Only Between Us

Oakwood Bay #2

by Ellie K. Wilde

The highly anticipated sequel to the “achingly tender and deliciously sexy” (Jillian Meadows, author of Give Me Butterflies) Only in Your Dreams is a steamy, whip-smart sports romance about a former pro football star who agrees to fake date the fan-favorite ex of another high-profile NFL player so they can both save what’s most dear to them while fighting their growing feelings for each other.

After a death-defying injury sidelined him for two seasons, Brooks Attwood’s pro football comeback has hit a major snag. Naughty photos from a post-break-up bender have leaked, and they’re killing his chances with the Rebels—his old team, and the only one he wants to play on.

As he trains with the hope of being signed before the first kickoff of the season, Brooks’s plans to keep a low profile are suddenly upended when his selfie with a fiery fan goes viral, and tabloids mistake them as the football world’s newest It couple.

Turns out, Siena Pippen is the ex-girlfriend of the “face” of the League. And she wants nothing more to do with that world after being with her nightmare ex. While she and Brooks are busy blaming each other for the media circus surrounding them, NFL teams are suddenly scrambling to sign a housebroken Brooks. Meanwhile, Siena realizes that all this buzz could be the Hail Mary her family’s struggling business needs.

Together, Brooks and Siena hatch a ignore the will to kill each other and pretend to be madly in love—at least, until Brooks signs with a team. But the longer they pretend, the less fake their fauxmance begins to feel…and Brooks becomes as determined to convince Siena they’re truly meant to be as he is to land a spot on the Rebels’ roster.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Fake Dating, Sports, He Falls First, Football, Forced Proximity

416 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2025

About the author

Ellie K. Wilde is a Canadian writer of contemporary romance and romantic comedies that make you laugh, swoon... and maybe require a cold shower or two to recover. She enjoys writing stories with dirty-mouthed cinnamon roll heroes and the fiery women who bring them to their knees.

When she's not daydreaming about her next book, you'll find her devouring other romance novels, bingeing reality TV and snuggling with fur babies.

Follow Ellie on Instagram and TikTok @EllieKWildeAuthor

Reviews

[aira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faking dating where the lines blur will never get old regardless of how many times I read it, I will be kicking my feet and giggling every time bc it just works.

Brooks Attwood:
╰┈➤ Hot. Filthy mouth. Ambitious. Football player. What more could a woman dream of? Absolutely nothing, bc this man could also be vulnerable when he needed to be. He had his sweet moments and I was so happy to see him finally get where he wants in life.

Siena Pippen:
╰┈➤ Sweet. Kind. She was the perfect representation of those women/girls who wouldn't want to disappoint their parents, knowing fully well that their parents would love them regardless of what they chose to do in life. She deserves so much happiness.

Chemistry + Plot:
╰┈➤ The chemistry was off the charts and the plot was really good. You had me fake dating and it doesn't get better than that. They had this push and pull type slow-(ish?) burn to them that had me frustrated, but giggling at the same time. I will admit that it took me a while to get into it bc I was on the first chapter for almost 2 weeks - I would get distracted with other books, but I finally finished. Loved it! So glad I read it!

Thank you to Ellie K. Wilde, Atria Books and NetGalley for this arc! 💕

-------

pre-read: new week, new struggle, new arc and old me. Anyways, I remember liking the first book in the series, so fingers crossed I like this one too!

[naz · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔, 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒍𝒚?” “𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.” “𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆?” “𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆.”

I definitely think this book opened my eyes to the dynamic between partners when it comes to long-term dreams. Yes, all romance books will have that HEA feeling, but going deeper into what it really means to have a romantic relationship with someone is also about understanding their dreams and seeing how you can both achieve every single one. THIS BOOK WAS THAT GOOD.

I love a fake dating trope, especially when they have to fake it ‘til they make it' which is Brooks’ football contract aka they gotta stay together for a whileee. I loved how they hated each other after their ‘meet-cute’ but understood from the start that the dating had to look believable. Our girl Sienna needs the exposure on her socials to make money, and Brooks looks good with her on his arm, so it’s a win-win.

The rollercoaster of little things they had to do publicaly that were a bit awkward to then basically looking natural was perfection (well let's be honest it wasn't natural they were falling in love). ALSO THE SPICE OF THIS BOOK!!! The gala scene.. um yes 🔥.

The flirtatious tone they both have woven into their personalities is what made me turn the pages so fast, like you already knew they were going to go alllll innnnn. I loved it all!

I do want to say that some parts dragged on a bit, and while there was no third-act breakup (WHICH I LOVED SO MUCH), with this being a thick book, I totally would’ve loved it to be maybe 50 pages shorter.

tropes
🩷he falls first
🩷fake dating
🩷sports romance
🩷no third act breakup
🩷dual pov


⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅fake dating um duh say less <3

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Atria Books for inviting me to read this early via NetGalley! 💌

OMG, THIS BOOK HAD ME IN A CHOKEHOLD 😭🏈🔥

Okay, let’s get into it. Only Between Us was SO MUCH BETTER than book 1—like, if you liked the first one, buckle up, because this one delivers everything on steroids.

First of all, Brooks Attwood = new book boyfriend unlocked. 🏆 This man is charming, hilarious, and a total menace, but also secretly soft AF. He’s out here trying to fix his football career after a scandal, but instead, he gets tangled up in a fake dating mess with Siena—who, by the way, is a QUEEN. 👑

Siena is fierce, independent, and so done with NFL drama, yet somehow, she ends up pretending to date a player to save her family business. And what happens? SPARKS. FLY. Like, I was SCREAMING at my phone because the tension?? The slow burn?? IT HURT, but in the best way. These two had no business fake dating that well.

BUT. AND I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. WHY DID WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT THIRD ACT BREAKUP???? 😭 Girl, be so fr. I wanted to shake Siena for a second, but honestly, I get why she did what she did. Still, the angst nearly took me out.

This book had:
✔ Fake dating supremacy 👏
✔ Banter that gave me life 😂
✔ CHEMISTRY so good, it was criminal 🔥
✔ Football + romance = elite combo 🏈💖
✔ Brooks being an absolute golden retriever menace

Final thoughts? 4 stars because I’m still mad about that breakup lmao. But I ate this book up and will be seated for the next one. 🍽️

If you love sports romance, fake dating, and men who worship their women, YOU NEED THIS BOOK. 🫶🔥

[ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sadly did not like this as much as I liked the first one 💔 There were a lot of parts I didn’t really enjoy, but the parts I did enjoy really stood out.

The first couple of chapters were so hard to get into, they were super slow and kinda boring. I absolutely love Sienna with my whole heart, but… Brooks? He was. so. damn. boring. Like sir are you awake? Cause I sure as hell wasn’t. YAWNFEST if you will🥱🥱

I’m usually a fan of the second-chance trope (and fake dating too!) and I think they’re both really cute tropes, but something about it here just didn’t hit right. I can’t even put my finger on it, it just felt off.

The banter and the spicy scenes 100% saved this book.

And the ANGER I felt toward Sienna for a few chapters (if you know, you know)… almost made me DNF. That part was so stupid I was ready to throw my ipad.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! Loved the characters, the display of support… definitely loved the meet cute that turned to enemies-to-lovers. Such a good build up and slow burn. Get ready to laugh out loud, and maybe sniffle a little bit. This book has all the good stuff!

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

Meet Siena, the sweet adopted woman who runs her late father’s tackle/bait shop to continue his legacy and support her mother. She longs to be out in the sun following her dreams of chartering boats, but feels obligated to continue in her dad’s footsteps in a way of giving back to them after all they’ve done for her.

Then we have Brooks… a retired NFL player who is struggling to find his purpose and place after losing so much in a severe accident two years ago.

After an accidental encounter on the football field (more like a sexy collision) both Brooks and Sienna are quite taken with each other. Until accusations are thrown and things fall apart before they barely even began. Unfortunately though, both soon come to realize they need each other to get what they want and need… & all of a sudden, plan “Fake Dating” is put into action.

Follow Sienna and Brooks as their lines slowly begin to blur, and what first feels akin to dislike… is beginning to feel a little more like desire.
Watch them push out of their comfort zones to challenge each other, and to chase what they truly long for. And as it turns out, sometimes the approval and love you seek can come from the people you least expect.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

“𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚? 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪.

“𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚?”
“𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚.”

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Ellie K. Wilde for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

[✨⚡ Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You aren't an afterthought to me. You are the thought. From the moment I wake up to the second I fall asleep. It's you."

This was a really enjoyable sequel.

Brooks and Siena had a really dynamic, fun relationship. It took awhile for both of them to warm up to each other, but when they finally did they were such a fun couple, fake and otherwise ☺️

Most of my issues came from Siena. There were so many times where she was such a force and so admirable in so many ways. But she had a hang up throughout the whole book that is one of my least favorite plotlines in books. I really don't enjoy characters who think they only have one route in life because of situations that also directly affect other people but never discussing those situations WITH those people. Just assuming the worst without even trying.

There was a lot of deeper back story and a lot of her feelings were totally justified. But she had SEVERAL come to Jesus talks with her friends and it got a little old.

But the story was still pretty good and all the characters were so fun, and this also sets up for another sequel that I'll be excited to read too 😎

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Only Between Us” was such a great slow burn romantic comedy! I enjoyed reading every second of it! This book has all the feels I love all packed in one book. It had comedy, romance, humor, sadness, happiness and a whole lot of spice! Whew! This author brought on the heat and not just in one way! I can see this becoming a movie!

It is about a woman named Siena who is an ex girlfriend of a football player and wants absolutely nothing to do with one again. Then there is this guy named Brooks, who tries to overcome his problematic history in his football career and wants to get in with a football team before the season starts. These two end up meeting in the funniest way possible! Then, they end up having a photo that goes viral, so they both decide to do what only makes sense, fake date! While they are both fake dating, it turns into something else along the way.

As this story unfolds, you will get to see who these two really are and reasons as to why they connect on a deeper level! Be sure to read the content warnings. This is a very well written, captivating and easy to read romance book! I really loved the dual point of views! Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Ellie K Wilde and Atria Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While this is a sequel to the book “Only in Your Dreams”, you can read this book first.

This book is set to be published on July 8, 2025!

🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈🏈


Pre Read for “Only Between Us”

💜 Sports Romance Comedy
🥀 Dual POV
💜 He falls first
🥀 Spicy 🌶️
💜 Sequel to “Only in Your Dreams”
🥀 Fake Dating
💜 Small town romance

🎀 This book is set to be published on July 8, 2025 🎀

[sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing about me: I will NEVER get tired of the fake dating trope. This book was hilarious and equal parts heartbreaking at times and the banter had me in a chokehold.

Let me tell you, the MMC was OBSESSED with the FMC in this book. He would do anything for her, literally anything. This isn't even a fantasy book but I'm sure Brooks would burn down the world for Sienna. It's that serious 😮‍💨

The angst at the end had me on the edge of my seat (WILL THEY, WONT THEY?). I was sure they would make it work but I was sweating for a few chapters. I get why Sienna was hesitant, she's strong and had to grow up at such a young age but some of those chapters were making me nervous 😬

This is the second book in the Oakwood Bay series but it can be read as a standalone!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc!

✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩

[joni ౨ৎ - [semi hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 4.6 stars ⋆⭒˚.⋆

arc review 💌
release date: july 8

⁀➴ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
💗fake dating
🏈football player
💗he falls first
🏈dual pov
💗small town
🏈banter

𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠: dandelions by ruth b. ‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹


⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
okay so i wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book THIS much!!!! i had some expectations after enjoying only in your dreams (book 1 in this series) but i can’t believe i liked this one even more. second chance is a trope im a huge sucker for, but the banter and fake dating in this one omigosh yall.

also here’s my review for only in your dreams

this is a short review but i think this is such a perfect summer read and it has a balance of cute/witty and emotional depth. i teared up a bit (i always do but yk) both mcs have a sense of brokenness they seen in themselves, realizing they were mirrors of one another led to the authentic relationship being formed.

he falls first will never not be one of the best tropes ever, the pining from his pov and just doing everything to show his love for her. like what do you mean he literally went and bought every possible caffeinated drink from his local diner because he wasn’t sure if you were a hot coffee or iced coffee or tea or creamer girly. like this was when it was purely a PR relationship and she had openly disliked him. what do you mean he literally waited for hours for her after her shop closed her to take her home 😭 guys brooks is honestly so sweet and i just wanna give him the biggest hug ever.

sienna was honestly such a sweet girl and her banter with brooks was hilarious. i think she was such a perfect match for brooks, genuinely caring about him for who he is and not who he can be/what he can do for someone.

they're such a cute couple and i fear i'm going to miss them for the rest of my summer

ellie has such a fun and easy writing style, you can’t help but fall in love with the story and characters.

also parker and summer 👀 soso excited for if only you knew (book 3) there’s bound to be some tension after how close they are and for how long they’ve known each other - the familiarity and them both being single.


thank you so much to simon ^ schuster canada for a physical ARC of this title!!

[Katie Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid 4.25 stars for me! I felt like it was better than the last one, and I really enjoyed the last one. I LOVED these characters! Siena was such a great FMC. I loved how they acknowledged and kind of played into their attraction to each other from the jump. They both just had the wrong impressions of each other. I loved Brooks with his tattoos and hottie body. I loved how they both realized that they put this front up of confidence when really they need love because who doesn't! I LOVE when the MMC falls first and HARD. And that is what happened here. I loved how emotionally intelligent he was. He knew Siena was scared but pushed her to be honest with him. The spicy scenes were OH so spicy. I was listening to this one and MADLY blushing at the gala scene- IYKYK. The mouth on this man. The praise was next level. I loved his touch her and die vibes while also respecting that she was an independent woman. I also loved when they both realized that though this started off fake there was nothing fake between them now. And how they both built each other up. How they opened up to each other- it was SOOO perfect!

Siena finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time when she runs into none other than Brooks Attwood, previous NFL star who is gunning for his old spot. He is hot as all get out, and they seem to be clicking until things are misinterpreted. Which is how she finds herself being his fake girlfriend. She has to pretend that she is attracted to him which is easy because she is. She agreed to this because she really needs help around the shop. But the more time she spends around Brooks the more she realizes she HOW attracted to him she is. She likes HIM. The way he makes her smile. The way he teases her. The way he slowly starts to open up to her. The way he is trying so hard to prove himself to the world because of how he was treated in his previous relationship. And that will not do at all. So Siena decides to lean into these feelings. Their chemistry is legit off the charts. What could mixing in a little hook up to this *fake* relationship? But now things don't feel fake. The man makes her feel like SHE is his life goal now. He makes her want to dream about a future away from Oakwood, but she has too many things holding her back. But when he gets the offer they have been holding out for, she finds herself at a crossroads of love and obligation.

Brooks has worked soo hard to get asked to go to training camp with his old team the Rebels, but his past is starting to catch up with him. Which is how he finds himself looking for a way to spin his relationship status. He can be a family man. No problem. He just needs a fake girlfriend. And then he meets Siena. On a whim. And he likes her. She makes him laugh and seems genuine. Until he realizes who her ex is. But the press likes how they look together. So now they are fake dating. He is paying her for her time. He really wants this to work. Even though he knows her motives now. But the more time he spends with Siena the more he realizes how wrong he was about her. She isn't all about the money. She is so much more than this beautiful confident woman who drives him wild. She is loyal. She cares. She makes him want things he hasn't wanted in a while. She makes him feel possessive and jealous when why since this isn't real right?? But now it feels real. He can't ignore it anymore. He has another endgame in mind, and it involves Siena. But he has to tread carefully. He doesn't want to scare her away. And when she finally opens up to him and lets him in, he knows he is on track with them. But then his wish comes true about his team. And he has to trust that she is going to be pick him. That he is enough. He will wait for her as long as it takes.

This was REALLY good! I liked the banter. I loved the spicy scenes as I mentioned. I loved how confident and in control Siena was but then how Brooks got her all hot and bothered. I loved how Brooks hid his wounds so well but how Siena drew them out and helped stitch him back together. These two were just adorable together! I HIGHLY recommend this one and this series. It is just getting better and better. And I am hoping the next book is Summer and Parker???

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Only Between Us was a fun fake dating romance. I liked both Brooks and Siena. The first half wasn’t my favorite, but the last half I loved.

Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Mia Barron & Tim Paige
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 11h 40m

[fromthestudyof · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED IT.

From about 20% into this book I could tell that this was going to end up on my top favorites of the year list.

The chemistry these two characters have is so unbelievably off the charts. It radiates off the page!!

general thoughts:
- I love this FMC, stupid moments aside
- THIS MMC!!!!!! He can do no wrong
- He showed up to pick her up from work with a truck full of different coffees bc he didn’t know what she liked!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m about to start an argument with my irl bf if he can’t correctly answer what my coffee order is
- He is down bad desperate for this girl and it. is. DELICIOUS.
- I highlighted so much of this man’s dialogue it’s actually crazy
- there’s so many scenes I wanna talk about but I don’t want this to be spoilery?!

things to know:
- fake dating for good PR
- she doesn’t date athletes irl
- he’s a flirt
- he drives her to work everyday
- “my girl”
- he’s tatted
- he gets jealous of her ex
- “wear my jersey”


five mf stars, okay.

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ˖⁺‧✮

this book started very promising, especially with the main trope “fake dating” and incredible main chapters. i was relieved to see that both characters actually needed something ( from this “relationship” ) and finally this “something” was life changing and not just “i’m doing this for fun”. however, as story was going, it became too long with no stones, conflicts or anything catching. from 20% to 70% all we do is follow brooks and siena who live their lives. and don’t get me wrong, i love this type of tv shows but not books.

siena was so strong but also flirty and funny. but i can’t say anything about brooks. he was plain, basic male character passed into another romance. of course he liked siena but i also feel like this “love” from him was only because siena was giving him attention. he had girl trauma before so when someone was nice to him, brooks just went with it. do i think those feelings were mutual? yes, but not permanent. they will get bored of each other sooner or later.

«Wondering what in the hell I did to deserve wanting a woman who struck down any chance I have with her, the very second I realized I wanted one.»

chemistry was so on point with them pining and melting over each other, but at some moments it was becoming cringy. as you read their “together scenes”, you cannot not mention the unnecessary amount of description and pages of them doing the same thing over again.

i really liked this book until 60% when they both confessed their feelings and become boring

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc

[Fahmida · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much better than Book one. Although, I'm mad that there weren't any cameos from the previous couple.
----
A huge shoutout to Atria Books for inviting me to read this book in advance!💖
I received the ARC for the first book in this series too but unfortunately didn't enjoy it mainly because of the second chance trope and that story just didn't click with me. But the blurb of this one sounds so good so I'm very excited!🫶

[Megan Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I liked this one.
Football romance meets fake dating meets romcom.

There were times I was straight cackling.

Brooks & Siena 💕
NFL player comeback
Wild child vibes
Cute dog

I have a soft spot for books with backgrounds like Sienas.

Brooks that man is top notch. Like damn.
I loved him.

Netgalley arc review ✨

[Jenna ♡ (jennascornerrr) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy smokes. This book took me by COMPLETE surprise in all the best ways. I can confidently say this is a 4 star read because Ellie Wilde really blew my socks off with this book.

I love a good football romance and this book stood out to me because it includes a lot of football. We get training, recovery, scrimmages, the whole nine yards! I know, I'm not funny but I had to make the pun anyway. This book was centered around romance but Siena and Brooks both had their individual plots which blew me away. The complexity of emotions and the vulnerability UGH! It's enough to make a grown woman weep.

Now the smut in this book? my goodness. I'd say I'm comfortable with smut...miss ellie had me clutching my pearls & blushing while alone in my own home. It was absolutely DIVINEEEEE.

If you want an emotionally complex yet fun football romance....please do yourself a favor and read this book.

Thank you Atria and Netgalley for an e-arc of this book!

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, entertaining, steamy, slow burn sports romance. This is book 2 in the Oakwood Bay series. I did not read the first book, and I think it was perfectly ok to read as a standalone. I also listened to a good portion of this one on audiobook. Narrated by Mia Barron and Tim Paige and they did an excellent job bringing the book to life. I thoroughly enjoyed it.


Second Chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, and fake dating usually isn't. But with this book, it worked for me. I really loved Brooks so much. For a football player, he was so tender and sweet to Siena. I could feel how much he loved her and wanted to be with her. He was completely smitten and I was here for it!! Siena, on the other hand, was more hesitant. They had such a believable chemistry and I was on the edge not knowing if they would make it. I'm happy with how their story played out and they got their HEA.  A really great romance story and I'll definitely check out the first book now! 

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

With electric chemistry and intimacy that will make you swoon, this reminded me exactly why I’ve loved Wilde’s writing since the very beginning. These characters are SO GOOD together - opposites at first glance, yet so similar beneath the surface. I loved peeling back the layers and seeing what was beneath all that tension and banter. The vibes are playful and spicy with an edge of angst that dials up the tension. I loved how it put me through my paces emotionally, making me laugh one minute and swoon the next. Our hero is an absolute GEM, the kind of man who is all in once he realizes he’s found his girl. Though his past makes him resistant at first, he melts like a marshmallow somewhere along the way. I also loved the strong and sassy heroine, who gives as good as she gets. She’s a firecracker who keeps him on his toes, and that made for some seriously spicy moments. It’s another complete and total WIN from Wilde - I loved it!

The story follows Brooks, a football player who is hoping to come back from an early retirement. After an injury and rough breakup took him out of the game - both physically and mentally - for two years, Brooks is determined to get signed with a team. Unfortunately, some pictures surface from when he was spiraling that make a comeback unlikely… at least until a photo with a beautiful stranger goes viral. Turns out, the sexy woman Brooks had immediate sparks with is another player’s internet famous ex, and the world is convinced they’re together. Deciding to lean into the viral moment to the benefit of them both, Brooks and Siena agree to fake a relationship until he’s signed with a team. The only problem? Siena has no interest in dating another athlete, and Brooks has made some unflattering assumptions about her intentions.

Wilde instantly became a new favorite of mine when I read her debut a few years ago, because she is so talented at writing banter and sexual tension. Her books are light and fun in the best of ways, but they don’t shy away from digging deeper either. The combination makes for bingeable and wildly entertaining reads that leave an impact, and this series is no different. This will easily read as a standalone, but also has me excited for some of the side characters’ stories. I loved the quirky meet cute and the way sparks flew immediately, which was followed by some enemies-ish tension as Brooks and Siena entered a fake relationship under duress. They get to know each other under unusual circumstances, and watching Brooks fall hard and fast for his girl was immensely satisfying. Siena has black cat vibes because of her past, and I loved that she made Brooks work for it. They were fire together, with some spice that was SPICING, but they also connected on a deeper level that warmed my heart. I loved every minute of it!

[Mira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brooks wants to return to professional football after a death-defying injury. But he needs to improve his image, as he spent some time living a wild lifestyle after breaking up with his ex. One day, he happens to meet a fan on the football field, and after a spontaneous photo goes viral, everyone believes they’re dating. It’s the perfect solution for Brooks—to fake a relationship. The problem is, Sienna wants nothing to do with athletes.

This is a sweet sports romance full of banter, chemistry, and sexual tension between the main characters. Even though it’s the second book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

I really liked Brooks—he’s generous, kind, and sweet. He fell for Siena right away and was willing to do anything for her. Siena is very devoted to her family, and her childhood story truly touched me. I understood why she held herself back from happiness, but I was also frustrated with her in the final chapters.

I didn’t give it a higher rating because the characters clicked and fell for each other very quickly. Everything went smoothly between them for most of the story, so at times I found it a bit boring.

But if you’re looking for a light, feel-good romance to read in one sitting—one that will make you laugh and blush—this book is for you!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✓fake dating
✓he falls first
✓football romance
✓dislike to love
✓banter

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[mackenzie (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

guyssss i loved this sm. i love this series sm. i love the way ellie wilde writes sm. cannot recommend enough if you're looking for cute, fun, quick romances!! (also he had tattoos. i was feral.)

thank you to atria books & netgalley for the arc! all opinions are my own <3

[Sarah | sarah.onemorechapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welp I didn’t see that one coming. I devoured this masterpiece in 24 hours. Couldn’t get enough. Zero crumbs. This book made my heart feel all warm and gooey. It was so dang sweet & already can’t wait to reread. But don’t be bamboozled by the adorable cover… the spice in this is downright FILTHY.

OBU is a fake dating, hate to love, football romance that is brimming with hilarious banter and characters that you will fall for immediately.

Brooks is the goofy golden retriever that has the sweetest soul and is utterly obsessed with Siena.
Siena is fiery and full of sass and the girl is independent as hell. I loved her energy but I also loved the way Brooks cared for her and showed her she didn’t need to do everything on her own.

Thank you Ellie K. Wilde and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy! I am truly grateful.


🏈 former NFL working on a comeback
⚓️ fake dating
🏈 hate to love
⚓️ he falls first & harder
🏈 meet cute gone terribly wrong
⚓️ hate kissing
🏈 SPICE

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute & sweet but also an unexpectedly spicy romance that we chose for bookclub & I had a great time reading it!!

An ex-football player, Brooks, wants to get back into playing but his dream team thinks he’s a player & while a woman, Siena, (who happened to have dated another NFL player) needs to save her family owned shop plus help with everything else going wrong in her life.

They start off by literally running into one another at Brook’s training & then immediately start off on the wrong foot. But what initially gives off enemies to lovers vibes turns into something wayyyy more fun…FAKE DATING after one of Sienas pictures goes viral of the two of them!!

Thanks Libro.fm for the audio 🫶🫶

Tropes:
Fake dating
Sports romance

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to hand it to this author. This is the funniest and sexiest contemporary romance, I have read thus far. The characters and their development we’re so good that I started picturing them as totally real people and started imagining myself in their shoes. The sexy scenes were amazing and plentiful. Literally every time was crazy! And yes this may spoil one scene but I don't care: she has a vibrator in while they are at a VERY public event and he takes control. We are talking all sort of somewhat exhibitionist sexiness. I became absolutely obsessed with getting this book completed because I just wanted to know what was going to happen at the end for this fake boyfriend, romance or rather fake girlfriend romance. Well there was a bit of a backstory to the characters it was extremely enjoyable and I cannot wait for the next book in this series because the writing was absolutely incredible. If you have a chance to read this book, don’t hesitate because you’re making a mistake if you do.

Thank you so much to the publisher Atria books and the author, Ellie K. Wilde for this amazing arc, I couldn’t have spent my time more wiser.

[Kalena · Rating 1 out of 5]

⋆.˚✮ 1 star ✮˚.⋆

⤿ Thank you to Atria Books for the physical arc and finished copy in exchange for an honest review!

this is the follow up book to Only in Your Dreams by the same author which i also did not enjoy, but as i was sent this book i wanted to see if this was going to be any better for me. this will be a short review, i don't have much to say besides this book put me in a reading slump and i had to climb out of it. at the beginning of this book i thought that this would be better, as the instant connection between Brooks and Siena i felt may have grown into something super interesting, but it was very just trope-filled. just like the last book, the smut was put first, which just isn't my style and i wanted to see a deeper connection between them. beyond just Brooks growling at every man that looks at her, literally just in real life. he was way too controlling and it wasn't fun.

it's unfortunate that I did not enjoy this book, because I do think that Siena was an interesting character to have in this story, as there are many emotional factors motivating her. she had a lot going for her and i did enjoy how sassy she was at times, but honestly the book would have been better if it was JUST about her. however, having Brooks in there and some weird romance moments (gala scene i'm looking at you, i was cringing and it felt SO gross) just ruined the book for me.

i'm thinking i just really don't enjoy how this author writes her male characters and the romance, there's just not enough emotional connection and too much smut for me. the last book in this series is about Melody's (the FMC from the first book) brother and his best friend, who actually seem interesting. i may read that, but we'll see what happens when it comes out.

↬ trigger warnings: cheating, death of parents and loved ones, depiction of grief, child neglect and abandonment, depiction of depression and panic attacks, concussion and serious injury

[Tori - Novel Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Jess Cardona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to clutch this book to my chest and never let it go.

[Kimberly Del Cid · Rating 5 out of 5]

cue horny sobbing, FRTC. God I love them. No 3rd act break up!!!

We meet Brooks in Book 1 of Oakwood Bay, I absolutely loved the look into this charming, hot, and flirty man. THE MOUTH ON HIM!!! Golden retriever personality, rottweiler in the sheets lol. We meet Siena, she's a character with depth you don't expect. She's sunshine personified, she cares about her family and friends, but she has her own trauma that prevents her from also putting herself first.

I loved this hate-to-love, fake dating, sports romance. ELLIE NEVER MISSES! She wrote two incredible characters who want to show they are more than their circumstances, but Brooks and Siena deal with this in completely different ways. I loved the yearning, denial, and spicy moments between them. My heart was aching for them to be together but the way they fall in love is perfect. It's so true to who they are and it shows their growth as people.

[Angela Nerderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a fun, wholesome, spicy, comeback story with a swoon worthy MMC, look no further. This is the book for you.

*Fake dating
*Comeback story
*Sports romance
*He falls first

In general, I think the fake dating trope so much better than fake marriage trope. I'd give this book 4 stars, I really enjoyed Brooks and Siena's story. I liked their initial connection, their backgrounds, their families and friends, and their journey together. The book was equal parts wholesome and spicy. Siena's parents are the real MVPs of this book. I love the hints Ellie dropped about Parker and Summer and absolutely cannot wait for their story! The friends to lovers trope is probably my favorite so I may be biased here.

Format: ebook

Thank you NetGalley, Ellie Wilde, and Atria Books for the arc!

[monica • · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book so so much! ellie is such a master at tenderness in her writing. siena is such a queen. a true tender and strong character and the way brooks loved her should truly be standard. everyone should check this book out when it releases because it's definitely a standout! 💕💞💕💞

[Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5

NO NOTES

“𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙝, 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘿𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙮. 𝙒𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨.”

“𝙁𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩, 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚.”

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙.”

Listen, when I read the first book in this series, I knew I not only found a new favorite author, but I knew I would DIE for every single one of these characters. Here we are on book 2, and I feel that even more!!!

𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙩. 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙩. 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣, 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡.

“𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙. 𝘿𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝.”

“𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙟𝙤𝙮, 𝙎𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙖 𝙋𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣?

Brooks is The Boyfriend™️. He is the moment. He is the standard. The emotional maturity, the consensual spoiling, the dirty ass mouth, the PRIDE OF HIS GIRL!!!!!! I don’t know how many times I need to say it, but this man is everything.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙? 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙢𝙚?

“𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙪𝙨.” 𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨. “𝙄 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

“𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣, 𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙯𝙮 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙤𝙧 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙧.”

Siena is the sweetest, sassiest, funniest fucking woman I’ve ever read and I love her so much. I would happily swim with sharks with her (in a pool, because unlike Brooks, I will NOT be overcoming my fear of open water). The way she fit in to Brooks’ world so seamlessly, even after everything she went through with her ex and in her childhood????? Utter perfection.

“𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙖𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩?”
“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡.”

“𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙠𝙚. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨.”

“𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩. 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠. 𝙍𝙞𝙥 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙩. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙮. 𝘿𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩.”

Ellie Wilde can do no wrong and if she has no fans, I am simply deceased.

Thank you so much to Atria for this ARC and you can bet your ass, I’m hounding you for book 3!!!! 🤭