A classic cowboy romance with the single dad trope! I was really interested in seeing a female bull rider and a single dad love story. I liked the writing and I think I could like the main characters. I just cannot get into it, it may just be a bit cringey. I didn’t really care for some of the dialogue between characters. Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this advanced copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5

IM OBSESSED! I don’t usually read friends to lovers but the synopsis intrigued me and I decided to give this book a try and it didn’t disappoint. The tension and the pining and the yearning and the slow burn- 🔥🥵 and the spice after all that??? Top tier! The tastiest cherry on top! Oh and did I mention there’s no third act breakup? There’s also no cheating trope or ow drama. Just a great plot and characters and a good time🤭💕

~Tropes:
✨Small Town
✨Bullrider fmc
✨Single dad
✨Estranged friends to lovers
✨Grumpy fmc x Sunshine mmc
✨Roommates

Dakota’s strong, fierce, independent and ambitious character was everything to me. A woman who knows what she wants in life and works hard to get it, never letting anything get in the way between her and her dreams/goals. She may appear tough on the outside but she’s a whole softie to the people she loves🥺 She’s also so badass and sexy I was literally crushing on her the entire book like- Wyatt baby I get it, I would be whipped for this woman my entire life too.

Wyatt’s a caring, tender, obsessed, and gentle MAN✨ who’s head over heels for Dakota and always adored Dakota and looked up to her and was inspired to chase his dreams. I loved how supportive he was for Dakota’s dreams and independence, he was a real MAN who never felt threatened by a hardworking independent woman.

Their dynamic is perfection! Though their characters are opposite, they are so fitting for each other like the yin to the other’s yang.

I loved the side characters as much as I loved the main ones. Let’s start with Dakota’s father, when I tell you I cried so much at every scene of Dakota and her father, their relationship is so sweet and adorable like istg it’s always the single father stories that makes your heart CRY.
Wyatt moms, these QUEENS raised the best MAN! Taught him manners, how to treat a woman right, and made him a MAN! Their relationship with Wyatt and his daughter Vienna is so beautiful, they’re so supportive and caring and healthy.
Saving the best for the last— Alanna (Dakota’s friend) and Willie (Wyatt’s cousin), oh when I tell you I’m already obsessed with them and we only got few scenes of them together!! Their banter??? I was busting my lungs laughing so hard at them. I NEED their book immediately! If the next book isn’t theirs I would be really sad bc I’m already excited and want to read more about them.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me the ARC🙏💕

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for this advanced reading copy of Homebound.

Homebound will be released to all retailers on June 17.

Hockey romance meets cowgirl romance in this cute and spicy romance. Dakota and Wyatt grew up together, and then were best friends. The older they got, their feelings turned to more but they never acted on it. Dakota gets engaged, and Wyatt disappears from her life. She never knew why. Then Wyatt ends up as a single dad to a baby, and things get even more confusing. Wyatt moves back to Texas for the hockey off season, and he decides he doesn’t want to be just a friend. He also needs a place to stay…

Homebound is about 2 people who realize their home is each other, even with previous baggage. It takes a while, but when the spice starts it is SPICY! I really enjoyed this book and want to read more of Meredith Trapp’s books!

Having wanted to read Homebound since it was first published as an indie novel, I was thrilled to receive an ARC ahead of the trad pub version’s release. I love that this book inverts some of the most common premises and tropes prominent in other “cowboy romance” novels. As someone who reads a lot of books in this same vein, I liked that Trapp upended some of those conventions and was deliberate about subverting expectations, such as making the FMC the cowgirl instead of the MMC.

Dakota “Cowboy Killer” Culter is, quite frankly, awesome. She is tough, tenacious, stubborn, loyal, and incredibly grounded (thanks in no small part to her incredible father, Colt Cutler, who I will no doubt wax poetic about for many months to come). As the only woman competing in her local bull-riding circuit, Dakota feels like she has a lot to prove, and in the face of some recent backlash from someone she trusted, she’s working on rebuilding the confidence she needs to chase her dreams. Also, let’s face it, Cowboy Killer is an amazing nickname.

Wyatt Patterson is, perhaps, the biggest simp to ever draw breath. With the hulking stature expected from a professional hockey player, you would think that he would be all sharp edges and bravado, but he is quite literally anything but. I loved that the history between he and Dakota made it clear that he had always been, as Colt puts it, “more man than boy,” even before he finds himself as a single father to the rambunctious and adorable Vienna.

Joined by a host of loving family members, supportive friends, and more than a few rival bull-riders who doubt both Dakota’s skills and Wyatt’s ability to hold up against the Cowboy Killer herself, this book does a great job of putting you in the thick of things and keeping you invested as both characters and events progress. I loved that the first chapter did such an efficient job of establishing the framework of both past and present for the MCs, as well as establishing their characters as people you want to root for.

Unlike a lot of romance novels, these characters are very self-aware and emotionally mature, which was a nice change of pace from some of my recent reads. That said, some of that self-awareness is deeply skewed by insecurity and trauma, which means that there are several moments (whole chapters even) where the characters are not at their most likable. I would say that neither Dakota nor Wyatt will be for everyone as they both have elements of their personality that some readers will be put off by. However, for my part, I think if you can hang in there to the point where Wyatt really steps up and Dakota begins to see past their childhood memories, they both become much more dynamic and enjoyable characters.

In terms of more general thoughts and observations: I thoroughly enjoyed several of the side characters throughout this novel, especially Wyatt’s teammate, Micah Cruz and Dakota’s father, Colt. I appreciated that certain people and events, while relevant to the novel, weren’t given a lot of space or attention in the actual story (such as Vi’s bio mom or how things end up for Boone). I also appreciated that there wasn’t a third-act breakup; in this case, there are so many other threads being woven that it would have felt like unnecessary angst and too many obstacles to overcome. There are some references to the first book in this “series,” Icebound, that were occasionally confusing, but for my part, I found them easy to gloss over. This is definitely a book that starts slower, takes time to build, and picks up steam really quickly as the end gets nearer, but even in those slower moments, it’s a story filled with love and friendship, decorated by swoony moments, enhanced by some well-earned spice, and populated by characters that feel real and dynamic and endearing.

Maybe the best thing I can say in summary of this book is that my ARC is highlighted to no end. I loved so many quotes from this book that my notes app is practically overflowing with them. I don’t think there’s a single chapter that didn’t have at least one moment I wanted to single out and preserve. In an effort to avoid spoilers, I won’t say more, but just know that there are seriously so many pieces of this novel that I want to hold onto. Beautifully written, supremely satisfying, and definitely one that will stick out in my mind for a long time to come.

4.5 ⭐️

This was a fun friends to lovers/single dad small town book where she is the bull rider/cowgirl.

It had the quintessential "it's always been her" obsessed MMC & badass independent FMC that only saw him as a friend for decade until it finally clicked.

There was great banter, chemistry, and heat. Overall a really fun trope filled story with lots of charm.

Homebound was a enjoyable read that definitely flips some of the typical romance tropes on their heads. Wyatt and Kodie were both likeable main characters however I did I find that i liked Wyatt more than Kodie through out the book. While I enjoyed watching Wyatt take charge and try to capture Kodie's attention there were times where it felt a little silly. Throughout a good chunk of the book all Kodie seems to do is place Wyatt firmly in the friend zone and then suddenly she sees him named and realizes he isn't just a friend. I wish there had been more that showed their relationship growing up that alluded to the fact that Kodie had moments where she saw him as more than just a friend but didn't think she should act on it. Overall I really enjoyed the book.

“Call me your ‘friend’ one more time, and I’ll drag you back to your bedroom, hook those pretty legs over my shoulders, and show you just how friendly I can be.”
-Wyatt Patterson ladies and gents

Okay so here’s the deal, loving Wyatt this much wasn’t on my bingo card this year, but not he’s permanently etched into my brain and I’m utterly obsessed.

If Kai Rhodes and Jasper Gervis had a baby it would be Wyatt, he loves with everything in him but will also spend years pinning and yearning and waiting for the right moment. This story is a case of the right person, wrong time scenario and when they finally figure it out it’s done for. The words that come out of his mouth made me drool, and I need more of it.

Also we love a woman in sports in books and Dakota Cutler is the most bad a** woman I have read about in a while. I want to be her when I grow up. Not only is she strong and independent, but her relationship with her father is amazing and it made me miss my dad something fierce. She fights for those around her and she always has your back.

Spice:🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
✨ childhood friends to lovers
✨ hockey player MMC x bill riding FMC
✨ single dad
✨ possessive MMC
✨ disrespect her and I will punch you in the face

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🫑

This was such a cute friends to lovers / second chance cowboy romance!! One of my first cowboy romances for that matter and I will most certainly be reading more!

I love the grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a favourite trope of mine and I loved that the FMC is the grumpy one! Normally the MMCs role, so I like the switch up. I also love how well they balanced each other, really bringing out the best in one another 🥹

Seeing their relationship blossom had me all giddy, because they were finally seeing each other in a new light. Plus showing some sides the other had never seen, I’m looking at you Daddy Patty 🫦

Overall, such a good read and I was entertained the whole time!

Thanks so much to Atria Books for this early review copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book lacked depth for me but was fine as an easy read. I wasn’t hooked at any point and had to convince myself to finish it. It was well written but not at all exciting. The characters were fine and likeable but I constantly felt like something was missing.

Just no.

The sports careers of the main characters were kind of ridiculous. The MMC played in the NHL, but that was completely irrelevant to the plot. It felt like it was just added to try and piggy back off the popularity of the hockey romance trend. The FMC was supposedly a bull rider, but even though she was in her late 20s, she'd never ridden a bull 8 seconds. Then she does and is drafted based on that. Am I supposed to believe that's the way it works?

Anytime I read a book with parents who feel SOOOO GUILTY about every moment away from their child, I roll my eyes. It's mentioned how the MMC has to stay with his daughter and if he's not he feels guilty about it. Over and over again. Very much a martyr. Then when the FMC considers something-anything about the baby, the MMC is overwhelmed by gratitude and love for it. Really?

The love story wasn't that great. I didn't feel like the main characters were actually in love.

Content warnings are listed at the beginning. Great. There were some actual things to be mentioned. However, explicit language and drinking alcohol in a social setting were listed. This is why people think content warnings are stupid. I need to be warned about social drinking and cursing? If we want people to be serious about content warnings, we can't list the most quotidian of things and act like we're being responsible and respectful.

I would not read another book by this author, nor would I buy her books for my library. I really didn't like this book.

Finished this in one day, it was a very easy and enjoyable read!

I love a good cowboy romance and though it had spice (which I knew it did before requesting it so don't get it all twisted lol) it was easy to skip! I have a cowboy of my own, so all I was picturing was my husband and I in place of the main characters LOL

Single dad trope is always so heartwarming and best friend romance makes it even better.

I enjoyed how simple this story was, yes there was fluff but it wasn't a story that made me hold my breathe because something bad was going to happen and I love that.

Overall it was a good story, though there was spice I enjoyed the tension and the romance that finally came from it!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

Many thanks to Atria Books, Meredith Trapp, and NetGalley for the ARC of Homebound in exchange for an honest review.
Homebound is the second book in the Boundless Players series. Wyatt is the friend and teammate from the first book in which he is a single dad with a daughter. In this book, we gain knowledge of how this familial situation came about and the longing of this single dad for his childhood crush, Dakota. It’s hard to characterize this book as a “he falls first” trope because I firmly believe he doesn’t remember life without being in love with Dakota.
Dakota, the MFC, is a tough, independent woman who feels she can only carry the weight of the world solo, not allowing others to bare the burden with her. Her world is flipped when Wyatt and his daughter move back home and in with her while she is trying to gain footing in the highly male dominated bull riding competitions.
This book is, so far, my favorite of this series. There is just something about a single dad loving on his daughter and his lady with all his might. I would give this book a moderate spice rating compared to Icebound.
Overall, this book made me fall more in love with this series and HOPING for a third books coming our way. Icebound was a take it our leave it book, but highly recommend going through the first book to enjoy Homebound for all its glory!

🔥 He Falls First
🔥 Always Been You
🔥 Black Cat / Golden Retriever
🔥 Single Dad
🔥 Friends To Lovers

Homebound begins with Wyatt watching the love of his life, Dakota, in a bull riding competition, but she doesn't know he's there. He's been away for several years playing in the NHL until she unexpectedly hears his voice. Dakota has always been someone who doesn't need anyone. She knows what she wants and she goes after it. Wyatt had pined for Dakota since they were kids and is determined to win her over. They've been close, and they've drifted apart, but can they get passed all they've been through to come back together?

All in all, I thought this book was a good time. I am rating it 3.75 and rounding it up to 4 stars. I thought the relationship between Wyatt and his daughter was very sweet. I loved the representation of Wyatt's two mothers, but i wish it would've explored more depth in his relationship with him, as well as Dakota and her father. There were times that the dialogue felt a bit cringey, but it also had be blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet. The tension was absolutely *chef's kiss*. I would definitely recommend to fans of Lyla Sage and Elsie Silver!

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy of Homebound via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this childhood friends to lovers romance! I love how down bad the MMC was for the FMC. This was such a fun read and added perfectly to my cowboy romance era.

Dakota "Cowboy Killer" Cutler is laser-focused on one goal: dominating the bull-riding world. She's determined to prove she has what it takes to join the Austin Rattlers in the PBR nationals, especially to her ex-fiancé.

Wyatt has been living a completely different life in Nashville, balancing his NHL career with single fatherhood to his daughter, Vienna. When he hears the news of Dakota’s broken engagement he knows this is his last chance to show her they were always meant to be more than just friends.

"Homebound" is a friends-to-lovers, small-town romance featuring a delightful slow burn and a fresh take on Western romance. Offering an exciting spin on the classic grumpy/sunshine trope, and spice that is sure to make you blush, "Homebound" is perfect for fans of Lyla Sage and Elsie Silver.

I devoured this book! Wyatt and Dakota might be my favorite friends to lovers ! This story is as sweet and spicy as Dakota’s favorite prickly pear margaritas. If you love a small town , single dad , grumpy /sunshine , second chance romance , and a sassy cowgirl and swoon worthy NHL golden boy seem like the perfect match - this one is for you!

5 ⭐️
Tropes: single dad / hockey player, cowgirl romance / lady bull rider, small town romance, forced proximity, he falls first, friends to strangers to lovers, it’s always been you, black cat x golden retriever romance

O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D! This was my first cowboy (or in this case cowgirl) romance and I ATE this up! I adored both Wyatt and Dakota (the cowboy killer 🥵) so so much. Never did I think I’d swoon as much as I did over a southern boy but…. I was severely mistaken. I seriously could not get enough.

This was the quintessential friends to lovers romance where he was obsessed with her since they were kids but never making it out of the friend zone for over a DECADE!

“I spent all my summers watching every boy in this town fall at her boots . Everyone wanted her. But me, I was desperate for her — still am”

After being gone from her life for years and pissing her off while doing it he’s now back in her life after her failed engagement to ANOTHER man (I know! GASP) he’s back for the summer trying to do anything and everything in his power to be the man she needs with a whole lot of groveling. Lucky for him she lives in his parents barndominium and now that he’s back home he needs a place to stay right?! 😉 AGAIN lucky for him he has his adorable baby girl on his hip sooo… she basically can’t say no to him and his plan is already PERFECT. (I’m seriously a sucker for forced proximity!) cue the rom-com magic, some banter and some spiciness and be ready to obsess over these two just as much as I did - because the cowboy killer never stood a chance against Wyatt Patterson and his little devil Vi.

Meredith’s writing was fun and seriously addictive! This was my first book by this author and I was so excited to learn that this was the second book in a series and the first is already on my TBR 😍 Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Homebound is a steamy, second chance, friends to lovers romance and I really enjoyed it. I love grumpy x sunshine and I liked it even more with the typical roles reversed. Dakota is a badass FMC and I loved how sweet and caring Wyatt is. The spice was SPICY 🌶️ but not overdone for me.

I don’t mind a single dad trope but I do think the baby talk was a bit excessive in the beginning. It’s obvious how much Wyatt cares for Vi so the constant baby talk was unnecessary in my opinion. I also loved the fast paced nature of the bull riding and I wish there had been a bit more of that in the story.

Great read and I look forward to future books in the series. Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC!

Read if you enjoy:
🌶️ Friends to lovers
🌶️ Second chance romance
🌶️ Grumpy x sunshine
🌶️ Cowgirl/Hockey Romance
🌶️ Single dad

4.25 ⭐
I almost always love a small town cowboy romance, but make HER the grumpy bull rider??? and he's a NHL player with a daughter??? GIVE ME.

Homebound by Meredith Trapp was such a fun, feel good read, that brought something unexpected to a saturated subgenre. To start off, I absolutely loved the role reversal we got with the MCs. Dakota is a grumpy, crass, commitment-phobe bull rider and Wyatt is a sweet, gentlemanly hockey player who grew up on a flower farm and has had a one track mind for YEARS. I absolutely loved reading about their dynamic, and experiencing both of their feelings about their past and how they were moving through their present and towards a future.

My only critique is that I wish the characters individually had been more developed, with more on Wyatt's position in the NHL and life and Dakota's experiences as a woman in bull riding. They didn't feel surface level but a little bit more bulk to their stories wouldn't have hurt.

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed, devoured in a day, and immediately preordered. Anyone who enjoys a cowboy romance, single dad, or just needs to have a little bit of fun would absolutely enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

Homebound by Meredith Trapp is a sweet and emotional small-town romance. Dakota and Wyatt’s second-chance love story is heartwarming, with just the right mix of chemistry, family, and healing. A feel-good read that’s perfect for romance fans!