The Complete Must-Read Boys of Tommen Reading Order
Introduction
If you have started the Boys of Tommen series, or you are thinking about starting it, you may be wondering whether the order really matters. The books follow a group of characters over several years, and some readers are tempted to pick up titles at random. That can make relationships, history and emotional payoffs harder to follow, so it is worth knowing the sequence before you begin.
This guide gives you the complete reading order. It lists all six books in publication order, explains why each one sits where it does and gives a short sense of what each book adds to the series. Each entry includes a description, the reasons for its position, who should read it and where to find it in the UK. Think of this page as a map you can return to whenever you pick up the next book.
The series was written by Chloe Walsh, and its six books were published between 2018 and 2025. The first two books came out in 2018, the next two in 2023, followed by Taming 7 in 2024 and Releasing 10 in 2025. Those dates are a useful guide, because later books assume you know the characters and events that came before them, and the publication order is the order the story was built to be read in.
Reading in publication order is the safest approach for a first read. Binding 13 and Keeping 13 form the opening stretch of the story. Saving 6 and Redeeming 6 then move the story into a new focus, and Taming 7 and Releasing 10 close out the run. Keeping to that sequence lets the emotional arcs develop the way the author intended, and it avoids the frustration of meeting a payoff before you have seen the setup.
Before you start, it helps to know that the series deals with trauma and other heavy themes. A content note appears later in this guide. Thinking about that in advance will help you decide when to begin and how much to read at one time, and it makes the reading experience more comfortable for many people, especially if you are picking up a book after a difficult stretch.
Whether you are reading for the first time or returning for a reread, the order below is designed to keep the story clear from start to finish. Take it at your own pace, follow the list and enjoy the run. Let’s start 👇
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1. Binding 13: Must-Read Starting Point
Premise: Binding 13 opens with Shannon Lynch arriving at Tommen, a prestigious private school, hoping for a fresh start after years of bullying at her old school. She tries to keep a low profile, but the bullies find her again, and she is slow to trust anyone. Her path crosses with Johnny Kavanagh, a rugby player who is expected to rise to stardom and is used to his place at the top. The two come from very different backgrounds, and their first encounters are awkward and charged. Shannon’s guardedness and Johnny’s easy confidence clash, but a fragile alliance forms, and a friendship with strong chemistry begins to take shape. Obstacles threaten to pull them apart, and the book builds its emotional stakes around trust, pride and the cost of letting someone in.
Why it sits here: It is the starting point. Every later book assumes you know the setting and the people introduced here, so reading it first is the only sensible way in. Skipping it would leave the emotional history of the series unclear.
Who should read it: Anyone starting the series for the first time, and readers who want the emotional foundation for everything that follows.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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2. Keeping 13: Must-Read Follow-Up
Premise: Keeping 13 picks up with Johnny Kavanagh sidelined by a career-altering injury that leaves him unsure who he is without rugby. He becomes fixated on a mysterious girl with midnight-blue eyes, who turns out to be Shannon Lynch, back from Dublin and still carrying the trauma she has lived with. With his best friend Gibsie, Johnny starts looking into the rumours and secrets surrounding her. Shannon hides her struggles and tries to protect her younger brothers from a chaotic home life, but Johnny’s attention and their growing comfort with each other begin to change what she is willing to share. The book follows the two of them as they try to heal, trust each other and face what their pasts still demand, while the world around them keeps pressing in.
Why it sits here: It follows directly from Binding 13, so it belongs immediately after it. Reading the two together keeps the emotional thread unbroken and lets the trust and tenderness of this book land with the full weight of what came before.
Who should read it: Readers who have finished Binding 13 and want to stay with the characters.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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3. Saving 6: Must-Read New Chapter
Premise: Saving 6 is set in rural Ballylaggin in Ireland and follows Joey Lynch, a teenager living in a violently abusive home. He has become the de facto guardian of his younger siblings, Shannon, Tadhg and Ollie, and he resents his older brother Darren for leaving. Joey is intelligent and athletic, but emotionally numb, and he turns to drink and drugs to cope with constant fear and depression. When Aoife Molloy, a vibrant and confident girl, connects with him, he feels an immediate pull towards her, yet he keeps her at a distance. The book is told in alternating perspectives across six school years, and it opens in First Year with the pressure at home, Joey’s sense of responsibility and the first spark of a relationship already weighted by vulnerability.
Why it sits here: It comes after the first two books because it builds on the friendships and events they set up. Starting here means you already know the wider group when Joey’s story begins, which makes the new focus easier to follow and more rewarding.
Who should read it: Readers who have finished the first two books and are ready for the story to move into its next phase.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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4. Redeeming 6: Must-Read Sports Romance
Premise: Redeeming 6 continues the story of Joey Lynch and Aoife Molloy from Saving 6 and moves it into a sports romance. Joey’s life is falling apart under mounting pressure at home. He is determined to earn back the trust of the one person he has ever relied on, and he tries to stay away from a world that could destroy him. Aoife refuses to give up on him and tries to pull her best friend back from self-destruction, even while facing hardship of her own. The sporting setting gives the romance its energy, but the heart of the book is whether two people who have been damaged can keep each other going. It asks what it takes to earn back trust, what it costs to stay loyal to someone who is struggling, and whether rescue can ever be mutual.
Why it sits here: It must follow Saving 6 directly, since it continues the same storyline. Reading the two back to back keeps the thread clear, and the sports romance works best when you already know the characters and what they have been through.
Who should read it: Readers who enjoyed Saving 6 and like sports romance with a strong emotional core.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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5. Taming 7: Must-Read Healing Story
Premise: Taming 7 brings Claire Biggs and Gerard Gibson, known as Gibsie, to the centre of the story. Claire is an innocent girl who struggles to understand the trauma the people around her have lived through. Gibsie is a 17-year-old carrying past trauma behind a carefree front, and his friendship with Claire changes as the book goes on. Lizzie Young, whose unresolved grief over her sister’s death clashes with both of them, becomes a sharp antagonist. Mark Allen, Gibsie’s stepbrother, has past actions that affect several characters and drive key developments. Johnny Kavanagh and Shannon Lynch from the earlier books appear as supportive friends. Set in contemporary Ireland, the story follows two people with turbulent pasts as they confront those pasts and look for healing.
Why it sits here: Its focus on healing and friendship depends on the events of the earlier books, so it belongs after them. Reading it before the earlier storylines are fresh would leave its emotional beats harder to appreciate.
Who should read it: Readers who want a story about healing and friendship after the first four books.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
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6. Releasing 10: Must-Read Latest Chapter
Premise: Releasing 10 centres on Lizzie Young, who has long felt that she is too much for the people around her. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at a young age and feels she does not fit in with her family, friends or community, so she has carried her burdens alone. That changes when she meets Hugh Biggs, a kind boy on the school bus. Hugh is mature and has a strong moral code, and he wants to share her burdens. Their bond feels unbreakable, but forces beyond their control could threaten it. It is the most recent book in the series, and it draws on the characters and relationships the earlier books have built up.
Why it sits here: It comes last because it is the most recent book, and its story depends on the characters and events of the five before it. Reading it earlier would spoil the arcs of those books.
Who should read it: Readers who have followed the series from the beginning and want the latest chapter.
Where to read in the UK: Check paperback, ebook and audiobook options on Amazon UK.
Why the Order Matters
Publication order matters in this series because the books were written to build on one another. Each new title assumes that you know the characters, their histories and the events that shaped them. A reader who starts in the middle may still enjoy a book, but they will miss the small moments of recognition that make the later stories land.
The order also protects the emotional arc of each storyline. When you read a book in sequence, you feel the cost of earlier events, and you understand why characters react the way they do. Reading out of order can flatten those moments, so the series loses some of its strength.
Finally, the order keeps the timeline clear. The books move forward in time, and the gaps between them are part of the story. Following the list below means you meet each development when the author intended you to, rather than discovering the outcome before you have seen the journey.
How the Books Connect
The first two books, Binding 13 and Keeping 13, belong together. They share a setting and a group of characters, and Keeping 13 continues directly from the first book. Reading them as a pair gives the early emotional story its full shape, and it helps you settle into the voice and world of the series.
Saving 6 and Redeeming 6 form the next connected stretch. Saving 6 introduces its own focus through Joey Lynch, and Redeeming 6 continues that storyline into a sports romance. Taking them back to back keeps the thread clear and gives the second half of the series its own momentum.
Taming 7 and Releasing 10 close out the run. Taming 7 turns towards healing and friendship, and Releasing 10 is the most recent book so far. Reading these last two in order lets the latest stretch draw together threads from the earlier books.
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How to Pace Your Reading
Some readers prefer to read a pair back to back, while others leave a short break between the two books. Either approach works, as long as you do not skip a book within a sequence. A short pause after each stretch can give you time to absorb the emotional beats before you move on.
If you are rereading the series, a quick summary of the previous stretch can help you pick up the threads. Writing down the names and key events as you go is a simple habit that makes the later books feel richer. You will notice connections you missed the first time round.
Pacing also depends on your mood. The series is emotionally heavy in places, so you may want to read a lighter book between the more intense stretches. There is no rule that says you must read one book after another without a break, and listening to an audiobook while you rest can be a good way to take a gentler pace.
What Each Stage Gives You
The first stage, Binding 13 and Keeping 13, gives you the foundations. It introduces the setting, the tone and the emotional stakes, and it is the stage most readers need to understand everything else. If you enjoy these two books, the rest of the series will feel like a natural continuation.
The second stage, Saving 6 and Redeeming 6, widens the story. It moves into a new focus and brings sports into the romance, which gives the series a different flavour. Readers who enjoy sports romance will find this stage especially rewarding, and those who prefer a quieter emotional story will still find plenty to hold onto.
The latest stage, Taming 7 and Releasing 10, brings healing and friendship to the front. It is the most reflective part of the series, and it draws together the threads that run through all six books.
Content Note
The series deals with trauma and other heavy themes, including abuse in some storylines. These topics appear across the books and can be difficult to read. Check the content guidance and reader reviews before you start, and take a break if a book affects you. There is no shame in pausing, and a book will still be there when you are ready.
Goodreads reader reviews often note the content of each book in more detail, so you can check them before you decide to continue. Reading at your own pace is the best way to enjoy the series without it weighing on you.
Reading With a Book Club or Friends
The Boys of Tommen series works well as a shared reading project. A book club can take one stage at a time, with a discussion after each pair of books. The emotional beats make for lively conversation, and the sense of the series building across six books gives the group something to work towards.
If you are reading with friends, agree on a pace in advance and set aside time to talk about the content. Because some themes are heavy, it helps to create a space where everyone can say what they found difficult or moving. Good discussions are one of the best ways to get more from a series like this.
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Final Thoughts
Reading the Boys of Tommen series in publication order is the safest way to enjoy its emotional arc. Binding 13 and Keeping 13 come first, followed by Saving 6 and Redeeming 6, then Taming 7 and Releasing 10. Following that sequence rewards you with a story that grows across the books and brings you up to date with the latest one.
Are you starting with Binding 13? Tell us in the comments, and let us know which book you would like a future guide to cover.
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Quick Picks: Which Book to Start With Depending on Your Mood
Not every reader comes to the series for the same reason. If you want the story from the very beginning, Binding 13 is the only place to start. If you already know the series and want a fresh focus, Saving 6 opens a new chapter, but it will be richer if you have read the first two books first.
If you are looking for a lighter read between heavier books, Redeeming 6 is the sports romance in the series, and many readers find its setting a welcome change of pace. Taming 7 is the best choice if you want a story about healing and friendship, and Releasing 10 is the one to save for when you have read the rest of the series and want the latest chapter.
Whatever your mood, the same rule applies. Each book is best read after the ones that come before it, so use the mood picks to decide how much to read at once rather than which book comes first. Start with Binding 13, pace yourself and read the latest book once the story has earned it.
Readers who finish the series often say that the later books change how the early ones feel. Small details in Binding 13 take on new weight once you have read Releasing 10, which is one reason the publication order matters so much. If you plan to reread, consider going back to the first book after Releasing 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start the Boys of Tommen series?
Start with Binding 13, the first book in the series and the foundation for everything that follows.
Do I need to read the books in order?
Yes. The series is best read in publication order, because each book builds on the characters and events of the ones before it.
Should I read the books back to back?
It works well for the first two books and for Saving 6 and Redeeming 6. A short pause between stretches is also fine if you need one.
Is Keeping 13 the sequel to Binding 13?
Yes. Keeping 13 follows directly from Binding 13 and continues with the same characters.
Is Redeeming 6 a sequel to Saving 6?
Yes. Redeeming 6 continues the storyline from Saving 6 and moves it into a sports romance.
Is the series complete?
Releasing 10 is the most recent book so far. A follow-up has been discussed online, but check the author’s official channels for confirmed news.
Is the series suitable for every reader?
Not necessarily. The series deals with trauma and other heavy themes, so check the content guidance before you start.
Who wrote the series?
Chloe Walsh wrote the Boys of Tommen series.
Are the books available as audiobooks?
Audiobook options vary by store and region, so check Amazon UK and other audiobook retailers before you buy.
Where can I see reader reviews?
Goodreads shows reader ratings and reviews for each book in the series, which can help you judge the content and the tone.
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More Places to Find Great Books
If you want to keep exploring, these trusted sites cover reviews, reading lists and author news: Goodreads, Wikipedia and The Guardian Books.
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