Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Hockey and bull riding? YES. Friends to lovers? Also yes! I enjoyed this and am looking forward to the rest of the series. Our main characters had a lot of chemistry and this was a quick and fun read.

2.75 🌟I was so excited for a cowboy romance where the FMC was the bull rider instead of the MMC. I wish I loved this one but something about it didn’t stand out to me. I felt like Dakota was an exaggeration of a “black cat” character. It also felt like Wyatt was more obsessed with Dakota since they spent so much time together and he just thought they were supposed to be together. It was hard for me to believe the relationship between the two MCs. They were supposed to be adults even though they talked and acted more like teenagers. Everything just felt a little mid.

Tropes:
💖Western Romance
💖Forced Proximity
💖Friends to Lovers
💖Small Town Romance

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

I love me a second chance single dad plot!!

I ate this up! The cover is super cute and I will be adding this to my personal library!

This book had all of my favorites. Black cat x golden retriever. Friends to lovers, second chance, hockey, cowgirl, single dad, GIRL dad. I mean, come on!! For whatever reason I could not get into this no matter how hard I tried. It actually made me mad that I wasn't invested. Sigh.

Thank you Atria for the ARC of Homebound!

Rounded up from 2.5 stars.

I really wanted to like this, but I thought it had too much going on, and there was a lot of repetition. I didn't really buy into the story behind Wyatt becoming a single dad, and his character felt a little bumpy. I also didn't really believe Dakota's interest in him. She spends a lot of the book saying, to herself and to others, that she only ever say Wyatt as a little brother. If she was just saying that to other people to deny what she was really feeling in her internal monologue, I'd believe her feelings for him were genuine.

I don't know, I just didn't vibe with either of these characters or the storyline.

Okay, okay. I have to be honest. I really didn't think I was going to like this book as much as I did. I read the synopsis and saw that she was a female bull rider and immediately assumed she would be over the top annoying and overcompensating for competing in a male-driven environment. She was, but not in an overly annoying way. She was in a refreshing female empowerment way. Dakota was actually likeable. And Wyatt...what can I say? I loved him! Wyatt and Vi, are absolutely adorable. This book was so darn cute and the spice level was spicy! I was just really impressed with the writing and how I just connected with the main characters. This book is a yes for me. And I don't give out 5 stars easily, so read it! Thank you to Meredith Trapp, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.75 ⭐️

I really love Meredith Trapp's writing style! This book was funny and engaging, and honestly just a good time!

I love Wyatt—he's the perfect hot (but still so kind) single dad. Getting to hear his inner monologue was so adorable and hilarious. "I'm going to die in the friendzone." Poor guy.

Dakota and her dad's relationship felt like everything. Especially when all the Wyatt/Vienna, Colt/Dakota parallels were drawn.

I really recommend this book if you're looking for something you can sit down and just BINGE, I didn't want to set it down!! I can not WAIT to see what else Trapp writes!!


Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Give me all the cowboy romance books! Because I am in my total cow girl era. Such a fabulous story and loved the characters.

🏡💫 Book Review: Homebound by Meredith Trapp 💫🏡

A beautifully moving story about finding your way back—to family, to yourself, and to the place you truly belong. Homebound is an emotional journey filled with healing, hope, and the bittersweet power of home.

What it’s about:
After years away, Harper returns to her small hometown with a heavy heart and unresolved past. Reconnecting with old friends, family, and the familiar rhythms of home, she begins to uncover the strength to forgive, grow, and maybe even find love where she least expects it.

Tropes You’ll Love:
🏡 Small-town charm
💞 Second chances
✨ Family secrets & healing
🌿 Self-discovery & growth
❤️ Slow-burn romance

Meredith Trapp’s heartfelt writing and authentic characters make Homebound a tender, unforgettable read for anyone who believes in the magic of returning home.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#Homebound #MeredithTrapp #SmallTownRomance #SecondChanceLove #HealingJourney #Bookstagram #FeelGoodReads #BookReview

Always down for a small town cowboy romance! I was obsessed with this one and the childhood friend to lovers trope! Perfect for fans of Lyla sage and Elsie silver too!

3.5! this was so cute and fun - i’m always a fan of cowboy romances. I will say, I wanted to know more about Wyatt, our MMC - who is apparently a professional hockey player and obviously a single dad, but we don’t know much about him aside from his love for Dakota and his daughter. In the same vein, we don’t know a ton about Dakota besides that she is a bull rider, and I just think it would’ve been fun to see more of the quiet moments between them! Overall, a super fun and quick read, I would recommend! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eArc in exchange for my honest review!

Fun and spicy 2nd chance cowboy romance! 3.5

Wyatt’s been in love with his best friend Dakota since he was 8years old, but when she gets engaged, he leaves without a word. 3 years later he’s back to get the girl. But can he tame this wild hard headed bull riding babe?

Thoughts and spoilers


I enjoyed this! I’m a sucker for a cowboy romance and throw in a single dad who’s head over heels for the FMC?! Delicious. I didn’t really understand why he came back? Like he literally only seemed to come back to get the girl? No other reason? I think it mentioned helping with the family flower farm, but then he never helped with the family flower farm until one scene at 87% in when he was helping with deliveries. He’s also meant to be a big deal NHL star and I feel like it never came up? Like in public or the bar or rodeo, no one batted an eye.

Dakota easily stepping in to the role of mother was so beautifully done. I always love “the parent who stepped up” combo to a single parent trope! I thought the delicate balance of her wanting her dreams but also thinking of Vi and Wyatt within her choices was perfectly written. Dakotas job confused me a bit, she’s training to be a professional bull rider and trying allllll the time, but if she’s not a professional bull rider she’s not getting paid? And though it was mentioned that she helps with the farm, there just weren’t any actual scenes of her working.

I’m the end I liked it. Would recommend as a fun lil read and if Willie and Lana are getting a book?! That banter?! Catch me reading!!

A devoted single dad who’s completely gone for his childhood best friend—the fierce, independent bull rider? Yes, please. Wyatt is the whole package. His love for his daughter is heart-melting, but the way he confidently claims space in Dakota’s world? Swoon. He fell first, and hard, but when she finally let herself fall too? Fireworks. The heat between them is unreal—seriously, I’ve never wanted an outdoor shower more. I adored that Dakota never had to sacrifice her dreams, and watching her fall just as hard for his daughter as she did for him? Total heart-eyes. This story hit all the right notes—sweet, sexy, and completely satisfying.

I’m going to be honest, what drew me into this book was the cover. It’s gorgeous and I’ve been deep into my cowboy era lately. However this one just didn’t do it for me. It felt like the plot just sort of fell flat for me. Not much was going on imo.

3.5 ⭐️ This is my first book by this author. This is also my first introduction to a single daddy trope, and Cowboy FMC and NHL athlete MMC. Thank you NetGalley for the e-copy of this book. Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was cute. I am not rating it a 4 and above because to MY rating standards that is for books I cannot stop thinking about once I have finished and will not hesitate to tell others to read. There were a few moments I found cringe and some moments I was a bit bored. My favorite was the MMC’s high level of emotional maturity, passion, determination, and fierceness for those he loves. Who knew a single daddy can be so hot?! lol I also absolutely loved the cover of this book. I loved the way Wyatt cared and showed up for Dakota. He was so patient and always understanding. I appreciated the representation of mental health in Dakota. Anxiety can impact us in how we see ourselves and interpret situations and this book didn’t good back in showing us that. I can see how this also could come off as she is annoying because she has struggles with making decisions. She can also come off as stubborn but I liked her level of independence and wanting to stay true to what she values. There wouldn’t be much yearning from Wyatt if she has given in easily so I think it makes sense for her stubbornness lol.

I do wish they had expanded a bit more on Wyatt’s story about becoming a single dad. They only told us it was from a one night stand and the mother didn’t want to be involved. It just felt a bit odd and rushed.

Read if you like:
-childhood friends to lovers in adulthood
-single daddy trope
-he fell first, and he fell hard
-slow burn
-MMC yearning!! They literally don’t kiss until about 52% in
-supportive family and friends

5⭐️ 3🌶️ 5🎧 Ahhh, these two! I LOVE THEM!! And little Vi, I just adore them all so much!! There is not a single word I would change in this story, it’s perfection!

Wyatts been pinning for Dakota since he was a boy, and he’s done being in the friend zone! He stops treating her like a friend and starts treating her like the women he wants by his side and we love him for it! She slowly starts seeing him as more than a friend and starts pinning back. This book had me giggling and kicking my legs throughout!

CJ Bloom and Sean Masters did a fantastic job narrating these characters, they are at the top of my list of favorites and always guarantee happy ears!

Hair washing, hay bales, and coming home. 🤠

Homebound by Meredith Trapp is a brand new take on COWGIRL romance. This book takes the classic small-town second chance trope and gives it a fresh, fun twist—with a NHL player single dad and a no-nonsense, bull-riding cowgirl who just so happens to be his childhood best friend… and two years older. 👀🔥

From tender moments in the barn…dominium to flirty rodeo banter and the kind of chemistry that practically crackles off the page, this book has it allllllll. The emotional depth, the Texas charm, and yes—THAT hair-washing scene (you’ll know when you get there)—make this a total standout.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
I fell in love with the relationships the characters have within the book, especially between Kodie and her Dad - had me tearing up during some parts. The special bond between her dad, him being her bull-riding coach and always supporting her had me missing my dad so this definitely hit home for me.
Such a heart warming and tender second-chance romance where our main male character Wyatt comes back into his small town after learning that his best girl-friends engagement has been called off. He has been in love with Kodie since they were kids growing up but she has always seen him as her little brother.

Kodie is fierce bull-rider nicknamed "Cowboy Killer" know around town as riding the men just as hard as the bulls lol.
She has no plans to be tied down or to settle as she is following her dreams to become pro. Will Wyatt be able to win her over? If not him, then maybe his adorable one-year old daughter might do the trick.

PERFECT level of steamy spice, mixed with heart-felt moments that had my eyes watering. Highly recommend to lovers of second-chance, small town romance, friends to lovers.

Thank vou to Atria books for the opportunity to arc read this title.

3.75/5 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️ - medium spice

LOVES:
- The relationship between Dakota and her dad is really sweet and the parallels between it and Wyatt’s relationship with his daughter was also well done
- The metaphor about how Wyatt made her realize she was breathing and slow down to feel alive was neat
- I liked the way the characters thought about their relationship. “She sharpens me, but I soften her” and her ambitions pushed him into his successful career, while he chilled out her workaholic ways. They had quite a few complementary qualities.
- Dakota needed to grow up and mature before she could be ready for Wyatt, despite him being the younger one. I appreciated when she finally started to notice that a kind, trustworthy, responsible man is attractive. And they can be better in bed than a-holes too 😉

CRITIQUES:
- Jeeeeez, this guy is down bad. I LOVE that in a man, but, in this case, it was actually pretty painful to see how hard he pined for her and she just didn’t see him that way 😬
- Plot hole: if Wyatt is always wearing the ring, how did she never end up seeing it??

There were a lot of things I liked about this, but the way their relationship was written in the first half felt uncomfortable and a little cringy for me. I liked the second half of the book quite a bit though and the ending was very sweet 🥰 I think a lot of people would like this book and I would recommend it if the above sounds appealing to you!

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Simon & Schuster for the eARC 💝 Releases on June 17th!

Your not so typical cowboy romance!

FYI this is book 2 in the series, but read s perfectly fine as a standalone. I did not read the first book (even though I absolutely have it on my shelf) and was able to read this book with no problems or missing plot points.

Dakota (Kodie) Cutler is the Cowboy Killer, a bull riding fiend and Wyatt Patterson is the golden retriever hockey player who comes back to Texas to make the girl who has always put him in the friend zone, his girl once and for all. I loved that this was the FMC as the cowboy and the MMC was this sweet sunshine single dad who is always a glass half full kind of guy.

Im not normally the biggest fan of friends to lovers as a trope. I will say, this book made me eat my words on friends to lovers. And maybe it' because there was a bit of tension at the beginning since Dakota was upset with Wyatt and essentially made him beg and chase her a bit more than in your typical friends to lovers books. The banter was there, the flirting was there, the spice was DEFINITELY there.

Absolutely enjoyed this and now to go back and read Icebound 😅