Keeping 13 Chloe Walshepub |top| Jun 2026

Shannon shows incredible strength by not only surviving but also choosing to confront her past and forgive rather than live in fear.

Keeping 13 , the second installment in Chloe Walsh’s phenomenally popular Boys of Tommen series, is a powerhouse of emotions, sports romance, and deeply poignant drama. Following the dramatic events of Binding 13 , this novel continues the story of Johnny Kavanagh and Shannon Lynch, diving deeper into the complexities of their lives, their, and the challenges they face. Available on platforms like EpubPub , this Irish romance is a must-read for fans of emotional, character-driven stories. What is Keeping 13 About?

: Johnny’s supportive parents eventually step in to foster Shannon and her brothers, offering a stark contrast to the neglect and volatility of the Lynch household. Brotherly Loyalty

Keeping 13 is not a light or fluffy beach read. Chloe Walsh pulls no punches in depicting the realities of domestic violence. As one library catalog explicitly warns: "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." keeping 13 chloe walshepub

: It is Book 2 in the Boys of Tommen series. You should read Binding 13 first to understand the plot.

Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh: A Deep Dive into the Heart-Wrenching Boys of Tommen Sequel

Keeping 13 is widely praised for its raw, emotional intensity. It is not just a romance; it is a story about overcoming adversity, trust, and finding strength in others. Shannon shows incredible strength by not only surviving

The central conflict revolves around Shannon Lynch’s struggle to find safety after years of physical and emotional abuse from her father. Walsh uses parallel scenes of recovery—Shannon from her father’s violence and Johnny from a catastrophic rugby injury—to show how trauma manifests differently but remains equally paralyzing. Even after the immediate threat of her father is removed, Shannon experiences flashbacks, proving that healing is not a linear process. SuperSummary Redemption Through Found Family

This article is for informational purposes. The book contains sensitive themes, including domestic violence. If you'd like, I can: Tell you which books are next in the Boys of Tommen series . Give you a spoiler-free summary of book 1 , Binding 13 . Compare this book to other popular sports romances .

The novel provides a raw look at the impact of living with a violent, alcoholic father and the difficulty of escaping that environment. Available on platforms like EpubPub , this Irish

The novel immediately immerses the reader in the aftermath of the physical and emotional abuse Shannon suffered at the hands of her father, Teddy Lynch. Unlike narratives that resolve trauma with a single cathartic conversation, Walsh forces both the protagonist and the reader to live within the wreckage. Shannon’s struggle with agoraphobia, nightmares, and an overwhelming sense of unworthiness is portrayed with raw honesty. She does not emerge from the hospital stronger; she emerges shattered. Her internal monologue is a battlefield between her ingrained fear and her desperate desire to trust. This realism is the novel’s greatest strength. Walsh refuses to sanitize Shannon’s pain, showing how trauma manifests in everyday moments—a loud noise, a slammed door, or the mere presence of an angry man—becoming a psychological prison that a rugby championship or a boyfriend’s love cannot instantly unlock.

In her 2018 novel Keeping 13 Chloe Walsh explores the delicate intersection of through the lens of a high school romance. As the sequel to Binding 13

Keeping 13 begins in the immediate, shocking aftermath of the events that closed Binding 13 . The book opens with Shannon Lynch in a hospital, her body and spirit broken after a brutal, near-fatal attack from her abusive father. The secret life of violence she has endured for years—from her own home—can no longer stay hidden. The title of the book is immediately relevant: while Johnny struggles to keep his rugby dreams alive after an injury that has taken his number 13 jersey away, Shannon is simply trying to keep herself and her brothers alive.

Readers and parenting guides have compiled extensive content warnings for the book. These include:

To get the full impact of the story, you must read the Johnny and Shannon duet in order: Keeping 13