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At first, Shannon and Johnny seem to come from completely different worlds. She's shy, invisible, and damaged in ways most people don’t see. He’s popular, confident, and loved by many, but under enormous pressure and hiding an injury that could end his career. Somehow, they find something real in each other — not out of pity or obligation, but genuine care, protection, and a rare kind of understanding that grows into a complicated friendship… and something more.
This book doesn’t shy away from heavy topics. It deals with bullying, domestic violence, mental health, abuse, and trauma, but it does so with care and depth. Chloe Walsh builds a world that feels raw and real — one where people are messy and flawed, but still capable of love, growth, and healing.
What really stood out to me was how layered and well-developed the characters are. Shannon is incredibly strong, even when she doesn’t see it herself, and Johnny is so much more than the sports star image everyone expects of him. Their bond is slow-building, emotional, and incredibly well-written. I also loved the friendships — Johnny and Gibsie’s brotherhood, Shannon’s beautiful connection with Claire and Lizzie — they all added warmth and depth to the story.
The pacing is slower, but it works perfectly for a book like this. It gives you time to really sit with the characters and feel everything with them — the pain, the tension, the healing, the laughter, and the love. The writing flows smoothly and captures every emotion in a way that’s heartfelt and completely immersive.
I honestly loved it. It’s not just a romance — it’s a story about survival, trust, vulnerability, and finding light in dark places. I’d give it a solid 5 stars.
I’d definitely recommend Binding 13 to anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven romances, especially those that explore deeper issues. If you’re into sports romance, slow burns, or stories that make you feel a little bit of everything — this one is absolutely worth reading.
PS.: Gibsie, I freaking love you.
⚠️ Content warning: child abuse, domestic violence, physical and emotional abuse, bullying, body shaming, injury, alcoholism, panic attacks, and miscarriage.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cursing, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Abandonment
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence
What makes this book hit so hard (at least for me) is how real it feels. It’s nostalgic. It’s familiar. We were high school kids too, we had our own messy drama, and the author somehow captures that chaos and vulnerability in a way that even non-Irish readers can relate to. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, you feel like you know these characters. Hell, sometimes you feel like you are them.
I adore Shannon and Johnny. They felt grounded, like real people shaped by their messy families and circumstances. The side characters and even the so-called villains felt fleshed out too—though sometimes a bit too dramatic, but honestly? That’s high school. Everything feels like too much when you’re a teenager.
My heart just breaks for Shannon and Johnny. The writing is simple but cuts deep. Sometimes I cringed at Shannon’s choices, but not in a hateful way—in a "this makes total sense for her" kind of way. She’s "flawed" and she’s real. And I love that the book doesn’t beat the same point over and over again. It treats you like a reader who gets it, instead of talking down to you.
Also the humor? Lol. It genuinely reminded me of the way teens joke around, awkward, random, chaotic, and sometimes unexpectedly deep. I knew how Shannon and Johnny's story would end, and still, watching their relationship unfold again hit me right in the chest.
So yeah. This book pulled me out of my slump. First one I finished this month.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pregnancy
You just HAVE TO READ IT RN because Shannon Lynch and Johnny Kavanagh are so worth it
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Classism
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment
the depth in their personalities and in their backstories just makes it easier for you to relate to each and every one of them. watching these characters fall in love, face their fears, protect each other... it does something to you.
you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be happy, and you'll feel like screaming. you'll be torn apart only to be put back together. you'll hopefully find your new family in them, and you won't be able to let them go... because they are for keeps. ♡
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia, Infertility, Blood