Binding 13 (Boys of Tommen, 1)

The *Boys of Tommen* series is everything I want in a romance and then some. Emotional, addictive, beautifully written, and completely unforgettable. From the very first book, I was pulled into the world of Tommen College and didn’t want to leave. These characters feel *real*—flawed, vulnerable, and deeply human. The friendships, the family dynamics, the love stories, and the personal struggles are written with so much care and intensity that it’s impossible not to get attached. The romances are slow-burn, heartfelt, and emotionally raw, with chemistry that leaps off the page. What truly sets this series apart is the emotional depth. It doesn’t shy away from heavy topics, and it handles them with honesty and sensitivity. I laughed, cried, and had to put the book down multiple times just to breathe. The writing is immersive and powerful, making you feel every high and every heartbreak right alongside the characters. If you love character-driven romance, found family, emotional storytelling, and books that stay with you long after you finish, this series is a must-read. The *Boys of Tommen* has officially earned a permanent place on my favorites shelf, and I will recommend it every chance I get.

I absolutely loved this story! It was a phenomenal read and completely engaging from the very beginning. These characters are so well written and pull on your heartstrings with what they have going on and how they are trying to handle it all. Shannon has been bullied pretty much from the time she started school and things have only gotten worse for her. And her home life with her father is just as bad if not worse. Things finally get so bad at school that her mom pulls her right before Christmas break and enrolls her at Tommen College with her starting for second term right after the first of the year. Shannon has no idea what to expect but is hopeful that things will be better and she won't be such a target and alone. She has her two best friends she found in primary school but they both went to Tommen so she is excited to join them there. She is hoping to be able to hide and fly under the radar and not become a target again. She has no idea what is headed her direction. On her first day she ends up having a run in on the rugby pitch and catches a ball to the head and a tumble down a hill from that Johnny kicked and it changes everything for both of them. Johnny did not mean to do it and feels horrible and in the midst of helping her to the office and staying with her they have an instant connection, one that neither of them really knows what to do or how to handle. It brings out Johnny's protective instincts and side instantly and he makes sure that Shannon isn't going to be talked about. I loved seeing them both grapple with that instant connection and them both trying to keep things under the radar and not making any moves for more but they are so drawn to each other that a friendship starts as they just can't avoid it. Both know they feel something more but neither believe it can turn into anything for different reasons but that connection is there. Johnny pays attention to her and knows that something is going on and he wants to protect her and keep her safe. He is also dealing with an injury that he is trying to hide the extent of in order to chase his professional rugby dreams. While it takes time to get there the more time they spend together building their friendship and connection the more they flirt closer at the edge of being more. Shannon still has her walls up especially regarding who is hurting her but other walls are coming down with Johnny and she is sharing other pieces of herself that she doesn't share with anyone else. I loved watching their dynamic grow and change throughout this story. I loved Johnny and his protective instincts and how he interacted with Shannon without pushing her too far. This story is well done and absolutely gets your emotions engaged and tugs on your heartstrings without. I loved seeing the character development throughout this story. It isn't short and thank God for that as we really needed the length to get the depth out of the story and the characters. As things start coming to a head and secrets coming out the bond they share is undeniable and something they are both coming to rely on. This book had plenty that kept me engaged without and has me addicted to this world and these characters. It does end on a cliffhanger and I absolutely need the next one asap to get more of Johnny and Shannon and see how things all play out!

I am absolutely blown away. This book was very well written and made my heart bleed for these kids. Shannon is so shy and timid and she has every reason to be . Johnny is brave and responsible but he always has a soft spot for Shannon. I love thst the author doesn't shy away from hard topics. My only truly hard spot for this book is that they're teenagers. Although I remember what its like to be a teen in love, I have a hard time reading about some of the spice. I love the chemistry between the two main characters. Their friendship and blossoming romance was so sweet. I did find some phrases a little repetitive and felt like there was a little too much back and forth. Overall I loved it. The ending had me gasping.

I enjoyed Johnny and Shannon’s love story. Their love story is unique, and the back story of their lives breaks my heart. I was crying, giggling, kicking my feet, and screaming in frustration. I was attached to the characters as they all became family to one another. Gibsie is one of my favorites in this book with his humor. It's a long book, but it was a quick read, so it didn't feel as long as I thought it would. The plot and the characters will draw you in, and you will want to immediately start the next book. Have Keeping 13 on hand and ready to go! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!!! -Dual POV -Forbidden love -Found family -Self-discovery -Redemption arc "Hi Johnny." "Hi Shannon." "Shannon like the river." "I collapsed on the bed and wrapped my arms around my brother's neck, clinging to him like he was the only thing holding my world together. Sometimes I thought that might be true." "No wonder you're limping. Your balls are so full of spunk they're weighing you down." -Gibsie quote "You do know you're not allowed to keep humans as pets, don't you." -another Gibsie quote "Johnny knocked you out with his balls?" -yes, balls are mentioned a lot in this book "When he used my neck as a squeeze toy, I didn't even flinch." "She was mine and I didn't want to share." "I think I love that girl." "She's a river." "I'm keeping her, Da." "I'm gonna sail my boat down her river." "My dick boat." -- "Can they knock him back out?" "He's going to give me a stroke with all this talk." "Light up the world. You need to see this girl."

this book is SOOO good

Libro ameno y facilita el habla en ingles

El pedido llego tal cual estaba anunciado En tiempo y en perfectas condiciones

I just spent the last 10h reading it in one sitting and now I’m wrecked. Sure, plenty of cliché stuff but the pining! God the pining in this book made scream and giggle like a lunatic. Everyone was saying this is good, but this beyond good. It’s “you-will-inhale-it-like-a-drug-addict” good. It had no business sucking me in like it did. It’s hands down the best sports romance I’ve read (I’m sorry Elle Kennedy, I’ve betrayed my hockey origins), and a great romance altogether. The characters? Felt like real people with real struggles, with real emotions and relationships, not that cheap, shallow stuff you get half the time. I’ll be, in fact, pulling an all nighter to read book 2!!!

— 5 ★’s ❝Ciao, Shannon❞ ❝Ciao, Johnny❞ Ok, andiamo con calma. Un respiro bello profondo… 😮‍💨 okay così. Bene, oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha fatta 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦 💖. Era da tanto che non leggevo un romance così bello. Che mi prendesse così tanto. Per farvi capire, quando ero a scuola 🎒 il mio unico pensiero era di tornare a casa 🏠 e continuare questo libro 📖. Può sembrare un macigno di libro, ma non lo è assolutamente. Senza nemmeno accorgertene vieni risucchiato da questo universo 🌌. La cosa che secondo me ha fatto acquisire punti sono: • I personaggi, che sono ben caratterizzati, dal primo all’ultimo. Comparse comprese. Il mio preferito, potete capire anche da soli, è Gibsie☝️. Non ho mai riso così tanto per un libro grazie a lui. • Il tema dell’abuso familiare, che è stato (purtroppo) trattato alla perfezione in questo libro. Mi sono sentita costantemente male per Shannon, fino alla fine del libro💔. Anzi, 𝘀𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗼 alla fine del libro. Johnny invece è la rappresentazione perfetta del ragazzo ideale 💘 che cercavo nei romance da molto tempo. È il perfetto equilibrio tra il tipo possessivo e dolce🫂 Sono anche così felice che in questo libro non ci sono state cose non dette 🙌, a parte il fatto del padre. Entrambi non lasciano questioni in sospeso, e se accade comunque non dura a lungo. Cosa che nei romance 𝘊’𝘌̀ 𝘚𝘌𝘔𝘗𝘙𝘌 🙄 𝘤𝘶𝘦 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭. Per chi se lo stesse chiedendo, il libro 𝗻𝗼𝗻 contiene scene spicy 🌶 e si concentra molto di più sull’innamorarsi innocentemente 🥰. ++ Se ti è piaciuto 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲, 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲 e stai cercando qualcosa con lo stesso sfondo, te lo consiglio al 100% 🔥.