Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!!
Brooks and Siena’s was a roller coaster! I loved that they were able to get they’re HEA in the end. The banter and chemistry these two had was amazing. If you love fake dating, he falls first, and sports romances, you’ll love this book! It does have a third act break up and open door scenes.

3.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed this one! The plot was really good and moved at a steady pace. The characters were well developed, and I think reading Only In Your Dreams (the first book in this series) helps with that since a lot of the characters are the same. The romance is quite insta lovey (for Brooks at least) which normally isn’t my favorite, but worked so well. Siena and Brooks are such a cute couple and I loved their chemistry. I will say the smut in this was very intense, so I did skim read most of it, but if that’s your thing you will love this. I’m so grateful to have received both books in this series as E-ARCS so far as they’ve been such good reads!

Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of Only Between Us in exchange for an honest review.

Can I please get yet another standing ovation because Ellie Wilde has done it again my friends! This is Ellie’s second book in this series and it is just as amazing, if not better than the first book in this series, Only In Your Dreams. Ellie’s characters are true standouts in romance literature. You cannot help but fall in love with them over and over again.

Book two brings us the story of Brooks Attwood and Siena Pippen. Brooks has been out of the NFL for two years nursing a serious concussion that should have ended his career. However, he’s poised to make the comeback of a lifetime with Parker and Summer as his personal trainers (from book one). Brooks has spent the better part of the last two years on an inappropriate bender after being left by his girlfriend of eight years once it was apparent he wouldn’t be returning to the NFL anytime soon. Not only did she leave him, but she cheated with his good friend and teammate, leaving him rather jaded.

Siena is also on the mend after leaving her NFL boyfriend of several years due to the demand of his schedule and physical distance, promising herself she’d never date an athlete again. When Siena physically runs into Brooks sneaking onto the practice field, all bets are off. If Brooks wants a chance to return to the Raptors, he has to prove he’s established and stable. That he’s not the playboy posted all over every gossip column. That’s where Siena comes in. The two make a pact to fake date in order to secure Brooks a spot on the team, and for Siena to make some money on the side off of the publicity of being with Brooks in order to pay off numerous debts that have found their way into her life. The tension and banter between Brooks and Siena is next level. They are true relationship goals and I fell in love with their entire story. Ellie is on to something great with this series and I’m here for it in every way! While this one can be read as a stand alone, why would you want to? Ellie’s writing is incredible and I’m ready to devour the next book in this series. My bet is that it’s on Parker and Summer (fingers crossed)! Well done, Ellie. You’ve certainly outdone yourself with this one and please don’t stop anytime soon!

arc review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5

Only Between Us, a fake dating, strangers to lovers, football romance follows retired NFLer Brooks Atwood, and Siena Pippen. The pair literally fall for each other in the UOB football field and the rest is history. Brooks, in his attempt at an NFL comeback after a two year retirement, seeks Siena out to date him, in sums to recover his bad boy rep, for the Rebels, the only team he played for and wants to play for now, to regain interest in him.

The small town Baycrest girl in Siena has no interest in going back to the glory of NFL WAGs, however, feeling obligated to run her adopted family’s struggling business, and one financial woe after the other, she comes to agree to Brooks’ pleas. With the status gained in their public relationship, Siena steadied herself by means of brand deals and social media earnings, for her and her mom’s financial strains.

The couples chemistry is off the charts from day one, and their fake dating situationship quickly evolves into real feelings of lust, care and friendship. This read just got more emotional the deeper in i got. Siena’s backstory had me tearing up, and paired with Brooks’ insecurities and diminished self confidence from his cheating ex - i sobbed. I love the family Brooks, Siena and Petey grow into, and all the found family throughout; was so healing and wholesome. Now i need a story for Summer and Parker, cause there’s just no way that man ain’t down bad for her.

Thanks to Ellie & Simon and Schuster Canada for an early copy for my honest review.

This book has me in a chokehold. I loved the tension between our two main characters it had me hooked from the very beginning. i really appreciated the amount of football that was included, I feel like that doesn't always happen with sports romances. overall this was a fun read.

This sequel is a fun addition to the series that originally starts by mimicking the fake dating plot line from the first book. Here, a classic fake dating troupe is used to bring together the leads. I also am a sucker for the comeback story. I appreciated how the biggest problem was themselves and not another woman/man.

Both characters struggle to have the emotionally maturity to start dating, however they really break down their feelings to communicate and resolve their hesitance towards being vulnerable with each other. Ultimately, a cute beach read with a nice success subplot to see Brooks reach his dream of unretiring.

The ensemble of characters really pull together the series. I’m excited to see Parker stop acting as the meddler and hopefully have his friends to meddle him and Summer together. The side characters do help push the story along and it really is necessary when the characters stubbornness tends to lead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Only Between Us is book two in a standalone, but interconnected series and I've been excited to read it. It lived up to the hype in my head because the first one was so good! You really don't need to read the first one to enjoy this, but I'd recommend it.

We met Brooks in book one, but Siena is a new character. They literally run into one another on a football field and after a selfie that goes viral they're kind of stuck together. Brooks is a "retired due to injury" NLF player who's trying to make a comeback and Siena is a beloved ex-girlfriend of a different player. They are both so much more and, in a surprise to both of them, have a lot in common.

Ellie K Wilde brings the banter, spice and character depth I was expecting. This story brought the laughs, the tears and that tight feeling in my chest when I'm just not sure how it will all end. Yes, I knew they'd get their HEA, but the how was what kept me glued to my kindle.

Highly recommend for anyone that enjoys sports romance. Plus, it's set during NLF training camp season, perfect summer read! Now I'm ready for the next book - hopefully Parker & Summer's story.

I really enjoyed Only Between Us! It’s a great follow-up to the first book in the series.. The fake dating trope was done in such a fun way, and I loved the chemistry between the characters. This is a fun sports romance, with a nice balance light moments with emotional depth. The relationship felt natural as it developed, and it had great tension! Overall I recommend this fun read!

Ellie K Wilde always gives me exactly what I want. She makes me feel, she makes me kick my feet with giddiness, and she delivers absolute bangers. I was so excited to have the opportunity to read an ARC of this book and it absolutely delivered. The way these two deeply damaged people came together to support each other was really beautiful. This was a great second installment to the Oakwood Bay series, and I will be waiting sooo excitedly for another.

4.5 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The second book in this series takes the small town romance on the NFL scale. I loved getting more time with the characters in this second book and seeing them break out of the high school gym. The story of Sienna and Brooks was a steamy blast. Would recommend as a beach read or a good fall page turner.

The characters in this book felt so alive, it was a pleasure to root for them from the moment they met.

Brooks (29) retired from the NFL two years ago after a scary injury but wants nothing more than to get called back to the team he loves. He’s training hard, 100% focused on making that dream happen.

Siena (31) has two rules in life: sacrifice anything it takes to show her adoptive mom (and honor her late dad) that she was worth taking on, and never date another pro athlete after her last relationship imploded.

Aaaand then the two literally crash into each other’s life, landing in a fake dating situation that helps them both — while not sharing the personal details of why they need the other’s help because part of the deal is not getting personal.

Watching Brooks and Siena become friends then fall in love despite their rules was an absolute delight. Their partnership was healthy and supportive, with the kind of respect and advocacy for one another you’d hope for.

This love story is funny, sweet, fun, steamy, moving and exciting. This is my first book by the author, but now I’m going to see what else she wrote that I can get my hands on.

Read if you like:
• Contemporary romance
• Dual POV
• NFL player x small biz owner
• Strength and vulnerability
• Fake dating
• He falls first (literally)
• Open door spice

I loved this book so much! I was so excited to receive an ARC of Only Between Us because I adored Brooks in Only in Your Dreams and couldn’t wait to get his story — and wow, it did not disappoint.
This book combined so many of my favorite tropes: fake dating (with all the tension and blurred lines that come with it), a dash of enemies to lovers, sports romance (football!), and the kind of banter that has you grinning like an idiot. Ellie K. Wilde nailed every single one of them, and I’m so glad I discovered her through ARC opportunities — she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors.
The story kicks off with the most chaotic, hilarious meet cute on a football field where Siena definitely wasn’t supposed to be. What follows is a fake dating arrangement meant to clean up Brooks’ bad boy image as he attempts a pro football comeback after an injury. And let me tell you — the flirting, the chemistry, the slow unravel into something real? Utter perfection. I was fully swooning, kicking my feet, and unable to put the book down.
Brooks is top-tier book boyfriend material — charming, funny, and so unexpectedly soft. And Siena? She’s a fiercely independent, strong woman who’s been burned before and sworn off football players altogether… until Brooks worms his way into her life (and heart). I found her so relatable and inspiring. The way their relationship progressed and helped heal both of them felt so natural and deeply satisfying.
I genuinely wish I could read this book again for the first time. If you're a fan of fake dating, flirty tension, and heartwarming sports romance, Only Between Us needs to be at the top of your TBR. I can’t wait to see what Ellie writes next!

There is no doubt in my mind that @elliekwildeauthor is the queen of banter and spice. I’ve been a fan for years, and when I tell you that this book trumped all her others, that is the highest praise I can give. If you want a book that has chemistry (for DAYS) between the MCs, the sweetest moments followed by the best spice, banter that will have you giggling out loud, and one of my absolute favorite meet cutes ever…this is it. Thank you @atriabooks for this early review copy!

Brooks and Siena - where can I even start? I’m a sucker for a couple that feels evenly matched emotionally and physically. From the very beginning when they literally ran into each other, this dynamic was the perfect give and take. They both use teasing as a love language, they call each other by their last names, and they are both so guarded except as their own hard shell thaws for the other. Their chemistry was EVERYTHING, and it flew off the page in every interaction.

Siena was fierce and strong and truly one of my favorite FMCs. She’s a people pleaser who has spent so much time putting herself second because of a debt she feels she owes. Her back story was unique and so raw, and I felt like it gave her such a beautiful arc to take. And Brooks - this man is the quintessential golden retriever who has had his heart broken in more ways than one. He’s out to prove himself (to himself) and is desperate for a feeling of belonging and a future.

What Ellie does so well in this (and all her other books) is balance humor and banter, with serious character growth. While these two are funny and hot together, they don’t feel flat or shallow. They’re robust and fully fleshed, making the experience of reading their love story that much mor engaging.

And if you want spice?! This book delivers! Hot and steamy and also funny (the scene at the gala where Siena forgets something…IYKYK). It’s practically perfect in every way.

Anyway, this is me, once again begging you to read Ellie’s books if you haven’t already. And start with this one. Because it’s a top read of this year for me.

Only Between Us had me both swooning and side-eyeing. Honestly, I kind of loved the chaos. This sports romance delivers classic fake dating, tension, and banter that made me want to binge the whole thing in one go.

Brooks Attwood is your textbook golden retriever boyfriend. He's charming, messy, and secretly soft. Siena is a total powerhouse. She's sharp, independent, and definitely not here for NFL drama… until she gets pulled into a fake dating scheme to save her family business.

The banter? Top tier. The spice? Chef’s kiss. But the pacing in the beginning dragged for me, and the third-act breakup felt a little too forced—like, I get it, but also… ouch. 😭 Brooks didn’t always shine for me, but Siena absolutely carried.

✨ Tropes:
-Fake dating
-Tension-filled slow burn
-Female lead with brains and backbone (!!!)
-3.5/5 spic

Final thought: It was a good, messy, feel-everything romance.

Book #2 in the Oakwood Bay series and someone turned up the spice meter for this one. Siena and Brooks have serious chemistry from the start. They have a chance encounter and it turns into an agreement for a fake relationship that could mutually benefit both of them. Siena is very clear at the start that this will not turn into a romance. But let me tell you, that effort was squashed pretty quickly.
Although they are an adorable couple together and it's clear they are meant to be, I missed the banter and fun that was evident with the first couple in the series - Mel and Zac. We see them for a short minute but the background characters that have more storytime are with Parker and Summer (I'm guessing they will star in book 3).
This was a very cute story about falling in love but as I mentioned, there was also a whole lot of spicy scenes that could make you blush.

- Small town romance
- Golden retriever/black cat
- Football/NFL
- Fake dating

Such a fun and sweet book. Siena is working hard to keep her adoptive parents business afloat while still dealing with death of her dad. She has an accidental football accidental meet cute with Brooks. Feeling between them both immediate go from sweet to sour when past experiences football players and fans cloud their judgment. Unfortunately due to some accidental media photos they have to pretend to date to help Brooks get his dream team football comeback and keep Siena’s family business afloat!

This was a solid 4.25 stars for me! I felt like it was better than the last one, and I really enjoyed the last one. I LOVED these characters! Siena was such a great FMC. I loved how they acknowledged and kind of played into their attraction to each other from the jump. They both just had the wrong impressions of each other. I loved Brooks with his tattoos and hottie body. I loved how they both realized that they put this front up of confidence when really they need love because who doesn't! I LOVE when the MMC falls first and HARD. And that is what happened here. I loved how emotionally intelligent he was. He knew Siena was scared but pushed her to be honest with him. The spicy scenes were OH so spicy. I was listening to this one and MADLY blushing at the gala scene- IYKYK. The mouth on this man. The praise was next level. I loved his touch her and die vibes while also respecting that she was an independent woman. I also loved when they both realized that though this started off fake there was nothing fake between them now. And how they both built each other up. How they opened up to each other- it was SOOO perfect!

Siena finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time when she runs into none other than Brooks Attwood, previous NFL star who is gunning for his old spot. He is hot as all get out, and they seem to be clicking until things are misinterpreted. Which is how she finds herself being his fake girlfriend. She has to pretend that she is attracted to him which is easy because she is. She agreed to this because she really needs help around the shop. But the more time she spends around Brooks the more she realizes she HOW attracted to him she is. She likes HIM. The way he makes her smile. The way he teases her. The way he slowly starts to open up to her. The way he is trying so hard to prove himself to the world because of how he was treated in his previous relationship. And that will not do at all. So Siena decides to lean into these feelings. Their chemistry is legit off the charts. What could mixing in a little hook up to this *fake* relationship? But now things don't feel fake. The man makes her feel like SHE is his life goal now. He makes her want to dream about a future away from Oakwood, but she has too many things holding her back. But when he gets the offer they have been holding out for, she finds herself at a crossroads of love and obligation.

Brooks has worked soo hard to get asked to go to training camp with his old team the Rebels, but his past is starting to catch up with him. Which is how he finds himself looking for a way to spin his relationship status. He can be a family man. No problem. He just needs a fake girlfriend. And then he meets Siena. On a whim. And he likes her. She makes him laugh and seems genuine. Until he realizes who her ex is. But the press likes how they look together. So now they are fake dating. He is paying her for her time. He really wants this to work. Even though he knows her motives now. But the more time he spends with Siena the more he realizes how wrong he was about her. She isn't all about the money. She is so much more than this beautiful confident woman who drives him wild. She is loyal. She cares. She makes him want things he hasn't wanted in a while. She makes him feel possessive and jealous when why since this isn't real right?? But now it feels real. He can't ignore it anymore. He has another endgame in mind, and it involves Siena. But he has to tread carefully. He doesn't want to scare her away. And when she finally opens up to him and lets him in, he knows he is on track with them. But then his wish comes true about his team. And he has to trust that she is going to be pick him. That he is enough. He will wait for her as long as it takes.

This was REALLY good! I liked the banter. I loved the spicy scenes as I mentioned. I loved how confident and in control Siena was but then how Brooks got her all hot and bothered. I loved how Brooks hid his wounds so well but how Siena drew them out and helped stitch him back together. These two were just adorable together! I HIGHLY recommend this one and this series. It is just getting better and better. And I am hoping the next book is Summer and Parker???

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was good and I would definitely go and read the first and later books of this series. The slow burn was so slow in the most delicious and tension filled way, I was just waiting for when it finally broke. Overall the characters were easy to understand and connect to despite the first part of the book being a little slow. Also the small town aspect of it was great, along side the fun banter and fake dating.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. I enjoyed reading this book and read it in one day. I enjoyed the storyline and loved the characters. I thought the characters had great growth. I would definitely recommend this book.

Absolutely adored this follow up to Only in Your Dreams!

Only Between Us had the best banter between the main characters.

I loved Brooks and Siena so much. Their chemistry was insane!! I also loved the fake dating plot. It's always so fun to see different authors take on it and I loved how Wilde approached it in this book.

Im a sucker for a he falls first and harder trope. Brooks was so down bad for Siena and im so down bad for him!!

The writing in Wildes books is amazing. I feel pulled in immediately every single time and there's never a moment where I feel bored or unattached from the story and characters.