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The Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh has taken the world by storm. Originally published in 2018, this series has pulled on the heartstrings of readers everywhere with its raw, heavy topics and unforgettable characters.
The books follow a group of students known as the Core 10, who attend the elite Irish private school, Tommen College. But don't let the glamour fool you — their lives are anything but.
Trigger Warnings: Abuse • Addiction • Grief • Mental Health • And more.
Books:
Binding 13: Johnny and Shannon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Keeping 13: Johnny and Shannon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Saving 6: Joey and Aoife ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Redeeming 6: Joey and Aoife ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taming 7: Gibsie and Claire ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Releasing 10: Hughie and Lizzie ⭐⭐⭐
I've read a lot of book series over the years, but none that I've been able to stomach rereading — until this one. This is my third time through the series, and it hits just as hard every single time. Maybe it's the characters? The drama? The plot? The realness? Who knows. But I can't shut up about it.
Couple Rankings:
This is so hard, because I love them all. It's like being asked which child is your favorite — you just can't say it out loud. My picks might be controversial. Do I care? Maybe.
- Johnny and Shannon — They're classic. They can do no wrong in my eyes. The age gap (if you know, you know) is a lot, but I don't care. They're my babies.
- Joey and Aoife — He's your typical bad boy who only has eyes for one girl. I may have cried a time or ten. Five years. It took him five years to ask her out. Talk about a slow burn. But it doesn't matter — they're soulmates. They would have ended up together one way or another.
- Gibsie and Claire — From childhood to parenthood, these two have loved each other their whole lives. Johnny and Shannon might be my babies, but Gibsie and Claire are the babies of the Core 10. I still can't believe they're already parents. We love you, Tom, Harry, and Dick.
- Hughie and Lizzie — Their relationship is far from simple. Those two are so complicated that it's easier to decide what to have for dinner. I still love them — just not as much as the others.
- Patrick and Katie — No comment. I could care less about either of them. Harsh, maybe, but I don't get the hype. They barely get any screen time anyway.
Reading Order Advice:
The series begins with Johnny and Shannon's story across Books 1 and 2. Chloe Walsh wrapped things up there — until 2021, when Shannon's brother Joey entered the chat. Here's where it gets tricky: Book 3 actually takes place before the events of Books 1 and 2. Book 4 runs parallel to the timeline of Binding and Keeping 13. Book 5 includes flashbacks to the 1990s when Gibsie and Claire were children, but the bulk of the story takes place after Redeeming 6. And Book 6? It takes place before all of them.
1st read: Read in publication order.
2nd read: Read in chronological order.
How Did I Find This Series?
Everyone seems to have a story about a friend who handed them a book and changed their life, or a TikTok that sent them down a rabbit hole. Mine is a little different. I stumbled across it in the YA section of my local Barnes & Noble — back before it was moved to the adult section. I looked at my wallet, realized I had enough for one book, and scanned the shelves until I found the one with the prettiest cover. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you find the best books. Five stars.
Commonly Asked Questions:
1. Is the series finished?
Not yet! Chloe Walsh has confirmed on social media that Books 7 and 8 are coming, though there's no official release date. On top of that, the series is being adapted into a TV show produced by Amazon Prime — eight episodes following the events of Binding and Keeping 13. Nancy Surridge has been cast as Shannon Lynch and Connor Sanchez as Johnny Kavanagh.
2. What message about family stands out the most?
Found family is the beating heart of this series. Most of the characters come from broken homes — Shannon and Joey's parents were abusive, Gibsie lost his dad and sister to drowning, and Hughie and Claire's father checked out after Joe died. These books remind you that family isn't about blood. It's about who shows up for you. They just need to share your heart.
3. Which friendship is the heart of the series?
Johnny and Gibsie. No contest. They know each other better than anyone, they can insult each other one minute and be laughing the next, and when life falls apart, they show up — no questions asked. People dream of having a friendship like theirs.
4. Which character is the most misunderstood?
Honestly, it's a tie between Gibsie and Lizzie. You know that TikTok audio — "...but when you told me the whole story, I felt like throwing up"? That's them. They went through the same things, but Gibsie uses humor to cope while Lizzie builds walls. That's why people gravitate toward Gibsie and write Lizzie off — but she deserves so much more grace than she gets.
5. Which character made the biggest sacrifices?
People say Johnny, because he hid an injury and gave up his childhood for rugby. And yes, he sacrificed his body for a sport. But Joey sacrificed everything just to survive. He could have gone pro in hurling — he was good enough. Instead, he stayed, took care of his siblings, and fought a battle he couldn't face alone. That's a different kind of sacrifice entirely.
Overall, this series tackles heavy topics in a way that is deeply engaging and genuinely eye-opening. These books don't just entertain — they build empathy. I think everyone should read them.
Which couple is your #1? And who is your favorite character? Drop them in the comments below — let's settle this! ⭐
Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I started this blog in August 2026 as a cozy space to share everything I love — books, hobbies, travel, and so much more. I haven't seen anything quite like what I have in mind, so I'm giving it a go. Eventually, I'd love to expand and create products for my book, hobby, and wellness-obsessed girlies. It's all in due time.
— Kaia Bella