I enjoyed Zac and Melody! I finished this book in one day, I could not put it down. It was adorable and just what I wanted after reading the description! Enjoy!

This was such a fun and easy read! Had read this when it was indie published and don’t think there was any major changes (that I caught at least) in this version. The chemistry between the characters, the fun banter are the main highlights. Definitely a perfect read for those who love brother’s best friend, childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance tropes.

Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

I was not expecting to love this book so much, but I really did! The cover implies a lighthearted romance, but this one had so much heart and soul. I absolutely loved the characters, and there's nothing more adorable than a man pining for a woman he's loved forever. I just adored the romance, but I also loved that the main character was working on developing herself as a person outside of a relationship.

Thank you again for the ARC!

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. The mutual pining, the spice, how sweet the MMC was, the dirty talk: it was all amazing!! Excited for the next book in the series :) I’m usually not super into second chance romance but this one sold me. It was a sweet and simple read that brought me joy.

This is really sweet, romantic romcom. While the story touches on some heavy topics of emotional and pyschological abuse, the book is balanced with cute, funny, heartfelt moments that provide much needed levity. Zac is obsessed (truly) with Melody in a way that may be a but much for some, but my sappy heart loved it. The chemistry between Melody and Zac is fantastic.

I typically *HAAAATE* a miscommunication trope and I found the reason for the literal decade of not speaking to be flimsy, but I was able to get past that because I remember the idiotic decisions I made when I was 18.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Okay this might just be one of my new favorite romance books, the ARCS are coming through lately!
This releases on January 21st, 2025, so make sure to go pick up your copy!

This story was so emotionally charged. I don’t know what I was expecting from this book but I didn’t expect it to make me SOB MY EYES OUT! I seriously can’t recommend this book enough if you love childhood friends to lovers, touch her and you die, or forced proximity. Melody and Zac have the perfect set up for a second chance and I loved them getting to know each other again. He literally waited 10 years for her to come back so he could confess his feelings, wore the red shoelace everyday, BUILT HER DREAM HOME 😭 Where do I find a man like this. God this was actually just such a good romance book and I really loved the characters so much. Also, I will always eat up that fake dating to cover up the real relationship. I was so scared these two were going to have a major conflict towards the end but I loved what happened instead (yes Zac beat up Connor’s stupid controlling butt!)

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I devoured this book in one sitting - I loved the writing and the chemistry between Melody and Zac and i was dying to see how they were going to make things work as she healed from her toxic relationship and came clean to her brother. I loved seeing her community rally and empower Melody to live the life she wanted; what a beautiful, healing journey for her. And Zac was down so catastrophically - it was so so sweet. If you love an it's always been you kind of love story with a little bit of football and a lot of heart, this could definitely be a perfect pre-superbowl read!

Loved it!!! Loved the characters, hoping for some more stories to come with the others?? zac was 🥵, just perfect!

I loved this! So much so that I preordered the physical copy when I was only half way through the arc.

Zac is quite literally the embodiment of "boy obsessed" and I loved that. All the small things he did to help Melody regain her independence and to show her he loved her were so sweet. I mean, the lip balms, come on! Such a small thing, but meaningful.

Their chemistry was great right from the get-go and the build up was oh-so-sweet! This book had me grinning the entire time. If you love second chance, brother's best friend and "it's always been you" then definitely give this a try.

I will absolutely be reading all of the author's other books! Super excited for Brooks' book!


Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Only In Your Dreams is the first book I’ve ever read by Ellie Wilde, and let me tell you - it definitely won’t be my last. I am insanely excited that this book is kicking off a series, and I can't wait to follow Brooks on his journey - but I’m getting ahead of myself. Ellie’s writing is like a bag of trail mix with personality: salty and sweet, zesty, and blended with the perfect mix of everything you’d want to satisfy your rom-com cravings. Despite touching on some heavy issues, she effortlessly uses wit and banter to keep things light between her characters, conveying her message without losing the book’s uplifting tone. At over 400 pages, you’ll breeze through it at the speed of a novella because, yes - it’s just that good!

Melody Woods will never forget that fateful night - the night that was supposed to mark the beginning of everything she’d ever dreamed of, including a chance with the man she’d loved for as long as she could remember. A night that started so full of promise, only to end in utter devastation, heartbreak, and rejection. Funny how, ten years later, she finds herself back in the same small town of Oakwood, feeling the exact same way after her boyfriend of six years suddenly broke up with her. Broke, essentially homeless, and scorned yet again by trusting her traitorous heart, Melody is determined to simply hide and let the world pass her by while she regroups. Her brother, however, seems dead set on pouring salt into her open wounds by forcing her to go camping in his place. And not just any camping trip - the one being led by the very man who shattered her soul almost a decade ago.

What should have been the best night of Zac Parsons' life has haunted him as a living nightmare for the past ten years. The moment he had dreamed of since he was fourteen had finally arrived - Melody Woods wanted him to kiss her. But instead of seizing the chance to make every wish he'd ever had come true, he walked away - a decision he has regretted with every waking breath since. A decade later, his self-loathing runs deep, and his already strained relationship with Melody’s twin brother, Parker, is hanging by a thread. The last thing Zac wants is to be stuck on a camping trip, sharing a tent with Parker for three days. What he didn’t expect, however, was for the love of his life to show up in Parker’s place. Zac has been praying, hoping, dreaming for this moment - the chance to right his ultimate wrong - but now that it’s here, he is in for the battle of his life.

As Melody begins to uncover the truth about her relationship, she becomes determined to stay in town long enough to rebuild her life and prove she can achieve her dreams on her own terms. With a deadline looming, time is running out, and Zac must figure out how to not only save his job but also win back the heart of the only woman he’s ever loved - all while ensuring that the person who destroyed everything the first time doesn’t find out and derail it all over again.

While there were countless things I truly enjoyed about this book, the ever-present humor was what stood out. Ellie’s writing is nothing short of incredible, seamlessly blending moments of sadness, joy, and heartfelt emotion to keep a smile on the reader’s face while simultaneously pulling on their heartstrings. The topic of narcissistic partners seems to be a recurring theme in many 2025 releases, and while I’ve read several other ARCs tackling this subject, Ellie’s approach resonated with me the most.

I also loved that Ellie didn’t go for the traditional third-act breakup. Honestly, I feel like it would have dragged the book down. Instead, she leaned into a slow-burn approach packed with both spice and heart. What made this even more brilliant was that the slow burn didn’t focus on the usual “will they or won’t they” tension between the protagonists. Instead, it zeroed in on the one thing they both desperately wanted - something that would define everything about who they were. It was the catalyst that had torn them apart in the first place (not by their own doing, but because of what Parker believed Zac’s intentions were with his sister), so making it the ultimate barrier to overcome was absolutely perfect.

This book was so much fun! I know that’s incredibly subjective, but have you ever read a book that you just genuinely enjoyed from start to finish? The characters were wonderful, the small-town setting was picturesque, and the supporting cast struck the perfect balance - playing their parts to move the story forward without stealing the spotlight. The pacing was spot-on - not so fast that it felt unrealistic, but never so slow that it dragged. The overall energy is filling, not depleting - it makes you want to keep reading because it fuels your mood, leaving you feeling light, happy, and just completely satisfied. That’s exactly how this book was for me.

As for Zac, have you ever come across a line in a book that is so scorchingly hot it echoes in your mind long after you’ve finished reading? That’s exactly what happened to me with this book. The chemistry between Melody and Zac was already off-the-charts, but there’s a particular scene where Zac says one line that had me almost dropping my Kindle! What made it even better was that Melody had the exact same reaction in the moment! I know I have a tendency to put in spoilers, but that one? You will need to discover that little gift that keeps on giving on your own!

While I absolutely can’t wait to dive into Brooks’ book, I’m really hoping we get a chance to check in with Nick somewhere down the line - even if he doesn’t get his own story. But what I really want (and I’m not above begging) is to see Parker and Summer together. I’d settle for their own individual stories, but I can only imagine how much fun it would be to see those two paired up - and the epic payback Melody could dish out!

This book was ADORABLE. I can’t remember the last time I laughed like I did with this book. I love all the characters so so much! Zac was a dream boat of course. But Mel was the most amazing character. She was smart, and witty, and funny. You could see the struggles she went through and how she overcame them a grew as a person. I always love a good second chance romance. And this one was absolute perfection! I seriously can’t thank netgalley enough for this arc. And I can’t wait to have a copy on my shelves so I can read it again!

This was such a great read. It had the tropes I love (he falls first, pining, brother's best friend), but written in an original heartfelt way. I enjoyed how the FMC worked on herself throughout the book, as well. I read it on kindle when it was indie published and have been anxiously awaiting the sequel ever since.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me the traditional publication via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

🔎 ARC Review

Only in Your Dreams

@elliekwildeauthor
@atriabooks
@netgalley

Publication Date: January 21st, 2025

My Rating:
🌟 5/5

👀Read if you like
Second Chance
Brother's Best Friend 😉
Football Romance

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.

🔎 My review
This was my first book by Ellie and it did not disappoint.😉. It has all the good tropes, I mean who doesn't want a book about a girl from a small town who is in love with her brother's best friend (football star turned coach) and is forced to share a tent after not speaking for 10 years! I absolutely love Mel and Zac 🥺. Zac is what every man should be ❤️. Don't worry! There are some good spicy scenes as well🌶 👩‍🍳 💋

Thank you @elliekwildeauthor, @atriabooks, @netgalley for the ARC!

#books #bookreviews #bookstagrammer #bookworm #bookstagram #bookobsessed #romance #elliekwilde #atria #NetGalley #OnlyinYourDreams #brothersbestfriend #smalltownromance #footballromance

4 stars. It was so sweet and romantic. There were parts of the beginning that felt very heavy and could be triggering for readers who’ve experienced controlling relationships, but it lightens up around the 35% mark. The romance was great and Zac was a dream, but what caught me by surprise was how much I enjoyed reading the dynamic within the friend group. It left me excited to read the rest of the series. I highly recommend reading this book if you want an HEA, no third act breakup, and a cinnamon roll of an MMC.

“Only in Your Dreams” by Ellie K. Wilde is a good enjoyable book to read. Set in the cozy little town of Oakwood Bay, it’s all about Melody Woods coming back home after ten years and running into Zac Porter—her brother’s best friend and her old crush.

The story is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, tear-jerking feels, and seriously hot romance. You can’t help but root for them to work through their issues and finally get their happily ever after.

If you’re into second-chance romance, the brother’s best friend trope, or just love a good sports romance, you’re gonna enjoy this one. Zac is one of those it’s always been her / obsessed kinda boyfriend and I was here for it! Overall, I’d give this a 3.5 star.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

This was such a feel good, cozy read! I was obsessed with Zac from the beginning, and connected to Melody on a level I didn't think I would with having someone close to me go through the same type of relationship. It made me want to root for her from the beginning. They are the definition of golden retriever man and black cat woman. The chemistry and banter was perfection. I was laughing one minute and blushing the next. I melted for the relationship Zac and Noah built and when it expanded to include Melody. Makes my heart feel mushy!

The only thing that didn't work for me was the weak excuse for the 10-year silence, but that didn't really take away from the story too much. Also lowkey still pissed at Parker for his part in all of it. This is perfect for anyone who loves second chance (adjacent) romance, sneaking around with the brother's best friend, and undeniable chemistry.

This kind of book is total brain candy. Will it have life changing effects? No. Will you have to suspend disbelief for lots of romance reasons? Yes. Will you have a good time and fly through it? Absolutely.

Melody has recently returned to her hometown after her longterm boyfriend broke up with her. She moves in with her twin brother and after some evaluation quickly realizes that she was in an abusive relationship for years without knowing it. Who better to build her self-confidence back up than Zac Porter, her childhood crush, who she never quite got over. Can they overcome the obstacles to make a relationship work?

This book has so many great tropes: brother's best friend, second chance, he falls first, years-long pining, only one tent, fake dating, sports romance, etc... I could go on. At moments it felt like a little much, but I had a good time reading it. It also got super spicy early, but then managed to build some longing/tension in the slow-burn middle. I liked both main characters, but the friend group is what really made this book shine. I can't wait to read more from the Oakwood Bay crew.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Meghan Quinn + Hannah Grace lovers you will be a fan of Ellie K.! Sports romance with your brothers best friend! I can't say more except that its SPICY! Thank you to NetGalley, Ellie K. and My favorite Atria Publishing team for the eARC!

What To Expect:
⭐ Second chance
⭐ Brother’s best friend
⭐ Forced proximity
⭐ Small-town romance
⭐ Protective Main Character
⭐ Sports Romance - Football!
⭐ There is discussion of breaking up due to gaslighting and control. In the event you have PTSD from a past relationship like this <3


My Thoughts:
Give me a football sports romance ANY DAY! There are not enough!!! While this spice level was a little bit higher then what I usually like the story of itself kept me interested! Well done Ellie! I love a good romance but there needs to plot, a story, more than just some sex. In this case you get to see A LOT of the main characters (Melody + Zac) growing and healing in this book. It's not a deep plot like a Emily Henry or Carly Fortune BUT you will easily fall in love with them as you read on.

I have to say I can't STAND the ex-boyfriend Conner, good riddance. It's such a toxic relationship and I hate that we find out as she finds out what it was like without the rosy glasses on. I've been there it's both overwhelming and maddening. It happens to the smartest women and it is one of the hardest relationships to get out of. Thank goodness Melody does becuase everything she had been waiting for and looking for was there waiting in a way. She finds herself, she heals from the heartbreak, and the lack of trust. Not just trust in the people she is surrounded with but also herself! Which is the hardest part to rebuild.

This story will have you wondering how it ends. There is NO Third break-up act which I am SOOOO grateful for. You will fall in love with the well defined main characters and all the sub characters too! And this is BOOK #1! Which is always exciting!!!

Synopsis:
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 have my review below but good reads does not allow me to post for some reason I just the error “ this book does not meet good reads publication requirements and is no longer able to review”



-small town charm
-brothers best friend
-football coach MMC
-set in the woods
-forced proximity : one tent
-sneaking around
-you're the only one for me

This romance was really cute! I loved the chemistry between Melody and Zach but hated the reason Zach had for ghosting. This was just a fun time and found myself smiling a lot while reading. Great read for football season too! 3.75 stars

🎵breathe me by sia

Thanks NetGalley for the Arc!

This book was the perfect mix of so many tropes. Brother's best friend, enemies to lovers, second chance, fake dating, he falls first, "Who did this to you?" (but she says it?!). And it is done so well.

It is the sweetest story but with the perfect amount of spice! The. Entire. Book. I was so sad for Zac and had a hunch it had to do with the brother but goodness. Communication. I mean I get there would be no story but the YEARS of heart ache would not have happened with a few words.

THE TATTOO. swoon.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book.