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A review by jamsu
Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had to pick up the second book immediately after finishing Binding 13. You can read my review for the first book of Boys of Tommen here.
Keeping 13 continue the story of Shannon and Johnny. We finally got actual romance and I was all here for it! These two fit so well together. Shannon wasn't used to people being there for her but Johnny was always there when she needed him and she made him finally live his life instead of just thinking about rugby. Johnny was finally able to act like a teenager. He wasn't used to someone wanting him for him-- but she did. She was the only girl he ever felt something for.
At this point I do not like Lizzie. Does she has reasons to acting out? Sure. But Gibsie deserved better than the way she treated him. I absolutely love Gibsie and he's such an amazing friend. He can be annoying at times with his humor but he is always, always there for Johnny. Also the way he told Joey that he was there. Just loved it.
This book just made me want to Gibsie's book even if I'm hesitant as it's childhood friends to lovers. Gibsie is just such an amazing person and I loved how he always hated Bella but liked Shannon and thought that his friend chose a good one. My favorite scene with him was probably when he was singing Madonna's "Like a Virgin" at the top of his lungs and made suggestive hand movements at Shannon's mom. I laughed so hard and frankly, she deserved it.
I wish we had more scenes with Joey and Johnny. Like I said in my review for Binding 13, I love the idea of their friendship. Sean is such a cutie and the way he said Johnny and Joey's names just made me want to swoon. Every. Single. Time. I don't know which fatherly figure I love with him the most: Joey, Johnny or John.
I loved almost every single person in Shannon's family but their parents and the oldest brother. the parents could never be redeemed in my eyes. The dad wasn't redeemable and while the mom's backstory was tragic-- I couldn't forgive her either. The oldest brother wasn't evil or anything but I just didn't like him. He only had like one or two good moments. The fact that Darren kept contact with their mom while he didn't seem to care about what happened to his siblings until he came to "fix" things just pissed me off. Him defending their mom all the time didn't help either.
All in all I liked this conclusion for Shannon and Johnny's story. It just didn't hit all the feels I wanted it to hit. I will definitely try reading other couple's books just to have some crumbs. I even recommended this series to a friend who doesn't like romance. That's how much these two's story has affected me.
Keeping 13 continue the story of Shannon and Johnny. We finally got actual romance and I was all here for it! These two fit so well together. Shannon wasn't used to people being there for her but Johnny was always there when she needed him and she made him finally live his life instead of just thinking about rugby. Johnny was finally able to act like a teenager. He wasn't used to someone wanting him for him-- but she did. She was the only girl he ever felt something for.
At this point I do not like Lizzie. Does she has reasons to acting out? Sure. But Gibsie deserved better than the way she treated him. I absolutely love Gibsie and he's such an amazing friend. He can be annoying at times with his humor but he is always, always there for Johnny. Also the way he told Joey that he was there. Just loved it.
This book just made me want to Gibsie's book even if I'm hesitant as it's childhood friends to lovers. Gibsie is just such an amazing person and I loved how he always hated Bella but liked Shannon and thought that his friend chose a good one. My favorite scene with him was probably when he was singing Madonna's "Like a Virgin" at the top of his lungs and made suggestive hand movements at Shannon's mom. I laughed so hard and frankly, she deserved it.
I wish we had more scenes with Joey and Johnny. Like I said in my review for Binding 13, I love the idea of their friendship. Sean is such a cutie and the way he said Johnny and Joey's names just made me want to swoon. Every. Single. Time. I don't know which fatherly figure I love with him the most: Joey, Johnny or John.
I loved almost every single person in Shannon's family but their parents and the oldest brother. the parents could never be redeemed in my eyes. The dad wasn't redeemable and while the mom's backstory was tragic-- I couldn't forgive her either. The oldest brother wasn't evil or anything but I just didn't like him. He only had like one or two good moments. The fact that Darren kept contact with their mom while he didn't seem to care about what happened to his siblings until he came to "fix" things just pissed me off. Him defending their mom all the time didn't help either.
All in all I liked this conclusion for Shannon and Johnny's story. It just didn't hit all the feels I wanted it to hit. I will definitely try reading other couple's books just to have some crumbs. I even recommended this series to a friend who doesn't like romance. That's how much these two's story has affected me.