Thank you Atria and Emily Bestler Books for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

Homebound is apparently second in the series but can easily be read as a standalone. I am always up for a cowboy (or cowgirl) romance!

I was immediately swept up in Dakota and Wyatt’s story. This had a little bit of everything; cowboy romance, single dad romance, and sports romance.

Wyatt is Dakota’s former friend returned home for the summer while the NHL is off season. He ends up needing to crash with her in a family barn/apartment along with his daughter Vivienne. I loved seeing Dakota soften up with Wyatt as they repair their relationship. I also loved seeing her fall in love with his daughter as well.

Wyatt was so down bad for Dakota. He has always been in love with her and is determined to repair their friendship and at least let her know how he feels. He was such a good dad and it was lovely to see him with his daughter.

I mostly read the audiobook but listened to a bit of the audiobook. CJ Bloom and Sean Masters did a fantastic job bringing Dakota and Wyatt to life. I hope there is another book for Wyatt’s hockey friend and I will need to check out the previous book as well.

Quick Summary: A shoot your shot romance

My Review: Homebound by Meredith Trapp is book #2 in the Boundless Players series. It was released on 6/17/25.

About the Book: "Dakota and Wyatt. Growing up, they were as inseparable... The best of friends…or so Dakota thought.

Dakota hasn’t heard a peep from Wyatt in over three years...

Everything changes when her old friend waltzes back into town with an adorable baby on his hip.

Wyatt’s back to get the girl..."

In My Own Words: A NHL player with a BFF history with his dream girl comes back to town to make things right and confess his true feelings. Is it too late to win her heart?

My Final Say: This very entertaining read checked all the boxes for me.

Bull riding ❤️
Single dad ❤️
Baby on board ❤️
BFF relationship ❤️
Hockey player ❤️
Friends to lovers ❤️
Small Town ❤️
Anything for you support ❤️
Witty banter ❤️
Chemistry for days ❤️
HEA ❤️
Never a dull moment energy ❤️

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Wonderful characters
Steamy
Entertaining
Happily Ever After
Easy-to-read
Witty
Original

Other: Readers who enjoy friends to lovers stories, family rich relationships, sports romances, and cowgirl feisty sweetness should like this book.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this work. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

* A review has been posted on Goodreads, BookBub, The StoryGraph, and Barnes and Noble.

Every summer growing up, Wyatt spent his time in Texas with Dakota, but his crush on her only strengthened. She only saw him as her sweet, younger best friend. All of that changed when she got engaged, and Wyatt was asked to let her go. By doing so, he stopped speaking to her, and the story starts years later when he has returned to Texas with his daughter to live with Dakota. Her engagement is over, but she now has her walls up; she needs to let loose because her bull riding career is in jeopardy, but how can she? Wyatt offers to help her train, since he is in the hockey offseason. Can she forgive him for the past? If so, will she always see him as the kid from the summer? Wyatt has tried to get her to see him differently for years, but maybe the thing that will change the way she views him is watching him with his daughter. Wyatt will do anything to support the girls in his life, and Dakota is no different.

I was already on board after Icebound, so diving into Homebound felt like coming home—but, you know, with more emotional tension and hot cowboys.
Wyatt is steady and guarded, the kind of man who doesn’t let people in easily—unless you’re his daughter, Vienna, who absolutely stole the show in every scene she was in. That kid could charm a cactus. And Dakota, known as The Cowboy Killer, lives up to the name in all the best ways. She’s tough, emotionally closed off, and seriously good at keeping people at arm’s length… until Wyatt starts closing that distance with stubborn gentleness (and maybe a little smolder).
The romance unfolds at a thoughtful pace, and the emotional tension between Wyatt and Dakota felt real. I appreciated that their relationship wasn’t rushed—it was about healing, trust, and second chances. Their chemistry was undeniable and simmered with just enough angst to keep me flipping pages.

If you’re into slow-burn small-town romances with layered characters, emotional backstories, and a heroine who doesn’t do damsel, doesn’t do drama—but somehow still steals every scene she’s in, Homebound is worth the read!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Meredith Trapp for the chance to review this one—my opinions (and emotional investment in these characters) are all mine.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded down
🌶🌶🌶.5
Tropes:
Cowgirl
Hockey player
He falls first
Golden retriever x black cat
Single dad
Friends to Lovers

Wyatt and Dakota have a cute love story set in the heart of Texas. She's an aspiring bull rider and he's a hockey player. They were childhood besties who went through a few years of estranged relationship with her engaged to another and him having a baby from a one-night stand.

The plot was decent, but not great. The dialog was decent, but not great. The writing felt repetitive at times, very tropey, and sometimes cringey. I liked it but I definitely didn't love it.

3 stars.

"Homebound" by Meredith Trapp is a decent small-town childhood friends-to-lovers where he falls first, and she's always been it for him. I love how Dakota was a bullrider and Wyatt was a hockey player. Very interesting dynamic with their professions. I loved the relationship between Wyatt and his young baby girl, Vienna, and eventually between Dakota and Vienna, too. If I'm being honest, I just didn't connect to this one like I wanted to in terms of the main relationship between Dakota and Wyatt. Wyatt is a SIMP for Dakota and always has been. On the other hand, she CLEARLY could care less. She has just broken up with her boyfriend, Boone, and though Boone was *!the worst,~* I still felt like she and Boone had more of a connection at times! Yikes! To me, it felt like Wyatt and Dakota's forced proximity was the only reason she wanted to be with him because she didn't feel like doing the fling thing after her heartbreak. She becomes *very* into Wyatt *very* quickly, with no rhyme or reason other than a physical glance at him when he is showering. Before that, she was adamant that she did not like him like that over and over and over again, so I started to feel that deeply, which means I didn't buy how easily she changed her mind! This part of the plot felt very poorly planned out and clunky at best. Once their relationship progresses to the next stage, it literally neeeeeeeeeeeever stops. They just keep doing it and doing it over and over without much story other than that. Maybe one or two bullrides? I really thought I would love this since I have loved many, many other cowboy-types of stories like this (think books written by Elsie Silver, Lyla Sage, etc). Unfortunately, I only just barely liked it. Also, this book is *aggressively* pro-Texas, which made me feel some type of way??? Like, the author brings up multiple times how *~amazing*~ Texas is, and all I thought about was how people's civil rights are constantly being trampled there???

Thank you to NetGalley, Meredith Trapp, Atria, and Emily Bestler Books for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

thank you to netgalley and atria books for the arc!

i am behind and didn’t realize this came out yesterday! please give me all the new to me cowboy romances!

this does give me the ava wilder and elsie silver vibes. ultimate black cat x golden retriever vibes! i love when our heroine is prickly as hell and the hero is down bad and shows her how to open up!

while i did enjoy this one i will say the story dragged a tiny bit. i wanted a little more. it didn’t have a third act break up and it kind of needed one maybe? i think it’s hard not having a third act break up 🤷🏻‍♀️

i would read more books in this series! and more by this author in general!

If you’re looking for a summer romance that flips the script, this one’s for you: Dakota is the tough, no-nonsense rodeo star with a reputation, and Wyatt is the easygoing, hopeful guy who’s never really let go of her. Their story is all about second chances, old memories, and figuring out if the person you grew up with could be the one you’ve been looking for all along. It’s a heartfelt, down-to-earth cowboy romance that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly real. Dakota, a record-breaking rodeo star known as “The Cowboy Killer,” is laser-focused on her bull-riding dreams and fiercely guarding her heart after years of heartbreak. When Wyatt, her childhood best friend and the one who got away, unexpectedly returns to Granite Falls with a baby in tow, Dakota’s world is thrown into chaos. If you loved, Elena Armas, Lyla Sage, Adriana Locke, or Sarah Adams, you'll fall hard for "Homebound."

This started to get good about 20 percent but then around the 50 percent mark the MMCs personality kinda flipped and it didn’t feel like the same character to me. After that I sort of just felt disconnected from the story. I like the single dad aspect.

3.5

This was fine but it really didn't compare to some other cowboy/rodeo romances I've read. It felt like a lot of contradicting character choices from the FMC and I just couldn't follow with a lot of her motivations and inner thoughts. Additionally the MMC was very in love with her (which definitely isn't a bad thing in a childhood friends to lovers story), but I feel like their slight "strangers" period wasn't really acknowledged. There were just some things that I wish had been built out a bit more.

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

I liked this one. Dakota is a total badass. Female bull rider. Grumpy. Independent. Ambitious.

Wyatt is the textbook sunshine golden retriever. In love with Dakota for years. Always sees the positive in things. Obsessed with being a girl dad.

I loved that Dakota knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go for it.

I’m glad it took them a minute to get together. The only thing that felt a bit of a stretch was how Dakota never thought of Wyatt as anything but her best friend and how quickly that changed but I’ve never done friends to lovers so maybe that can happen 🤷‍♀️

Looking forward to reading the next book. Guessing it will be Willie and Alanna but also excited for Cruz to get a book

“Homebound” by Meredith Tripp started off ok with Wyatt returning home to his moms’ flower farm for the off season from his NHL team with his little girl, Vienna. He is on a mission to get his childhood crush to see him as more than a friend. Problem is he didn’t respond to any or her texts while she was engaged to her ex-fiancé. Now they are staying at the same barn at his parents farm as she is a manager there while she tries to get her bull riding career of the ground. She will barely talk to him and he has a lot of work to do to make her his.

I really liked Wyatt despite the fact that he ghosted Dakota for three years. He was so fun to watch as a girl dad and the way he fought for Dakota was great. Dakota was also a really likeable character despite the constant insecure inner dialogue that we had to read about. I also appreciated that there was no third act break up. Overall a decent read but I did sometimes find the inner dialogues stretched on at times and the plot moved a bit slowly at times. A fun read that I overall enjoyed.

Homebound by Meredith Trapp is such a cozy, small-town friends-to-lovers romance with some real heart. It’s about Dakota, a tough-as-nails bull rider, reconnecting with her childhood best friend Wyatt—now a single dad and hockey star—who suddenly shows up in town (with a baby, no less).

This slow-burn romance is full of sweet banter, emotional growth, and that warm, Texas summer vibe. Wyatt is a literal golden retriever guy (adorable, supportive, dad goals), while Dakota’s strong and soft beneath the tough exterior.

Super bingeable if you’re into cowboy charm, single-dad feels, and that childhood-friends chemistry. Solid pick for a comforting read with some spice and real feels.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun and fast read! I liked how strong willed the fmc was and that she wasn’t giving up her goals for a man. I also thought the mmc was written well as the romance between the two was super cute. I loved the plot and would read more from this author!

Many thanks to Net Galley, Atria Books, and Meredith Trapp for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A unique twist where Dakota the headstrung and quick witted bull rider is reacquainted with her childhood friend Wyatt, who perfectly embodies the meaning of "golden retriever energy". Wyatt breaks down Dakota's walls that she has strategically put up for so long, and teaches her the beauty of being vulnerable.

Wyatt finds every way possible to put a smile on Dakota's face which makes him so endearing. He is truly Dakota's biggest fan!

One thing I will say is while this book may start off as a slow romance, it escalates quickly. So if you're looking for SPICE this is a great read.

I WANTED to love this book. The cover is stunning and the colors chosen draw the reader right in. But the characters… I didn’t enjoy them. I love cowboy/western romances, but this one just fell flat for me.

“You’re too good for me.”
“No, I’m just good for you, and you’re good for me.”

Thank you Atria & Simon and Schuster Audio for the ARC & ALC. All opinions are my own.

Loved Dakota & Wyatt’s story!
Childhood friends, he’s always been in love with her, and it’s time she caught up 🥰

✦ tropes & stuff:
🏒 single dad hockey player mmc
🐎 bull rider/cowgirl fmc
🌼 childhood friends to strangers to lovers
🐈‍⬛ black cat x golden retriever
🔗 forced proximity
✨ “it’s always been you”
🚫 no third act breakup
💞 dual 1st person pov

•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•

🎧 audio+ebook | ⭐️: 4.75 | 🌶️: 3 |

(5⭐️ for the audio, 4.5⭐️ for the story/writing - the audio definitely enhanced this one for me!)

💭 what I loved about this one:
- how Wyatt just changes how he acts around Dakota (flirting) and she’s confused but also loves it 🥰
- how purely Dakota loved Vienna (Wyatt’s daughter)
- love how he softens her, and she motivates him to want more for himself/push himself to be better

🙃 what didn’t quite work for me:
- not a fan of reading about an MC hooking up with others

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
Sean Masters makes a lovely cowboy 😮‍💨 & CJ Bloom captured Dakota’s energy so well.

Thank you NetGalley and Meredith Trapp for an ARC to Homebound in exchange for my honest review:
So I had to DNF. I'm usually a fan of a friend's to lovers trope because usually there's that build up of angst where they're both clearly into each other but neither wants to ruin the friendship they have. However, in this instance, the FMC was VERY adamant she's never been into the MMC (like REPEATEDLY says it). Meanwhile he's a freaking puppy dog following her around making eyes at her all the time and it's just kind of sad to watch.
Also, I'm supposed to believe the FMC is truly blind to his feelings? Just her best friend, dad and townsfolk being able to notice the MMC has it bad but meanwhile she's clueless?
It also didn't read as friends to lovers especially after he ghosted her because she got engaged to someone else but RIGHT when she's single he comes back around. Was really hoping there'd be some kind of good explanation as to why he ghosted her and him not having a chance is the worst one. Like he couldn't have just kept his distance but still been there for her seeing as they were best friends?
Also, where was the mom of this baby? Like he was there for the birth of his daughter and took her home and where was the mother in all this? Some details on that would've helped.
I will say, with those critiques aside, it IS a well written story. If you're a fan of cowboy romance and single dads, you'll definitely love this one. Just personally not for me. I much prefer when the FMC and MMC are equally into each other and if she's not feeling him even SLIGHTLY after 28 years, what's going to change?

Can I just say, it does something for me when we find out in Chapter 1 that he has loved her/is in love with her for years and years? I am deceased. Gimme all of it.

And I just LOVE a prickly FMC. Dakota is soft for her people and that’s it. And I love her even more for that because so what if people have to work to get into her circle? Once they’re in, they’re IN. I love that.

This was such a good time and to combine a hockey player with a rodeo queen? It’s like marrying 2 of my favorite genres and I’m not upset about it.

Thank you to Atria for the copy!

Wyatt and Dakota grew up as next-door best friends in Granite Falls, Texas. Once inseparable, Wyatt suddenly disappeared—only to reappear years later, now a famous hockey player and single dad to a sweet baby girl. He moves into Dakota’s barn, determined to prove he’s been in love with her since they were kids. And yes, it’s all kinds of swoony.

This one had all the ingredients to be a super swoony comfort read—small town, childhood friends-to-lovers, single dad, cowboy + hockey player, even a surprise barn living situation. And to be fair, there are definitely some sweet, feel-good moments, especially with Wyatt being the ultimate golden retriever dad and Dakota being a total tough-girl bull rider with a soft side buried deep.

That said… I wanted more. The plot felt kind of clunky at times—like it jumped from beat to beat without fully settling into the emotional moments. And while I liked the characters, I didn’t feel like I knew them. There’s so much potential in their shared past and in Wyatt’s experience as a single dad, but it never really dug deep. It skimmed the surface, especially with Dakota’s backstory, which could’ve added so much weight to her emotional arc.

Still, if you're looking for a low-stakes, tropey romance with cowboy charm and a big-hearted male lead, this could be a cozy weekend pick. Just don’t go in expecting super layered character work or a tightly paced plot.

Thank you Netgalley & Atria for the e-ARC