Only Between Us Summary, Characters and Themes
Only Between Us by Ellie K. Wilde is a contemporary romance novel that explores the unexpected journey of two individuals, Siena Pippen and Brooks Attwood, who find themselves caught in a web of fake love and growing emotional entanglement.
The story follows Brooks, a retired NFL wide receiver trying to make a comeback, and Siena, an internet-famous woman with a complicated past. When their worlds collide for the sake of public image, their staged relationship turns into something deeper. The novel delves into their struggles, insecurities, and the challenges they face in navigating love, career, and personal growth under the scrutiny of the public eye. It’s a tale of redemption, self-discovery, and love blossoming against the odds. It is the 2nd book in the Oakwood Bay series.
Summary
Brooks Attwood is a former NFL wide receiver who has retired due to a serious concussion. After two years away from the sport, he is determined to prove that he can make a comeback, but his body still struggles with pain, especially his knee.
Brooks is determined to return to the Los Angeles Rebels, his former team, but his past behavior—marked by partying and scandals—has made them wary of him. His agent, Josh, believes Brooks needs to clean up his image if he has any chance of rejoining the team.
Brooks’ life takes a turn when a chance encounter with Siena Pippen leads to an unexpected photo op. Siena, along with her friend Shyla and a toddler, sneaks onto a football field where Brooks is training, and the two accidentally meet when Brooks knocks her over while trying to catch a ball.
The moment, while embarrassing, leads to an online photo that quickly goes viral. Josh sees an opportunity to use the photo to help Brooks’ image, suggesting that they pretend to be in a relationship to make him appear more settled and family-oriented.
This fake relationship would also serve Siena, who is struggling with her own issues and could use the publicity to secure sponsorships and attention, especially after a viral scandal with her ex-boyfriend, NFL star Thomas Ivers.
Siena initially resists the idea of faking a relationship, but when she sees the potential benefits for herself, she agrees. The arrangement is simple: they’ll act like they’re dating to improve Brooks’ public image.
However, things quickly become complicated. Brooks becomes suspicious of Siena’s motives, especially when he learns about her history with Thomas Ivers, and worries that she may be using him for her own gain.
Siena, on the other hand, feels insulted by Brooks’ assumptions and pulls away. She makes it clear that she has no interest in a long-term relationship, and that she’s only helping Brooks out temporarily.
Siena’s life is further complicated by her financial struggles. She’s inherited a bait-and-tackle shop from her late father, and the pressure to keep the business afloat weighs heavily on her.
She also faces personal difficulties with her ex-boyfriend, who is still trying to win her back. The fake relationship with Brooks only adds to her burdens, but she continues with the charade for the sake of her own future.
As the media frenzy surrounding their fake relationship intensifies, both Siena and Brooks are forced to confront their feelings. Brooks wants to prove himself to the Rebels, but he also starts developing feelings for Siena.
His attraction to her grows, but he struggles with the idea that their connection is built on a lie. Siena, meanwhile, begins to question her own feelings for Brooks, especially as their interactions become more natural and less staged.
While Brooks is busy preparing for a major alumni game and other public events where they need to appear in love, their fake relationship becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. At first, their interactions are awkward, but as they continue the charade, they begin to form an unlikely bond.
Siena opens up about her financial difficulties and her hesitations about accepting certain offers that conflict with her relationship with Brooks. Brooks, who is driven by his desire to make a successful comeback, begins to feel more deeply for Siena, and the line between real and fake starts to blur.
Their relationship continues to evolve as they attend more events and navigate the public’s perception of them. Brooks and Siena spend more time together, and their connection grows stronger.
Despite their differing goals—Brooks focused on his football career and Siena on her family business—their emotional connection becomes undeniable. The pressure to keep up the act increases, and the stakes rise as Brooks realizes that his feelings for Siena might be turning into something real.
Things take a dramatic turn when Brooks takes Siena on a surprise adventure, revealing a sailboat he has bought for her, symbolizing his commitment. While the gesture is meant to demonstrate his feelings, Siena remains cautious, unsure of the future.
Her growing feelings for Brooks conflict with her responsibilities back home and her desire to protect herself from heartbreak.
As their relationship deepens, Brooks continues to work toward his football comeback, and Siena struggles with her own decision about whether she can leave everything behind to be with him. Despite the tension, Brooks tries to reassure Siena that he’s committed to her and their future, but both of them are haunted by the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
Brooks’ career and the possibility of a long-distance relationship loom large in their minds.
The turning point comes when Siena makes the decision to move to Los Angeles to be with Brooks. Despite her fears about leaving her family and her business, Siena knows she can’t live without him.
Brooks, in the meantime, continues to rise in his career, reaching the pinnacle of his football journey by winning the Super Bowl with the Rebels. In a stunning twist, Siena shows up at the Super Bowl, confirming her decision to move to LA.
The two share a reunion amid the excitement of the victory.
The story concludes with a heartwarming proposal. Brooks, now on top of the world in both his career and personal life, proposes to Siena on the football field, and she says yes.
Their love story, which began as a staged relationship, ends with a genuine commitment to each other. With their future together secured, Brooks reflects on how his life has transformed, realizing that he never imagined he would find happiness in such an unexpected way.
Characters
Brooks Attwood
Brooks Attwood is a former NFL wide receiver, who, after a traumatic concussion, is trying to make a comeback to the sport he once loved. His story is deeply rooted in struggle and redemption, not only with his physical injuries but also with his emotional scars.
Brooks’ intense training regimen reflects his deep desire to return to the NFL, but his body betrays him as knee pain often hinders his progress. He’s determined, yet this determination is often overshadowed by the doubts he holds about his future, both on and off the field.
A significant aspect of his character is the public scandal he went through after retiring, which damaged his reputation and is still haunting him. This, combined with the demands of his agent Josh, pushes him into a fake relationship with Siena, creating a tension between his professional aspirations and his personal discomfort.
As he navigates this facade, Brooks begins to question his feelings and intentions, especially as his connection with Siena grows deeper. He’s a man caught between his career goals, his insecurities, and an evolving relationship that challenges his views on love and commitment.
Brooks’ journey is one of personal growth, as he learns to confront his past mistakes, make decisions for his future, and open up emotionally to someone he never expected to care for. Ultimately, his vulnerability and genuine desire for change shine through, making his character a relatable mix of strength, insecurity, and hope.
Siena Pippen
Siena Pippen is a strong, pragmatic woman whose life has been shaped by personal responsibility and emotional baggage. Raised in the shadow of her father’s bait-and-tackle shop, Siena is fiercely loyal to her family, particularly after her father’s death.
She takes on the responsibility of maintaining the family business while also facing financial struggles and the pressure to succeed. Siena’s connection with Brooks initially starts off as a business arrangement to boost his image, but as the relationship progresses, her character evolves into someone who is much more than just a supporting role in someone else’s narrative.
Her strength lies in her independence, yet she is constantly torn between her loyalty to her family and the allure of a life with Brooks. Her struggles are internal, as she grapples with her need for success, the pain from her past relationships, and her fear of being vulnerable.
Despite the external persona of being an internet-famous ex-NFL WAG, Siena is deeply grounded, with a quiet emotional depth that contrasts sharply with the chaos surrounding her. As she spends more time with Brooks, Siena’s walls begin to crumble, and she opens up about her past, revealing a vulnerability that makes her more relatable.
Throughout the story, Siena embodies the conflict between personal ambition and the desire for love, and her journey involves reconciling those elements to make a life-changing decision.
Josh
Josh is Brooks’ agent, who plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction of Brooks’ career and public image. He’s the mastermind behind the fake relationship between Brooks and Siena, pushing the narrative that it will be beneficial for both of them—Brooks to salvage his career and Siena to gain fame and sponsorships.
Josh is focused, calculating, and somewhat manipulative, using his knowledge of the media and public perceptions to his advantage. While his intentions may appear self-serving, it’s clear that he believes in Brooks’ potential and is trying to help him recover from his tarnished reputation.
Josh’s role serves as a catalyst for the main plot of the story, as he pressures both Brooks and Siena into maintaining the facade of a relationship. However, as the dynamics shift between the characters, Josh’s influence becomes more secondary, and his initial plan of manipulating the media takes a backseat to the real emotions that start to unfold.
His character is a necessary part of the story, as he represents the business side of fame and the pressure it places on personal lives. Despite the moral ambiguity surrounding his actions, Josh’s loyalty to Brooks is evident, and he ultimately wants the best for him, even if it means sacrificing personal integrity for the sake of career advancement.
Shyla
Shyla is a supporting character whose main role in the story is to accompany Siena during the early stages of the book. While not as deeply explored as Brooks and Siena, Shyla plays a critical part in setting the stage for Siena’s entrance into the media spotlight.
She is seen as a friend who shares in Siena’s journey, offering moral support and occasionally providing comic relief during some of the more intense moments. Shyla’s role highlights Siena’s network of relationships, where loyalty and friendship are key themes.
While her presence doesn’t push the plot forward significantly, Shyla provides a glimpse into Siena’s more private life and shows that Siena has a strong support system beyond Brooks, even if their paths don’t always intersect.
Melody
Melody is another supporting character, functioning as a close friend and confidante to Brooks. Her relationship with him is one of trust and understanding, offering him a sense of stability amidst the chaos of his professional and personal life.
Though initially suggested as a potential option for a fake relationship, Melody is quickly discarded by Brooks due to Siena’s higher public profile. However, her brief appearance in the story reflects the underlying tensions Brooks feels about the fake relationship and his eventual realization that he’s developed deeper feelings for Siena.
Melody’s character, while not central to the story, serves as a grounding figure for Brooks, reminding him of what he values in friendship and loyalty.
Thomas Ivers
Thomas Ivers, Siena’s ex-boyfriend, plays a more antagonistic role in the story, symbolizing her unresolved past. His presence in the narrative serves to complicate Siena’s feelings about relationships and trust.
His history with Siena is marred by betrayal, and his attempts to rekindle their relationship only add pressure to her already complicated emotional state. Through Thomas, Siena confronts her fears of being used and abandoned, issues that she must navigate as she grows closer to Brooks.
Thomas’ character, while not central to the storyline, serves as a crucial point of tension for Siena, highlighting the struggles she faces in letting go of her past and fully embracing her future with Brooks.
Themes
Redemption and Second Chances
Throughout Only Between Us, redemption is a prominent theme, particularly represented through Brooks’ journey to reclaim his career and rebuild his public image. After a career-threatening concussion and a series of reckless actions that tarnished his reputation, Brooks is eager to prove himself once again in the NFL.
His desire for a second chance is not limited to his professional life; it extends to his personal life as well, as he seeks to right the wrongs of his past, especially the mistakes that led to his estrangement from those he loved. This theme is explored as Brooks works through physical limitations, self-doubt, and public scrutiny, all while attempting to regain his position with the Los Angeles Rebels.
His journey is marked by intense training, strategic decisions, and the relationships he builds, especially with Siena. Brooks is not only trying to prove to the NFL that he’s still worthy of a spot but also attempting to redeem himself in his own eyes.
The emotional tension between his past and his present showcases the difficulties of rebuilding a life that has been broken, and how sometimes, redemption requires both hard work and the courage to face uncomfortable truths.
Siena’s personal struggles also reflect a kind of redemption, though her journey is more focused on reconciling her loyalty to her family and the business she inherited with her own desires and dreams. Her relationship with Brooks, initially based on a fake connection for public appearances, grows into something deeper, allowing her to confront her own emotional baggage and the guilt she feels about stepping away from her family’s business.
Both characters, through their evolving relationship, explore the complexities of what it means to start fresh, not just in their careers but in their emotional lives. Redemption in this context is not an overnight achievement but a gradual process of letting go of the past, learning from mistakes, and making new, better choices.
The Price of Fame and Public Scrutiny
The theme of fame and the pressures that come with public attention runs through Only Between Us, particularly as both Siena and Brooks navigate the weight of their public personas. For Brooks, the spotlight is a double-edged sword.
While he needs media attention to help revive his football career, he’s also keenly aware of how quickly public opinion can turn against him. His past missteps, including his partying and scandals following his initial retirement, haunt him as he tries to secure a comeback.
The pressure to maintain a perfect image, especially in the highly scrutinized world of professional sports, becomes a constant source of stress. Brooks’ interactions with Siena are initially orchestrated as part of a media strategy, but the public’s fascination with their fake relationship becomes overwhelming, affecting their personal lives and complicating their budding emotional connection.
Siena, too, has experienced the downside of fame, having briefly been in the spotlight due to her past relationships and viral moments on social media. Her own fame is a product of her association with the NFL, which complicates her identity and her desires.
While she is driven to use the attention she garners for personal gain, particularly in securing sponsorships, she also struggles with the negative aspects of being a public figure. The pressure of constantly being under the gaze of the public, coupled with the manipulation of her image for external purposes, takes a toll on her mental health.
As the narrative unfolds, both Siena and Brooks have to navigate the fine line between using fame to their advantage and not losing themselves in the process. This theme underscores the emotional and psychological cost that comes with living in the public eye, where authenticity becomes difficult to maintain amidst the constant scrutiny.
Love and Vulnerability
The theme of love is explored in Only Between Us through the complex and evolving relationship between Siena and Brooks. Initially, their connection is based on a mutually beneficial arrangement—a fake relationship to help Brooks secure his position with the Rebels and to give Siena a platform to grow her own career.
However, as they spend more time together, the boundaries between the act and reality begin to blur. They start to see each other not just as public figures or convenient partners but as individuals with their own vulnerabilities, desires, and insecurities.
This transition from a transactional relationship to one of genuine affection is both slow and painful, as both characters are hesitant to acknowledge their feelings due to their pasts and the uncertainty of their futures.
For Siena, love represents both an opportunity for emotional fulfillment and a potential source of loss. Having suffered from deep emotional wounds, including a difficult relationship with her birth parents and the weight of her father’s legacy, she’s afraid of opening herself up to someone who might not be in her life for the long term.
Brooks, too, has a difficult time embracing love. His past relationship with a woman who left him once his career ended leaves him with deep scars, and he questions his worth as a partner.
His commitment to his career and the pressure of his professional life add to his reluctance to fully invest in a relationship. However, as their emotional bond deepens, both Siena and Brooks are forced to confront their fears of vulnerability.
The tension between their growing love and their apprehension about the future creates a rollercoaster of emotions that adds complexity to their dynamic. Ultimately, their love becomes a healing force, allowing them to let go of their past traumas and learn to trust in something real despite the uncertainty surrounding them.
Personal Growth and Self-Discovery
Only Between Us is a story of personal growth for both Siena and Brooks as they navigate their individual struggles and work through their personal demons. Brooks’ journey is particularly centered on self-discovery, as he tries to find his place in a world that has moved on without him.
His physical injuries, combined with the emotional baggage of past mistakes, leave him uncertain about his future both in football and in relationships. His growth is about reconciling the person he was with the man he wants to become, and realizing that personal growth sometimes means accepting limitations and making peace with one’s past.
The fake relationship with Siena becomes a catalyst for this transformation, as it forces him to confront his fears, doubts, and the emotional walls he has built around himself.
For Siena, personal growth is equally significant, as she faces the challenge of stepping out from under the shadow of her family’s business and learning to prioritize her own desires. The responsibility of running the bait-and-tackle shop left by her father weighs heavily on her, and she must confront the expectations placed on her by her family and her own aspirations.
Her journey of self-discovery is one of learning to let go of the past and embracing the future, even if it means making difficult choices, such as leaving her family behind to be with Brooks. The relationship with Brooks allows Siena to understand her own needs, both emotionally and professionally, and to recognize her worth beyond her familial duties and the public image she’s been forced to maintain.
Both characters, in different ways, must face the difficult process of change and self-acceptance, and the growth they experience in their personal lives is mirrored in their relationship with one another.