I kept putting this off because of the length I mean this is a massive book but I wish I hadn't I really enjoyed this and didn't want it to end it had me hooked from the very first page and I loved watching the relationship between Johnny and Shannon unfold. The friendships in here were spot on and I loved them all. I also liked that this was a relatively clean romance with nothing happening 'on screen'. This deals with really heavy topics in a very respectful way but also showing exactly what it would be like growing up that way. This was well written my only issue was the amount of times we're told Shannon is small. I honestly hope this gets made into a tv series because I'd binge watch that. This was really good and I highly recommend.

Sadly this book wasn't for me. I couldn't get into the story so gave up. In sure it will suit others as there was nothing offensive about it, it just wasn't Mt cup of tea.

Binding 13 - Chloe Walsh

Oh my god - I loved it all! What a book, I did not know what I was going into with this one, it took my mind and ran wild with it, once I started I just could not put it down. I need to get my hands on the next installment to find out how johnny and Shannon's story continues. Thank you very much Netgalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and Piatkus for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions

I gave it a go, but unfortunately it was a DNF for me. I'm sure that it would work for some, but it was just a little too cliché and cramming in a lot of ~trauma without packing the emotional punch.

Forever in love with this series. I keep loving it more with each new instalment! Chloe has a talent for making me absolutely love her characters.

WOW - Binding 13 is a phenomenon. It's addictive, raw, and gritty and the characters are so lifelike that you become invested in their story right from the opening pages.
It is quite graphic in parts and not for the faint-hearted, however, it's not nauseous repetitive writing - but brutal and believable.
I was hooked and I completely loved it - so much so that I have devoured all of Walsh's other published novels!
A huge recommendation from me!

This wasn't quite what I had expected, and I'm not entirely sure how to review it. It was a loooooong book, that's for sure. I also felt it hard to connect with the main characters, however, I really liked a lot of the supporting characters. I'm not sure if it was just a bit too 'young' for me.
I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. That's all I can really say.

"Binding 13" by Chloe Walsh takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, offering a narrative beyond the typical sports romance. Personally, it was a struggle to finish it sooner, I'm usually a 'read-in-one-sitting' person , but this one took over a month due to its length and occasionally far-fetched plot lines that I kinda find it unnecessary in so many parts of this story. The bones are great for a really good romance overall. Nevertheless here I am.
The true gem lies in the characters. The found family dynamic is compelling, making it easy to root for Shannon and her siblings. In the second book, we dive deeper into Shannon's family, providing an extra incentive to continue the series if the first book didn't entirely resonate.
Despite occasional disconnects, the narrative lays a solid foundation for future couples, leaving room for growth and development. "Binding 13" sets the stage for a promising series, blending sports, raw emotions, and complex characters, making it a worthwhile read for those seeking a unique twist on romance.
I do realise that this was also published many years ago and some things changed over the years in both reality and fictional world but it’s still an enjoyable read if you have time and want to invest it in this novel.

Considering the length of this book I really flew through it because I just couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed the rugby element in this book too it was refreshing.

I was obsessed with Shannon and Johnny’s relationship even though it was a really long slow burn I enjoyed every page.

Shannon’s relationship at home with her parents was a difficult one to read so definitely check the trigger warnings but it was definitely an interesting read and the way this ended on a cliffhanger I need to read the next one soon!!

Every time I read this book I fall in love with Johnny And Shannon
He has my heart and he’s just way too precious

2.5 ⭐️
Unfortunately I didn’t connect with this story or these characters.

The size of this is absolutely unnecessary. For 95% of this book NOTHING HAPPENED. I’ve never read a book that loops around and around so much before.

The CONSTANT reminders of how small, underdeveloped and young Shannon is whilst also being sexualised was incredibly disturbing and cringe. This is where the book lost me and I could no longer connect with the characters or story

It is sweet and full of heart but also full of angst and heart-pounding moments. Shannon and Johnny together makes such a magical and a wonderful story that one could not help rather fall in love

Binding 13 is one of my all time favourite books ever. I love Johnny and Shannon so much and I absolutely loved rereading this book and falling back in love with this world and these characters.
This book is so long (like over 700 pages) and honestly I'd read a thousand pages about Johnny and Shannon because I just love them so so much.
The found family aspect of this world is also one of my favourite things about it. You can't help but fall in love with every single character and I am so excited to read all the future books about them.
There are definitely some harder hitting topics in this book, and the sequel Keeping 13, but this book is so worth the read and I just love it so much.
Binding and Keeping 13 are definitely comfort books for me and I could reread these books forever.

“In my world, invisibility equaled safety. I was happy to be wallpaper and blend in. And Johnny Kavanagh was about as opposite of invisible as I could think of.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/♾️

Book: Binding 13
Author: Chloe Walsh

Well… there isn’t much that I can say about this book that hasn’t already been said. Never in a million years did I think I would 1) enjoy a 650 page romance book, and 2) would need the next 650 page book straight after finishing said first book, but I did.

Shannon and Johnny are some of my favourite characters that I have ever read about, their chemistry was electric without feeling forced at all, and they were relatable in ways that they shouldn’t be. Although this is set in high school, it is definitely not written in a way that would be for teenagers, it is very much aimed at adults, so please don’t let that put you off reading it.

I’m already on book 2 in the series and can’t wait to see what happens 🥺

If you are looking to pick this up, please check the trigger warnings, as it is definitely not a “fun time” kinda book, there are a lot of very heavy topics spoken about and it will absolutely break your heart.

(I did buy this on kindle, but I also received an EARC from Little Brown Book Group UK, so thank you so much! 🫶🏻)

🩵

When I began reading Binding 13 I was in Cardiff attending the Four Brits Book Fest and Chloe Walsh was actually there with her good friend and author Nikki Ashton. It was a total coincidence that I was just getting into the book and then the author was right there! She was so lovely and I got the opportunity to talk to her about how it feels to acquire a publisher after being an indie author for so long. She was honestly hilarious and was more than happy to show me her Derry Girl stickers on her diary and meeting someone who was actually taller than me for once!
Now for the review. I anticipated the book to be a sports romance but after that I had no idea what to expect.
Binding 13 follows teenagers in an Irish school called Tommen which is known for its fantastic rugby team and stellar academic potential. Johnny is the captain and is recovering from a serious injury. He shouldn’t be playing rugby at all but to him, it is his only opportunity to achieve a career in the sport therefore not playing isn’t an option. He’s a bit of a player, kind of the stereotypical sports guy, popular with the ladies and a lads lad around his friends. Under the surface he is deep and passionate and does anything for those that he loves.
Shannon is new at Tommen. She was brutally bullied and tormented in her old school which has massively traumatised her. Although life at a new school gives her the chance to start fresh, she is so traumatised by her experiences that cannot cope with these new situations. She has her two childhood friends at Tommen who love her, something she isn’t used to and her older brother Joey who is her rock. If her torment wasn’t bad enough, her home life is just as bad, if not worse.
She has lots of siblings with one she hasn’t seen in years since he left after declaring his sexuality and he couldn’t cope with the abuse. Her father is a violent drunk. As the only girl, Shannon receives the brunt of the abuse and she’s terrified of him. Her mother is meek and doesn’t defend her children the best she could.
These two characters who are completely different are thrust together and bond.
This was so much more than a romance. I would even say that the romance plot wasn’t one of the main plot points at all until the second book. This was about surviving and finding people who were willing to fight for you the best way they could. I thought this was a standalone in an interconnected series so be warned that to appreciate the whole story you’ll have to read the second book – Keeping 13. It was such an emotional journey and it was impossible not to connect to the characters. I would definitely check for trigger warnings as the difficult subjects covered in the book are quite explicit. It is also very long at over 600 pages. It is such a slow burn that it almost doesn’t burn at all. Be prepared to be in this for the long haul as the second book is just as long. I think at points it was hard to stick with it but as the book covered multiple plot points, characters and issues, it was necessary for the book to be longer otherwise it would breeze past all the important parts. Not only Johnny and Shannon but all the side characters that further enriched the story. Chloe Walsh sure does know how to write a rich and emotional story.
Thank you for the eARC!

Thank you for my eARC of this book, I wanted to love this but just couldn’t get into it. I think it just felt a little younger than I expected, even for the age of the characters at the beginning

This book was everything! The relationships between the various character was everything!

From the very beginning of the book, I had been absorbed and read it in one sitting, which if you have read the book had been a long time, but reading this book didn't feel as though it was.

Johnny and Shannon have my whole heart! I cannot wait to start the next book! Would 100% recommend!

Binding 13 is completely outside of my usual comfort zone, I’d heard a lot about it on booktok/bookstagram but hadn’t gotten round to reading it yet, usually if I’m picking up a romance I go for a rom com vibe rather than this, but I ended up absolutely devouring this book!

I think it was the combo of nostalgia & addicting writing that did it for me really. Even though I did not grow up in Ireland or under the same circumstances as Shannon, there are universal teen girl experiences that this book really taps into & you can absolutely relate to.

The writing just flowed well despite that & the plot being fairly repetitive at times, I flew through the book basically without stopping.

With the end finishing on a massive cliffhanger I have obviously already picked up the sequel & I am just as obsessed with that!

Thank you to Little Brown Book Group/Piatkus and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

This is as much a love story as it is a drama / family saga. Whilst it may feel a little slow and a lot long in some places I am not sure I could suggest any edit...it is all worth it!
Shannon and Johnny are all consuming young love with this being their first love but some very real and very adult life experiences happening around them there is no point where you want to dismiss their first love as just infatuation or something fleeting for these teenagers.
Supporting characters are just as vivid and entertaining as our main two, especially Gibsie and certainly provides a lot of laughs but this covers some serious topics such abuse and bullying but also the precipice on which teenagers balance childhood and adulthood. It is written so well that I just had to read Keeping 13 as soon as I had finished.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my book of the year, I love a slow burn and it’s slow. But I read it so fast!

I like that the book is set in 2005. I was 16 in 2005, like Shannon, experiencing first love. So it strikes a nostalgic chord. The relationship between Johnny and Gibsie is fantastic and had me laughing out loud. It does end on a cliffhanger and you immediately want to read the next book.