Iqra's Reviews > Binding 13

4.5*

I had no intention of writing a review but the words were banging around my brain screaming to be let out so here we are. . .

I was completely hooked from the start. The writing was so easy to read, it was very straight forward. After reading Nocticadia, the simplicity was exactly what I needed.
The story felt very mindless from the beginning to middle of the book but it really picked up after that.

This book is not perfect at all. Despite that I adore the characters and their relationships both familial and romantic.

Shannon is my traumatised lovable sweet and smol pookie 😭 I actually feel for her sfb. I just wanna give her a hug for 15373747 years it’s not fairrrrrr 💔
The heartache from reading about her past and seeing how she suffered sm brought me to tears. I felt like jumping into the book and using all the tools in the universe to get retribution on everyone who hurt her istg- 🔪

I can understand how her size and age being emphasised again and again could annoy anyone really but to me it just drills in the fact that all this was happening to a fifteen year old girl that should’ve been living her life normally. Her house, her home, the place she rests her head(!!) is supposed to allow her to de-stress and find some peace. What should’ve been her sanctuary was actually the most destructive place for her. Her small frame is directly linked to this as well. It’s really shitty to read about and I hate this for her (ಡ_ಡ)

There wasn’t much of Shannon being carefree but she was adorable asf when she was in her element. Them playing GTA was the most I’ve seen her let go and gahhhh I loved every second of it 🤭💗🫂

*

Johnny is the most precious guy ever. What I love the most about him is that when he feels really solid about what he wants, he goes after it with his all. But what came out of his all or nothing attitude towards life hurttttttt ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

Him being indecisive about whether he wanted to pursue a relationship with Shannon was so valid. The reservations he’s kept and been reiterating in his head for years, about how his profession isn’t gonna leave any room for a relationship, that can’t just be broken down within seconds. It’s frustrating to read about sure but I understand the reason behind it.

Watching him go from being calculated and orderly to berserk and punching her bullies had me going ferallll andjdhdj 💃 It shows exactly how much she’s affected him and his life.

Ugh I love him sfmmmm 🥹💗💗

That hospital chapter was worth EVERYTHINGHHH 🤧✋ he made my heart go woah fr.

He was actually so funny omfdssss. There were so many times he had me howling bc of his one liners 😭 he’s iconic, it’s true.
Him being so adorableeeeee towards Shannon and the small moments between them had me shaking screaming dying. I love them together sfm it hurts.
When he would thread his hand through her hair and ask for consent to hug her? ☝️. . . 💃🚂
his affectionate touches? *sigh*
HIM MAKING A PLAYLIST THAT REMINDS HIM OF HER?? 🤸🕳️
Even the little things he would do like holding her bag or giving her his jacket?
searching for her lost shoe in the rain???
EVERYTHING.
It all got to me. I’m obsessed.

Gibsieeee my best boi. I absolutely adore the shit outta this guy. He’s my top man. The way he made me laffff so fucking loud at the most inopportune moments ugh chefs kiss. Especially when he was annoying Johnny abt his ~problems~ Omf I was wheezing. (He gives Seth vibes so hard I’m in loveeeee 🙏)
Also the sum sum we’re getting with him and claire is not enough!!! I need moreee 😭

Joey 😭😭 my heart goes out to him. This guy deserves to have everything in every universe. He’s the best brother. Him leaving Shannon there bc he couldn’t take it anymore killed me even tho I’m glad he put himself first (╥_╥)
I wanna cry just thinking about the ending of this book 😭🔫

The only thing I will say is that this book has a certain style of writing that doesn’t fit everyone. But personally I felt like there’s something really effective in Chloe’s writing that makes me connect to the characters and their situations.

What bugged me most was the fact that there were a lot of scenes that I felt were kind of pointless idk. For example the denial scenes, Iykyk. There were too many of them. One or two is fine but EIGHT?! That could’ve been cut down. Especially bc those scenes would be so long and their conversations would not add anything big to the plot.
Also there’s a difference between him denying his love for Shannon and him being indecisive over wanting a relationship with her. The former just annoyed me a lot.

However, there were certain scenes which were used again and again but I felt they were necessary. For example, JohnnyShannon and their drives or Johnny taking care of Shannon however he can. It’s important for this to be shown more than once bc Shannon needs to feel that steady stability, that removal of doubts, which he’s giving her by repeating those reassuring words and actions. She needs to feel like he’s a constant in her life and that he’s reliable enough to be her safe haven.
Even though there’s a long way for them to reach that level of trust, these scenes are basically the groundwork to get there. I love that we got to see most of these scenes fully playing out and not just being told he drove her home BAM end scene yk?

There was ONE part which I would’ve died for and that was when he took her to the cinema 😭 it’s not fairrrr! Chloe release that scene from the vault I beg 🔪

So basically this book made me laugh like a hyena (mostly gibsie’s fault), cringe quite a bit, hunt for a grave to temporarily lie in, sport the biggest grin, vibrate with anxiety, lose years off my life, develop wrinkles, and cry. Definitely the crying :)

. . . I loved it <3

𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
I’ve been spoiled for some couples in the series and I think I’m glad for it bc now I can get giddy over all their small interactions 🤭

𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀: 🎧

My Boys of Tommen Playlist

𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀: spoilers in this section! Proceed w caution!!

♡︎ “She opened her eyes and fuck me, I unintentionally sucked in a sharp breath.
Jesus, this girl was beautiful.
I'd noticed it earlier of course, she had a striking look about her, but now, seeing her up close like this and being able to count the freckles on her face – eleven by the way – it was hitting home just how striking she was.”
~him counting her freckles >>>

♡︎ "You promise?" she whispered, a tiny smile pulling at her swollen lips.
"Yeah," I replied gruffly, feeling like I would promise all the fucking promises in the world just to make this girl feel better. "I've got your back."

♡︎ "Fuck you," Ronan strangled out, spluttering and wheezing. "You can't tell me what to do," he rasped, breathless. "You're not my father!"
This fucker.
"I'm your daddy on the field, bitch."
~WUAHAHHAAHHA HE WILL FOREVER BE FAMOUS FOR THIS 👑💅🙏

♡︎ "Why me?" I groaned.
"Because we're your babies," Hughie announced, leaning his weight on me.
"My babies?" I slurred. "How the fuck are you three anyone's babies?"
-LMFAO

♡︎ "I think you broke my nose, Johnny."
"Your nose will heal after a break."
"But your spine won't."
~ OHMYFUCKINGAJGDJFHD HAHAHAHHAAH PLS THAT WAS SO ICONICC 👑🙏

♡︎ "Are you hurt?"
His gaze followed mine to his thigh and he quickly yanked his hand away.
"Jesus," he grunted, looking appalled, "I didn’t realize I was doing that."
"You've been touching yourself since we got in the car," I announced.
"Jesus Christ!" Johnny hissed, gaping at me in horror.
~STAHPPP IM CRYINGGG HAHHAHA

♡︎ I had learned a valuable lesson tonight though, and that was to never ask a girl what she was thinking if you weren't prepared to take a huge fucking knock to the ego.
~💀💀💀💀

♡︎ "It's okay, Shan," he whispered, comforting me.
"I'm sorry," I choked out, tightening my hold on his neck. Tears spilled over my cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Joe."
"It's not your fault, Shan."
~CRYING FAT UGLY TEARS VOL 1

♡︎ With wide eyes, I watched as Johnny unzipped the black coat he was wearing and draped it over my shoulders.
"Come on," he said in a coaxing tone as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, tucked me into his side, and led me out of school. "I'll take care of you."
~stab me in the heart already

♡︎ "Who wants to call my girlfriend a wh*re to my face?"
~kshsjdjdjdj the euphoria I feel rn I’m in BLISS

♡︎ “And when you fuck with her, you fuck with me."
~POP OFFF

♡︎ I stood there for a long ass minute, giving every one of those BCS scum a glare, and waiting for a response.
~WHY IS THIS FUCKING HILARIOUS PLSSS 😭✋

♡︎ Grabbing the front of my shirt, he dragged me towards him and sniffed my mouth.
"You traitor!" he choked out, looking comically horrified. "You went to the chipper!"
"Yeah, I did," I replied, shoving away from him. "And it was fucking delicious, and I have no regrets."
"What did you have?"
"A few cheeseburgers and a curry-chips."
"How did it taste?"
"Better than sex."
"We're supposed to be on a diet!" Gibsie hissed in an appalled tone before quickly asking, "Did you get me something?"
"Yeah, I got you a burger."
"Thanks, Johnny."
"And then I got hungry so I ate it."
"You're a monster."
~HAHAHHAHAHA IM IN LOVE W GIBSIE SMSMSM he’s basically Seth from another dimension 🤌

♡︎ “I'm going to hug you," Johnny whispered in my ear. "Tell me if that's not okay?”
~ugh

♡︎ "You're not coming back, are you?"
Joey just stared at me, eyes filled with tears. "I can't," he whispered as a tear rolled down his cheek.
~vol 2

♡︎ She looked right through all the bullshit.
Seeing me.
Seeing only me.
And that made me want to move some shit around and place her slap bang in the middle of my world.
~mhm yes pls that would be nice

♡︎ "Should I hug you?"
~GIBSIE I LOVE YOU SFM 😭 look at him being soft

♡︎ "Johnny?" she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Hi," she breathed, edging closer.
"Hi," I croaked out,
~why does this get me every damn time?!

♡︎ "Johnny?" Shannon whispered again.
"Yeah?"
"I’m going to hug you now." She hitched her leg over mine. "Is that okay?"
Don’t do it.
You'll never get over this girl.
"Yeah," I exhaled a ragged breath, feeling my heart smash against my ribcage, as she hovered above me. "That's okay."
~*cries in single*

♡︎ Once I committed myself, once my heart laid claim on her, I might as well slap a label on my forehead stating I'm yours, please be gentle with me because I'm here to stay.
~I absolutely love and adore his thought process here

♡︎ "I am losing my bleeding mind, Gibs."
"Nah, your mind's still there," Gibsie chuckled, patting my shoulder. "It's your heart you’re losing, lad."
~gibsie being wise is so hot

♡︎ “Shannon like the river. Will you please be my friend?“
~smh

♡︎ "I can keep a secret, Johnny Kavanagh," I whispered, stroking his cheek with my fingers. "And I promise I'll keep yours."
With his hand still cupping the side of my neck, Johnny exhaled a heavy sigh and let his head fall forward, his hair brushing my neck.
~this whole chapter wrecked me in the best and worst way but this scene was worth it

♡︎ “Was I stoned?
Did Gibsie get me high?
That bastard…”
~HAHAHAHA

♡︎ "She makes my heart go, like, whoa."
"Is that right?" he mused.
"So bad, Da," I sighed. "Boom, boom, fucking boom."
~I’m cackling

♡︎ "Hi, Johnny."
"Boom, boom, fucking boom, Da," I groaned, slapping a hand against my chest. "I'm done for."
~*dreamy sigh*

♡︎ "It's family only."
"She's my wife," he announced then, blowing my mind clean open.
~IM SCREAMING

♡︎ “Bring the lights back, Da," Johnny instructed, slurring his words. "Light up the world. You need to see this girl."
~STAHPPP HES SO FUCKING WHOLESOME IMMA CRY

♡︎ “Shaking, I curled up as small as I could and clenched my eyes shut.“
~vol 10

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

IM FUCKING HYSTERICAL RN SHOULDER SHAKING PAIN FILLED SOBS RACKING MY BODY I CANT BREATHE MY EYES ARE BURNING FROM CRYING SO MUCH SOMEONE CALL FOR HELP-

I’m literally CLAWING at my chest to make the pain stoppp (;´༎ຶٹ༎ຶ`)

CHLOE WALSH IM COMING FOR YOU- 🔪

That ending was foul as fuck 😭 i don’t think I’ll ever recover

I have no idea if I’m gonna write a review for this bc it’s ruined me. I am RUINED.

***
BR w LuluBear 🤭🩷
The way I need to love this book so bad 😭🤞