Ahhh! I LOVE this series so much! Only Between Us is pure perfection! I adored the first book in the series, Only in Your Dreams, but oh wow, Only Between Us far surpasses my love for the first one. Amazing!

Brooks Attwood is attempting a pro football comeback after he retired two years earlier, suffering from a devastating concussion. Over the last two years, he has been coaching the local college football team, and he just doesn't have any joy doing it; he wants to be back on the field himself. One day, while practicing, he runs into Siena Pippen, literally, while catching an errant ball. Siena Pippen is the girl who isn’t afraid to do anything. Except date another professional athlete after her nightmare of an ex. However, when Brooks needs a long-term girlfriend (like now), and Siena needs money, they find themselves fake-dating. Can they survive their hatred of each other and both get what they need out of this arrangement?

I can’t help but gush about this book. The storyline, the characters, the banter = chef's kiss. I went through such a range of emotions with this one: giggling, kicking my feet, crying. All of that without a third-act breakup, we love to see it! I highly recommend this book, no notes! I can’t wait until Summer and Parker’s story next.

Okay, Only Between Us by Ellie Wilde absolutely wrecked me—in the best way possible. I went in thinking it’d be a cute, steamy romance (and don’t worry, the spice is definitely there 👀), but wow... it hit so much harder emotionally than I expected.

The characters felt so real. I connected with them instantly, and watching their relationship grow through all the pain, grief, and healing was just... ugh, my heart. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to scream at them a few times, and I couldn’t stop reading. Like, “stay up way too late even though I have stuff to do tomorrow” kind of reading.

A FANTASTIC READ! i truly truly loved this book. the characters were so fun and the plot was fun. it's always such a treat to read a fresh take on the classic tropes!

I loved this! I absolutely swooned over Brooks. He had it so bad for Siena and I was here for ittt. Their chemistry was fantastic, the story, plot, everything was great. I also enjoy the fake dating trope, because they’re usually fast burns, so I liked that about this book as well. It did take me a bit to get into, but when i got into it, it was great!

Brooks is a former NFL player looking to make his comeback. Siena is the ex-girlfriend of a star NFL player and needs to save her family’s business. Although they can’t stand each other, they agree to fake date to solve their problems after a photo of them goes viral. Brooks & Siena definitely stole my heart and fulfilled all of my trope dreams. I am a complete, absolute sucker for enemies-to-lovers and fake-dating tropes. Ellie K. Wilde’s writing had me sucked into the story from the very first page, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series and go back and read Zac & Melody’s book.

Super cute! This was a very cute fast paced read that I cannot wait to tell others about!

I do love a good sports book, Brooks might take the cake for a little grumpy but a lot sexy MMC. Give me a golden retriever energy but also spiiccccccy man any day of the week.

Siena, that girl knew how to handle Brooks. I would have folder like clean laundry for him on day one. Give him sassy and hell but also on my knees so fast.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde!

Synopsis:
After a seemingly career breaking injury and awful heartbreak, Brooks Attwood is back on the field and back on the market. While training to make a comeback, Brooks knocks the field trespasser, Siena Pippen, off her feet, literally. Because she knows she’s not supposed to be on the field, Siena pretends to be a social media manager for Oakwood Bay and to carry the lie, she posts a picture of Brooks and her. Ultimately, the world believes the two are a couple and this might just be the leverage that Brooks needs to get signed to his old team. Will past heartaches ruin their fake relationship or will their fake dating prove to be not so fake after all?

Review:
It’s always so crazy to me how cute and innocent the covers look when the book is red hot. This was such a fun and spicy read. Although it’s the second in the series, Only Between Us can definitely be read as a stand alone. The MMC and FMC both have relatable internal struggles - with past relationships, family issues, and the boundaries they set with each other. Siena truly deserves the world Brooks is the sweetheart that will give her everything she wants and more! I already see hints of a book three and I already know that will be my absolute favorite of the series!!

Tropes: fostered-MFC, fostered heroine, Professional-athlete-hero, Lift-each-other-up, equal-partners, supportive-partners

This is a really sweet romance. I'm not sure how else to explain it. It is sweet without being overly sweet, although it breaches that boundary a bit. Sometimes authors go too far into the he-falls-first category and this one reaches that, but not quite.

The heroine understands the hero, doesn't hold the hero hostage for his feelings, and unlike most other heroines, is really bold and unapologetic for feeling desire for the hero. That was unusual and unique and I appreciated it. The hero acknowledges how the heroine is different than his ex. He takes care of her and wants to keep taking care of her the rest of his life. They embody partnership and that is a really sweet sentiment. Being there for the other person consistently and being open in communication is super important, and I am happy that this book highlighted that aspect.

UGH I LOVE ELLIE WILDE. Gosh, can she write an amazing cast of characters of what?? I didn't want this to end. The maturity of the characters was so refreshing...I was hooked from the first page and didn't stop until I was finished. I need more of this crew!!

The fake dating trope will always be one of my favorites. Siena was extremely relatable as a female main character. I think we all can relate to being a woman who doesn't want to disappoint their parents. Brooks was the perfect man, hot, filthy, ambitious and vulnerable. The chemistry between them was off the charts. There was a little bit of a slow burn which I loved.

Fake dating? Sign me up!! Slow burn? Sign me up!! Football player, small town and he falls first literally perfect

LOVED this book so much!! I loved the way the relationship started out as fake dating between Brooks and Siena. I loved Siena's backstory with her parents. I loved the spice and tension between the two. Such a great book, would highly recommend. I can't wait to go back and read Ellie K Wilde's other books. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.25 stars, rounded down)
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Brooks and Siena’s story is absolutely adorable. I don’t know how such a short book managed to pack in so much depth—while also being so spicy! I wish I could bottle the mix of joy and heartache I felt while reading it.

It’s a little cheesy at times, but honestly, that just added to the charm. This book was a great time from start to finish, and held up as a “stand alone” even though it is #2 in the series.

3.5 Stars

Only Between Us by Ellie Wilde was an easy, entertaining read that flowed effortlessly. I especially enjoyed the slow burn — watching the relationship grow from fake to real felt charming and satisfying. The banter and chemistry kept me engaged, and it made for a perfect “just one more chapter” kind of book.

That said, I felt it lacked the depth that would have elevated it to a higher rating. While the romance was sweet, I wanted more emotional layers and complexity to the characters and their journey. Still, it was a light, enjoyable escape and a great choice for when you want something fun and low-stress to read.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy - all thoughts and opinions are my own!

I absolutely loved this one! The meet cute was so unique and the dynamic constantly changing had me eating this one up!

I always love a fake dating situation and I thought it was funny how there was a constant call back to the last time that Brooks was fake dating. I loved all the heart in this one. It felt like a warm hug the entire time!

Just as amazing as the first one!!
By the first fifth of the story, I knew I’d found something special.
Their bond is magnetic—burning so bright it spills right out of the pages and into your heart

What you’re in for:

- Fake dating… all for the sake of good PR
- She swears she doesn’t date athletes (in real life, at least)
- He’s a shameless flirt
- Drives her to work every single day
- Drops the “my girl” casually (and you melt every time)
- Covered in tattoos
- Gets very jealous when her ex shows up
- The ultimate “wear my jersey” moment

Thank you NetGalley, Atria and Ellie K Wilde for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved book #1 and was so excited for this book. There isn’t a ton of crossover so this could be read as standalone.

Siena and Brooks run into each other (literally) and while the chemistry is instantaneous doubt, assumptions and resentment bubble up as soon as a picture of them goes viral.

Fake dating (especially between two bold characters with tons of chemistry) doesn’t get old and Ellie did it right.

The backstories and hurt each of them have to overcome and grow from was appealing and a nice contrast to the tension and spice.

Cannot wait to read book #3!

While book one was supported with the strong character backstory, this one needed a bit more development. A switch flipped pretty early on that made it Instalove without really developing it fully. That said, I’m always down for a he falls first.

This is a cute and steamy romance and the book exceeded my expectations. I would read more books by this author!

I loved only in your dreams, and couldn't wait to see the rest of the friend group find their special someones and was so excited for Brooks' story!

His and Siena's meet cute turned almost immediate enemies and oh wait what's that a little fake dating? [Which of course turns into the best of friends with a side of verrrrrrry real feelings].

This was such a fun one sitting read. I loved seeing intentionality on both sides, even when they were pretending they still hated each other. The chemistry and banter between the two was so fun to watch, the trials were handled realistically and I loved that this was an enemies to lovers that didn't feel childish and the spots where both MCs needed healing were handled appropriately for the tone of the book.

I'm now very anxiously awaiting Summer and Parker's story. Friends to lovers is one of my favs! (And the glimpses in this book didn't hurt!)


Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my review!