You've probably seen the TikTok edits. A bruised girl, a massive rugby player with a heart of gold, and that rainy Irish backdrop that feels so tangible you can almost smell the wet grass. Chloe Walsh’s Binding 13 isn't just a book; for most romance readers, it's an emotional marathon. But let’s be real for a second. The audiobook is nearly 22 hours long. That is a massive commitment of both time and, potentially, money if you're buying credits. It makes total sense why everyone is scouring the internet trying to find a Binding 13 audiobook free version before they dive into the deep end of the Tommen Legacy.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Johnny and Shannon
Look, the "he’s a star athlete and she’s the shy new girl" trope is older than the hills. We've seen it a thousand times. But Walsh does something different. She makes it hurt. Shannon Lynch is dealing with horrific bullying and a domestic situation that is genuinely hard to read. Johnny Kavanagh is the king of the school, but he's nursing a career-threatening injury.
When you listen to the audiobook, narrated by Jill Raymond and Tim Per Dutton, the Irish accents add a layer of authenticity you just don't get from the physical page. It’s immersive. It’s also incredibly long.
Because of that length, the price tag on platforms like Audible can be steep if you aren't a member. That's usually when people start hitting Google. But here is the thing: searching for "free" stuff online in 2026 is a literal minefield of malware and broken links. You want the story, not a virus that bricks your phone.
How to Get the Binding 13 Audiobook Free (The Legit Way)
I’m going to be straight with you. Most of those "free download" sites you find on page six of search results are scams. They want your email, your credit card "for verification," or they just want to cook your hard drive. Don't do it. There are actually three or four ways to get this specific book for zero dollars without breaking any laws or risking your cybersecurity.
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The Library Is Your Best Friend (Libby and Hoopla)
Seriously. If you have a library card, you probably have access to Libby or Hoopla. These apps are the gold standard. You just plug in your card number, search for Binding 13, and borrow it.
The catch? Popularity.
Because the Boys of Tommen series went viral on social media, the wait times can be brutal. I've seen waitlists for Binding 13 that are twelve weeks long. If you're patient, it's the best way. Hoopla is even better because there's often no waitlist, but your local library has to pay for the specific "pay-per-circ" model, and not all of them do.
Trial Hopping
Audible, Audiobooks.com, and Everand (formerly Scribd) almost always offer a 30-day free trial for new users. Since Binding 13 is published under its own imprint and widely distributed, it is available on all of them.
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- Sign up for a trial.
- Use your free credit on Binding 13.
- Cancel before the 30 days are up.
On Audible, you usually get to keep the book even after you cancel. Since this book is 20+ hours, that’s a huge win for a free trial.
The Risks of Piracy Sites and Why They Fail
You might find a "full" version on a random YouTube channel or a sketchy "audiobook cave" website. Here’s why that sucks for you. First, these are often "chipmunked." To avoid copyright strikes, uploaders speed up the audio or change the pitch just enough to make Johnny Kavanagh sound like he’s on helium. It ruins the emotional weight of the scenes.
Secondly, Binding 13 is part of a massive series. If you get a pirated copy of book one, you’ll likely struggle to find book two (Keeping 13) or the later books like Taming 7 in the same quality. It breaks the flow.
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More importantly, Chloe Walsh is an indie-adjacent author who spent years building this world. Supporting the official release ensures that the rest of the series—like the highly anticipated stories for the secondary characters—actually gets produced.
What You Need to Know Before You Listen
If you do snag the Binding 13 audiobook free through a library app or a trial, prepare yourself. This isn't a light "beach read" romance. It deals with heavy themes:
- Extreme physical and verbal bullying.
- Domestic violence.
- Graphic descriptions of injuries.
It’s a "slow burn" in the truest sense of the word. Johnny and Shannon don't even really "get together" in the traditional sense for a long time. The book focuses on their friendship and their individual trauma.
The dual narration is excellent. Jill Raymond captures Shannon’s vulnerability perfectly, while Tim Per Dutton brings that specific Cork, Ireland swagger to Johnny. It’s one of those rare cases where the audiobook might actually be better than the ebook because the dialect is so central to the characters' identities.
Actionable Steps to Start Listening Today
Don't just keep googling "free mp3s." Try this specific sequence to get the best experience:
- Check Hoopla first. It’s instant. If your library supports it, you can start the 22-hour journey in the next five minutes.
- Download Libby. If it’s a long wait, put a hold on it now. Future you will be grateful when that notification pops up in two months.
- Use an Audible Trial. If you’ve never used it, or haven't used it in the last 12 months, you can often get a "come back to us" free credit.
- Spotify Premium. If you already pay for Spotify, check if you have your 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening available. Binding 13 is long, so 15 hours won't cover the whole thing, but it’ll get you through the first 60%. You can then finish the rest the following month or buy a small top-up.
Avoid the "free" sites that ask for a .zip file download. Those are almost always bad news. Stick to the legitimate apps that support the creators while keeping your wallet closed. Once you finish Binding 13, you're going to want Keeping 13 immediately anyway, so you might as well set up a library system that works for the whole series.
Next Steps for Readers:
Verify your local library's digital catalog status through the Libby app. If Binding 13 has a long waitlist, check for the "available now" section in the Romance category to see if Keeping 13 or other Tommen Legacy titles are open while you wait for your primary hold. Ensure your Spotify app is updated to the latest version to access the "Audiobooks" tab, which is often hidden in the library settings for Premium users.