This was such a fun read! I found the characters relatable, had a few laughs, and was really rooting for the romance. The spice was pretty heavy in the plot - but man 🥵🥵, I was here for it.

🍀 Second chance romance
🏈 Football Coach MMC
🍀 Healing journeys
🏈 Brother’s Best Friend
🍀 He would do anything for her
🏈 She’s his good luck charm

While I found this book overly predictable, the romance and the spice made it worth the read. And Zac is a very drool-worthy book boyfriend, especially in the romance department. It is evident from the first page that Melody and Zac are meant to be together (but this is a HEA, so who am I to complain?). Their relationship is warm and the sexy scenes are hot, which is why it gains three stars from me.

The issues I had with the novel was the plot was rather lackluster. It felt like two people treading water rather than making moves towards their future; at one point Melody makes a list of things she’d like to accomplish, and admits at the end of the book that she has accomplished none of those things. She works at a diner for no purpose other than to make money, and there’s never a mention of her ending her job there or her having enough money to move; it only happens when she gets a new job that she magically lands, even though she has no portfolio of experience in the sports world.

While I think the plot needs work, this is a great, fun quick read. If you’re looking for a meant-to-be love story with a plot whose main focus on building a relationship, this is a the book for you.

Really enjoyed this book! Was able to read it quickly and got into the characters. I did not realize this was a kindle version, but had actually read it initially November of 2023! I really liked it and am looking forward to reading the next one by Ellie K. Wilde! :)

Wow! This book was amazing! The tension, banter, and sweet moments are simply perfect! This was my first Ellie K Wilde book but will certainly not be my last! Ellie is an amazing author with the talent to capture the attention of her audience from the very start of the story!

This book was absolutely everything. I could not put it down! I loved the second chance romance and forced proximity of it, and that love only grew as the story progressed. Zac is (rightfully) obsessed with Mel, and we LOVE a man who is down bad for his woman… even before she is his woman. These characters had me swooning and laughing out loud from start to finish.

Everything about Mel and Zac was perfect. Their history runs so deep and so does a shared understanding of one another. He’s such a gentle guy but the second someone looks funny at her… good luck to them!! He was so patient with her and the combination of his gentle nature and the spice at the right times was EVERYTHING. I’m also still squealing over the lake scene… IYKYK 👀

As a football girlie, this book hit all the right spots. I’m obsessed with the small town vibes and the character of Noah, the college’s beloved quarterback. While I’m fairly confident that Brooks’ story is next, I am so excited to see where Noah goes moving forward into the rest of the series.

Thank you to Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Only in your dreams 💭 release date: 1/21/25

Mini review:
This was a nice quick read for me! The characters Melody and Zac were hilarious, and they shared so many cute/loving moments where you couldn’t help but cheer for them. The way Zac looked after Melody was swoony on a brand new level and watching their story unfold was so much fun.

I also really loved the side characters and felt like they supported the story so well and would love a story about them sometime in the future!

What you’ll find in this story:
💙 one tent trope
💙brother’s best friend trope
💙second chance romance
💙small town football
💙The Notebook vibes

Overall rating: 4 / 5 stars
Thank you so much atria books and netgalley for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review

4 stars... This book was like a warm hug. The MMC"s devotion. The FMC's (rightful) skepticism that didn't equate into her being unbearable. The characters were done right, the storyline progressed wonderfully.... no third act breakup. I just loved it all. Pleasantly surprised by this one... would definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I thought I was only going to read the first few chapters to start, but the joke is on me because I was so drawn in I read the first half of the book in one sitting! I was drawn in to the story right away and could not put this one down! I started to lose steam around 75% through (but again, I think it’s because I read the first 75% of the book in one day between two sittings) and took a break, but when I came back the next day flew through the last 25% of the book too. Overall I would say this is a must read for fans of the tropes: second chance romance, small town, brothers best friend, one sided enemies, guy falls first and grovels extensively!

Thank you so much to the publisher for sharing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I could not put this down!! The only time I HAD to was when adulting was mandatory. I love it so much and Zac… yup he’s the one! I will definitely recommend this book to anybody. I definitely enjoyed how the characters, Melody, came to realize that the way her previous relationship was so toxic and Zac that was just there with her, pushing in to grow into her own. Love it! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this book!

Busy but enjoyable spicy romcom. Melody is fresh out of long abusive relationship and just moved back home with her brother. Zac is the stage 5 clinger/college football coach who’s been in love with her since he was 14. There are a lot of tropes in this story including brother’s best friend, fake relationship, enemies to lovers to name a few. It was a bit spicier than I prefer (cinnamon roll mmc has a real filthy mouth) so be aware if not your thing. Not a very deep book. Great for a library or KU pick up.

Thank you Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this one but…I didn’t get there.

The dynamic in this relationship felt more YA to me, which isn’t bad but, it wasn’t what I was looking for. Aspects of conflict and some behavior felt childish to me and I could not get on board. I think I wasn’t the right reader for this particular story, and it will be a better fit for someone else.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this book!!

What a great book! I enjoyed this one a lot!!! I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. Great writing style!! This was a first by this author for me but will not be my last!

If you had to choose a lyric that encompasses Zac's feelings for Melody, it would have to be "Hopelessly Devoted to You".

Zac had it in spades for years. His devotion to her spanned from the personal (tattoo) to the physical (home). But the most telling is when he observed her from afar while they were apart. He had the opportunity to reinsert himself into her life. Instead, he gracefully withdrew and put her seemingly happy relationship first. His support of her extended to her sense of self as well as her professional career.. The contrast to his character and Melody's ex could not be more stark.

I felt his character was well rounded as he had a solid friendship with Brooks (cannot wait for the sequel) and his role as a quasi dad which showed his altruistic nature. Would have liked to see more development of his fallout with Parker mid way rather than at the end of the book as well as the friendship that Melody maintained with Summer as not get much of a feel for who she is other than a friend.

With that said, the author does a good job developing Zac and Melody's relationship to the inevitable HEA thereby making this a solid four star read.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Atria Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a spicier romance for those that aren't into that so here's your warning. I read books such as this all the time and I thought it was cute and devoured it quickly. My only negative feedback is that this is a little long.

Melody moves back to her hometown after she has been used and dumped by her big-city boyfriend. Her brother Parker convinces her to take his place on a friend camping trip to get her mind off of it, but she is none too pleased when she sees who is on the trip. Cue Zac Porter.

Zac Porter has always carried a torch for Melody and now that she is back in town he is determined to not blow his shot like he did ten years ago. He told Melody to wait for him, but he never showed up and it has haunted him ever since. Zac is determined to break down her walls and beg for forgiveness, but Melody needs a lot of convincing.

I give this 4 stars. It was an easy read and an ARC I received from the publisher. It was a little longer than it needed to be.

🍀Because as long as I have her, my four-leaf clover, we’ll have a lifetime of topping the last moment 🍀

First of all I want to say thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me an advanced reading copy of Only In Your Dreams. This book was so fun and enjoyable, a perfect palette cleanser!

✨Tropes ✨
Second chance
Brother’s best friend
Close proximity
Sports romance
FMC Grumpy x MMC Sunshine

Synopsis:
Melody Woods’s life turns upside after her boyfriend decides to call it quits. She is forced to move back home with her twin brother after avoiding her hometown and a certain best friend of her brother’s for nearly 10 years. The twins and Zac Porter used to be inseparable, until one night before Melody left for college and everything changed. In an attempt to lift Melody’s spirits, Parker insists Melody take his spot in the annual camping trip. Little does she know, she’ll be sharing a tent with the one and only Zac Porter. Will Melody revert back into the girl who used to give him good luck charms before every football game or will she stand her ground with the first boy who broke her heart?

Only in Your Dreams was well written, it was funny, sweet, and a little spicy. Everything you need in a feel good sports romance. Which if I’m honest, I was a little worried at first. While I love hockey romance books, football is not my thing. But I ended up loving it just the same; there was enough plot in between that it didn’t feel like JUST a sports romance. I would recommend to any romance lover!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review,

The plot and conflict of this story was fun and it's definitely a tried and true favorite. I feel like not much sets this book apart from similar stories though. I liked the characters mostly, but sometimes they felt a little flat or not very well rounded. I both liked and was seriously irritated by both Zac and Melody and their relationship. The end felt like it could've come much sooner. I thought the plot with the previous boyfriend was wrapped up for almost 200 pages and then he comes back for literally two scenes and it felt unnecessary. Overall, it was a fun romp, but not going to be a reread for me,

Ten years after one of the most heartbreaking nights of her life, Melody Woods is back in her small hometown of Oakwood Bay, broke, jaded, and unceremoniously dumped by her big-city boyfriend. To top it all off, her twin brother, Parker, is pushing her to take his spot on a camping trip with the one guy she’s spent a decade avoiding.
For college football coach Zac Porter, his best friend’s twin sister, Melody, has always been off-limits. And after fumbling his chance ten years ago, a devastated Zac was sure he’d lost Melody for good. So, when Melody shows up at the campsite instead of Parker, Zac realizes that now is the time to prove to her that they were always meant to be, no matter how long it takes to make up for his teenage self’s mistake.
Reeling from the truth of her last relationship, Melody plans to stay in town just long enough to get back on her feet. Then, she’s gone again. Meanwhile, Zac is facing an uphill battle to coach his team to its first winning game in years, to show Melody how she deserves to be loved, and to keep Parker from ever finding out. Maybe then, being with her will be more than just a dream.

There were many things that led to my DNF. First, I thought the pacing of this story was off. The beginning chapters felt too quick. I didn’t like how the story opened with Melody and Zac. The whole camping scene felt clunky and forced. Normally I love the forced proximity trope; however, it felt very forced here. Second, I didn’t care for the main characters. I found Zac’s pining cringey and Melody’s character dull. The miscommunication between them felt silly. Lastly, I didn’t care for the author’s writing style. The story felt like it was still in the drafting process. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

Loved it! This book was really well written. I couldn't put it down, I had to know what was happening next and just truly loved the story. I can't wait for the next one in the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The other day, @atriabooks gifted me a copy of Only In Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde, thinking it would be right up my alley. And BOY 😮‍💨 were they right. This second chance romance, fake dating, masterpiece was written so well! The storyline was well paced and chalk full of fun banter and delicious tension, the characters are individuals you just can’t help but root for (even the side characters - I’m looking at you, Noah), and the communication between the main characters is TOP FREAKING TIER. Which is honestly so refreshing because there’s nothing like a miscommunication trope to thoroughly break my heart. I’m only unsure of how the title fits in with the book but, other than that, it’s definitely a 5⭐️ read!

This book is out N O W and is available of KindleUnlimited, so hurry on over and devour it ✨

This book deserves to be paired with blueberry waffles and coffee with dairy-free cinnamon creamer.

Broke, jaded and unceremoniously dumped by her doting boyfriend. That’s the state in which Melody Woods returns to the place she spent a decade avoiding: her small hometown of Oakwood Bay.

Things go from bad to worse when Melody’s twin brother talks her into a catastrophic end-of-summer camping trip. She finds herself stranded in the woods, awaiting rescue with only her brother’s best friend for warmth—the very person she fled her hometown to avoid.

This book was a great book!