Boys of Tommen

Boys of Tommen is Chloe Walsh's beloved contemporary romance series set in Ireland, following students at Tommen College as they navigate first love, trauma recovery, and teenage life against the backdrop of competitive rugby. Originally self-published, the series has achieved massive success through word-of-mouth and BookTok, celebrated for its emotional depth, authentic Irish voices, mature handling of difficult topics like abuse and addiction, and romances that balance sweetness with realistic struggles.

Books in the Boys of Tommen series

Binding 13 introduces Shannon Lynch, who transfers to Tommen College seeking escape from her abusive home life. She encounters Johnny Kavanagh, Tommen's rugby star and golden boy who's devoted to his sport despite carrying his own burdens. When Shannon literally crashes into Johnny, their connection is immediate despite both being damaged in different ways. The novel explores Shannon's journey from victim to survivor, Johnny's struggle balancing rugby ambition with protecting those he loves, and how trauma shapes but doesn't define identity. Walsh handles abuse with sensitivity, never glorifying or minimizing whilst offering hope for healing.

Keeping 13 continues Johnny and Shannon's story as they navigate their relationship's complexities whilst dealing with ongoing threats and Shannon's recovery. The sequel deepens their bond whilst expanding supporting characters' stories.

Saving 6 shifts focus to Joey Lynch, Shannon's younger brother struggling with addiction, depression, and self-destruction. Aoife Molloy sees beyond Joey's bad-boy reputation to the broken person underneath. Their romance explores whether love can save someone determined to self-destruct, or whether healing must come from within. Walsh depicts addiction and mental illness with unflinching honesty whilst maintaining hope.

Redeeming 6 continues Joey and Aoife's story as Joey fights for sobriety, recovery, and the relationship he doesn't believe he deserves. The novel examines recovery's non-linear nature and how second chances require work, not just wanting.

Taming 7 features Darren "Gibsie" Gibson, Johnny's best friend and the series' comic relief, whose humor masks his own struggles. His romance explores how even seemingly carefree people carry hidden pain.

Thorn 17 is planned to continue the series with another couple.

The series is characterized by Irish setting and authentic dialect, rugby as central backdrop, dual POV alternating between love interests, slow-burn romance with emotional intensity, trauma and abuse handled maturely, mental health and addiction portrayed realistically, found family dynamics, and protective, consent-focused love interests.

Common themes include healing from trauma, found family versus blood family, how abuse cycles can be broken, first love as transformative but not magical fix, mental illness and recovery, loyalty and friendship, sports as both escape and pressure, and love as support not salvation.

Walsh's prose captures authentic teenage voices with Irish dialect, slang, and cultural specificity that grounds the stories. The romance is emotionally intense rather than sexually explicit - appropriate for older YA/New Adult audiences. The relationships emphasize consent, communication, and partners supporting each other's healing rather than "fixing" each other.

What distinguishes Boys of Tommen is Walsh's refusal to shy from difficult topics whilst maintaining hopeful tone. Characters face real consequences, healing isn't linear, and happy endings require work. The Irish setting adds cultural richness often missing from contemporary romance, and the rugby backdrop provides structure and community.

The series has achieved cult status through BookTok and reader recommendations, with fans praising the emotional depth, swoony romances, and representation of trauma survivors finding love and healing.