I am officially OBSESSED with this book! Excuse me while I go add Ellie K Wilde's other books to my TBR! This is a brother's best friend romance with forced proximity, a crap ton of angst and panty-melting spice!
First of all, I love Melody's journey in this book and even more I love the role that Zac plays in it. The two of them missed out on their chance 10 years ago and Melody holds a lot of resentment about that. Will she be able to get passed that?
Zac may have been an idiot ten years ago but man did he make up for it now! Zac is the perfect golden retriever with a side of pleasure dom and I could not get enough! Where do I find a man like this?!
This book did not have me an emotional mess like some, maybe some other type of mess though!
I cannot express enough that YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!
I absolutely cannot wait to read Brook's book and I will be reading Ellie's Sunset Landing book ASAP!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Melody is back in her small hometown after a terrible breakup. As she struggles to find herself again, she winds up face-to-face with her brother's best friend and the one who got away/broke her heart. As he tries to win her over, she learns to love herself again and slowly lets him in.

I think that this story was quaint, spicy, and provides tropes like second chance, friends-to-lovers, secret romance, forbidden romance, and even a little enemies-to-lovers ... but it is missing a spark, a something. I finished it and felt like the couple had chemistry, but there was something missing. The fact that he is SO in love with her that she's the only person he's literally ever cared about, EVER, was a little much. I understand holding a torch for someone, but his investment (the house, the everything) was so over the top that it kind of made me not like him? Maybe that's just me - and my preference.

From the beginning to the end, I was hooked on the story of Zac and Melody. It rang so true to life and covered behaviors that you may interact with. I am in absolute awe. This will definitely be a book that gets re read. Also, I will be purchasing a copy for my book shelf.

This book was fun! I didn't really vibe with the conflict and found it extremely unnecessary and drawn out, but I thought Zac was an angel and I loved the healing aspect of the book!

I was drawn into this. It was cute and had characters that you can like. I do love a good second chance and brother's best friend type book. There were parts that seemed to knock down a few stars for me but in the end it was a nice read.

**Engaging 2-Star Review of *Only in Your Dreams***

I wanted to love *Only in Your Dreams*, but it fell flat for me. The premise of a small-town, brother’s best friend romance with unresolved tension sounded irresistible, but the execution left much to be desired.

At 500 pages, the story dragged unnecessarily, with much of the plot hinging on a mystery that was painfully obvious early on. Zac’s reason for leaving Melody years ago was weak, and the constant buildup to this revelation felt more frustrating than suspenseful.

Melody’s twin brother, Parker, was overly controlling, which mirrored the toxic dynamics of her previous relationship. This could have been a great opportunity for Melody to confront these patterns, but instead, she remained passive.

As for Zac, his over-the-top sentimentality bordered on cringe. While vulnerability is welcome in a romance hero, his endless declarations felt sappy rather than swoon-worthy.

I’ve enjoyed Ellie K. Wilde’s previous books, but this one was a disappointment. The pacing and character development just weren’t there. That said, fans of slow-burn romances and heartfelt second-chance stories might still find something to enjoy here, even if it wasn’t for me.

Only in Your Dreams drew me in quickly and captured my full attention. This book is SPICY though and that is to be noted. This was a well written book and I was quickly captivated by the friends to lovers trope. I would definitely read more in this series, but would also probably put a TW for controlling relationships. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for my free advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ellie Wilde, and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was SPICY! and Sweet! I loved that on top of it being an easy read and a cute lovers to enemies to lovers again story it portrayed real emotional and mental abuse that some women endure under there abusers. Many think that abuse is only physical but mental abuse is real and can be more damaging than physical abuse. **Abuse was only mentioned in some parts of the book but was not the plot of the story.

The Story line was great, it goes incorporates the lives of friends of the MC’s and I fell in love with all of them. I can’t wait to read the stories of Summer, Brooks, Parker and Noah! The author made it so much fun to read and made the funny characters funny all throughout, the grumpy ones, grumps all throughout the book and I loved that! I was giggling and not going to lie shed a couple of tears with this one.

Melody is one of the grumps but she is also snarky and hilarious. Zac’s, is a teddy bear, he was constantly putting himself last for everyone around him.

Zac and Melody were friends since childhood because Zac’s best friend was Melody’s twin brother, Parker. They grew up together in the same group of friends and they both had feelings for each other but neither one of them knew, as they never told each other. On the night that Melody finally had the courage to make a move, Zac ghosted her and she hated him ever since. Melody left for college the next day and they didn’t speak for 10 years, only for Melody to end up in an abusive relationship, get dumped, and end up having to move in with her brother Parker until she could get back on her feet. The story unfolds form there and it turns into a beautifully, well thought of story of love, friendship, and sacrifice. Get your hands on it, PRONTO!

Again, the way the author incorporates mental abuse in Melody’s relationship with her ex is so real! It sheds light and brings hope to women who are suffering in silence under their abuser. She demonstrates the manipulation tactics abusers use and how subtle they can be, so much so, that the victim sometimes doesn’t even notice that it is happening to them.

Thanks Ellie, beautifully written! It deserves ALL the stars!

What a fun ride! There were definitely some heavy elements that can be tough to read if you have ever been in an unhealthy, controlling relationship - but it was navigated so beautifully. I think I may have found a new favorite book boyfriend - hello Zac😍 there was a perfect blend of spice and banter with a solid plot and cast of characters. Crossing my fingers there will be a sequel focusing on some of the others in the friend group!

I really enjoyed reading this book. The spice surprised me with how hot and sexy it was. Possessive .Zac? Who is he and where can I find one. Melanie’s story was relatable and so realistic . As someone who works with victims of abuse, I wanted to share just how much hearing her story means. And the fact she got to share her piece of mine? Hell yeah . The only thing I would say is the story dragged at times , but not enough to warrant anything below a 4 star

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Only in Your Dreams is a beautifully woven second chance romance that centers around the classic trope of falling for your brother’s best friend, where past hurt started the two main characters on a one sided "hate to love" journey. The story follows "Clover" and Zac as they navigate the complexities of trust, love, and healing from past mistakes and current trauma.

What I Loved:
1. Trust Building:
The author masterfully develops the trust between the main characters. It's refreshing to see a romance where there is a broken foundation that continues to mend until there is mutual respect and emotional intimacy. The gradual trust-building process felt authentic and deeply moving.

2. He Falls First and Falls Hard:
One of the standout aspects of this book is how Zac falls first and falls hard. His unwavering dedication and love is heartwarming.

3. Emotional Depth:
The emotional aspect of the story is beautifully handled. The characters’ vulnerabilities and growth are portrayed with sensitivity and depth. Clover's journey through her trauma and her evolving inner monologue are particularly compelling. Watching her become stronger and more confident as she confronts her past is inspiring. Her development feels real and adds a layer of authenticity to the story.

4. Captivating Storyline - I didnt want to put it down!
The storyline and storytelling are captivating from start to finish. The narrative flows seamlessly, keeping the reader engaged with its blend of romance, drama, and heartfelt moments. The author’s ability to create vivid scenes and relatable characters is commendable, though sometimes cliche'd.


What I Didn’t Love As Much:
1. Willful Miscommunication/Lying to "benefit" someone else:
One aspect that detracted from the story was the willful miscommunication on Zac’s side. At times, the misunderstandings felt contrived and could have been resolved with a simple conversation, or where he didn't assume she understood/knew what he was alluding to. This led to unnecessary tension and frustration. This added to the drama of the story but I personally am not a huge fan of a miscommunication trope.

2. Fake Dating Trope:
The inclusion of a fake dating scenario felt somewhat out of place and had me roll my eyes, thinking "here we go again, willful lying when you don't need to!". While it did add a layer of complexity that later supported an anti-climactic plot twist.

3. Inconsistent Character Traits:
"Clovers"’s oscillation between being strong and confident one moment and then shy and untrusting the next made her seem like two different people at times. While it’s understandable given her trauma, the transitions could have been smoother to maintain consistency in her character.

Despite these minor drawbacks, I am genuinely excited to read more from this author. The book sets up potential stories for the side characters, hinting at future romances that are sure to be just as engaging and heartfelt. The author’s talent for storytelling and character development promises more captivating reads ahead.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of second chance romances and the brother’s best friend trope. I highly recommend it and look forward to the author’s future works.

I really enjoyed this one! It was really cute, the characters were fun and likable(mostly - Connor I’m looking at you!). Perfect blend of plot and spice. You can’t go wrong with second chance/brother’s best friend.

I received this as an arc in exchange for an honest review.


•second chance
•small town
•fake dating
•brothers best friend
•reverse grumpy sunshine
•it's always been you"
•forced proximity
•narcissistic ex boyfriend
•football

4.5 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️

Melody & Zac make my second chance loving heart so happy 🥹😭 So many sweet callbacks to their childhood that made me swoon and the SPICE 😳 so good!

🏈 Second chance
🍀 Brother’s best friend
🏈 Small town
🍀 Grumpy FMC
🏈 One Tent
🍀 It’s always been you
🏈 Secret tattoos

Melody moves back home after a breakup and her brother gets her to go on a camping trip so he doesn't have to. The catch? The man who turned her down 10 years ago is the one she has to share a tent with.

Zac is the golden retriever golden boy of the town and has been in love with Melody the entire 10 years she's been gone and now that he has her back he’s not going to let her get away again.

I love the way Zac supports Melody on her healing journey and all the little things he does for her (hiding new chapstick around because she always loses hers, makes her breakfast, other things I don't want to spoil 👀).

Only in your dreams had my perfect amount of spice to plot and the spice was ✨ memorable ✨.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves the listed tropes!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ellie K. Wilde for the arc of Only in Your Dreams for me to review!

Really enjoyed this, only took me 2 couch lounges to read, I flew through it. The main characters are loveable, the banter is 5/5 and the heat is chef’s kiss. There were a few cringey things (there’s this weird fixation with lip balm that was totally unneeded imo) but doesn’t take you out of it. Slow burn is slooow - no regrets, will be recommending!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this one!

I'll be honest, there is absolutely nothing I would change about this book. It follows Mel (twin sister to Parker) and Zac (OK, maybe I would've liked a different name for him but that's a minor detail). Mel pined after Parker's best friend all throughout high school and got the guts to finally ask him to kiss her on her last night before leaving for college. He left her hanging. A decade goes by and after a terrible and toxic boyfriend breaks up with Mel, she moves back home.

Things unfold between Mel and Zac and it's everything you want. There isn't a ton of slow-burn when it comes to actually hooking up but there is a TON of slow-burn when it comes to feelings and finally admitting that they are made for each other. The tension was *chef's kiss*. So often I find that modern romances stop developing their characters in favor of the romance but Wilde did this SO WELL. I also loved that it wasn't your typical happily ever after where the girl moves home and chooses the guy but that she chooses herself. So good!

Things I LOVED:
- no third act break up
- reverse "who did this to you" (she is so dang protective of him)
- he'd burn everything for her
- brother's best friend
- black cat/golden retriever
- banter

Now I want Brooks' story and maybe a love between Parker and Summer?!?!?!

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

4⭐️

Blurb: Melody returns home from her big city job after recently getting out of a toxic relationship. There, she reconnects with old friends, including her first crush and brother’s best friend, Zac, who was also the first boy to have broken her heart.

That beginning was CRAZY 😂 You mean they’re both forced together in a small camping trip, only to be stranded together because of storm?? Crazy. The moment I read that, I knew I was going to like this. Also, that scene in the forest??! It reminds me of the scene from Vampire Diaries with Caroline and Klaus in the forest when he was leaving for New Orleans. IYKYK 👀

I liked Zac as an MMC as well. He helped Melody slowly regain her confidence back as her ex screwed with her confidence and belittled her. My only thing with this book (and it may be me tbh) but I really don’t like nicknames and hers was no exception. Idk, instant ick for me 🥲

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I picked up this one shortly after reading another book who had main characters name Melody and Parker, so I thought that was a funny coincidence. While I absolutely loved Zac’s pining over Mel, I felt that Mel’s walls were built wayyyy too high and yes, I get that she went through some serious trauma in her previous relationship, but throw Zac a bone will ya? Also, the over-protective brother situation just felt bleh. Overall a good read, wish the pacing was a bit faster. I was entertained by the side characters and of course, Zac being such a perfect book boyfriend who deserves the world.

I can’t believe this is the first book I’ve read by Ellie Wilde. How have I not heard of her until now? This book is SO GOOD. Emily Henry level good. I am quite literally planning to go back through her previous novels and read them next.

I started this book today and read it straight through, barely stopping to eat dinner. The vision board from high school? What an amazing touch.

Do yourself a favor and read this. It has great characters, a sports romance without being overly sporty, and a lovely HEA. And also- a super smart working woman as the main character (which I always love!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I just want to start by saying that Only In Your Dreams is my first time reading a book by Ellie K. Wilde and it didn’t disappoint. I adored both Melody and Zac's characters so much and I was ready to dive into their story to see exactly where it was going to go.

The prologue had a way of setting up the book leaving me wanting to know more about both of them. It pulls you in and makes you want to know how the story is going to plan out. It was such a nice fun read and I like the small-time vibe that it had! Not to mention I love a good brother’s best friend romance.

I had so many things that I truly enjoyed that it’s hard to list just one, but it was nice to see character development, especially from Melody who was dealing with a lot after the breakup with her ex! Overall I was happy to see her and Zac find a way back to each other because they had a special bond that you could see throughout the entirety of the book!

Zac was a great MMC the way he was patient and waited on Melody showed how much he loved her and wanted to be with her. Both of them were a good pairing and this book shows that. It was written perfectly and Ellie Wilde came up with such a good storyline and plot to keep us all engaged!

I would highly recommend Only In Your Dreams if you are looking for a cute, fun read about a second chance/small-town romance with amazing characters!

Thank you to both Atria Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review💙

Oh my gosh I loved this story!! Zac was such a romantic, sweet MMC. Loved the storyline, the humor, the romance. Would definitely recommend ❤️