Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books & Ellie Wilde for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I ate this up. Brother's best friend. Second Chance Romance. Forbidden/secret cuddles/sleepovers. Sports. Gaslighting/emotionally abusive ex and realizing your worth! SMART women. Found family. And intimate scenes that followed a strict set of boundaries and managed to leave me verklempt.

I am thrilled that we will get book 2, Only Between Us, giving us Brooks' story, this summer. Maybe we'll be blessed with Summer's story after that? Then Parker? Please? The friend/family group was so well written and established that I want to live through all of their loves too!

DNF @ CH 13 ~ 30%

I was really excited about this one as it sounded like something right up my alley - football romance with old high school friends re-kindling their romance.

Unfortunately, this one really fell flat for me with what I read, and I don't want to force myself to read anything this year that I know will end up with a low rating when I'm not enjoying it. I DO think that other people could really enjoy this book, as what I read of the spice was great and the issues I had were personal feelings about how things were written, but I think others could 100 percent have the opposite opinion and love this book. It just didn't work for me.

From the first 30%, I really struggled with the past drama that made them not speak for a decade. It was something that didn't seem significant to me, and then when he tries to have a conversation about it in the present, she refuses. This seems to be a major communication issue, which I strongly dislike in books.

She also has trauma from an ex that I don't think was written well or respectfully. I was struggling with this and wish there had been more sensitivity readers or someone with knowledge of this kind of relationship to give feedback earlier as I found it mishandled.

The characters were fine - she annoyed me due to communication issues, he seems like he will be a good character, although somewhat pushy.

I was actually more interested in the side characters than I was them, so I might try a future book about one of the other characters to give this author a second shot. This story was just not for me.

As always with a critical review, these are my personal opinions. This is not a negative reflection of the author or other readers who liked it. This book was just not for me, but I hope others are able to read and enjoy!

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the free early copy of this book.

Second Chance Romance and No Third Act Breakup? Count me in.

This book had about every good romance trope in it!
It was such an easy read which sometimes as readers, we all need as a way to break up reading slumps.
I loved the chemistry between our FMC and MMC.
It was spicy without being only spice.
I will totally be reading the second book in the series.

4.5 stars ✨

Thank you so much to the author and netgalley for this ARC!

I LOVE SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE!!!! I especially love a second chance romance where the MMC gives the FMC the space to find herself and find her own way. What I loved about this book was even though they both had so much pain from spending a decade apart, it was clear that that time was necessary for them to grow into each other’s perfect person! Zac has found himself a permanent place in my perfect book boyfriends list, for so many reasons, but especially for building her dream house she mentioned once in case she ever came back to him! I also will never get over the relationship those two had with Noah, and I really hope he gets his own book someday!! Can’t wait for the rest of this series!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the for the widget. I will start of by saying that this book was muy caliente and I was here for it all. Uggg I loved the MMC Zac Porter he was so swoony and just so lovable. This is a second chance story and I was here for it. Melody is out of a 6 year relationship and there was manipulating so there are some triggers but nothing bad. I loved and really enjoyed this story and cant wait to read more about Oakwood Bay

✅ Melody, late 20s, newly single and back in her hometown & Zac, same age as Melody, football coach
✅ brother’s best friend
✅ college town romance
✅ Melody hasn’t realized her ex was emotionally abusive
✅ dual POV
✅ no third act break up
🌶️: yes and starts in the first third of the book

This wasn’t exactly “light” because of the whole ex thing but it was a lot of fun with a great cast of side characters.

A sweet and mildly spicy second chance romance between Melody and Zac- who find themselves sharing a tent on a camping trip. They haven't seen each other in 10 years (since high school) and now they're reigniting their relationship. This has all the good trope-y feels and if it's a bit predictable it's also what you need sometimes after a long day. Good banter, personal growth and fun characters make this a good read.

This was a cute, spicy, feel good story about reconnecting with the one that got away. Zac & Melody (Clover) carried a flame for one another for over a decade, but it never worked out. I love a sports romance and a forbidden romance, so this was an easy win for me. I don’t think men like Zac really exist - he’s SO down for her - but, it’s a nice thought. I did feel like it was a little too long (some repetition), and at times, I wanted to shake the characters (mainly Zac) for not being more forthright, but I was pleased with how the story ended.

This one comes out next week, but I was excited that there will be a second book this summer to give some other characters their story.

The prologue was so intriguing, but the rest of the book fell flat. I wasn’t interested in the back and forth “i know and you don’t” but also “let’s not talk about it”? and the “I’ve always loved you” but “let’s just be casual and keep it a secret so no one knows”? Make up your mind. The entire book could have condensed into more showing and less telling. The pacing is slow, the repetitive conversations feel mostly unnecessary and the spice scenes felt more cringy than Id prefer. I want characters I can’t help but root for and this was not that.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’m going to be honest, nothing in the first few chapters really pulled me into this book. I just wasn’t invested and am choosing not to finish it for now. I think there’s potential but I needed something to get me excited early on.

**Only in Your Dreams** by Ellie K. Wilde is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and surprisingly emotional storytelling—it’s everything I’ve been looking for in a romance novel. Honestly, this book deserves the hype. With real depth, lovable characters, and a love story that feels authentic and earned, it’s hard not to get swept away.

On the spice scale, I’d give it a solid **3.5/5**

The story alternates between the POVs of Melody and Zac, our two main characters, and it’s *chef’s kiss*. Melody used to be close with her twin brother, Parker, and secretly crushed on his best friend, Zac, since she was 14. After high school graduation, she finally made her move—and Zac completely ghosted her for 10 years. *POOF*

In the 10 years since Grad night, Melody thought she built a life for herself. She finished college, moved to the city, and spent the last six years in a relationship that seemed fine on the surface...until her controlling ex dumped her and left her with nothing. Now, feeling stuck and lost, she reluctantly agrees to move back to her hometown and crash with her twin brother while rebuilding her life.

Cue the drama: her brother bails on an annual camping trip and sends Melody in his place, where she ends up tent-sharing with none other than Zac—her ex-crush and current mortal enemy. Let the awkward (and electric) tension begin!

What could have been a predictable, fluffy rom-com turned out to be so much more. Yes, there’s humor and heartwarming moments, but there’s also genuine emotion and character growth. I cried a few times.

Ellie K. Wilde deserves all the flowers for crafting a romance that balances sweet and smutty with actual depth.

the pining in this book is actual insane. he is so down bad for her and i absolutely love it. there is so much tension in the beginning, which makes the banter throughout the book sooooo good. it's some top tier banter. and I will always love a childhood friends to enemies to lovers plotline. and a betrayal where he was just protecting her?! 10/10

This book had me swooooooning! Second chance romance and forced proximity?! My favorite! I loved Mel & Zac’s banter I just wish there was slightly more character development. It was a cute and spicy read!

Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde is a delightful and engaging YA contemporary romance that offers a fun and emotional rollercoaster ride for its readers. Centered around the protagonist, Lila, a teenager with a complicated relationship with both her family and her aspirations, the novel takes readers through the ups and downs of high school life, friendship, and the messiness of growing up.

The story is deeply rooted in themes of self-discovery and personal growth. Lila’s journey of learning to balance her dreams with reality, while managing her relationships with friends, family, and a potential romance, feels authentic and relatable. Wilde’s writing shines in capturing the emotions and struggles that many young readers will connect with—whether it’s the pressures of academic success, navigating complex friendships, or confronting the uncertainties of love.

The romance element in Only in Your Dreams is sweet and swoon-worthy, but it doesn’t overshadow the protagonist's personal journey. The relationship develops in a way that feels organic and realistic, providing both moments of joy and tension. Wilde’s ability to create a believable romance while still focusing on Lila's emotional growth adds depth to the book and avoids the typical pitfalls of genre clichés.

While the pacing of the book is generally smooth, some readers may find certain plot developments predictable. However, the emotional payoff and character-driven moments more than make up for any predictability. Wilde’s writing captures the complexities of teenage life with a refreshing, lighthearted tone that balances humor with more serious themes.

In conclusion, Only in Your Dreams is a charming, heartfelt novel that will appeal to fans of contemporary YA fiction. Ellie K. Wilde delivers a story full of relatable moments, lovable characters, and a journey toward self-acceptance. It's a sweet reminder that sometimes the best dreams are the ones we create for ourselves, rather than the ones we think we’re supposed to follow.

THIS WAS SO CUTE. And spicy.

After totally screwing things up at 18, Zac Porter gets a second chance at the girl of his dreams, his friend's sister Melody. Melody was messed up over Zac and a lot of her high school experiences for a long time, and it led her into a relationship she couldn't see was toxic until she was outside of it. Melody comes home to Oakwood Bay to tend her wounds and rebuild everything. She's avoided Zac for TEN YEARS and now they are thrown together immediately. And then tension, both the angry and the sexy, is high.

This book so perfectly captured the horror of a controlling relationship, and how it feels when you realize how subtly someone could be the source of all your decisions. Melody reels as she sees so much of her "choices" were commands from her ex - what she wore, what she ate and drank, who she interacted with, and her job. At 28, she's got to find herself in a way she was never given before. As everyone around her is also finally privy to how she was controlled, it makes all of them extra careful about giving her choices.

It does make it hard for Zac though, who wants to show Melody his feelings and give her the world, but doesn't want either of those things to look like lovebombing or manipulations. The conversations the two of them have while rebuilding trust - for Melody it's about Zac specifically as well as people generally - it's so cute. It's so reassuring and swoony. It's such good communication.

This is a second chance romance that has real subplots for both leads, issues they genuinely need to work through that aren't fixed by oooh love like some books. They can help and support each other but there's actual things at stake here.

I will definitely be reading the rest of the Oakwood Bay series. It felt so good to sit down with a book and devour it in a day.

This book is so swoonworthy!

Mel and Zac's banter was truly laughable- definitely the part with the shaving of Mel's head and wanting to wear her hair as a wig. That is my type of humor.

This book was an easy 4 stars for me. It had everything. It made me laugh and most importantly it made me want someone like Zac on my team. He was so sweet and caring and I COULD NOT get enough.

"I've never been single. I've been yours." ENOUGH SAID. I'm gagged. If I don't find a love like this I don't want one at all!

Thank you Netgalley and Ellie Wilde for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review :).

I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Zac and Melody in this second-chance sports romance. The tension and playful banter between them really stood out, creating a compelling and emotionally charged story. Melody is still reeling from the heartbreak of a toxic, manipulative relationship, and Zac, ever the supportive friend, stands by her side as she works through her feelings. Both characters are also navigating their own personal and career challenges, making for a rich, layered narrative.
One of the most refreshing aspects of the book is Melody’s emotional healing journey. Watching her take the time to process her past heartbreak, grow, and ultimately regain her sense of self was incredibly fulfilling. Because who doesn’t want to ditch all your ex’s gifts and start to feel like you again ?!? It felt both realistic and inspiring, providing a wonderful contrast to the romance and adding depth to the overall story.
Zac, too, was the perfect protective male lead. His unwavering support for Melody—without rushing or pushing her—was exactly what she needed. He exudes that perfect balance of strength and tenderness, making him a swoon-worthy character and a true anchor for Melody’s healing. I wasn’t entirely sold on the reason for their 10-year disconnect, while Zac had been pining for Melody all that time. That said, the palpable "it's always been you" energy between them still made for an emotionally satisfying payoff.
What really worked for me, was the delicious tension and spice in their evolving relationship. The element of sneaking around—especially hiding their connection from Melody’s brother—adds an exciting, forbidden “who knows” vibe, especially with their friends in on the secret. It’s that perfect mix of playful and thrilling.
Overall, it’s an engaging read with great chemistry, and a wonderful mix of tension, romance, and personal growth. Read this spicy flirty story that will keep you on track for your yearly reading goals. I bet this will be one we will look back on at the end of the year.


Thanks to @NetGalley and @AtriaBooks for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an amazing read! I loved all the characters and the last like 20% of this book really hit it out of the park for me! I love that there was no third act breakup and these ADULTS communicated like ADULTS and actually listened to each other!! I also really love how Melody didn't leave the life she wanted and adjust to life her man has!! Him adjusting his plan for her really made this even better in my mind. We love to see it!!

This was a great book, and I loved Zac and Melody, as well as their friends/Mel's brother. There weren't too many characters to keep straight which is always nice.

Melody shows growth throughout the book healing from a very toxic relationship, while slowly coming to terms with her love for Zac 10 years after he hurt her. I was glad to see that the reason for what he did that night was a pretty good one.

I love football, so I enjoyed that side aspect of it. I wish we had a final detail with where Noah ended up. There was also a character they nicknamed Baby Clark Kent who just disappeared from the story with no details on if he got better with his team.

I liked the spice (several scenes🌶🌶🌶), that it's 1st person POV, and there is no third act breakup. I also really liked the way the relationship reveal to her brother went. Overall it was a good book, but nothing super memorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC 🤍

✨ARC Review✨

Now *this* is fun. A brother’s best friend to lovers romance. A childhood friends to lovers romance. An “it was always you” romance.

Melody spent her teen years quietly loving Zac, her twin brother’s best friend. On the eve of her departure to college, she asks him to kiss her. He says he’ll be right back, but he doesn’t come back. She goes to college heartbroken and spends ten years resenting him for leaving her hanging.

Now she’s back in their hometown after a breakup with her longtime boyfriend which left her basically homeless. When she’s coerced into a friend group camping trip, she’s spending an exorbitant amount of time with a fully-grown and insanely attractive Zac.

Their chemistry is off the charts and the push and pull is glorious. I love Melody and Zac. I love how he wants her exactly as she is naturally- kind of a grump, to be honest. And the way Melody strives to get his biggest grin. And y’all. Their spicy times be spicin’ hard.

There is a plot point that doesn’t quite work for me, but it was easy for me to disregard. Everything else is so good.

QOTD: Are you still friends with school pals? One of my besties and I have been friends since freshman home room. And that’s a looong time.

I received this eARC via #netgalley and @atriabooks. All thoughts are mine alone.

#romance! #romancebooks #contemporaryromance #spicybooks #spicyromance #onlyinyourdreams #elliekwilde #bookrecs #bookreview #bookstagram