Overall, a cute, second-chance sports romance - fairly trope-reliant but are we mad about it? Melody returns home to her small town after a tough break up, only to be reunited with an old crush, Zac, who also happens to be her brother’s best friend. At first, I found the plot to be a bit lackluster and was not engaged with the characters at all. Somewhere at the 50% mark, it picked up for me and I was entertained through to the end! 3.75 ⭐️

Thank you Atria Books for the #gifted copy and thank you Simon Audio for my #gifted listening copy of Only In Your Dreams! #atriabooks #atria #AtriaPartner #simonaudio #OnlyInYourDreams #EllieKWilde

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐊. 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝟰.𝟱★

With Melody back home after a breakup, she plans to only stay in town long enough to get back on her feet. Ten years ago, Zac Porter lost his change with Melody, the twin sister of his best friend. Now, Melody has randomly shown up at a campsite instead of his best friend Parker. Zac is convinced it’s his chance to prove that he and Melody are meant to be together.

Talk about a fun brother’s best friend romance! The banter was off the charts! I thought the pacing was perfect and it was so well done. I also like how light was placed on the mental and emotional abuse Melody faced in her past relationship.

🏈Brother’s Best Friend
🏈Sports Romance
🏈Open Door
🏈Second Chance
🏈Forced Proximity
🏈Dual POV

🎧The dual narration between Teddy Hamilton and Carly Robins was perfect. I could not ask for a better duo to narrate this book. Whether you read this one with your eyes or your ears, you can’t go wrong! Hamilton and Robins brought this story to life, and were so dynamic!

Posted on Goodreads on January 20, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around January 21, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on January 21, 2025
**-will post on designated date

Melody and Zac meet when they’re teenagers and become great friends, but they have a falling out right before Melody leaves for college. Fast forward ten years, Melody is now back in her hometown after a long term relationship comes to an end. Her situation only becomes worse when she is forced to go on a camping trip in place of her twin brother, and who else would she be in close quarters with other than Zac Porter. From there the story takes off as these two navigate through unresolved feelings, finding themselves, and sorting through some miscommunications.

This was a cute read and the beginning hooked me immediately. As soon as the camping trip takes a 180, I was invested. However, I feel like it did drag a bit in the middle and kind of lost the plot. The amount of times they go back and forth without resolving their past issues started to get to me. I’m also just not a fan of second chance romances, so it could just be me. This one does end with a happily ever after though, so that’s always a plus. Also, I’m hoping to get Brooks’ story next because that man also deserves a HEA.

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

How can some people be so wonderful and others so not? How does love grow without someone and alongside them? How do you move forward when the past is still unresolved? Read "Only in Your Dreams" to try and find those answers.

Thank you to Ellie K Wilde, Atria Book, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

I have an obsession with sports romances, I fear.

You guys this book was so cute!!!

Only In Your Dreams follows Melody and Zac, two people still reeling from the heartbreaking events of a night 10 years ago.

Tropes:

Small Town
Second Chances
Brother’s Best Friend
Forced Proximity
Secret Relationship
It’s Always Been You

This book was somewhat of a slowburn, but at the same time a bit fast-paced. Zac and Melody were so cute, but honestly, it took me a bit to get over the fact that this man's feelings have not died down at all, despite fumbling 10 years ago.

Zac and Melody had SO much chemistry and honestly I’ll probably be rereading this one soon!!!

This lovely book hits shelves on January 21, 2025!!! If you love Love, you’ll love Only In Your Dreams!!!

I made it to 17% of the book before I had to DNF.

Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde is about two characters who had the chance to get together at the end of high school, but for some reason, don't, and have to deal with the aftermath 10 years later when they meet up again in their hometown.

When I accepted the auto-approval of this ARC on NetGalley, I did not pay close enough attention to its spice rating. However, not long after starting it, I could tell that the spice would only intensify as the book goes on, so I figured I'd quite while I'm ahead.

Even though I am not a fan of the spice, that isn't the only issue I have with this book. Unfortunately, the plot feels disjointed from the prologue on. I don't think we get enough background information to understand why the two main characters are drawn to each other. It just feels like we keep getting hints about different aspects of their lives, but never the full picture. I get that there might be more details about these things later on in the book, but I would've appreciated some more scenes earlier on in the book of the two MCs from the past so that we could see how the chemistry formed between them. But instead, we start with the "conflict" in the very beginning, mixed with scenes of high tension that feel inorganic. I don't understand why the FMC hates the MMC so vehemently, and how the two characters have changed "so much" since they last saw each other, even though we barely know the characters enough to know what they had been like in the past.

I think this book would be just fine for readers who are aware of the spice rating from the get-go, and just want a quick small town sports romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Only in Your Dreams is available starting 1/21/25.

I enjoyed this one much more than I thought I would! It was funny, and very, very steamy. I like a sports romance, and this one had just the right balance of sports and storyline. I also really loved how our heroine was involved in the sports world, instead of just being a spectator.

Overall, this was a really fun romance and I look forward to the second book in the series!

Ellie K. Wilde delivers yet another dreamy romance in Only in Your Dreams! This book had me hooked from the start with its charming characters, swoon-worthy moments, and witty banter. The chemistry practically leaps off the page, and the mix of humor and heart had me laughing one minute and tearing up the next. It's the perfect escape into a story that feels like a warm hug. If you’re craving a romance that’ll make you smile, this one’s a must-read!"

Only in Your Dreams is a super swoony, brother's best friend, second chance romance that I loved from the first page.

I have such a soft spot for second chance romances, and this one was so perfect. I love it when the guy makes the effort to wait for the girl, and let me just say that Zac is everything. I'm also a lover of sports romances, and I liked that in this book, there was a perfect balance between the sports content and everyday content.

Mel and Zac were excellent leads, but I really loved the supporting cast! The addition of Noah as a primary character added a great dimension to their relationship, but also some refreshing, fun moments. Summer, Brooks, and Parker are friendship goals!

The one drawback I found was that the summary discusses the camping trip, which was a super fun part of the book, but I did not expect it to be so early in the book. Because of this, I almost forgot about it as I continued on in the story. Though not a bad thing (I loved everything that came after!), I just felt that the summary felt almost a bit misleading.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Ellie K. Wilde for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I thank NetGalley for offering me the e-ARC of this title.

This was goooooooooooood!!!! I love the yearning. I love how he was always in love with her. I loved how they were together. Arguably it was a bit flat, but I did not care it was so good. Open door (it was good). A couple of parts were cringe but overwhelmingly this was cute. He loved her the whole time!!!! Gnarly. 4 stars.

As my first Ellie K. Wilde novel, I can tell you it definitely won’t be my last! The story of Melody and Zac had me absolutely hooked from start to finish. The characters are so well-developed.

Melody’s character really resonated with me. Watching her grow, heal, and move on from the pain of her previous relationship was such a beautiful thing to witness. With a determination to rediscover herself, it was impossible not to root for this relatable character.

Zac is book boyfriend goals. PERIOD. He’s so kind-hearted, thoughtful and sweet. This man is loyal to the end. His career struggles added to the depth of his character.

It was a rewarding experience to watch both of these flawed yet deserving people overcome the past to build a future together. And that chemistry?! The heat literally radiated off the page! Their sneaking around was so fun to experience and added an extra layer to the dynamic of the story.

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

You’ll love this book if you enjoy:
✧ Second chance
✧ Brother’s best friend
✧ Forced proximity
✧ Small-town romance
✧ It’s always been you
✧ Reverse grumpy x sunshine
✧ Sneaking around
✧ Healing from heartbreak

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ellie K. Wilde, and Atria Books for the eARC. This charming romance follows the classic 'brother's best friend turned lover' trope. A heartwarming read that will leave you swooning!

I’ve really been loving brother’s best friend romances lately, and this was such a great one. Zac and Melody have such a sweet history, even if they haven’t spoken for 10 years, and I thought the pacing of her anger towards him thawing was just right. The flirting and teasing and romance were all so so good. I love reading books where I genuinely love the two main characters together, where the supporting characters are fun and interesting and add to the store. This book has all of that.

There’s some heavy stuff with a controlling, manipulative ex that might be too much for readers with similar experiences. I really liked watching Melody reevaluate her life and what she wants for her future, and I thought her growth and how she came around to letting Zac be a supportive presence in her life was really lovely.

This was my first book by Ellie K Wilde, and I’m absolutely hooked. She crafted a fantastic romcom that delivered plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments. Zac’s unwavering love for Melody was so refreshing—he always put her first, and his bond with his teammates was equally endearing. Melody was strong-willed, and I loved her “touch him and die” energy. Watching her gain the confidence to stand up for herself after questioning her past was so empowering. I also adored how their friends supported their wild ideas. I'm excited to dive into Beckett’s story next! If you’re a fan of sports romance, romcoms, the brother’s best friend dynamic, second chances, or the golden retriever/black cat tropes, this book is a must-read.

Melody Woods had her heart broken ten years ago, and she left town without looking back. She was living her dream life in the city until her long term boyfriend dumps her out of the blue. A jaded and broke Melody returns to her hometown to stay with her twin brother, who promptly sends her on a trip with the very man who broke her heart a decade prior. Determined not to squander his second chance, Zac Porter vows to make it up to Melody, win her over, and maybe figure out how to get his football team to win a game along the way.

I am a weak, weak woman for a brother’s best friend football romance. I adored Melody and Zac’s story, and I can’t wait for the next book in this small town. I absolutely loved the banter between Zac and Melody, and the supporting cast of characters were all a delight. Seeing Melody work through her trauma from her manipulative ex and find herself again was so beautiful. I especially loved all the details that showed just how obsessed Zac was with his one that got away. Pick this one up if you love second chance romance, he falls first, sports romance, and small towns.

Thank you to Ellie K. Wilde, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this story and I cannot wait to read more by this author. I absolutely love her writing style. The way this grabbed my attention instantly is not an exaggeration and it just kept getting better. This is a reverse grumpy sunshine.
Zac was such a cinnamon roll of a character. The way I was kicking my feet and swooning over this fictional character should be alarming.
I always love me some sports romance and this was the perfect amount of sport and romance. I loved every single thing about this book. The growth in Melody's character I want to give her a high five. Fuck Connor he is such a piece of shit. The epilogue is perfection and I am actually sad this book is over, the way I never wanted it to end. Find you a man that treats you the way Zac treats Melody.
The spice in this book was absolute perfect. I also love how minor characters stood out. I hope there will be more to this and become a series! I want to thank netgalley for sending me this arc. I found me a new instant buy author!

This was such a cute slow burn between two friends who have known each other since high school. The way Zac treats Melody is perfect, I can’t wait to read the next one in this series!

Ten years after one of the most heartbreaking nights of her life, Melody Woods is back in her small hometown of Oakwood Bay, broke, jaded, and unceremoniously dumped by her big-city boyfriend. To top it all off, her twin brother, Parker, is pushing her to take his spot on a camping trip with the one guy she’s spent a decade avoiding.

For college football coach Zac Porter, his best friend’s twin sister, Melody, has always been off-limits. And after fumbling his chance ten years ago, a devastated Zac was sure he’d lost Melody for good. So, when Melody shows up at the campsite instead of Parker, Zac realizes that now is the time to prove to her that they were always meant to be, no matter how long it takes to make up for his teenage self’s mistake.

Reeling from the truth of her last relationship, Melody plans to stay in town just long enough to get back on her feet. Then, she’s gone again. Meanwhile, Zac is facing an uphill battle to coach his team to its first winning game in years, to show Melody how she deserves to be loved, and to keep Parker from ever finding out. Maybe then, being with her will be more than just a dream.

I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed getting to know Melody and Zac. This is a very spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ book. I thought the fact that Zac had been crazy in love with her for so long without any contact was a bit weird, but if you can overlook that, this was a great read! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

small town, rekindle, dislike to lovers, and brother’s best friend romance. The female main character, Melody, got dumped and returns to her hometown. Zac, the male main character, has never left.

They end up camping, sharing a tent, and left stranded during a storm. This situation up about a quarter of the book. A little bit too much time spent on them being stranded. After they escape their camping failure, Zac is focused on coaching his old university football team. He’s got get a win in or get out.

As Melody rekindles her friendship, she shares about her ex-boyfriend. She realizes he was manipulative and controlling. Zac is trying to convince her of the man he can be for her. He wants to show her not only does she deserve better, but he’s ready to be whatever she needs. He has a kind and generous heart.

There wasn’t much character development, but rather secrets of the past being revealed. The timeline was very quick, there was a lot of detail for each event. Overall, it was an easy, lighthearted read.

First and foremost, a huge thank you to Atria Publishers for providing this advanced ARC copy!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a quintessential small-town romance with a heartwarming happy ending—exactly what you’d expect from Ellie K. Wilde’s writing! If you’re in the mood for a quick, light romance packed with plenty of spice, and a broody, semi-serious and protective MMC, this one is a must-read.

The story hooked me at the beginning! I’ve always appreciated flashbacks in novels, and this book skillfully weaves glimpses of the past into the characters’ inner monologues. The chemistry between the two main characters was palpable from the start, making their connection even more compelling. However, I will state that their relationship felt very YA vs mature, please off this is in how they communicate and relate to one another. It wasn't enough for me to not like the book, but it wasn't what I expected. I removed a star since it felt incongrous with the stated ages of the characters.

I also loved how the author incorporated relatable, real-life challenges, such as the gaslighting and controlling behavior of the FMC’s first boyfriend ☠️. Watching her lean on her hometown friends for support was so satisfying.

There was cute banter and sweet/snarky moments between the MMC and FMC as they eventually found their way back to each other, rekindling their relationship in a heartfelt and believable way. Although there is a decent amount of back and forth miscommunications between multiple characters in order to get them there!

If you’re looking for a sweet, small-town romance with a touch of authenticity, this book is one you won’t want to miss!

I docked a star because there was a lot of swearing and more spice than I personally prefer, but I would still absolutely recommend this read to my friends who like all of the above!