A Small-Town Cowboy Romance with a Sweet Single Dad Hero
I am deep in my cowboy romance era, y’all. Like, deeeep. And I cannot be stopped. In fact, I’m here to lasso you into the madness with me (yes, the puns are bad—but I’ve accepted that about myself).
Recently, I had the joy of reading an advanced copy of Homebound by Meredith Trapp—a swoony, small-town cowboy romance that just got its glow-up with Atria Books. And honestly? The hype is deserved.
In this review, I’ll break down the gist, what I loved (and what didn’t quite work), and whether Homebound belongs on your romance TBR. (Spoiler: If you love single dad heroes with major DILF energy, you’re going to fall hard for Wyatt. I’ll call him Daddy any day.)
Overview of Homebound by Meredith Trapp
Homebound follows Wyatt, a professional NHL player and single dad, who returns to his hometown for the summer—not just to help out on his moms’ flower farm (how cute is that?!), but to finally win the heart of his childhood best friend, Dakota. She’s a fearless bull rider who’s always seen Wyatt as “too nice,” never rugged enough. But this summer? She starts to question everything.
Wyatt’s here for one reason: her. And he’s not leaving without a fight.
What I Loved About Homebound
- Grumpy sunshine, but make it backwards: Dakota’s the tough one here, and Wyatt? He’s an ooey-gooey cinnamon roll of a man. A total sweetheart.
- Wyatt = DILF goals: From his swoony inner monologue to the way he adores his daughter, I was obsessed. His love for his “baby girl” was so heartfelt and relatable for parents.
- A cowboy and an NHL player? Yes, please: I would’ve loved to see more of the sports side worked in, but the cowboy angle (plus the flower farm!) totally scratched that small-town itch.
- Music in books is an instant win: The Randy Travis reference (“You’re Gonna Miss This”) had me pulling up Spotify mid-read. It added such a cozy, nostalgic vibe.
- The slow-burn payoff: While Wyatt’s long-term pining felt a bit extreme, their eventual move from friendship to something more was super satisfying—especially once we got glimpses of their blended family life.
What Didn’t Quite Work For Me
- Wyatt deserved more (at first): All-or-nothing pining isn’t my jam. He was ready to wait forever, even after she got engaged to someone else. I wanted him to have more self-respect at times.
- Dakota’s strength sometimes edged into emotional distance: I love a strong FMC, but she was almost too self-reliant. I wanted to see her lean into vulnerability with Wyatt more.
Popular Romance Tropes in Homebound
- Grumpy x Sunshine (but flipped!)
- Childhood best friends
- Second chance romance
- Single dad / DILF
- Small town summer
- Pining hero
- Forced proximity
- Found family
Who Should Read Homebound?
If you’re into small-town cowboy romances with soft, emotionally available heroes and fierce, independent heroines, Homebound belongs on your TBR. It’s ideal for readers who love:
- Devney Perry or Elsie Silver vibes
- Cinnamon roll heroes
- Cowboy romance with a touch of sports
- Sweet-but-steamy slow burns
- Dad energy that will ruin you (in the best way)
Final Thoughts on Homebound
This was such a warm, heartfelt romance that blended cowboy grit with dad softness in the best way. While I had a few quibbles, Homebound left me smiling, swooning, and immediately reaching for a country playlist. If you’re looking for your next comforting read with just enough emotional weight, this is it.
You might be interested in:
Cowboy Romances: Your Western Love Guide
Advanced Reader Copies: How to Get Started (Want to start reviewing advanced reader copies (ARCs), but you’re not sure where to start? Here’s the low down on how to get the ball rolling.
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