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literary_simone 's review for:
Keeping 13
by Chloe Walsh
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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
Just when I thought the first book was phenomenal, Keeping 13 knocked it straight out of the park.
⟡ Tropes and Rating ⟡
🏉 Rugby Player
💓 Boy & Girl Obsessed
🛡️ Protective Hero
⚠️ Domestic Abuse & Bullying
♾️/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
⟡ Review ⟡
This book starts out heavy, brutally heavy. Johnny is still in the hospital recovering from surgery, while Shannon is rushed to the ER after being beaten nearly to death by her father. Those opening chapters in her family’s house with her father still looming absolutely wrecked me.
In the aftermath, Shannon’s oldest brother Darren (who I really didn’t like at first) returns home and helps spin the story that their mother wasn’t neglectful but rather just as much a victim. And yes, she was a victim, no doubt about that, but it’s still difficult to forgive how she never stood up for her children, even when they begged her to.
The journey in this book is beautiful. It’s painful and devastating but at the same time there are funny moments between the kids and the parents. Still, so many scenes brought tears to my eyes, particularly as we got to spend more time with Shannon’s younger brothers.
Johnny and Shannon are everything. They are the best. No matter how much life throws at them, all the things no teenager should have to deal with, one thing is always certain. They’ll face it together. I felt such relief knowing Shannon finally has someone firmly, irrevocably in her corner. You can basically feel their love through the pages.
And while there is OW drama with Johnny’s crazy ex, there’s never a second where Shannon doubts him. Johnny makes it crystal clear where his heart lies.
“I love you, Johnny Kavanagh.“ “I love you back, Shannon Lynch," "For keeps?" "For keeps."
And then there’s Joey. I love this boy with my whole heart. With all his issues, he is fiercely protective of Shannon and the boys and the only one who sees how unfair their mother and Darren are being about her relationship with Johnny.
If I ache for Shannon, I ache even harder for Joey. He carried this family on his back, providing for them, basically raising four children since the age of 12 and taking the worst of the beatings. Despite it all, he held onto this complicated, heartbreaking loyalty to his mother. His love-hate relationship with her absolutely gutted me.
"Go back upstairs, Shan," Joey instructed, tightening his grip on his hurley, never once taking his eyes off Dad. "I've got this."
He was ten. Ten. Fucking 10. I’m terrified to start his books because I already know they’re going to wreck me.
⟡ Tropes and Rating ⟡
🏉 Rugby Player
💓 Boy & Girl Obsessed
🛡️ Protective Hero
⚠️ Domestic Abuse & Bullying
♾️/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
⟡ Review ⟡
This book starts out heavy, brutally heavy. Johnny is still in the hospital recovering from surgery, while Shannon is rushed to the ER after being beaten nearly to death by her father. Those opening chapters in her family’s house with her father still looming absolutely wrecked me.
In the aftermath, Shannon’s oldest brother Darren (who I really didn’t like at first) returns home and helps spin the story that their mother wasn’t neglectful but rather just as much a victim. And yes, she was a victim, no doubt about that, but it’s still difficult to forgive how she never stood up for her children, even when they begged her to.
The journey in this book is beautiful. It’s painful and devastating but at the same time there are funny moments between the kids and the parents. Still, so many scenes brought tears to my eyes, particularly as we got to spend more time with Shannon’s younger brothers.
Johnny and Shannon are everything. They are the best. No matter how much life throws at them, all the things no teenager should have to deal with, one thing is always certain. They’ll face it together. I felt such relief knowing Shannon finally has someone firmly, irrevocably in her corner. You can basically feel their love through the pages.
And while there is OW drama with Johnny’s crazy ex, there’s never a second where Shannon doubts him. Johnny makes it crystal clear where his heart lies.
“I love you, Johnny Kavanagh.“ “I love you back, Shannon Lynch," "For keeps?" "For keeps."
And then there’s Joey. I love this boy with my whole heart. With all his issues, he is fiercely protective of Shannon and the boys and the only one who sees how unfair their mother and Darren are being about her relationship with Johnny.
If I ache for Shannon, I ache even harder for Joey. He carried this family on his back, providing for them, basically raising four children since the age of 12 and taking the worst of the beatings. Despite it all, he held onto this complicated, heartbreaking loyalty to his mother. His love-hate relationship with her absolutely gutted me.
"Go back upstairs, Shan," Joey instructed, tightening his grip on his hurley, never once taking his eyes off Dad. "I've got this."
He was ten. Ten. Fucking 10. I’m terrified to start his books because I already know they’re going to wreck me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death