🏉Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh — Book Review
⭐ Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Big series? Yep. Super cheesy? Also yep. But I couldn’t put it down.
📚 Spoiler Warning
I’m diving all in here — so if you haven’t read this book yet and don’t want the twists revealed, go grab your copy of Binding 13 on Amazon first.
📝 What’s it about?
Let’s just say Binding 13 is like a mashup of your favorite angsty teen drama, a rugby romance, and a survival story — but with gorgeous writing that makes you stick with it despite the over-the-top drama.
Shannon, 15, has had it rough. She’s been bullied relentlessly, so her parents move her to Tommen College, a private school where she hopes for a fresh start. At home? Even worse. Her father is abusive — physically, emotionally, you name it. Tommen quickly becomes her only safe space.
On her first day, she gets clocked in the head by a rugby ball, courtesy of local superstar Johnny Kavanagh (aka Mr. Number 13). Sparks fly, even if both of them try to deny it.
❤️ The slow-burn, star-crossed romance
Johnny tries to keep his distance — he’s focused on his rugby career, battling a secret groin injury (ouch), and doesn’t want distractions. But Shannon keeps pulling him in unintentionally.
From helping her when she’s sick at school to rescuing her when she misses the bus, Johnny can’t seem to stay away. Meanwhile, Shannon’s home life keeps spiraling. Her dad’s abuse gets worse, and every time Johnny’s name comes up, things get dangerous for her at home.
💔 The big emotional beats
👉 There’s so much tension between Shannon and Johnny, but both are too broken to act on it fully at first. They keep finding themselves in intimate, emotional moments — a shower at his house after a muddy dog attack, a kiss that neither can forget, late-night study sessions.
👉 Shannon’s dad’s violence escalates to terrifying levels. There are moments when you’re literally holding your breath, hoping someone will save her.
👉 Johnny’s injury puts his rugby dreams at risk, and his emotions are all over the place. He loves Shannon but doesn’t know how to let her in without falling apart.
👉 The final act is brutal: Johnny is seriously injured during a match, and Shannon is beaten nearly to death by her father in a horrific scene that will have your heart pounding. Her brother Joey finally steps in to protect her, but at what cost?
⚡ What I loved
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The writing style is just lovely — smooth, emotional, and immersive.
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Despite the drama, it’s easy to follow and super addictive.
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The balance of humor, heartbreak, and hope kept me invested.
🤔 What made me side-eye a bit
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Some parts are SO cheesy (but honestly, that’s part of the charm).
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It’s a big commitment — this series is long.
✅ Final Thoughts
I didn’t expect to like Binding 13 as much as I did, but wow — Chloe Walsh sucked me right in. I’m 100% reading the next book because I need to know what happens to these two. If you want a dramatic, emotional, and beautifully written story about love, trauma, and resilience, give this a try.
📌 Grab your copy
💡 Other books you might like
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Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines
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Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
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Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
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