Many thanks to Net Galley, Atria Books, and Meredith Trapp for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A unique twist where Dakota the headstrung and quick witted bull rider is reacquainted with her childhood friend Wyatt, who perfectly embodies the meaning of "golden retriever energy". Wyatt breaks down Dakota's walls that she has strategically put up for so long, and teaches her the beauty of being vulnerable.

Wyatt finds every way possible to put a smile on Dakota's face which makes him so endearing. He is truly Dakota's biggest fan!

One thing I will say is while this book may start off as a slow romance, it escalates quickly. So if you're looking for SPICE this is a great read.

I WANTED to love this book. The cover is stunning and the colors chosen draw the reader right in. But the characters… I didn’t enjoy them. I love cowboy/western romances, but this one just fell flat for me.

“You’re too good for me.”
“No, I’m just good for you, and you’re good for me.”

Thank you Atria & Simon and Schuster Audio for the ARC & ALC. All opinions are my own.

Loved Dakota & Wyatt’s story!
Childhood friends, he’s always been in love with her, and it’s time she caught up 🥰

✦ tropes & stuff:
🏒 single dad hockey player mmc
🐎 bull rider/cowgirl fmc
🌼 childhood friends to strangers to lovers
🐈‍⬛ black cat x golden retriever
🔗 forced proximity
✨ “it’s always been you”
🚫 no third act breakup
💞 dual 1st person pov

•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•

🎧 audio+ebook | ⭐️: 4.75 | 🌶️: 3 |

(5⭐️ for the audio, 4.5⭐️ for the story/writing - the audio definitely enhanced this one for me!)

💭 what I loved about this one:
- how Wyatt just changes how he acts around Dakota (flirting) and she’s confused but also loves it 🥰
- how purely Dakota loved Vienna (Wyatt’s daughter)
- love how he softens her, and she motivates him to want more for himself/push himself to be better

🙃 what didn’t quite work for me:
- not a fan of reading about an MC hooking up with others

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
Sean Masters makes a lovely cowboy 😮‍💨 & CJ Bloom captured Dakota’s energy so well.

Can I just say, it does something for me when we find out in Chapter 1 that he has loved her/is in love with her for years and years? I am deceased. Gimme all of it.

And I just LOVE a prickly FMC. Dakota is soft for her people and that’s it. And I love her even more for that because so what if people have to work to get into her circle? Once they’re in, they’re IN. I love that.

This was such a good time and to combine a hockey player with a rodeo queen? It’s like marrying 2 of my favorite genres and I’m not upset about it.

Thank you to Atria for the copy!

Wyatt and Dakota grew up as next-door best friends in Granite Falls, Texas. Once inseparable, Wyatt suddenly disappeared—only to reappear years later, now a famous hockey player and single dad to a sweet baby girl. He moves into Dakota’s barn, determined to prove he’s been in love with her since they were kids. And yes, it’s all kinds of swoony.

This one had all the ingredients to be a super swoony comfort read—small town, childhood friends-to-lovers, single dad, cowboy + hockey player, even a surprise barn living situation. And to be fair, there are definitely some sweet, feel-good moments, especially with Wyatt being the ultimate golden retriever dad and Dakota being a total tough-girl bull rider with a soft side buried deep.

That said… I wanted more. The plot felt kind of clunky at times—like it jumped from beat to beat without fully settling into the emotional moments. And while I liked the characters, I didn’t feel like I knew them. There’s so much potential in their shared past and in Wyatt’s experience as a single dad, but it never really dug deep. It skimmed the surface, especially with Dakota’s backstory, which could’ve added so much weight to her emotional arc.

Still, if you're looking for a low-stakes, tropey romance with cowboy charm and a big-hearted male lead, this could be a cozy weekend pick. Just don’t go in expecting super layered character work or a tightly paced plot.

Thank you Netgalley & Atria for the e-ARC

“You know something summer boy? I think I’m falling for your little summer girl” “Fall as hard as you want; we’ll be here here to catch you”

Homebound was by far so much more than I ever expected! I knew this was gonna be good but I just didn’t know it would be a counter for my favorite book so far this year!

I loved Kodiw and Wyatt * hits the floor* they were so perfect and I loved the dynamic they had and how much love there was between them. This book read like an actual romcom , every page was like a movie in my head.

I really loved Icebound so was excited to finally read Homebound!

I was a little apprehensive as I loved Wyatt in Icebound as I’m not the biggest single-dad or second-chance trope lover, but I ended up enjoying this one! I’m always a fan of a man who is down incredibly horrendous for the FMC, and Wyatt definitely did not disappoint. Dakota’s love for Vienna was also so cute.

My one issue with the book is that it felt a bit surface-level at times — this is probably a fault of them already knowing each other well and not really having to develop the relationship beyond the physical. I would have loved to have them catch up a bit more, given a lot happened in the 3 years they were apart.

I cannot wait for Micah’s book next <3

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the eARC!
I enjoyed this, but wish there was more drama and things going on. I found the plot to be pretty boring and uneventful. I did like the characters, and thought Dakota and Wyatt had incredible chemistry and the way Dakota was with Vi was amazing. I also loved seeing Wyatt in daddy mode.
I love a good cowboy romance, and this had so much angst and tension, but I don’t feel like it was worth the build up. You could really feel the tension but the play off was disappointing, and I expected better of a first spicy scene.
Overall, I enjoyed it, because I love cowboys and dads, but was disappointed in the plot aspect.

Full Review: 3% into my arc copy, I knew I was gonna be as down bad for this book as Wyatt was for Dakota.

Watching this man narrate the past was so amazing, and getting to be a part of his obsession with her. I love watching Dakota realize that maybe there could be something there between the two of them, and to see Wyatt give her exactly what she needs was everything while being a perfect single dad. 🤭🌶️

Now Dakota was the perfect spit-fire, sexually free woman who doesn’t take shit from any man. Watching her relationships with people, and her fall in love with Wyatt’s little girl was perfect for this story.

I loved this slow burn so much!! I can’t wait to read the rest of the authors writing!! 😊

Tropes
Childhood Best-friends
Single Dad
Cowgirl x NHL Player
It’s always been her
Golden Retriever x Black Cat
Dirty talking Cowboy
Slow burn

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

“Wyatt Dale Paterson. Are you flirting with me?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I have been for a while now. You gonna put me out of my misery, and flirt back?”

If you’re wanting to saddle up for a fun summertime ride at the rodeo, this is the book for you. 🐎

I had so much fun reading this! It was the perfect lighthearted cowgirl romance to start the summer off right. 💖

Wyatt’s relationship with his daughter absolutely stole the show & captured my heart. Some of the quotes in the book resonated so deeply with me as a parent and made me feel seen. It’s only fitting that this book is released around Father’s Day, because Daddy Wyatt deserves all of the love & appreciation. ✨

❤️‍🩹 2nd chance friendship turned romance
👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏼 Friends to Lovers
🍼 Single father MMC
🤠 Strong & Confident FMC
🐈‍⬛Black Cat x 🐕 Golden Retriever
🏒 NHL x Cowgirl Romance

Thank you to @authormeredithtrapp & @atriabooks for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair & honest review!

Constructive feedback:
There were a few parts in this book that didn’t quite make sense. At one point, the FMC is asked if she still doesn’t eat meat, which she confirms. Later on, she says she’s pescatarian. Fish are still meat, so this doesn’t make sense.

Also, at one point the FMC shared “ When I was young, my mother divorced him” but it wasn’t in a line referencing her father, so it felt really out of place.

There was a duplicate description in the same scene here “ I smile up at him, the sunset making his blondish hair glow like a halo.”

Overall I really loved this book, so if you would ever want a beta-reader to help catch some of these errors pre-publishing I would love to be considered!

Nothing hits quite like a single dad, cowboy romance!!! I also love a friends to lovers moment, so Wyatt and Dakota's story was right up my alley. The switch-up of having a female bull rider was so fun and I always love a man who will do literally anything for his woman. My only wish was that there was a bit more of a build-up of getting Dakota to actually see Wyatt as more of a friend. I would love a little more tension in their relationship, but the spice was perfection and their love story was *chefs kiss*.

Homebound is everything I didn't know I needed in a cowboy/ cowgirl romance and then some. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Texas Hill Country, this story felt personal, familiar, and like the perfect summer escape. Meredith Trapp blends southern charm, emotional growth, and just the right amount of drama into one heart stealing read.
Dakota Cutler is not your typical romance heroine, she's a fierce female bull rider (YES, finally!). Nicknamed the "Cowboy Killer," she owns every scene she's in with unapologetic confidence and a heart that beats hard for those she loves.
And then there's Wyatt Patterson, her childhood best friend and "summer boy," now a professional NHL player and devoted single dad. He's two years younger, but Wyatt is all grown up and back in town with his adorable daughter, Vienna, in tow... and a mission to win over the only woman he's ever loved.
I adored their dynamic. The friends-to-lovers chemistry, the forced proximity tension, and their mutual pining hit just right.
Wyatt's southern manners? Absolutely adorable. He's down bad for Dakota in the softest, sweetest way. And I loved watching her walls come down, not just for him, but especially for little Vienna (a.k.a. "Little Devil"), whose presence added so much warmth to this story.
This book gave me all the feels: nostalgia, longing, second chances, and finally, a beautiful rediscovery of love. And major props to Trapp for spotlighting a female bull rider, a rare gem in the romance world that added such a unique edge to the story.
This was my first book by Meredith Trapp! I can't wait to read more from her. This was a total win!

This book fell a little short for me but I did enjoy the different career “trope” with the fmc being a professional bull rider. I also enjoyed the heartfelt story filled with yearning!!! It was sweet and meaningful. The story demonstrates what waiting for the right person and respecting boundaries can do to a relationship.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance digital copy!

Overall, this is just not a book for me, but maybe a book for you. I wanted to give a cowboy (though more like cowgirl) romance a try, but it wasn't for me. It was more tell than show than I prefer.

Thank you to the publisher Atria for an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

While I do love a good cowboy romance book, I went into this one with high hopes but I didn't think it was anything special compared to other books of the type. The plot was good but was all over the place it was hard to keep up at times and had a lot of irrelevant commentary.

If you're interested in reading about a sexy southern hero and a badass female bull rider this book is for you. I didn't know what to expect but I loved Dakota!

I’m usually not big on friends to lovers, but the yearning and shared history made it work so well.

Ahhh Summer boy, single daddy Wyatt....He's been obsessed with Dakota since he was 8 years old. He's a NHL player back in town to get his girl. The slow burn? Chef’s kiss. The spice? Top tier. And he respects her independence? We love a respectful king. And that shower seen 😮‍💨

Tropes you’ll find:
🐂 Cowgirl FMC
🐂 Single dad MMC (with a baby)
🐂 Roommates
🐂 Childhood crush turned YEARNER
🐂 Estranged best friends to lovers
🐂 Black cat FMC x Golden Retriever MMC
🐂 No third-act breakup

I can't wait for Alanna's book? 🤭

Thank you @atriabooks & @netgalley for this eARC

3 ✨ There were so many things that I loved in this story. Grumpy Female bull rider, hell yeah. Obsessed golden retriever man, yes please! It had all the tellings a new favorite read for me, but fell flat at times. It had opportunities for top tier plot that weren’t capitalized on. I will definitely pick up the next book in the series because I have a gut feeling it will get better and better. Crossing all my fingers and toes it’s Alanna and Willie!
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and Meredith Trapp for the E-ARC✨

🤠Homebound🤠
By Meredith Trapp

~~

- Review posted to Amazon, B&N (pending), Goodreads, BookBub, and TheStoryGraph on 6/17/25

~~

“Us nice guys might always finish last, but that’s only ’cause we know our ladies get to finish first.”
🫠🫠🫠

Give me a bull riding cowGIRL any day of the week! And a totally down bad single daddy who will do whatever it takes to get his dream girl?? Uh huh yup, I’m sold!

Oh, this was a super fun read! Despite being guarded, there was something so endearing about our FMC, Dakota. I think I just saw a lot of my younger self in her. Seemingly standoffish with walls of steel built all the way around her, it was really just her way of protecting her heart and ensuring she achieves her goals. Holy moly, have I been there! But that satisfaction in finding and accepting your destined partner, the one who uplifts and encourages rather than belittle and tear down?? There’s really nothing sweeter 🥹

Mmm, scratch that! What makes Wyatt and Dakota’s story all the better was adding the most adorable little baby girly in the mix. I loved how effortlessly Vienna was incorporated into the story. Oftentimes, the single dad trope ventures into cringey territory when the child’s dialogue and plot points feel forced and ultimately takes away from the romance of the MMCs, but definitely not here!

Though the pace is on the slower end for a majority of this steamy small town romance, I wholly consumed . The characters and their respective growth really shine here and I’m so excited to check out more of Meredith’s works 🤗

Big thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing an early copy! These are my honest thoughts 🖤

Apparently cowboy romances are my thing because I loved loved loved this book! It was my first by Meredith Trapp, and definitely not my last. The cover drew me in (obviously) and the tropes—female bull rider, friends to lovers, forced proximity, single dad, and blackcat/golden retriever vibes really just hit the nail on the head with me.

The story was sweet and heartfelt. I loved both Dakota and Wyatt right away. Dakota’s tough exterior made sense given her career, and Wyatt, her childhood best friend, was such a lovable character—patient, devoted, and just waiting for his chance. Their relationship felt genuine, with honest and open communication. Relationship goals, am i right?!

If you enjoyed the Rebel Blue Ranch series by Lyla Sage then you need to have this on your TBR this summer!

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria & Meredith Trapp for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this one! My first book by Meredith Trapp and it won’t be my last. The cover snagged my eye right away. Then I saw the tropes: female bull rider, friends to lovers, forced proximity and had to read it! I’m fully into my cowboy/cowgirl summer and this hit the mark!

I thought this story was really sweet. I loved both characters instantly. Dakota is in a male dominated career so she’s always been a bit guarded and rough around the edges. Her best friend growing up is er summer boy, Wyatt. I loved Wyatt. He’s been in love with Dakota his whole life. He’s just been waiting for his time to show her how good they can be together.

He’s a single dad, and at first that kind of threw me because it’s supposed to have been “only her” but when given the background on the situation I think it works for this story.

Dakota slowly realizes what’s been in front of her this entire time and I loved how both characters embraced their relationship and there was open and honest communication.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for giving me this ARC for my honest review!