Dakota and Wyatt were once inseparable—until one summer, Wyatt just… stopped coming back. Now, he’s the NHL’s golden boy and she’s a bull-riding heartbreaker known around Granite Falls as “The Cowboy Killer.” She’s sworn off relationships, but when Wyatt shows up out of nowhere—with a daughter on his hip and eyes only for Dakota—things get complicated fast.

Wyatt is soft, steady, and absolutely smitten. Dakota? Stubborn, fierce, and rocking absolute confidence. The tension? Sign me up. The banter? I was giggling and kicking my feet. And the slow burn? Oh, it burns.

Watching Dakota try to figure out why she couldn’t stop thinking about a shirtless Wyatt had me howling 😂 Childhood friends to lovers just hits differently, especially when it’s laced with pining, growth, and a second chance at something real.

Man, this one got me all in the feels with Dakota’s evolving bond with Wyatt’s daughter. I teared up more than once. I absolutely freaking loved everything about Dakota’s brash personality and Wyatt was the perfect balance for her, and so supportive. I adore them, and this may be one of my favorite single dad romances ever. This bull-riding featured throughout was super fun to read!

•bull riding FMC
•single dad MMC
•Texas setting
•banter galore
•lovable side characters (Willie or Cruz better be the star of the next book lol)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

is there an option for a million stars? because OH MY GOD

meredith can’t write a bad book. I’m convinced. this was everything. one of my top reads of the year, and quite possibly one of my favorite reads ever.

wyatt is the ultimate book boyfriend, the greatest man to ever live, and the love of my life. my god, this man is incredible. justice for blonde MMCs has been served, on a silver platter, in the form of wyatt patterson. not only is he an incredible partner and man, but he’s the BEST dad and friend and it made me so fucking happy to see his relationships blossom on the page.

dakota is so strong and even with her cold shoulders, her heart is still so warm. she’s the woman that not only wyatt needed, but that vienna needed. seeing her bond with vi, his moms, his whole family and friends made my heart hurt in the best way and I couldn’t tell you how many times I sobbed.

the mentions of characters from icebound, the possible set ups for future books, the new town and people and relationships???? it was all sooooooo good!!!

this book was truly something else and I simultaneously needed to gobble it up and savor it. I need everyone to put this on their tbr, to read it, to talk about it, because I need to talk about it forever.

i’m so thankful to be a part of meredith’s ARC team and get an early copy of the indie version of this book! and to atria for an ARC of the trad pub version 🥹🫶🏻