Binding 13: A Rugby Sports Romance (Boys of Tommen #1) Paperback – 5 Feb. 2020

It takes quite a bit for me to want to re-read a book, it doesn't happen often - quite the opposite, yet I keep coming back to this one. For me, a successful book is good story, good characters, good writing, and it has to make me FEEL. If it has all of those elements, which let's face it, is sadly rare, then I'm gone hook, line and sinker.This series - Shannon, Johnny, Gibs, Claire, Joey, Mammy K, all of them, is unlike anything I've ever come across before.It is so good, that even though I know what's going to happen, I Feel everything these books evoke just as much each time I read them.I cry with them, rage with them, rejoice with them, grieve with them, laugh out loud at the humour and the antics they get up to (especially Gibs - hands down funniest book character I have ever had the pleasure of coming across). I'm not sure I've ever had that from one book before.Shanon may come across as a bit doormat-ish at the start, but peel back those onion layers, and you find the heart of a fighter, an incredibly strong girl who doesn't even know it herself. Johnnys the definition of overthinker; a strong, good guy with so much commitment, dedication & passion for the things he fights and cares for. I loved these two.This absolute gem of a book, and series, is so unlike anything I've ever come across before, and I know for a fact that I'll still be coming back time and time again because they are "bleeding brilliant".If you're looking for a beautifully written, heart wrenching, hilarious book with dark secrets, characters so seemingly real that it's almost seems plausible that one could bump into them in Ballylaggin, and want one hell of a book hangover, then do yourself a favour and read these pronto.

As a grown adult, I don’t think I had any right to love this book as much as I did 😂 I knew nothing about it going in, except that it involved rugby. I was surprised by the fact that it truly is a young adult book in terms of the character ages. I also had no idea it was set in 2005! Which was a delightful surprise - I was Shannon’s age in 2005 and it was deliciously nostalgic.Anyway. The slowest of slow burns. In the best way. So much pining. Constant denial of feelings on both ends. All the while you’re reading like “c’mon GET IT TOGETHER!” What’s special about this book is that it is very funny but also heartbreaking at the same time - Johnny’s banter with his friends is hilarious, but then Shannon’s home life is tragic. The contrast between these things makes it such a gripping read. Couldn’t put it down. Excuse me while I run off to read Keeping 13, because I was NOT expecting a cliffhanger ending 😭What to expect:- sports romance- school romance- Irish banter- touch her and die vibes- abusive family and bullying

This book had me feeling every emotion possible! I cried actual tears over this book, from the sadness I felt for Shannon and her homelife, but also from laughter at Johnny hopped up on morphine!I've had this book on my TBR for a long time, but I've always been daunted by the size of it. I have managed to read it in two days because I simply couldn't put it down!Shannon has been dealt such an awful hand in life, and I wish I could dive into the book and be her friend so she has someone on her side. Johnny couldn't be more different, having been born into a loving family and having a big circle of friends around him. Even with their differences, they both struggle and lean on each other for support. Their relationship comes together so naturally, and I can't wait to see how it develops in the next book!

If you’re buying this book hoping to cry like I did, it doesn’t make you cry.I am a very sensitive person but this book did not make me sad, if anything it was FUNNY.You heard me right, this book has many funny scenes.Even though I didn’t cry through it you go through MANY emotions like sadness anger happiness relieve and obviously like I mention earlier you will laugh.This book definitely made you know the characters so well and is so consistent throughout- like the quality of writing doesn’t get boring like most books- it kept me wanting more.Honestly well done to the writer because it’s around 700-800 pages long and it’s so gripping.If your thinking about getting the second one with this one get it as you will NEED the second book 🫶😭This romance was realistic and not cringey like most typical romance books btw :)

Having read a couple of other so called books recently which I had finished in 2 hours, more like a couple of chapters, I was delighted to actually find a book which took me several days to read in my spare time, and by the time I'd got half way through I was making time to read it. Set in Cork, Ireland we meet Shannon, who is an extremely troubled teen who has suffered so much bullying both verbal and physical at school that she has to get pulled out and start a new school. Her father is a bully, an alcoholic and a lazy slob who drinks and gambles his social benefits as well as the child support. Her mother works flat out and has taken out a loan to pay for Shannons fees at the new school. It is not a happy home, and as the only girl Shannon takes the brunt of her father's abuse. Her escape is her new school where she actually has a couple of friends and even after a shockingly embarrassing first day incident in front of the school rugby team, no one laughs at her, taunts her, or lays a hand on her. The team captain Johnny makes sure of that. Secrets have a habit of coming out and there are lots of secrets being kept in this story.A great read that ends on a cliff hanger, good thing I have the next on the series waiting on my kindle. This is my first read I think from Chloe Walsh and it certainly won't be the last. Love that she has put an explanation in for some of the Irish terms. Being Norn Irish myself with a daughter playing GAA Gaelic football and camogie and a son who plays Special Needs tag rugby it was easy for me to follow, and the culchie reference made me giggle as people in my area, living in the mountains are called culchies too.😅

I completely get the hype now. These books are so good.The characters are written in such a way that they feel so real and so present and just reading about their lives is so engaging. Like, the plot is good and interesting but ultimatly its just about normal people’s lives and yet is so captivating. And it’s not even just the main characters - I love all of them and they’re all so well written. It’s amazing how the author is able to capture the presence of these characters so simply and effectively.The book is over 600 pages and the plot is even a bit on the slower side and yet not once did I feel like it was too long. I couldn’t wait to jump right in to the next book. Nothing is rushed and the characters feelings are developed so well. It didn’t feel forced or drawn out.I wouldn’t even say this is the best written book I’ve ever read but something about it just works SO well and its so good. The strength of these books is the characters 100%

ESSE LIVRO É PERFEITOaliás, a série inteira é perfeita e virou minha série de livros favorita!!!!jhonny e shannon sempre terão um espaço no meu coraçãoum dos melhores livros que eu já li!!

Los personajes son increíbles no puedes dejar de leer la historia aunque un chick Flick es buena bien escrita leí en 4 días

I totally believe sharing these topics can make a good difference and impact in our communities.I must confess that the only part I cried was the final chapter, but the story was heartbreaking.I adore all the characters and I’ll for sure add to my TBR the rest of Chloe’s books.

Jag skulle aldrig börjat under veckan, utan väntat till helgen när jag har mer tid att sträckläsa. Välskriven och man vill läsa mera. Tur att jag har del 2 och 3 väntandes hemma !