I’ve really been loving brother’s best friend romances lately, and this was such a great one. Zac and Melody have such a sweet history, even if they haven’t spoken for 10 years, and I thought the pacing of her anger towards him thawing was just right. The flirting and teasing and romance were all so so good. I love reading books where I genuinely love the two main characters together, where the supporting characters are fun and interesting and add to the store. This book has all of that.

There’s some heavy stuff with a controlling, manipulative ex that might be too much for readers with similar experiences. I really liked watching Melody reevaluate her life and what she wants for her future, and I thought her growth and how she came around to letting Zac be a supportive presence in her life was really lovely.

This was my first book by Ellie K Wilde, and I’m absolutely hooked. She crafted a fantastic romcom that delivered plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments. Zac’s unwavering love for Melody was so refreshing—he always put her first, and his bond with his teammates was equally endearing. Melody was strong-willed, and I loved her “touch him and die” energy. Watching her gain the confidence to stand up for herself after questioning her past was so empowering. I also adored how their friends supported their wild ideas. I'm excited to dive into Beckett’s story next! If you’re a fan of sports romance, romcoms, the brother’s best friend dynamic, second chances, or the golden retriever/black cat tropes, this book is a must-read.

Melody Woods had her heart broken ten years ago, and she left town without looking back. She was living her dream life in the city until her long term boyfriend dumps her out of the blue. A jaded and broke Melody returns to her hometown to stay with her twin brother, who promptly sends her on a trip with the very man who broke her heart a decade prior. Determined not to squander his second chance, Zac Porter vows to make it up to Melody, win her over, and maybe figure out how to get his football team to win a game along the way.

I am a weak, weak woman for a brother’s best friend football romance. I adored Melody and Zac’s story, and I can’t wait for the next book in this small town. I absolutely loved the banter between Zac and Melody, and the supporting cast of characters were all a delight. Seeing Melody work through her trauma from her manipulative ex and find herself again was so beautiful. I especially loved all the details that showed just how obsessed Zac was with his one that got away. Pick this one up if you love second chance romance, he falls first, sports romance, and small towns.

Thank you to Ellie K. Wilde, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored this story and I cannot wait to read more by this author. I absolutely love her writing style. The way this grabbed my attention instantly is not an exaggeration and it just kept getting better. This is a reverse grumpy sunshine.
Zac was such a cinnamon roll of a character. The way I was kicking my feet and swooning over this fictional character should be alarming.
I always love me some sports romance and this was the perfect amount of sport and romance. I loved every single thing about this book. The growth in Melody's character I want to give her a high five. Fuck Connor he is such a piece of shit. The epilogue is perfection and I am actually sad this book is over, the way I never wanted it to end. Find you a man that treats you the way Zac treats Melody.
The spice in this book was absolute perfect. I also love how minor characters stood out. I hope there will be more to this and become a series! I want to thank netgalley for sending me this arc. I found me a new instant buy author!

This was such a cute slow burn between two friends who have known each other since high school. The way Zac treats Melody is perfect, I can’t wait to read the next one in this series!

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.

I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed getting to know Melody and Zac. This is a very spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ book. I thought the fact that Zac had been crazy in love with her for so long without any contact was a bit weird, but if you can overlook that, this was a great read! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

small town, rekindle, dislike to lovers, and brother’s best friend romance. The female main character, Melody, got dumped and returns to her hometown. Zac, the male main character, has never left.

They end up camping, sharing a tent, and left stranded during a storm. This situation up about a quarter of the book. A little bit too much time spent on them being stranded. After they escape their camping failure, Zac is focused on coaching his old university football team. He’s got get a win in or get out.

As Melody rekindles her friendship, she shares about her ex-boyfriend. She realizes he was manipulative and controlling. Zac is trying to convince her of the man he can be for her. He wants to show her not only does she deserve better, but he’s ready to be whatever she needs. He has a kind and generous heart.

There wasn’t much character development, but rather secrets of the past being revealed. The timeline was very quick, there was a lot of detail for each event. Overall, it was an easy, lighthearted read.

First and foremost, a huge thank you to Atria Publishers for providing this advanced ARC copy!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a quintessential small-town romance with a heartwarming happy ending—exactly what you’d expect from Ellie K. Wilde’s writing! If you’re in the mood for a quick, light romance packed with plenty of spice, and a broody, semi-serious and protective MMC, this one is a must-read.

The story hooked me at the beginning! I’ve always appreciated flashbacks in novels, and this book skillfully weaves glimpses of the past into the characters’ inner monologues. The chemistry between the two main characters was palpable from the start, making their connection even more compelling. However, I will state that their relationship felt very YA vs mature, please off this is in how they communicate and relate to one another. It wasn't enough for me to not like the book, but it wasn't what I expected. I removed a star since it felt incongrous with the stated ages of the characters.

I also loved how the author incorporated relatable, real-life challenges, such as the gaslighting and controlling behavior of the FMC’s first boyfriend ☠️. Watching her lean on her hometown friends for support was so satisfying.

There was cute banter and sweet/snarky moments between the MMC and FMC as they eventually found their way back to each other, rekindling their relationship in a heartfelt and believable way. Although there is a decent amount of back and forth miscommunications between multiple characters in order to get them there!

If you’re looking for a sweet, small-town romance with a touch of authenticity, this book is one you won’t want to miss!

I docked a star because there was a lot of swearing and more spice than I personally prefer, but I would still absolutely recommend this read to my friends who like all of the above!

Melody stayed away from her hometown after leaving heartbroken ten years ago. However, she’s back home with her brother after her boyfriend breaks up with her. Zac knew he messed up when he walked away from Melody ten years prior. However, now that she’s back, he’s determined to make it up to her.

Melody was a great FMC. Not long into her stay, she begins to realize that the relationship she was in was not healthy. So, she decides to work on herself, all while being around the boy who broke her heart at eighteen. I loved that she set goals and knew what she wanted for her future. Zac was just the biggest sweetheart with Melody. I loved that he didn’t give up on her, even though he knew she was mad at him. He encouraged her to follow her dreams and truly wanted her to be happy. He would do anything for her and those he cared about.

These two were just the cutest. It was clear in the beginning that Melody did hate him. However, I loved the fact that while she kept her guard up around him, we slowly get to see those walls she built come down. She didn’t let their past stop her from becoming friends with him again.

The side characters is the book were awesome and I just loved that they welcomed Melody into their group with open arms. They were great friends to both, her and Zac.

I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the very beginning and could not put it down. It’ll definitely be a favorite of the year, no doubt. If you love a spicy, small town, brother’s best friend, second chance, football romance, then you 100% need to check this book out! I cannot wait to read Only Between Us!

Thank you to Ellie K. Wilde, Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Such a swoony second-chance romance! Zac and Melody had an almost kiss when they were teenagers and a decade later Melody is back in town fresh off a breakup. Zac is clearly pining and smitten with her---through a camping mishap, insomnia, and Melody's realizations and healing from her past relationship, they relearn each other. There are lots of trials and tribulations in this book, so it's a journey for the two to work through their feelings. I really enjoyed reading lovestruck Zac's POV, he makes a point to show how different he is from Melody's ex. I'm a fan of stories that illustrate (mostly off-page) what abuse can look like, since it's not all overt and physical, but sometimes achieved through manipulation.

The chemistry and spice are fantastic and I enjoyed all of the reveals from Zac.

Special thanks to Atria and NetGalley for the eARC.

Only in Your Dreams
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🏈brother’s best friend
🏈sports romance
🏈second chance romance
🏈protective MMC
🏈slow burn
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This was a cute second chance romance. Zac is pining and has been pining for Melody for YEARS. After a breakup, Melody moved home to figure out what her future will hold.
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I loved the side characters and think their stories will be a fun addition to this series. The banter was great and it definitely had some spicy scenes. 🌶️ I’ve read mixed reviews on Zac, but I’m a fan. 😘
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I felt that Mel and her horrible ex (he’s the worst) had too much spotlight in the book, but I loved the banter and the funny moments and Mel’s road to healing her heartbreak.
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Overall, 3.5 stars


Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book!

The prologue sucked me in. I was completely hooked before Chapter 1 and I didn’t lose steam during the entire camping scene. I. Loved it.

Melody quickly became a favorite. I love me a good grumpy heroine!

The forced proximity was almost so unbelievable it was silly, but isn’t that life? “can’t make this up” stories?

This eARC was such a treat and cannot wait for more Ellie K. Wilde. This did not disappoint.

I absolutely loved this book! It kept me wanting to read more. Melody reminds me so much of myself. I can't wait for her next book because I will be first in line for that one, for sure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to this book

Unfortunately this book didn't work for me. I found it quite cringey and repetitive. I am dissapointed because this book was one I was looking forward to reading.

I absolutely loved the start of this story! I’m a huge fan of the camping plotline in books, and I was so excited to see Zac and Melody navigate seeing each other for the first time in literal YEARS through a tent. I thought that the first 30% or so was well-paced, and I found myself very engaged in both Melody’s new era/self-growth arc and Zac’s perpetual fumbling/pining for a girl that he’s loved for a whole decade. The latter half of the book did feel a tad bit long, but nothing to the extent of ruining the overall story.

I also enjoyed Ellie K. Wilde’s writing style—I found it smooth, with no abrupt transitions/cuts. It was light-hearted but had depth when it came to some of the heavier elements of the character’s stories. Melody & Zac’s chemistry really felt alive through their dialogue and ongoing banter.

I think where I struggled was really more so about Zac. I think it might just be my own personal preference, but the 10+ year wait for a girl you had little contact with during that time just felt very insta-lovey. Which, honestly, there’s nothing wrong with, but it just didn’t resonate with me. 

Overall, I think this was a fun read and would be perfect for fans of angst, second chances, and a sports romance setting. I'm excited to see where Wilde takes the Oakwood Bay universe! 

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley and Atria for the ARC! This was a super cute romance, I enjoyed it and will definitely be reading the sequel (more Brooks, yes please). If you love a slow burn romance full of pining, this is the book for you. The forced proximity right of the bat reeled me in. I also liked seeing Melody’s growth after getting out of her shitty relationship, and the found family with Noah. Overall this was cute and I laughed and gasped at least a few times, and the spice was spicin. Can’t wait to read more from Ellie Wilde!

This was definitely the kind of book I needed this weekend. So this was my first read by Ellie K. Wilde, and I have to say, it definitely won't be the last. I mean, this book was just such a fun read, with a really cute romance and some spice. I honestly just ended up reading it in an afternoon, because I couldn't put it down.

It is a second chance romance, mixed in with brother's best friends and sport romance. I was a little scared at first, because the second chance comes ten years later, and Zac is still head over heels for her even after all this time, but I think it was well done. The chemistry between Zac and Melody was just addicting, and it was so much fun to see them find their way towards each other. I mean, Zac didn't really have far to go, but Melody had a little more work to do, from moving on from 'rejected' ten years before, to moving on from a toxic relationship. And it was so much fun to see them both work through their feelings and fears, and still have great banters and sexy moments.

Honestly, it was just a fun read, and I think if you are in the mood for a second chance romance with a sports side, and a main male character who is completely in love with our main character from the get go, then this is definitely worth picking up. I'm adding her other books to my TBR, that for sure!

This book has everything that I could want in a friends then strangers to lovers romance novel! The pining, the sweet words, the words of affirmation, all from Zac was so well written!
Melody and Zac were great together, and they each had their independence and were very strong characters. It didn’t feel forced at all!

I really enjoyed Melody’s character. She was very headstrong, and even when she didn’t know if she wanted, it still felt like she did know what she wanted in her heart.

The plot was great, and there were no plot holes. I love that this doesn’t have a third act breakup! I loved the communication and the ability to listen to each other.

The side characters were amazing and I love Parker. He is such a good brother! And Zac was such a good big brother figure to Noah!

I just really really enjoyed this book and I would read it again!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc! All opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book and its cavity-causing sweetness. Melody fresh out of a relationship with an emotionally abusive ex ends up back in her hometown with Zac, the boy that crushed her heart ten years prior. Little did Mel know that Zac has been harboring a deep, unrequited love for Mel and there were circumstances with her brother preventing him from ever acting on it before. They dance around each other, starting at a deep level of acceptance and love.

There were a lot of things that I loved about this book: Mel and Zac's overall relationship, the way he situated her into his life, despite the fact that she had left and was with someone else, the way that he cares for people deeply. When Wilde wrote them, it was amazing. The prose was sweet and tender and evocative. It was hard to put down during those parts.

The rest of the story was a bit of a chaotic mess. The pacing was off a lot in places and it felt like things were either happening at light speed or at a glacial pace. It was hard to keep track of how anyone was supposed to feel. And some of the plot points seemed excessively childish, to the point where I sometimes forgot that these characters were close to their 30s.

Overall, I thought the story was emotionally sweet and it was engaging enough that I wanted to see how everything turned out in the end, despite its shortcomings.

Only in Your Dreams is a spicy, friends-to-lovers romance set in the world of college football (though the main characters are slighly older than the typical college students). I enjoyed it!

The story begins with Melody and Zac at a high school graduation party. Melody asks Zac for a kiss, and he leaves with a promise to return—but they don’t speak again for 10 years. After a tough breakup and (content warning) realizing the extent of emotional abuse in her last relationship, Melody moves back home to live with her twin brother Parker, who is Zac’s childhood best friend.

As the story develops, we learn why they lost touch and see how they help each other grow while falling in love. Multiple explicit scenes throughout the book!

If you're looking for a spicy football romance, I recommend this one!