omgggg I LOVED this book so much.

So many of my favorite things in one book.

-single dad
-SHES A BULLRIDER
-forced proximity
-childhood friends to adult lovers

I seriously have not a single complaint about this book. Everything was perfect, I loved Dakota and Wyatts banter so much. From the start I loved how they joked around with each other. How Dakota immediately took to his daughter Vienna and without even meaning to, immediately fell into a mama role with her. Nothing makes me fall for a book harder than a single parent book where the non parent falls for the kid just as hard if not harder than for the love interest.

Overall can not say enough good things about Homebound. I loved the writing, the story, the lack of 3rd act breakup.

I really enjoyed Homebound! The story pulled me in right away, and I especially loved the main female character—strong, independent, and totally badass. It’s always refreshing to read about a woman who knows who she is and isn’t afraid to stand her ground.

I also love when the male main character is completely down bad for the FMC, and this book definitely delivered on that front—it was so satisfying to watch him fall (hard!).

That said, the romance did feel a little rushed for me. The two main characters were childhood best friends, and while I liked their dynamic, the leap from one kiss to being in love felt a bit too fast. I would’ve loved to see a bit more buildup or emotional development between them before they got to that point.

Still, this was such a fun read overall, and I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Meredith Trapp!

I have been loving small town country romances, and this book was perfect! Wyatt was honestly so sweet and respectful of Dakota. He always supported and believed in her and her bull riding dreams. I also loved Dakota's relationship with Vi and how she never was jealous over Wyatt's previous relationship. This is the first book I have read by this author, but the tension between Lana and Willie has me wanting to read her next book now!

This is a case of “its me not you” the writing just drove me crazy and it felt like there was no plot.
And the mfc saying ‘Sugar’ really got on my nerves.

DNF @ 30%

“𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 . . . 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚.“

Homebound by Meredith Trapp

-single dad hockey player
-female bull rider
-childhood friends to lovers
-forced proximity
-small town
-golden retriever x black cat

I think I will always be a childhood friends to lovers trope kinda girly now. And it’s only made better when they become enemies at some point, when some falling out put distance between them. That’s this book.

But I won’t lie, this had me flip-flopping at times. I went from being enticed to throwing up caution flags to “well let’s just see how this plays out” about 4-5x. (*I say this with the disclaimer that I don’t usually pick books with a black cat fmc). Bias aside, Dakota is a badass and I wish I had her guts.

“𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄’𝙢 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙮.“

With that said, I still enjoyed a lot of this. Most of it (okay, all of it) revolving around Wyatt’s inner monologue, his moments with daughter, and when his bossy side shows up for Dakota. The tropes were stacked in his favor.

“𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙪𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙢,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙨, 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚, “𝙄 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨.”

This was a great read for an easy and spicy palette cleanser. It’s pretty light-hearted and full of banter and amusing one-liners (&lots of private kindle highlights) that’ll make you swoon hard.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙄 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙤𝙛𝙛.”

Thanks @authormeredithtrapp @atriabooks and @netgalley for the advanced copy!

3.75 ⭐️

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I tried to read Icebound by the same author last year and for some reason could not get into the story and end up putting it down a quarter way through and haven’t picked it up since. So I was a little hesitant going into Homebound.

What hooked me from the start was the premise. I loved how the FMC, Dakota, was a bull rider. I think that’s the first time I ever read about a female bull rider, so that was nice change. Our MMC, Wyatt, is a professional hockey player, that’s been in love with Dakota basically his whole life and up until he comes back into the picture, Dakota always considered him a friend.

I loved the dynamic between the two and sprinkle in Wyatt’s daughter, Vi, and it was just a nice cozy little story.

My “detections” was I wish there was more of a story, I guess? I wish we went into the characters a little bit more, just felt there was something a little bit missing and wanted to dive in a little more into who they are.

Author did create a nice world where I am invested into not only the main characters, but side as well. The bartender and friend have to be the next book right?! And honestly I wouldn’t mind a story about Dakota’s dad….

Overall, recommend.

Thank you Atria, NetGalley and Meredith Trapp for the ARC.
Homebound releases 6/17/25

I’m a sucker for a cowboy and a good cowboy romance! Idk how I never read this one when it first was released. I’m obsessed with it and the story. Kept me interested and wanting to know what happens. Will be telling others to read this one.

There are three things Dakota Culter is sure about in life: That she has what it takes to make it to the PBR circuit, Texas summers in the Hill Country is the best time of year, and she will not let a man get in the way of chasing those 8 seconds on the back of a 2,000 pound bull. That is, until the one man who can wreck it all returns from being a star NHL player and works his way back into her life. Wyatt has been in love with Dakota for the entirety of their ten years of friendship. Worried he would only be seen as the best friend, he cuts off their friendship for three years, thinking it would be easier to move on. Three years and one little girl later, Wyatt is ready to correct his mistake and do whatever it takes to win Dakota over. Three months left to the NHL postseason, Wyatt is ready to show Dakota not only will she be the best female bull rider in the State, but also show her that his heart burns bright and bigger than the Lone Star State's summer sun.

I adored this novel. I was intrigued by the cover and the description. Being a fan of Elsie Silver and Hannah Grace, I knew I had to get my hands on this novel, and boy, did it not disappoint. It had all of my favorite things in a contemporary story: an NHL player, Texas Country, banter, a single dad, and best friends to lovers. Wyatt is an absolute sweetheart and amazing father who wants nothing but to love the most important women in his life. Dakota is headstrong, tough, but a huge softie towards her people. Giving a black cat and a golden retriever energy, this book is perfect for a short, sizzling romance for the summer. It brought me so much happiness and joy to see their relationship bloom, and as someone who live in TX, I loved all the references she made. I will for sure be continuing this series.

I know how much I love a cowboy romance. I didn’t know how much I was going to love a cowgirl romance- and it’s a lot! Homebound was everything you want in a romance and more. I was obsessed with Wyatt and Dakota from the very moment I met them, and I completely adored watching Dakota soften with Wyatt and his precious daughter Vienna.

The tenderness in this book was amazing. The spice was phenomenal. The dynamic between the two love interests and Wyatt’s daughter was so beautiful. The single dad dynamic was so well done here and really added to the love story itself. Homebound is one of those romance books that really reminds you about true love!

I really related to Dakota. She’s strong and independent and capable of taking on the world on her own, but she softens over time with the right person. This book epitomizes the truth of love to me: love is a soft place to land as you are. No pretenses, no lies, just being who you are and being loved for it. I’m a lover girlie, and this book was absolute perfection for me.

Thank you to Atria Books and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh how I loved this!! It’s so refreshing to get a romance with no 3rd act break up 🙌🏻 and I LOVE when you get the grumpy/sunshine pairing, with the woman being the grump & the guy being the sun! The pacing in this was perfect & I loved seeing the relationship grow throughout! Very cute!

The vibes in this book were VIBING!! I loved, LOVED, the small town, found-family, cowGIRL romance, aspects of this book. It was so bingeable, I read it in a matter of 2 days. Now that might seem like a longer amount of time to some people, but as a slow reader, that's really fast lol. And I was able to relate on a whole other level to this book because I was born and raised in Texas where this book is set. Plus, one of my favorite tropes EVER is single-dad, and that trope was present in this book, which I couldn't have been happier about. Homebound by Meredith Trapp is such a good palate cleanser book, or just a good book in general if you're looking for a small-town romance. My only "critique" of this book was that towards the end of it (around 75% - the end) the spice took over the actual plot a little. I am okay reading spice, but don't like tons and tons of it, but if you do that's completely okay!! Overall, this book was really good, and I have already recommended it to some of my friends. 4/5 star read, really good book.

Now, I finished this book in TWO days! This book was an absolute gem! This heartwarming and breezy read offers a delightful journey from childhood friendship to unexpected romance. With a charming single dad, a fearless female bull rider, and a cast of unforgettable side characters, the story brims with warmth and humor. The slow burn romance between Dakota and Wyatt is expertly crafted, building tension with exquisite precision. The anticipation is palpable, keeping you utterly captivated until the very end. And when the spark finally ignites? Prepare for an inferno! 🔥 I think outdoor showers might be my new favorite trope!

I love me a cowboy romance and instead this was a cowgirl romance! I loved that we were able to get a female perspective on a male dominated sport. The author did an incredible job in showcasing all the different aspects to be expected as a cowgirl. I thought the friendships throughout the book, were amazing! I could feel the love in this book, from the friendships to the different relationships. Definitely recommend to those who love cowboy romances but also want to be the cowgirl in the relationship ;)

Brother let me start off by saying I DEVOURED this in one sitting while sitting outside because I was hooked on the premise. Cowboy romances have been growing on me and I’m a hockey girlie through and through so this is the perfect intersection for me.

This is the second book in a series but it didn’t even matter because while there’s references to off screen characters but you get all the context you need, and even set the stage for more stories which I WILL be reading.

It’s a book with decent smut, yet the slow burn to get there felt agonizingly well paced. I actually did not mind the single dad plot line, it really worked for the story. If he isn’t to the standard of Wyatt Patterson then I don’t want it

The cover of this book is one of the best covers I’ve ever seen! This is definitely a classic filler cowboy romance. Unfortunately I should have looked into the tropes more before picking this one up. Friends to lovers is so hard for me and throwing in single dad on top of that made this book fall really flat for me. When done right these can be great but this book missed the mark a bit. Some fun and cute moments between Dakota and Wyatt especially in the start and having the FMC in the bull rider role is definitely unique and a great edition to this story. Overall not a bad book but just your average run of the mill cowboy romance!

"You’re not a flower that needs to be watered with validation, you’re a cactus, darlin’, prickly enough to thrive in a desert of doubt.

Dakota and Wyatt are childhood summer friends all throughout. One summer, Wyatt didn't come home and that ended their friendship. However, few years passed and Wyatt did come back with a baby girl in tow.

I relate so much to Kodie/Dakota from her need of validation, pressure of working in a male-dominated field, drive for her ambition and even her 'high 'maintenance that she maintaned. The only thing we didn't have in common is her maternal instinct, but I love seeing it on her because the way she bonded with Vienna is so cute.

Her relationship with Wyatt was very predictable but I love how they both were able to communicate with each other. They were friends first with a whole lot of history together so they already got that foundation which made being in a relationship easier. Though, Wyatt's stuck in the friend-zone for years but I love that he was so determined to get out of there and he finally got the girl.

The whole book was very cute, fun and quick to read. Very simple, with not much plot but a whole lot of great vibes.

Hopefully there's more book in the series, because I wanted to see what's gonna happen with Lana and Willie.

My first ARC review! Yay! Thank you Netgalley and Atria!
Listen, I'm a sucker for a cowboy romance but this wasn't my favorite. One thing I did love though was that the fmc Dakota is a bull rider, such a good twist! This has friends to lovers, single dad who's also a big shot NHL star player so it had all of the makings to be great but I just couldn't connect with the characters as much as I’d like. I also wasn't in love with the fact that they kept saying Dakota has a scowl literally 24/7 making her seem super manly in my opinion. I will say the book did get much better for me about 40% in once they started to spice up their friendship and Dakota let her walls down. Overall, still a cute book and I’d recommend it.

My latest guilty pleasure is between the pages of this book. This was the first book I read by Meredith Trapp and I am so glad I got this opportunity! She truly knows how to write a spicy, resilient, confident FMC. This book allows woman to see they can be both rough and tough, while still wanting to embrace their softer femininity! Plus I love a single dad trope in a book! Wyatt Patterson is well written. Every character has a place in this book that adds value to the story! I’m excited to see what is next for Meredith!

✨ARC REVIEW✨

I'm starting to see that anything Meredith writes, I'm gonna love.

The way this story just sucked me and had me feeling all the feels, UGH! I loved it.

I'm getting right into it starting with:

Plot- This was such a unique concept as far as cowboy romances go. Dakota is chasing her dreams as a bull rider but under the pressures of not being good enough. She's in a man's sport, for the most part, and her ex has trashed her name. But who's always been there for her? Her childhood best friend, Wyatt. He's been gone for three years, raising his little girl on his own. He left without saying anything and now he's back.

Honey, I ate this shit right up. It had stressful moments; it had cute moments; it had endearing moments; it had charming moments; it had sad moments; it had hot moments, and I had such a good time. Meredith wrote a beautiful story about chasing after your dreams, following your gut, and loving those who love you. Especially those who've been on your side and you didn't even realize it.

Characters- Dakota, the black cat of the book, the one who can stand up for herself and takes no shit. Normally, I don't usually love the black cat personality on a FMC but Meredith, once again, nailed it. Dakota isn't just a tough chick, she has such a sweet and kind soul. She cares more than she wants to and she feels. She's sensitive despite the persona and she wants to chase her dreams while also not giving everything else up. The relationship between her and Wyatt's daughter was absolutely adorable and felt so right. I really loved her personality and I loved this character. She's definitely made it on my top list of amazing FMCs.

Wyatt, oh sweet, adorable and charming Wyatt. I'm starting to love the southern, country boy kinda charm. On Wyatt, it works...oh, how it works. I really liked him in Icebound and so it's no surprise how QUICK I started to love him in this. Everyone said "she's not your girl" and he said "excuse me, but she will be" and WOW IF YOU DON'T FALL FOR HIM, TRY AGAIN. HE IS THE DEFINITION OF "IF HE WANTED TO, HE WOULD". Nothing is stopping him from getting the girl he's loved since childhood. Nothing. And I loved it.

The love he has for his daughter was the most adorable thing I could read. He looks at her like she's his light (which is basically how I was looking at him). He would do anything for Vienna and it absolutely melted my heart. I am putty for this man, for the dad that he is.

Colt, Dakota's dad, had me feeling all emo and stuff. He speaks to Dakota in a way that matters in every sense. He's a proud dad. Whether you have daddy issues or not, his words will SEND you.

Alanna was a great addition to this book. I really loved the humor she brought. Her and Willie...I NEED more. Meredith, do you hear me? I NEED MORE.

One special man deserves the biggest shoutout and if you read Icebound you know exactly who I'm talking about. Mr. Micah Cruz. The way my face lights up when he enters the chat. He's a special kind of guy and he deserves the whole damn world. But can we stop leaving him behind?! When's he getting his book? I think I need his more than Alanna and Willie.

Romance and spice - delivered. Both written to perfection. Dakota and Wyatt are the epitome of love. You can feel it, it radiates off the pages. I loved watching their growth. I loved seeing their friendship change. I loved watching the moment Dakota looked at Wyatt for the first time in a non friendly way. It was beautiful and I'm obsessed.

To sum it up nicely: this book was everything and more.

I absolutely loved it. I flew through it and couldn't put it down. The plot: loved it. The characters: loved it. The humor: loved it. The spice: loved it. The book? LOVED it.


Thank you so so much to Meredith Trapp and Atria Books for the arc copy!

I love a cowboy romance as much as the next girl, and I especially love a strong FMC so this book delivered on both of those, but for me it just wasn’t all there. It was cute and fun but I found myself cringing at some of the sex scenes and I was begging for someone to put Wyatt out of his misery when he was stuck so firmly in the friendzone. It was literally so painful to read. I would’ve also enjoyed a little bit more conflict in this story, there’s everything with their existing baggage and worries but no plot for them to overcome so they can be tested and grow as a couple, that would’ve been nice to see. Overall I enjoyed myself well enough & if it’s a cowboy romance there’s a good chance I’m going to read it all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review in exchange for my honest review!