I felt this book was definitely an amazing read, and I would definitely read it if I had the chance to. The characters were very developed and I was intriged to keep reading. If you get the chance I definitely recommend reading. Amazing job!

I enjoyed this, it was an easy read. A good second chance romance. I loved Zac’s relationship with Noah, he really cares for his people!

This is a cute rom com book. It was cheesy but a good quick read. I really enjoyed getting to know these main characters and what makes them tick. I feel as though I was having a hard time getting through the beginning 20-30% while they were camping because it just seemed so unrealistic but then once they were back to the “real” world it got a lot better and I got sucked into the book. All in all this was a cute story and I enjoyed this read.
3.5/5 ⭐️, 1.5-2/5 🌶️

Can you really like the writing and the story, but not the book? When they said spicy…. They mean 🌶️ S•P•I•C•Y🌶️ So, personal preferences aside (I’m not into that level of spice in my books right now), I liked the story and the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this book. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

“I’m thinking about never realizing just how lonely I’ve been until the very moment I felt full.”

Awww I love Mel and Zac! This was a beautifully relatable second chance romance. There was a lot of healing that needed to be done before things could fall into place but man did they. The banter in the beginning as they fought what was meant to be was HILARIOUS and had me giggling like a fool. Summer Parker and Noah were great side characters as well with fun roles to play. Zac is the kind of man a girl needs after a Connor. 4/5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.9 stars! Okay okay let’s get into it. First off, this is a spicy one, folks. And it is probably a hard one to just skip spice altogether if you’re not a fan of spice, because convos and relationship development definitely happens during these scenes. It was a bit much for me which I’ll explain later but that’s honestly just personal preference. I really loved the writing style from this author, HOWEVER some of words she uses for her spicy scenes just give me the ick. Any time and I mean ANYTIME there was a spicy scene, she had to use the dreaded p word for a lady’s nether region. Some people are all about that but I feel like we already knew what was happening and it didn’t need to be said a bagillion times. There are just more fluid ways to refer to things haha but like I said to each their own! Another thing that I didn’t love was the constant nick name usage. Like it’s cute and such but also I like a mixture of real name in there more than once in a blue moon but it’s fiiiiine. The last thing was the whole not talking for 10 years. I just can’t see the MMC letting so much time go by with how strongly he felt about her. I get the reasoning or whatever but also as another reviewer said, it was a bit weak.
However. I loved the story. Some mention it was boring but I honestly liked the day to day and for once not having my heart totally ripped out 4/5ths of the way through, sometimes I need an easy ending okay?! And I really loved the background characters and I believe there will be even more from them in the future which I won’t be able to pass on.
Anyways. Definitely a talented author, my only qualms are legit just personal preference! Great story that I loved, it was cozy and good!! I’d definitely recommend it to my spice lover friends!
A big thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC read!

Ellie K. Wilde has officially joined the ranks of top-tier romance authors for me. This book is now a defining part of my reading personality.

On it's own, it's amazing. But in the context of romance today, I have to let the Sarah Adams girlies know that this one is right in their wheelhouse. There's real obstacles and cosmic intervention, but the focus is on the genuine romance between characters. And since it's a second chance, it reminded me of everything I loved in "The Ex-Vows" by Jessica Joyce. Whoever picked this up at Atria has excellent taste.

It starts with the most angst-filled forced proximity of all time - they are sharing a camping tent! If that's not crazy enough for you, they are also stranded, in the middle of a freak storm, after 10 years apart, with no one else around, sharing a tent! Hahahaha... yes it is hot! And definitely compensated for the fact that I have not been approved for Hannah Bonam-Young's "Out of the Woods".

But just as the walls between their hearts start to crumble and the heat intensifies, they're rescued and thrust back into normal life. Forever changed, our hot football coach Zac and recently dumped Melody decide to keep seeing each other <i>in secret</i>. Zac doesn't want to risk his friendship with her brother and Melody doesn't want to commit to anything serious her last relationship. (Content Warning: she was severely emotionally abused and gaslit so she's unpacking years of toxic behavior). It's lighter than Abby Jimenez but still emotionally impactful.

The three things I loved the most about this was (1) Zac secretly doing everything to make Mel's life better. If you crave acts of service, you're going to obsess over this one. (2) Even with the small town antics and fake-dating trope, the story is more about Mel and Zac's relationship than any romcom disasters. So the tropes are there but the focus is on the emotional development. (3) There's a lot of teasing but the spice is held back until the relationship is stronger. So when they get going it is meaningful, but also hardcore. Even if you've read hundreds of books, you're going to find something new and exciting with this one.

Cheers to Ellie K. Wilde on the amazing book. I'm. excited to read through her backlist.

Such a good book from start to finish. I could not put it down. Definitely recommend as a quick read that helps you relax and enjoy reading!

No doubt Zac has truly loved Melody his whole life. The way they reconnect and the story from start to finish makes me believe in love. Cannot wait for Book 2 in the series!

Solid 4 stars! There were a lot of things to like about this book! First, I’m always a sucker for a second chance romance, and I love when the MMC is openly pining for the FMC. There’s something so attractive about a man who admits his feelings early on in the story. Then, the depiction of Melody as a woman recovering from a controlling, emotionally abusive relationship was handled very well, in my opinion. Seeing her journey in trusting herself again, and then also trusting Zac was well done. I also really enjoyed the little relatable things, like Melody having designed lip balms all over the place. Overall, this was a light, easy read with some heavy topics that are handled well, and I can see this expanding into a series of interconnected standalones.

Zac is melody’s twin brother’s best friend, so naturally, she falls in love with them as they grow up. Unfortunately for her when she finally makes those feelings known he disappears. Heartbroken she leaves town to find herself. Ten years later she returns home after yet another heartbreak. So as she is getting re-acclimated to her life she gets caught in the cross hairs of none other than Zac Porter.
Zac has spent his entire life in love with one girl. However, he’s never told her. Instead he waited and watched her in the background, but when she finally comes back he decides to finally take what he wants.
This book is filled with heartbreak, healing, and secret dating.
I can’t wait to see more people fall in love with these characters!
Thank you to Atria books and netgalley for the opportunity to ARC read this adorable book!

Only in Your Dreams is a small-town, sports-centric, kind-of-second-chance romance with all the classic overprotective brother vibes—plus his best friend secretly in love with his sister. Writing this out, I realize it’s very trope-heavy, but the author blends them so well that it never feels overwhelming.

Our female main character, Melody, returns to her small hometown after a breakup with her longtime boyfriend. Living with her brother and trying to get back on her feet, she’s forced to confront some revelations about her past relationship and how it’s shaped her. Then there’s Zach, Melody’s brother’s best friend, who ends up joining her on a camping trip. From there, things really take off. This is my favorite kind of second-chance romance—the kind where the main characters were separated by circumstances before their relationship ever had a chance to truly begin.

The spice is so well-written, and the chemistry between Melody and Zach practically jumps off the page. I’m already looking forward to seeing more interconnected standalones featuring other characters from this book in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the ARC of Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Thank you to Atria Books, Ellie K Wilde, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of Only in Your Dreams in exchange for my honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book. Going in I was unsure of what to expect, however, I was greatly surprised. There are a lot of great popular tropes that are included such as brothers best-friends, friends-to-lovers, and a unique spin on only one bed. Whenever there is a popular trope that is utilized in a book, it is either done really well or it has the feel of any other book. While there is elements of this book that I have seen in other stories, it stands on it's own well, and it felt like I was reading something new, rather then a popular trope that can be read anywhere. Regarding the character development, I think both Zac and Melody grew a lot throughout the book They are both struggling with their own demons, and their own challenges from the past. They support each other nicely and neither of their own issues were suddenly solved. Rather, they learned how to face their demons and cope with what they are unable to change. I will say the brothers-best-friend aspect of the story did feel like it was resolved a bit easily, though I will say that I do not think there was a better way to resolve that issue without dragging the story out. I will say I do wish we saw more of the side characters because they were outstanding. I feel like we got just enough to fall in love with them, but I do wish there was more. They are such interesting characters that I want to know more about. Though I will say I feel like that was done purposely, so that if there is a companion story with these characters, we would be interested in reading it, and let me tell you: I am! I believe there is a story coming out in the summer following another character who we did get some background information on and I cannot wait to read it. I also have a theory on who Parker could be with and I think that would be such an interesting story to tell with some fun tropes as well. But we will have to wait and see! I recommend this book for all the romance lovers out there - you will not regret it.

Brothers best friend meets 10 year reunite with a little fake dating thrown in. My biggest hold up in this story was that Zac's whole POV is centered on the fact that he's loved Melody since high school however he doesn't come clean about what happened that fateful night until over halfway into the book. The main "conflict" could've been avoided the whole time with them rekindling their relationship without this lie/omission being a part of it.

If you want a cute, easy to read romance with a little sports references thrown in, this is for you. But in my opinion there are better and stronger books with similar storylines

Did I just read a favorite book of the year with just 4 days left of 2024?! Yes I did! I loved this book so much. All the characters were perfection for me. Zac, oh sweet Zac. The pining this man endured was the next level. I don't want to spoil the things he does in the book, but it's the definition of if he wanted to, he would. What he did for Noah was enough for me to start tearing up.

I am so proud of Melody for working out the red flags from her previous relationship and not allowing history to repeat itself. She continues to go after her dreams even though it may mean leaving Zac behind. Zac never once asked her to stay for him 👏 I could probably go on and on about these two. I loved how this book started with the camping trip. It was a perfect way to throw them together after all these years.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A dual POV, spicy, small-town romance, this story is about former friends Zac and Melody. It immediately kicks off with the main characters at 18 years old, then jumps to ten years later.

Wilde wastes no time building too much backstory, or adding unnecessary facts or tidbits of information. The characters are (almost literally) thrown into the plot from the beginning. The spice starts early, and is frequent, but it doesn’t disrupt from the storyline. While this book is on the longer side, 432 pages, it moves fast and is a quick read.

Wilde’s ability to make you fall in love and empathize with both main characters is astounding. Zac might have ruined real world men for me.

I loved this book! I thought Zax and Melody had the cutest relationship. The past between the two also added a great dynamic. While I did kind of hate why they had a falling out, I feel like the reunion more than made up for it. This was a swoon-worthy book filled with humor.

⭐️Dual POV
⭐️Childhood Friends
⭐️Second Chance
⭐️ Spicy

There was literally nothing about this book I didn’t like. You know when you love a book so much it gives you a book hangover? I have that now. I literally ignored my family during holiday break to finish this book!

Melody and Zac are perfection. I wish I could see more of their future; I’m addicted! Second Chance will always be my favorite trope and a strong FMC who goes after her best life with a man who supports her fully. And the things he did for her even when they weren’t together… all the butterflies!

Thank you to Ellie K. Wilde, Atria Books and NetGalley for this amazing ARC. Get Only In Your Dreams on January 21 and then get ready for 2 more books in this series coming soon!

3.5 - Thank you Atria, Ellie, and Net Galley for read! If second chance x brother’s best friend x small town is the vibe you are going for, I have a book for you! Only in Your Dreams follows the 10+ year relationship of Melody Woods & Zac Porter. Throughout the 10 years, they both struggle with happiness & finding healthy relationships, all while thinking they cannot have the other.

I thought Melody’s experience with a toxic relationship/narcissistic ex was displayed so well and so many people can relate to her experience 👏🏼. Similar vibes to Friday Night Lights! 🏈

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This romance was cute, but cringe in places. It was so also a few chapters too long; I feel like it could have been edited down a bit.
I will say, however, that I want a man that is obsessed with me as much as Zac is obsessed with Mel.

This book was such a fun and easy read! The chemistry and communication between Zac and Melody was great and the supporting cast of characters all felt like they stood on their own while helping move forward the story.

Spice: 4/5

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.