In Taming 7, Chloe Walsh returns to her Irish YA sports romance series with all the signature angst, humor, and emotional devastation that fans have come to expect from the Boys of Tommen. As the fifth installment in the six-part saga, this novel pivots the spotlight toward Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson—Tommen’s class clown—and Claire Biggs, his childhood best friend and long-time secret heart.
The series unfolds as follows:
- Binding 13 (2018) – Johnny Kavanagh & Shannon Lynch’s introduction
- Keeping 13 (2018) – Continuation of Johnny and Shannon’s love story
- Saving 6 (2023) – A harrowing deep dive into Joey Lynch’s past
- Redeeming 6 (2023) – Joey’s battle for recovery and love
- Taming 7 (2024) – Gibsie and Claire’s long-awaited story
- Releasing 10 (2025) – (upcoming) presumably focused on the mysterious Ten
While earlier books focused on trauma and survival, Taming 7 dares to soften the blow with sunshine, banter, and tender friendship-to-lovers romance—all while never flinching from the emotional wounds that make its characters so raw and real.
Plot Overview: A Love Years in the Making
Gerard Gibson—Gibsie to everyone who loves him—has always been known as the jester. But readers of the Tommen series know better. Beneath the humor lies a young man hiding deep scars, a fractured family life, and a heart much heavier than his jokes suggest. His only real relief? Claire Biggs.
Claire, the sister of Gibsie’s best friend Hugh, is a sunshine girl—empathetic, grounded, and in love with Gibsie since childhood. Their bond is electric, long-standing, and forbidden by social dynamics and personal fears. Yet, as Taming 7 unfolds, the pair are forced to confront their unspoken connection in the wake of pivotal life moments—friendship fissures, romantic confessions, jealousy, school drama, and Gibsie’s own haunted past.
The plot delicately tracks:
- The evolution of Gibsie and Claire’s relationship from platonic to romantic
- The breakdown and rebirth of friendship within the Tommen group
- Gibsie’s internal battle with anxiety, self-worth, and unresolved trauma
- Claire’s strength and determination to choose love on her own terms
Character Development: Complex, Vulnerable, Unforgettable
Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson
Gibsie is not just a comic relief character. In Taming 7, Walsh gives him full narrative agency. His chapters explore a layered psyche: humorous, yes—but also tormented, loving, and fiercely loyal. Gibsie’s growth is subtle but profound: he learns to trust his worth, open up emotionally, and accept love not as a reward, but as a right.
Memorable moment: His line “I’m in, Claire Biggs” becomes a seismic emotional anchor, symbolizing his full-hearted commitment.
Claire Biggs
Claire is refreshing. She’s a YA heroine who doesn’t rely on tropes of helplessness. Her love for Gibsie is unflinching, but it’s her demand for emotional honesty that defines her strength. She’s not afraid to challenge him, set boundaries, and grow on her own.
Noteworthy trait: Her fearless declaration during the rugby match, calling Gibsie her boyfriend mid-game, is not only swoon-worthy but a clear assertion of agency.
Supporting Cast
- Johnny Kavanagh: The rock of the series, offering wisdom and brotherhood.
- Shannon Lynch: A steady voice of reason, especially when Claire’s confidence wavers.
- Lizzie: A complex antagonist to Claire’s romance, offering tension and realism.
- Hugh Biggs: Protective and pragmatic, his response to Claire and Gibsie’s relationship is nuanced and deeply human.
Themes Explored
- Mental Health and Healing: Gibsie’s night terrors, anxiety, and unprocessed trauma give the story a deeper emotional gravitas. Walsh doesn’t romanticize his struggles; she humanizes them.
- Friendship and Found Family: The splintering and mending of the core Tommen group (“the core eight,” as referred) adds a compelling backdrop to the romance.
- First Love and Emotional Intimacy: From sleepovers to confessions, Walsh showcases the dizzying intensity of teen love without glamorizing toxicity.
- Consent and Emotional Readiness: Claire and Gibsie’s relationship is a masterclass in waiting, consent, and emotional readiness, with both characters taking time before acting on desire.
- Masculinity Redefined: Gibsie breaks molds: he dances, cries, cuddles, panics, and still remains undeniably masculine. This redefinition is one of the novel’s strongest undercurrents.
Writing Style: Chloe Walsh’s Signature Blend
Walsh’s writing in Taming 7 is emotionally immersive and rhythmically sharp. She seamlessly transitions between hilarious banter and aching vulnerability. The dual POV narrative is executed flawlessly, allowing readers into both Gibsie and Claire’s heads—each perspective complementing the other.
Highlights of her style include:
- Authentic Irish slang and setting-specific references that add texture and authenticity
- Humor used not to mask emotion, but to enrich it
- Emotional resonance with no reliance on melodrama
Pacing and Structure
While the novel’s length is generous, it never drags. The slow burn romance pays off precisely because Walsh invests in the characters’ psychological realism. The middle chapters flirt with slice-of-life vibes (school drama, Halloween party antics), but the core narrative drive never fades.
However, some readers may find the late introduction of certain plot twists or the occasional overextended emotional monologue slightly excessive. A leaner execution in a few scenes might have heightened the emotional impact.
Critical Reflections
While Taming 7 is a deeply rewarding read, a few points merit critique:
- Lizzie’s Role: Her antagonism sometimes tips into caricature. A more balanced portrayal could have elevated the emotional stakes.
- Slight Redundancy in Dialogue: Emotional exchanges occasionally circle the same revelations, risking repetition.
- Resolution Arc: The climax, while touching, leans heavily into sentiment. A bit more narrative tension could have sharpened the ending.
Yet, none of these detract from the novel’s heart or craft. Walsh knows her characters inside out, and she writes them with compassion, humor, and unrelenting depth.
Comparison with Other Books in the Series
- Binding 13 & Keeping 13: Focused on Johnny and Shannon, these novels laid the emotional groundwork for the series. Gibsie was comic relief then—now he takes center stage.
- Saving 6 & Redeeming 6: Darker and more traumatic, they delve into Joey’s psyche. In contrast, Taming 7 is more emotionally hopeful, though not without shadows.
- Taming 7: Represents the emotional turning point in the series—a shift toward healing, romance, and coming-of-age honesty.
- Releasing 10 (Upcoming): If Chloe Walsh follows her pattern, this final book is poised to resolve long-standing character arcs and give fans the closure they crave.
Who Should Read Taming 7?
- Fans of slow burn romance with emotional payoff
- Readers invested in found family tropes and friendship dramas
- Anyone seeking a male lead who is emotionally complex yet lovable
- Lovers of contemporary YA romance with mental health themes
Comparable titles include:
- The Deal by Elle Kennedy – for its sports romance and humor
- It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover – for emotional depth and trauma healing
- The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window by Kirsty Moseley – for childhood-to-lovers dynamics
Final Verdict
Taming 7 is Chloe Walsh at her most tender, humorous, and emotionally insightful. By giving Gibsie and Claire the story they deserve, Walsh elevates her series beyond typical sports romance and into the realm of character-driven literary YA.
The Good:
- Deep character development
- Authentic emotional arcs
- Equal parts funny and heartbreaking
The Not-So-Good:
- Occasional dialogue repetition
- Secondary character dynamics could be tighter
