Only in Your Dreams
Ratings4
Average rating4.6
15
Ratings4
Average rating4.6
A spicy small-town, brother’s best friend, sports romance “packed with sizzling tension, heat, and sweet, swoon-worthy moments” (Peyton Corinne, author of TikTok sensation Unsteady) between a college football coach and the one that got away that you’ll want to devour in one sitting. If he can prove he loved her then, and he loves her still, this time might be different. 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.
Reviews with the most likes.
I LOVED THIS. Devoured.
It was the perfect amount of angst, banter, second chance, cinnamon roll, swoon, and romance.
Zac has been pining over melody since they were teenagers. They had a moment of an almost kiss, and he said he would be right back but he never did. Mel has been holding a grudge since then, and Zac has been waiting for her to come back to ask forgiveness.
Zac is insanely sweet and romantic. He made a mistake years ago, but he has grown and is making up for it now.
Mel is snarky and scowls, but her dry sense of humour is part of the charm.
I loved the way Zac slowly wove his way into her life, and quietly did things to show he loved her. He knew she would spook easy so he took his time. Excellent boyfriend.
This was my first book by Ellie Wilde, and I found it to be an enjoyable read! Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The story didn’t require intense focus, which made it a light and easy read. While some parts felt a bit lackluster, the romance between Zac and Melody "Clover" was the highlight for me.
Zac, Clover, and her twin brother Parker were inseparable growing up. Zac and Clover clearly had feelings for each other, but Parker’s overprotectiveness made it impossible for Zac to act on his feelings. Parker’s threat to anyone showing interest in his sister kept Zac at a distance, even when Clover attempted to take their relationship further at 18. Instead of reciprocating, Zac ran—putting 15 years and a lot of emotional distance between them.
Fast forward 15 years, and Melody is recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship. She moves back to her hometown and in with her brother, Parker. When Parker sends her on a camping trip with Zac in his place, the trip is filled with intense sexual tension.
Once back home, Zac and Melody finally begin dating, but they’re forced to keep their relationship a secret from Parker.
Melody was a relatable character for me, especially because her experiences mirrored some of my own. Her journey felt authentic and grounded. Zac, however, was harder for me to connect with. While I do love a die-hard romantic, he reminded me a lot of Niles Crane from Frasier—his character lacked depth beyond his obsession with Melody, and I wish we had gotten to know him better.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and its focus on love, second chances, and personal growth. Thank you to Ellie Wilde, NetGalley, and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC!
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.
