Set in a small college town along the East Coast, Brooks is working to get back in the NFL with his LA team. When he literally runs into Siena, they realize an opportunity to fake date could be mutually beneficial even if they can't stand each other. As Brooks navigates his free agent status, he and Siena are drawn together and find they have more in common than they thought.

While there is third act angst, I understood each character's background and underlying issues that got them to that point. Brooks has gone through therapy since his injury and related dark six months afterwards. They work to communicate throughout the novel, which really helped when I struggled reading this section.

I liked this more than the first book in the Oakwood Bay series. I'm really hoping the third book is about Summer and Parker! I loved seeing more of these too in this one and can't wait to see their relationship shift from friends to lovers.

I may have missed it, but I still don't know exactly what East Coast state this series is set in, though in my head it is New Jersey. The first book mentioned Mel and Parker's parents visiting the south, there is a boardwalk by Siena's work, and a major city is a few hours away (NYC in my head).

🏈 Sports Romance
❤ Fake Dating
🏈 MMC former football player working on a comeback
❤ FMC foster kid trying to help the family business
🏈 He falls first
❤ Dual POV
🏈 Parker the Meddler
❤ Small town

Open Door / Very Spicy!

4.25 / 5 stars

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the eARC!

One thing about me: I will NEVER get tired of the fake dating trope. This book was hilarious and equal parts heartbreaking at times and the banter had me in a chokehold.

Let me tell you, the MMC was OBSESSED with the FMC in this book. He would do anything for her, literally anything. This isn't even a fantasy book but I'm sure Brooks would burn down the world for Sienna. It's that serious 😮‍💨

The angst at the end had me on the edge of my seat (WILL THEY, WONT THEY?). I was sure they would make it work but I was sweating for a few chapters. I get why Sienna was hesitant, she's strong and had to grow up at such a young age but some of those chapters were making me nervous 😬

Brooks is a walking green flag — in every sense of the word.
Although his past may suggest otherwise, in this book he’s nothing but the doting, swoon-worthy boyfriend every woman dreams of. He’s protective, kind, generous, assertive when needed — the list goes on. Ellie K. Wilde did a fantastic job developing his character!
This love story was exactly the rom-com escape I needed. Siena, a successful influencer who built her brand from the ground up despite a challenging upbringing, was a lovely protagonist. Watching her fall for Brooks — and him so clearly falling for her — was one of the sweetest things I’ve read this year.
That said, I’m not the biggest fan of the miscommunication or self-sabotage tropes, and Siena definitely leans into both. Still, her character felt authentic, and I appreciated her growth throughout the story.
I also loved seeing familiar faces from Book 1 — it made the world feel warm and connected. Parker love story next, please?! Or Summer! Or BOTH?! 😊
Overall, this was a sweet, feel-good romance that I’d absolutely recommend — especially if you’ve read the first book. Knowing the side characters and Brooks' backstory adds so much richness to the journey he takes in this one.
Thank you for the opportunity to read about these characters — I can't wait to see what this author does next!

it’s so surreal reading this as a trad book!! i’ve been a fan of ellie since her debut & i read only in your dreams when it was still indie so this is soo exciting!!!

i loved siena & brooks so much!! i’m a sucker for fake dating and this was such a good one!! siena & brooks were such good individual characters, both dealing with a lot of stress and doing their best. they genuinely complemented each other so well & we’re great sounding boards for the other. they had each other’s backs and probably would’ve done anything for the other

i know this doesn’t come out for a while but i am so excited to see what’s next from ellie <3 i know it’s gonna be great!!

Cute and fun with some spice. Exactly what I'd expect from this book! I am not a big sports romance reader but I did enjoy this one!

I want to thank NetGalley and the author for this advanced copy. This book was such a cute read. I usually don’t tend to read much sports romance, but this book was worth it. The first half was a little slow for me, but after it picked up and i couldn't put it down. I loved the characters. I love how their connection started growing. It was definetly a good read. I'd definetly recommend if you want a cute cozy read with some spice.

First I want to thank NetGalley and the author for the advanced copy. This book was such a cute read. I don't read much sports romance but this book was worth it. The first half was a little slow for me but after it picked up and i couldn't put it down. I loved the characters. I love how their connection started growing. It was definetly a good read. I'd definetly recommend if you want a cute cozy read with some spice. Thank you NetGalley and the author.

🏈 ONLY BETWEEN US 🏈

Welp. She did it again. @elliekwildeauthor DID.IT.AGAIN.

The way her men fall SOOO hard for the FMC should be studied. I’m obsessed. Feral. The back and forth between Brooks and Siena had me clutching my kindle to my chest either giggling, swooning or crying. After reading Only In Your Dreams - I wasn’t sure how Brooks’ story was going to top Zac but my gawdddd.

I love a man who would move heaven and earth for a woman and isn’t afraid to show it. Not gonna lie - it got me choked up a bit in the end (and not in the shmexy way).

Here are a few non-spoiler bits without context:

✨Twenty million eyelashes
✨Going left
✨Chin tilts
✨Coat closets
✨SOPHIA
✨ Nice Ass

The way @elliekwildeauthor is with words. Brava, my dear. Brava 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

This book is giving fake dating, sports romance, he falls first. It’s the second book in the Oakwood Bay series. I needed this book immediately after finishing the first one, Only in Your Dreams. They could be read as stand alone, but you’d be more invested if you read them in order.

Brooks Attwood, with his kind heart and dirty mouth, has altered my brain chemistry. Ellie K Wilde writes characters in their complexity so beautifully. I loved reading the realization that Siena had in recognizing Brooks as her soul twin. They fit so well together in their similarities and differences. As the reader you are rooting for them to work out the entire time. Wilde is also a master at writing slow burn. There are little points of relief along the way, but they also serve to stoke the burn and tension between characters. It’s creative and satisfying.

I am hoping and crossing my fingers that there’s a third book coming with Parker and Summer’s story. There were some little teasers towards the end of the book maybe alluding to such. This growing friend group is everything and I’m invested in all their love lives.

Ellie K. Wilde’s “Only Between Us” is the highly anticipated sequel to “Only in Your Dreams,” a steamy sports romance about a former pro football star who agrees to fake date the fan-favorite ex of another high-profile NFL player. The story follows Brooks Attwood, a former professional football player who is trying to make a comeback after a career-ending injury. Brooks is struggling to get back into the game because of some embarrassing photos that leaked online, making him look like a bad boy.

Brooks’s plans to keep a low profile are disrupted when a selfie he takes with a fiery fan goes viral, and tabloids mistake them as the football world’s newest couple. The fan in question is Siena Pippen, the ex-girlfriend of a famous NFL player, who wants nothing to do with the world of football after her experience with her ex. Siena and Brooks are initially annoyed with each other for the media circus surrounding them, but they eventually realize that they can both benefit from the situation.

Siena’s family business is struggling, and the publicity surrounding her “relationship” with Brooks could be the boost they need. Brooks, on the other hand, needs to prove to his old team, the Rebels, that he is a changed man in order to get signed. Together, they hatch a plan to pretend to be madly in love, at least until Brooks signs with a team.

The longer they pretend, the more their fake romance starts to feel real, and Brooks becomes determined to convince Siena that they are truly meant to be. The book is filled with witty banter, endearing mishaps, and just enough chemistry to keep readers hooked. The love interest is charming, with enough depth to make their dynamic engaging, even if some of their conflicts feel a bit predictable.

While the book excels in humor and sweet moments, the protagonist’s personal growth occasionally takes a backseat to the romantic plot. A deeper exploration of their emotional journey could have added more weight to their happily-ever-after. However, the supporting cast adds plenty of fun, and the romantic tension is well-paced, making it easy to root for the central couple. The writing is light and engaging, perfect for readers looking for a feel-good story with a few laughs along the way. If you don’t mind a little predictability and enjoy banter-filled romance, this book is a charming pick—just don’t expect too much introspection between the meet-cutes and grand gestures.

4.5⭐️

✨Sports Romance
✨Fake Dating
✨Banter for dayyyyyys
✨Tattooed Golden Retriever MMC
✨Dual POV
✨Small Town Romance
✨He Falls First
✨Spicy 🌶️

So many good moments. So many feels.
From the tiny cheerleaders to the gala… From the lock on her door to the teal hulled sailboat… Brooks Atwood has many, many facets 👏🏻 And they all belong to Siena Pippen.

“I think we’re looking at the same guy. It’s slightly confusing, considering cute is the last thing I’d label him.”

“Just so you’re aware, it sounds like you’re accusing me of either jersey chasing or stalking.”

“This is a guy who sobs at dog shelter commercials. Seriously, all it takes is the opening bars of that Sarah McLaughlin song and it’s game over.”

“He has I dare you to make bad decisions with me written all over him. And I’ve always been a sucker for bad decisions.”

“Fifty thousand eyelashes. The man has fifty thousand of them.”

“He looks totally ridiculous and… astoundingly attractive.”

“Adrenaline hits my bloodstream, same as it did the first time she ever smiled at me. I resent it. Despise it. Should know better.”

“You seriously went out and bought one of everything because you weren’t sure how I like my caffeine?”

“He’s jealous. I don’t even know what to make of that.”

“I hate how much I like it when she looks at me. It’s shameless, with a greedy edge. Makes me feel wanted in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.”

“Something about that hits just the right way. I like the idea of her dad liking me. But that’s weird, and I shove the thought away.”

“Pretty little Siena, with her winning smile and charming wit. Perfect pretend girlfriend. Perfect media darling. Fooling everyone but me.”

“It’s what happens when I want to impress a pretty girl. I start doing stupid things.”

“Forward and confident is my catnip. I eat it up.”

“Let me do that.” “I’ve got it.” “I didn’t say you didn’t. I said I wanted to do it for you.”

“Who made this woman feel like she was anything remotely close to a bother? She’s the most self-sufficient person I know.”

“I want to tangle us up together so much that she forgets all about pretend. I want her to like me. Fall for me. The way I’m falling for her.”

“I can’t come up with a single thing I wouldn’t give her. I’d spoil her rotten if she’d let me.”

“There’s only so much you can ask of a me as a man, and keeping my eyes off you isn’t one of them.”

“Brooks is just a man who needs the validation of knowing he’s worth liking. Loving. Just like me.”

“I love the person I am with her. Trusting and playful. Optimistic.”

“I’m not trying to trick her into anything. I just want her to wake up one day and feel like she can’t live without me.”

“My girl. My light at the end of a dark, hard tunnel. Just as in this as I am, whether she wants to admit it or not.”

“Maybe it won’t be an easy, straight line to our forever. But we’ll get that forever. I’ve never seen it as clearly as I do now.”

“Brooks doesn’t give me butterflies. He gives me fire-breathing dragons, wreaking havoc on my insides. Burning me up, disrupting my sense of gravity.”

“She’s where I want to be. There’s just no way I can let her go.”

“Even early on, when I didn’t want her there, she carved herself a spot in my heart. Widened it until there wasn’t a single part of me where she didn’t belong.”

“I’m a survivor. I’ve been a survivor since I was a kid but I’m pretty sure that being without you would slowly kill me, and there’d be nothing I could do about it.”

“You want me to pretend you didn’t just piledrive my heart, Pippen?” “Don’t say that.” “It doesn’t even matter. Break my heart. Love it back. Rip it right out of my chest. It’s yours, anyway. Do whatever you want with it.”

“Turns out, Brooks was right. When it comes down to it, I don’t have it in me to let this go.”

“She’s here, she loves me, and is smiling at me, and I don’t care about the rest.”

“The whole thing is so her. Nothing like how I rehearsed it. And everything I’ve ever needed.”

This book offers a breezy, heartwarming escape, filled with witty banter, endearing mishaps, and just enough chemistry to keep the pages turning. The love interest is suitably charming, with enough depth to make their dynamic engaging, even if some of their conflicts feel a bit predictable.

While the book excels in humor and sweet moments, the protagonist’s personal growth occasionally takes a backseat to the romantic plot. A deeper exploration of their emotional journey could have added more weight to their happily-ever-after.

That said, the supporting cast adds plenty of fun, and the romantic tension is well-paced, making it easy to root for the central couple. The writing is light and engaging, perfect for readers looking for a feel-good story with a few laughs along the way. If you don’t mind a little predictability and enjoy banter-filled romance, this book is a charming pick—just don’t expect too much introspection between the meet-cutes and grand gestures.

read if you like:
🏈 football
🏟️ sports romcoms
👩‍❤️‍👨 fake romances

summary:
This book follows Brooks Attwood, a former professional football player looking to revive his career after an injury, and Siena Pippen, the energetic ex-girlfriend of one of the league’s most famous players. The two meet by chance, and after a social media post of the two of them goes viral, Brooks proposes an arrangement — Siena needs to “date” him in order for him to prove to his old team, the Rebels, he’s settled down, so they sign him to a new contract. Despite her initial resistance, Siena realizes she can benefit from this too and save her family business. But before long, they find themselves asking — are they really only faking their feelings for each other?

This is your quintessential “fake-romance” trope, but it’s still a great book. Siena is a fun character to root for — she’s strong, bold, and advocates for herself, all while demonstrating a fierce loyalty and love for her parents. Brooks is a little less fun to follow — he’s your typical athlete, who for some reason needs a girlfriend to get signed by his old football team. What makes this book unique is the humor, the passion between the two of them, and the interesting people in their lives. I also genuinely love when the guy falls harder than the girl — it feels more realistic and also moves away from the typical girl-is-head-over-heels trope. A refreshing change!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy to review. If you love a good football romcom, check this book out when it releases on July 7!

This book made me so happy. Brooks and Siena are such a cute couple. Sienas background of raising herself and stumbling across an amazing loving family truly made this book. Her trust issues, scared of asking for help and just her overall self truely made this book come to life. Her dad was a big football fan and when she literally runs into one of his favourite players it’s a sign. Now Brooks has the past of a star athlete and the trust issues as well. A fake relationship seemed like a good idea at the time, but really when spending so much time together it’s inevitable to fall in love.

After reading Only In Your Dreams, I desperately wanted Brooks' story. (Summer's too, but i hope that's coming soon). I am NOT disappointed. Brooks is amazing. He's sweet and loving and determined to be happy again. Siena had a tough childhood, but has a loving family and friends. Their unexpected meeting turns into a fake dating scenario and we all know where those go. After starting out with distrust thanks to their baggage, they fall in love and it's worth every hiccup and road block. I'm hoping we get Summer and Parker's story sooner rather than later.

I loved this book! It has the perfect amount of will they won't they and the spice was excellent. Highly recommend, especially if you love a sports romance.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Only Between Us is a sweet’n’spicy sports romance. The premise starts off with Brooks and Siena fake dating to achieve their personal agendas. However…. Soon the feelings become less fake.

Pros:
+Siena has an interesting and thoughtful backstory. I liked reading about how her character was observed through the eyes of Brooks based on her actions rather than words.
+The writing is consistent and easy to read. A fun, sporty, trope-filled romance.
+the spicy scenes are pretty well-done and not that cringe.

Cons:
-compared to the previous book, there were too many similarities. Brooks seemed like another Zac but supposedly with more of a “bad boy” edge (thought we never actually got to see it. He’s just perfect and emotionally available by the start of this book). Brooks was quite bland. And while I love a “he’s so obsessed with her” book as much as the next person, it also needs to be consistent with the persona the character has allegedly established.
-numerous miscommunication or rather lack-of-communication occurrences. However! Brooks does prompt Siena to practice opening up!
-In short, it felt a bit like a bland-ish story with bland-ish characters that uses a lot of tropes that people like (fake dating, he spoils her, MMC obsessed with her, touch her and die).
-I thought the conflict wasn’t very believable based on the character’s personalities.

I loved the banter and chemistry between Siena and Brooks. Brooks was swoon-worthy. There story and how they came together at the end was perfect. I’m a sucker for sports romances and this series hasn’t disappointed.

Oh my gosh I had no idea I was going to love Brooks as much as I did. It made me feel like this book was so completely separate from the first book, even if some characters overlapped. And Siena??? A PERFECT female main character. I cannot wait for the next book (I have a feeling I know exactly who it will be about)!

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

I’m a big fan of sports romance and this was a cute one. I enjoyed the perspective of an injured athlete working to make it back to the pros. I struggled somewhat with the pacing of the relationship between the main characters. It felt like they went very quickly from not trusting each other to being really into each other. I would have preferred more of a slow burn.

3.5⭐️ rounded up