Story Summary
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh is the first book in the Boys of Tommen series — an Irish coming-of-age romance that explores young love, trauma, and the blurry edges between friendship and obsession.
The story follows Shannon Lynch, a quiet, shy fifteen-year-old girl who transfers to Tommen College, an elite school where she struggles to fit in after years of bullying. There, she meets Johnny Kavanagh, the school's star rugby player and golden boy, who becomes unexpectedly protective of her.
Their friendship slowly evolves into something tender and dangerous — a story of first love, pain, and self-discovery. Shannon battles severe anxiety and the trauma of her past, while Johnny grapples with the pressures of his athletic career and his growing feelings for someone he knows he shouldn't want.
It's a raw, heart-wrenching story about finding safety and love in unexpected places — one that doesn't shy away from showing how messy and real young love can be.
Main Characters
Shannon Lynch
Age: 15 | Ethnicity: Irish | Hair Color: Auburn | Eye Color: Blue
Identity: Student / survivor
Soft-spoken and brave, Shannon hides deep trauma behind quiet smiles — learning, slowly, that she deserves to be loved.
Johnny Kavanagh
Age: 18 | Ethnicity: Irish | Hair Color: Dark brown | Eye Color: Green
Identity: Rugby player / school golden boy
Charismatic, protective, and loyal — Johnny wears confidence like armor but struggles with the weight of everyone's expectations.
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Every Spicy Chapter – Breakdown & Highlights
While Binding 13 isn't primarily a spicy novel, it builds an incredible level of emotional intimacy between Shannon and Johnny. Every physical moment is careful, heartfelt, and steeped in emotional vulnerability rather than explicit heat.
Chapter 47 – The First Kiss
After months of subtle flirtation, Johnny finally kisses Shannon in his car after a match. The rain is falling, the air thick with things unsaid. It's a gentle, almost hesitant moment — sweet and fragile, like everything between them.
"He kissed me so softly that I almost didn't feel it — until my heart started to hurt."
Chapter 49 – The Sleepover
Shannon spends the night at Johnny's house after a fight with her parents. They fall asleep side by side, her head on his chest. It's not sexual — it's about safety, about being seen.
"For the first time, I wasn't scared of the dark — not when he was beside me."
Chapter 56 – The Hospital Scene
After Shannon is attacked, Johnny refuses to leave her hospital room. When she wakes, his relief is overwhelming. He kisses her hand, his voice cracking as he tells her she scared him more than any match ever could.
"He didn't say it, but I knew — he'd never let me go again."
Chapter 63 – The Goodbye
As Johnny prepares to leave for rugby training, the two share an emotional farewell. It's not passionate — it's devastatingly human. His hands linger, his voice breaks, and they both know they're not ready to say goodbye.
"He looked at me like I was his whole world — and then he walked away."
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Goodreads Reader Reactions
Binding 13 holds an impressive 4.4-star average on Goodreads, where readers describe it as "a heartache in book form" and "the most emotionally immersive slow burn ever written."
Many call it raw, realistic, and painfully beautiful, especially in how it handles trauma, recovery, and first love. Chloe Walsh balances Irish humor with heartbreak, crafting characters that feel painfully real.
Positive Reactions
- "This book didn't just break me — it rearranged me."
- "Johnny Kavanagh set the bar for book boyfriends. He's not perfect, but he's real."
- "Shannon Lynch is the kind of heroine who stays with you long after you close the book."
- "It's not a romance so much as a survival story that just happens to have love in it."
Readers adored the slow burn — the yearning that stretches across hundreds of pages. Every stolen glance and hesitant touch hits harder because of how long it takes to get there.
"I screamed. I cried. I texted my friends at 2 AM about fictional Irish teenagers."
Critical Reactions
- "It's long — really long — but it earns every page."
- "The first half drags, but by the end, I was sobbing."
- "Trigger-heavy and emotionally intense — read with care."
Overall: Fans say Binding 13 isn't about perfect love — it's about survival, growth, and finding light after darkness.
"It's a book about broken people finding reasons to stay alive."
Related Books – The Boys of Tommen Series
Chloe Walsh continues Shannon and Johnny's journey — and expands the world around them — in the rest of the Boys of Tommen series.
- 1️⃣ Binding 13 – Shannon and Johnny's story begins.
- 2️⃣ Keeping 13 – Their love is tested through pain, distance, and healing.
- 3️⃣ Saving 6 – Focuses on Joey Lynch, Shannon's brother.
- 4️⃣ Redeeming 6 – Concludes Joey's story and the Lynch family arc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Binding 13 about?
It follows Shannon Lynch, a quiet, traumatized teen, as she adjusts to life at Tommen College and develops a deep, emotional bond with star rugby player Johnny Kavanagh.
Q: How old is Shannon in Binding 13?
She's 15 years old when the story begins.
Q: How many chapters are in Binding 13?
There are 67 chapters.
Q: How does Binding 13 end?
It ends with Shannon and Johnny separated but still emotionally connected — their story continues in Keeping 13.
Q: Where does Binding 13 take place?
The book is set in Ireland, mostly around Tommen College and Shannon's hometown.
Q: When was Binding 13 released?
Originally self-published in 2018, later republished by Bookouture in 2022.
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