Chloe Walsh

Boys of Tommen #2

Keeping 13

His first, last, and only true love has always been rugby.
Until now.

Following a devastating injury that has left him sidelined and stripped of his beloved number 13 jersey, Johnny is struggling to hold onto his dreams. Lost, insecure, and desperately seeking comfort, he sets his sights on unraveling the mystery of the girl with the midnight-blue eyes. With his best friend, Gibsie, by his side, Johnny embarks on his quest of exposing the secrets surrounding the girl who haunts his every waking hour.

Keeping secrets has never been a problem for Shannon. The life she was born into demands nothing less. She knows that demons and evil men don't just exist in fairytales. They exist in her world, too. Traumatized beyond repair after her return from Dublin, and desperate to protect her little brothers, Shannon finds herself falling into the same old cover-up, barely keeping her head above water, as her future unravels before her eyes. Beaten and broken, her walls are up and her trust is shaken. Only one boy has the ability to climb those walls. The boy who owns her heart.

Secrets are exposed and lives are changed forever in Keeping 13, the explosive sequel to the bestselling book, Binding 13. Follow Johnny and Shannon as they try to navigate their way through the aftermath of that fateful rugby match in Dublin.

Falling in love was the easy part, what comes next is the test...

Friendship, first love, rising fame, horrifying secrets, and pain all fuel together as two teenagers from the opposite side of the tracks collide in Keeping 13, the concluding story for Johnny and Shannon.

Based in Ireland, the Boys of Tommen series is bound to captivate and lure you into the world of rugby, love, and teenage heartbreak.


***** Warning *****
Some scenes in this book may be extremely upsetting for some readers. Due to its bad language and certain scenes, Keeping 13 is recommended for mature readers.

Ina Faminova 

Signe

"It's like the fundamental rule of life."

"I'm not in your corner, Shannon," Johnny replied in a gruff tone. 

"He's going to be a star. Look at him, he already shines so bright, it's blinding. . ."

"Are there any more Lynch children in my house, Jonathan?"

"No" I muttered, not meeting her eye. "I only took two" 

Clara

She slapped Lizzie across the face. “He’s afraid of water you heartless bitch,”

I’d gained six pounds in the past month from Mrs Kavanaghs cooking alone

Tears, rugby, and those two fighting? This is our normal.

Johnny admitting to himself that Sean is his favourite out of the three

Joey to Johnny at the house full of flames 

I stayed right there with her, unable to separate my emotions from hers.

Do you know what you did tonight? “You saved four children.”

Marie to Johnny before closing the kitchen door

Just save my children…. tell them I’m sorry

Johnny rescuing the Lynch kids from there father

He was a badass for twelve. To see him fall apart like this was sobering

But I mostly cried for Joey, for self destructing and detonating the one good thing he had in his life.

I don’t know how I’ve survived living in a house with two bulldozers

There’s five of then, and broken, bent or out of shape, I want them all.

He’s a broken, little boy, trapped in grown man’s body, and he needs us.

I was wrong about you, and I owe you an apology 

Johnnys dad helping to stick up for the Lynch kids against Bella’s bullying 

Be offering my services to the Lynch family, and will be in touch when my client decides on the course of action she wishes to take 

Welcome to Book 2 and after the Cliffhanger from Book 1 I know that I needed to just dive into Book 2 but this dint stops the heartbreak that I experienced while reading this one as its very much a story that breaks you and then in its own way puts you back together.

Heartbreaking, soul-crushing, profound but above all an unforgettable and a beautiful story. Johnny and Shannon have officially been through hell together. Now they're on the road to recovery. With her dad out of her life, Shannon feels like she can finally have her chance at being happy. But when her past starts to make things difficult, her hope starts to fade just as quickly as it occurred.

Johnny refuses to let anything come between him and Shannon. She makes him feel—and that's not something he wants to lose. He understands that Shannon has been through a lot and will continue to struggle, but he is going to make sure she understands he's here for keeps. Just like he knows she is.

I consider myself in the camp of not really knowing how to feel after finishing this one, there were so many dark and heavy topics in this book and Chloe didn't hesitate to show us the raw, realistic and blatant vulnerability in this book. But Chloe did create a beautiful and genuine found family that brought out the best in each of them.

I enjoyed the journey that Shannon went through she came out of her shell a lot more in this book and she is trying to let other people in her life, and I liked how she's not lying to anyone even when it goes against her surviving nature. She stood up for herself against her family and her bullies when it was needed. She's so precious and strong and resilient and maybe she doesn't know it yet, but she is a survivor through and through who did everything in her power to climbed back up on her feet.

This must be one of the most healing romance stories that I have read but they are heavy books and at times I wanted nothing more than for the pain to stop. Chloe has this way of giving characters a happy ending but along the way we see that a lot of work has gone into making them the couple that they are and that they are still continuing to work on things is a testament to the real nature of the writing style.

Ian Brakspear

Welcome to Book 2 and after the Cliffhanger from Book 1 I know that I needed to just dive into Book 2 but this dint stops the heartbreak that I experienced while reading this one as its very much a story that breaks you and then in its own way puts you back together.

 

Heartbreaking, soul-crushing, profound but above all an unforgettable and a beautiful story. Johnny and Shannon have officially been through hell together. Now they're on the road to recovery. With her dad out of her life, Shannon feels like she can finally have her chance at being happy. But when her past starts to make things difficult, her hope starts to fade just as quickly as it occurred.

Johnny refuses to let anything come between him and Shannon. She makes him feel—and that's not something he wants to lose. He understands that Shannon has been through a lot and will continue to struggle, but he is going to make sure she understands he's here for keeps. Just like he knows she is.

 

I consider myself in the camp of not really knowing how to feel after finishing this one, there were so many dark and heavy topics in this book and Chloe didn't hesitate to show us the raw, realistic and blatant vulnerability in this book. But Chloe did create a beautiful and genuine found family that brought out the best in each of them.

 

I enjoyed the journey that Shannon went through she came out of her shell a lot more in this book and she is trying to let other people in her life, and I liked how she's not lying to anyone even when it goes against her surviving nature. She stood up for herself against her family and her bullies when it was needed. She's so precious and strong and resilient and maybe she doesn't know it yet, but she is a survivor through and through who did everything in her power to climbed back up on her feet.

 

This must be one of the most healing romance stories that I have read but they are heavy books and at times I wanted nothing more than for the pain to stop. Chloe has this way of giving characters a happy ending but along the way we see that a lot of work has gone into making them the couple that they are and that they are still continuing to work on things is a testament to the real nature of the writing style.

Aleksander.G

Bunge

Amaia Jubera

Cute end to the story. Stopping here tho for now 

Hannah L 

This book broke me and then put me back together again. Get you a man like Johnny Kavanagh.

The way he showed up for her time and time again and showed her instead of telling her. This book did a great job of showing not telling the way trauma can manifest and how people can become our safe place and home building us up to overcome the years of tearing us down. 

Gibsie was the star of the show as well as Elide. 

This book broke me and then put me back together again. Get you a man like Johnny Kavanagh.

“you are home” 

“You’re safe with me”

The way he showed up for her time and time again and showed her instead of telling her. This book did a great job of showing not telling the way trauma can manifest and how people can become our safe place and home building us up to overcome the years of tearing us down. 

Gibsie was the star of the show as well as Elide. 

Varolena🌬

Five pages in and I already sobbed my eyes out. This book is so well written and so emotionally cathartic I feel like crying when I think about the Lynch’s. All of them have their own personal quirks and personalities and they all have their own trauma and own baggage. This book is about friendship (Johnny, Gibson, Huggies and Feely. Lizzie, Shannon and Claire-bear) relationships, abuse, domestic violence, bullying and, also, loss. It was so emotional to read I cried like every other chapter. Johnny and Shannon’s relationship definitely takes a stronger route, with them both definitely forming a strong bond. It was so good to finally see an author allow these two to have good communication and allow each other to know they love one another, to not be shy around one another, you know? I love Johnny. He’s extremely caring within this book; taking care for her younger brothers Taghd, Sean and Owen, honestly. I love Johnnys parents because they’re so accepting while still showing human feelings, this book sometimes felt realistic in many ways, with the ways characters react, have banter talk and move. I loved it all. I need two books on each duo. Need one on Claire and Gibson. One of Lizzie and Feely. One of Joey and Aoife. One of LITERATLY everyone like even Darren bro. I love them all so much. I love the babies as well. Taghd was so well written with so much angst of a child forced to grow up too quickly, Sean as a young baby who’s mind was LITERATLY unable to comprehend what happened to them (no more ow ow ☹️) honestly man I will eat everything Chloe releases. 

surtified™

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH I LOVE THEM ALL I WANT MORE

Reader Gyal😛

Honestly such a compelling book with deep plot twists and the love I have for Shannon oh my! Was so proud of her confidence growing through this book!

I had to read over a lot of this for my mental health. I don't get the hype, I'm sorry! Everywhere you go on booktok talks about how dreamy this couple is, and I just felt bored. The height comparisons were a little overdone. The banter between the characters felt overdramatic and was giving "After" by Anna Todd. They felt unrealistic and a lot of random yelling and grinning. They started to feel a little clownish to me. I was so happy when I got to the end.

Sarah Campbell

An epic and unforgettable love story continues in Keeping 13, the second book in the international bestselling and TikTok-phenomenon The Boys of Tommen series, from Chloe Walsh. The power and pain of first love has never been more deeply felt than in Chloe Walsh's extraordinary stories about the irresistible Boys of Tommen, which will give you the ultimate book hangover. The reader reaction to The Boys of Tommen says it all! 'The chemistry, the love, everything about this book was so good it gave me all the feels . . . Beautiful book, beautiful words. Chloe Walsh you're my home' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Chloe Walsh has surpassed herself again, from the get-go you will be hooked, you will be sad, angry, elated, hysterical and you will absolutely love it!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'This was absolutely EVERYTHING. I find it difficult to even put into words just how much this book made me laugh, cry and swoon' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'There aren't enough stars for this book. It has everything, I laughed, I cried, I fumed and I despaired . . . This is a rare book, one that evokes every emotion' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ......................... Falling in love was the easy part. What comes next is the test . . . Following a devastating injury that has left him sidelined and stripped of his beloved number 13 jersey, Johnny Kavanagh is struggling to hold onto his dreams. Lost, insecure, and desperately seeking comfort, he sets his sights on unravelling the mystery of the girl with the midnight-blue eyes, who haunts his every waking hour. Keeping secrets has never been a problem for Shannon Lynch. The life she was born into demands nothing less. She knows that demons and evil men don't just exist in fairytales. They exist in her world, too. Traumatized beyond repair after her return from Dublin, and desperate to protect her little brothers, Shannon finds herself falling into the same old cover-up, barely keeping her head above water, as her future unravels before her eyes. Beaten and broken, her walls are up and her trust is shaken. Only one boy has the ability to climb those walls. The boy who owns her heart. But secrets are about to be exposed and lives could be changed forever - can Johnny and Shannon's love survive? ......................... Want more of Johnny, Shannon and the rest of The Boys of Tommen? Read the rest of the series so far: Binding 13 Keeping 13 Saving 6 Redeeming 6

Epic, Emotional and Addictive Romance from the TikTok Phenomenon

millena

3.75? ⭐️ idk

in general I like the first one better but the storyline in this one was more mature, the author is definitely problematic, she wrote some unbelievable shit in this one (and I *obviously* ignored it for the sake of my entertainment)

everyone says “you'll want more when you're done” but I couldn't disagree more, I thought that YES the book was much bigger than necessary, it got to the point where I couldn't stand Johnny and Shannon’s drama (as a couple) anymore

I'm excited but also scared to know more about Joey's story, think I’m gonna need some time to process everything before read the next books

This book was definitely more eventful than the first book and the fire was unexpected and Johnnys parents adopting Shannon and her brothers was cute. Good was to end Shannon and joeys story .

Hana 

this one was much better that the 1st one, loved the action, the tension and the way Shannon growed was unexplicable (I even cryied a little bit in this one)

taci

Ughhhhhh I dish this was zjzixjzozjxizkzkxjxnznznz

Anushree Taparia

This book will have you laughing and then crying a minute later 

Erinn Costa

“Will you shoulder our mother with us?” Crying and heaving and throwing myself off a cliff just from how good it is. I CRIED UGLY SNOT CRYING THIS IS FUNNY AND SWEET ITS JUST SO GOOD 😭😭

Gabriela Kondratyuk

Roisin Ramdhayan 

✨"'ve been seeing things"" I slowly began, watching him carefully, testing out his loyalty even though I knew I didn't have to.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," he said, sobering his features. "Tell me."

✨"That's how you make me feel," she whispered, blue eyes burning their way right down to my soul. "Better. Alive. Free. Safe. Important. I feel like I can breathe for the first time in days, and that's only because you're here —because I'm with you."

✨My heart beat so fast I feared it would burst. "You need me?"

"You think it's the other way around, but it's not" he told me. "I need you, too, because you calm something inside of me. You make me feel good. Like I don't have to..." His voice trailed off for a moment as he clearly pondered what he was trying to say. "You make me feel like I'm enough as I am," he finally admitted. "Like if this is the furthest I go, if I don't make the squad, then it's okay."

✨Everything inside of me was swept up in him, and I couldn't see beyond it. I couldn't think beyond the surge of feelings I had for him. Even my brain, the part of me that was supposed to heed caution, was encouraging me to be reckless with my heart, to throw it all in with this boy and trust him not to break me.

✨"No, hear me out, Shan," he hurried to say, resting a hand on mine. "I can only tell you what I know," he added, tone hoarse, eyes heated. "That from the very first day you walked into my life, you changed me. That very first time I saw you? You sparked to life something inside of me." Releasing a heavy sigh, he shrugged again, eyes locked on mine. "And I haven't been the same since."

My heart galloped wildly in my chest. "Really?"

He nodded slowly as a small smile crept across his face, "Boom."

✨"I'm just saying that it would be easier for you if-"

"Well, I don't want easy. I want you," he cut me off by saying. "Just the way you are." My breath hitched in my throat. "Really?"

"Really," he confirmed, not missing a beat. "Every part and every piece." I grimaced. "Even the broken parts?" He winked. "Especially the broken parts."

✨"The door, Jonathan!" Mrs. Kavanagh barked, knocking repeatedly on the other side. "Now!"

"All right," Johnny roared back. "Jesus Christ, I'm coming, Ma!"

"That's what I'm afraid of," his mother shot back "Now open up."😂

✨Id fucked up phenomenally and I couldn't get out. I was all in —heart, head, body, balls... Every part of me was wholeheartedly in with this girl. It felt like she had been in my life forever. Like I'd never known anything other than Shannon. She was my first love, and she was scary as fuck to me. Being with her was an obsession that threatened to consume me daily. I had to work my ass off to keep my head in check, but remembering to keep my feet on the ground and my head out of the clouds was easier said than done when I had a girl that knocked me on my ass with one glance.

✨"I'm in the same car as you, asshole," Gibsie growled. "I can clearly hear your conversation. What do you want me to do? Stick my head out the window and bark at the traffic like a dog?"

✨“You’re my queen,” he purred, slapping his thighs. “So come here and let me worship ya.”

✨“I love you, Shannon like the river,”

✨“But don’t forget that you’ll always be my 13.” She sniffled and wiped my cheek with her fingers. “My binding 13.” I choked out a pained laugh, thinking about that stupid bet. “You heard about that?” “Yeah.” Half sobbing, half laughing, Shannon smiled and nodded. “I won.” “Hands down.” I kissed her puffy lips. “Undisputed.” “Now, I’m keeping 13,” she told me. “So come home to me when you’re done, okay?” “I will.”

Mariaaa

✨"'ve been seeing things"" I slowly began, watching him carefully, testing out his loyalty even though I knew I didn't have to.

"Dead people?"

"Fuck right off!"

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," he said, sobering his features. "Tell me."

✨"That's how you make me feel," she whispered, blue eyes burning their way right down to my soul. "Better. Alive. Free. Safe. Important. I feel like I can breathe for the first time in days, and that's only because you're here —because I'm with you."

✨My heart beat so fast I feared it would burst. "You need me?"

"You think it's the other way around, but it's not" he told me. "I need you, too, because you calm something inside of me. You make me feel good. Like I don't have to..." His voice trailed off for a moment as he clearly pondered what he was trying to say. "You make me feel like I'm enough as I am," he finally admitted. "Like if this is the furthest I go, if I don't make the squad, then it's okay."

✨Everything inside of me was swept up in him, and I couldn't see beyond it. I couldn't think beyond the surge of feelings I had for him. Even my brain, the part of me that was supposed to heed caution, was encouraging me to be reckless with my heart, to throw it all in with this boy and trust him not to break me.

And I was all in.

✨"No, hear me out, Shan," he hurried to say, resting a hand on mine. "I can only tell you what I know," he added, tone hoarse, eyes heated. "That from the very first day you walked into my life, you changed me. That very first time I saw you? You sparked to life something inside of me." Releasing a heavy sigh, he shrugged again, eyes locked on mine. "And I haven't been the same since."

My heart galloped wildly in my chest. "Really?"

He nodded slowly as a small smile crept across his face, "Boom."

✨"I'm just saying that it would be easier for you if-"

"Well, I don't want easy. I want you," he cut me off by saying. "Just the way you are." My breath hitched in my throat. "Really?"

"Really," he confirmed, not missing a beat. "Every part and every piece." I grimaced. "Even the broken parts?" He winked. "Especially the broken parts."

✨"The door, Jonathan!" Mrs. Kavanagh barked, knocking repeatedly on the other side. "Now!"

"All right," Johnny roared back. "Jesus Christ, I'm coming, Ma!"

"That's what I'm afraid of," his mother shot back "Now open up."😂

✨Id fucked up phenomenally and I couldn't get out. I was all in —heart, head, body, balls... Every part of me was wholeheartedly in with this girl. It felt like she had been in my life forever. Like I'd never known anything other than Shannon. She was my first love, and she was scary as fuck to me. Being with her was an obsession that threatened to consume me daily. I had to work my ass off to keep my head in check, but remembering to keep my feet on the ground and my head out of the clouds was easier said than done when I had a girl that knocked me on my ass with one glance.

✨"For keeps?" I breathed.

He kissed my shoulder. "For keeps."

✨"I'm in the same car as you, asshole," Gibsie growled. "I can clearly hear your conversation. What do you want me to do? Stick my head out the window and bark at the traffic like a dog?"

✨“You’re my queen,” he purred, slapping his thighs. “So come here and let me worship ya.”

✨“I love you, Shannon like the river,”

✨“But don’t forget that you’ll always be my 13.” She sniffled and wiped my cheek with her fingers. “My binding 13.” I choked out a pained laugh, thinking about that stupid bet. “You heard about that?” “Yeah.” Half sobbing, half laughing, Shannon smiled and nodded. “I won.” “Hands down.” I kissed her puffy lips. “Undisputed.” “Now, I’m keeping 13,” she told me. “So come home to me when you’re done, okay?” “I will.”

I loved this book! It was so much better than the first one. This book had me crying and laughing so much. 

Charlote

May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review

The second book which is also the conclusion to Johnny and Shannon's story. In this one it picks up right off of where Binding 13 ends. Now this conclusion was so heartbreaking at times. It really strikes a deep chord with you on a human level. We see the determination and commitment that our pair have together. There is even more forbidden feels in this book due to the circumstances. I just felt for these two and what they have to overcome. Shannon is having to deal with feeling even more trapped with her new situation but willing to sacrifice so much just to have some alone time with Johnny. Johnny really shows his true colors in what he is able to sacrifice for his girl in this one here. I just wanted so much to see these two find their way through their struggles. And really well the whole family of Shannon I just wanted to cry for. We also get some great laughs with the group of Johnny's friends. We also see the difference between Shannon's home to Johnny's home. The difference between loving supportive parents and parents that are only out for their own interests. I had so much love for Johnny and Shannon and their group. Seeing these two find their own way, that is different than what everyone else would have for them was so poignant at times in the strength of their relationship together.

I had a beautiful experience reading the beginning of the Boys of Tommen. Its a story of pain and sacrifice, but of healing and growth and fighting for the one that you love that concludes with such hope and promise. A TRUE GEM AND A TOP READ OF THE YEAR!

Lover of Romance 

May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review

The second book which is also the conclusion to Johnny and Shannon's story. In this one it picks up right off of where Binding 13 ends. Now this conclusion was so heartbreaking at times. It really strikes a deep chord with you on a human level. We see the determination and commitment that our pair have together. There is even more forbidden feels in this book due to the circumstances. I just felt for these two and what they have to overcome. Shannon is having to deal with feeling even more trapped with her new situation but willing to sacrifice so much just to have some alone time with Johnny. Johnny really shows his true colors in what he is able to sacrifice for his girl in this one here. I just wanted so much to see these two find their way through their struggles. And really well the whole family of Shannon I just wanted to cry for. We also get some great laughs with the group of Johnny's friends. We also see the difference between Shannon's home to Johnny's home. The difference between loving supportive parents and parents that are only out for their own interests. I had so much love for Johnny and Shannon and their group. Seeing these two find their own way, that is different than what everyone else would have for them was so poignant at times in the strength of their relationship together.

I had a beautiful experience reading the beginning of the Boys of Tommen. Its a story of pain and sacrifice, but of healing and growth and fighting for the one that you love that concludes with such hope and promise. A TRUE GEM AND A TOP READ OF THE YEAR!

trixie

this book is so paper rings coded it’s CRAZYYYYY

5/5

I want to dedicate this review to my reading buddy. GIRL, THIS SHIT WAS PAINFUL. I WAS LOOKING FOR COMFORT BOOKS, AND YOU SAID "OH THIS ONE REMINDS ME OF EMMY & WILL". I THOUGHT I WOULD BE HAPPY READING IT (yes I was dumb bc come on, emmy & will didn't have a happy story) BUT STILL. anyways, I'm so damn glad you recommended me this book because idk how to live without it rn. This collection had more than 15000 pages, and I loved every single one. It's that weird feeling of WAR IS OVER but I THINK I'LL MISS YOU FOREVER. Because I'm glad the book is over because now they are happy, mostly Shannon like the river, but I'm gonna miss them with my heart, even if there aren't many, there were a lot of sweet moments that made my heart break because I always reminded myself what they have to go through.

I recommend you to read this collection but be ready yeah?

(also I'm just like Shannon tho, actually we are a bit bit different, but I'm just like her.) 

(tbh I'm the weird mix of Shannon and Emmy and that creates Lily calloway. This is so fucked up, I'm fucked up.) 

(ps: Christmas is coming, I'm looking forward to have a Johnny under my Christmas tree)

Keeping 13 Boys of Tommen #2

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