Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Binding 13

Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

26 reviews

karlapardo's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ok! This book broke me into a million pieces so many times that I’m not sure how I’m still standing.
Before I start the review, here’s a reminder to CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. I didn’t necessarily pay attention to them because I know I can read rough topics but please check the trigger warnings.

This book was just heart wrenching. I had high expectations for this book because I know a few people who loved it and it did not disappoint. It is a very rough read though (second book is rougher just letting you know). Also, we have to keep in mind that these characters are teenagers, they are not adults. We can’t expect teenagers to act like adults. Their behaviors are very fit for their age and in some circumstances (not all of them) they are very mature but they are not adults. It’s a book you can’t put down. It is very long but it just doesn’t feel like it is. I devoured it in 2 days so if you haven’t read it because of the length please read it. It is very long for good reason, trust me. This book is made for the reader to love or hate every single character on it. It is not just a love story. You will come to love the side characters in this story because the author took her time and made you love them. That’s why this book is so long. We get to actually know who these people are and not just because of their relationship with Johnny and Shannon, we love them as them. Now, let’s talk characters.

Johnny, this boy is such a good character. He is going through some things because of an injury and he is struggling. He loves rugby and would do anything and everything to play, including hurting himself more than he already is. But when he meets Shannon and starts knowing her that changes a little bit, not a lot, but he does. He is an overthinker through and through. He will worry, A LOT. And I love him for that. He knows his girl. He knows something is wrong because he overthinks it and worries. He knows he has to protect her because he knows something is wrong, he just doesn’t know what. He loves Shannon so much that it’s overwhelming. He has so many incredible relationships with the other characters too, it’s truly beautiful to read. His relationship with Gibsie it’s my favorite, you can feel the love those two have for each other. His relationship with his parents (especially after surgery) it’s also so heartwarming to see. You can feel his character struggle so much with his own feelings that as readers you begin to feel those struggles. He loves Shannon and would do anything and everything is his power to keep her safe.

Shannon. Wow, such a horrible story. This girl has been through hell and back so many times. She thinks she is not strong or worth something good but she is so strong and a survivor in every sense of the world. She struggles a lot, she can’t seem to find her strength to stand up for herself because she has learned that if she does that she will be put through so much pain. She has learned to survive and survive only. We can see this girl’s development but it is very slow, she is very adamant to not develop in a way because she knows that will make it worse. Her love for Johnny it’s so strong to the point of it being the only reason why she is alive. Her love for Johnny is truly her anchor and strength.

The side characters. There is no way that we did not fall in love with these characters. Gibsie, Joey, Claire, Mammy K, Aoife, Lizzie, John Sr, Feely. And there is no way we did not hate Teddy, Bella, Cormac, Ronan.

I loved this book as well as the second one. HAVE THE SECOND ON HAND BECAUSE THERE IS A CLIFFHANGER. I would reread it but definitely not soon. It is very emotionally draining (keep that in mind)

Content Warnings

hayzey's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

storybookmina's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

ana_maria5's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

anna_marie_'s review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

mxlili's review

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dark emotional funny sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

taylorimbey's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad medium-paced

4.0

I wish the characters were a bit older, like university level because they feel older at times. But I enjoyed the slow burn tension between Johnny and Shannon. Because she’s so young and they are at that time in their lives where you’re experiencing big changes and picking the path you want to venture down, the tension of holding back feelings is understandable rather than annoying. I also love Gibsie as a side character. This book can be a bit heavy at times and his humor brings in a nice bit of levity.

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