Homebound offers a heartfelt country backdrop and a strong female lead in Dakota, holding her own in a man’s world. I loved the setting and cowboy theme, but the pacing dragged in spots. Still, if you enjoy small-town stories with a strong woman at the center and a rustic charm, Homebound is worth checking out.

This wasn't my favourite western. It was a cute story and I do enjoy the single dad trope. This will for sure be a hit for western romance fans, but for me it was a miss.

This was mid, it wasn't truly bad it was just average. I guess I got what I expected not that deep. I should stop reading cowboy romances.

Thank you Netgalley and to Atria Books as well as the author for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Cowboy romance will always lure me in! Overall it was a good book. Childhood friends, to strangers, to lovers. Would’ve been 5 stars if I didn’t spend the whole book wondering why Betty’s name was changed to Vienna. I am excited for next one - I’m guessing Alanna and Willie 👀

The PERFECT friends to lovers vibes, Dakota is a badass and Wyatt is her number 1 fan – what more could you ask for.

I think a lot of people will enjoy this one... but this was unfortunately a DNF for me around the 20% mark :(

I also usually really enjoy a small town cowboy romance but I just wasn't connecting with the characters and wasn't really feeling or enjoying the story. I hate DNF'ing arcs but I was just really bored with this one.

I can't vouch for the whole book of course, but this does seem like it could be a low stakes / fun romance read with a strong FMC and a down bad MMC. I have quite a few friends who did read this and really loved it! I may pick this one back up at a later date but for the time being I am DNF'ing.
(For full transparency this was a DNF at the 20% mark and no rating left on Goodreads or socials - rating for NetGalley purposes only!)

Thank you so much Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the arc! As always all opinions are my own.

One thing about me, is I am always going to read (and love) a cowboy romance book!
I highly recommend this to my fellow cowboy, small town romance readers.

Thank you NetGally and Atria books for the opportunity to read this prior to its re-release!

Homebound was a cozy, easy read. I liked Dakota’s tough exterior and how her relationship with Wyatt and his daughter slowly brought out her softer side. Wyatt was sweet—maybe a little too perfect—but their slow-burn romance had its moments.

The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, and while I didn’t feel super emotionally invested, it was still enjoyable overall. A solid small-town romance if you’re in the mood for something light.

Thanks to NetGalley and Meredith Trapp for the ARC!

Swoony, charming, and full of heart. This is such a feel-good, low angst, heartwarming friends to lovers story. WITH SO MUCH MAN OBSESSED ENERGY. Just dreamy, and a great intro (for me) to new to me author Meredith Trapp. This was a delight to read.

Dakota is in a rut. After her ex’s harsh words shook her confidence, her rodeo career has been spiraling, and she just can’t shake her doubt. Then out of nowhere, her childhood best friend—and the guy who ghosted her years ago—returns to Texas with his daughter in tow. Wyatt, once the lanky boy from her summers, is now a full-blown heartthrob, and he’s going be around her all summer. Wyatt has always carried a torch for Dakota, but when she got engaged years back, he stepped away to protect himself from heartbreak. Now that he's back, he's here to show Dakota that they're not just good together—they’re meant to be. Cue the complicated feelings and friends to lovers, pseudo second chance TENSION. What follows is a beautiful, slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance.

I adored Dakota. She’s fiery, bold, and unapologetically herself, yet relatable in how much she overthinks and struggles to quiet the internal noise. She's always been tough, but around Wyatt and his sweet daughter Vienna, her softer side shines. It’s clear how safe she feels with them—and how deeply she wants something more. And honestly, how much she NEEDS a soft place to plan and not be so tough.

Watching Wyatt try to convince Dakota that their relationship could be more than friendship was so dreamy and adorable. He’s the kind of guy who knows what he wants but respects the pace she needs. He is so endlessly charming. His love for her was palpable. Every glance, every shared moment with them pure chemistry. And praise be for no third-act breakup.! No unnecessary drama, just two people navigating real fears and emotions and growing together in a mature and gentle way. Wyatt’s role as a single dad added even more depth (and made him even more irresistible), and Dakota’s natural connection with Vienna melted my heart.

Their dynamic was so well balanced and nuanced—they challenged each other, supported each other, and brought out the best in one another. Wyatt grounded Dakota and also gave her much needed emotional safety to let her guard down, while she brought laughter and life and joy into his world. The mental health themes were also woven in with care and intentionality, making the characters feel even more relatable. I loved how their vulnerability and evolving trust brought healing and deeper connection.

Such a feel-good cowboy romance with heart, humor, and heat. It made me smile, swoon, and cheer for this couple from start to finish. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book in the series too- this one had me excited to check out more.

📖 ʜᴏᴍᴇʙᴏᴜɴᴅ – ᴍᴇʀᴇᴅɪᴛʜ ᴛʀᴀᴘᴘ
🎧 ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ: ᴄᴊ ʙʟᴏᴏᴍ, ꜱᴇᴀɴ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀꜱ
🗣️ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛʏᴘᴇ: ᴅᴜᴀʟ ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (ᴅᴀᴋᴏᴛᴀ & ᴡʏᴀᴛᴛ)
⏱️ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏʙᴏᴏᴋ ʟᴇɴɢᴛʜ: 9 hrs and 48 mins
ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ: ʙᴏᴜɴᴅʟᴇꜱꜱ ᴘʟᴀʏᴇʀꜱ, ʙᴏᴏᴋ 2

"Homebound" by Meredith Trapp just absolutely crushed me in the best way possible! 🎧 If you're a sucker for childhood friends-to-lovers with a side of second chance and a seriously swoony single dad, drop everything and listen to this one!

This story is all about Dakota, a tough-as-nails female bull rider (how cool is that?!), and Wyatt, her childhood best friend who basically vanished for three years. Now, he's back in their Texas small town, not just as a professional hockey player, but with the most adorable baby girl on his hip. Wyatt has been totally obsessed with Dakota forever, and let me tell you, his determination to win her back is EVERYTHING. Watching him try to convince the "Cowboy Killer" (that's Dakota's nickname!) that he's back for good, after a past misunderstanding, is just delightful. Their chemistry is slow-burn perfection, and the way they rebuild their connection, navigating new family dynamics with his sweet daughter, Vienna, is so heartwarming. You'll be giggling, tearing up, and cheering them on!

🎧 And the narrators?! CJ Bloom and Sean Masters absolutely nailed it. CJ brought Dakota's fierce independence and hidden vulnerabilities to life, while Sean embodied Wyatt's golden-retriever energy and deep devotion perfectly. Their dual narration made every emotion, every longing glance, and every sweet family moment feel so incredibly real. Such a fantastic listen! 🤩

If you're looking for a heartfelt, angsty, and truly satisfying small-town romance with a protective hockey player, a badass cowgirl, and a precious baby, "Homebound" is your next listen. Trust me on this!

Tropes: Childhood Friends to Lovers, Second Chance Romance, Small Town Romance, Single Dad, Sports Romance (Hockey & Rodeo!), Forced Proximity, Grumpy/Sunshine vibes, He Falls First.

5🌟 — So much heart, I'm obsessed!

#Homebound #MeredithTrapp #BoundlessPlayers #AudiobookReview #SecondChanceRomance #SingleDad #SportsRomance #SmallTownRomance #FriendsToLovers #Bookstagram #AudiobookLover #MustListen #BookRecommendation

I really enjoyed this romance it was fun with the back and forth banter and I really enjoyed Dakota as a character. This book follows Dakota and Wyatt, Dakota is a female bull rider sick of being told she doesn’t stand a chance.For the summer she is training to join a professional bull riders circuit, she is focused until Wyatt shows up her friend from childhood who is absolutely in love with her but she has no clue. Wyatt now a single dad came back for the summer and they are forced to share a house. The trio quickly become a family but can Dakota let someone in. This book was a quick engaging read with some great steamy smut. The back and forth banter and adorable kid make this a fun engaging read you don’t want to put down. This is my first book by this author but planning on picking up the first in the series soon! I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

I do love a good small town romance and this book was no exception! The hero in this book was to die for! I live for man that is absolutely obsessed with his girl and Wyatt is truly obsessed with Dakota. Such a fun read…highly recommend for all lovers of small town romance!

Homebound the perfect mix of small-town charm, second chances, and slow-burn tension that totally hooked me from the first page. As advertised it's totally perfect for Elsie Silver fans (me!). It’s emotional, funny, and just the right amount of steamy — everything you want in a feel-good summer romance.

Dakota is a total badass. She’s strong, stubborn, and laser-focused on her bull-riding career (absolutely LOVE the FMC being the bull rider, more of this please). Wyatt is the golden boy and hockey star with a soft spot for his childhood best friend. A friends to lovers, single dad romance? I ate it up like catnip.

Their chemistry? Off the charts. Whether they're awkwardly trying to avoid old feelings or accidentally (okay, not so accidentally) falling into each other again, you can feel the sparks flying. The late-night stargazing, creek jumping, and that outdoor shower moment? I'm telling you, perfect cowboy summer romance, the vibes are simply impeccable.

What really got me, though, was the emotional depth. The reason Wyatt disappeared is more complicated than it seems, and once the truth comes out, it hits hard in the best way. The mix of humor, heartache, and healing is just so well done.

If you're into small-town second-chance romances with a little sass, a lot of heart, and a cowboy (or cowgirl) you can’t help but root for, Dakota and Wyatt needs to be on your list. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, and you’ll probably wish you lived in Granite Falls too (adding it to the list of fictional towns I'll never live in but forever dream of).

Homebound is the kind of romance that wraps around you like a warm summer night in Texas—equal parts nostalgic, messy, and tender. Meredith Trapp delivers a story full of longing, sharp banter, and second chances, all dusted with starlight and rodeo grit.
Dakota is no delicate flower—she’s fierce, driven, and unapologetically herself. Her bull-riding dreams and bad-girl reputation make her a compelling heroine you can’t help but root for. Then there’s Wyatt: the golden boy turned hockey star, now returning home with a baby in his arms and decades’ worth of unresolved feelings. Their dynamic is electric from the jump, built on a shared past and simmering what-ifs. It’s not just the baby or the swoony rodeo nights that stir up emotions—it’s the aching truth of growing up, growing apart, and maybe…growing together again.
The pacing dips slightly in the middle, with a few moments where the push-pull dance teeters on the verge of repetition, but the emotional payoff is well worth it. The chemistry? Off the charts. The Texas vibes? Immersive. And the ending? Sweet enough to make your heart swell and your boots tap.
If you love childhood-friends-to-lovers stories with a bit of emotional grit, an irresistible small-town backdrop, and a heroine who knows how to hold her ground, Homebound is a ride worth taking.

Homebound by Meredith Trapp is a heartfelt and swoon-worthy second-chance romance that had me hooked from the first page. Dakota, Texas’s toughest female rodeo rider, and Wyatt, the golden-boy hockey player, have a complicated history. Their childhood friendship turned into something more, but when Wyatt suddenly disappeared from her life, Dakota was left heartbroken and confused.

Now, Wyatt is back in town with a baby in tow, and he’s determined to win Dakota back. The chemistry between them is electric, and I loved watching their slow-burn reconnection. Dakota’s tough exterior contrasts perfectly with Wyatt’s vulnerable side, and the tension between them is palpable. Their journey of rediscovery, full of rodeo scenes, heartfelt conversations, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments, makes this a must-read for fans of second chances and steamy, emotional romances.

Trapp’s writing is filled with humor, passion, and depth, making Homebound a delightful read. If you love stories with strong, independent heroines, charming cowboys, and a mix of heart and heat, this one’s a winner!

This was such a great book! The characters came to life, there was good character development. Loved everything about this one! I could hear and feel Dakota’s tough girl, cowgirl attitude!

2.5⭐️. Thank you to Meredith Trapp, NetGalley, and Atria Books for a copy of Homebound to read in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Let me start by saying how much I love a cowboy romance. My Kindle’s name is Cowboy Romeo. I went into this book with such high hopes. Cowboy romance and single dad are two of my most favorite tropes, and the cover is so darn cute, but… this book did not do it for me. I didn’t care for the characters at all. While Wyatt was a good dad, he came off as weak. A strong, sexy man doesn’t pine for a girl for 15 years and not say anything and then getting hard every 3 seconds thinking about her like a teenage boy. There was so much unnecessary miscommunication (one of my least favorite tropes). Each character was “in love”, best friends, and at one point the FMC says something along the lines of “the best thing about being best friends with someone for all these years is being able to communicate what you want in bed”, but when it came down to it, they were both so immature and could not communicate at all! I felt like I rolled my eyes so many times between the jealously, miscommunication, and constant hard ons, it was just so lame.

I was also not a fan of the rough and tough cowgirl that had a different man in her life every night and whose nickname was “the cowboy killer”.

I was so disappointed in this one unfortunately. Just wasn’t for me. 🫤

Content warnings: bull riding, miscommunication, spicy, explicit language, use of sex to deal with life.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Tropes: reverse grumpy sunshine, cowgirl romance, cowgirl/hockey player, single dad, cowgirl bull rider, forced proximity, friends to lovers, he falls first - and hard, it’s always been you, black cat/golden retriever, slow burn, summer romance

Dakota and Wyatt were steamy perfection! I love this summer Texas romance so much! It was so swoonyb and they had so much chemistry. It sizzles the pages! In addition to that, it hit me in the feels hard! I love when a book can do all of those things simultaneously! I love this couple and I adore this Texas town so much! I cannot wait to continue the series.

I wanted to like this book because I love a good cowboy romance but I felt zero chemistry between the characters. There was zero tension and yearning. I liked Dakota as a character but I did not like them together. It felt very surface level. I’m not sure why it was mentioned that he was an NHL hockey player just once and it literally was not relevant to the story. It was cheesy and predictable.

I liked this book but the verbiage surrounding bull riding/rodeo was off. It would've benefited by more proofreading by someone in the industry. Would still recommend for the romance aspect!