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Keeping 13 🏉 and Durdle Door 🌊
What can I even say about Keeping 13 - Chloe Walsh tore my heart out and Jonny, Shannon, Gibsie, Claire, Joey and Aoife put it back together again 😭❤️🩹 I sobbed many times during this book - it is a difficult read with sensitive and challenging themes. I have absolutely fallen in love with all these characters in their own way. Edel and John are the most beautiful parents and my heart breaks at their goodness 🥰😭 I loved the romance and teenage banter and friendship with all these characters, and the support they show for each other whilst navigating life challenges and inner demons.
“I like you because you’re you, Shannon.”
“Don’t let her down. Whatever you’re doing Kavanagh, don’t fuck my sister over.”
‘The kind of family, the individual personalities - those were there in the details: shirts tucked and un-tucked, dishes chipped but handled with love.’
‘“Are you going to be my date, Shannon like the river?” Nodding, she wrapped her arms around my neck and grinned. “I’ll be your date Johnny” 😭😭😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What can I even say about Keeping 13 - Chloe Walsh tore my heart out and Jonny, Shannon, Gibsie, Claire, Joey and Aoife put it back together again 😭❤️🩹 I sobbed many times during this book - it is a difficult read with sensitive and challenging themes. I have absolutely fallen in love with all these characters in their own way. Edel and John are the most beautiful parents and my heart breaks at their goodness 🥰😭 I loved the romance and teenage banter and friendship with all these characters, and the support they show for each other whilst navigating life challenges and inner demons.
“I like you because you’re you, Shannon.”
“Don’t let her down. Whatever you’re doing Kavanagh, don’t fuck my sister over.”
‘The kind of family, the individual personalities - those were there in the details: shirts tucked and un-tucked, dishes chipped but handled with love.’
‘“Are you going to be my date, Shannon like the river?” Nodding, she wrapped her arms around my neck and grinned. “I’ll be your date Johnny” 😭😭😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is amazing but does drain you emotionally so just be prepared and take breaks if you need it, it is 100% worth it in the end, I can’t stop thinking about these books tho eh have taken over my life
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Vomit, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
What I loved first was this literally picked up where Binding 13 finished so you really don’t need to wait (unless you’re waiting for an order).
This is much better paced and felt less rushed. The details of Shannon’s home life are horrific of course and there were a few times where I had to blink away tears.
I did root for Johnny and Shannon again, as well as Claire and Gibsie.
Personally this still feels immature and just badly written and even though it is better paced, it’s still rushed in places.
This finishes in a much happier place which I love and still gives room for the next book which if you’re invested, go ahead and enjoy! It’s just not for me…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the first time I rate the second book of a series higher than the first, but I think this book deserves it. It's deeper and more complex than the first. The story is addictive and easy to read. Be prepared for an emotional roller-coaster, though: laughing out loud one moment and crying hysterically the next. I loved the Kavanaugh family, and Gibsie is my absolutely favourite character in the book (everyone needs a friend like that!). I can't wait to read more about his and Claire's relationship. I loved the banter between these two!
I'll definitely continue with this series at a later point.
I'll definitely continue with this series at a later point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual content
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book will haunt me, possibly for life.
It deserves a higher rating because Chloe Walsh took incredibly difficult content and made it engaging and readable. While I wouldn’t say it was easy to read. I would highly recommend reading the content & trigger warnings before starting this series.
I adore Johnny, he’s the best sort of boyfriend and friend. Shannon deserves so much more than the life she was given. The two of them together share a love that is forged from trauma but will defeat all the odds. I’m glad I finished this to see them get their HEA. We also got a glimpse into more of the stories of the side characters which is a great foreshadowing for the future books.
I have personally decided to not continue on with the series, as I believe the next two books are about Shannon’s older brother, and given what we learn about him in Shannon’s POV, I don’t think I could handle reading his perspective. And the small snippets I’ve learned about Gibsie (his story is book 5) I feel like that would traumatize me as well. So I’ve decided to stop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Vomit, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Infertility
Content & Trigger Warnings: bullying & abuse of all kinds, child abuse & neglect, tragic death, grief, alcoholism & alcohol use, drug use, anxiety & panic attacks, violence & assault, fostering
🤬 this series is heavy on the colorful language. The MMC & male supporting characters are Irish rugby players & abuse victims so it fits, while admittedly I found annoying at times.
🌶️🔥 moderate spice: there are more open door scenes in this book than in the last one. I unfortunately did not keep track of them. (there is build up and predictability before all of them if you want to skip)
There is 3 open door scenes, 2 fade to black, and a lot of innuendo & internal dialogue.
dark
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After the cliffhanger ending of B13, I raced into this one. I found that the pacing definitely eased up for the first half of the book. It was nice to see Johnny and Shannon getting to be a normal couple doing normal things. The unwavering love they have for each other is heartwarming, and honestly needed given the intensity of the rest of the book’s themes.
Other things I loved: Shannon growing into a more confident person and finding her voice; Gibsie and Claire’s kittens, Tadhg being an absolute weapon; Ollie the spy.
Things I didn’t love: Marie Lynch. Her scenes hit a little too close to home, and were jarring; we know that she’s a victim too, but it’s so hard to remember that when faced with the reality of the kind of life she exposed her kids to.
Some interesting set ups with side characters and hints for future plot points. For one, it’s obvious that something is going on with Aoife off page at this point.
At times, this book was hella cheesy. However, given how endearing the MCs are and how much shit they go through, I honestly think they (and we) are owed a bit of Hallmark happiness.
Loved it again, in spite of myself.
Other things I loved: Shannon growing into a more confident person and finding her voice; Gibsie and Claire’s kittens, Tadhg being an absolute weapon; Ollie the spy.
Things I didn’t love: Marie Lynch. Her scenes hit a little too close to home, and were jarring; we know that she’s a victim too, but it’s so hard to remember that when faced with the reality of the kind of life she exposed her kids to.
Some interesting set ups with side characters and hints for future plot points. For one, it’s obvious that something is going on with Aoife off page at this point.
At times, this book was hella cheesy. However, given how endearing the MCs are and how much shit they go through, I honestly think they (and we) are owed a bit of Hallmark happiness.
Loved it again, in spite of myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
N/A
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
This was a great continuation of the series and I’m glad it showed the characters more in depth. I feel like I not only got attached to Johnny and Shannon but both of their families and all of their friends as well. This was a truly special book and I love the way this story feels.
Honestly, the tragedy of Shannon’s mother didn’t hit as hard as I expected… at first. But once I had a chance to sit and think about it, it’s truly heartbreaking imagining a young girl at just fifteen trying to navigate life and being scared to death of her partner. I spent most of the time angry at her for not doing more/better for all of her children. But some of that changed after what happened. Spending your life scared is tragic on its own but the way it ended for her, FINALLY putting her kids at the forefront and making sure they were safe, really tore me up.
I’m definitely going to miss Shannon and Johnny. I’m a little sad that there wasn’t a glimpse into the future like I’d hoped at the end, but I know there are more books in the series and I’m holding onto hope that these two will make lots of appearances. I’m not ready to leave this universe just yet!
Tropes:
Mutual Obsession
Found Family
Sports Romance (Rugby)
Family Drama
No Third Act Breakup 🙌🏼
Spice: 1.5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse