This was so good!! I enjoyed how Melody and Zac met each other halfway and were a very authentic partnership. Both POVs were enjoyable and I didn't want to skip through one to get to the other. All the characters in this book were enjoyable (even the town gossip) and Oakwood is a thoughtfully built world. Can't wait to read the next one about Brooks Attwood!

Thanks to Netgalley, Atria Books and Ellie K Wilde for allowing me to read this ARC.

Only In Your Dreams is the perfect “brother’s best-friend” that really focuses on the couple and not the brother. Every single character is extremely charismatic and unique (except for Connor, this insect). This book was insanely adorable and I think I have never seen a man as in love as Zac Porter. I, also, completely fell in love with this series, that’s just now beginning, but mostly I fell in love with Noah Irving. Don’t get me wrong, Zac and Mel are incredible main characters, but I can assure you now I will be (un)patiently waiting for his story to come out, because I think he’s the most interesting, beautiful, loving character ever, and if I could show you my notes, in all of his scenes, it would be “draw heart around it once you have the physical book”. Their witty banter and patient romance were amazing to read, but it was very difficult to skip all the smut, so I would definitely refrain from reading if you’re used to YA. Can’t wait to learn more about my Oakwood Bay people 🩷

I ate this book UP!!!!! From the moment Melody was back, Zac knew this was his opportunity to make it up to her after his mistake. He takes care of her from a distance even though she’s still upset at him. He’s protective and he’s got it down BAAADDD for Mel !! He’s encouraging, kind and so supportive of Mel’s dream of moving back to the city.
I love Mel’s spark and how she was able to find her confidence again after realizing she was in an emotionally abusive relationship. She took her time letting Zac in and it was so sweet to just see their friendship rekindle.

A thousand forehead kisses to Ellie K. Wilde for NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP!!!! I was so so so happy that Zac and Mel could have a conversation about it and work through it together rather than apart 🥹 Also, no drama when telling the brother??? THANK YOU!!!!!

This author and series is definitely one I’ll be following this year and I’m so excited for the next book with Brooks! 🏈

This is a book with a small town, brother’s best friend and second chance romance. These are all tropes I love. It was also set in the woods/camping which I love as well. Ultimately, it was too way spicy for me. I personally prefer closed door romances, but I think someone who loves more explicit scenes would love this more. I was not able to finish due to this reason. But I did enjoy the storyline and Melody’s sarcasm!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Only In Your Dreams is the first book of the Oakwood Bay series of interconnected standalones. This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading more by her! This book is perfect for those that like second chances, brother’s best friend, hot football coaches, and small town vibes. Zac is sweet, caring and so in love with Melody, his best friend’s sister. I loved all the things he did to show he has been in love with her for years. Mel has just come out of a toxic relationship and has to learn who she is again and how to trust again. These two had sizzling chemistry and the banter was so good. The storyline kept me interested from the beginning and it moved along at a great pace. I can’t wait for Brooks’s story and more of this world!

Once I started the book and got a few chapters in I was completely sucked into the storyline. This book is frustration and heartbreak, but also a story of timing and falling in love.
These friends were wonderful to get to know and there's room for interconnecting books for the other friend! I'm excited about Brooks' book that already has a cover before this one is out!!
Key tropes: Forbidden love/Secret relationship: Brother's bestfriend x Bestfriend's Twin; Forced Proximity; Second Chance; Healing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance e-book of this story!

With a wonderful tension built out of blending two great angsty yet comic tropes, this author blends Brothers Best Friend with the Second Chance Romance tropes in the best way! If you like banter and dialogue as much as I do then you have a great choice here for a wonderful weekend read. You'll feel that Melody and Zac are your own friends by the end of the first chapter and you will be rooting for them to get together and waiting to watch their passions explode on the page. Clean, funny, romantic, and wonderfully written I enjoyed every page and the glimpses into the lives of characters I have met before in other books by Wilde.

I was really hooked and interested with the one tent and surviving in the woods after getting lost. Once we got back to the “real world” it felt lacking and just didn’t really stick with me. I liked the premise, just didn’t flow well through the whole book.

Only In Your Dreams is the first book that I’ve read by Ellie K Wilde. This book is a second-chance sports romance involving a brother’s best friend that takes place in a small-town.

Melody Woods goes back to her hometown of Oakwood Bay after a devastating break up. Her toxic 6 year long relationship left her questioning so many aspects of her life and wondering what truly went wrong. She moved back in with her twin brother, Parker, so that she can take back control of her life.

Zac Porter is a football coach in Oakwood Bay and has always had a crush on Melody since they were in high school. Since his best friend was Parker, Melody was always off-limits. As a result, he messed up his chance to truly tell Melody how he felt. With Melody back in town, Zac realizes that he has a chance to finally make up for his mistakes from when he was a teenager.

I really liked the chemistry that Melody and Zac have. Their connection is undeniable. Both of them were always drawn to one another and could read each other better than anyone else around them. I also really liked the dynamic that Melody, Zac, Parker and their friends have with one another. Their friend group always looks out for one another and helps each other in times of need.

Overall, I thought that this book was very well written! Thank you so much NetGalley and Atria books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m not normally a huge fan of second chance romances but I loved how this was done! I adored Melody’s character growth throughout the book and seeing her recovery from a toxic ex-relationship. Overall, I really enjoyed all of the characters and Zac and Melody’s relationship!

I’ve been LOVING second chance romances lately. And this one being brother’s best friends just puts icing on the cake!

There is perfect balance between spice and plot.

Melody and Zac are childhood friends who have one kiss and then Zac ghosts her with no explanation.

Years later Melody is on a camping trip after a tough breakup. You guessed it, Zac is there and she comes face to face with what she’s avoided for years.

The fake dating (someone else) so her brother didn’t find out and how it all played out was chefs kiss. But Zac refuses to let her be claimed by someone else.


- Small town
- second chance romance
- brothers best friend
- fake dating
- it’s always been you

I have never read a Ellie Wilde novel and I'm glad I read this one! Such a cute sweet second chance romance with plenty of spicy and heartfelt moments too. Great for fans of.......
Brothers best friend
Sports Romance
He Falls First

ellie k. wilde was a new to me author and i can’t wait to read more from her! this book was JAM PACKED with content.

after a rough breakup with a narcissistic ex, melody found herself back in her home town living with her twin brother parker. she wanted to get back on her feet, make some money and then head back to city where she would live on her own. mel’s twin had other plans though. he wanted her to take his spot in a camping trip with none other than the man that stole her heart 10 years ago, zac porter.

zac still held a burning torch for melody and now was his time to prove it. the camping trip was going off without a hitch until mel and zac found themselves stranded — their friends accidentally left without them.

fast forward a bit and we get into the sports side of the plot and mel was an absolute bad-ass! she was helping zac make up plays for the college football team he coached. i love when we have a female character that can do just as cool things as the males can!

things i loved:
the shoe lace bracelets
the clover tattoos
the missing chapsticks
the camping trip
mel’s knowledge about sports
noah
mel’s rotten ex (the author portrayed him SO WELL)

4.25 stars

This was SO full of yearning on both sides for 14 years and you could FEEL it. I found the whole "sleeping together but only sleeping" thing pretty funny...like OBVS y'all are going to fall in love. I also really enjoyed seeing Melody come back to herself after a bad relationship and wade through that knowledge. It felt real without being too triggering imo. But the SPICE? Baby the spice was spicin'. But they were fooling NOBODY and that was pretty funny to me.

Only a couple tiny qualms, it was longer than maybe necessary (not the slow burn, that felt right, but the book itself) and some of the conversations early in the reunion between the MCs were too sexual for that point in their relationship/friendship. Otherwise, great time and very hot!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Hello hot football coach! This is a fun read with a high level of spicy! Melody took her shot ten years earlier with Zac Porter (her brother’s best friend) A shocked Zac fumbled that pass. Fast forward to current day. Melody is recovering from a very manipulative relationship and moves home to live with her brother, Parker. Of course, Melody is still holding a grudge against Zac and Zac wants to make things right between them. Also add in, Zac is the head coach for the local college football team that is in a slump with his job on the line. Things are quite interesting in Oakwood Bay. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this advance read

Ten years after the most humiliating night of her life Melody is back in Oakwood to start over. Zac fumbled the ball but now’s his chance to prove they were always meant to be. It wont be easy considering their history, Melody’s career plan and her twin brother who used to be his best friend. Hopefully his dream will finally become reality.

I’ve been in a reading slump for a while and this book was just what I needed. An incredible cast of characters with a long history together and a couple with a deep connection. Who doesn’t love a second chance romance.

The book starts off with a campaign trip, which a genius idea by the author. Bringing Melody and Zac together without a way out except working together. It sets the tone and immediately hooks the reader’s interest. And from there it just keeps getting better.

This is an incredible love story with a lot of depth. Melodys self-discovery journey, she managed to get out and break the circle. That will resonate with lots of readers. TW toxic relationships.

I have no complaints. Safe to say I’m out of my reading slump and the sequel is at the top of my tbr for upcoming 2025 releases.

Read this if you like
🩵Brothers best friend
🫶🏼He falls first
🏈Sports romance
💫Secret relationship

Thank you to Netgalley and the Atria Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a great read! The characters and plot were so good, mixed with lots of growth and a found family, I enjoyed this so much!

After a bad breakup, Melody is back in her small town to rebuild her life. She’s also taking a hard look at her ex and realizing the relationship wasn’t as healthy as she thought. Meanwhile, she keeps running into her long-time crush and twin brother’s best friend, Zac, who broke her heart the night before she left for college.

This was a dual POV with a nice blend of plot and romance. I loved the journey Melody goes on finding herself again after a controlling relationship. Zac helps her along the way, being extremely encouraging, while also keeping his feelings to himself. This man was so obsessed and I appreciated all the small ways he showed he cared. He is also the head coach of the college football team, which is a passion they both share. I really enjoyed the scenes of them talking strategy and connecting over their love of the game. Zac was so angsty and the mutual pining was done so well it made my heart ache! The slow burn was a good pace, and they really got to know each other again and be friends again before it got physical. The spicy scenes were filled with 10 years of pent up lust and passion, and Zac has such a dirty mouth!

Aside from the relationship, I really enjoyed all the side characters and the friend group they have. They’re all really supportive of each other, but also joke around a lot. I think Noah was my favorite side character though, and I loved the banter he had with Zac. The little found family they made was so cute and really added to the story.

This was just so good, and all the tropes were executed really well. I also really liked the ending and I’m excited to read more in the series!

Oh My God.

Such an incredible read!! The plot, the characters, the football...

The found family in this book was so special, and watching Melody recover from her past relationship, while building a new one with Zac was addictive. Once I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. I was desperate to find out what would happen next between them.

I was so glad there was the addition of Noah. I think his character added so much to the story and the development of Melody and Zac.

The last half of this book had me squealing and constantly having to put the book down to process what was happening. Such a great sports romance that deals with some very real topics, but still keeps it fun and flirty.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book!

I giggled, I kicked my feet, I (internally) screamed. Give me a man like Zac Porter, please and thank you. The adoration you can see this man has for Melody is obvious to anyone within miles, and I love them as the intro to our Oakwood Bay folks.

4.5 rounded to 5.

It was really clear pretty early into this book that it was going to be a good one. The characters - even the side characters - sort of grow on you instantly and there's this witty sense of humor that makes you laugh out loud. It had a real comedy-of-errors feel to it at times that was thisshy of being too corny but never really crossed that line into eyeroll worthy.

We have Melody, who is fresh off a break up & returning to her small hometown to move in with her bachelor-esque twin brother after living in a busy city for ten years, being in a relationship for 6 of those years and having a real Big Girl job/apartment/wardrobe. She comes off as super relatable because I think we've all had a point in our lives where we felt like we were going backwards, or even at a standstill and everything felt sort of embarrassing and hopeless. Add to that she's desperately trying to avoid her ex-almost, Zac - her brother's best friend from high school who rejected her ten years prior.

Zac is a perpetual grump who's nothing like the fun-loving guy he was ten years prior. He's coaching a losing football team, the town who used to worship him for being a star football player is now hating him for being a "bad coach" and the girl of his dreams hates his guts. This especially sucks (or... the opposite?) when they wind up stranded at a campground during a storm of epic proportions.

Throughout the story, we get to see a lot of really amazing things happen - Melody's perspective of her six year relationship with her ex shifts now that she's allowed to talk to her friends and brother again (did I mention her ex was a controlling jerk?); Zac and Melody stumble (blindly, through a really dark and stormy forest with lots of things to trip over) back into one another's lives; dreams are discovered and "What's Really Important" becomes apparent - for side characters as well, not just our main two. However, all of that to say this is a SLOWWWWWWW BURNNNNNNNNN.

The spice was also really.... spicy! I don't know why I went into this thinking it would have one or two decently written smut scenes, but no. Our girl Melody is a little brat and Zac has ZERO issues handling that. (Also.... he's a munch.)

My only frustration with the book is that sometimes it felt TOO drawn out. By 45% in, I was starting to get a bit bored and ready for the story to get a move on. It pulled me back in, of course, but that's not to say there weren't bumps in the road.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one and it's my first five star read since November 2024.

Instagram review to be linked tomorrow 1/18/25