I LOVED this. Very fast paced, but sooo good. I feel like there was just the right amount of information to be able to know what was going on at the start and then it was perfectly executed.

I absolutely loved the banter between Zach and Melody. It was the right amount of fun, but sweet flirtatious vibes. I think I might be obsessed with this book now.

This book hit just the right way! It was such a fun read and the spice was perfect! This book is great for anyone looking for a sports romance, childhood friends, brothers best friend or anyone looking to read romance. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author and can’t wait to watch them grow! Thank you so much NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of this book.

I enjoyed this book an unreasonable amount. The second chance love story, the steamy chemistry, the unrelentingly supportive partnership, the sweet found family element… it all worked for me. This was exactly what I wanted to take me out of my brain and transport me into something fun I could root for.

The one thing that did bother me was the that the author clearly isn’t actually a college football fan, so the inaccuracies kept taking me out of the story (ex. Friday night games, the weirdly described NFL draft — I think she was thinking of basketball, not football, etc.). With a few small changes to fix that, this read would’ve been perfect for me.

4.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Predictable... but cute! A heartwarming, fast read. And look, I don't have anything against predictable romances (it's like reaching for a comfort blanket) when carried out well and this was pretty well-executed. This was easy to read, lighthearted but also dealt with some serious issues. I loved having two characters that you can't help root for. That being said, I'm not sure the tension and big reveal as to what happened all those years ago really paid off for me.

I loved this sweet and intense slow-burn second-chance romance! I appreciated that the book's brother-best-friend trope didn't involve an age gap, which can sometimes feel a bit strange or uncomfortable in other stories. This made it more believable that they had spent so much time together as teens and developed feelings for each other.
The chemistry and connection between Zac and Melody was clear from the beginning, despite their efforts to resist each other. They have always been a great example of what true love is. As their relationship has not come easily, I adored that they have worked hard to build it. Step by step Zac and Melody have learned to trust each other, and have built a strong foundation for their relationship. When everything finally falls into place, they feel like they are meant to be together (and author convinced with in that either!).
Thank you Atria books and Netgalley and for an eArc of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Ellie Wilde (hi, bestie!) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was my first Ellie Wilde book, and it won’t be my last. I devoured this sweet, heartfelt story and am eager to read the next book in the series (PLEASE!)

Only in Your Dreams is perfect for lovers of childhood friends to lovers, witty banter, slow-burn spice, angst, and cinnamon-roll heroes. Zac was written so well, and Melody’s humor and sharp wit brought the perfect balance to the story. (Oh, and there's no third-act breakup!)

I also appreciated how the book tackled mental abuse, shedding light on how it can be just as damaging as physical harm. Ellie did a stunning job with such a complex and delicate topic.

This is a must-read. Trust me. All the stars.

I love this book! It has all the ingredients that make up a perfect read for me. After avoiding it for 10 years because of Zac, her brother’s best friend, Melody comes home after her controlling, complete jerk of a boyfriend breaks up with her. What she doesn’t know is Zac has been secretly pining for her all that time.
I adored the writing and can’t wait to read more from Ellie. The characters were so interesting and kept me hooked, including the side (I cannot wait for the next book!) Zac is a new favorite book boyfriend! I don’t want to give anything away but he was seriously the sweetest. I loved everything about this one.

Read/Listen if you like ⇣
•Ex friends to lovers
•Second chance
•Slow burn
•Forced proximity
•Brother’s best friend
•Football romance
•It’s always been you
•Dual POV
•Spice

Thank you Atria Books, the author, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde is the pinnacle of second-chance romance, brother's best friend spice. For Melody Woods, she has always been in love with her twin brother's best friend, Zac, but things go awry on the night before she goes off to college, leaving her to believe that her love is one-sided. She is heartbroken, but promises herself to never let herself step foot into Oakwood Bay again at the fear of seeing the boy who broke her heart.

Fast forward 1o years later, and Melody's life is in shambles, leading her to return to her hometown to bunk with her brother while she gets back on her feet. Seeing old friends, annual camping trips gone south, and realizing truths that she never imagined make her realize that she is going to redirect her life, her way. But with Zac back in her life and in forced proximity due to unseen events, he is determined to set their relationship right and prove to her that it's always been his dream to give her the world. The only way to make them both happy, is that she does it on her terms.

My love for this book was very back and forth in certain moments. For the first 40%, I thought the book felt like a trope salad and I wasn't meshing well with the messiness of the events of this book because sometimes it felt like I was missing out on their history and lore, and if both characters had just gotten out of their own way and talked it out, it would have been different.

HOWEVER, I will say that this book is fast, fun and edible, and the spice is to die for. (The amount of Kindle highlights saying, "I need a Zac Porter" need to be studied...) and I will say that the more I suspended my disbelief and enjoyed the vibes, I ended up really enjoying this one. I think that I will go forward in the series because I fell in love with these characters and their found family, and I feel like Wilde can only go up from here.

Solid, solid 3.5 ⭐️ and I look forward to more!

This is a NetGalley ARC Review 💖💖

I am a sucker for brothers best friend romance especially when he falls first!!

Melody has just gotten out of a long toxic relationship and she’s looking to start a new when she runs into her past. Her past being her brother’s best friend Zac, who she always had feelings for growing up, that is until he stood her up…

The tension is palpable and I ate this book up!! I just wanted to shake the main characters because they just needed to tell each other how they felt years ago. The only reason this book isn’t a 5 star is because it is a little long and the chapters when they’re apart are a little slower but I still liked it a lot.

I will be adding all of Ellie K. Wilde’s books to the tbr in the future 🫶🏼🫶🏼

Holy spice gods! When I received this advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review, I wasn’t sure if this book would be my thing - but it turned out it more than was.

The first few chapters were immediately gripping - it wasn’t a slow build, we go straight into forced proximity and intensity ( sexual and romantic). I found that super refreshing. The book boyfriend is super dreamy, and purposeful in his pursuit of the main character which made him instantly appealing to me. I also appreciated that we knew where the characters stood from the beginning - and the hidden secret was handled well too.

The spicy scenes are peppered throughout - this is not a 2/3rds of the book one spicy type of deal. Lots of good spice and everything nice. Perfect lighthearted read for the holidays.

If you like these tropes - read this asap!
second chance romance
brother’s best friend
hidden tattoo
witty banter
no third act breakup

Okay this is my first read from Ellie K Wilde and boy oh boy do I need more!! This book is like the notebook but spicy sports romance. It’s truly impossible not to love all of the characters and root for them! The chemistry, laughs, swoony moments, the list goes on - I just loved this one so much!!

This was a fun, light romance and I’d definitely read more by the author! That said, I wished there was more depth and a longer built up between Melody and Zac. I love second chance romance but even with their shared history it felt kind of rushed. Still would recommend though!

10 years ago, Melody and Zac had a night that changed everything... just not the way they wanted.

Now, Melody has moved back to her hometown after an intense breakup, and Zac is determined to never lose her again.

If you like second chance romance, brother’s best friend, hidden tattoo, witty banter, great side characters, and NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP... then read this.

4 🌶️

***

I really enjoyed this book! I would have loved to see a little more depth with both main characters… but I get there are only so many pages to tell the story, and it is a rom-com after all. I’m hoping Melody and Zac remain side characters in the next book and that we get to see some their relationship progress. I also cannot express how happy I was to not see a third act breakup!!! We need more of this in romance!

The side characters were a delight! I can’t wait to read Brooks’ book which is the next book in the Oakwood Bay series!

Thanks NetGalley and Ellie for the ARC!

.5⭐️
This was fun and light romance with a unique premise. Melody was a great fmc, and it was hard not to want the best for her after everything she had been through. I found the story entertaining, but it did feel a bit predictable. It is an easy and enjoyable read with some spice 🌶️

This was amazing! I loved the friends to enemies back to friends to lovers trope so much! The spice was plenty spicy and did not detract from the plot at all.

Melody and Zac were such amazing characters and I can’t get over the fact the he built her a house that he knew she would love 🥰. Their banter was impeccable and the way they were able to just fit so well together after spending such a long time apart was truly remarkable.

Ellie did such an amazing job shedding light on the different ways someone is affected by emotional and mental abuse in a relationship. It was extremely thoughtful to have Melody work through her trauma at he own pace, but to make sure she know that everyone around her supported her and was willing to do whatever she needed to heal.

Let’s not forget about the sibling / guardian relationship that Zac and Noah had that had me tearing up at moments because it was so sweet!

The whole fake dating Brooks subplot was a little unnecessary tbh, but I can kind of understand why. I feel like just being secretly dating would have worked just as well. It was a good way to get more insight into who he is and prepare for his story. That’s the only aspect that didn’t hit the mark for me. But definitely a 4.5 star read and I will be recommending this to anyone and everyone!

This was the Notebook meets spicy football romance and I ate it up I don't care how cheesy it was. On to more from this author, I love her like I love Tessa Bailey! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for the offer of an ARC of this book

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5/5)/
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5)

“I’ve been hitting on you all weekend, thanks for finally noticing.”

“It means you get anywhere near me, I get hard.”

“I’ve never been single, I’ve been yours”

Thanks to Atria / Simon & Schuster Audio for my #gifted copy of this audiobook. I loved it!

Don’t let the cutesy cover fool you, this book definitely has a healthy heap of spice inside.

Zac’s panic when Mel pops up at the camping site was priceless. I loved it so much. He’s so unapologetic about his feelings for her.

However, Mel’s ex boyfriend was seriously a control freak, body shaming as$ho!e. Ick. Love bombing / gaslighting extraordinaire. What a scumbag.

I loved the hypothetical conversation about the shopping spree. It was super cute.

The implosion of fake dating and an as$hole getting his due.

I’m here for all of this.

This was such a fun read! I love nothing more than a brother's best friend trope with a little bit of sports romance. The two main characters were so endearing and I was rooting for them this whole book. I couldn't fly through these pages fast enough and thought this book was a perfect mix of romance and spice. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K Wilde

4 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Ellie K. Wilde for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

This book made me experience every emotion possible throughout the time I was reading it but I adored it! I enjoyed all the emotional moments between the characters and how they were not afraid of showing their feelings. Zac knew from a young age that it would be Melody. This was the first book I have read from Ellie K Wilde but it most certainly will not be my last.


Tropes:
- Brother’s Best Friend
- Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
- Forced Proximity
- Small Town

Thank you Netgalley and Atria for the Arc!

I didn’t know what to expect with this one, but I had such a blast with it. Pretty much from the beginning I was invested in these characters. And these characters have been through IT. The camping scene was my absolute favorite and I wish we got to see more in this area because I think it was foundational to the storyline.

Melody… has been through two much with her ex that finally she has freedom and she uses every moment to be her best self. To learn to get back to who she truly is and to know how she needs to be love. The audacity of C to still be manipulative after everything got on my ever nerve. I wished some bad things on him.

Zac… what a soft boy. Man was obsessed long before and we love that for him. He was soft when he needed to be and tough when he needed to be which was perfect for Melody. I shipped these two from the beginning like Parker and Summer! This man stepping up for his players too was everything. Man got punched to protect his football player, he immediately had my love after that. Because he protected Melody the same way.

I’m so happy with these characters and how their story ended. They deserve each other and I’m so glad to have read this!

4/5⭐️