I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books!

Unfortunately, I am not the audience for this. I understand that this is the second in what I'm assuming is a interconnected standalone series, but nothing about this made sense, and I feel that it should've if the premise of interconnected standalones is that a reader can jump in at any time.

Dakota and Wyatt are childhood friends, and he leaves town...presumably to play in the NHL and he comes back 3 years later with a baby for the summer, and Dakota wants nothing to do with him. Their connection to each other made no sense to me. They're childhood friends, but the entire first half of the book Dakota is mad that he cut her out of his life for 3 years and came back with a child and you're like oh okay this sort of makes sense why she doesn't want to date him. But then....every excuse she gives for why she can't be with him has NOTHING to do with him leaving, but everything to do with the idea that "you're the little boy from next door" like what? which one is it? This also had me asking how old they were because why are you thinking about him being the boy from next door when y'all are both well into adulthood?

The dialogue in this was also ......bad to me. I'm sorry. The pet names? Dakota calls Wyatt sugar and summer boy and he calls her HONEY. PLEASE! I can't take that seriously. In addition to this, the dialogue and really the plot itself was repetitive beyond belief. It's like groundhog day. They say the same stuff and have the same reactions in some slightly varied form every chapter. It got to a point where I was keeping track of how many times some words/phrases were repeated.

The biggest repetitive comment is the fact that Wyatt is in the NHL, which they mention once every time he's on the page, but you never see him do anything hockey related, down to the singular work out scene that only happened because he claims he had to stay in shape for the next season, but they literally never work out again lol. So....there's virtually no reason for him to be a hockey player then? Like, maybe it has to do with book one being a hockey romance (I think) but it makes no sense in this one.

The romance .....not good. Wyatt is so down bad for Dakota who's beyond self centered that it's embarrassing almost. He's been in love with her since he was 8 but she has no idea? And yall are adults? But ofc this doesn't matter because the foundation of a romance book means that they have to fall in love and get engaged/married in a time jump.

Honestly, the bull riding and the baby were just extra unnecessary elements to an already chaotic story. I guess had the focus been primarily on Dakota being a bull rider fine, but you also don't get enough background on her (or Wyatt) to fully understand why she's torpedoing her life and relationships for this sport/dream that, in the book, she doesn't even seen to be that good at?

Glad I got the chance to read it early, but this wasn't for me and I also don't think I'd recommend this to any of my friends. Idk who the audience for this. Maybe if you loved the first book in this series, and i mean LOVED, you'd enjoy this.

Homebound
4.5 Stars

This book is a great palate cleanser when you want to read something that is heart warming. It is a quick and fast read with low angst.

Dakota and Wyatt. Black Cat and Golden Retriever. Growing up, they were as inseparable as a pair of cowboy boots. The best of friends—or so Dakota thought. Every summer, Wyatt would come home to his family’s flower farm in Granite Falls, Texas until one summer… he never came back.

Three years later Wyatt is back after Dakota broke off her engagement. He is going to fight for the girl he has loved since he was 8 years old. The first step is move his 1 year old daughter and himself into Dakotas home. A little forced proximity never hurt anyone.

The thing that I loved about this book is Wyatt never wanted Dakota to change who she was. He never wanted her to choose him over the career she loved. He wanted to show his daughter what a touch woman looked liked.

Tropes:
- Golden Retriever x Black Cat
- Childhood friends to strangers to lovers
- Single Hockey Daddy x Bull Rider Cowgirl
- Slow Burn
- Forced Proximity
- No Third Breakup
- For him it was always her

Thank you Meredith Trapp, NetGalley, and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars

Homebound by Meredith Trapp is a beautifully written friends-to-lovers romance packed with emotional depth, sexual tension, and heartwarming moments. Dakota Cutler is a fierce, no-nonsense female bull rider who’s earned the nickname “Cowboy Killer”—thanks, misogyny—but behind her tough exterior is a woman full of heart and vulnerability. Wyatt Patterson? Absolute dreamboat. Mature, emotionally intelligent, respectful, and a single dad with a dirty mouth and a heart of gold.

Their story is a slow burn, but the chemistry is palpable from the start. I usually struggle with slow burns, but the tension here had me flipping pages like crazy.

What makes Homebound stand out is the emotional history between Wyatt and Dakota. From childhood best friends to longing adults with unfinished business, their journey is heartfelt and full of growth. The flashbacks, the sentimental touches from their shared past, and the hilarious and tender side characters add even more charm.

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for letting me read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review!

I did not like this book. I actually read this a few months ago hoping it would give me the same vibe as Lyla Sage and it did not. Cowboy Killer got pretty old the first few pages. I did not finish, not for me.

A cowgirl story for those looking for something easy to read. The writing didn’t all add up for me and usually I’m all about an NHL player.

Ahhhh 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 (he's a professional hockey player too). 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!!

This book was amazing. I hadn’t read the first in the series but had no problem jumping right in. It kept my attention throughout.

I really liked the first book in this series Icebound but was not feeling this one as much. The characters were not very likable, and the dialogue was overall pretty cheesy. I really didn't like how heavily they leaned into the Southern accents/phrasing like maam/sir/darlin/sugar, but I am not from the south so maybe it really is like that...

Although they were childhood friends, it did feel a little insta-lovey, which I wasn't a huge fan of. For some reason, I felt the chemistry more with the FMC's best friend and the bartender! I would consider picking up that book, since I enjoyed their banter.

I think overall it was a quick read, but it wasn't for me! Given I liked Icebound quite a bit, I wouldn't be opposed to picking up more of this author's books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 stars from me

This was my first cowboy (cowgirl?) romance so I went in with no idea what to expect, and I have to say I enjoyed the more southern/rodeo elements far more than I thought I would! I enjoyed the setting and the rodeo community vibe throughout the book. I also liked that Dakota was the one in the rodeo, adding an extra layer of intrigue and buy-in from me. This cover is also stunning!

Unfortunately, the writing and repetition throughout the book really didn’t work for me. The pet names everyone had for each other were so repetitive by the end I couldn’t take it if I read the phrases “my baby girl/my little girl/honey/my girl again. The overuse of this language by multiple characters was way too much and overshadowed the rest of the book for me.

There were parts of the story I really would’ve liked to see that didn’t make the cut. This made the book feel clunky and not well connected. For example, Wyatt was supposed to be training her, and we saw a few sessions in the first half of the book then we never saw them training again and suddenly we were at the final rodeo? I really would’ve loved to have seen more of Dakota building herself up in her career with Wyatt supporting her.

Overall, I felt like this was a really good story that had a lot of potential, it just had some major issues I couldn’t get over and ultimately turned me off from the book. I’d still recommend giving this a shot if you love cowboy romances though!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was my first cowboy romance and I loved it! I was giggling the whole way through. Wyatt and Dakota's chemistry was ON FIRE!!! Their relationship was so sweet.

4⭐️ 3🌶️

Western romance meets hockey romance? Yes please! Wyatt proves, one and for all, that nice guys can get the girl. “Us nice guys might always finish last, but that’s only ’cause we know our ladies get to finish first.” 🥵

I did struggle a little with the beginning of this book, when Wyatt had been friend-zoned HARD. I was frustrated with Dakota for seeing him as the little boy she used to spend her summers with. Buttttt it was worth it to watch Wyatt break down her walls and show her that he’s a grown man now with a lot to offer. The slow burn was perfectly paced, and I was obsessed with watching Dakota fall in love with Wyatt’s daughter.

I do wish there was a little more hockey involved, maybe a few team scenes before he traveled back to TX. I also would have loved on bedroom scene since all the spice felt a little rushed.

Tropes:
🔹 black cat/golden retriever
🔹 childhood friends to lovers
🔹 single dad
🔹 nhl mmc/bull rider fmc
🔹 he falls first

3.25 stars
First things first, you can't just decide that your signature drink is famous. Someone else needs to say that, or else you'll sound like a pretentious asshole. Imagine if I pulled up with my “famous” rum in Coke, and it's just Mexican Coke or something stupid. Granted, I don't know enough about Margaritas to argue about the difficulty of creating one, but whatever.
Now for the actual review
The problem this book had was that I didn't care about what the two main characters were at all. I liked all the side characters; they were great. His friend Cruz? I would read that book, but I just couldn't find it in me to like Dakota or Wyatt. This book had funny parts, but it also felt a little off at times. Like it was trying too hard. There were so many lines that should've been changed or just taken out. The story felt like it was taking itself too seriously.
Oh, another funny thing about this is that it's set in the hill country, which is an area of Texas where I live, so they kept referencing things, and every reference just made my eyebrow climb higher.
“People here are down-to- earth, open-minded, and know how to have a damn good time.”
And that's true for parts of Texas, but there are also parts of Texas where you really shouldn't stay the night if you are a person of color.
Ultimately, this book was fine. It wasn't great, and it wasn't terrible; it was just fine. I usually also take into account enjoyability, and I just didn't enjoy this.

Dakota and Wyatt were best friends until one summer Wyatt never came back and stopped getting in touch with her. It has been 3 years since they have spoken and now Dakota is a bull rider and Wyatt is back in town with his daughter. Wyatt has been in love with Dakota for years and is determined to do whatever it takes to get her back.

I enjoyed this second chance cowboy romance. I thought it was cool that the FMC was the bull rider which is not something you typically see in books. I liked seeing the relationship develop between the two as trust get built again between them. I also loved how supportive Wyatt was of Dakota following her dreams.

3.5 ⭐️

Wyatt and Dakota have been best friends for the majority of their lives, but it’s always been more for Wyatt. 3 years ago, Wyatt stopped returning to his families flower farm in Texas and stopped returning Dakota’s calls. He’s back now with his 1 year old daughter and ready to make Dakota his!

I’m very much in my cowboy romance era so this hit the spot. Overall, I would say it was cute! There were some repetitive parts but I loved the Wyatt showed not just Dakota but his daughter 🥰

This was such a cute book, I could not put it down!! This book had me kicking my feet and giggling!

I have been in my cowboy romance era, and now I want to read more after reading Homebound! Homebound follows Dakota, who is a bullrider, but recently she's had a hard time staying on the bull for longer than 8 seconds, after he ex told the world that she isn't a good bullrider. Dakota is hurt and trying to build back her confidence when she runs back into Wyatt, who used to come and see her every summer. He's always been her best friend, but one summer he leaves and stops answering Dakota's calls and texts, so Dakota holds a grudge against him... that is, until they are forced to move in with each other this summer. Wyatt agrees to help train Dakota this summer in the gym and try and help him gain her confidence back. Now, Dakota must juggle her feelings for both Wyatt and his baby girl.

I loved Wyatt and Dakota!! They were so cute, and I was rooting for them the whole time. I thought that it was cute that Wyatt had been in love with her since they were young. I wish that we could have seen more flashbacks from when they were kids. I think it would have been cute to hear past stories. I loved how, when either Dakota or Wyatt was unsure of themselves, the other was there to pick them up. They truly were made for each other and helped to balance each other out.

I loved the pacing of this book and all the bull riding. This is the first cowboy romance that I've read, and I loved it! But I didn't feel like their relationship went too fast or too slow. They didn't linger on the hate that Dakota was feeling towards Wyatt that long, which I liked.

Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it! It was an instant 5/5 stars for me!!

This book right here??? HOMEBOUND by Meridith Trapp?? I LOVE IT—couldn’t & wouldn’t wanna put it down 🖤‼️

Dakota is my girl fr 💅🏼 the way I saw myself in her??? Like HELLO this book was written for me. And listen… I’ve never been a “golden retriever boyfriend” girl but now?? I GET IT 🥹 Wyatt changed me.

This was the most accurate portrayal I’ve ever read of a woman staying in her masculine energy until a man makes her feel safe enough to soften 💌🔐 Wyatt SAW her. From the jump. Since childhood. And that “I’m gonna get my girl” energy?? Had me SWOONING 😮‍💨😍 He was obsessed in the best way—protective, soft, relentless. A whole ZADDY 🏒🔥

Their chemistry?? Off the charts 💥 and once Dakota let her guard down… whew. Electric. She was strong & independent but like… girl needed glasses 👓😭 the way she didn’t see Wyatt’s love until he made it unmistakably clear?? Ugh I lived for it.

And don’t even get me STARTED on Wyatt’s relationship with his kid. The parenthood journey was so real—the struggles, the soft moments, the chaos 🤌🏼✨

Fast-paced, heartwarming, a little fluffy but also soul-touching?? Homebound felt like healing. It gave cozy + cathartic + small-town swoons all at once 🏡🖤

Oh and did I mention Wyatt’s a hockey daddy??? 🏒🥵 SAY LESS

This was my first Meredith Trapp book and def not my last!! I NEED that prickly pear margarita now 😎🍹

📣 Go read it. Thank me later.

#BookTok #Homebound #ArthotAlert #GoldenRetrieverEnergy #ZaddyWyatt #SoftGirlEra #SmallTownRomance #MeridithTrapp #FeminineEnergyUnlocked #BookHealing #BookObsession

Hello Meredith Trapp! This was my first book by this author and I can safely say, it will not be my last! HOMEBOUND is a swoony second chance, small town, sports romance. I am a huge fan of all these tropes and when combined, I am in my reading glory! Once I started reading, I could not put this book down, it kept me glued to my kindle wanting to get to their happily ever after. I was not disappointed. I’m giving HOMEBOUND the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

Thank you so much to Net Galley for providing this arc!

I think that unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me :( I had to DNF at 23% because I just couldn't anymore. I wanted to love this so badly.

Things I enjoyed:
-I really liked the concept of a female bull rider since I'm from the south and female bull riding is pretty much unheard of unless you're in the sport. And I'm always a sucker for a golden retriever hockey man.
-From what I did read, I really liked that Wyatt put his daughter first over everything. I like that in single dad books.

Things I didn't enjoy:
-it was very repetitive to the point where I was getting annoyed.
-Dakota felt very 'not like other girls' to me but not in a good way.
-I just didn't vibe too much with the writing :(

I will probably pick this book up when it's published to try again as I hate DNF'ing books, but for now this is a no for me. It's just not my cup of tea and that's completely okay! I'm not giving it a rating as I didn't finish it so it wouldn't be fair to give one! (For net galley, I will be giving a rating of 1 star so that I can submit my review!)

This is an easy 4.5 stars. The pacing was great. The characters had growth for the most part. They defined chemistry. It was very well written. I loved Wyatt, but I wish he had a little more growth. I think Kodie had quite a bit of development. I would recommend this to so many people.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you kindly to Atria Books/Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had such a fun time with this. I have forgotten how much I enjoy a good small town cowboy romance, and it’s actually been a while since I’ve read one with a Black female main character and a sunshine boy.

I absolutely adored Wyatt Patterson. Honestly, he’s such a sweetheart. I completely fell for him and his daughter, Vi. He’s such a doting girl dad, and it was really lovely and refreshing to see how seriously he took on the role after finding out he had a daughter.

Childhood friends to lovers, the whole “it’s always been you” thing, can sometimes be hit or miss, but I thought it was done really well between Dakota and Wyatt. Dakota is resilient and headstrong fmc, and I loved that she’s a female bull rider, too. You don’t often come across that in romance, and it clearly meant a lot to her. Wyatt saw that too, and all he ever wanted was to support her and be close to her, like the obsessed softie he is.

I’d say this one leans towards a slow burn, mostly because it takes Dakota a while to realise that Wyatt loves her and that she is also in love with him, but I still really enjoyed it.

As I have been from the first book, I’m very much intrigued by Micah Cruz. I love the little glimpses of him in this very and intrigued to see if he has followed through with moving to Texas to be closer and play hockey with Wyatt. Equally, I’m also very much intrigued Lana and Winnie, that’s giving enemies to lovers, so I’m very much hoping that there will be a book on them!

Tropes

Boy obsessed
Childhood friends to lovers
Forced proximity
Small town romance
Black cat fmc x sunshine boy
It’s always been you