Binding 13, the first installment in Chloe Walsh’s Boys of Tommen series, is not your conventional teen romance. It’s a weighty, emotionally charged novel that blends trauma, healing, and young love against the backdrop of Irish rugby culture. Released in 2018, the book kicks off a six-part saga that includes:
- Binding 13 (2018)
- Keeping 13 (2018)
- Saving 6 (2023)
- Redeeming 6 (2023)
- Taming 7 (2024)
- Releasing 10 (2025)
While the series explores multiple arcs and characters, Binding 13 firmly centers itself around two young souls—Shannon Lynch and Johnny Kavanagh—whose worlds collide at Tommen College, setting the tone for a deeply immersive and emotionally raw coming-of-age journey.
Meet the Protagonists: Broken, Brilliant, and Real
Shannon Lynch: The Quiet Survivor
Shannon is the novel’s quiet force. Transferring to Tommen mid-term, she’s a deeply traumatized girl who’s been psychologically and physically scarred by years of bullying and neglect. From her first moments at Tommen, it’s clear she doesn’t trust easily. Her pain is internalized, her voice barely audible, and yet, Chloe Walsh ensures we feel every tremor in her spirit.
Walsh crafts Shannon’s trauma with remarkable sensitivity. Rather than presenting her as a damsel in distress, Shannon is portrayed as a survivor, albeit one who’s unsure of her own strength. The reader walks beside her in every therapy session, panic attack, and small victory—each moment painted with an authenticity that refuses to gloss over mental health.
Johnny Kavanagh: The Golden Boy With Cracks Beneath
Johnny, meanwhile, is the golden boy of Irish rugby—confident, charismatic, and focused. But behind the fame and swagger is a boy carrying invisible burdens. An untreated injury and pressure from every direction threaten to break him, but it’s his concern for Shannon that makes Johnny’s arc shine.
Johnny is the ultimate book boyfriend for some, but he’s also a beautifully flawed character. His protective instincts toward Shannon are rooted not in saviorism but in genuine empathy, making his development from popular jock to emotionally-invested protector one of the story’s highlights.
A Love Story Built on Mutual Healing
What makes Binding 13 different from typical high school romances is how slow and deliberate the love story is. There’s no insta-love, no forced drama, just two broken people learning to trust—first each other, then themselves.
Their relationship grows organically:
- Friendship first: Johnny sees Shannon’s bruises—literal and emotional—and becomes her unlikely friend.
- Emotional intimacy: Through shared secrets and careful support, they develop an emotional bond that feels earned.
- Romantic buildup: Their romance blossoms slowly, providing readers with a satisfyingly gradual burn that culminates in real emotional payoff.
The chemistry is palpable, yet Walsh always anchors it in emotional realism. This isn’t just a love story; it’s a survival story.
Writing Style: Emotionally Rich and Intensely Introspective
Walsh’s writing is deeply immersive. She employs a dual-POV narrative, giving readers access to both Shannon’s internalized fears and Johnny’s frustrations. This narrative choice adds significant depth, particularly because both characters often hide their emotions from the world.
Her prose is:
- Emotionally intense: Every chapter is packed with high-stakes emotional tension.
- Paced with patience: At over 600 pages, the book takes its time—but that’s intentional.
- Dialogue-driven: Dialogue serves as a key medium of character development and emotional unraveling.
Fans of emotionally driven YA like Hopeless by Colleen Hoover or The Deal by Elle Kennedy will find a similar intensity here, although Binding 13 leans more heavily on trauma recovery.
Realism in Teenage Trauma and Mental Health
One of the most commendable aspects of Binding 13 is its honest depiction of:
- PTSD and anxiety: Shannon’s symptoms are not just described; they’re felt.
- Bullying and abuse: The book doesn’t flinch from the cruelty Shannon endured.
- Masculine pressure: Johnny’s physical pain and the expectations placed on him highlight the toxic side of teen masculinity.
These aren’t just backstories—they shape the plot and emotional arc. For readers who have experienced trauma, this book may hit close to home, but it also offers glimmers of hope and the power of found family.
Supporting Cast: Friends, Foes, and Fierce Loyalties
Binding 13 is elevated by its vibrant supporting characters. Tommen College isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing world full of rugby stars, petty classmates, loyal friends, and dangerous bullies.
Highlights include:
- Joey Lynch: Shannon’s older brother, who later stars in Saving 6 and Redeeming 6. His fierce love and inner turmoil make him a standout.
- Gibsie: Johnny’s best friend and comic relief, whose humor often masks deeper wisdom.
- Claire: Shannon’s friend and fellow outsider who offers emotional support and camaraderie.
This ensemble ensures Binding 13 doesn’t feel like a two-person show. Instead, it feels like a tapestry of teenage lives—some thriving, some fraying at the edges.
Critiques: When the Length Overwhelms the Pacing
While Binding 13 is undoubtedly powerful, it’s not without its drawbacks:
- Excessive length: At over 600 pages, the book sometimes meanders, especially in the middle sections. Scenes that serve emotional beats could’ve been more tightly edited.
- Repetition: Shannon’s inner monologues, though emotionally resonant, occasionally feel redundant.
- Delayed payoff: Readers looking for more romance may be frustrated by how long it takes for Johnny and Shannon’s relationship to move forward.
That said, these critiques are more about structure than substance. For fans who enjoy deep character dives, the length becomes a strength rather than a flaw.
How It Sets Up the Series
Binding 13 lays down the emotional and thematic foundation for the Boys of Tommen series. Each book spins off from this one:
- Keeping 13 continues Shannon and Johnny’s romance with higher emotional and romantic stakes.
- Saving 6 and Redeeming 6 delve into Joey Lynch’s tortured psyche and redemption arc.
- Taming 7 explores new characters while maintaining the themes of emotional resilience.
- Releasing 10 (2025) is expected to bring closure to arcs introduced all the way back in Binding 13.
Chloe Walsh has masterfully built a universe where each installment feels like a necessary continuation, rather than a tacked-on sequel.
Similar Books and Author’s Previous Work
Prior to Binding 13, Chloe Walsh had already built a loyal readership through her Boys of Summer and Broken Series. These books similarly deal with emotionally complex characters navigating trauma, family dysfunction, and romance.
Fans of:
- Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
- The Addicted Series by Krista & Becca Ritchie
- The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
will likely resonate with the emotional candor and character-driven storytelling in Binding 13.
Final Verdict: Is Binding 13 Worth Reading?
Absolutely—if you have the emotional bandwidth for it.
Binding 13 is not an easy read. It’s long. It’s painful. It’s raw. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Chloe Walsh doesn’t just write love stories; she writes survival stories where love is a lifeline.
Pros:
- Deeply empathetic characters
- Nuanced portrayal of trauma and healing
- Organic, slow-burn romance
- Rich world-building through the Tommen universe
Cons:
- Length and pacing may challenge casual readers
- Emotional themes may be triggering for some
- Romance takes a backseat for much of the first half
If you’re looking for a romance that’s more than swoony moments—a story that touches on real scars and the slow, arduous journey of healing—then Binding 13 deserves a spot on your TBR.
