Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde 💕
Oakwood Bay, Book 2
Interconnected Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
♾️♾️♾️♾️♾️
Adult • Sports Romance
ARC Review
🗓️ July 8

🏈football romance
💕dislike to love
🏈fake dating
💕one bed
🏈casual to more
💕no real 3rd act breakup

❣️ “You with me, Pip?”

❣️”The audacity. Who the hell authorized this man to be so utterly charming?”

❣️”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.”

Can you feel it?! Can you feel my huge smile while I write this? I bet you can. I bet my love for this book is so big, so transcendent that you’re able to feel it through my words.

Yes, Only in Your Dreams was a favorite of mine in January. But Only Between Us?! My goodness, there are no limits to my adoration. This book was one of those reads that keeps you flipping the page with butterflies in your belly, smiles in your eyes and a need to keep the MCs locked forever inside your heart.

Brooks and Sienna were so tender yet so strong. I honestly loved them as much as “enemies” as lovers. The banter was deliciously on point both times and I was gone before even realizing what was happening.

“You with me” is a soul tattoo I’ll cherish forever.

Synopsis: A professional football player tries to revamp his image by fake dating a social media influencer.
Thoughts: I am sad to say I didn’t enjoy this one nearly as much as book one. The characters here are great, and they do have good chemistry. I just felt that the middle portion of the story really dragged and got repetitive. Even the spicy scenes - very repetitive. I also would have liked more characters from book one to make an appearance.
Read this if you like:
🏈 sports romance
🏈 fake dating
🏈 he falls first
🏈 spicy

I knew I'd love this, but I did not expect to like it even more than the first book. Also, after his trust issues, I did not expect that Brooks would fall faster and harder for Siena. He has his reasons for mistrust, but it's Siena who has walls built mountain high, and he never gives up on her.

Brooks is in training to make his comeback to the NFL after a terrifying injury put him into early retirement; physically he's ready but the destructive path he cut after the end of his career and his long term relationship, and the family friendly Rebels aren't sure he's a good fit.

Siena is bound by her traumatic upbringing and ties made of both love and debt, and is scrambling every day to make it work. After a chance meeting with Brooks and accidentally posting a picture that makes them look wildly in love, the two make a deal - fake date so Brooks looks like he's settled down, and Siena can make some money from the increased brand offers to her already unintended but successful social media career.

They don't really get off on the right foot, but they find their way to friendship and eventually realizing they can't fight their attraction to each other forever. This book was unbelievably sweet in the way that they root for each other and support one another - the friendship they build runs deep, and it's a real foundation of respect and regard before anything else happens. I think that's why I loved this so much - they understand each other so well that it makes it so hard to hold it against them when they make the inevitable choices that are the right one in a hard situation.

The depth of their backstories and motivations is also what makes this such a solid, well-written book. I felt immersed in these people's lives, and cried and laughed with them.

Love this series. I will definitely be counting down the days until I get more!

This was an amazing, hot romance.

i love Ellie works, they way she delivers that hot steamy romance is completely addicting.

can't wait to book 3.

I am OBSESSED with these two.

Craving a filthy mouthed former NFL player working on a comeback that’s fake dating the ex of another high profile player in order to keep the league happy?

In this fake dating book, they both benefit… in many ways I’ll say. And let you decide or just read yourself!

They had me laughing and sweating and SWOONING all over the place.

Sienna is reckless, fierce and sassy and Brooks NEEDS this to work, but will it stay fake when he falls FIRST AND HARD? 😏

• NFL player working on a comeback• fake dating • hate to love • he falls first and harder

Ellie K. Wilde has done it again! Only Between Us delivers everything I crave in a great sports romance: sizzling chemistry, emotional stakes, and a compelling storyline that kept me rooting for the characters from page one.

Having read Wilde’s first book, I was already a fan of her writing style—sharp, witty, and emotionally resonant. While I wasn’t sold on the male lead in book one, Brooks absolutely won me over. His journey from reckless to reliable felt earned, and his connection with Siena was the kind that gives you all the feels.

Only Between Us is the perfect blend of slow-burn fauxmance and heartfelt redemption, all set against the high-stakes backdrop of professional football. If you love sports romance with humor, heat, and heart, this one’s for you.

the first arc i got approved for! and what a good one to start with. “only between us” is an enemies to lovers, fake relationship trope between a football player and a former teammate’s girlfriend. the tension was CRAZY and i enjoyed their chemistry, as well as the relationship progression. this made me interested in the rest of the books in the series as i grown attached to each of the characters in the book. this was a good introduction to the oakwood bay universe

In this second book of the fabulous Oakwood Bay series by Ellie K. Wilde, she kicks things into high gear and never lets up. Siera and Brooks’ meet cute is funny and sassy and all kinds of smoking, sizzling sexual chemistry. Despite the fallout, their connection is immediate and palpable. And the banter is hilarious! I loved their every interaction, whether fighting, flirting or another-F-word-ing. Talk about delicious, Oh My.

This is one of the best fake dating romances I’ve read, with a touch of spicy enemies-to-lovers heat. Sparks were flying from the first tackle. The banter between Siera and Brooks is next level smart and sexy, witty and pitch perfect. The dirty talk absolutely slays. This author has a rare talent for killer dialogue, and I’ll happily devour anything she ever writes.

The relationship between Brooks and Siena is convincingly built, brick by brick, proving they’re mental, physical and emotional soulmates. While the heat between them is absolutely scorching, the vulnerability they gift each other is quiet, beautiful and heartfelt. These two put in the work and it’s truly joyful to experience their happily ever after.

Also, huge shout out to the supporting cast! These characters are loyal, funny and the kind of tribe we all want to have our backs. Wow, I’m especially digging the best friends / wing(wo)man dynamic between Parker and Summer. I don’t know what sexy shenanigans are in store for those two in next year’s If Only You Knew, but I am soooo down for it!

Ellie K. Wilde writes with a freshness and candor that I love and appreciate. I recommend this to anyone looking for an intelligent and sassy FMC, sexy teddy bear MMC, and some of the hottest hookups you’ll ever read. Seriously. EVER.

This novel is simply fantastic.

Huge thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the chance to read and review!

I really enjoyed this book even though at times it felt a little long. The characters were great and I really liked them. It's really well-written and who doesn't love a good fake-dating story?
thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.

A cute, fake-dating story!

The first couple of chapters were a little slow and had me doubting if I was going to like this one. But then the fake dating started (let's be honest, that's all we're here for) - and I was invested.

I liked Sienna - she's energetic, fun-loving, and just wants to be chosen. She also wants to take care of her sick mom, and the bait shop she inherited from her parents. She feels a lot of guilt and responsibility to her parents for bits of her childhood, and that holds her back in a lot of ways.

Brooks definitely plays football. And he's sweet and hot and likes dogs. he's just Brooks.

The progression of fake dating to real feelings happened in a pretty straightforward, realistic way - all the best forced proximity moments you could ask for, plus two really encouraging friend groups paved the way for them.
There isn't really a 3rd act breakup, but there is a lil bit of angst (and a bit of stupidity but what do you want, they're just two idiots in love)

Only Between Us Vibes👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

-former NFL working on a comeback fake -dating hate to love
-he falls first & harder
-meet cute gone terribly wrong
-hate kissing
-spice and banter

I ATE THIS UP!!! I read this book and under 24 hours. It’s absolutely fantastic!!! You will swoon, scream and sweat!!

The chemistry that these characters have are insane!! You can feel it through the pages. They are so perfect for each other!!

The MMC in here Brooks is the sweetest hottest man!! He needs an award!! I highlighted the absolute crap out of this book!! And I cannot wait to purchase the physical copy!!

Thank you Ellie Wilde and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy. It was absolutely amazing!!

Such a fun fake dating romance! I really liked both of the main characters. They both had characteristics that made them distinctly themselves that also complimented each other. There’s an instant connection when they (literally) run into each other when they first meet. There’s a bit of a build up to the fake dating which I appreciated given they were strangers to each other. The physical attraction was obvious but as they got to know each other, they realized they found the one person they could truly trust to open up all aspects about themselves.

The fmc I admired with her confidence and strong-willedness. She wasn’t afraid to tell anyone, especially the mmc, what was on her mind. The mcc absolutely ate it up too. He was absolutely gone for her basically from the start and just became more obsessed the more her learned about her.

This did feel a tiny bit long in the sense of some things being drawn out that didn’t really need to be, but it didn’t bother me all at much.

While this is second in a series, it is very much a standalone. Characters from the first book are there but in a very minor way - so read the books in whatever order you’d like!

✨ fake dating
🏈 professional football
🤭 he falls first
🐾 includes a dog
🤍 he gets a tattoo for her

dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
3/5 spice level 🌶️

3.75 stars

This was fun and a great continuation of the Oakwood Bay series. I completely understood why they both reacted the way they did to each other early on based on minimal knowledge. The fake dating was fun (as always imo) and I loved Siena’s back story. It was tragic but really hopeful and different than most characters I have read before. And there was a lot of spice (honestly could cut a couple scenes) but it was always different, good variety.

It was a bit long though. And I don’t feel we got enough backstory of Siena’s ex. I also felt the addition of a creepy landlord almost felt like TOO MUCH bad happening to her. I was also confused why Brooks hooking up with people while single was a worse look than his teammate having an affair with Naomi yet they also were considering him back? Oh and if a big issue was Brooks hooking up in public why did they keep doing spicy things out in the open? That was a bit too reckless.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

4 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

The Plot: After a death-defying injury sidelined him for two seasons, Brooks Attwood’s pro football comeback has hit a major snag. Naughty photos from a post-break-up bender have leaked, and they’re killing his chances with the Rebels—his old team, and the only one he wants to play on. As he trains with the hope of being signed before the first kickoff of the season, Brooks’s plans to keep a low profile are suddenly upended when his selfie with a fiery fan goes viral, and tabloids mistake them as the football world’s newest It couple.

What I loved: Honestly? I loved Siena, mainly because I am a recovering "I need to be the best so my parents will love me" as well. I love that she truly didn't take any shit from anyone, even Brooks.

It might be because we didn't spend any time in Brooks' head in the last book, obviously, but I feel like his characterization was a little off from what I remember? He seemed a little too much of the jealous type, to the point that Siena almost couldn't talk to another man without him almost flying off the handle. Their chemistry was incredible throughout the whole book, but I almost feel like they'd be a couple that wouldn't last in the long run.

I look forward to what is surely going to be Parker and Summer's book coming up!

4.75 ⭐️

Ellie K Wilde is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She writes scenes so effortlessly, I’m always entertained! Only Between Us is a fake dating (of convenience hehe) filled with the funniest banter. And the spice? It’s so good! I great step up from her first novel and I loved every second of it. Siena and Brooks are super cute together and I was rooting for Brooks the entire book. Everyone loves a comeback story and I think his story was written super well. I wish Siena was a little bit more understanding and I hate that she was doubtful to the very last second of taking this risk with Brooks. We got our happily ever after but you can tell that Brooks was in it from the very beginning and it was kind of a catch up game for Siena to realize how much she’s worthy of him and vice versa. Overall I LOVED THIS. Go get your copy this Tuesday July 8th!!! Everyone better be on the lookout for Wilde, she’s gonna be big I just know it 🫶🏼🫶🏼

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books (I love you guys) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Only Between Us - Book 2 in the Oakwood Bay series (works as a standalone)
Ok book besties - this one was cute...
We've got the typical fake dating trope in this contemporary Sports romance - this one features super adorable golden retriever MMC that falls (quite literally) in love with our FMC. I was easily charmed by this book and enjoyed the dual POV. I dare say, I liked it slightly more than book 1.
Rating this on just simple enjoyability - 4⭐

SERIOUSLY THIS WAS SOOOO GOOD.

Brooks and Siena really stole my heart. I just want to snuggle them both and tell them how proud I am of them. GAH!

Brooks is a “semi” retired football player who’s been out due to an injury. His “wild” past has made it difficult for his old team to want to sign him on again so what does he need to prove? That he’s settled down and is on the right track 😌

*insert our rebellious queen Siena*

Siena is truly fearless and soooo strong. Her life hasn’t been the easiest but the way she never gives up is inspiring. Their fake dating was PERFECT. These two really tried to play their own rules that didn’t last long 😂

I will definitely be picking up the authors next book 😌

Thank you Ellie K. Wilde, Netgalley & Atria for a gifted earc in exchange for an honest review

So so so good. I loved the plot, fake dating is the best. I loved the characters and their chemistry. I loved the side characters. Brooks is soooooo 🥵

NetGalley ARC review!

When I tell you that I loved this BOOK!! I was obsessed with the first book and the second one does not disappoint! Brooks was the sweet yet ‘just wants to be loved for him’ golden retriever of my dreams and Siena was the sarcastic but ‘never wants to be seen as a burden can do everything her self’ cinnamon roll of his dreams. I laughed, I cried and kicked my silly little feet. The spicy scenes were perfectly mixed in, also my fav trope…no third act break up!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this amazing book!!

5⭐️
3.5/5🌶️

🏈: sports romance (nfl)

🏈: fake dating

🏈: he falls first (with the filthiest mouth)

🏈: small town

🏈: banter on banter

Only Between Us by Ellie K Wilde is absolute fun!

I loved this book. The follow up book from her sport romance series and it did not disappoint! Fake dating, rivals, and football? A win.
Brooks and Siena had the most fun and charged chemistry. He's a pro NFL player with a filthy mouth and their push and pull dynamic? I love it. I love when they fight it at first and want to act like it's all for show but we all know. I loved the slow burn element, the banter, the dynamic, the found family and sports. it's fun, flirty, steamy and a page turner.