Reviews with content warning for Violence - Binding 13

Firstly I didn’t even know if I was going to like this series! I brought the American bloom books editions! (US Amazon) Present self is very happy about this because I love these editions! I love Mr Boom Boom and Miss like the river so very much 💕 I am fully submerged into my boys of Tommen era! I need bookmarks, jumpers and all the merchandise! It is now part of my brain!

Ok we’ve gone very off track here.. maybe we should go back to the book? Yeah? (I can be very easily distracted) Shannon is moved to Tommen after some rather traumatic times at her old school. (I was bullied at school, it’s the worst thing I’ve ever had to deal with. My heart went out to her) Shannon’s and Johnnys paths collide on her first day. I love the Irish accent! I feel you can easily picture the conversations between characters.

I have a personal hate for rugby, I know little about the sport. You pass the ball backwards?! But this book is making me like it! I blame Johnny and Gibsie. I just love all the character development, it has a sense of found family. I found myself giggling away at parts, crying my eyes out at others. This is such a rollercoaster of emotions.

I loved that she got a McFly CD! I’ve met them and seen them live so many times I’ve lost count! So that was an added bonus for me. I love how much music is related to in this book, especially for Shannon.

As soon as I finished this I ran upstairs to get Keeping 13! It is a difficult read in places so please read up on trigger warnings, I also loved the breakdown at the beginning about all the Irish slag words used throughout the book.

Johnny and Shannon you’ve both stolen my heart and I don’t want to leave this series anytime soon.

♾️⭐️

Content Warnings

mossberrie's review against another edition

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5.0

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janeroome's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

booklover6000's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny lighthearted sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was the second book that I have read where I was left staring at a wall afterwards. It is so sad yet so beautiful at the same time. I wish the book wasn’t so dark and intense though, it wouldn’t take me so long to read them otherwise. It puts me in a depression at times due to, uh, similar aspects (emotional wise). But I thought some of the characters, Gibsie mainly, were what makes the book so funny and heartwarming. The fact that the Lynch family are in constant support of one another is welcoming.

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yianimc's review against another edition

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emotional sad tense slow-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

rebelbooks101's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book follows Shannon, who starts attending a new school after being heavily bullied at her last one. There she meets Johnny when he accidentally hits her in the head with a rugby ball and the story goes from there.

This book I have some complicated feelings about. On the one hand I would say I really enjoyed this book. On the other hand I also had some major issues with this book.

Let’s start out with the positives. I firstly liked the way the dual POV was written. Shannon and Johnny have such different voices and internal dialogue that their chapters sounded different and were well written.

I also enjoyed the romance. Was it maybe a little toxic? Yes. Did I still like it? Also yes. I really liked their connection and seeing the slow burn development of their relationship made me not want to put the book down. I spent all of yesterday just glued to this book as I waited to see these two get together. At the end of the day, these two just want the best for each other and wants the other to be safe.

What I couldn’t get behind was how violent of a character Johnny was. Given Shannon comes from an abusive household, I don’t know if a guy who solves his problems with his fists is the best guy for her. It’s not really addressed at all. Johnny’s flaws were very apparent so I’ll give the story that. He was always out to fix all of Shannon’s problems so you could take it as he’s in love with her or he’s just obsessed with her (or both). Maybe their relationship is not the healthiest but I also think this is one of those times I’m just going to separate fiction from reality.

Overall, I had a good time with this book. I would recommend it but I don’t think it’s a book for everyone so I’d be hesitant on who I’d recommend it to.

Content Warnings

nessa_cfs's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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