3.5 stars! This book was so cute! I especially loved all the ways that Zac shows his love throughout the book! From the way that he accommodates his love languages to Melody’s needs in the present to how we learn that he has loved her throughout their time apart. I did feel like some of the reasoning for spending 10 years apart was a little lacking, obviously this adds to them being young and dumb though. I really liked the side characters in the story and would definitely be open to reading more about them in their own books, especially Noah and Brooks. It would be fun to see beyond the glimpses we get in this book and see how they grow through their own struggles. It looks like Brooks might have his own book coming out later this year, which is exciting! Overall, this was definitely a fun read!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book! The chemistry between Melody and Zac was fantastic—so much banter, playfulness, and undeniable tension. The plot had great twists, and the overall storyline was solid. 🌟That said, parts of it felt a little slow, especially the texting scenes. It sometimes dragged on a bit too much for my taste. 😬 But overall, I highly recommend this book and will definitely be continuing the series! Can’t wait to see what happens next! 💕

The quote "right person, wrong time" was the theme for this book, and I adored every second of it. The "Stranded in the Woods" chapters were probably some of my favorites. Honestly, I found the entire situation slightly hilarious and ironic. Poor Melody gets the bomb of camping with a guy who broke her heart dropped on her and then, not even 15 pages later, finds herself completely stranded in the woods with said guy for three days. Melody's struggle to find herself in a post-toxic relationship is a concept I think readers will find relatable since it is a struggle that is quite common for so many people. I loved Melody and Zac brainstorming her playbook. It was just a super wholesome and sweet scene in the book that is etched into my memory forever. I also liked how their friend group is combined; it makes for some hilarious banter and super wholesome moments throughout the book. You can see how much the 5 of them love and care for each other, which was also super heartwarming.

I loved this book, and I am looking forward to and very excited about the next book(s) in this series!

A big thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is available for purchase as of January 21st, 2025!

I was really excited to start this book, and my expectations were met. This spicy romance novel was everything I was hoping for ♡

The chapters are long, which I don’t love. I was able to look past it as the content was enthralling. This gave me Icebreaker and somewhat Magnolia Parks vibes.

The spice was intense, and a bit cringy at times. There were at least 3-4 heavy spice scenes, but they were incorporated thoughtfully.

I fell in love with the two main characters - Melody and Zac. Connor can kick rocks… that fucker deserves to rot in the core of the earth. I would happily read a second book about his downfall.

Although this book could’ve been 100 pages shorter and still had the same outcome, I wasn’t mad about the length of the book.

4.25/5 ⭒

What a man Zac is. I was constantly swooning over him. I loved this book for the fact that it didn't have a third act breakup. Their lack of communication was frustrating sometimes but much better than many other romance books I've read. I read this one so quickly because I couldn't put it down. I loved the process of Mel realizing how controlling Connor has been.

i really loved the dedication and the beginning of this book. i was super into it. i think the characters got together a little early and then the rest of the story had so much happening in it that i got lost a little in the middle, but it was still a cute and enjoyable read. definitely interested in seeing how the rest of the series goes.

Melody and Zac’s story was an absolute rollercoaster of a journey. There’s second chance love, reuniting after a decade apart. There’s tension, banter, there’s great characters and a great story line. I mean… sharing a tent?!?!?! Some slow burn but still enjoyable and the cover art is beyond gorgeous. There’s a lot of growth in the characters. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have read and reviewed this book.

3.75 stars. The vibes were there but at times the story felt too long for what it was. Zac was the ultimate golden retriever- very Notebook coded. The way he supported Melody and gave her the space to heal and grow?! Chefs kiss. The spice?!! Spicing and well written. There were several external storylines that didn’t fully feel fleshed out.

All I have to say is Zac… 🥰🍀🥰🍀

The way he’s loved Melody - quietly for YEARS. Out loud and in your face. Never giving up on the dream that she could be his. Always supporting what she needs. The pining in this book you guys! He is down bad!! 🥵

This story was really enjoyable. The side characters were great. Zac and Melody…I cannot!! This may have been my first book by Ellie K Wilde but it won’t be my last.

What to expect:
- Brother's best friend
- Second chance
- Dual POV
- It's always been you
- Manipulative ex (hers)
- Really enjoyable character growth

Thank you Atria Books, Ellie K Wilde and Net Galley for this ARC!

I felt as if this could have been a novella of the first 20% forest scene. The camping bit held potential, when talking about their past and the two of them reconnecting, etc. However the rest of the book to me felt like filler since they already kind of established that they liked each other and had feelings? It just felt disjointed as a novel when the first part was a campsite survival with reconnections and the second part was just their everyday lives at home with no true mention or callback to the campsite fiasco.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Omg, for a moment I would be fanning myself with the electrifying chemistry they have, and the next I’ll be screaming into my pillow because WHY IS HE SO OBSESSED WITH HER? Ridiculously cute. Incredibly amazing.

This book was so sweet and spicy they need to make a new sauce with all that. The pages were sizzling and sparkles were flying. I just cannot get enough of those two characters.

Zac is so sweet and considerate behind the grumpiness facade, and when he got jealous? Hottest shit ever. Melody is actually kinda grumpy, and I love how even thought she isn’t into sappy words, she had her way to say it and he would understand it.


📝brother best friend
📝forced proximity
📝he fall first and hard
📝he is obsessed with her
📝Touch him and 💀
📝slow burn
📝small town

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

This was so good!! I enjoyed how Melody and Zac met each other halfway and were a very authentic partnership. Both POVs were enjoyable and I didn't want to skip through one to get to the other. All the characters in this book were enjoyable (even the town gossip) and Oakwood is a thoughtfully built world. Can't wait to read the next one about Brooks Attwood!

Thanks to Netgalley, Atria Books and Ellie K Wilde for allowing me to read this ARC.

Only In Your Dreams is the perfect “brother’s best-friend” that really focuses on the couple and not the brother. Every single character is extremely charismatic and unique (except for Connor, this insect). This book was insanely adorable and I think I have never seen a man as in love as Zac Porter. I, also, completely fell in love with this series, that’s just now beginning, but mostly I fell in love with Noah Irving. Don’t get me wrong, Zac and Mel are incredible main characters, but I can assure you now I will be (un)patiently waiting for his story to come out, because I think he’s the most interesting, beautiful, loving character ever, and if I could show you my notes, in all of his scenes, it would be “draw heart around it once you have the physical book”. Their witty banter and patient romance were amazing to read, but it was very difficult to skip all the smut, so I would definitely refrain from reading if you’re used to YA. Can’t wait to learn more about my Oakwood Bay people 🩷

I ate this book UP!!!!! From the moment Melody was back, Zac knew this was his opportunity to make it up to her after his mistake. He takes care of her from a distance even though she’s still upset at him. He’s protective and he’s got it down BAAADDD for Mel !! He’s encouraging, kind and so supportive of Mel’s dream of moving back to the city.
I love Mel’s spark and how she was able to find her confidence again after realizing she was in an emotionally abusive relationship. She took her time letting Zac in and it was so sweet to just see their friendship rekindle.

A thousand forehead kisses to Ellie K. Wilde for NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP!!!! I was so so so happy that Zac and Mel could have a conversation about it and work through it together rather than apart 🥹 Also, no drama when telling the brother??? THANK YOU!!!!!

This author and series is definitely one I’ll be following this year and I’m so excited for the next book with Brooks! 🏈

This is a book with a small town, brother’s best friend and second chance romance. These are all tropes I love. It was also set in the woods/camping which I love as well. Ultimately, it was too way spicy for me. I personally prefer closed door romances, but I think someone who loves more explicit scenes would love this more. I was not able to finish due to this reason. But I did enjoy the storyline and Melody’s sarcasm!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Only In Your Dreams is the first book of the Oakwood Bay series of interconnected standalones. This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more by her! This book is perfect for those that like second chances, brother’s best friend, hot football coaches, and small town vibes. Zac is sweet, caring and so in love with Melody, his best friend’s sister. I loved all the things he did to show he has been in love with her for years. Mel has just come out of a toxic relationship and has to learn who she is again and how to trust again. These two had sizzling chemistry and the banter was so good. The storyline kept me interested from the beginning and it moved along at a great pace. I can’t wait for Brooks’s story and more of this world!

Once I started the book and got a few chapters in I was completely sucked into the storyline. This book is frustration and heartbreak, but also a story of timing and falling in love.
These friends were wonderful to get to know and there's room for interconnecting books for the other friend! I'm excited about Brooks' book that already has a cover before this one is out!!
Key tropes: Forbidden love/Secret relationship: Brother's bestfriend x Bestfriend's Twin; Forced Proximity; Second Chance; Healing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-book of this story!

With a wonderful tension built out of blending two great angsty yet comic tropes, this author blends Brothers Best Friend with the Second Chance Romance tropes in the best way! If you like banter and dialogue as much as I do then you have a great choice here for a wonderful weekend read. You'll feel that Melody and Zac are your own friends by the end of the first chapter and you will be rooting for them to get together and waiting to watch their passions explode on the page. Clean, funny, romantic, and wonderfully written I enjoyed every page and the glimpses into the lives of characters I have met before in other books by Wilde.

I was really hooked and interested with the one tent and surviving in the woods after getting lost. Once we got back to the “real world” it felt lacking and just didn’t really stick with me. I liked the premise, just didn’t flow well through the whole book.

Only In Your Dreams is the first book that I’ve read by Ellie K Wilde. This book is a second-chance sports romance involving a brother’s best friend that takes place in a small-town.

Melody Woods goes back to her hometown of Oakwood Bay after a devastating break up. Her toxic 6 year long relationship left her questioning so many aspects of her life and wondering what truly went wrong. She moved back in with her twin brother, Parker, so that she can take back control of her life.

Zac Porter is a football coach in Oakwood Bay and has always had a crush on Melody since they were in high school. Since his best friend was Parker, Melody was always off-limits. As a result, he messed up his chance to truly tell Melody how he felt. With Melody back in town, Zac realizes that he has a chance to finally make up for his mistakes from when he was a teenager.

I really liked the chemistry that Melody and Zac have. Their connection is undeniable. Both of them were always drawn to one another and could read each other better than anyone else around them. I also really liked the dynamic that Melody, Zac, Parker and their friends have with one another. Their friend group always looks out for one another and helps each other in times of need.

Overall, I thought that this book was very well written! Thank you so much NetGalley and Atria books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!