Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Binding 13 - Alternative Cover

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Binding 13 - Alternative Cover by Chloe Walsh

90 reviews

thebookishmama's review against another edition

funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

The absolute chokehold this book had on me. I am not a slowburn, long romance girlie but this book consumed me entirely. I was immediately hooked on both the main characters and I’m so thankful we got both of their POVs. This is a fairly slow paced book, lots of day to day shenanigans of two teenaged Irish kids. I can’t exactly place why I loved this so much but I really did. I won’t lie, Gibsie was for sure my favorite part and I’m dying for his book. Johnny and Shannon are so sweet and complex but also so naive and a bit frustrating, which really brought me back to my teenage years. There was some of the classic bits you would assume with the characters being who they are and with these tropes, but they also felt so different than any of the other romance books I’ve read set in high school. It’s a bit repetitive, a bit too much in certain situations, that kept me from really loving it. I think had some of the repetitive bits been slimmed down this could have been more like a 450 page book instead of 600. Regardless, I ate it up and I cannot wait to start the next book so I can get more of S & J!

I want to emphasize SO SO strongly that this book is NOT a young adult book. I’m actually so shocked that this is labeled a YA book. It’s not smutty, but my goodness there are some heavy topics going on that I don’t think a YA audience should be reading about. I’ll include triggers/content warnings below if you don’t want to go in blind.

Tropes/themes
-young love
-sports romance (rugby)
-slow burn
-shy girl/jock boy

**triggers/content warning**
Child abuse, miscarriage, mention of child SA, spousal abuse, neglect

Content Warnings

a_libra_library's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny tense slow-paced

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

4.75

This story was so much more than "a rugby romance". If you're looking for a tough stuff young adult story, this is it. There is a love story but it's very much B-plot.
Shannon and Johnny do not have a happy ending at the end of this book.

Heavy Triggers for:
Child abuse
Abusive family dynamics
eating disorders
Abandonment
Bullying
Social pressure
Anxiety
Alcoholism

Please read with care and caution.

After years of bullying Shannon Lynch is finally getting a new start at Tommen High School. She'll be with friends she hasn't seen in years and it gives her a few hours day away from her abusive home life. Everything is going great her first day. That is until and unportioned accident on the rugby field and throws her in the path of Tommens golden boy.

Johnny Kavaugh is a rugby god to his peers but is hiding a secret that could lead to the end of his career before it's even began. He's injured, badly. After an outburst on the field he's crosses paths with Shannon, like the river, and he's completely gone for.

Content Warnings

simone01's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

sameeha_r05's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Content Warnings

radilikka's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny sad medium-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

4.25

Content Warnings

leikyr's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Have the second book ready on your tbr because you won't be able to wait a minute before starting it.

Content Warnings

polos_missing_skittles's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark slow-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

evao's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I can’t believe I didn’t read this sooner I love it so much it was a emotional rollercoaster but I loved it so much.
Shannon - my sweet girl she went through so much but I love her in the next book I want to see her stick up for herself more but will all she went through I understand it. She did eat the girls up at some points I was like wow.
Johnny- My man I love him even though he was a bit stupid sometimes they way he went above and beyond to protect her it was so cute like he’s going to be a top book boyfriend
Gibsie- Everything he said was funny I loved his character so much him and Claire’s relationship I can’t wait but him and Johnny’s friendship was so cute and I love it .
Claire - my girl she needs to admit she likes Gibsie please and thank you she was such a wonderful friend for Shannon.
Lizzie - I want more of her she was always eating the boys up I also want more of her and I hope she does better than pierce .
Joey and Aoife : They’re so cute joey is the such a good older brother and Aoife is like the sister Shan never has love them
Least favourite characters :
Teddy Lynch
Whatever the mums name is
Bella
My Favourite quotes:
“Boom,boom, fucking boom”
“Hi Johnny , Hi Shannon” this makes me smile every time
“No baby I don’t mind”
Favourite scenes :
After he hit her head it was so cute
Johnny high in the hospital
When they played GTA

Johnny need to remember what she said about her father please . IF THE MUM DOESNT LEAVE THAT STUPID MAN I SWEAR I WILL RIOT

Content Warnings

quietmarki's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny medium-paced

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

2.0

I didn't look up any trigger warning for this book... PLEASE DO ! Felt weird reading about minors having a kind of relationship....

Content Warnings

charlottedukee's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

More...