Only in Your Dreams is a small town, second chance, brother's best friend, sports romance.

I adored the cover of this book and it had really good potential. For being a sports romance, I felt that the author did her homework on football and I appreciated how that was incorporated into the story. The dynamic between Mel, Zac, and Noah was absolute perfection - I loved it and wanted so much more of it. I liked how completely gone Zac was for Mel, but I felt that if he loved her that much that he would have fought for her instead of just wallowing for ten years. This story really leans into the tropes and throws so many common things that are enjoyed in contemporary romance into one book and because of this the story is too long and loses focus. A bit too much repetition during the characters' inner monologuing and all of the conflict felt really silly and juvenile.

It was overall a sweet, fun story and I'm giving it 3.5 rounded down. I will be giving the sequel a shot!

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

Loved this one!! I read a TON of sports romances but I think this was one of the best ones in terms of how Ellie actually talked about football and how it was woven throughout the story. This is a second chance, brother's best friend romance and it slapped! I loved Mel and Zac, she was so feisty and I enjoyed watching her learn who she was after 6 years in a toxic relationship and Zac was so dreamy! He was such a sweetie, and so humble, always doing little kind things for Mel without any expectations. Also loved their relationship with Noah, an unlucky kid that Zac helps take care of, they were so sweet and wholesome! There is also lotssss of spice and even though there is kinda a miscommunication trope at play, it's not ridiculously drawn out and luckily does not result in a third act breakup! Can't wait for Brooks' books!

3.5 rounded down. My biggest struggle with this book was two-fold: 1. The time apart shouldn’t have been 10 years and the reason for it was dumb, and 2. These characters read more like 22-24, not 28. I think keeping everything the same but making them a few years younger and them being apart a few less years would have made a huge difference, for me personally. 10 years apart over a miscommunication 🤦🏻‍♀️

But I will say, Zac is a top-tier book boyfriend! He’s so so sweet, so aware of Melody. The whole camping trip was the best part of the book, IMO, and I loved how it set the stage for their renewed friendship and his determination to win her.

Also, again IMO, it was a little toooo spicy 🙈

The story was cute. I had issues with both main characters, Zsc for pining, unbelievably, for 10 years, and Melody for being so against returning to her small town until she finds herself dumped with no choice but to return. Both characters are dealing with career issues and Melody with self-esteem issues.
I understand that angst drives the story, but the lack of communication from the main characters resulting in years of issues bugs me. The book was fine, I can see it will be enjoyed by others, but it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria, and Ellie K Wilde for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for providing me with a digital copy of this book!

Only in Your Dreams is a second chance romance starring Melody, a data analyst who was just dumped by her longterm boyfriend of 6 years, and Zac, the man who has been in love with her since they were 16 years old. He messed up his chance 10 years ago with Melody but he will do whatever it takes to make sure it works out this time around. This is a story of overcoming a manipulative relationship and expecting everything to come with strings attached. It is a story of rekindling high school friendships and moving forward in life. But most of all, it is a story of resilience.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was so easy and comfortable to read from beginning to end. I enjoyed the relationship between Melody and Zac, although I felt their different perspectives confused how I saw the characters. For example, Zac saw Melody as small and fragile but her perspectives made her seem tough and unbreakable so I wasn't sure how to perceive her. I also thought this book dragged on way too long. It could have been summed up way earlier.

I don't have particularly strong feelings for this book either way. I didn't hate this book but by no means did I love it. I will read the next one because why not, I am a sucker for sequels, but this one gets a 3/5 from me.

This was a really good book and very spicy as well. Melody is back in her hometown where she just ended a long term relationship. She is forced to spend time with Zac her ex crush. Are the feelings still there or are they doomed to never figure it out.

If you're looking for a book where the MMC is completely whipped for the heroine, you just found it!

Melody is the one that got away, and now that she’s back in town and single after a long relationship, he sees the perfect chance to make up for lost time

These two delivered heart-melting moments while also heating up my Kindle. It was such a fun and swoony read!

Such a cute and spicy sports romance. I loved the real and emotional moments along with the characters and how much they cared. The fmc left her abusive ex and job she hated and moves back in with her brother and his friend Clark. She and Clark have history but because of miscommunication and things that happened in the past she thinks he does not like her.

There is so much forced proximity, yearning and tension between the characters and i loved how the mmc treated the fmc especially knowing about her horrible ex. This was also the fmc healing and coming back to herself after having to change for a man. This book is spicy with some steamy scenes 🤭. Overall i liked the romance and the its always been you vibes and i hope other characters get books.

*Only in Your Dreams* by Ellie Wilde is a fun romance. The protagonist is relatable and the relationships feel real, making it easy to get invested in her journey. While the plot can be a bit predictable at times, Wilde’s writing keeps things engaging. It’s a light, enjoyable read!

4.5
First I want to say thank you for the ARC !!!
Secondly I didn’t think i would love this book as much as I did!!
The character development, the pinning, the patience, and the love that was in this book was SOOO good!! & I'm forever grateful for getting introduced to this author.
I remember sending an email to the wonderful Zakiya Jamal on how much I loved it and wanting more stories from this author.
Read. December 10th, 2024

10/10 stars, no notes. I was not expecting to fall in love with this story, and Zac and Melody so hard it here we are. The storyline was fantastic, the slow burn was excruciatingly well done, and the love between these two was so beautiful. When we finally got that moment of clarity between the Zac & his Clover (a very cute nickname by the way) it was like taking a deep breath of fresh air. If you want a man that pines for 14 years and will do anything to get the girl, then you’re going to love Only In Your Dreams as much as I did.

The last twenty percent was so good it went by in a blink of an eye, and there was some very satisfying scenes in there. Zac and Melody might just be my favorite book couple right now, and I can’t wait for more books in the series if it means seeing them and the friend group again. All my romance lovers that like when the guy is the one who falls first and so hard are in for a treat!

This is a great second chance story. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. Definitely has some heat to the story. I did root for Zac throughout this story.

All in all I enjoyed this story and all the feels that it gave me.

I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader copy. This is my honest opinion.

This is a spicy and cute second chance, brother’s best friend, football romance! I did not want to put this audiobook down. Yet, at the same time, I slowed it down to truly savor it. Teddy Hamilton and Carly Robins were cast perfectly. Teddy was . . . well he was Teddy 🥵 and Carly did a phenomenal job capturing the personality of this FMC.

This book really did justice the tension of the MMC being the TWIN brother’s best friend. The emotional turmoil of losing your first love, and the rush of that second chance. I really connected with this book and these characters. The minor characters also stand out quite a lot, so I will be rooting and waiting (not so) patiently for Parker, Noah, Brooks, and Summer’s books.

Please check the trigger warnings. Most of what happens is off the page, but there is one scene of each topic tagged involving emotional abuse.

Thank you Net Galley and Avon publishing for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁: This book was fantastic so many OMG swoon worthy moments, the MMC is just obsessed with her in the best way possible. I always love second chance romances and this one hits all the spot. I think I just unlocked a new book boyfriend with Zac Porter.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Melody had her heart broken by her twins brother’s bestie Zac. She had crushed on him for years and finally worked up the nerve to tell him she liked him, but then he ghosted her. It’s been 10years, and she just ended a 6 year relationship and is back in town. Her brother schemed her into going on their friend’s annual camping trip and fate of course has her sharing a tent with Zac! She can’t stand him for breaking her heart and having just ended a toxic relationship she just doesn’t have the energy for anything in the romance department.

Zac has only ever loved Melody, she’s the one who got away. He’s hoping her returning will allow him to fix his past mistake. Thanks to a nasty storm they are now trapped alone for the next few days, his goal is for her to speak to him by the time they are rescued. But she has friend zoned him so now he needs to change tactics and show this woman he loves he’s not going anywhere this time.

Check out this slow burn romance with sizzling chemistry and all the swoon worthy energy.

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

"I don't understand how you're single." "I've never been single. I've been yours."

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* College Head Football Coach MMC
* Data Analysis FMC - She Loves Numbers
* Second Chance - She’s Back Home After Breakup
* He Falls First - He’s Loved Her for 14years
* Force Proximity - Stranded in a Storm
* Her Twin Brother’s Best Friend
* He Calls Her “Clover”
* Small Town - Oakwood Bay
* Dual

I typically love a good sports romance, but this one fell a bit flat for me. The romance felt like it developed quite quickly, especially on the side of the love interest. I also usually love when the love interest pines after the girl, but this one was a bit over the top and wasn't very realistic in my opinion. Overall, this wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't for me. The book as a whole was cute and the biggest plus was that there was no third act break up.

So cute and so adorable! I love a good cozy romance and this was just that for me. Hit me in all the feels with no third act breakup! Highly recommend!

3.5 stars! I loved this book, and to be honest my favorite part of the book was Zac! He’s officially my new book boyfriend. I adored how protective he was, but in such a gentle, respectful way. The way he truly saw her, understood her trauma, and never rushed her process made him such a perfect love interest. He was patient, caring, and just ugh, so good!

The slow burn was also amazing. Sometimes in romance, for me the spice can feel a little forced, but with them it felt so natural and organic. The chemistry between them built up in a way that made every moment feel earned, and I was totally here for it. Honestly, I enjoyed everything about this book, but Zac? He made it for me. If you love an emotionally intelligent MMC, you are gonna like it!

I had an amazing time reading this book and I’m so grateful I got to read this ARC! Thank you to Atria Books and Ellie K. Wilde for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley! It was an amazing experience and I’m so happy to share my honest review.

This book is so cute! 🥺 I really appreciate that I can read it.
I really like hockey books 📚
Thanks netgalley and the publisher

A brother's (former) best friend romance that had good execution at the start, and then it dwindled down the longer the book went on. The pacing was good in the first half of the book and I really enjoyed reading about the camping trip and how it helped them reconnect after years of not speaking to each other, however, afterwards there wasn't a lot going on that really grabbed my attention and held it. And of course it all stemmed from them not communicating on their last day together when they were younger. I didn't really see the appeal of Zac other than their previous connection when they were younger, which we only got to see a little bit of. And yet, despite all of that, i loved the whole first half, and a lot of the second half, when it wasn't just repetitive.

3.5 stars! Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! Trust me, this book has all the feels. Reading this felt like snuggling up in your coziest sweater while chaos, drama, and swoon-worthy tension was unfolding on your page. This is a small town story, second chance romance dream, and NO third act breakup! Seriously, thank you for sparing my heart! Loved.