In Binding 13, Chloe Walsh presents more than just a sports romance. This first book in the Boys of Tommen series is a sensitive, gritty exploration of trauma, resilience, and the sanctuary love can become when the world has taught you only to hide. Set in Ireland and embedded in the world of elite schoolboy rugby, the novel pulls readers into an emotional storm where healing comes in whispers, not roars.
Unlike many high-school-centric romances, Binding 13 refuses shortcuts. Its unflinching depiction of emotional abuse, psychological trauma, and the ache of recovery makes it a uniquely powerful opening to a now six-book saga:
- Binding 13 (2018)
- Keeping 13 (2018)
- Saving 6 (2023)
- Redeeming 6 (2023)
- Taming 7 (2024)
- Releasing 10 (2025)
This is a series that grows with its characters—and it all begins with the broken hearts of Shannon Lynch and Johnny Kavanagh.
The Setting: Tommen College, Where Futures Are Made or Fractured
Tommen College is no ordinary school—it’s where athletic glory meets adolescent volatility. Rugby is everything here, and for boys like Johnny Kavanagh, it’s a ticket to a future far from the shadows of their past. But for Shannon Lynch, newly transferred and desperate to disappear, Tommen is supposed to be a fresh start.
The environment is simultaneously safe and threatening—a space where reputations are currency, and silence can either shield or destroy you. Walsh builds this world with realism and subtlety, capturing the claustrophobic mix of teenage politics, unspoken violence, and simmering ambition.
Character Focus: Broken Doesn’t Mean Unworthy
Shannon Lynch: Softness in a World That Hasn’t Been Kind
Shannon is one of the most vulnerable heroines to emerge in recent romance fiction. She isn’t sarcastic, quirky, or outspoken—traits often expected of YA protagonists. Instead, she’s timid, withdrawn, and carrying wounds that run deep into her soul.
- Years of severe bullying and neglect have muted her.
- She flinches at physical contact, mistrusts attention, and recoils from kindness.
- Her inner dialogue is hesitant but raw, allowing us to feel the claustrophobia of her fear.
Yet Shannon is never portrayed as weak. Her mere survival, her ability to show up at Tommen each day despite the ghosts of her past, is an act of immense bravery. Watching her slowly, painfully open up is one of the book’s most rewarding arcs.
Johnny Kavanagh: More Than Just a Golden Boy
Johnny might seem like your typical star athlete—handsome, adored, confident—but Chloe Walsh dismantles this stereotype layer by layer.
- He hides a serious injury that could derail his future.
- He’s under immense pressure to succeed and provide for his family.
- His charm is real, but his anger, fear, and frustration are closer to the surface than most people realize.
What truly defines Johnny, though, is how he responds to Shannon’s pain. He doesn’t treat her as a project or a fragile doll. Instead, he becomes a safe space—a steady presence in a world that has never been safe for her.
Together, they aren’t a fantasy couple—they’re a portrayal of what love looks like when two people are trying to believe they deserve it.
Themes That Anchor the Novel
1. Trauma and Recovery
Few YA novels dive as deeply into psychological trauma as Binding 13. It examines how trauma rewires trust, alters self-worth, and distorts reality. Shannon’s trauma isn’t neatly resolved—it’s ongoing, messy, and requires patience. The novel makes an important statement: healing is not linear.
2. Masculinity and Emotional Suppression
Through Johnny and his friends, Walsh explores how boys are often forced to hide pain beneath confidence and aggression. The normalization of stoicism in boys, especially athletes, is addressed with nuance, and Johnny’s gradual willingness to feel—not just protect—is a powerful character evolution.
3. Found Family and True Friendship
- Joey Lynch, Shannon’s brother, is a complicated figure of tough love and trauma. His journey continues in Saving 6 and Redeeming 6.
- Gibsie, Johnny’s best friend, offers much-needed levity while also hinting at his own deeper layers.
- Claire and Mam (Mrs. Kavanagh) offer feminine support that contrasts the cruelty Shannon’s experienced.
These relationships remind readers that recovery isn’t just personal—it’s communal. People matter. Love heals, but so does presence.
Writing Style and Structure
Dual POV: A Window Into Wounded Hearts
Walsh alternates between Shannon and Johnny’s perspectives, offering readers full access to their emotional landscapes. This dual narrative works exceptionally well:
- Shannon’s chapters are often introspective and cautious.
- Johnny’s are more reactive, filled with internal tension and protective urges.
The shift in tone between their chapters reflects their personalities, making the emotional stakes feel layered and real.
Pacing: Unhurried but Purposeful
Binding 13 is a long read, and Walsh doesn’t shy away from detail. Some may find the pacing too slow—especially if they expect quick romance or high-stakes plot twists. But that’s not what this book is.
It’s a character-driven novel. The emotional build-up, the cautious trust, the restrained longing—all of it requires space to breathe. For those willing to immerse themselves, the payoff is deeply satisfying.
Prose Style: Vulnerable, Honest, and Irish at Heart
Walsh’s Irish roots come through in the dialogue and cultural setting, lending authenticity to the voice. Her prose is:
- Unflashy but deeply expressive.
- Emotionally rich without being overwrought.
- Layered with small, poignant moments rather than grand speeches.
This subtlety allows readers to connect with the characters on a personal, human level.
Highs and Lows: A Balanced Perspective
What Works Beautifully
- Emotional depth: The emotional authenticity is this book’s greatest strength.
- Realistic trauma depiction: Mental health is neither glamorized nor dismissed.
- Character development: Both protagonists evolve significantly without losing their core essence.
- Organic romance: Their relationship blooms slowly and believably.
What Might Challenge Readers
- Length and density: At over 600 pages, it demands time and patience.
- Delayed romance: The love story is slow to ignite, which might frustrate some readers.
- Repetitive introspection: Shannon’s thought cycles can feel repetitive, especially in the middle sections.
These aren’t flaws as much as stylistic choices—ones that may not suit every reader but are faithful to the emotional realism Walsh aims to achieve.
How Binding 13 Fits Within the Series
The Boys of Tommen series isn’t just a string of interconnected love stories—it’s a multi-character saga about pain, recovery, and hope in modern Irish youth.
- Keeping 13 picks up where Binding 13 leaves off, deepening Shannon and Johnny’s relationship.
- Saving 6 and Redeeming 6 take us into Joey Lynch’s painful world.
- Taming 7 and Releasing 10 broaden the lens to include more of the Tommen universe.
Reading Binding 13 first is essential—it sets the emotional foundation for the entire series and introduces the soul of the saga.
Comparable Titles and Reader Recommendations
If you were moved by:
- Making Faces by Amy Harmon
- More Than This by Jay McLean
- The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
you’ll likely appreciate the emotional gravity and slow-burn relationships in Binding 13. It’s a book for readers who prefer character-driven narratives over dramatic twists, and who value emotional healing as much as romantic satisfaction.
Final Take: Who Should Read Binding 13?
Binding 13 is not a breezy beach read. It’s a deep emotional dive that demands empathy and patience from its readers. It’s for those who:
- Crave stories of survivors, not just heroines.
- Appreciate emotionally slow-building love.
- Want to witness characters become whole.
This book may not be for everyone—but for those who connect with it, it won’t just be a read. It will be a personal experience. Whether you come for the romance or stay for the emotional depth, Binding 13 proves itself as a must-read for fans of slow-burn, meaningful YA and New Adult fiction.