Thank you to Atria for the advance reader copy of Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde.

Brooks is looking to make a comeback in his professional football career and needs to do so by keeping a low profile. However, when Brooks is mistaken for being in a relationship with Siena, the ex of another player, both Brooks and Siena can benefit from the attention. They agree to a fake dating arrangement that will last until Brooks is able to sign with a new team.

Brooks and Siena have spectacular chemistry! I love how these two banter from when they aren’t getting along to when they start to grow feelings for each other. Their relationship development kept me engaged throughout the book and their respective journeys during the book make this a well developed story.

If you enjoy a fake dating romance, this is one to check out!

4 stars – I really enjoyed Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde! Siena and Brooks had amazing chemistry and a deep connection that made their love story feel real and heartfelt. The conflict was a bit predictable, but the resolution was genuine and satisfying. Loved being back with the Oakwood Bay crew—this group always feels like home!

4.75 stars rounded up

What I loved about this book:
-Brooks Attwood. I am a sucker for an obsessed man who falls first and falls hard. This man bought her not only several types of hot coffee but also several kinds of iced coffee, simply because he didn't know how she liked to caffeinate. He accepted Siena for who she was and loved his dog, Peter *great dog name*
-Siena. My god she was sassy and fierce and I loved her.
-the banter between literally everyone
-the spice level. Whew the public toy scene, I had to set down my Kindle and take a moment.

The only thing I didn't enjoy in this book was just the little bits of immaturity from Siena, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this. I laughed, cried, blushed, and swooned.

I absolutely loved Only In Your Dreams so when I Saw that Only Between Us was here I knew I had to read it! And this delivered just as much if not more than the first book. I am not a fake dating fiend. It is not my preferred trope. But when written well, I gobble it up. And Ellie K Wilde writes fake dating like a pro. She also delivers great character growth from both the FMC and MMC that this will probably be one of my favorite sports romcoms of the year. I feel that the story was very well rounded and the spice level was fantastic and also very well written. I really am excited to see what she does next!

Big thank you to Atria & Ellie K. Wilde for this adorable read!
I was able to read and review the first installment of this series and I knew the second would match the joy I felt reading the first book.
This was such a cute read, I was never bored, it felt so effortless, being able to visualize the beach and vibe of summer while reading was so fun I fell in love with the setting.
What I really loved though was the chemistry and meet cute between Siena and Brooks. It was not what I expected for Brooks Atwood's book but I was not disappointed in the slightest. They were like peanut butter and jelly. They complimented each other so much, the banter was the cutest.
If you enjoyed Only in your Dreams you'll adore Only Between Us just as much!

I have just been loving the fake dating trope lately and always a slow burn!
This was fantastic! a high 4 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

“Good. And just so you’re aware? You aren’t an afterthought to me. You are the thought. From the moment I wake up to the second I fall asleep. It’s you.”

This series is so dang cute.

What I liked:

I love Brooks and Sienna together. They have fantastic chemistry, amazing banter, and great tension.

I really enjoyed getting to know Summer & Parker better in this book. Will their book be next?

Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes. And Ellie Wilde did it so well.

What didn’t work for me:

Nothing

5⭐️ 3.5🌶️ This book is everything I need in a fake dating romance and I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Really hoping there is more coming for this series, Parker and Summer need their HEAs!

Siena had a really troubled childhood and combined with a bad break up, she didn’t trust easily. Watching Brooks adore her and show her she is not a burden and it’s a pleasure to be there for her was beautiful. Brooks also had trust issues from a previous relationship and was excellent at showing Brooks he is more than just foot ball!

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

Kicking my feet and giggling!!!!

Fake dating is that trope I always run back to because… they always fall for each other and amp up the PDA to try and decide if they’re both feeling it.

Fake dating an NFL players ex to get your contract? Yes ma’am! My favorite part about this book is how much they both are unwilling to ask the other to give up their dream- this is really phenomenal in how the FMC doesn’t give up her life to follow the MMC.

5/5 would recommend and would read again.

I received an ARC for review through NetGalley 🫶🏻

This was absolutely adorable! The first book in this series, Only in Your Dreams, became an instant favorite when I read it earlier this year, and although it still holds the number one spot, I enjoyed Only Between Us almost as much.

Brooks and Siena had great chemistry and banter that was so fun to read. Brooks is an absolute dream — I love a boy obsessed, and let me tell you, this man was obsessed. Perfect book boyfriend. Siena was a little frustrating in some moments because she just couldn’t get out of her own way, but I also understood it given her backstory.

4.75/5 because it was a little slow in the beginning and I feel like it could have been a bit shorter, but overall really loved this one. Ellie K. Wilde has officially cemented herself as a go to author for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again.

Ellie K. Wilde is one of my new all time favorite romance authors. She writes such amazing protagonists and her characters are wonderful. I love the plots and the chemistry is great.

The banter in Ellie K. Wilde's book are top tier!! I wasn't as obsessed with this one as I was the first, but I still REALLY enjoyed myself. I teared up at least three times and was also laughing out loud.

She did a really great job of setting up the next book with out taking away from the couple in this book, I am really excited for book 3 in this series!

I loved this one just as much as Only In Your Dreams!! I’m a huge fan of fake dating (& this also gave “enemies to lovers” vibes) & second chance! I loved the banter & Siena’s inner monologue had me laughing.
I really appreciated the character growth & the plot. I love a good sports romance, and this did not disappoint!
Ellie K Wilde has become a must read author for me!

I sadly did not like this as much as I liked the first one💔 There were a lot of parts I didn’t really enjoy, but the parts I did enjoy really stood out.

The first couple of chapters were so hard to get into, they were super slow and kinda boring. I absolutely love Sienna with my whole heart, but… Brooks? He was. so. damn. boring. Like sir are you awake? Cause I sure as hell wasn’t. YAWNFEST if you will🥱🥱

I’m usually a fan of the second-chance trope (and fake dating too!) and I think they’re both really cute tropes, but something about it here just didn’t hit right. I can’t even put my finger on it, it just felt off.

The banter and the spicy scenes 100% saved this book.

And the ANGER I felt toward Sienna for a few chapters (if you know, you know)… almost made me DNF. That part was so stupid I was ready to throw my ipad.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

This was such a fun, swoony ride! If you're a fan of sports romance, this book checks all the right boxes—intense chemistry, heartfelt moments, and just the right dose of drama.
The dynamic between the leads is electric, full of playful banter, slow-burn tension, and emotional depth that goes beyond the surface.
What really stood out was the character development—both main characters felt real and flawed in the best ways, growing individually and together throughout the story. Whether you're here for the romantic tension, the personal journeys, or the adrenaline of the game, this story delivers.
Perfect for readers who love determined characters, emotional payoff, and a happily-ever-after that feels earned. Definitely one to add to your TBR if you're in the mood for a mix of passion, perseverance, and playbook-worthy love.

This book was awesome! I may have loved it more than the first book. It was sexy with great character development and a solid connection between the characters. I really love the fake dating trope and the build up was perfectly written. Well done!

UM HELLO?!?! The chokehold this story had on me is insane. I hadn’t read the other book in this series and was going in blind but oh my gosh I don’t know how anyone can top Brooks. The trauma that both Brooks and Siena endured in their life was enough for them to completely give up on love but the connection they had was undeniable. When he finally realized he wanted more he fought hard to help Siena break down her walls. She was a fiercely independent FMC, enough to the point where you just wanted to shake her and tell her it’s okay to let someone in but when she finally did, it was perfect. The emotional growth both of these characters had throughout the book was extremely well written and I devoured every page. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet, can’t wait for the next one!

I love a good football romance, and this one *scored big*. It’s not just vibes—we get the real deal: training, scrimmages, recovery—the whole playbook. But what truly made this shine was the emotional depth. Both Siena and Brooks have their own storylines that brought serious vulnerability and complexity. My heart? Wrecked (in the best way).

Now let’s talk spice… Ellie did *not* hold back. I’m no stranger to smut, but this had me red-faced and gasping like I’d just run laps. It was *chef’s kiss* levels of divine. hehehe

If you’re in the mood for a romance that’s steamy, heartfelt, and packed with actual football action, go ahead and toss this on your never-ending TBR. Trust me, you’ll devour this one🏈🔥

I started this book and was very iffy. I couldn’t get into it right away and just didn’t like the vibe between the two main characters. After about 4 chapters, I was reeled in. I was so hooked, I made my husband take over parenting so I could finish it.
The development between Siena at the beginning vs her at the end is unlike most female characters I’ve read. She is such a strong character and I absolutely adored her.
The ending did seem to speed up, which I didn’t totally enjoy. I wish there had been 2-3 more chapters and that it had been less condensed, however I still really enjoyed this book!!