"I think I need you for keeps."
"I think I need you for keeps, too."

There was me before Binding 13, and there is me after it.
This book wrecked me in all the beautiful and tragic ways. It was spectacular, and I refuse to listen to anyone who says otherwise. Respectfully, your disagreeing opinion is shit, and shit belongs in the trash, right next to Shannon’s father.

I have so many thoughts and emotions running rampant, I'm not sure I'll be able to express everything I want to say.

Chloe’s writing made this story come alive in a breathtaking way. Reading this book and following the narrative was as easy as breathing. It felt incredibly real and raw, making each character come alive with their distinct voice and feel. She made me feel like I knew these characters personally, like I'd known them forever.

The length of this novel was one of my favorite decisions by an author. When a story is done right, every chapter feels like a reward, and I absolutely adored the normal, everyday, slice-of-life chapters. They were the magical glue rooting these characters fully into existence—essential for making them feel authentic and alive within the story.

“She was addictive. And I was obsessed.”

I’m feral for Shannon & Johnny, both individually and together. They’re forever ingrained in my heart and soul. Him repeatedly calling her Shannon like the river made me fold like a lawn chair, every. single. time.

”We mature with damage, not with age.”

Shannon almost made me cry within the first few pages. I was that attuned to her from the get-go, and I will go into battle for her any day, anywhere. The resilience within this girl is astounding. She is the only character that I do not mind being repeatedly called small, tiny, breakable, fragile. Because she is. She simply is, but it’s not written in a way to make it her only personality trait or what defines her character. I took it as a way to showcase even further the repercussions her abuse had on her body. She lives in fear and anxiety, barely eats anything, and then vomits whatever little she ate regularly. How else would she be described? Her finally starting her period showcased the positive change attending Tommen College had on her health. I’m curious to see if her body continues to change if she’s able to live peacefully. Or as peacefully as she can. Her needing constant reassurance and comfort don't make her less. What's wrong with her being more timid, quiet, and insecure? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. She's a kid who's only known abuse her whole life. If she wants to be saved instead of saving herself, then so be it. It doesn’t take anything away from her inner strength and worth.

“She didn't look at me like I was a meal ticket. She looked right through all the bullshit. Seeing me. Seeing only me.“

Johnny Kavanagh is the standard and my new crush. This boy is something special. He was soft, sweet, charming, caring, and protective. But what I liked most about the way he was written was how he wasn't perfect, despite clearly having all the requisites for it. He's a 17 yo boy with the responsibilities of an adult. He's going to act his age and fumble with expressing his emotions and vulnerabilities, like when he overreacted with Shannon—a prime example of a young boy not knowing how to act with the first girl he ever loved. It doesn't excuse him acting like a prick, but it explains his actions. It was relatable and authentic, just as him lying through his teeth about his pain and health, grasping onto sheer hope and delusion that his body wouldn’t give out on him. I kept waiting to see what would be his breaking straw, and now I can finally breathe with that plot point coming about. I can't wait to read how it will develop. The scene in the hospital room was one of my all-time favorites. I laughed and swooned like never before.

Joey Lynch already has me by the throat, and I can't wait to also be wrecked by him. He really is a hero for all he does for his family and absolutely deserving of Aoife's love and care. My god, did she take my breath away by buying groceries for them and taking the kids out so Joey and Shannon could breathe for a bit. I cannot wait to read their love story.

Tadhg surprised me in the end. I seriously was not expecting how fiercely he came to his sister’s defense, especially since we never saw any real scenes between them or much of him, really.

”Experience told me that boys were dogs. And fathers. Fathers were bastards and men couldn’t be trusted.”

There's so much I want and could say about Shannon’s parents. But I'll stick to wishing the most gruesome, cruel, and painful death on her father and a damn good wake-up call for her mother. Her reaching for that piece of shit instead of worrying about her daughter at the end almost made me puke.

I adored Gibsie and Claire, and I want more of them. Omfg, just be together already. Gibsie’s love for Johnny was one of my favorite parts of this book. His friendship is unwavering and beautiful. He had his back from beginning to end and was so cute and funny. Yep, I also have it bad for him. Big time.

I wish we had gotten more Lizzie, Hughie, Katie and Feely. It's curious how distinctively they felt written when barely making any appearances.

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BOYS OF TOMMEN

1. Binding 13 — 5 ★
2. [b:Keeping 13|146943394] — 4.75 ★
3. [b:Saving 6|146941869] — 3.75 ★
4. [b:Redeeming 6|198404987] — 4.5 ★
5. [b:Taming 7|196219692] — 3.5 ★
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