Keeping 13, the emotionally raw sequel to Chloe Walsh’s Binding 13, continues the harrowing yet hopeful love story of Johnny Kavanagh and Shannon Lynch. Set in Cork, Ireland, this second installment in the Boys of Tommen series delivers a deeply layered narrative that expands the stakes far beyond high school crushes or rugby rivalries. The novel is as much about survival and healing as it is about love—and this balance is what sets it apart in the realm of sports romance fiction.
With a strong foundation laid in Binding 13 (2018), Walsh returns to her broken yet resilient protagonists, escalating their internal and external battles. In this installment, Johnny is benched by a career-threatening injury while Shannon wrestles with the aftermath of unspeakable domestic abuse. Their connection is tested through secrets, societal pressures, and deeply rooted trauma.
Boys of Tommen Series Overview
The series includes:
- Binding 13 (2018)
- Keeping 13 (2018)
- Saving 6 (2023)
- Redeeming 6 (2023)
- Taming 7 (2024)
- Releasing 10 (2025)
Each book adds emotional gravity and continuity to this coming-of-age saga, and Keeping 13 might just be the emotional core of it all.
Plot Summary: Love Amidst the Rubble
In Keeping 13, Johnny is no longer the indestructible rugby star he once was. His future in the sport is in jeopardy, and emotionally, he’s just as bruised as he is physically. Meanwhile, Shannon is slowly reemerging from the shadows of a household defined by neglect and violence. The story unfolds in alternating POVs—giving readers insight into both characters’ psyche—as they navigate a minefield of family secrets, trauma responses, and teenage expectations.
The plot hinges not on external drama alone, but on deeply personal decisions—Johnny fighting for more than just Shannon’s affection, and Shannon learning to trust herself enough to accept love. Their bond is forged not in perfection, but in survival.
Writing Style: Heartfelt, Raw, and Unapologetically Irish
Chloe Walsh’s writing in Keeping 13 is unfiltered and evocative, with sharp emotional beats and colloquial Irish dialogue that make the story feel deeply authentic. Whether she’s depicting a tender moment in Johnny’s kitchen or a violent confrontation in Shannon’s home, her prose holds the reader in a tight grip.
Walsh leans into extended internal monologues and rich scene descriptions, which sometimes slow the pacing but serve the novel’s emotional depth. Dialogue crackles with humor (largely courtesy of Gibsie and Claire) even as the surrounding atmosphere is often heavy with tension.
Character Analysis: The Broken and the Brave
Shannon Lynch: A Portrait of Fragile Strength
Shannon’s character arc is one of the most compelling aspects of the book. Returning to school and attempting to piece together a new version of herself post-trauma, Shannon vacillates between guarded detachment and tentative openness. Her loyalty to her younger brothers—Tadhg, Ollie, and Sean—is fierce, and her slow-burning recovery is rendered with sincerity and empathy. She is not portrayed as a flawless survivor but as a young girl haunted by her past and shaped by complex family dynamics.
Johnny Kavanagh: More Than Just a Jersey Number
Johnny’s injury may have sidelined him from rugby, but it pushes him to evolve beyond the sport. He’s persistent, protective, and sometimes infuriatingly stubborn, but his devotion to Shannon is absolute. His evolution from a young athlete to an emotionally aware partner is subtle but meaningful. His inner turmoil, especially around his injury and his role in Shannon’s healing, is one of the novel’s emotional pillars.
Supporting Characters: Nuance and Noise
- Joey Lynch stands out as a turbulent but pivotal presence—his love for his siblings is matched only by his own internal rage.
- Claire, Gibsie, and Lizzie add levity and loyalty, ensuring that the narrative isn’t consumed by darkness.
- Darren, Shannon’s elder brother, becomes a moral gray zone—highlighting the dilemmas of trying to do the “right thing” when the lines between truth and survival blur.
Themes: More Than a Love Story
1. Trauma and Recovery
Shannon’s experiences with domestic abuse are portrayed in harrowing detail. Walsh doesn’t romanticize her recovery, instead highlighting how healing is nonlinear and laced with setbacks.
2. Masculinity and Vulnerability
Johnny’s emotional journey challenges the typical sports romance hero archetype. His vulnerability, his willingness to listen, and his instinct to nurture rather than dominate are rare in YA male leads.
3. Family Dysfunction and Found Family
Keeping 13 dives deep into what it means to belong—to a blood family, to a found family, or to someone’s heart. The Kavanagh household serves as a safe haven for Shannon and her brothers, showing how love can be a healing force when biology fails.
4. Power of Secrets
Secrets—whether held out of protection, shame, or fear—are a running motif. They create tension but also serve as catalysts for character growth. The question remains throughout the novel: can love endure when everything else falls apart?
Strengths of Keeping 13
- Authentic representation of trauma: The abuse Shannon suffers is not glossed over, and her emotional scars are as real as her physical ones.
- Dual POV format: Offers intimate insights into both protagonists’ minds, making their journey more immersive.
- Side characters with substance: Gibsie, Joey, and Claire are not mere plot devices; they add genuine emotional weight.
- Humor and heart: Despite its heaviness, the book is often funny, especially during moments of banter or awkward teen interactions.
Critiques: Where the Book Falters
- Pacing: At nearly 800 pages, Keeping 13 can feel meandering at times. Certain scenes—especially school-related or banter-heavy chapters—could have been trimmed to maintain momentum.
- Repetitiveness: There are occasional cycles of conflict-resolution that feel formulaic, particularly in Johnny and Shannon’s communication.
- Emotional Overload: Some readers might find the emotional stakes relentlessly intense, leaving little room to breathe. While that may be realistic, it can feel overwhelming.
- Unresolved Threads: Despite its hefty length, some plotlines—like Shannon’s educational future or Joey’s psychological treatment—remain underdeveloped.
How Keeping 13 Fits Within the Boys of Tommen Universe
As Book 2 in the Boys of Tommen series, Keeping 13 is the emotional climax of Johnny and Shannon’s love story, but it also serves as a bridge to future stories:
- Saving 6 and Redeeming 6 pivot focus toward Joey Lynch, unraveling his story in painful, powerful depth.
- Taming 7 explores Gibsie, a fan-favorite known for his wit and chaotic charm.
- Releasing 10, the most recent installment (2025), continues to expand the Tommen world with fresh conflicts and romances.
Walsh has crafted not just a series but a universe, where emotional continuity and character development span years, not just pages.
Comparisons: For Fans Of…
If you enjoyed:
- Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
- The Deal by Elle Kennedy
- The Sweetest Oblivion by Danielle Lori
- Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
…then Keeping 13 will likely resonate with you. It blends gritty realism with swoony romance and never loses sight of its characters’ humanity.
Author Spotlight: Chloe Walsh
Before the Boys of Tommen series, Chloe Walsh built her readership with The Broken Series, The Carter Kids, and The Faking It Trilogy. Across her books, common threads include:
- Deep emotional journeys
- Tough, flawed characters
- Irish settings rich in atmosphere and colloquial charm
Her writing is unflinching and emotionally intelligent, solidifying her status as a standout voice in contemporary YA/NA romance.
Final Verdict: Does Keeping 13 Deliver?
Absolutely. Keeping 13 is not just a love story—it’s a story of becoming. It doesn’t offer easy solutions, and that’s what makes it feel real. Through powerful character development, emotionally evocative writing, and a fearless dive into dark subject matter, Chloe Walsh has created a novel that stays with you long after the final page.
While it’s heavy in both size and substance, the emotional payoff is worth every tear, laugh, and moment of tension. For those ready to witness two broken people try to build something unbreakable, Keeping 13 is not to be missed.
