My first cowboy romance and I’m in love! Wyatt is the perfect, dreamy, cowboy boyfriend and Dakota is a straight bad ass woman! I loved this book from the start and loved the female empowerment.

I hope we get a book on Cruz next!

DNF @ 17%

I cannot get into this at all. The writing is really just not great, the characters are unlikeable, and the plot was really non existent. The FMC made me want to gouge my eyes out with how annoying she was acting. I just can’t bring myself to care.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of the trad published edition of this book in exchange for an honest review.

NHL hot shot, Wyatt Patterson, returns to Granite Falls for the summer and reconnects with his childhood best friend and longtime crush, Dakota Cutler. A bit has changed since they last saw each other, Wyatt is single father of a one year old daughter and Dakota is newly single, and focused on getting back to her prime in bull riding. Wyatt’s been crushing on Dakota all these years but could never leave the friendzone. With the two of them single, he makes it his mission to show her they were meant to be all along.

Cute story, but not my favorite. A little bit repetitive at points and I struggled to feel the chemistry between Wyatt and Dakota. A few tropes seen:

Grumpy FMC x Sunshine MMC
Small town cowboy romance
Forced Proximity, Roommates

Thank you to NetGalley and AtriaBooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Get ready for your new favorite book boyfriend 😋

I was really excited to continue the Boundless Players series, but this time we get a small-town romance with a sexy southern man. I wasn’t expecting such a badass female bull rider, but I’m here for it.

I’m not usually the biggest fan of friends to lovers but this was captured perfectly. It left readers with just the right amount of desperate yearning, and a lifetime of memories that just make their bond together that much better.

The spice was top tier and omg the slow-burn angst we live for. We love a good guy, but seriously what a gentleman. AND he actually respects her independence. Wow.

Thank you so much to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC! ♥️

🤠💘 Saddle Up for a Swoon-Worthy Ride!

Okay, I was not prepared for how utterly sweet and heart-melting this book was! Like many of you, I’m deep in my cowboy romance era—and this one checked every single box. I devoured it.

Our MMC? A cinnamon roll in cowboy boots—single dad, endlessly loving, and absolutely devoted. He returns home to win back the girl, and even if that trope’s not your usual jam... trust me, you’ll eat it up like I did. 🍓✨

And our FMC? A fierce, fearless bull rider chasing her dreams with fire and grit. Dakota is the kind of heroine I want to high-five and share a margarita with. Her chemistry with Wyatt? Off the charts!

Their story had the perfect blend of heartfelt moments, fun banter, and slow-burning tension that finally gives way to just the right amount of spice. Once it kicked in? Whew. Chef’s kiss. 🌶️🔥

This one is such a feel-good, curl-up-on-the-couch or soak-up-the-sun kind of read. Total summer romance goals. ☀️📚

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC! I loved every second.

2.5/3 stars.
Unfortunately this felt a little flat to me. I love a good ol' cowboy romance and a strong fmc anytime, but something about this book just didn't work in my opinion. Both characters didn't feel likable to me and consistent in the way they acted. I wasn't rooting for them at all, both as individuals and as a couple so unlikeable characters will make a reading that much harder in my opinion. Dakota oftentimes felt inconsiderate towards Wyatt's feelings and I think a strong character can be portrayed in much better ways than just being rude and recurring to the "not like other girls" vibe. Nothing much to say about Wyatt apart from the fact I'd have loved if we got more background on both him and the NFL career mentioned every two minutes. I do love single dads in romances and he did seem to always put his daughter first so that was appreciated.
The overall plot, again, just felt flat to me and choppy at times which just doesn't make you excited every time you're reading and have to start a new chapter. I am kind of bummed I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would because the cover has always looked stunning to me and the synopsis also sounded good so if I find myself thinking about it int he future I might consider rereading.
For the time being I would not recommend this book nor buying a physical copy.
Thank you NetGalley for the early copy!!

This is my first by this author and I love that she wrote such a strong yet feminine heroine with Dakota. She is a wild one and I loved everything about her.

I loved the friendship between her and Wyatt and that they have this beautiful history. More than anything I loved Wyatt’s adorable little girl and the way Dakota loved her and made her, her own.

Such a very good book and won’t be my last from this author.

Thank you so much to Meredith and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the ARC. I got this one as an ARC with it was first released in Aug of 2024. It was just as good if not better than I remember it the first time I read this. but Meredith has done it again. I absolutely loved Homebound. I loved reading about Dakota and Wyatt’s Story. It's got some spice but it’s the perfect amount. Reading about how much they both grow though this whole book makes my heart melt. I really hope there is a story for Lana and a story for Cruz! Cannot wait to see what Meredith has in store for us next!

Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Dakota she was strong, fierce, caring and knew what she wanted. I also liked Wyatt he was a calming force a good dad and loving. I also really like them together. ALSO the way she feel in with Wyatts little girl and took care of her like she was her own was so adorable.

The pacing was okay, there where a couple times where it felt off ,but other than that it was a good read that was sweet and heartwarming.

Cowgirl/ bull rider
Hockey player
Single dad
Childhood best friends
Golden retriever MMC

It was a book that fell flat.the MMC was just a caricature of golden retriever that was not attractive and FMC was a caricature of a pretend badass and it was just me rolling my eyes throughout the book. And it felt never ending. I wanted to like it so bad but I sadly didn’t….

Thanks Netgalley for the arc!

I read an ARC of this book from Atria Books.

I finished this book in one sunny afternoon and was immediately swept up in Dakota and Wyatt’s love story. I especially loved Wyatt’s point of view—his quiet pining for his best friend completely won me over. Was him being a professional hockey player a little random? For sure. But if it’s just a plot device to justify those ridiculous abs, I have zero complaints.

Dakota’s POV was a bit more frustrating at times, but it get better as the book progressed. I do wish the side characters had been more fleshed out. One of my favorite things about small town romances is a quirky supporting cast—but overall, this was a quick, fun read.

Thanks to netgalley and publishers for this ARC!

This book was cute and so much fun. I love a cowboy romance, and I absolutely loved the big, strong, sexy female lead. These characters were loveable and fun. I did find it a bit too fast-moving at times and the pacing was off, but other than that, lots of fun! All in all, recommend to cowboy romance lovers.

Hockey player x bull rider !!!!

I absolutely loved this book !! When i found out i got approved to read this ARC i immediately went back to read Icebound and then started this one. Meredith Trapp you outdid yourself!!

Wyatt and Dakotas banter was top tier. Life long friends turned lovers can always be a hit or miss but this book nailed it. Dakota is such a strong and fierce FMC and i love how she was strong on the outside to everyone but deep down she was a lover. Her lover side came out ofc with our MMC Wyatt who is a single dad hockey player coming to win back his girl after her failed engagement. I love a man who never once truly wanted another girl who wasn’t her. I loved watching their relationship go from enemies to lovers. These two were truly made for each other. When one was down the other knew exactly what they needed.

Homebound is a heartfelt, small-town, second-chance romance filled with emotional depth, cowboy charm, and a refreshingly fierce female lead. I was immediately drawn in by Wyatt—the sunshine-hearted single dad who’s completely devoted to his baby girl and equally devoted (quietly, painfully) to Dakota, the woman he’s loved since childhood.

What I loved: Wyatt’s role as a hands-on dad felt incredibly genuine and relatable (especially as a parent myself), and Dakota’s grumpy, no-nonsense attitude brought a fun twist to the usual sunshine/grump dynamic. The nods to ‘90s country music throughout added such a unique atmosphere—it made me want to build a playlist and listen along.

What didn’t work quite as well for me: Wyatt’s quiet pining stretched a little too long, and I found myself frustrated on his behalf. I wanted him to speak up more—and for Dakota to finally see what was right in front of her. But honestly, it’s a testament to how much I cared that I was so invested.

Tropes I loved:
• Single dad
• Childhood friends to lovers
• Reverse grumpy sunshine (she’s the grump!)
• Small-town romance
• He falls first
• Forced proximity
• Slow burn with no third-act breakup

A great pick for readers who love cowboy romances, emotionally invested heroes, and strong women who don’t back down. Meredith Trapp is definitely one to watch! Will definitely be reading whatever she comes up with next.

This was a cute read. I'm not always the biggest fan of a friends to lovers vibe, but I do love a single parents romance. I think that's why I wanted to read this book. The FMC Was a bit frustrating in the beginning but I learned to love her as the story went on.

SPICE: 3🌶, RATING: 4.5⭐️, VIBES: black cat x golden retriever energy, single-dad romance, and second chance swoons

Okay, this was so dang cute!!! I am dying for the "Barbie" book (manifesting a 3rd book HARD).

If you love:
a cinnamon roll MMC who is down so bad
a badass FMC who's giving full black cat + female bull rider in a boys’ club energy
second chance romance that hits you in the heart

Then grab this book yesterday! I laughed. I raged at the misogyny. I swooned. I cheered. I adored this story.

This book just wasn’t my cup of tea. I didn’t care for the writing and I couldn’t get into the characters. Unfortunately it was a DNF for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Solid 4⭐️ romance, perfect for fans of Cowboys, hockey players, and single dad trope!! I hadn’t read icebound before reading this, but still felt like I could keep up with the characters and plot really well

I love how the author turned the tables on cowboy romances featuring male bull riders, by having our FMC be one herself! I loved seeing her struggle and perseverance, to be accepted in a male dominated field.

The MMC was so down bad for her, I love when black cat X golden retriever trope is flipped like that. It was definitely a trope heavy read, but perfect if you needed a pallet cleanser after a heavier book!

This one star is coming from someone who honestly doesn’t mind a step mom story on occasion but god damn did this book make me regret that sentence.

This was a love letter to Texas (this is not meant in a positive way), where size doesn’t matter because Austin, Houston and everything in between in about a millisecond from each other, bigots don’t exist but sexism sure does, and to top it off this book was about 200 pages too long because holy shit do our MCs just repeat themselves nonstop and say the dumbest corniest lines to ever be written in existence. I hate read the rest of this book. Mostly to point out that no one is welcoming in Texas unless you are born and raised there, outsiders are not welcome, and people are moving there in “droves” because of Joe Rogan.

A quick paced spicy read with a handful of great tropes. Single Dad, friends to lovers, black cat / golden retriever and I am sure there is more.

Wyatt is absolutely scrumptious with his deep love for his long time friend, his adorable daughter and lovely hockey body. Dakota had a hard shell but realized how Wyatt and his little girl filled this hole in her life.

They had a friendship that added depth to their budding relationship, mutual respect for each other and some serious chemistry.

I am rooting for this little family and ready for more from this series.