Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde is the kind of book that’s easy to enjoy but hard to remember. I didn’t dislike it by any means, but there was something about it that felt all too familiar — like I’ve read this exact story before, and maybe with a little more spark. The book checks all the boxes and while it’s certainly steamy and filled with swoon-worthy moments, it offered nothing new. Plus, on a personal opinion note; it was just a little bit cheesier than I would prefer.

The central conflict — a decade-long misunderstanding — could’ve been compelling, but the tension felt predictable. Melody returns home, bitter and broken from a failed relationship, and Zac, the college football coach who never got over her, is determined to prove that this time around, things will be different. The “second-chance romance” element is ripe for emotional depth, but honestly, it didn’t offer much beyond surface-level drama. Zac is likable enough (although he is bonker-balls obsessed with the FMC and I’m still not exactly sure why?) Melody was… a whole thing that I don’t even want to get into. 😬

The whole “brother’s best friend” trope is fun, but here it felt a bit overplayed & yet somehow underutilized (?) as does the small-town setting. Oakwood Bay is cute in theory, but the town’s charm didn’t leap off the page; It would’ve been fun to have seen it populated by more colorful characters, but we didn’t really get that.
I will say, one thing I loved in this novel was the found family dynamic between Melody, Zac and Noah.

If you're a fan of the second-chance, brother-bestie trope, you’ll likely have a fine time with Only in Your Dreams. The writing is solid, the spice is quite decent and there are some sweet moments that will tug at your heartstrings. But for me, it didn’t bring anything particularly fresh to the table. There are other books out there with these same themes that do them a little better — with sharper characters, deeper conflict, or more inventive twists. Still, it's a perfectly enjoyable read for when you're in the mood for something familiar and comforting.

I LOVED this book. It’s a second chance romance with a best friends sister trope and a little fake dating scheme. The MMC (Zac) and how he waited for the love of his life for ten years all while building her dream home had me tearing up. Zac was honestly my favorite character with his constant need to make sure melody felt safe, secure and treasured, especially after her previous abusive relationship. I also loved the character Noah and how he fit into the picture. Laughed, cried and thoroughly enjoyed! Will be looking forward to the second book in the series

This one was so sweet and full of nostalgic hometown feelings! I loved watching these two figure it out on their camping trip. A great use of forced proximity!

Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC of Only in your dreams! I love a sports romance and I thought this one was cute and spicy. I loved the dual POV and the steadfast commitment and support that Zac gave Melody throughout. The plot was relatable and the author did a good job explaining what Melody was going through. I did think it was just a tad slow but overall it was cute!

I absolutely loved this book! Second chance romance and he has been pining for years, yes please. Zac was so swoony and romantic with all of the ways he wanted to make up his mistakes to Melody. She was sort of oblivious to his undying love once she returned home and that just made me giddy with all of the things he was doing to get her to realize. I had a smile on my face the whole time. Then the spice was perfection! I love it when the MMC does dirty talk right, and he sure did. The friendship between Summer and Melody was one of my favorite things!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the opportunity to read and review!

The pacing was a major issue—500ish pages felt excessive for a story that moved so slowly. The central conflict was far too predictable and lacked emotional depth.
Melody’s brother was another downside; his overbearing nature was frustrating, and I couldn’t understand why she never stood up to him. Growing up under that kind of influence made her choices understandable but still disappointing to watch play out.
As for Zac, I struggled to connect with him as a character i actually didn’t like him much either.

okay she ended up pulling through! this was sweet if not a smidge shallow? superficial? but i can’t place my finger on how exactly. it was very cookie cutter tropey but in the best way! like, that is a genuine compliment i liked the way it was delivered and there was no third act conflict 🥳

if anything she was way too long. the scenes ate but they DRAGGED and when the mc’s weren’t together i was bored. i hope there’s more the side characters’ stories, those were all super interesting 👀

I adore this cover and the story inside just as much. Wilde has crafted a fun book that I think a lot of rom com readers will like. It's paced well and the characters are well developed. I had fun reading this and look forward to discussing more about it with others. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for this advance reader copy of Only In Your Dreams.

This is my first Ellie K. Wilde book and it’s what so good.
🤍 brother’s best friend
🤍 good page turning banter
🤍 swoon worthy book boyfriend
🤍 no third act break up


To sum the book up in the best way
“Get her happy. Keep her happy”

Oh my god. This book was everything. I had never read a book by Ellie Wilde but once I read that it was second chance and a brothers best friend romance I was sold! This book was unbelievably beautiful, the pining and the tension between Mel and Zac was so so good. I was rooting for them the whole time! It was a slow burn but worth it! And the build up was phenomenal. Still very spicy while also being so damn emotional. The growth of these two characters was amazing and by the end I was in tears! This was an automatic favorite or the year. I look forward to reading so many more books by this author! Automatic 5 stars without question!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3.5/5

Move over Noah and Allie.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I’ve been in a reading slump for a few weeks now, nothing holding my attention, but this just brought me back to the reason I fell in love with reading. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just a classic story of a boy falling in love with a girl, with just a sprinkle of some, not too intense, drama.
Melody and Zac had me hooked from the start. There’s nothing I love more than semi-unrequited love and the MMC doing everything in their power to get their girl…. swoon. 🥰
This book was so so tooth sickeningly sweet and so spicy at the same time, it was the perfect combo, honestly, that was done pretty flawlessly.

I never read any of Ellie’s books before, so I’m so glad I was asked to read an ARC of this. I can’t wait to dive into more of her stories.
I’m already eagerly waiting Brooks’ story.

Thank you Atria, Ellie K Wilde and NetGalley.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Only In Your Dreams is a brother’s best friend sports romance that hits all the right marks. Great banter, laughter, a swoon worthy book boyfriend and the right balance of spice and plot.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What you get:
➡️Another perfect book boyfriend
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ hot hot hot spice
“I’ll fit you so good, Mel. You and me, we were made for each other. You’ll see.” 😳🥵
➡️Falling in love on the page
➡️Forced proximity
➡️He falls first, might have been down bad crying at the gym
➡️Football sports romance done right
➡️Hilarious, genuine friendships
➡️NO third act breakup

Zac, my love, I had you for one day but it was everything 💜 y’all I finished this book in one sitting and was exhausted the next day at work because of it. Let me tell you I love these two and this book will live with me for awhile.

“I’ve never been single, I’ve been yours.”

TW: there is description of emotional abuse and manipulation/gaslighting experienced on page.

Ellie does a great job in telling this story! The fun banter kept me hooked from the get go. Zac’s unwavering dedication to Melody melted my heart! Great read that had me dying to read more!

See more in my Goodreads review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

Super cute swoony book. Enjoyed the characters. Could have done with more editing to make the book more punchy- it was a good bit too long which made it feel sluggish when it could have been amazing.

I devoured this book in 2 days. The banter, the wit, the doting, the spice, ATE. IT. UP.

As someone married to their highschool sweetheart I love the “it’s always been you” trope and their story was so sweet. Zac had me swooning left and right while Mel’s sarcasm (and Noah’s character in genral. LOVED that little side plot) had me cracking up. Also the ending of this book had me literally laughing out loud.

One gripe I have though, and the reason I’m only giving 4 stars, is because this book probably could’ve been 100 pages shorter. I felt like the big “secret” of why Zac left was mentioned way too times (even though the reason was pretty obvious imo) and we kept recapping Mel’s breakup and feelings every other chapter unnecessarily. Otherwise, a great read and I would recommend to anyone who’s wanting a cute romance with some goooooddddd spicy chapters!

Mel and zac are so adorable....loved the banter and the spicy scenes!....5 stars without a doubt ....gave me practice makes perfect vibes!

The book starts off with Melody who finds herself dumped by her emotionally abusive ex and returns to her old town and reunites with her brother, Parker. Enter Zac, who's Parker's best friend and has been in love with Melody since high school despite not having contact for the past 10 years.

I am honestly not the biggest fan of the second chance trope unless it's very well written. Zac apparently has been in love with Melody for 10 years, got tattoos and what not but also slept with other women which does not sit right with me. Zac's reasoning for not making a move on her 10 years ago was not good enough either. These two things made me lower the rating although it had potential. But I've seen many others loving this so I'd ask you to take my opinion with a grain of salt.

I very much enjoyed this reading. Definitely miscommunication so cute how he waited for her reminded me of the Notebook.

“Why he built himself a beautiful home and left it almost completely blank on the inside, like it wasn’t his to finish.” “Mom,” Zac says softly. It sounds like he wants to warn her to stop speaking, but doesn’t have the heart to do it. I stare up at the house. It’s the first time I’m really looking at it from a distance. The stone façade, the wraparound porch. The porch swing facing the bay. The patch of daisies we’re sitting by.

He didn’t speak to me for a decade after. Men don’t go and build the dream home of a childhood friend they no longer speak to.

Mini Summary :
- Sports romance
- Small town romance
- Forced proximity
- Brothers best friend
- He fell first
- Secret relationship

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

Melody moves home after being dumped by her ex boyfriend. He wants to be able to be single while on a trip but wants her to get back together when he returns..ick..

Her brother, in an attempt to cheer her up, sends her on a camping trip with his best friend who happens to be the boy who broke her heart after high school graduation.

This book has it all: brothers best friend, sports romance, second chance romance, and slow burn.