I DNF’d this book and I won’t be posting a negative review of it simply because I didn’t like it. It seems unfair to judge a book that didn’t connect with me the way I expected it to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-sports romance
-fake dating
-he falls first and hard

I was really intrigued to read Brooks story after Book 1 and it did not dissapoint. His come back to football, bringing back his reputation, as he fake dates Siena, a girl who the last thing she wants to do is date another football player. I really enjoyed their dynamic as they accidentally fell for each other.

Book 2 in the Oakway Bay series was a gem. I loved the banter between Siena and Brooks and found their chemistry to be fantastic. Brooks was such a little marshmallow - who doesn't love to see an open and honest man!? I appreciate when authors don’t lean too heavily on former characters and Wilde did such a good job brining in beloved friends without making them a focus. The cherry on top? No third act breakup! Can we all agree they suck?

The way Brooks and Siena had me hooked right from the start! I am telling you these two are freaking hot perfection!

Brooks Atwood is charming, hilarious, possessive and really does have the softest heart especially when it comes to Siena. Siena is fierce, independent, carefree and trying hard to see she deserves love! They both have a lot at stake, a comeback NFL career and family business, but somehow along the way these two realize none of that matters if they don’t have one another, and the support they so freely give. While these two are sweet and supportive, sparks also fly and keep on sparking as these two fall for one another. Fake dating… What, are you sure? Brooks and Siena fake dated so damn well that they ended up really dating without even realizing it. Also as you see their relationship develop on a deeper level, you see how similar they are to one another and the way they bring the best out in one another.

The tension, the banter, the angst and that slow burn… it was all perfection and I could have read these two for days. Find myself rereading book 1 and book 2 because no one does banter, tension and slow burn like Ellie does! I loved every second of Brooks and Siena whether it was sweet or spicy, no notes or criticism for this one! This is top tier fake dating, undeniable chemistry from the start, and an elite sports romance! I feel like I should say I am a sucker for a good nickname and when Brooks calls her Pip… I was done, finished. It was sweet, unique, and felt so very them!

Thank you NetGalley, Atria and Ellie for this early read! It was absolutely one of my top July reads and this series continues to be a must read when giving recommendations!

“Only Between Us” is a must read especially if you love:
- Football romance
- Fake dating
- Small town romance
- Found family
- He falls first
- He’s tatted and possessive
- She’s outspoken and adventurous
- Golden retriever/Black cat vibes

I always love a fake dating sport romance!

I’ve loved the characters, their backstory and, above all, their chemistry. I haven’t read the first book but I didn’t struggle to read it as a standalone.

I had a really good time diving into this slow-burn football romance. I would recommend it for sure!!

Thank you to Atria Books for the eARC and Simon Audio for the free audiobook.

Only Between Us had all the things I liked.

A meet-cute that goes badly so they are enemies-ish, but they need to fake date, yet they have so much chemistry, with all the banter, and true emotional connection and vulnerability, and tragic back stories, thus I just ate this one up.

Brooks was so down bad for Siena, I just can never resist a hero that is obsessed with his heroine. His persistence and caring just broke down her protective walls. and I can’t blame her—I’d have given in too. Plus the sexual tension and chemistry between them was so hot and spicy, it just makes sense to give in.

Siena’s history is rough, and the heart to heart she had with her mom? Brought me to full on ugly crying tears. Ugh, so beautiful and loving and I just want them all the have the happiest lives.

I did listen to this one as audio and I think that helped me feel immersed. Mia Barron and Tim Paige hit it out of the park and I’ll be sure to look for more of their work!

This book was just so good, you are going to love Sienna and Brooks. This book has plenty of character development and you really start to root for Sienna and Brooks as a couple and Brooks is just swoony! Excellent read. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

This was my first football romance and it definitely has made me a fan! From the character arcs of both the FMC and MMC, to the flirty banter and the swoonworthy dates (fake or otherwise), this book was a delight from start to finish. I haven't read the first book in the series, but you don't need to in order to follow the story (although it would make the friendship moments more impactful with some of the scenes).

Here are some of my favorite highlighted quotes:
"Six-foot-four, heavily tattooed Brooks Attwood juts out his arms, punches the air, and swishes his hips in time with the girls" (dancing with junior cheerleaders at a game)

"I'm a slut for his scent" (who doesn't love cologne?)

"Break my heart. Love it back. Rip it right out of my chest. It's yours, anyway. Do whatever you want with it" (need I say more?)

5⭐️ | 3🌶️

I was super lucky to snag an ARC of Only Between Us from @atriabooks and an ALC from @simon.audio (bless the audiobook gods because the narration? chef’s kiss). And let me just say: Brooks is now living rent-free in my book boyfriend hall of fame.

Brooks and Siena? Absolute magic. Their banter is top-tier, the chemistry is off the charts, and the emotional depth caught me completely off guard in the best way. I’m always a sucker for fake dating + forced proximity, but @elliekwildeauthor delivered so much more than just tropey goodness here.

Let’s talk about Brooks. This man dropped everything to be there for Siena’s mom and baked her cookies. COOKIES! I actually swooned. The bar for book boyfriends? Officially raised. Golden retriever energy, emotionally available, and not afraid to fall first? He’s the full package.

Siena is strong, loyal, and self-sacrificing to a fault, and her journey was as heartwarming as it was heartbreaking. The guilt she carries, the way she doubts she’s worthy of love… it made watching her slowly let Brooks in even more satisfying.

And of course, this wouldn’t be an Ellie K. Wilde book without the perfect blend of heat and humor. The gala scene (iykyk) had me wheezing and blushing simultaneously. A true talent.

Only Between Us is fast-paced, full of heart, and one of my favorite reads of the year. If you love a messy fake relationship that turns very real, with characters who actually grow, this one’s for you.

“I’m really fucking crazy about her. Like, move her in, have her babies, love her until the day I die kind of crazy. And I’m gonna cuddle that woman so good. Cuddle us straight into a real relationship.”


ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

brookssiena (or briena) my pookies my beloveds my babies my everything!!!!

I'm so grateful I got to meet you earlier, that I got this arc, I was hoping praying since I met brooks on cloverzac's book (they made an appearance and I'm glad because I missed them dearly but I still need more of them)

brooks and siena are just absolutely perfect, adorable, meant to be. since they met I was hooked, I loved the way they just clicked so well, and then I keto reading and realizing they were two sides of the same coins in the way they wanted just to be loved and valued and appreciated and worthy of receiving it back without realizing they already were.

To see them grow into themselves, to accept love and care and devotion as they deserved, to have the most beautiful wholesome family and friends, and just be absolute fire together. I loved every word, I couldn't put it down.

I'm so glad Summer and Parker are coming, like we've waited so muchhhh. I wouldn't complain if we could have a novela about Shy and Max. Just saying...

Thanks again for this arc, I truly love this author so much.

Now some of my favorite quotes, so beware of spoilers below



“I like the idea of carving a place for Siena in my life, with my group of friends. 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’ll tell you as long as it stays between us.”“Only between us.”She smiles. “I like having secrets with you.”“I like it, too.”We exchange a look loaded with conspiracy. Pretend-dating, in-game injuries, and cliffside confessions will do that to you. I couldn’t have hoped for a better partner in crime.”


“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.”


“I can’t believe I found her the way I did. Who the hell meets the love of their life, their future wife, the mother of their children, catching an errant pass on a football field? Who the hell manages to convince someone like Siena Pippen to fake-date them, only to fall wildly in love with her in the realest way? What kind of wonderland did I stumble into?”

Sienna and Brooks are “goals.” Brooks is a retired football player getting back into the game- but in order to get on the team he wants he needs a serious girlfriend. Sienna needs sponsorship deals to get money while she works for the family business. Teaming up to fake date should be essy- especially since sienna is already known for dating a football player. The problem is- Brooks thinks she is an attention seeker and Sienna thinks he is a jerk.
This book did not disappoint- tension, spice, yearning and plenty of character development. Can’t wait to read more of her books and will definitely suggest it to other people!

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity!

Oh, I loved this. I mean this is such a sweet and complex romance that I couldn't not fall in love with them! Fake dating is my kryptonite for REAL. Sienna and Brooks were the perfect amount of push and pull, of longing, and undeniable chemistry. I especially loved just how imperfect both characters are, but they do grow and expand with the other. Ellie K Wilde has been one of those authors who has hooked me from the first book I've read and so far, she hasn't disappointed me. Loved it!

Not up my alley, but surely up someone's alley. There is potential, but I just couldn't get into it.

It was cute, but I'm not a fan of the cheating trope, and ended up DNFing the book about 1/3 through.

“Note to self do not insult the person you want to fake date. Stalk them on social media when they refuse to fake date you”

To say that I loved this book is a complete understatement. Only between us had me crying, smiling laughing and swooning. I loved how not only we got to know Brooks and Sienna but how we saw them both heal and find their worth. Fake dating, bad boy MMC who is looking to come back to a sport he loves after suffering an injury to Siena an FMC who has the strongest family values and is willing to sacrifice her happiness to make others happy. They both complimented each other and little by little you saw the walls coming down. Only Between Us resonated with me because as a person who tends to give and sacrifice for others it was healing to see how Brooks was able to help Siena fully understand that her happiness maters too and that she doesn't have to give up what she wants to do in life to help everyone else. From the hotel tension to the unexpected gala fun that was had this book had me believing that sometimes things happen for a reason and sneaking into a football field can bring along the best adventure of your life. Brooks is an example of what the right person in your life can impact it to the point where you heal yourself but more importantly find that person that can become your forever. The banter between Siena and Brooks was also 🫠😍🫣

“Brooks, can you tell me something honestly?” “Anything.” “If you close your eyes and picture your dream future, what does it look like?” “I don’t need to close my eyes. It’s standing right in front of me.” Surprise widens her eyes. “I want you, Siena. I want you and your chaos. I want all your laughter and the tears you refuse to cry. I want you and all those walls you live behind.”

ARC Review- This was a 4 ⭐️read. It was a good sports romance book. There’s just something about men underestimating themselves that makes my heart melt (fictional men only.) Chef’s kiss for you, Brooks Attwood. Their meet cute was SO adorable. That made me giggle and kick my feet but I KNEW it would be too good to be true. Of course there had to be some heated tension between them. All the good fake dating has that. I didn’t know if I’d like Siena, the fmc, at first because something about her just rubbed me in the wrong way, but I do like her. And I do think Brooks, the planner, needed chaos, Siena, to come into his life. I also LOVE the banter between them. Before and after. What do you mean when he’s still teasing her about their first kiss at the very end? 😭😭 And I love possessive mmcs. Brooks Attwood, you are a winner. EVEN WHEN HE CLAIMS TO BE IFFY WITH HER AND HER INTENTIONS WHILE FAKE DATING, HE TELLS HER “YOU’RE MINE”. You are kidding me. And ugh, the ending? Made me ugly cry sm. Siena overcoming her fears to make it work with her man while also not hating her life? We love to see that.

What I didn’t like about the book was that it felt long to me. It wasn’t, but it felt like some parts were dragged out. And if I hear the word “viral” one more time, I might lose it. It was used sm at the beginning. I hated it. And this isn’t so much of a hate, but what’s with her and the overalls like put on some protective gear before you get hurt. Like I was worried about the wrong thing the whole book every time I hear about her riding in overalls or whatever.

Overall, it was a good read. I would read it again. It gave me all the butterflies. I need this type of love immediately.

What do you get when mix fake dating with a spicy sports romance? Only an amazing work of fiction that will have you cackling and then crying later in the same chapter. When Sienna loses her father and on the anniversary of his death goes back to a place he loved she ends up literally running into one of his favorite football players. Brooks is currently trying to make an NFL comeback, but the only team he wants to play for is hesitant to resign him. The way to making that happen is proving that he is a changed man and can settle down. Cue the take dating with strict rules.

Only those rules are not followed for long. The banter is off the charts, but it is evenly matched with spice and emotional turmoil. The best part is that the 3rd act break up was nonexistent. I also loved the fact that the relationship between both Sienna and Brooks happened in a way that seemed true to their characters. There was plenty of tension leading up to the spice. And honestly this is a but of a slow burn that totally makes the wait worth it.

I don't think I can choose between which of the two Oakwood Bay books I liked the most because they are both special in each of their own ways and I definitely recommend reading this book!!!

I really enjoyed Only in Dreams, but I loved this one even more. Ellie K. Wilde delivers the fake dating romance of your dreams, with just the right balance of spice, heart, and depth.

Former pro football player Brooks is trying to get his career back on track after an injury and a very public PR disaster. Siena wants nothing to do with the league after a toxic, high-profile breakup. But when a photo of them goes viral, the two reluctantly agree to fake a relationship, for the sake of his career and her family’s struggling business. What follows is a slow-burn, feel-good love story with sizzling chemistry, emotional growth, and conflicts that were handled so thoughtfully.

There’s plenty of open-door spice 🥵, but it never overshadows the character development and deeper themes. And now I’m begging for Parker and Summer’s book next--please, let it be book three!

If you’re in the mood for a fun, spicy read with emotional payoff and fake dating perfection, pick this one up. You won’t regret it.

This was a fun read with a good blend of romance, humour, and emotion. I liked the chemistry between the characters. I definitely felt a whole range of emotions when reading this book.

Thank you Atria books and NetGalley for the ARC!

I was so excited to be offered the sequel for Only In Your Dreams! I loved that story and couldn't wait to continue with the characters (new and old). Sienna and Brooks' story was just so cute (and pretty spicy!) I love how their love developed naturally and with a lot of sweetness. I will definitely be buying this to keep on my shelf!

Thank you again for the ARC!