Homebound by Meredith Trapp

10/10
Spice - 7/10

I am not a huge fan of friends to lovers but this book is a pleasant exception. She is an ambitious bull rider and he is a single dad, hockey player and in love with her (his bestfriend) since 12.

It's giving grumpy (her) meets sunshine (him). Very black cat and golden retriever energy.

I love how much goal driven and strong personality she is. I love that she is aware of her flaws - her overthinking for example. And him, he is a walking green flag epitome, he supports her, holds her, encourages her dreams, can cook, is polite and damn sexy.

One of the best cow boy/cow girl/bull rider romances I have read.

This book was well paced. The character development was also really good and this was an enjoyable read. I hope this series continues.

I honestly struggled with this book, was a did not finish for me. I did not feel like there was much of a plot, the characters lacked depth, and I just was not sucked into the novel. Disappointed because I really love western romances, but the love story was not well developed enough for me.

Thanks for the free eARC from NetGalley!

This is my first book that I've read by Meredith Trapp, and it did not disappoint. It was refreshing having a man know he was in love with a woman from the get go and do whatever it takes to tell and show her how he feels. I loved the dynamic between Dakota and Wyatt, and little Vi was an adorable edition. I appreciated the female bull rider aspect to the story (I seem to be gravitating towards stories about the rodeo lately). It was also lovely seeing very supportive friends and family involved in the lives of the main characters, but not too involved that they are significantly influencing their decisions about their love lives.


--------SPOILER AHEAD--------


I love how the book ended with the long awaited mood ring proposal, and how they didn't throw in a surprise pregnancy like a lot of romances do (don't get me wrong, I'm all about the yay we're pregnant! surprises in books). I am hoping to see some spinoff novels about Willie and Alana as well as Cruz and his future person, and I will definitely be looking for more books by Meredith Trapp in the future!!!

Favorite tropes of this book:
-He falls first
-Friends to lovers
-Second chance
-Grumpy and sunshine
-HEA
-Forced proximity

wyatt rolled back into town like a walking heartache with a southern drawl and a one-track mind: dakota... and listen... i respect a man with tunnel vision, especially when it leads directly to groveling, longing stares, and emotional damage (mine, mostly).

dakota? she’s the definition of hot girl menace. all sass, no patience, built like she could verbally dismantle you in under five seconds and still look good doing it. she’s out here trying to live her life and suddenly this man shows up ready to emotionally strip himself like it’s an olympic sport. Sir??? calm down (don’t).

this slow burn simmered for pages and I was eating it up like it was my last meal. childhood friends to “why does his jawline make me want to misbehave?” to full-blown outdoor shower chaos. Growth (LOL)

also... tiny human alert: wyatt’s daughter exists purely to deliver emotional gut punches and adorable one-liners. she's the kind of character who quietly steals every scene while also being the glue holding these two soft disasters together.

i laughed, I swooned, I blushed like I was the one in that damn shower. 4 ⭐ & a restraining order for my feelings.

This book is perfect for small town romance lovers! The main characters Dakota, a black cat bull rider, and Wyatt, a golden retriever single dad and NHL player, were a refreshing twist on the typical small town romance MMCs.

The childhood friends to lovers romance wasn’t as developed in my opinion. I think the story could have benefited from flashbacks since the development of the characters and the romance could have been deeper.

Overall it was a good read if you are looking for something light and easy!

‘You stay loose and -‘ ‘flow like good tequila. Smooth and steady’. 🤠This is a perfect small town best friends to lovers book !
Dakota is the no bad ass girlie who is a bull rider and loves prickly pear margaritas 🐂🍸Wyatt is the sweet NFL player with a cutie daughter 🏈 💕. Wyatt is just looking for a second chance with his best friend who he’s been pining over since the day she saved him from the river.
This is full of heart warming cozy step mom but really ‘mama’ vibes to single dad Wyatt.
The spice is 🔥 and full of angst, think ‘he loves you don’t you see it!?’ vibes!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Atria /Emily Bestler Books for the eARC 🤩

DNF at 15%. I just couldn’t get into this book. I think it’s because the characters are (at least at this point, I know I stopped reading early) very surface level. Nothing was really drawing me into the story and for me I need something bringing me in early.

I have also read the first book released by this author, and I don’t think the writing style or characters are for me.

This was a friends to lovers, second chance type of romance. I think the premise of the story was cute and I liked the focus on family.
As someone who has struggled to conceive, I didn’t love the hyper focus on babies in this. Not that it’s bad, it’s just not something I’m drawn to currently in books. Also, as a woman from the south, some of the southern “isms” felt a little kitschy for me.

Maybe not my favorite read, but I think it’s a good story and would be willing to give the author another try!

I think it was nice for a change to have a moody and brooding FMC. Usually I feel like it's the MMC who gets that rap! So this was a refreshing change. Cowboy and small town romances are all the rave and I felt like this one fit into that category seamlessly. On the surface the story is intriguing and can raise some skepticism, but once you read it, it does answer some of your hesitations you may initially have about the story (without spoiling). I thought the story was well written and goes into why the characters are who they are and behave the way they behave. I think the advertised tropes were accurate but a few more do pop up! It's a unique story, I don't think l've read a book with this plot line yet. If you like romance and some "cliches" as some may say this is a great book for you! A fun little western love and healing journey if you will. Obviously there are some things that are "cheesy" or have you saying "would that actually happen" but that's the joy of books, you can escape reality and enjoy a story and characters in a world not our own.

the best bull rider in texas and the hockey player that comes back to win her heart? SIGN ME UP!!

will I ever get over a man obsessed romance!? I don't think so. The hero in this has been in love with the heroine since they were kids growing up and he'd visit every summer. One year, though, she gets engaged and he leaves and doesn't see her again for three years. And now he's a single dad to an adorable daughter. It's roommates and forced proximity because they have to share a house while he's visiting. I loved how all-in the hero was and how he would call his friends to update them on his progress of finally getting the girl. The banter was everything and them working out together so he can help her training!? Looovedddd it. His flirting was everything and I also loved how the heroine really fell in love with his daughter! This was just so so good and I couldn't recommend it enough!!

I think I found a new favorite romance author! A badass bull rider as the FMC and a single dad, cinnamon roll hockey player MMC. Friends to lovers, he falls first, no third act breakup, a little slow burn and excellent spice. Seriously what else could you want in a romance book?! I'm definitely going back to read the first book in the interconnected series. And I'm hoping there's at least two more books coming (Willy + Lana and Cruz).

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of Homebound! This book was such a cute and cozy read. The perfect mix of second-chance romance and small-town charm.

I adored the premise: Wyatt Patterson, a single dad and an NHL hockey player and Dakota (Kody) Cutler, a bull rider. Both reconnecting after years apart, navigating the tension and tenderness that comes with their shared childhood history and years of separation. The chemistry between them felt natural and sweet, and I was rooting for their reunion the entire time.

While I loved their story, I did find myself wanting a bit more. More background on each character, more inner dialogue to dive into their emotions outside of the relationships. Something left me feeling disconnected, there were moments where I craved a deeper glimpse. That said, the romance still hit all the right emotional notes.

And can we talk about Wyatt’s daughter?! She completely stole the show. Seriously, the cutest little girl ever! Every scene with her made my heart melt.

Overall, Homebound is a heartfelt, feel-good romance that leaves you smiling. A perfect pick for fans of second chances, small-town vibes, and charming kids who say the funniest things.

This book is fits the bill when it comes to small town romance.
The tropes in this book are everything I truly love, single dad, a down bad man, and a bad A** woman.

As a stepmomma myself when Vi said “ momma “ for the first time I was literally teary eyed. To be recognized in that manner really means the world.

The characters were great boon was a very unlikable side character in his own right. I wish it had more of a small town feel, but for the genre the main points being the house ( barn ) the bar and some light travel work for the FMC it made sense.

Dakota being so unaware of Wyatt’s intentions is what got a smidge irksome for me about 50% in. Like smooch already haha! I love yearning but when the MMC is throwing himself at her and she was blatantly ignoring this poor man I really felt for him.

All in all I truly enjoyed it.
Looking forward to the next in the series!

Thank you Atria books and netgalley for giving me this arc in place of an honest review!

I definitely like the story and enjoyed it! Although, there was something about the writing style that I was not a huge fan of. It wasn’t a bad book by any means but I am not sure if I will seek out another booo by Meredith Trapp, as I just don’t think her writing style is for me.

Yes, thank you! Cowboy romances are my weak spot. I’m a sucker for Lyla Sage and Elsie Silver but they can only release so many books a year so I’ve been yearning for another good western author. This definitely scratched that itch, but also was so fun that I’d read any genre from Trapp.

Usually not into the cowboy romance type books, but I finished this book in less than 24 hours. Very cute and cozy read. Wyatt seemed like the type of man that all of us girls need in our lives and I loved every single minute of him.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for a review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Homebound! It's a slow burn, childhood friendship to lovers romance. Our FMC, Dakota, is a fiery strong woman, and Wyatt, MMC, is her patient and kind opposite. What I enjoyed most about this was Wyatt's character. He was so confident and secure that he was able to create a space for Dakota to just be herself, and he never judged her. He was such a great example of healthy masculinity in this novel.

However, I found Dakota to not be the most likeable character in the beginning. I kept getting frustrated with her and her attitude and had a hard time relating to her or just feeling any sympathy towards her. In my opinion, she is the type of character that you can only truly like once Wyatt brings out some of her better qualities.

Overall, I would definitely want to read more from this author and with how the book is set up with some side characters, I'm thinking there might be another story in the making?

First of all, thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC 💕

I flew through this one very quickly and really enjoyed it. It’s a nice small town best friend turned lovers story with a refreshing twist on the expected.

I enjoyed seeing Dakota struggle to find her footing as the bull rider of this relationship and the support she received (and didn’t) throughout.

The writing style was not for me, but thats a personal preference and not so much an author or editing fault. It relies a lot more on telling rather than showing, so I found it to be a bit repetitive in some places but I don’t agree on removing a star for a personal preference.

I do wish we had gotten more time with them. I would have loved some more chapters to draw out their story a little more! And Vi! More Vi 🥰

I also really appreciate the side characters! They weren’t mentioned once and then forgotten, they kept appearing, and we love supportive besties!

The spice was spicy! There was a good amount, not too little not too much. We got comfort. We got love. We got some public. A little bit of everything!

If you’re looking for nice chill story you can binge in a day or so, this is a great one to pick up!

I loved the characters and the found family dynamic created between Wyatt and Dakota. I liked this book a lot better than Icebound. It was great summer read, and the premise was sweet. I am giving it 4 stars because at some points the romance was a little too dry or slow.