In Taming 7, Chloe Walsh steps back from the intensity of Saving 6 and Redeeming 6 to explore a gentler but equally turbulent terrain—first love, quiet trauma, and the ache of growing up. As Book 5 in the beloved Boys of Tommen series, Taming 7 centers on Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson and Claire Biggs, giving readers the story they’ve long been craving. But this isn’t a simple love story—it’s a layered exploration of healing, masculinity, and the kind of emotional intimacy that transforms lives.
From Binding 13 to the upcoming Releasing 10, the series follows the lives of young Irish rugby players and their complex relationships. Walsh delivers not just another installment but an intimate character study—one that is lighter in tone but no less emotionally resonant.
Series Snapshot: Where Taming 7 Fits
Here’s how Taming 7 connects with the rest of the series:
Binding 13 (2018): Introduced Johnny Kavanagh and Shannon Lynch, establishing the emotional and cultural setting of Tommen College.
Keeping 13 (2018): Expanded on Johnny and Shannon’s journey, diving deeper into trauma and resilience.
Saving 6 (2023): A harrowing depiction of Joey Lynch’s past and mental health battles.
Redeeming 6 (2023): A redemptive arc focusing on Joey’s recovery and relationship with Aoife.
Taming 7 (2024): Focuses on the lighter yet deeply emotional connection between Gibsie and Claire.
Releasing 10 (2025): Still to come, expected to be the final emotional crescendo.
Synopsis: When Comedy Conceals Chaos
Gerard Gibson is the joker of Tommen. But as readers of the series know, his humor is armor—a deflection from years of neglect, insecurity, and emotional pain. Claire Biggs, his best friend’s younger sister, has adored Gibsie since they were kids. She sees him—not the jester, but the boy beneath the laughs.
Their story is one of mutual yearning, restrained by years of familiarity, fear, and timing. As life throws them into increasingly intimate situations, from secret rides to emotional confessions, the line between friendship and romance begins to blur. But what happens when Claire stops waiting for Gibsie to catch up? And can Gibsie ever learn to love without doubting he deserves it?
Character Arcs: Nuanced, Honest, and Deeply Felt
Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson
On the surface, he’s all pranks, banter, and swagger. But Taming 7 peels back the layers. Gibsie’s mental health—his unresolved trauma, sleep disorders, and bottled-up grief—takes center stage. This is not a redemption arc like Joey’s but a reclamation of self-worth.
Gibsie’s inner turmoil—his belief that he is fundamentally unlovable—is portrayed with unflinching honesty. Yet Walsh never strips him of his charm. He’s flawed, funny, fiercely loyal, and constantly evolving.
Claire Biggs
Claire isn’t just the girl next door; she’s the emotional anchor of the novel. Her warmth is not naive—it’s brave. Claire challenges Gibsie, defends her right to be loved openly, and steps into her own agency. She demands more than whispers in the dark—and she gets it.
Her journey is equally poignant. She navigates friendship politics, teenage heartache, and the delicate art of patience with maturity and grace beyond her years.
Supporting Characters
Though the spotlight is firmly on Gibsie and Claire, the supporting cast remains integral:
Johnny & Shannon serve as emotional sounding boards.
Joey & Aoife provide relational contrast, grounding the romantic evolution.
Lizzie adds a layer of emotional conflict, though her character sometimes feels overly antagonistic.
The novel excels when it ties back into the tight-knit Tommen family. Friendship is just as vital as romance in this universe, and Taming 7 handles this balance beautifully.
Themes and Emotional Core
Mental Health Behind Humor: Gibsie’s character is a rare portrayal of how young men use humor as a coping mechanism. His vulnerability is never dramatized—it’s respected.
Unspoken Love and Emotional Timing: The “almost” nature of Claire and Gibsie’s love is compelling. It’s a slow burn not for the sake of tension, but because both characters need to grow into love.
Boundaries and Self-Respect: Claire’s insistence that Gibsie be ready—emotionally and publicly—is one of the most powerful aspects of the novel.
Coming-of-Age through Emotional Authenticity: The romance matures alongside the characters. What begins as childhood affection slowly transforms into a love that requires trust, vulnerability, and courage.
Masculinity and Sensitivity: Gibsie is a much-needed model of emotionally intelligent masculinity. He is open, anxious, affectionate, and unashamed of it by the novel’s end.
Writing Style: Chloe Walsh’s Emotional Architecture
Chloe Walsh continues to excel in writing emotionally articulate teen characters with believable voices. The dual perspective allows readers to truly feel the story unfolding from both sides. Her prose is smooth, often poetic, but always grounded in the rawness of teenage experience.
Some hallmarks of her style in this book:
Authentic Irish dialogue and cultural setting
Unfiltered emotional dialogue that doesn’t feel overwrought
Use of pacing to match emotional tempo (slow during introspective moments, fast during confrontations)
Walsh has a gift for letting silence speak. Many of the novel’s most touching scenes come not from what’s said, but from what’s withheld—until it can no longer be.
Pacing and Structure: A Rewarding Slow Burn
While Taming 7 is a lengthy read, its pacing mirrors the gradual emotional awakening between Gibsie and Claire. The first half sets up layers of longing and tension, while the second half delivers a satisfying emotional and romantic payoff. It avoids the melodrama of earlier installments in favor of deep introspection.
That said, some readers might find certain emotional beats repetitive. A tighter editorial eye on these moments could have streamlined the impact.
Strengths of the Novel
Emotionally complex male protagonist rare in YA sports romance
A healthy, supportive female lead who maintains her agency
Romantic realism that captures the awkward, unsure nature of first love
Group dynamics that ground the love story in community
Sensitive depiction of mental health and healing in adolescence
Areas for Improvement
Character redundancy: A few supporting characters felt underdeveloped or functionally repetitive.
Pacing around confessions: Some emotional scenes could benefit from restraint for sharper delivery.
Conflict resolution: Claire’s family dynamics, though hinted at, could have been explored more deeply for fuller emotional layering.
Comparing With Other Books in the Series
Binding 13 & Keeping 13 were foundational and trauma-focused. Gibsie was comic relief then—now he becomes a fully realized protagonist.
Saving 6 & Redeeming 6 are darker, more intense. Taming 7 strikes a gentler tone, focusing on resilience through emotional connection rather than crisis.
Taming 7 shifts the emotional focus from survival to belonging, proving that love stories need not be tragic to feel important.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata – for its intense slow-burn dynamic
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan – for its emotionally charged sports romance
The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen – for heartfelt college-aged coming-of-age love
Ideal Audience
Readers aged 16+ seeking thoughtful, emotional, and romantic YA fiction
Fans of sports romances with depth and healing arcs
Readers who enjoy character-driven stories with humor and vulnerability
Those interested in portrayals of mental health that are sensitive and grounded
Final Thoughts: A Love Worth the Wait
Taming 7 is not about dramatic declarations or insta-love fireworks. It’s about whispered truths, patience, and two people finally seeing each other clearly. Gibsie and Claire’s story is one of trust and tenderness, a rare kind of romance that feels honest in its quietest moments.
Walsh handles their journey with care, humor, and a deep understanding of the teenage emotional landscape. It’s less intense than its predecessors, but perhaps more profound in its simplicity.
Why It Works:
Endearing characters with real emotional stakes
A healthy, supportive relationship that grows organically
Honest portrayal of mental health in male characters
Chloe Walsh’s signature blend of vulnerability and voice
What Could Be Better:
Tighter structure in emotional dialogue
Greater development for certain side characters
A few moments of redundancy in pacing