The Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh is firmly rated for readers 17 and older, and honestly, even for older teens, it requires a serious conversation about emotional maturity because it tackles some of the most intense, graphic trauma you’ll find in the "New Adult" genre. While it’s currently dominating BookTok feeds and being passed around middle school hallways like a forbidden relic, these books are not your standard high school romances; they are heavy, 800-page emotional marathons that deal with domestic physical abuse, sexual assault, and systemic neglect.
TL;DR: The Quick Hits
- Recommended Age: 17+ (New Adult)
- The Books: Binding 13, Keeping 13, Saving 6, Redeeming 6, Taming 7.
- Content Warnings: Graphic domestic violence, sexual assault (off-page but detailed aftermath), drug addiction, extreme bullying, and explicit sexual content ("spice").
- The Vibe: Emotional "trauma porn" mixed with a deep, protective "found family" dynamic set in the world of Irish high school rugby.
- Better Alternatives for Younger Teens: Heartstopper, Better Than the Movies, or Check, Please!.
Set in Cork, Ireland, in the mid-2000s, the series follows a group of students at Tommen College. The first two books, Binding 13 and Keeping 13, center on Johnny Cawley, a rugby star with a bright future, and Shannon Lynch, a girl who has been severely bullied and is living in a home defined by horrific domestic violence.
The later books shift focus to other "boys" in the circle—Joey, Aoife, and Gibsie—delving into themes of addiction and childhood trauma. These aren't quick reads; Walsh writes "doorstoppers" that often exceed 700 or 800 pages. The length contributes to the emotional attachment readers feel, but it also means the characters spend a long time marinating in very dark situations.
If you spend any time on TikTok or Instagram, you’ve seen the "aesthetic" videos: rugby jerseys, rainy Irish landscapes, and tearful reaction videos of readers clutching these massive paperbacks.
The series is popular for the same reason Colleen Hoover or A Court of Thorns and Roses blew up: high emotional stakes. For a teenager, the "protective hero" trope (where a popular boy protects a vulnerable girl) is incredibly compelling. It taps into that developmental desire for deep, all-consuming loyalty.
However, because the TikTok algorithm doesn't distinguish between a 14-year-old and a 24-year-old when it comes to "trending books," many younger teens are picking these up without realizing they’re stepping into a story about systemic failure and brutal physical trauma.
When we talk about "New Adult" (NA), we’re talking about a category that bridges the gap between Young Adult (YA) and Adult fiction. The characters are often 17-21, but the content is explicitly adult.
1. Graphic Violence and Abuse
This is the biggest "red flag" for younger readers. The description of the abuse Shannon suffers at the hands of her father is not "implied"—it is described in visceral detail. There are scenes of physical injury, hospitalizations, and the psychological terror of living in an abusive household. For a reader who isn't prepared, this can be genuinely triggering or distressing.
2. Sexual Content ("Spice")
While the first book, Binding 13, is more of a "slow burn," the series as a whole contains explicit, descriptive sexual scenes. In the world of online book reviews, these are often rated by "chilis" or "spice levels," and Boys of Tommen consistently ranks high. It’s not just "they went into the bedroom and the scene ended"—it’s detailed.
3. Language and Substance Abuse
The dialogue is realistic to a group of Irish teenagers, which means the "F-bomb" and other strong profanities are on almost every page. Later books, specifically Saving 6, deal heavily with drug addiction, withdrawal, and the impact of the opioid crisis on families.
If your teen is already reading these or has them on their Amazon wishlist, don't panic. Banning a book usually just makes it more alluring. Instead, use it as a bridge to discuss how media portrays "intensity" versus "health."
- The "Protective" Trope: Talk about the difference between a partner who supports you and a partner who "saves" you. In these books, the romance is often the only thing keeping the characters alive—which is a romanticized but unhealthy dynamic in the real world.
- Check the Trigger Warnings: Encourage your teen to use sites like Goodreads or StoryGraph to look up content warnings before starting a new series.
- The Reality of Trauma: If they are reading it, ask them how they feel after a chapter. "That scene with her dad was really intense—how did that sit with you?" It helps them process the content rather than just absorbing the "romance" parts.
Learn more about how to talk to teens about mature book themes
If your teen wants the "sports romance" or "emotional" vibe without the graphic domestic violence and explicit sex, there are plenty of great options that fit the YA (Young Adult) category better:
- A graphic novel series about college hockey, baking, and finding your place. It has the "sports team family" vibe but is much lighter and more age-appropriate.
- A sweet, funny rom-com that captures the "high school feelings" without the "New Adult" trauma.
- If your teen is looking for a book that deals with heavy themes like assault and recovery but stays within the YA lane, this is a powerful, albeit difficult, read.
Q: Is 'Boys of Tommen' appropriate for a 13-year-old?
No, it really isn't. Between the graphic descriptions of domestic abuse and the explicit sexual content, this series is designed for an older, "New Adult" audience (17+).
Q: Why is 'Binding 13' so popular on TikTok?
It hits the "protective hero" and "found family" tropes perfectly, which are currently massive trends on BookTok. The emotional intensity makes for great "reaction" content.
Q: What are the main content warnings for the 'Boys of Tommen' series?
The series includes graphic domestic violence, child abuse, bullying, sexual assault (aftermath), drug addiction, and explicit sexual scenes.
Q: Is 'Boys of Tommen' a romance or a tragedy?
It’s a contemporary romance, but it leans heavily into "tragedy" territory for much of the plot. While the main couples usually find a "Happy Ever After," the path there is filled with significant trauma.
The Boys of Tommen series is a well-written, deeply emotional journey, but it is not for kids. It’s a series for older teens and adults who can navigate heavy themes of abuse and addiction without being overwhelmed by the "romance" of the trauma. If your middle-schooler is asking for it, it’s a great time to steer them toward some high-quality YA sports fiction instead.
Check out our full list of age-appropriate sports books for teens