The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the Binding 13 Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on October 11th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 10/11
oct 11th: beginning- ch 5
oct 12: chapters 6- 10
oct 13: chapters 11- 15

Week of 10/14
oct 14: chapters 16- 20
oct 15: chapters 21- 25
oct 16: chapters 26- 30
oct 17: chapters 31- 35
oct 18: chapters 36- 40
oct 19: chapters 40- 44
oct 20: chapters 45- 49

Week of 10/21
oct 21: chapters 50- 54
oct 22: chapters 55- 59
oct 23: chapters 60- 64
oct 24: chapters 65- end

PARTICIPANTS
~ Shabnam
~ Leslie
~ Ela

Chapter 1-5:
I‘m really looking forward to this read. It’s on my to be read list & I have heard so many good things about this book.

So far I feel that I am too old for this book. The language is very simple and a little bit vulgar, like a teenage slang. Well it’s a YA romance so it’s definitely noticeable. I‘m reading it in German so that might also make a difference. But the language is definitely not really my style.

It seems to be one of these Instant/Love at first sight tropes. Not one of my favorite ones, but I can read it. Johnny the big protector of the little girl Shannon. And Shannon the girl who needs someone to protect her. Not my favorite kind of dynamic, but I‘m eager to see how this relationship evolves.

There’s one scene where Shannon speaks up to Johnny after he hit her with the ball. She gets really upset and angry and shouts at him. I kind of felt this was misplaced and didn’t fit to the way the character of Shannon was described before and after that. She seems like someone who doesn’t defend herself, so that kind of reaction made no sense to me.

I’m starting this a little late.

Chapters 1 - 5

I agree that the writing is a bit simple but it’s also long winded so not much has happened compared to the number of pages.

I don’t mind the main characters, but the instant attraction is bothering me a bit too. I’m not sure that I’ll be convinced with their relationship if that’s how it’s going to happen.

Shannon’s reaction did seem to come out of nowhere but I’m attributing that to her injury and hopefully her character will be more consistent.

I’m interested to see what’s going to happen next - her family’s reaction, her relationship with her friends, what Johnny decides to do next.

Chapter 6-10:
Although I‘m still not really feeling the story, I obviously can’t wait for something to happen between Shannon and Johnny.

I‘m really happy for Shannon that she got accepted so well in Tommen. Was feeling really bad how she got treated in her old school.

For the Johnny chapter: I think i never heard someone talking so much about his chunk 🤣 Of course I can totally understand the impact his injury would have on him. Not trying to downplay.
And I think the fact that he keeps saying that Shannon is too young is just an excuse. I mean she’s 15 and he is 17… It’s not really a big deal. I definitely like how thoughtful and responsible Johnny acts for his age. He really knows what he wants and fights hard for it. Sometimes he seems quite hard on himself, which is why it made me happy he went out with his friends to losen up a bit. Turned out a bit crazy with Bella though.
Wondering if we’re really over Bella. Something is telling me, that she won’t back down that quickly. She’s trouble.

Chapter 10-15:
Finally we get at least some interaction between Shannon and Johnny. Yey!

I definitely want to know why Shannon is so afraid of her father and why she’s almost never allowed to go anywhere.

And I agree with you @Ela I‘m definitely also looking forward to see how the relationships and characters are evolving.

Chapters 6 - 10

There was still a moment where there were too many internal thoughts instead of interactions, but I think it’s getting better.

I’m glad too that Shannon seems to fit in, but there aren’t enough scenes with her talking to others. For example, she’s best friends with Claire and Lizzie, but they aren’t shown much. I like Claire and want to see more of her, but Lizzie hasn’t been shown in the best light so far - I don’t think she’s said anything nice, or even neutral, yet.

Yeah, Johnny seems mature, especially compared to all the other rugby players. I completely agree - Bella’s going to come up again, whether it’s an annoying ex threatening the new girlfriend, pretending to be pregnant, or getting Johnny in trouble because of Shannon’s age. Also, I thought that someone should have done something about her behaviour - Johnny said no multiple times, she was trying to take advantage of his drunk state and yet people looked annoyed at him when he finally pushed her off his lap.

Also, I think that picture Johnny took with Shannon is going to cause trouble - whether it’s with her parents, Bella or authorities.

Chapters 11 - 15

Me too - I want to know why she’s so scared of her father and his reactions, and what’s going to be done about it in the book. Maybe we’ll see the consequences now that she’s going to be home late. Also, I’m hoping that she gets to go with her friends.

Ronan is absolutely disgusting, but I’m assuming, like Bella, he’s going to show up again.

Chapters 16 - 20

I liked Shannon and Johnny’s conversation in the car (before it got tense). It was nice seeing them get to know each other, but Johnny definitely is in denial. Shannon talking to Joey was fun too.

I also liked Shannon having that conversation with her mother, but is it actually going to do anything? Her father is awful, but I don’t think Shannon’s mother is going to do anything about it, at least not yet.

Is Darren ever going to appear? I wonder what he’s doing. Maybe he’ll be able to help somehow.

Chapters 21 - 25

I’m glad that Shannon’s mother signed the slip - I’m looking forward to seeing what’s going to happen in Donegal.

Isn’t she going to get into more trouble if she’s going out with Johnny and going to be home late again? Is she going to tell Johnny what’s happening with her father?

For a moment I thought that Johnny was going to have to stop playing for a while but his coach only told him to rest for a week. I’m wondering how bad the injury is going to get before he’s forced to take time off. Will it become permanent?

@ela totally agree with you 100% on everything. Sadly I‘m way behind due to work! I hope to catch up on the weekend during Readathlon

Chapters 26 - 30

I’m glad that someone noticed and forced Johnny to take a break from all the intense training.

Shannon’s home life is awful and I can understand her fear of Joey getting fed up one day and leaving without her. Will Joey and Johnny see each other at the bar (assuming that’s where they’re getting food from)?

Chapters 31 - 35

I really liked seeing Johnny meet Joey in person and have a bit of a longer conversation.

Is Shannon going to live temporarily with Johnny? When will she tell him what’s happening in her house?

I’m assuming that Johnny’s father might be able to help Shannon and her family since he’s a lawyer.

Chapters 36 - 40

Is Shannon going to have to end up in the hospital for Johnny to find out?

I like Gibsie (even though, like with all the side characters, he can be shown more). Is the advice about being a friend to Shannon the same as his approach to Claire?

Is Joey really going to leave her there on her own?? I keep having to remind myself that they also have younger brothers but they don’t really seem to be in the story so I’m assuming that they don’t get abused, even though it’s still a toxic environment to grow up in. I’m really interested in seeing if Darren is going to show up - maybe his circumstances have changed to where he can help them.

I think I’m going to read ahead because I just want to see how things happen and it feels like I could read the rest in one sitting.

Chapters 41 - 44

Shannon meeting Johnny’s mother was hilarious. I hope there’s more. When is his father going to appear?

I liked Shannon and Johnny’s video game competition.

Chapters 45 - 49

(view spoiler)[ The stomach ache is going to have to end up being something serious, maybe from all the stress she’s under and obviously the beatings don’t help. Is she going to end up fainting in school? During the break? In Donegal?

I was laughing with Gibsie at Johnny’s story.

While I like Shannon, her being dropped off at a different house and now showing Johnny which one is actually hers is contradictory.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 50 - 54

(view spoiler)[ I wasn’t expecting the stomachache to be her period.

Bella of course is causing problems.

When are Shannon, Claire and Johnny going to talk? Claire has now seen the bruise and helped Shannon cover it up, so wouldn’t she want to know/help more?

It sounds like they’re all skipping school - is Shannon’s father going to find out?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 55 - 59

(view spoiler)[ I only just realised that the next book in the series is also about Johnny and Shannon (I thought it was going to be about Gibsie and Claire) so is anything actually going to happen in this book?

They talked on the bus, but it was basically just repeating what they already knew so Johnny is still risking his health and Shannon still hasn’t said anything to anyone. Maybe the book will end with Johnny finding out about Shannon’s father? Because she’s going to come home late.

Characters only seem to appear when needed - Shannon’s younger brothers are nonexistent; Joey only appears when Shannon is getting beat or when she calls him; her mother has also disappeared; her father only appears to remind the reader that he’s abusing her; Claire and Lizzie also only appear when Shannon’s having trouble with Bella or when she needs to talk something out.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 60 - 64

(view spoiler)[ Finally! Johnny’s having another surgery, but how are they going to stop him from rugby when it’s basically the same situation again? Maybe his parents will stay to watch him, or the coaches will demand weekly/regular checkups for him.

If the book is ending and nothing’s been done about Shannon’s father yet, is the last thing that’s going to happen be her landing in hospital?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 65 - 68 (End)

(view spoiler)[ Now that’s a cliffhanger.

I’m probably going to start the next book straight away, but I’m scared that there‘s going to be a time jump. I want the book to pick up straight from where this one finishes. Where are they going to go? Aoife’s?

I don’t think Shannon’s mother is going to choose them. Maybe she’ll come to her senses later in the book but not yet. Or she’ll tell them that she chooses them but still help/stay in contact with her husband behind their backs.

Overall, I liked this book - it’s refreshing to read a romance that isn’t so heavy on sex and sexual tension (real slow burn and actual getting to know each other); Shannon’s character wasn’t a copy of almost every female MC out there (she was anxious/shy, not confrontational and the abuse and bullying actually had a long term impact on her).

There were some things that I didn’t like (some of the scenes showing Shannon as naive were a bit over the top, especially from Johnny’s POV; there weren’t enough interactions with side characters; a bit too much of the MCs’ thoughts and internal monologues as opposed to interactions), but I’m definitely interested in reading the next book and seeing what happens with Johnny’s injury, Shannon’s health and home situation etc.
(hide spoiler)]