If you can look past the improbability of most of the situations in this book, it's a fun time. A good amount of spice without feeling overdone - the balance between plot and spice was actually quite good. I really liked Melody and found her journey to be wonderful to read, but Zac was a bit bland imo.

Thank you to the publisher, author & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book! I voluntarily read this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Only In Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde is a second chance romance. Zac and Mel (Clover) have had feelings for each other for a decade. They also haven’t seen each other for as long. Once reunited Zac is on a mission to get Clover to fall in love with him. Zac is so sweet, I really loved reading from his point of view. I loved his relationship with Noah and how much he loved Clover. The misunderstanding from years ago takes quite some time to be fully addressed. I think the book could have been a bit shorter but I read it very quickly. I can’t wait to read the others in the series.

I really really loved the story in this book! The banter between the two main characters was excellent as their romance was adorable. I could read a whole series about them and still need more.

This is a second chance brothers best friend and sister trope

It starts ten years ago after high school graduation when Melody asks Zac to kiss her. She is his good luck charm and brothers best friend. That makes her automatically off limits. So even melody asks for that kiss - Zac said he would be right back but never did while also never reaching out for an explanation.

Fast forward ten years and melody is getting out of a long term relationship. She begins the process of grief and healing. She moves back home to get a few things figured out when she is found in a situation stranded with Zac.

As we move through the story we get the dual point of view from both Melody and Zach.

This is a story of second chances and finding yourself. There are several open door spicy scenes in the book.
I appreciated that there was no big third act mishap. Any issues, The characters communicated.

FMC- I felt like I could feel her struggles and conflict within herself as she comes out of an abusive relationship ( mental and emotional). While the book is more happy and focused on the two mains reconnecting we still are able to see what it is like for someone who now has to question everything. It is obviously simplified more for context of the book and HEA.

I will say the ten years without contact is crazy to me. I don’t understand fully the not contacting her in Zac’s part and going all notebook with the house but I was able to look over that because I was charmed by his character. That said, their issue would have been easy to talk about sooner rather than later. The rift between friends too I feel like would have been settled way before that time too.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I like the fact that the main male character never straight from his purpose and was a big cinnamon roll. I felt like I could also put myself in the female male characters point of view and realize I may have acted the same way she did on Page

**| received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher Atria Books. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

I liked this book a lot. It had a great story line and the character’s personality’s were very fun! I think many people are going to like this book if they like sports romance or just romance in general!

Only In Your Dreams is a heartwarming childhood friends to lovers romance. I am finding out that I really love a second chance romance between old friends. This was honestly the perfect romance, the perfect mix of romance, growth and spice.

Mel moves back to her hometown after getting dumped by her long term boyfriend and ends up trapped at a campsite in a storm with her brothers best friend who left her hanging 10 years ago after she asked him to kiss her.

Zac is one of my new favorite book boyfriends and he was as close to perfect as a fake man could be.

I would highly recommend this book if you like sports romance (Zac is a football head coach), found family, second chance and guys that are obsessed with their girl.

Only in Your Dreams
By @elliekwildeauthor

The story is about Melody and Zac. Melody has a twin brother named Parker and Zac was Parker’s best friend and was always around the house along with Summer. Zac and Melody obviously become close friends. There was this one rule that Parker had though amongst the guys at school. A rule that Melody never knew about - can you figure out what it is!?

Melody comes home after being gone for 10 years and moves in with Parker. Can you imagine what she finds out from being gone? Can she just get back in with the friend group like she didn’t move away? She was in a bad relationship that she realizes and keeps overthinking about. The confusion she didn’t realize she had, the things she did without even thinking if they were right, how condescending her ex was … and so much more she unpacks. She just wants to forget about it and move on with her life. What does she do in order to do that? You’ll love it but you gotta read the story.

Fave Quote (although there are so many):
* She’s that first ray of sunlight after a bad storm. Peeking through the clouds.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#bookstagram #bookreview #romancereader #momlife #booknerd #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #weekend #sportsromance #teacherlife #thanksgivingbreak #netgalley #arcreader

The time was right for this book. Although it was longer than necessary and had some unlikable characters (the brother was worse than the ex boyfriend), it was a perfect way to disassociate while jumping into a happily ever after. I've not read any of this author's other books, but I will look into doing so, which makes this book a win for me.

3 stars (get rid of the brother and it would be 3.5 easily)

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Atria publishing for allowing me to read this book! I ended up really enjoying it.

I think the brothers best friend trope can be overdone, but this was written very well! The groveling from Zac, the sap, The Notebook reference?? Swoon-worthy. Zac is definitely on my list of top book boyfriends.

There were definitely times when the book felt a little repetitive and like it was dragging-I definitely think it could’ve been shorter. However, the other scenes made it so worth it.

I didn’t expect the amount of spice in this book! I was very pleasantly surprised. It was very well written and both Mel and Zac have filthy mouths!!

I didn’t love that Parker never really got called out for his controlling behavior, especially after everything Melody went through with Connor.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

When the synopsis says spicy and sizzling it means SPICY (🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥/5) 😱 Definitely proceed with caution where you read or listen this one 🤣 This book is definitely all smut and very little plot but sometimes you need a light and easy book.

This is a classic older brother's best friend trope and it is done well. I found the cast of characters very likable and relatable, I actually hope some of the side characters get their own book 🥰

Thank you Atria for the ARC!

Red shoelaces and four leaf clovers are the ultimate romantic talismans in this second chance romance. This was a spectacular exploration of how history can be both an impediment and solid foundation to a relationship. It is also full of sweet and sexy moments that will make you want to put Zac Porter on the list of top ten book boyfriends.

Mel moves back home after her toxic boyfriend breaks up with her. Having avoided her hometown for 10 years in an effort to not see her brother’s best friend who broke her heart as a teen, she is thrust back into his orbit during a camping trip. When Zac realizes that Mel has returned, he knows it is finally his chance after fourteen years of pining to show her they belong together.

Mel’s journey of realizing how much she was gaslit and controlled during her past relationship and the steps she took to regain her sense of self was so well done. I cheered for her as she recognized her worth and stood her ground.

Zac is a man obsessed in the best of ways. He has always loved Mel and never waned on that. He loves Mel explicitly; he tells her so with his words and by quietly providing support in the background so that she can feel confident.

Absolutely recommend this book.

Tropes:
*small town romance
*second chance
*brother's best friend
*forced proximity

This was my first book by Ellie K Wilde and I absolutely loved it! I cannot wait for the sequel to come out next year!!

Melody Woods has moved back home after a bad breakup to crash with her brother for a while. And just as she gets in town, she is forced to face her old crush/her brother's best friend that broke her heart years ago, Zac Porter. Zac has regretted that night for ten years now and is shocked to find himself face to face with Melody again. But once that shock wears off, he is determined not to mess it up again and get her to trust him and see what they could be together, which proves difficult when all she wants is to learn to stand on her own again after her bad relationship.

I thought this was such a sweet and angsty slow burn, second chance romance. I liked the fact that the brother's best friend trope in this book didn't have an age gap, which can sometimes be a little odd or cringy in other books. It made it more realistic that they would have spent so much time together and developed feelings for each other as teens. Zac and Melody's chemistry and connection is so clear from the start, despite how hard they work to hold back from each other. You can really feel the internal struggle they feel with wanting to put it all out there but being hesitant because of how things ended before. It was a good transition from enemies to friends to lovers as they built that trust and friendship back. There was great banter between not only Zac and Melody, but the friends around as well. I am excited to read Brooks' story in the sequel and hope to see more of Summer, Parker, and Noah!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC to read in exchange for my honest review!

This book had its moments, and while it wasn’t perfect, there were aspects I genuinely enjoyed. The friendship within the group was heartwarming, especially the bond between Noah and Zac. Add to that Noah’s connection with Melody, and it was easy to get swept up in their sweet and supportive dynamic.

Melody’s journey really resonated with me. Breaking free from a relationship she didn’t realize was mentally abusive and rebuilding her life from scratch made her a strong and inspiring character. Her growth was empowering, and I loved seeing her create the life she truly wanted.

That said, some parts of the story felt a bit unrealistic. I’m not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, and in this case, it didn’t land for me. The idea of coming back after ten years of no contact and finding a guy living in a house that mirrors your dream home—on paper, it sounds romantic, but in reality, it leans a little creepy. Despite this, I really liked where the story ended. It was a fitting conclusion that the characters needed to reach, and it felt satisfying.

This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last! I’m especially intrigued to see how the other characters’ stories unfold. With Brooks’ book up next, I can’t wait to find out how this retired NFL player makes his way back into the league. If you enjoy stories of friendship, personal growth, and unconventional love, this book is worth a read!

It has tension it had heat and if your into the brothers best friend / sports trope then you'll like this. A football coach thought he'd never have another chance with his best friend sister, but whhen she shows up camping instead his best friend. He thinks he has a chance . It's cute. The writing is good. The chemistry is fine

Omg Zac. The man that you are. Perfect mmc and I loved how much the author reversed the tropes on me. Grumpy sunshine reversal And WHO DID THIS TO YOU from the fmc ?! YESSSSS - amazing book, I gobbled it up and hope we see more from brooks?!

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and Ellie K Wilde for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I requested the ARC of this book on a whim and I'm so glad I did; it was fantastic!

The story follows Melody as she navigates life after her six year relationship ends. She has to move out of her boyfriend's apartment, and with nowhere else to go, ends up back in her hometown, staying in her twin brother's spare bedroom. Now, Melody has been avoiding her hometown in the 10 years since she graduated because the night before she left for college, she confessed her feelings to her brother's best friend, Zac. Zac left her hanging that night, effectively breaking her heart and making her never want to see him again.

Since they're all still part of the same friend group, Melody and Zac end up spending time together and their feelings for each other grow. One of my favorite things about this book was how their relationship bloomed (in secret from her brother). They didn't just jump right to sex. They got to know each other as adults and slowly, their physical relationship developed.

This book had everything I love in a romance: cinnamon roll MMC, forced proximity, fiesty FFC who grows as a person and figures out what she wants in life and love, spice, forbidden love and a happy, happy ending.

Ellie K Wilde, I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was between 3.75 and 4 stars for this and ultimately went with 3.75 because the plot and pacing was pretty slow, and overall I felt like the book was too long for what it accomplished. That said, I LOVED Zac, I thought the spicy scenes were really well done and the relationship and longing between the MCs felt real. I also loved the side character Noah and hope he’s the subject of a future book. The miscommunication and length of time for it to come to a head didn’t feel very believable (and the stakes seemed way too low for it to go on as long as it did), and some of the side characters were pretty flat but overall, I enjoyed so much about the book and loved the MMC so much that I will definitely read other books by Ellie.

So excited to find out this was being trad published!!! I love this book, I love Zac, I love the banter - love it all! There were a few things I didn't love about Melody, but this has the best HEA!

First, I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC. I am posting this review voluntarily.

I was hesitant to start this book because of the description, but I'm mostly glad I did. There were some odd phrases scattered throughout, which I assume will be edited further. I had to deduct a star due to the heavy use of the miscommunication trope, and the lack of a filter between siblings discussing their sex lives, which just wasn't to my taste. Another star was deducted because I felt the ending was extremely abrupt, disrupting the flow of the book due to its rushed nature.

I give this book three out of five stars. While I enjoyed the banter between friends, the sibling relationship needs work.

Thank you, Atria books, for inviting me to read this book.

This was a sweet story of redemption and winning the girl you've pined for years. The characters mature nicely throughout the book.

Warning: This book is VERY heavy on the spice. I skipped through some because it was pretty explicit.