Wyatt has been waiting for Dakota since he was ten. He even proposed to her back then with a mood ring. They're grown up now, but he still can't get her to see him as more than a friend. Dakota has a wild streak a mile wide and isn't ready to be tamed. But then Wyatt returns for the summer with his daughter in tow and moves into the spare bedroom and everything changes.

Read if you like:
-He Falls Frist
-Childhood Friends to Lovers
-It's Always Been Her
-Single Dad
-Fathers and Daughters
-Female Bull Rider

Homebound has such an amazing emotional payoff. Childhood Friends to Lovers is my absolute favorite trope and this is one of the best I've read. I loved reading about Dakota getting her confidence back just as much as I loved reading about her discovering that good guys are where it's at. Add in some amazing father-daughter dynamics (both Dakota and her dad and Wyatt and Vi) and I was an emotional wreck by the end of this one.

Single dad is always gonna do it for me and this was such a good one mixed with a cowboy romance! I loved that it was the FMC, Dakota, who was the bull rider! It made the book feel fresh and new in this small town romance genre!

Homebound is the second book in the Boundless Players series (Icebound is the first) and I really appreciated that this book stood alone and I didn't feel confused not having read the first one yet! Dakota was such a great FMC! I loved seeing her be a badass in a typically male dominated space in the bull riding world. Wyatt was just the sweetest man and the progression of friends to lovers was really sweet. I do think the slow burn developed a bit too slowly for me but I can also appreciate why it did because there were other factors they had to consider, mainly Vienna (Wyatt's daughter). Once their slow burn finally developed, the tension was off the charts and I couldn't put the book down!!

I also really appreciated that Wyatt had the parents that he did and how supportive and involved they were in Wyatt's life. It was refreshing to see, especially in small town romance, and added so much heart to the story. This is a great summer read and I will definitely be picking up book 1 soon!!
Rating : 3.5⭐️

Thank you to Atria Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my review🤠🧡

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Atria Books for sending this ARC my way.

NHL superstar, Wyatt returns home to small-town Texas to finally win over his childhood bull-riding crush Dakota, but things have changed in the years he's been gone. She's got a chip on her shoulder from him leaving and everyone calls her the cowboy killer for how she goes through men. But recently she can't stay on the bull no matter what she does. Will Wyatt's return home change things for her?

The premise of this was exactly the type of second chance romance I love and don't get me wrong, the spicy scenes were absolutely *chefs kiss* BUT there were a few things I found completely annoying and so repetitive I couldn't overlook.

Dakota has adopted this whole "I'm going to die one-day" attitude and does whatever she wants with whoever she wants. This is in the warnings at the start of the book, it's not that she does this that's annoying it's how she acts. She calls everyone "Sugar" which is giving big Nancy Hicks-Gribble energy. I couldn't unhear it. Every.single.time. Then there's Wyatt and the repetitive mentioning of being southern and a "good guy", a "gentleman". I get it he's great. It would have been better if he just acted how he described himself rather than mentioning it every single interaction. It got old quick.

Thank you to Artia books and NetGalley for the ARC of Homebound by Meredith Trapp

The romance in this story blew me away, a sweet story and even sweeter cowboy, I’m personally partial to that little baby on his hip. Dakota and Wyatt have the perfect dynamic, along with the perfect backstory😍🤠 I was anxious for the outcome the entire time honestly - it turned out just as I would have hoped!

A sweet romance with a little spice (🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5)

Great book if anyone is looking to get out a slump or doesn’t know what to read next - I’m a big romantasy fan but sweet romances are always my go to after a bit of a binge

Can’t wait to see what comes next!

Release date: June 17, 2025


I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ya'll... quotes in this book are top tier.
"When you fall for your best friend, you're falling for their secrets, their backstory, and every skeleton in their closet. It's a heavier kind of love, but it's the kind forever's are made of"
Wyatt and Dakota.
Wyatt is home after hockey season to see his family and win the heart of Dakota.
Dakota says that Wyatt is just her summer guy and doesn't expect he wants anything more out of their relationship.
Wyatt has been in love with Dakota since they were kids. At one point, Dakota ends up engaged, and he misses seeing her for three years. He is a single Dad to a little girl.
We have forced proximity. Childhood friends to adult lovers. Single Dad.
Wyatt is an expert flirt in the book. Their banter was so good!
The plot was well structured. The pace was good - I will say it took me a bit to get into the book, but once I go past about 30-35%, I was good.
The characters are developed. I was able to stay engaged with them once I got past the first of the book.
Loved the quotes in this book.
I recommend this for a sweet and quick beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

A badass cowgirl & a single hot dad that's a NHL player? YES PLEASE 🙌🏼 Dakota is a very well known bull rider and Wyatt is an NHL player. They both dated before Wyatt got big and then when he moved away he broke things off. When Wyatt returns home on the off season with his daughter Vi things get rekindled between them. Absolutely loved this- such an easy read with likable characters with insane chemistry.

This is a 3.5 to 4 star book for me.

I love a single dad so Wyatt and that part was great.

I wasn’t so sold on Dakota, the rodeo star. I liked her but the whole book was a lot of the “she’s not good enough/I have to prove everyone wrong/woman in a man’s world” trope over and over again. It seems when books go for this trope they feel the need to repeat it over and over and over again. Internal dialogue, comments from others, books just seem to get stuck on it and for me it just weighs the book down. Women are so much more than always trying to prove what they can do.

I did love Dakota and Vienna’s bond and relationship. Her desire to be a mom and finding Wyatt and Vienna was really sweet.

I loved this book so much!! I am a sucker for a downbad man and that he is!! I loved the second chance feel of it! Highly recommend

3.5⭐️

Thank you to Atria Books for an ARC of Homebound by Meredith Trapp.
The story of Wyatt and Dakota was the definition of a fun summer cowboy romance. I was immediately drawn in by this book, while it’s technically a slow burn I was far from bored. The story’s beginning had me immediately invested in the characters, and itching to keep reading. I wanted to go into this book pretty much blind, and, I’m delighted that I chose to do so. It left me surprised but I didn’t have any expectations to hold this book to. I thought that Wyatt and Dakota’s love story was incredibly sweet, heartfelt, and real. While certain parts may not have been my thing, I thought that some of the nicknames were a little cheesy, I had a great time reading this book. I found that the good far outweighed the “bad” for me. I thought Wyatt was a great character, a true romance book hero, totally obsessed with his girl and willing to do anything to end up with her. Dakota was also a great character, I loved that she was grumpy. The reversed roles that they had were unique for a cowboy romance and it made for a charming dynamic between Wyatt and Dakota. Dakota is a total badass, and Wyatt is very aware of that. The relationship between Dakota, Wyatt, and Vienna was adorable. Of course, I can’t forget Luna as well, or Alanna. I enjoyed that they didn't have to go through some huge conflict or personal development, it was an easy uncomplicated romance. Overall, I had a great time reading this book and I’m excited to see what Meredith Trapp writes in the future.

I really enjoyed this one—it was a heartfelt, emotional story with characters who felt relatable and real. The writing pulled me in right away, and I loved how the romance unfolded slowly, with both characters working through their own personal struggles. There was a nice balance of emotional depth and lighter, sweet moments that kept me engaged throughout.

It wasn’t perfect—I would’ve liked a bit more development in parts of the plot—but overall, it delivered exactly what I was hoping for: a story about love, healing, and finding where you truly belong. Definitely worth picking up if you like emotional romances with substance

Homebound by Meredith Trapp is a small-town romance and the story of Dakota and Wyatt.
 
Dakota is such an interesting female character, and she resembles what you would expect of a cowboy. She is a known heartbreaker who’s earned the nickname of a cowboy killer and she is a tough woman and bull rider. She is such a unique character, and I absolutely loved her.
 
Wyatt is a hockey player and single dad and he’s trying to give his daughter the best life possible. His own life is often on the back burner and he’s very much looking forward to spending the summer at his family’s ranch. And the Windmill Meadow Ranch was such a lovely place and it’s also the home of Dakota.
 
This book combines two of my favorite things: cowboy romance and hockey romance. And I absolutely loved how she’s a bull rider and he’s a single dad hockey player and you get to see a bit of both sports. The whole concept of this book was just perfection and with each page I fell more in love with these two. I also loved how Wyatt has a crush on her and has known each other since they were kids, and he finally gets his shot. The romance is just the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy.
 
If you love small-town cowboy romances, you need to check out Homebound because it gives the whole concept a refreshing twist and I adored Dakota and Wyatt. 5 stars.
 
(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc.)

Thank you, Atria Books, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own: What a sweet and entertaining ride! Homebound is the kind of book that makes you smile, swoon, and stay up late flipping pages. It’s light, fun, and full of heart—the perfect second-chance romance set under the wide Texas sky.

I absolutely loved how the author speaks directly to the reader with such charm and ease. The writing feels warm and personal, like a friend telling you their juiciest love story. Dakota is fierce, funny, and unforgettable—a true rodeo queen with a soft heart buried under all that grit. And Wyatt? Let’s just say he’s impossible not to fall for, he adores Dakota like a queen, but not in a creepy way hahaha.

The chemistry between them crackles, and the mix of flirty banter, tender moments, and small-town vibes makes this book a joy to read. I laughed, I blushed, and I rooted for them the whole way through. If you’re a fan of second chances, strong heroines, cowboy romance, or just want a feel-good story with a big heart, Homebound will rope you in from the first page.

I really enjoy it! 🤠💘

3.5⭐️

Homebound by Meredith Trapp is a quick, easy read featuring the estranged-best-friends-to-lovers trope and an obsessive MMC who’s been hung up on the FMC for years. I appreciated the gender-flipped dynamic—she’s the bull rider, and he’s the single dad with a very adorable baby girl.

There’s fun banter and a sassy heroine. It’s a solid pick for readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers romances. That said, the occasional repetition, some overly cheesy moments, and a lack of depth (the story felt confined to just three locations in the small town) made it fall a bit flat for me.

Overall, it’s a fun, light, and fast-paced read, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. The tropes just weren’t my favorite—but fans of cowboy (or rather, cowgirl) romance will likely enjoy what this story has to offer.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book. I thought Dakota and Wyatt were great characters, and they had great chemistry. I enjoyed the side characters and how they enhanced the story itself. This is a slow-burn with plenty of spice when it finally ignites.

I do wish there was more character development for the main characters. There were parts of the book where I felt that I had been dropped in the middle of development, without any context of the past. I enjoyed the pacing of this book, however there were parts that I feel moved very quickly. When Wyatt told Dakota about what Boone said, there was very little discussion about it and it felt forgotten. It felt to me that the characters were not quite developed. I wanted more.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I love the small-town feel with plenty of comforts in the main and side characters. I am looking forward to my next Meredith Trapp book!

This was a great summer read! It follows Dakota, who is a bull rider and Wyatt, who is her childhood best friend who returns home to Texas after his season in the NHL is over with his daughter in tow.

What I loved most about this book is that despite Dakotas numerous failed attempts to stay on a bull for 8 seconds, Wyatt never fails to breed on her succeeding.

Seeing Dakota interact with Vienna was so precious, I love how she took on the step mom role so easily and how much she loved her.

I did find the end of the book to be a bit rushed, I would have liked to see some more happen to close off the book but otherwise it was a great read!

YeeHaw the women is the cowboy in Homebound - Love it!

An NHL player returns home to his small town to reignite the love affair from his youth. After years of not speaking only lurking each others socials, they reunite to finally have the conversation to clear the air. He needs her love ALL of him as he's a single dad to most adorable little 1-year old.

The ride is messy and scary to get their eight seconds to say "I Love You!" There is no denying the chemistry, his support of her bull-riding career and is absolute love for her. Wyatt and Dakota ride slowly from renewed friends to lovers.

Thank you Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books

I am currently deep in my Cowboy Romance Era and this book checked all the boxes for me!
 
-       strong female lead
-       women in male dominated fields
-       cowgirl / cowboy hockey player
-       small town
-       friends to lovers
-       dual pov
-       single dad
 
Dakota was such a bad ass main character! I have never read a book about a female bull rider, and I loved that she was very open about her sexuality, and she did not let anyone shame her despite men calling her “cowboy killer”. My favorite part of this character was the vulnerability she showed though her anxiety and her nurturing side while helping care for baby Vi.
 
Wyatt was one sexy mf, and I loved how he loved his baby girl and how determined he was to win Dakota’s trust and love. He is being added to my list of book boyfriends. I am typically not a fan of kids being featured heavily in books but Vi was so freaking cute and all the moments with her seemed so relatable.
 
Despite these characters knowing each other since childhood the relationship did not develop right away but the slow burn was worth it as the romance and spice was so delicious. I mean, the outdoor shower scene? YES!
 
I enjoyed this book very much and hope the author eventually writes books for the side characters. Hairy Willie/Barbie, Cruz, and Daddy Cutler all need their own book. PLEASE. Also, I do wish I read the first book in the series as the other hockey players are mentioned often and I would of liked to have their background story even though it did not take anything away from this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I found it really hard to care about Wyatt and Dakota.

The beginning of this book is so much telling and barely showing us why these two should be together. That’s the one thing about friends to lovers that’s hard for me to love and it’s the constant repetition of the characters either telling us why they’re meant to be together or why they aren’t. AND IT WAS REPETITIVE.

I was more intrigued in Wyatt in the first book of this series so I was kind of upset he just seemed like a pushover since he was just following Dakota around for years before this summer. He’s an amazing father though! So that was cute.

Dakota was something. I found the whole going from guy to guy situation a bit weird, especially since it takes so many years for her and Wyatt to get together. But it was cool she was a bull rider.

This was a bit spicy with a bit of a slow burn. I give it 3 🌶️ out of 5.

Overall, a book not for me. Thank you NetGalley, Atria and Meredith Trapp for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Homebound immediately drew me in with the promise of a heartfelt friends-to-lovers story. I was especially interested in seeing how Wyatt and Dakota’s childhood bond would grow into something more. Their chemistry felt natural in a lot of scenes, but at times, it seemed like Dakota wasn’t really that into Wyatt until all of a sudden, she was. I wish there had been more development in that transition to make it feel more believable. The same goes for Dakota's relationship with Wyatt’s daughter it moved really quickly and didn’t feel fully earned. Overall, the story had potential and some emotional moments, but I was left wanting more buildup and depth in the relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars

I feel bad eating this book low, but in all honesty I just wasn’t a huge fan of it. There was nothing intrinsically wrong with the book, but I couldn’t get into it.

The characters were kind of annoying honestly and I couldn’t connect with any of them. I feel like there were a bunch of one liners used just to try to get quoted, if that makes sense.

Thank you for this arc!