controlling rather than endearing. The plot is overly dramatic, and the pacing drags with repetitive scenes that only serve to elongate an otherwise thin story. The lack of depth and the unhealthy dynamics between the characters made it hard to connect or care about the outcome. Ultimately, this book left me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.

I'm so glad I got the chance to read Binding 13! I heard nothing but good things about it and am glad I didn't have to miss out! I did have a little trouble getting in to it at first, but once it sucked me in I was all in. Shannon has had a difficult life at school and at home. Attending Tommen College is an opportunity for a new start. On her first day her world is rocked, literally and figuratively, when she meets rugby god, Johnny Kavanaugh. Over the course of the school year the two can't seem to stay out of each other's orbit. As they learn more about each other and the struggles they're both having they only get closer. I cannot wait to read Keeping 13!

Thank you Netgalley!

This is a book with a great deal of heart and a deep story line. Johnny and Shannon are the epitome of star crossed lovers from opposite sides of the tracks. Johnny is a well to do rugby player with everything going for him - - at least that's how it looks from the outside. Inside, he's struggling and trying to recover from a surgery that is endangering his ability to continue at rugby. Shannon has been bullied for years and has few friends. She recently moved to a new school in the hopes of a fresh start. Fate and a stray ball help her to meet Johnny. From then on they fight their growing attraction. Shannon has a difficult home life and it makes her insecure about everything else in her life as well.

I think this story is a good one and definitely a worthy one. I also felt it was much longer than it needed to be. I always appreciate having detail enough to immerse the reader in a story but I truly believe this book had way more pages than needed and drew the story out longer than needed.

I made it about 40% before I had to dnf this book. I can understand why so many people love it, I feel like you're able to really get to spend time with the characters, but unfortunately it just wasn't working for me. I felt no chemistry between the couple, and I honestly didn't really like any of the characters, and after 200 pages I was just bored with the book.

If you like slow-paced, emotional stories then this might be the book for, but it just wasn't for me.

I loved Binding 13, Johnny is so freaking sweet. I love him. I thought the story was very emotional and it truly tugged at my heart strings. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

I’ve read and seen so many great reviews for “Binding 13” online and was extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity.

Initially, I was not going to leave feedback for this book because I was having technical errors downloading it even though it appeared in the app.

Once it was available on Kindle Unlimited and a version on Audible, I was able to download it and listen/read it.

“Binding 13” on Audible is split into two parts.

The story is good and well written. It’s also extremely sad.

I’ve had to take breaks listening/reading “Binding 13” and I’ll continue to update my review as I continue the journey with Johnny and Shannon.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read the rerelease of Chloe Walsh’s “Binding 13” in advance.

This is about to consume my entire life and I cannot wait. Also thank you Chloe for a beautiful glossary with pronunciations I deeply appreciate it

Beyond obsessed with this book and these characters.

Johnny and Shannon. Wow. They have been through it. I have never wanted to take kids out of a book like I have here. This girl! My heart hurts for her and yet she still carries on. Johnny and the way he is with her is my favorite thing. He is truly if "if he wanted to he would".

BUT this ending?!?!? I immediately need to know everything.

THE SIDE CHARACTERS. I am in love with them. Gibsie. Johnny's mom. Joey. Claire. I adore them. and they make me laugh. and they bring the story together. and the LOYALTY of this group. I cannot. I love it.

Read this book. Just do.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

Omg. This book. I am SOBBING. I felt everything. The writing is immaculate. I haven’t felt so connected to characters in a book in a long time 😭😭

Off I go to break my heart some more with book 2 💔

Even though this book was super long, it did not read like a super long book! The back story was all crucial to the story and made you fall in love with the main characters and hate some of the other characters. This book has a lot of tough topics it discusses and it is not for the faint of heart. Chloe does an amazing job of navigating each with care. I found myself laughing out loud and crying at pieces. This is a serious must read!

Binding 13 is 600+ pages, and honestly, I wanted more - that's how much I loved the characters, the plot, EVERYTHING.

The novel follows Shannon Lynch and Johnny Kavanaugh, as Shannon transfers to Tommen and makes quite the entrance (thanks to Johnny Kavanaugh). After Johnny accidentally hits Shannon on her very first day, leaving her hurt and embarrassed, he vows to make sure he, nor anyone else, ever hurts her again. With his status at school and a (near) professional rugby player, it seems easy at first to take her under his wing...that is, until he finds that despite his efforts, he can't protect her from everything, especially, not those outside of school walls.

Shannon Lynch, though perceived as shy and "weak" by her father and classmates, is one of the strongest characters I have ever read. Despite being treated awfully (to say the least) by so many, she remains one of the kindest, sweetest, and genuine characters. I felt the same need as Johnny to protect her, because as I read the novel through her lens, she truly has such a good heart.

As for Johnny Kavanaugh, he is the ULTIMATE book boyfriend. When Johnny Kavanaugh makes a promise, he keeps it. He's not the stereotypical "popular jock" that we see in Sports Romances (though I wouldn't necessarily call this book one), as he is also an incredible student, son, and friend. At heart, he is such a good person, and I LOVED every single time he put anyone in their place.

As for the side characters, Walsh somehow manages to make several developed, complex, and amazing side characters. This book is the definition of found family, and I LOVE Gibsie, Claire, and Joey especially.

Of course, I'm continuing this series, and I honestly reread this book at least once every few months, because I love it THAT much.

Tropes: WHO HURT YOU x100, Found Family, Popular Boy x Shy Girl, Sports Romance (I guess), Friends to Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, Forbidden Romance (kind of)

Emotionally charged and poignant. A narrative centered around the theme of found family. I experienced moments of both profound sadness and genuine laughter..

I personally could not get into this book, and thought it would have been better if it was a lot shorter.