Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this.
I LOVED this Melody and Zac, once close friends (brothers best friend trope abound), have gone nearly a decade without contact following a terrible teenage miscommunication. Thrust back together when Melody moves back home, they must figure out how to navigate their painful path and make space for a future together. There's a strong friends to lovers trope, some friends with benefits, and because of Zac's career just a bit of sports romance.
This for me was the perfect blend of plot and spice: I really need strong spice to be carried by a plot that makes sense, and these two having their first tryst in years be spawned by anger? Love love love. I really liked the career aspects of this (espeically Zac and his struggles being a coach) and the hints to Melody's gaslighting and terrible ex. Were there times in this where the miscommunication trope got just a little too intense for me? Yup. But Zac is a wonderful leading man who really pushed to get things out in the open, and I LOVED that.
I also thought this was just a beautiful portrayal of found family as well, from their friend group (do we get more in this series!?) to the small family Zac/Noah/Melody create.
This is dual POV, some slight timeline hops, but most importantly just enjoyable all around.

I absolutely loved everything about this book. It combines so many of my favorite tropes, including second chance romance, brother's best friend and football romance. Melody has always had a crush on Zac, who is her brother's best friend. When they are getting ready to go to college, Melody shares her feelings with Zac, and he disappears. They don't talk again until years later. Zac knows that he messed up that night, and he can't stop thinking about Melody. He has secretly been in love with her since he was 14. He fell for her the moment that he saw her, but he never told her because of her brother.

Now, they are reunited when they have to share a tent together on a camping trip. They work through their past, and they realize that they have the opportunity to get a second chance at romance. They have lots of fun together when things go wrong at the campsite, and when they kiss, it's so sweet!

One of the things that I loved the most was that they can only fall asleep when they are next to each other. It's such an adorable detail, and it made their bond even closer. I also loved that he has secret tattoos for her, and when she discovers them, it is so meaningful for their relationship.

This book brought me so much joy, and I can't wait to reread it. Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

Only in Your Dreams is a perfect blend of small-town charm, sizzling chemistry, and heartfelt romance. Zac and Melody’s story hits all the right notes for fans of the brother’s best friend trope, with just the right mix of tension, redemption, and swoon-worthy moments.

Melody’s return to Oakwood Bay brings a mix of unresolved emotions and undeniable sparks, while Zac’s determination to prove his love after a decade apart is both heartwarming and satisfying. The backdrop of small-town life and Zac’s struggles as a football coach add depth to the story, making it more than just a romance—it’s a journey of growth, forgiveness, and second chances.

If you’re a fan of sports romance with a touch of small-town sweetness and a dash of spice, this one is a must-read!

Zac Porter takes a spot in my Top 5 Favorite Book Boyfriends for sure!

This book contains all the good stuff:
- forced proximity
- brother’s (ex) best friend
- friends to dislike to lovers
- fake dating

Melody hates Zac because of a situation that happened the night before she moved away for college. She’s back in town after her relationship with her gaslighting boyfriend ends, so she has a lot to work through. I loved how Zac tried to get Melody to fall for him while allowing her to take back the control she lost in her previous relationship. Their little found family was really sweet.

I couldn’t recommend this book enough!

This was my second time reading and I’m very glad Ellie is going trad! Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

After ten years apart from each other, Zac and Melody reunite at a camping trip. They start reconnecting after their friends unintentionally strand them during severe weather and they get closer and closer. Their childhood love starts rekindling and they get closer and closer.
This book was really cute! I’m pretty sure it’s a rerelease which makes me insanely happy for the author, since I’m pretty sure it was indie published before. I enjoyed seeing Melody’s character grow into the person she deserved to be, and seeing her relationship with Zac grow.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC of this book!

It has been a long time that a book has hooked me like this one. I LOVED IT. The lead up to Zac and Melody's relationship was the perfect amount of slow burn, had just the right amount of spice and even the lead up to Brooks, Summer's, and hopefully Noah's stories has be begging for more even though this one isn't even out yet. I NEED this one on my shelf IMMEDIATELY. The way I'm racing to the authors contact information to absolutely beg for a copy is wild. You need to read this one.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

This book was tied together so well! We love a golden retriever MMC & the way the FMC grew more confident in herself throughout the book was cool to see. Love that he kept buying extra chapstick to leave around places when she kept losing hers.

I wish it was bit shorter, and the FMC was a little annoying in certain parts.

Tropes:
Second chance
Small town
Brothers best friend
Fake dating

I’m always a sucker for a hockey romance and this book was no exception! I have never read anything by this author before and now I want to look into their previous works

The story was catchy and a great set-up for the series - probably closer to a 3.5.

With a brother’s best friend trope, the reason things didn’t work out when they were 18 was a bit predictable. That said, I liked Zac a lot. He came across as a good guy who helped every one around him (e.g., Noah). He is also the quintessential man in love you love to see in romcoms. I also enjoyed some of the side characters (e.g., Noah, Brooks) which helped build the overall story.

Two main things lower my overall score. (1) it’s long and really drags on. I found myself skimming a lot of then last third, especially since the plot was predictable (2) there were an enough plot holes that I couldn’t overlook them all. Yes the story all came together in the end but it felt like with a little more thought it could have avoided a lot of these pieces that pulled me out of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Elle K. Wild, and Atria for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Melody's boyfriend breaks up with her, and she's forced to go back home and move in with her twin brother. She's been avoiding her hometown since her brother's best friend, Zac, left her hanging ten years ago. Zac regrets how he left things and jumps at the chance to prove to Melody that he's changed, but will she believe him?

Thoughts 💭
I couldn't put this down. Both Melody and Zac were fun characters, and their growth together was sweet and wholesome. This has so many fun tropes in it: second chance, brother's best friend, small town, sports, and forced proximity. I enjoyed their found family and look forward to reading their stories in the future. There was a decent amount of spice in this and a lot of tension. If you're a romance reader who enjoys these tropes, I wouldn't miss out on this one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K Wilde.

This is a new to me author and about 25% in to the book I wanted to know what else she has wrote. Then noting on the Goodreads cover of this book it states “Oakwood Bay series”, I was dying to know who the next book would be about. But this one, you have Zac, the absolutely sweet and lovable guy, a bit of a jock but the kind you can love who makes a very dumb mistake as high school student. Then there is Melody, who was on the receiving end of the mistake. She is known to her friends and twin brother as snarky and funny, but after being away in the city for 10 years and going through a much needed break up from a 6 year relationship with Connor, she is not quite herself. A bad camping trip later, and many conversations, Zac and Melody are reunited but the ultimate question is will they work thru all the baggage and get what they want/need. The best part of this romance is there is not the classic couple falls, couple has a fight and then comes back together. I kept waiting for it, but it never came and it was a nice change. But it is a spicy romance so if that’s not your thing, you may not enjoy this one.

3,5 - Rounded Up

This book was so cute and charming and I couldn’t put it down.

This follows Melody as she moves back home after leaving a rocky 6 year relationship. While home, she wants to work on herself and gain confidence. What she wasn’t expecting is to be forced on a camping trip with her brother’s best friend, Zac, who had broken her heart 10 years prior.

Only in your dreams follows some of my favorite tropes: Brother’s best friend, second chance, forced proximity and found family. Zac and Melody’s tension was so good, and I loved that she didn’t fall for him the second she was back in town. Zac really had to work for his spot at her side. Also, the hilarity and jealousy that ensued as they tried to hid their feelings for one another. One of my favorite parts of this book was that Zac took in his star athlete under his wing and how those interactions affected Melody.

Also the bucket list!! Melody coming into her self was everything I needed.

Thank you Netgalley, Ellie K. Wilde and Atria books for a E-ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was a nice pallet cleanser romance. I liked our main characters for the most part but found some moments a little cringy. This was pretty spicy but I think it flowed well with the plot overall. I liked our female main characters backstory with her ex.

I think if you're a fan of the tropes or contemporary romance you'll enjoy this book.

Rated 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook

Melody and Zac parted 10 years ago after graduation. Since then Melody has been in a toxic relationship for 6 years and is finally back home. Zac coaches the college football team and once Melody is back, his attitude and the team improved. I really liked this book. The characters were great and the reuniting of Melody and Zac on a camping trip left a lot of tense yet humorous moments. I liked how Zac imparted confidence in Melody after she had been manipulated by her ex and how he stepped back from his desire for her to let her find herself. Lots of love with true friends that enhanced the story.

I wanted to like this so bad. But the pining and the will they/wont they was just annoying. It was too long. The sex scenes were gross.

The thing I appreciated the most was the depiction of the gaslighting and manipulative boyfriend and how that can affect someone long after the breakup.

Otherwise, I couldn’t have done without the majority of this book.

Es una historía de segundas oportunidades. A pesar de que tiene partes spicy es un poco más YA a mi gusto.
Siento que a ratos eran un poco inmaduros los personajes.
En general me gustó y lo recomiendo si quieres leer algo ligero. Pero ten en cuenta que hay muchos libros ya con este tipo de historias.

A super cute second chance romance. Ten years pass by since high school when Mel gets dumped by her boyfriend. Moving back to oakwood to live with her twin until she can save to move back to the city. She ends up on a camping trip with her old friends and is forced to come face to face with her old crush Zac. Overall loved Zac and how he never forgot Mel even when he knew she had moved on. although the miss communication aspect/trope was annoying and caused this 10 year drift, I still enjoyed it. Cheesy in all the best ways. Highly recommend this one!!

*ARC Review from NetGalley and Atria Books*
Loved everything about this book 😍 I found myself grinning so stupidly throughout most of the book and my heart pounding during the stressful moments. The spice was definitely there but mixed really well with the sweet romance. The MCs are made for each other and everyone knows it 😂 The conflicts weren’t too dramatic and out there but gave me just enough anxiety to wonder how it really was all going to work out. Because I definitely wanted it all to work out desperately 😭 I cant wait to get a physical copy when it comes out and must be added to my favorites shelf.

4.5⭐️ 3🌶️

First, thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Ellie Wilde for sending this arc for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Ellie and it did not disappoint. She will be an automatic read author for me from here on out.

This was such a sweet story, and while there were frequently used tropes in the story, it was SUCH a unique plot - even with the subtle nod to The Notebook. I couldn’t get enough of it and devoured it in a day.

Zac and Melody were childhood friends, Zac being Melody’s twin brother’s best friend. They both had feelings for each other in high school but didn’t know the other felt the same way, and it just didn’t work out for them before Melody left their small town for college, while Zac stayed behind, playing football for their town’s university and going on to be the head coach of the football team.

Zac’s character is written so well, he’s the sweetest guy with all the pining and adoration, and the depth of it all is so well articulated it makes you swoon and want to cry on his behalf.

Melody is considered the “grumpy” of the two main characters, but is so witty and hilarious, her banter makes for light entertainment mixed in with the deep love story aspect.

I love the light shown on mental abuse (in her past relationship), and how abuse isn’t always physical. Real women go through that and the gaslighting that comes along with it more than people realize, so I appreciate the inclusion of that experience.

Sports romance readers who love when there’s no third act breakup will eat this up. The spice was spicing after the slow-ish burn, the banter is great, and the angst is top notch. The side characters added so much to this book as well, and I hope to see a book for Brooks, Summer, and Parker to come!

Love the Coach approach to the sports romance and the abundance of spice!

Overall: 4 stars
Spice: 4 stars

Melody left her small college hometown 10 years ago, but now she's back recovering from a bad break-up staying with her twin brother. Her goals are to return to the city asap and avoid seeing Zac, her high school crush who broke her heart. When they are forced together on a camping trip and after, can she forgive his actions as an eighteen year old and see the man he has become?

This was a great second chance/brothers best friend/sports romance with extra spice. The story was unique and offered good character development for both Zac and Melody. I did wish Melody spent more time with Summer, her BFF, and Parker, her brother. Zac's gestures to make Melody happy are sweet bordering on over the top. Would recommend to romance readers, especially if you like a strong, aggressive MMC.