I'm really glad this is a series. I enjoyed this group of friends a lot and can't wait to see what else is in store for them.
<i>Only in Your Dreams</i> started off strong with Mel coming back home to the small town she grew up in with her tail between her legs because her boyfriend dumped her. She immediately gets thrown back into her old life when he takes the place of her twin brother on a group camping trip. Then gets stranded with the former love of her teenage life who broke her heart into pieces. The main reason why she was ok living the small town in the first place.
The relationship between Mel and Zac was so much fun to read. They are instantly likable, even when they are completely awkward around easy other. The tension is palpable but they didn't play games which made this such an enjoyable story.

The way this man was gone for her - be still my heart. I loved how obsessed Zac was, and the way he championed Melody without holding her back in any way.

I felt the reasoning for the ten years apart was really weak, but 18 year olds can be pretty stupid, so I’ll let it go.

I really enjoyed the side characters and I hope they all get books of their own!

DNF at 21%
Personally I just don’t think this book was for me. The language and spice were a little more vulgar than I prefer. I did like the two main characters for the most part and I liked their banter and seeing how Zac still felt for her. The spice was just too much for me and some of the language was just a bit much for me and kinda took away from my enjoyment. However I know several people who really enjoyed this one so it’s definitely a not for me book. I would recommend this to someone if I know their likes and know that they don’t mind spicier spice.

I received an arc via netgalley.

I don’t think I ever got over the premise that the female main character, Melody, made a move on the male main character, Zac, the night before she left for college and he said he would be back but stood her up, and then they didn’t have meaningful interactions for 10 years. Second chance trope is hard to navigate because usually there’s an insurmountable reason the couple didn’t work out but in this case they never happened. I’m supposed to believe Zac has been pining for her this whole time and even given the opportunity he doesn’t immediately tell her what held him back that night? As if that wasn’t all bad enough the author also included a side trope and had Melody fake date Zac’s friend so her twin brother wouldn’t find out about her and Zac? So messy. Zac was very endearing as a golden retriever of a guy if I put aside my contempt for how he botched things.

Content warning for references to a past abusive relationship.

Really the only saving grace for this book was the MMC. He was so sweet and actually had some kind of character arc. The FMC? I cannot. The denial was absolutely killer from her.

Then the plot: confusing. There were so many layers; I couldn’t keep up with who was who and what was where and like half of the plot lines weren’t even cleared up in the third act, which I hate.

The was just overly-troped and too cliche for my taste!!!

I absolutely loved, loved, loved Only in Your Dreams! It's friends to enemies to lovers (one sided because Zac is IN LOVE with Mel and she just has no clue), brothers best friend, sports romance, one tent (!!!), and second chance romance!!
The emotions between Zac and Mel feel so real I got so wrapped up in their story. The way Ellie wrote this book is so smooth and well done. The spice is chef's kiss and
had me kicking my feet and giggling like a teenage girl. The supporting characters in this book are also so well written that I truly felt like I was part of the friend group. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Thank you NetGalley and Ellie K. Wilde!!

Keep your warm and fuzzies to yourself, mam!

I’m rough and tough and full of the wham-a-roonies! You can’t bring heat to this cold cold heart.

Aright, I can’t keep lying to myself

I’m currently a puddle of mush and wagging my non existent tail.

Only in Your Dreams

Gosh dang it, hold my book, I need a tissue .

This book is filled to the brim with love, giggles, tears, and a little more love .

You got me, Ellie K Wilde, as you always do .

This book is exceeds all expectations and I’m literally left with the biggest book hangover .

Check out this teaser :

If he can prove he loved her then, and he loves her still, this time might be different.

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.

Only in Your Dreams is a small town, second chance, brother's best friend, sports romance.

I adored the cover of this book and it had really good potential. For being a sports romance, I felt that the author did her homework on football and I appreciated how that was incorporated into the story. The dynamic between Mel, Zac, and Noah was absolute perfection - I loved it and wanted so much more of it. I liked how completely gone Zac was for Mel, but I felt that if he loved her that much that he would have fought for her instead of just wallowing for ten years. This story really leans into the tropes and throws so many common things that are enjoyed in contemporary romance into one book and because of this the story is too long and loses focus. A bit too much repetition during the characters' inner monologuing and all of the conflict felt really silly and juvenile.

It was overall a sweet, fun story and I'm giving it 3.5 rounded down. I will be giving the sequel a shot!

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

Loved this one!! I read a TON of sports romances but I think this was one of the best ones in terms of how Ellie actually talked about football and how it was woven throughout the story. This is a second chance, brother's best friend romance and it slapped! I loved Mel and Zac, she was so feisty and I enjoyed watching her learn who she was after 6 years in a toxic relationship and Zac was so dreamy! He was such a sweetie, and so humble, always doing little kind things for Mel without any expectations. Also loved their relationship with Noah, an unlucky kid that Zac helps take care of, they were so sweet and wholesome! There is also lotssss of spice and even though there is kinda a miscommunication trope at play, it's not ridiculously drawn out and luckily does not result in a third act breakup! Can't wait for Brooks' books!

3.5 rounded down. My biggest struggle with this book was two-fold: 1. The time apart shouldn’t have been 10 years and the reason for it was dumb, and 2. These characters read more like 22-24, not 28. I think keeping everything the same but making them a few years younger and them being apart a few less years would have made a huge difference, for me personally. 10 years apart over a miscommunication 🤦🏻‍♀️

But I will say, Zac is a top-tier book boyfriend! He’s so so sweet, so aware of Melody. The whole camping trip was the best part of the book, IMO, and I loved how it set the stage for their renewed friendship and his determination to win her.

Also, again IMO, it was a little toooo spicy 🙈

The story was cute. I had issues with both main characters, Zsc for pining, unbelievably, for 10 years, and Melody for being so against returning to her small town until she finds herself dumped with no choice but to return. Both characters are dealing with career issues and Melody with self-esteem issues.
I understand that angst drives the story, but the lack of communication from the main characters resulting in years of issues bugs me. The book was fine, I can see it will be enjoyed by others, but it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria, and Ellie K Wilde for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for providing me with a digital copy of this book!

Only in Your Dreams is a second chance romance starring Melody, a data analyst who was just dumped by her longterm boyfriend of 6 years, and Zac, the man who has been in love with her since they were 16 years old. He messed up his chance 10 years ago with Melody but he will do whatever it takes to make sure it works out this time around. This is a story of overcoming a manipulative relationship and expecting everything to come with strings attached. It is a story of rekindling high school friendships and moving forward in life. But most of all, it is a story of resilience.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was so easy and comfortable to read from beginning to end. I enjoyed the relationship between Melody and Zac, although I felt their different perspectives confused how I saw the characters. For example, Zac saw Melody as small and fragile but her perspectives made her seem tough and unbreakable so I wasn't sure how to perceive her. I also thought this book dragged on way too long. It could have been summed up way earlier.

I don't have particularly strong feelings for this book either way. I didn't hate this book but by no means did I love it. I will read the next one because why not, I am a sucker for sequels, but this one gets a 3/5 from me.

This was a really good book and very spicy as well. Melody is back in her hometown where she just ended a long term relationship. She is forced to spend time with Zac her ex crush. Are the feelings still there or are they doomed to never figure it out.

If you're looking for a book where the MMC is completely whipped for the heroine, you just found it!

Melody is the one that got away, and now that she’s back in town and single after a long relationship, he sees the perfect chance to make up for lost time

These two delivered heart-melting moments while also heating up my Kindle. It was such a fun and swoony read!

Such a cute and spicy sports romance. I loved the real and emotional moments along with the characters and how much they cared. The fmc left her abusive ex and job she hated and moves back in with her brother and his friend Clark. She and Clark have history but because of miscommunication and things that happened in the past she thinks he does not like her.

There is so much forced proximity, yearning and tension between the characters and i loved how the mmc treated the fmc especially knowing about her horrible ex. This was also the fmc healing and coming back to herself after having to change for a man. This book is spicy with some steamy scenes 🤭. Overall i liked the romance and the its always been you vibes and i hope other characters get books.

*Only in Your Dreams* by Ellie Wilde is a fun romance. The protagonist is relatable and the relationships feel real, making it easy to get invested in her journey. While the plot can be a bit predictable at times, Wilde’s writing keeps things engaging. It’s a light, enjoyable read!

4.5
First I want to say thank you for the ARC !!!
Secondly I didn’t think i would love this book as much as I did!!
The character development, the pinning, the patience, and the love that was in this book was SOOO good!! & I'm forever grateful for getting introduced to this author.
I remember sending an email to the wonderful Zakiya Jamal on how much I loved it and wanting more stories from this author.
Read. December 10th, 2024

10/10 stars, no notes. I was not expecting to fall in love with this story, and Zac and Melody so hard it here we are. The storyline was fantastic, the slow burn was excruciatingly well done, and the love between these two was so beautiful. When we finally got that moment of clarity between the Zac & his Clover (a very cute nickname by the way) it was like taking a deep breath of fresh air. If you want a man that pines for 14 years and will do anything to get the girl, then you’re going to love Only In Your Dreams as much as I did.

The last twenty percent was so good it went by in a blink of an eye, and there was some very satisfying scenes in there. Zac and Melody might just be my favorite book couple right now, and I can’t wait for more books in the series if it means seeing them and the friend group again. All my romance lovers that like when the guy is the one who falls first and so hard are in for a treat!

This is a great second chance story. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. Definitely has some heat to the story. I did root for Zac throughout this story.

All in all I enjoyed this story and all the feels that it gave me.

I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader copy. This is my honest opinion.

This is a spicy and cute second chance, brother’s best friend, football romance! I did not want to put this audiobook down. Yet, at the same time, I slowed it down to truly savor it. Teddy Hamilton and Carly Robins were cast perfectly. Teddy was . . . well he was Teddy 🥵 and Carly did a phenomenal job capturing the personality of this FMC.

This book really did justice the tension of the MMC being the TWIN brother’s best friend. The emotional turmoil of losing your first love, and the rush of that second chance. I really connected with this book and these characters. The minor characters also stand out quite a lot, so I will be rooting and waiting (not so) patiently for Parker, Noah, Brooks, and Summer’s books.

Please check the trigger warnings. Most of what happens is off the page, but there is one scene of each topic tagged involving emotional abuse.

Thank you Net Galley and Avon publishing for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.