Cover of Binding 13

Book Highlights

Binding 13

by Chloe Walsh

What it's about

This story follows the intense, protective bond between Johnny, a star rugby player, and Shannon, a girl struggling to survive an abusive home life. It explores how two damaged teenagers find safety, loyalty, and a sense of belonging in each other amidst the chaos of high school and family trauma.

Key ideas

  • Healing through connection: Trauma often matures people faster than age, making the search for a safe harbor from home life a central motivator.
  • Protective instinct: The desire to fight someone else's battles and shield them from pain serves as the foundation for deep, romantic devotion.
  • Breaking cycles of abuse: Recognizing that the most dangerous bullies are often the people under one's own roof is a painful but necessary step toward survival.
  • Loyalty over everything: The story emphasizes that true partnership means standing between the person you love and the rest of the world.

You'll love this book if...

  • You enjoy high-stakes young adult romance featuring the "protective hero" trope.
  • You're looking for an emotional story about overcoming dark family secrets through the power of a new relationship.

Best for

Readers who enjoy raw, slow-burn romantic dramas set in Irish secondary schools.

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  • The Deal by Elle Kennedy
  • Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

60 popular highlights from this book

Key Insights & Memorable Quotes

The most popular highlights from Binding 13, saved by readers on Screvi.

Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da. I'm done for...
¨I think I need you for keeps.¨¨I think I need you for keeps, too.¨
No, no, no, Da, I'm serious," I slurred. "I think I love that girl.""Well, who's this girl?""She's a river," I sighed and closed my eyes. "I'm keeping her Da.
She makes my heart go, like, whoa. Boom, boom, fucking boom. All the time.
I once read somewhere that we mature with damage, not with age.
I'm your daddy on the field, bitch.
If this is love, then it's you. You are love.
I hated humans.They were such a disappointment.And to think, god switched dinosaurs for man.He must be raging.
Now, tell me who made you cry and I'll fix it.
I wanted to fight all her battles. I wanted to give her all her smiles and make her laugh and snatch her away from the rest of the world and keep her all to myself. I just wanted her. For keeps.
SHANNON LIKE THE RIVER. WILL YOU PLEASE BE MY FRIEND?
She was worth it all.
Boys with pretty eyes and big muscles mess everything up for girls.
For once in my life, I wanted a safe place to run to instead of from.I felt like I was slowly dying in that house.In my home.Where I was supposed to lay my head.Where I was supposed to feel safe.
I just wanted her. For keeps.
Humans didn't deserve the love and loyalty dogs gave them.
I can take you home when you have to go?What the actual fuck?I might as well have shouted, love me, fucking love me at the girl.I felt like a bleeding eejit.
You are so concerned with fighting the bullies at school, Mam," I sobbed, tears streaming down my cheeks. "When the biggest bully of them all lives under this roof.
I don't agree with your choices", I croaked out. "But I respect that they are yours to make.
But you can't destroy what's already broken...
And when you fuck with her, you fuck with me.
¨I think I need you for keeps,¨ he slurred. ¨I think I need you for keeps, too,¨ I confessed.
I think I need you for keeps,” he slurred. “I think I need you for keeps, too,” I confessed.
Well, he is her brother, lad," Gibsie offered. "He was obviously going to come back for her." "I don’t give a shite," I snapped, thinking about her bruised face. "I didn’t want her to leave, Gibs, and he just took her away from me. And I let him!" "You do know that you're not allowed to keep humans as pets, don’t you?" he asked in a wry tone. "You know that's just dogs and cats, right?
She makes my heart go, like, whoa
I once read somewhere that we mature with damage, not with age. If that's the case, I was an old age pensioner in the emotional stakes.
Relax,” Johnny whispered in my ear, distracting me from my memories. “You’re safe with me.
Bolting over to him, I collapsed down 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.
But I already felt like I was drowning with her. That's how consumed I was in this girl. That's how much I loved her. Fuck.
Fathers were bastards and men couldn't be trusted.

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