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A review by mrsbookraven
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another genre I do not usually read - romance. I bought this on a whim because of the hype.
At first I was underwhelmed. The characters were frustrating and the narrative was slow and repetitive. Then Brian the cat entered the story and the humour caught me.
This story is dark. I would suggest giving the trigger warnings a check, especially if domestic violence is a trigger.
Shannon had my maternal instinct screaming from the start. This girl is broken in every way. She has been bullied relentlessly at school and at home. Her fear and anxiety is written beautifully and realistically. This is a 15 year old girl who has been let down by everyone. She has never known safety and does not trust… at all.
Johnny is the stereotypical school jock. Top of his rugby game - famous for it. He’s going places, and he will stop at nothing to get there.
They’re chalk and cheese, but we soon learn that Johnny is broken too. These two need each other.
Shannon needs protecting (although Johnny is a little too aggressive about this throughout.) Johnny needs something or somebody to pull his head out of the game and to realise how unhealthy his obsession with his career is.
The book follows them as they navigate their feelings and their separate, deep fear of giving in to the connection they feel. Whilst also dealing with the opinions of everyone around them.
My main criticism is how slow it was to begin. Because by the end I was absolutely head over heels with every character, had laughed so hard I cried… and had cried so much my heart broke.
Book 2 is being downloaded to kindle as we spe
At first I was underwhelmed. The characters were frustrating and the narrative was slow and repetitive. Then Brian the cat entered the story and the humour caught me.
This story is dark. I would suggest giving the trigger warnings a check, especially if domestic violence is a trigger.
Shannon had my maternal instinct screaming from the start. This girl is broken in every way. She has been bullied relentlessly at school and at home. Her fear and anxiety is written beautifully and realistically. This is a 15 year old girl who has been let down by everyone. She has never known safety and does not trust… at all.
Johnny is the stereotypical school jock. Top of his rugby game - famous for it. He’s going places, and he will stop at nothing to get there.
They’re chalk and cheese, but we soon learn that Johnny is broken too. These two need each other.
Shannon needs protecting (although Johnny is a little too aggressive about this throughout.) Johnny needs something or somebody to pull his head out of the game and to realise how unhealthy his obsession with his career is.
The book follows them as they navigate their feelings and their separate, deep fear of giving in to the connection they feel. Whilst also dealing with the opinions of everyone around them.
My main criticism is how slow it was to begin. Because by the end I was absolutely head over heels with every character, had laughed so hard I cried… and had cried so much my heart broke.
Book 2 is being downloaded to kindle as we spe
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Miscarriage