Binding Thirteen isn’t just a book; it’s an experience. From the moment I met Johnny and Shannon, I was completely gone. Their story is raw, emotional, and so deeply felt - it broke my heart, pieced it back together, and then shattered it all over again. Johnny Kavanagh? The ultimate book boyfriend. Cocky, charming, but with a heart of gold when it comes to her. And Shannon - sweet, strong, and surviving so much more than anyone should have to. Their connection is electric, their banter is perfection, and the slow burn? Absolute agony (in the best way). Chloe Walsh doesn’t just write romance - she writes love in its most vulnerable, messy, real form. I would give this book a million stars if I could. If you love angst, deep character development, and a love story that consumes you, Binding Thirteen is IT.

This series is so good and within the first 20 pages of this book i was hooked, don’t be put off by how long it is because it doesn’t feel like that much when reading it! I read it all in a day!

4.75 stars I’m a little late to the Boys of Tommen series, but I’m really glad that I’ve finally gotten around to starting Binding 13. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that I haven’t been able to put down, but Binding 13 was that book! I was expecting a traditional YA romance when I read the blurb on the back of the book - boy and girl meet, boy and girl fall in love and live happily ever after. So I was pleasantly surprised when this book was so much more than that. All of the characters were strong characters and not just the MMC Johnny and the FMC Shannon. The banter between Johnny and Shannon, and between Johnny and his best friend Gibsie, was spot on and at times laugh out loud funny. The book covers many different tropes, some which people might find triggering. It includes sports romance, he falls first, sex, bullying, domestic abuse and alcoholism amongst others. Binding 13 is a book about the power (and pain) of first love and is a heart-wrenching, highly emotional story. The ONLY reason that I don’t give the book five stars was because to me, the book seemed a little repetitive in places. I actually lost count the number of times that Johnny proclaimed that ‘I’m in so much f*cking trouble’ and ‘I’m going to lost my sh*t’. Despite this, I absolutely loved this book. Binding 13 is a story which will be forever etched in my heart and I can’t wait to start book two.

To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations when I picked this up. With all the hype surrounding it, I assumed it would be underwhelming and perhaps even cringeworthy. However, after being reassured that it was different—more reminiscent of classic New Adult novels—I became intrigued. This book is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. It touches on themes of love, loss, abuse, courage, bravery, and family, all of which are handled with depth and sincerity. Shannon, in particular, is an exceptionally well-written character, and the dynamics within her family added another layer of interest. Chloe doesn’t shy away from portraying the harsh realities of these situations, and it was refreshing to read something so brutally honest, yet ironically, very enjoyable. Shannon and Johnny's relationship was a delight to follow. Their interactions felt real, and I loved the slow-burn romance, which allowed for a deeper connection between them. It was refreshing to see their bond develop naturally, rather than being rushed. The supporting characters also added so much to the story, making it even more captivating. That being said, I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving into this book, as it does address some very difficult topics. However, it’s absolutely a must-read, and I’m so glad I picked it up. The ending was incredibly dramatic, and I’m thrilled that I already have the sequel lined up. It’s a hefty read, but absolutely worth it.

This book was 613 pages of pure angst and slow burn, and I loved every second of it. The dual POV was fantastic—Shannon and Johnny felt so real, even when they frustrated me. Their struggles were raw and emotional, so check the TW before diving in. Shannon’s story in particular is heartbreaking— something I wasn’t expecting going into this book. She deserves the world. Gibsie stole the show with his humor, and his friendship with Johnny had me laughing out loud. The story is very character-driven with minimal spice, making it perfect for fans of intense longing and tension. It wasn’t flawless (Shannon being called “tiny” got old fast), but the emotional depth and writing kept me hooked. I flew through it and that ending?! Immediately picking up the next book!