Not Your Typical High School Romance Book: A Deep Dive into Binding 13 and Keeping 13
While Chloe Walsh’s Binding 13 and Keeping 13 are set in a high school in Cork, Ireland, don’t expect your typical young adult read. These books tackle big themes (trauma, abuse, healing, friendship, and the most beautiful budding romance) with an emotional maturity that makes the series feel more like contemporary new adult fiction. (Trust me. Not only was I a teen way back when, but I also taught high school students—and they, like teen-me, had the emotional maturity of a rock.)
Johnny Kavanagh is at the center of the story: a cocky rugby prodigy with his eyes on the prize—a first-class ticket to playing for his country. There’s pride, glory, and a sizable paycheck on the line. On the other side of town is Shannon Lynch, a deeply traumatized girl just trying to escape the bullying at her old school—and an even more abusive home life. When Shannon transfers schools for a fresh start, she’s thrown into an entirely new world. And yes, it’s exactly the reset she needed.
The story is told from dual first-person POVs, giving readers a full picture of Johnny and Shannon’s histories, fears, hopes, and undeniable pull toward one another. Their romance is a slow burn, but easily one of the most rewarding I’ve read to date.
Mixed with Chloe Walsh’s ability to weave light, humor, and hope throughout the heaviness of their journeys? Chef’s kiss. No notes. Just give me Shannon and Johnny forever, please. (And I need a five-year-later epilogue, please and thank you).
Alright, without further ado, here’s my review of the duet.
What I Loved About Binding 13 and Keeping 13
✨ Here’s what worked beautifully for me—and why I’m now fully obsessed with the Boys of Tommen:
- Johnny is the ultimate protective MMC.
He’s got “touch her and die” energy in the best way. I sometimes roll my eyes at overprotective love interests, but with Johnny? I swooned. I got the butterflies. I had tears in my eyes. He cared for Shannon so deeply and consistently. He showed up for her over and over again. - Recurring romantic motifs that wrecked me
The “Hi, Shannon.” / “Hi, Johnny.” exchange starts early in Binding 13 and quietly becomes their thing, threaded throughout the duet like an emotional anchor. I’m such a sucker for when an author gives a couple a simple phrase that evolves with their relationship, and Chloe Walsh nailed it.
It’s almost as swoony as the moment Johnny starts calling Shannon “baby.” When he says it, it’s not just some pet name. Somehow, it’s soft, intimate, and loaded with meaning every time it happens. - Massive character growth
Johnny transforms from a self-centered rugby star into someone who can be soft, vulnerable, and completely in love. His arc is the most transformative in the duet. - Shannon’s emotional journey
I’ve read heartbreaking emotional stories with bits of emotional or physical abuse, but they never played an almost tangible role in the story. Chloe didn’t shy away from how bad it gets for Shannon or her siblings in the Lynch house. Triggering topics are so challenging to navigate, and I feel like Chloe did it so eloquently. Everything Shannon went through came across as raw and real, and my heart broke for her on every page. - Truly laugh-out-loud side characters
Gibsie might be one of the funniest side characters I’ve ever read. Crude? Yes. Over-the-top? Also yes. But he’s layered in ways that surprise you. Hilarious, always, but also surprisingly insightful when Johnny needs input from a (shockingly) emotionally-intelligent teenager. Not to be outdone, Hughie, Feely, Claire, and Lizzie, all bring real friendship energy. - The trauma is real (and well handled)
The depiction of emotional and domestic abuse is raw, and not easy to read, but it’s done with care and emotional accuracy. Walsh doesn’t gloss over it. - Found family done right
This friend group feels lived in. You know them. You root for all of them. And you want to be part of their circle. Beyond that, you’re invested in their stories, too. Yes, I want to know what happens to Johnny and Shannon, but I am just as committed to everyone else’s journeys. (I just hope I’m emotionally prepared for them.) - Some of the best book parents I’ve read
Johnny’s parents are iconic. Supportive, hilarious, emotionally available—and exactly the kind of parents Shannon never had. They offer much-needed comic relief (when you read that hospital scene, you’ll think back on this moment and be like ooooooh, I get it now) and show what healthy love looks like. - Long books, but never boring
The pacing was slow and the book was thiiiick, yes—but I was never skimming. I wanted to savor every emotional beat.
What I Didn’t Like (But Honestly Didn’t Mind)
⚠️ None of these are true “negatives”—just things that might throw some readers off, even if they didn’t bother me personally:
- The humor can be… extremely unfiltered
Especially from the boys. Think nonstop sex jokes and innuendos. Okay, honestly, I loved the levity it brought to an otherwise heavy storyline (honestly, it probably belongs in the pros list). But I get that not everyone vibes with that many penis jokes. - There’s a lot of emotional weight
Trigger warnings include emotional and physical abuse and bullying. The balance of dark and light is handled well, but it’s not a fluffy read.
Who This Duet Is For (and Tropes You’ll Find in Binding 13 and Keeping 13)
📚 This series is perfect for readers who love:
- ✨ Slow-burn romance
- ✨ Emotionally complex characters
- ✨ High school settings with very not-YA vibes
- ✨ Found family
- ✨ Protective male leads (but with depth)
- ✨ Sports romance (rugby!)
- ✨ Deep trauma + healing arcs
- ✨ Irish setting + slang (adds authenticity)
- ✨ Closed-door romance with emotional intensity
- ✨ Long, binge-worthy reads
Final Thoughts: Should You Read the Boys of Tommen Series?
YES. A thousand times yes.
This romance book duet is long, emotional, and intense, but they’re also so worth it. I laughed, cried, highlighted half the dialogue, and fell completely in love with this messy, beautiful group of characters. I can’t wait to continue the series, especially Joey and Aoife’s story next.
Thankfully, both of these beauties are available on Kindle Unlimited (I love a good free read!). But if you’re a physical copy girlie, you can also buy copies of Binding 13 and Keeping 13, annotate the crap out of them, and proudly place on your bookshelf like the trophies they’re meant to be.
Unsure how to fit these into your schedule while you’re in the middle of other books? Enter the ease of the audiobook. I’ve got all the details on how to use audiobooks to help you check books off of your TBR list.