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2.5 ⭐️

I had mixed feelings about this book, which I mainly picked up bc I thought the cover was cute and I was hoping for some Meadowlark vibes. Some chapters were better than others, but most were extremely clunky and filled with tell-not-show dialogue. There was a lot of unrealistic dialogue between characters where they were describing their feelings and whatnot that would've been better if it had been described for the reader to ~feel.~ However, the decent chapters were okay enough for me to keep from DNFing. I just felt like this was way too busy, and while I liked the underlying plot, there wasn't really enough to keep me 100% engaged or feel connected to the characters.

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

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I was really excited to get this ARC of Homebound and it ended up being such a sweet, feel-good read. It’s a friends-to-lovers story set in a small town, following Wyatt, a single dad who comes back to Texas for the summer with his daughter. He ends up staying with his childhood best friend Dakota, a tough bull rider who’s still a little mad at him for ghosting her years ago.

Wyatt was the standout for me. He’s such a lovable character and the way he cares for his daughter Vienna was just so genuine and warm. I really looked forward to his chapters. Dakota was definitely more guarded and hard to read at first but once she started opening up, especially with Vienna, I liked her a lot more but not a favorite FMC.

Their chemistry was strong and there were some great flirty moments, but I did feel like the shift from friends to romantic felt a bit rushed. I wanted a little more of Dakota’s emotional process.

Still, I had a good time reading this, I love this author and her books. The small-town vibe, the sweet dad moments, and the setup for the next book with Willie and Lana were all great. Definitely looking forward to more from this series.

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This book gives all the small town cowboy vibes. I am obsessed with how obsessed Wyatt is with Dakota. Swoon worthy 😍. Meredith Trapp can do no wrong. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking to cure a slump, looking for characters you will fall in love with, or are fans of Elsie Silver & Paisley Hope.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

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This was cute, but I didn’t love it. Some parts were just too much for me in the unrealistic way. Other parts I really loved.
I really loved that the FMC was a bull rider.
The MMC did give me the ick. I can’t lie. He was a great dad though.
Their nicknames for each other were really annoying to me and I just didn’t love some of their interactions!
This was my first book by Meredith and I will read more for sure!

Thank you NetGalley, Meredith Trapp and Atria for the ARC of this re release !

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“I am going to die in the friend zone” is all you need to convince yourself to read this book. Wyatt has been in love with Dakota since he was 8years old, spent the summers next door and kept in touch the rest of the year until Dakota says “yes” to another man, Wyatt leaves no contact. 3 Years later he returns with a baby girl attached to his hip and determined to make Dakota see that they were meant for more. I am swooning hard. I don’t know if it’s the slutty dialogue or what but you need to add this book to your cowboy summer reading, pronto!! It’s a slow burn, but it is HOT!.

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This book was adorable overall. I would say that a few parts were slow for me, but I still had fun. I loved the tropes and think that it was executed well. This book was very unique, I have never really read anything like it.I love cowboys and hockey, so this was right up my alley!

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Hockey’s golden boy, who falls first (at age 12) and is obsessed - I loved the nuances like the first two step song and the song Vienna. The FMC, Dakota, finally figures out that what she thought was her type isn’t what she needs, which is just one aspect of her growth. She is the only female bull rider and has kept herself detached as it is a dangerous sport - but what if having connection is part of the secret to her achieving her dreams? — Also Luna Tuna Toons is the best supporting character and there should be more dogs in books. Luna reminds me a lot of my own little shadow I have.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the electronic advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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2.75⭐️
This was a cute read overall, but nothing more for me. I enjoyed the premise of a hockey player single dad and a female bull rider, it felt different and fun. The friends-to-lovers was nice too, and I appreciated that they already had some history and chemistry.

But, I didn’t feel super attached to the characters, and some parts felt a bit slow or predictable. I kept waiting for something more to hook me, but it never quite got there. Still, it was enjoyable enough to finish, and I think if you’re in the mood for a light romance with a unique setup, it will be a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-arc of this book in exchange of an honest review
#NetGalley

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⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
A single dad hockey and cowgirl romance? Yeah im gonna read that
I really liked that the fmc was the bull rider that was a fun change of pace from my usual cowboy romances, and now I know what pbr stands for!
I liked Dakota for the most part even though I wanted to shake her for most of the book with how stubborn she was being, “we’re just friends” MAMA WHOS WE??
I loveeeddd Wyatt, what a sweetie pie. Adding “will teach me to two step while making banana pancakes” to my list of standards 🥰

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One thing about me? I love a good romance novel & this one delivers! Some of my favorite sub genres are cowboy & hockey romances & this combined the two. I really like the FMC was the bull rider!

If you enjoy a good “enemies” to lovers, second chance romance, you’ll love this!

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Are you a romcom lover? Check out Homebound by Meredith Trapp. It’s one that will keep you turning pages until the end.

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Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this ARC. Honestly, this book was right up my alley as a reader. I'm not usually the biggest fan of friends to lovers, but in this case I was hooked. If you're looking for a book where friends to lovers is done right, where he's the single father/golden retriever and she's the bada** bullrider, then this is the book for you. We love a super supportive MC. Hopefully, we get a third book in this series because it's been a solid 4 star series for me.

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Gahhhhh so cute!!!

I was soooo excited for Patty daddy's story and this did not disappoint!! He was just as lovable in this book as he was in Icebound and I loved reading about his back story, him navigating single dad life, and ofc his HEA.

Dakotas hard exterior / soft interior was relatable and endearing. She mentions Wyatt is a cancer and I was like... babe youre also giving major cancer vibes lolol. I loved reading about her over coming her own personal hurdles and obviously also finding her true love who has been in front of her this whole time.

Obviously I still love Cruz and NEED HIS STORY ASAP!! I also really liked Alanna, and her and Willie's (not Nelson's) tension is TENSE so I'm hoping we get their story as well!

Tropes::
👢friends to lovers
👢he falls first
👢single dad romance
👢cowgirl x hockey romance
👢grumpy FMC x golden retriever MMC

HUGE thank you to Atria Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book <3

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This book was really fun! I love friends to lovers. Their dynamic was so cute. I was invested in the characters, rooting for them every step of the way.

The mmc used the words "my girl" and "my baby girl" way too many times for my liking. I thought the story could've added more development for him. His character seemed pretty stagnant.
I would've loved if we got to see flashbacks from their childhood. I think it could've given us a better look into what there friendship was like.

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If you are looking for single dad, friends to lovers, boy obsessed, a strong FMC, and a lot of spice then this is the book for you! Dakota is a gruff gamble bull rider trying to go pro, but she also is protective of her friends & family and wants to be a mom. Wyatt is a pro hockey player, doting father of a one-year-old girl, and has been in love with Dakota since they met when he was 8. This is the summer he is determined to shift their relationship past friendship.

Overall, it was a good and I would recommend this to fans of spicy romance. The bull riding aspect was unique and seemed to give an authentic view of the experience of a bull rider. The parenthood aspect was a major part of the story and the relationship with a lot of real life highs and lows of having a young child. Wyatt’s obsession with Dakota was a little over the top at first but after I got to know the characters it wasn’t too overbearing.

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4.5/5 - Dakota is known as Texas’s toughest female bull rider. She is focused on her career and determined to avoid distractions. That is, until Wyatt, her childhood best friend, and now a successful hockey player, returns to Granite Falls with his adorable daughter, Vienna, in tow, for the summer. Wyatt is intent on rekindling their friendship and hopes for more. Dakota is reluctant, harbouring unresolved feelings and questions about why he left without a word years ago. As they discover their renewed connection and spend more time together, they explore their feelings for each other and whether this relationship can go beyond the summer.

This is a slow burn romance, but watching Dakota and Wyatt’s relationship unfold is worth the payoff. Their relationship is intense, capturing the complexities of rekindled love and personal growth. Dakota’s tough exterior and independent nature are beautifully contrasted with Wyatt’s unwavering determination and vulnerability. Their chemistry is palpable, and their journey toward reconciliation is both touching and satisfying.

The small town setting of Granite Falls adds charm to the story, with well-developed secondary characters. I loved the relationship between Dakota and her dad. It highlighted the themes of family support and unconditional love. I also thought that Dakota’s relationship with Vienna was adorable, and I loved seeing Dakota fall in love with this little girl.

While this book is part of the Boundless Players series, it stands strong as a standalone novel. Fans of second-chance romances with depth and emotion will find this to be a rewarding read.

Homebound is a beautifully written romance and delves into the themes of love, loss and the courage to embrace second chances. Meredith Trapp delivers a story that is both heartfelt and captivating, making it a must-read! Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for a copy of this ebook! All opinions are 100% mine.

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This second chance romance was a really fun and fast read. I finished it in a weekend and I think that speaks to how I enjoyed the flow and pacing of the story. I'm not a huge fan of grumpy sunshine but I did enjoy how he fell first but it did feel like their relationship was very abrupt. I don't think I was a huge fan of how fast they got together and it felt like they went from 0 to 100 really fast. I don't know if this story was my cup of tea, I think I was expecting more yearning and got less than what I was hoping for.

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This book was so fun. Lyla Sage fans, pick this book up! It feels fresh and unique while also touching on all the romance tropes we love.

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This book was a super cute romance with a ton of hot banter and tension! The southern twang and influence was very obvious and could have been toned down in some spots but definitely added to the overall picture.

A lot of tension, brooding, feisty FMC, golden retriever MMC, single dad, bull rider x hockey player, hometown childhood crush, friends to lovers, jealousy, forced proximity

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This is a great soft romance summer read. Dakota and Wyatt stole my heart. This second-chance, small-town romance will make you giggle and smile with every page turn. We have our golden retriever MMC, Wyatt, who has returned home and is determined to win his girl back. Dakota (FMC) has been bull riding her whole life; it is her job, it is her sport, and her passion, but lately her confidence has been shaken. Wyatt might be what she needs, but right now, she wants nothing to do with him. However, Wyatt is determined to show up, and that is exactly what he does.

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