Releasing 10: young love that blossoms into a deep bond but can it survive the tests of life

Releasing 10 is the sixth book in the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh. Lizzie Young has always been “too much.” Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at a young age, she never really fit in anywhere. Not her family. Not her community. Not with her friends or in school. Like any child, she just wants to be accepted and loved, with very few on her side, she carries her secrets alone. That is until she meets a kind boy on the school bus and everything changes. Hugh Biggs is a young man beyond his years with a sharp mind and a firm code of ethics, he finds himself drawn to Lizzie with an intense sense of protection. Lizzie finally finds a group of friends and a tenuous sense of belonging. With a bond that grows through their teen years, Lizzie and Hugh’s chemistry grows with a potent love and a connection that goes soul deep. However, their love is shaken by forces and circumstances beyond their control. Can their love within stand the tests that most adults would buckle under? 

I love the Boys of Tommen series and while the series tackles serious topics like childhood abuse, sexual abuse, self-harm, mental illness and suicide, these characters are worth reading such hard topics. Hugh and Lizzie have been on the sidelines since the beginning with little tidbits as to their story, Releasing 10 dives deeper into their history and how they got to where they are when readers first meet them. My heart broke for Lizzie as she struggled with mental illness. My heart also broke for Hugh as he tried to be strong for Lizzie while longing to be a regular teen. I am looking forward to reading the continuation of their store. While the book is categorized as a young adult fiction by the publisher, the topics covered in this series are not suitable for readers under the age of 18. If these topics are too sensitive for you, I do not recommend reading Releasing 10 or the rest of the series. However, if you can handle these topics, I highly, highly recommend Releasing 10. 

Releasing 10 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Redeeming 6: the continuing story of Joey and Aoife with drama, heart break and a chance for a happily ever after

Redeeming 6 is the fourth book of the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh and the story continues with Joey Lynch and Aoife Molloy. Joey’s life is on a downward spiral and Aoife is there to help him out. Desperate to prove himself worthy of Aoife’s love and trust, he fights hard to end his addiction. As the odds continue to rise against him, and despite others telling her to move on, Aoife is determined to fight for the boy who has her heart, her best friend. However, as she gets devastating news herself, news that changes everything, she finds herself drowning with nowhere to turn. As their circumstances change, Joey’s demons grow and obstacles in their path seem unmovable, can Aoife and Joey must find a way to mend their hearts and save their love? Or will their path prove to be too dark to find a way out? 

This book was a roller coaster of emotions, drama and heart stopping moments. This book is long, so long that it may seem daunting to some readers; however, it was so fast paced that I really didn’t notice. I needed to know how Aoife deals with her news. At times, I didn’t like Aoife. At times, I felt she was acting too much like a bitch with everyone, especially with Joey, who had no clue what was going on. However, I wanted to see her make the right decisions, to confide in people she trusted and not carry the load on her own. I also needed to know how Joey overcomes his demons. The scenes of Joey in rehab are so heartbreaking. Overall, I loved this book. I loved that it carried on from Saving 6. I highly, highly recommend Redeeming 6. Again, a word of warning, there is a lot of language and intense scenes, it is not the book for everyone. 

Redeeming 6 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Saving 6: an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance with dark, gritty and heartbreak themes

Saving 6 is the third book in the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh. Joey Lynch is the second son in a broken family. He has spent his entire life trying to keep his unraveling family together after his older brother leaves them behind. He is the protector and pseudo parent to his younger siblings while teetering precariously on the cliff of addiction. The only light in his dark life is Aoife Molloy. The firecracker classmate and his boss’s daughter, she is always looking forward with a bubbly, strong and self-assured attitude. Ever since the first day of secondary school, she has been curious about the fiery, hothead boy that grows each day. They begin a complicated, tangled and very complex friendship as Aoife wants to get closer to Joey while he is desperate to keep her at arm’s length. What they don’t know is that their relationship is combust into a deeper relationship that will change their lives forever. 

Readers meet Joey and Aoife in Binding 13 and Keeping 13 and in Saving 6, we see the beginning of their relationship. I would describe their relationship as an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story. Aoife goes toe-to-toe with Joey as Aoife wants to get closer to this bad boy; however, is she ready for his reality? This story is heartbreaking, gritty and very real. I loved Aoife’s character as a strong woman who doesn’t run from Joey, even after she learns the dark secrets he tries to hide. Joey is desperate for a normal life, for a mother’s love. Overall, I loved this story. It took a while to read it as it is filled with very heavy topics that my mind needed time to process. I also loved seeing the other side of the story from books 1 and 2 without completely rehashing it. I highly, highly recommend Saving 6. Word of warning though, there is harsh language and violent moments and it may not be the story for some readers. 

Saving 6 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Keeping 13: the exciting conclusion to Binding 13

Keeping 13 is the second book of the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh. The story begins immediately after the events of book 1 Binding 13 as both Shannon and Johnny face life changing decisions, each with their own fallouts and dire consequences. After a devastating injury, Johnny is sidelined while he recovers and struggles to stay the course for his ultimate dreams. Feeling lost and insecure, he sets his attention to unraveling the mystery and secrets of the only other person who has been able to take his sights off his goals. Keeping secrets is second nature for Shannon as her family life demands it. Traumatized and desperate to protect herself and her little brothers, she finds herself falling into old patterns with cover-ups and walls in place to keep everyone out. However, Johnny is the only one with the ability to climb those walls. Falling in love with each other was the easy part, what they now face will be the test. 

Keeping 13 is a story of friendship, first love, friendship, and horrifying secrets in this love story of two teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks. After reading Binding 13, I couldn’t wait to finish this heartbreaking story and hoping for a happy ending. Picking up right where Binding 13 left off, Keeping 13 was a wild ride that kept going with its dips and turns until the very end. There were a number of surprises especially at the end. Just when I thought the story was over, it wasn’t!  It had heartbreaking moments with sobs and tears as well as heart gripping fear. However, there were side splitting laughter and smiles for miles as the teenagers will be teenagers. As I warned with Binding 13, I will give the warning again. It is written in the Irish teen vernacular with heavy foul language. I loved this story and I can’t wait to finish the rest of the series. I highly, highly recommend Keeping 13. 

Keeping 13 is available in paperback and eBook

Binding 13: a chance encounter leads to friendship and love

Binding 13 is the first book of the Boys of Tommen series by Chole Walsh. Johnny Kavanagh lives and breathes rugby. It has been his main focus until he met her. An unfortunate accident puts Johnny face to face with Shannon Lynch, the new girl on campus, and he is captivated. Shy and hiding physical and emotional damage, all Shannon wants is to be invisible. Coming from a horrifying situation at a previous school, where she was bullied and tortured, she is desperate for as much peace and quiet that she can get. He doesn’t know why but Johnny feels protective of Shannon and is determined that her experience at Tommen College is better for her. Despite dealing with his own pressures and needing to keep his eyes on the ultimate prize, but, Johnny can’t stay away from the girl with the sad, soulful eyes. What starts as a complicated friendship turns into an undeniable attraction, can Johnny and Shannon overcome the obstacles in their path? 

I was introduced to Binding 13 through TikTok and I was intrigued. While I am not a fan of rugby, I was drawn to the story of Johnny and Shannon. Two teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks who find friendship, love and the reality of the real world around them. Based in Ireland, Binding 13 is a stark look into the world of rugby, teenage love and heartbreak. Once I started this story, I could not put it down. This book has it all. It is real, gritty and heartbreaking. It had humor and banter. It has tense and tender moments with tears and smiles. My heart broke for Shannon and I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her, to save her. I loved Johnny’s character and his connection with Shannon. Word of warning: it is written in the Irish teen vernacular with heavy foul language. I highly, highly recommend Binding 13 and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. 

Binding 13 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook