YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

His first, last, and only true love has always been rugby.
Until now.

He wants to save her.
She wants to hide.

She’s damaged.
He’s determined.

Fate brought them together.
Love binds them.

Johnny Kavanagh has everything going for him. On the rugby pitch, he's a force to be reckoned with. Primed for stardom, he's heading straight for the top. Nothing can possibly get in his way, right?
Not even the shy new girl at Tommen College. The one with the sad eyes and hidden bruises. The one that distracts him like no one ever has.
Plagued with a hidden injury and desperate to impress the scouts watching his every move, Johnny has been placed on a pedestal so high, he has no room to make mistakes.
Striving to maintain balance, and on the crest of the International Summer Campaign, Johnny needs to keep his head in the game. He needs to stay focused, and cannot afford to let distractions get in the way of the bigger picture.
But what happens when a lonely girl with sad eyes becomes the only picture?

Life has never been easy for Shannon Lynch. Bullied and tortured, she arrives at Tommen College mid-way through the school year praying for a fresh start and desperate to shake off the demons that plague her.
On her very first day at the prestigious private school, she comes into contact with the notorious Johnny Kavanagh.
Thrown through a hoop over her feelings for him, and desperate to keep a low-profile, Shannon finds herself once again the target of bullies as she forms a fragile alliance with rugby's rising star.

Falling into a complicated friendship and grappling with their undeniable chemistry, Johnny and Shannon must face obstacles that threaten their relationship.

Two teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks collide.

Friendship, first love, rising fame, horrifying secrets, and pain all fuel together in Binding 13.

Hearts are binding and lives are entwining in Binding 13.

Binding 13 is the explosive first installment of a brand-new series from Chloe Walsh. Based in Ireland, the Boys Of Tommen series is bound to captivate and lure you into the world of rugby, love, and teenage heartbreak.

I'm excited and nervous to start this. I've heard both amazing and terrible things!

Starting!! I keep seeing this pop up on booktok as a favorite series ever so I'm excited to jump in!

Ch 5 (view spoiler)[Shannon's past is sad. She was so bullied for no reason. I kinda love Johnny's immediate attraction to her. He wants to protect her. Getting to know him too, he's a misunderstood bad boy. Like he's not really one but he has the reputation as one. (hide spoiler)]

Jill wrote: "Starting!! I keep seeing this pop up on booktok as a favorite series ever so I'm excited to jump in!"

Same! I started this yesterday as its such a big book and i thought it would take a while to read but im flying through it. Can't say I'm loving it though, which is a shame but it is addicting to read.

Jill wrote: "Ch 5 [spoilers removed]"

I did immediately like both of their characters and the way they were introduced.

First quarter - (view spoiler)[So whilst i do really like both of their characters im really bored of hearing how much of a tiny smol bean and a big brooding man Shannon and Johnny are. It's really grating how 'not like the others' the author is determined to make them. Their attraction but desire to stay away from each other is really sweet to read about though.

Not a lot has really occurred but i cant stop reading! Im not liking this yet cant seem to pull myself away! We've learned that Shannon's family aren't the best and she has had to put up with both a terrible home and school like previously. Im glad she can at least relax at school now in safety and with seemingly good friends. I'm sure we're going to learn more about her terrible father in the next quarter. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 12 (view spoiler)[The book is kinda dragging on. Not much happening, just their obvious attraction for each other but their promise to stay away from each other. Maybe this is a mega slow burn? I do like the alternating POVs. But Time to get the show on the road, I'm ready to get my heart shattered (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - ."

Yes it is a little too slow IMO (view spoiler)[but I'm hoping they will come together soon? Shannon's trauma is sad, I'm sure that will add to the heartbreak.. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 23 (view spoiler)[ the crush between Johnny and Shannon is cute but can we pick up the pace already. I love his protectiveness of her. Shannon’s parents are terrible I really feel badly for her. I’m starting to think that a bad car accident is going to happen where people get killed or hurt (hide spoiler)]

Ch 42 (view spoiler)[still building the relationship between Johnny and Shannon. they both really care for each other in an innocent way. I hope that she eventually trusts him enough to share about her abuse so she can get some help. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry for the ack of updates. I've been out of the house with work and a roadtrip all weekend but have been reading so I'll catch up with all my thoughts here now.

Jill wrote: "Ch 12 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[This book definitely does not need to be over 600 pages. Nothing has happened and I was eager for more progression, but also really enjoyed my time within the pages even when nothing was happening? I'm still so unsure with my thoughts on this! (hide spoiler)]

Jill wrote: "Dannii wrote: "First quarter - ."

Yes it is a little too slow IMO [spoilers removed]"

Yes I can imagine (view spoiler)[her history makes it really difficult to trust people and let them in. (hide spoiler)]

Jill wrote: "Ch 23 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I honestly wouldn't be sad to see Shannon's parents hurt or otherwise removed from the story. They seem terrible. I do, however, want to see more of them before that happens as a lot of the terror surrounding them happens off the page and I want to see to understand it better. (hide spoiler)]

Jill wrote: "Ch 42 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Like I love them but don't at the same time? This book has me so confused. I'm not loving it yet haven't been able to stop thinking about it all weekend! (hide spoiler)]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[I am learning more about both Shannon and Johnny and really do like both of their characters. I think they could be really sweet once they finally just get together!! Johnny's protectiveness over Shannon is really adorable and I'm glad she will get to see that there are good people out there. I do want to see her learn to save herself though, not find a boy to be her knight in shining armour.

Johnny's struggles have allowed him to become more than just the top rugby guy he was initially introduced at. From the outside, his life seems infinitely better than Shannon's but he has so much pressure on his shoulders too, asides from just his injury. I hope nothing tragic happens there and he doesn't have to give up the sport he loves or the future he has been working towards. (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[OH MY GOD he didn't kiss her back. I understand he is leaving in a few months and is already stressed with the pressure over his future, his fame, and his injury but I could feel Shannon's mortification through the page! (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm not a huge romance girly but this was the slowest slow-burn I have ever read! I did enjoy my time with it but also found some parts incredibly annoying. I wanted to know more about the characters than just their pain and wanted more to occur between them than just the start of a romance. I can fully understand the love and the hate people have for this book. It reminded me of reality TV or junk food - not the best for me but filling and engaging for a time.

The ending was really good, though. Johnny's injury and the pressure he was under seemed mostly resolved but it left on such a cruel cliffhanger with Shannon's horrendous parents. I didn't think this was a series I'd continue on with but I really want to know there is a resolution there so Idk... (hide spoiler)]

end (view spoiler)[the romance was cute but this was way too long. Not much happened just the increasing feelings between Shannon and Johnny. The romance was sweet but not worth the long read. The ending with Johnny was sad that his career is over. And Shannon getting beat by her father was so sad. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter -."

(view spoiler)[I agree this was too long and not really interesting. I don't think the cliffhanger got me good enough to continue. I also really don't care for rugby like at all (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I agree. Way too long of a read for the contents. Although, I can have imagined being quite obsessed by this if I had read it when I was Shannon's age. I think I might have liked the tense brooding then but, now, just wanted some damn action haha! (hide spoiler)]

I will join this discussion in a bit if that’s okay!

Jill wrote: "Ch 12 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[My bestie recommended this book to me, and from what she told me is that the first book is a mega slow burn, and then the second book, Keeping 13, is where we see more progression in their relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[I feel bad for Shannon. She can’t hang out with her friends or anyone else for that matter because of her father. This is a real slow-burn book, which picks up in the Keeping 13, but I am loving it so far, though I do get why it might not be the most popular book for all readers with the pace of the story. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 31: (view spoiler)[I do not like how Bella keeps on trying to get a rise out of Johnny. Also, Gibsie is funny when he is drunk. I thought the interaction between Johnny and Joey was nice. At least now Joey can relax a bit knowing that Johnny is protecting Shannon. (hide spoiler)]

Sharon wrote: "Chapter 14: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Yeah the pacing is suuuuper slow and I can see it infuriating a lot of readers. I didn't mind the pacing at first but it did start to grate on me too. (hide spoiler)]

Sharon wrote: "Chapter 31: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Gibsie was my favourite character of the whole book! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 50: (view spoiler)[Oh my! To have your first period noticed by others kids at school must be a horrifying thing. Also, I dislike Bella very much. I am glad that Johnny stood up for Shannon. I hope she knows that he cares about her. (hide spoiler)]

Sharon wrote: "Chapter 50: [spoilers removed]"

I know, right!? Poor girl! That must have felt mortifying!

Dannii wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Chapter 50: [spoilers removed]"

I know, right!? Poor girl! That must have felt mortifying!"

(view spoiler)[I am glad that at least someone decided to tell her nicely instead of bullying her about it. (hide spoiler)]

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[I loved the book, but I do understand why it is not the most popular book. It is a mega slow burn story. However, I loved it because of the characters and the way their friendship turned into trusting one another to becoming more than friends. It showed the progression of their relationship with their issues and all. The ending was really something. I hope that she is okay. Also, her mother is really something. How can you let your husband beat your own daughter? (hide spoiler)]

I'll be jumping into this in a few weeks if anyone will be around to chat still? I think I'm still in time for it to be a BR <3 It hasn't been 2 weeks since last comment yet.

Are you all continuing the series as well?

I will chat with you Maddie!

Yay! I'll reply to your comments as I read, but won't be for a while

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Date changed. Restarting February 2nd 2025. Happy Reading ☺

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Started it, but so far I am not hooked

Kay-Mika wrote: "Started it, but so far I am not hooked"

I’ve started too. On audio. It’s in two parts though. So am 20% through the first part. Not hooked, but definitely keen to see how this pans out. Once I know what chapter I’ve last listened to I’ll post an update

Sorry I habe been away. I got side tracked.
Stil at around chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ How I imaned Shannon fell
otherwise I can't explain how she managedd to tear her skirt up (or maybe I skipped that part)
Also, why does a SPORT school that is also a BORDING school only have ONE first aid helper(ONE!!!) that is on maternity leave? Shouldn't there be a nurse and an infirmary? A team doctor? And the director is a joke. Like everyone else actually (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ Ronan had some nerve to try and get Shannon
To hook up with him in the bathroom. It seems like everyone but Shannon knows that she is Johnny’s. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ Her Dad is so mean, calling her a whore because of the picture and beating her. And her mother is no better not sticking up for her and being wooed by flowers. I hope Johnny catches on and gets the Dad. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 46 (view spoiler)[ Shannon kissed Johnny and he just stood there (hide spoiler)]

Oh gawd 😔
I DNF'ed the bookI tried, but couldn't get into it

Chapter 55 (view spoiler)[ so
That’s the reason for binding 13! (hide spoiler)]

Kay-Mika wrote: "Oh gawd 😔
I DNF'ed the bookI tried, but couldn't get into it"

It’s definitely not riveting. I’m just kept going because I have it on audio and it’s been easy listening

Chapter 63 (view spoiler)[ so they finally kissed and have admitted to liking each other! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 67 (view spoiler)[ I am scared of Shannon’s dad knowing about her and Johnny! (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ wow it ended on a cliffhanger! Who will the Mum choose.. (hide spoiler)]