Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde unfortunately didn’t meet my expectations. While the premise held some promise, I found the execution to be lacking in several areas. The story felt overly predictable, and I struggled to connect with the characters. Their motivations seemed forced, and their interactions often felt shallow rather than emotionally resonant.

The writing itself was fairly straightforward, but it lacked the depth and nuance I was hoping for. I didn’t feel invested in the plot, and there were several moments where the pacing dragged, leaving me more frustrated than engaged. Some of the situations felt overly dramatic or unrealistic, which took me out of the story.

Overall, Only in Your Dreams didn’t capture my attention the way I hoped it would. It has potential, but it didn’t quite deliver in terms of character development, emotional depth, or plot complexity.

The perfect spicy sports romance that’s definitely one of my top reads for the year. Melody & Zac are absolute perfection. Zac definitely makes my top book BF list. I absolutely loved this book, it had the perfect amount of plot & spice. I couldn’t put it down!

Read if you like:
Second Chance
Brother’s BFF
Small Town

This was the first book I’ve read by Ellie K. Wilde and I enjoyed the story. I wished Melody and Zac communicated better but I get it. They were young when things fell apart and then Melody was dealing with some crap when they came back together. This book was funny, steamy af, and sweet. I enjoyed it a lot!

✨ Only in Your Dreams ✨

I am a total sports romance girlie and when I read the tropes on this book, I was so excited to read it. I liked so much about this book, but other parts fell a little flat for me. Zac had so many super sweet moments and I loved all his romantic gestures. Mel was so funny and a fun FMC to read. That being said, I feel like second chance tends to be either a favorite trope for me or feel like a flop. In this case, it wasn't my favorite and parts of the book felt like they dragged on a bit. I found myself getting frustrated with both main characters and ended up DNFing it.

Check it out if you like:

✨ Small Town
✨ Brother's Best Friend
✨ Sports Romance
✨ College Football Coach
✨ Second Chance
✨ Spicy

📚 Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love anything that deals with brother's best friend so I was so ready for this book. Not only do we have that great trope, but we have a second chance romance of sorts as both characters had feelings for each other when they were younger but never followed through on it. This was a sweet, spicy and emotional book that I could not put down.

Zac is such a sweet heart who just wants to prove that what he felt ten years ago are what he feels now. While trying to prove his worth off the field, he is also trying to prove himself on the field as his football team is on a losing streak. He puts his dedication and determination to both his team and Melody. Zac is a total cinnamon roll who is always there to support melody no matter what. He honestly was my favorite part of the book.

Melody is back home after being away. Part of the reason she left was the miscommunication heartbreak that took place with Zac. We start off the book with a bang when Zac and Melody are stranded for a few days while camping. I think that this was so important for the characters in order to open the lines of communication. Melody is a complicated character. She has been manipulated for years by her toxic ex and therefore she is re-finding herself. I think Zac really helps her with that journey of growth and realization.

Overall, this was a really great book with some fun characters and no third act breakup! Can't wait to see what is next!

Thank you to Atria Books for an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Atria Books for the eARC of this one via NetGalley! These are my honest thoughts.

This was my first Ellie K. Wilde book, and it was quite a journey. Honestly, I didn't write a review right away, and now I don't remember much of this story, except it was a little chaotic?

It starts out with our FMC returning to live in her hometown in her brother's apartment because her boyfriend of many years dumped her so he could be single on a boy's trip, and it turns out he was a douchecanoe and emotionally manipulative anyways, so she's better off. Except Melody's self-esteem is garbage, and she misses the stupid ex. Her brother then tricks her to immediately going on a camping trip...... with the boy she loved who left her high and dry right before college.

Then, a rainstorm hits, and they've evacuated, except their two friends accidentally leave them??? And the tension gets to be too much, and it's scary, and they don't want to talk about the past, and blah blah blah. The whole first half of the book is them at this campsite, stuck there, she rolls her ankle, he has to take care of her, she hates it.

Meanwhile, their friends are none the wiser that they've been trapped at this campsite, until finally Melody's brother shows up to pick her up.

Melody's nearly jobless, Zac's close to being fired from his coaching job, and then they sneak around. The ex shows back up to get her back, but her friends have helped her realize that he was abusive.

Eventually it comes out that when Zac left the night before Melody left before college, her brother said Zac couldn't date her and they got in a fistfight. He left her waiting there the whole night, and she left for school heartbroken. But he was always pining for her.

IDK. I didn't really like it. 3 stars. I finished it. It was surprisingly spicy, and if I remember correctly, Zac wants to claim all her holes, so it went there? And it was surprising.

The story begins with forest camping and main characters being forgotten about. They have to survive together in the woods and overall an interesting situation. After that? the football, trainings, friends and family. too much stuff going on. it felt like reading a boring every day book about someone’s life. In the end, i loved the forest/camping scenes. it was so interesting to see them survive together, though i can’t believe their friends never realized they were lost

Only in Your Dreams is a fun, fast-paced read, but it lacked the depth I was hoping for. While the story is enjoyable in the moment, it didn’t leave a lasting impression and felt a bit forgettable. It’s a light, easy read, but I didn’t feel a real connection to the characters or the plot.

This book book was the perfect romance to read when you need a reset. I thought you could see the connection build and the obsession grow as the book went on. I adored the MCs and can’t wait for the rest of the series

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for an earc in exchange for an honest review.


Only In Your Dreams was very sweet. Melody just got broken up with and is now back to her hometown and living with her brother. Being in her hometown, she has to face her brother’s best friend, the person who broke her heart, Zac. I honestly really like Melody and Zac. It was really heartwarming seeing Melody unlearn all the bad parts of her old relationship and relearn being in a relationship with someone who actually cares about her.

Zac is the biggest simp I’ve ever met and I loved that so much. He has the kindest heart and it was really nice seeing him smile again. I also really loved his relationship with Noah. They are all so lucky to have each other.

While I did find some parts of this book a bit cringey, I overall really enjoyed the writing style. I found the pacing to be pretty quick for a 430 page romance novel which was awesome. I am actually pretty excited for the next book!

This book had EVERYTHING I adore-brother’s best friend, small-town charm, secret dating, mutual pining, and meddling friends who just add to the drama! But what really stole my heart was the way Zac loved Mel, in both the quiet, tender moments and the bold, loud gestures. Every time I think about them, I get this giddy, fluttery feeling in my chest (Just kicking my feet). They are PERFECTION, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about them. I swear, I’m going to talk about this book nonstop because Zac and Mel’s love is one I’ll never get over. In Your Dreams is an absolute gem, and I just wont shut up about how much I loved it.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books, and Ellie K Wilde for access to a copy of Only in Your Dreams.

Only in Your Dreams follows the story of Melody and Zac. Melody is back in her hometown after her boyfriend left her to be closer to her twin brother. What she didn't expect was for her brother Parker to push her into taking his spot on his annual camping trip with their friends. Even more she didn't expect to see Zac, her twin brother's best friend, and the man who broke her heart ten-years before. She's done her best to avoid him for the last decade, but now they are expected to share a tent. Zac on the other hand thought he lost his chance with Melody. She was always off-limits as his best-friends twin sister, but after realizing this is his opportunity to prove to her, she's always been the one he loved, he is set on showing her.

The tension in this book is spectacular. Ellie K. Wilde does a beautiful job of showing the readers the longing and growth needed to be vulnerable. It was hard not to fall in love with the characters along the way. Trigger warning, the book touches on difficult topics such as abuse.

3⭐️
A Spicy, Brothers Best Friend Romance
Age Range: 16+
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes
🖤 brothers best friend
🖤 football romance
🖤 forced proximity
🖤 second chance
🖤 secret relationship

Melody returns home after ten years when she is dumped by her boyfriend. When she returns, she reunites with her childhood crush Zac, who is her brothers best friend.

This was a cute romance that makes the characters stuck in the same place when they don’t want to but the banter and the chemistry is what makes us readers stay. The friends to lovers relationship was swooning as I loved the way Zac was able to give her enough space to let her make the right decision about them being together.

This is only book one so I’m looking forward to see how the series will continue from here!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers copy of Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde!

I enjoyed this book a lot! Thank you for the ark! Light hearted, easy read, fun! I’d recommend to a friend!

This was cute. I’m in a sports romance kick and this books makes me stay on it. I love how there was yearning and when there was spice I couldn’t pout it down. It has a slight slow burn but once I got over it I was happy.

Oh. My. Gosh. Where do I even start with this one?! This book was like a whirlwind romance wrapped in sizzling tension, a dash of humor, and a whole lot of swoon-worthy moments! I honestly couldn’t put it down—this is the kind of book you devour in one sitting (and, trust me, you will not regret it).I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley and enjoyed it so much I bought the audiobook on audible!!

Tropes:
-Brother's best friend – Zac Porter is ALL the things we love about this trope, and more.
-Sports romance
-Forced proximity
-He falls first
-Second chance – After ten years of history, can they get it right this time? (Spoiler: YES. YES. YES. 😍)
-Small-town romance
-Secret relationship/hookup

Melody Woods is back in her small hometown of Oakwood Bay after being dumped by her manipulative boyfriend, and you know what that means... reuniting with Zac Porter, her brother’s best friend, and the guy who broke her heart a decade ago.

And the progression from friends to lovers? BEAUTIFUL. Zac gives Melody the time and space she needs to heal from her past, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. The book made me laugh, gasp, and it made my heart ache for these two. It was everything I wanted and more.

If you love second-chance romances, slow burns, and those tension filled, angsty moments that have you rooting for the characters to just kiss already—this book is for YOU. Trust me, you’re gonna be hooked from page one!!!!

Overall, this one is a solid 4/5 stars from me—I highly recommend it! And now, excuse me while I go eagerly await for Ellie to release her next book!

Omg that was good! I usually hate second chance romances, literally go out of my way to avoid them but the brothers best friend sports romance over rode my hesitation, thank god!

Zac and Melody missed out on their chance at love 10 years ago when they were just teenagers going off to college. Melody did everything she could to avoid Zac and her hometown in the years since but she’s back home now living with her brother after a terrible break up. Zac is determined to explain what happened all those years ago and to make her happy again. Melody wants her confidence back and to be able to do things on her own after living with a narcissist that last 6 years, with Zac’s help, she writes out a playbook for her life.

I’ve never read Ellie before but I’ve obviously been missing out! This was so gooey my heart wanted to explode. Zac is the perfect cinnamon roll golden retriever but still has a dirty mouth type of MMC. He has literally been in love with her for 14 years, stayed in their hometown just for the chance she came back, built a house to the t of her dream home specifications, hung on to the red shoelace bracelet they exchanged till it falls off, etc etc etc. The man is a goner! Melody has gotten out of such a toxic situation it was lovely to see how much she grew through out the book, the way she gained her confidence back slowly but surely. I loved that she was such a math whiz and was able to secure herself a job on her own merit. Their friends were fun and I’m interested to see if any of them get their own books because I’d definitely read them.

Overall a really solid sports romance and I will be on the lookout for more Ellie K Wilde books in the future! Thank you so much to Atria Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review, I love y’all!

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book started out great and I really wanted to love it. The pacing and the plot of the story seemed a little off. At times it was confusing and hard to keep up with what was going on. However, I did enjoy the tropes! I will definitely be checking out other books by Ellie K. Wilde!

4/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

<b> I have been desperately, pathetically, feel-nothing-unless-she’s-in-the-room in love with Melody Woods for fourteen years. </b>

All the tropes:
🍀Brother's best friend
🍀Second chance
🍀Small town
🍀Stranded at a campsite
🍀Forced proximity
🍀Only one bed
🍀Fake dating with a hilarious twist
🍀Sports romance
🍀Protective MMC

This book was a fun and captivating read that kept me up til 2am because I wanted to read one more chapter. Idk what I was expecting but this exceeding all of my expectations. It had all the tropes but with a fun little twist on them and the story roped me all the way in. I am team Zac all the way. And no third act break-up!

I have read a lot of spice and this is the first time I’ve seen a 69. Don’t let the cutesy cover deceive you, Zac is hot AF and has a mouth on him. Yes, you have to wait a bit for the actual act but that doesn’t mean the spice isn’t there. The plot to spice ratio is good though, it doesn’t take away from Melody and Zac’s story.

If Parker was my twin and/ or best friend, I would punch him in the face.

A huge thank you to Ellie Wilde and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.