Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Irish rugby romance has alpha male brutality, swearing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Parents say this book is highly regarded for its relatable themes of friendship, personal growth, and resilience, making it a good choice for readers aged 10 and up, though with some caution due to occasional mature content. However, opinions vary widely, with some parents expressing concerns about the presence of swearing, discussions of heavy topics like abuse and substance use, and the potential for unhealthy relationship dynamics, urging that it may be more suitable for older teens.
- mature themes
- relatable characters
- parental guidance
- diverse opinions
- age-appropriate discussions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say the book addresses significant life challenges and personal growth, appealing to mature readers with its realistic portrayal of dark themes, including abuse and struggles with relationships. While some praise its humor and relatable characters, others critique the heavy use of profanity and discussions around sensitive topics, suggesting it may not be suitable for all younger audiences.
- mature themes
- realistic portrayal
- character growth
- heavy topics
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In BINDING 13, Shannon Lynch, a 15-year-old living in Ireland, has been bullied and traumatized for years. Desperate for a fresh start, she's transferred midyear to Tommen College. Her plans to keep a low profile disappear when, thanks to an accident, she catches the eye of Johnny Kavanagh on her first day of school. Hyper-focused on his up-and-coming rugby career and hiding a terrible injury, Johnny isn't interested in anything outside the sport. He knows he needs to keep his head in the game, but Shannon, with her wary eyes and hidden bruises, sparks something primal in him, and suddenly she's all he can think about. They try to keep their distance, but the chemistry between them is undeniable, and soon enough their mutual attraction threatens to destroy them both.
Is It Any Good?
Long and violent, this rugby romance has few redeeming qualities. While the author of Binding 13, Chloe Walsh, does a pretty good job of capturing the individual voices of the two main characters, the story itself is slow and unoriginal. Add the "broken bird" trope to a bunch of macho rugby players who use threats and violence to manage every challenging situation, and you have a book full of terrible role models who spend far too much time swearing and dithering without actually acting on their desires. For a book that's 600-plus pages long, surprisingly little happens—and it ends on a cliffhanger. While Shannon is certainly in a difficult position, and it's painful to watch her contend with her terrible home life, it's even more painful to wait around for her to do something other than fret and allow domineering boys to solve her problems for her. The series has an enormous fan base on social media, but there really are better choices for those interested in a swoon-worthy romance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how characters resolve bullying using physical violence in Binding 13. Can you think of other ways the characters could handle these situations?
Rugby is a very physical and often injury-causing sport. Do you think violence on the pitch contributes to the acceptance of violence in the character's everyday lives?
In this story, the rugby players talk about the girls they are having sex with very differently compared to the way they talk about the ones they plan to marry. What do you think about the depiction of sex as a meaningless exchange?
Do you think that the amount of swearing adds anything to the book? Could the author have written convincing teen characters without using so much of it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Bloom Books
- Publication date : November 28, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 16 - 18
- Number of pages : 624
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : April 19, 2026
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