When Things Go Wrong

Cheaters #0.5

by Lacey Silks

Lazy eyes, scarred lip and brow, muscled and tattooed, Julia’s high school best friend — the one who made her heart go pitter-patter — had definitely changed in the past five years. Stuck at an exclusive ski resort with her family, Julia runs into the gorgeous and enticing Scar Wagner who promises to unwind on the boring trip. And when fate forces the couple too close for Julia’s comfort, she can’t help but wonder whether it’s time to give relationships another try. After all, when things go wrong, they turn out right.  When Things go Wrong is a short prequel to Cheaters Anonymous with a HFN ending intended for mature audience only

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Amazon, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Adult

58 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2015

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Silks writes seat-gripping romantic suspense with heat and spice. She’s married to most of her characters and tortures her husband with quirky book roles. Lacey’s two kids and her dog Kygo fill her time with homework questions and sweet licks all over her face (the dog not the kids).

When she’s not writing seat-gripping and heart-throbbing stories, Lacey enjoys camping and skiing with her family. She’s an early bird by nature and drinks coffee instead of water, because that’s how her busy billionaire heroes do it.

Lacey’s flawed and relatable characters fill the pages with laughter, snark and tears. She judges men by the size of their feet, loves sexy lingerie, and can’t live without her “boost juice”: coffee.


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Reviews

[Tracy Kellies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing quick read. When Things Go Wrong is a prequel short story to the novel Cheaters Anonymous. Jules and Scar are high school friends who have lost contact and bump in to each other at a ski resort a few years later. Both of them are jaded (slightly) when it comes to relationships and their respective families. After an accident at the resort the sparks between the two ignite. I cannot wait to read Cheaters Anonymous to see how their relationship pans out.

[Debra Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purch Amazon Aug. 1, 2018
When Things Go Wrong by Lacey Silks
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Humor, Romance
3.5 Stars (Maybe 3.75)

Since I round down I gave this 3 stars. But it is really better than that. If I made it 3.75 stars I would have to round to 4 & I just can't go that far.

I don't remember any typos, etc. It is well written and flows beautifully.

Loved the main characters. There is some steam, but it gets a lot hotter in the actual novel for these two.

Very different in the humor department. Very Ballsy!
I will definitely be reading a lot more of this series and this author.

End result, I recommend!

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very short prequel novella to the Cheaters series. I have to admit, it had a decent plot and a relateable cast of characters, but I found some of the things Scar and Jules did rather offensive. Their attitudes were totally pessimistic, and I hated how much they seemed to delight in breaking up couples around them, all because they assumed everyone cheats. Perhaps their attitudes will change with the next book in the series, but I wasn't that impressed with this installment.

[Beckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 5 years that Scar and Julia last seen each other nothing has changed...Scar still be elusive to the idea of being in a committed relationship due to his dad ...


Being on vacation with her mom, Julia doesn't know that "Fate" (I am saying that one...) has something in store when she bumps into Scar on the slopes while skiing...
Overall an interesting and has me wanting to know what is next ...


Captivating page turning read to see how things played out with the story.. it is a short quick read.


Overall 4 star contemporary read.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

good short read prequil wet the appetite to read the novel.

[Sue Galuska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a prequel to Cheater's Anonymous.

Julia Blakely has sworn off relationships. Ever since her mom left her cheating father, Julia has felt the sting. While in high school Julia because best friends with Nick "Scar" Wagner. They both seemed to bond over their shared beliefs and smoking pot. Five years after high school Julia runs into Scar at a ski lodge and many old feelings come rushing back. When an avalanche forces them into close quarters, things get a little heated. Just when Julia thinks maybe she could be in a relationship with Scar, he ups and leaves.

Flash forward and Julia is now a doctor living in New York. Guess who comes into her ER? Scar....in a most interesting predicament! ;) This is where the prequel ends....quickly go read Cheater's Anonymous!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it and I don’t like time travel books but this held my interest. Starts out with her son stabbing a man in front of their home. She wakes up the next day and it’s yesterday. Each days she wakes up it’s a day in the past and she’s trying to figure out how to stop what happened or at least how to figure it out. She ends up stopping a baby getting kidnapped and it’s changes things but folks still die same time and folks still fall in love with the same people. Interesting read and held my attention

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute prequel

Cute prequel. H & h meet in high school. Them see each other at a ski lodge 5-6 years later. The next book picks up 6 years later. He was a lawyer in the prequel but maybe a stripping now?

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read

I liked this prequel to the Cheaters series. Its a fun quick read that left me wanting more from them.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the prequel to the series it was a good book but I kind of wished there had been a little more. It is a short story of 58 pages and ends on a cliff-hanger .

[Mary Stockwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't waste your time

Not much of a story here. It could have been. I know it is a prequel but you may as well skip this and go on to the first book.

[Ronie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this novel!!!

The best beginning before the end story ever told. This story is steamy, loving and on fire🔛🔥!!! I encourage everyone to become Lacy Silk fans!!

[Carol Sandford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was away too short!!

But damn, it was nice, and I really really want to read more about this couple. Off to check my purse...

[Sylvie Howick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, great story. Love the characters, the storyline and just everything about the book.

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: When Things Go Wrong
Author: Lacey Silks
Publisher/Year: Lacey Silks 2/2/15
Length: 43 pages

Overview

Lazy eyes, scarred lip and brow, muscled and tattooed, Julia’s high school best friend, the one who made her heart go pitter-patter, had definitely changed in the past five years she hadn’t seen him.

Being stuck with her mom and boyfriend number one hundred at an exclusive ski resort doesn’t seem as daunting when Julia runs into the gorgeous and enticing Scar Wagner. And when fate forces the couple much closer than Julia would ever allow a man to be, she can’t help but wonder whether it’s time to give relationships another try.

After all, when things go wrong, they turn out right

My Thoughts

Another refreshing story by Lacey - and while it's a short novella - it's just enough to get your interested in keeping up with the series. We really only get a handful of chapters here in these 40 or so pages, but what we do get is the beginning of a great romance. Our leading lady Julia is a product of what she has seen all her life - her father cheated on her mother and as a result, she has no trust for me and doesn't want anything more out of life right now than to just throw herself into becoming a doctor. while that is all well and good, it means that she's stuck watching her mother fall in love with a much younger guy (hopefully he's not a gold digger like Julia thinks) and she watches her sister fall in love yet again with someone who we have no back story on.

It's while they are on a family vaca in a ski resort that Julia crosses paths with a friend from high school and well, you know how this story goes. They reconnect - they realize that they've grown up quite a bit from the people that they were as teens, and well, chemistry and sparks fly.

While they are getting to know each other, they get stuck in an avalanche, and you know what's bound to happen there. Along with all that, they decide that they are going to come up with this great plot to break Julia's mom up from her boyfriend (and we learn that it's a skill that they had in high school as well). It's only at the very end of this short novella that we see that maybe there's more to their relationship than they are letting on, and while it was just a day or 2 that they reconnected - well walls are being shattered and emotions may be getting tied too deeply.

I believe the next installment is coming out in March, so we'll get to see what happens now that they are back from their vacation, with Julia in Washington at school and Scar (Nick) back in NY in his father's law practice. so much potential, so much to lose...right?

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

First reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

When Things Go Wrong was a delightful, sexy and very short read. Since it is the prequel introduction to Ms. Silks’ next story, Cheaters Anonymous, I’m not really surprised by the length.

The story is pretty much laid out in the synopsis so there really isn’t much more to tell. Except – can we say “Holy Hot Almost Sex, Batman!” :) At least I now know one way to survive an avalanche. The last time Jules and Scar saw each other was in high school, after this weekend it will be another 6 years before their paths cross again. Fortunately for us, the readers, it will only be until April, 2015 until we can read their reunion story.

We meet, or at least are aware of, Nick’s (Scar’s) brothers, Jules’ sister Zoey, and Sid and Mom. I’m going to take a guess that they all will have at least a passing mention in the next novel…I already know that it’s Nick and Jules who will be the stars.

I enjoyed this prequel and it did the job it was intended to do – I will definitely be looking for Cheaters Anonymous come April of 2015.

While on the milder side, this would also be considered Erotica as well as Contemporary Romance. Go download this short read and enjoy.

My Ratings: 4 outta 5 = a really, excellent novel that was great just didn’t go beyond.

*I received an e-ARC of When Things Go Wrong from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! This was a really good short story. Had all the elements you could want in the old friend who could or would want to be more. It had been 5 years since Julie Blakely and Scar Wagner had seen each other. It was the end of their senior year when she had moved away from New York when her parents divorced.
You see they became “weed buddies” their senior year when trying to deal with their parents affairs. For Scar he was one of 5 children but the product of his father’s affair so doesn’t believe that relationships can ever be solid. Jules also didn’t believe in lasting love once finding out her father was an endless cheater. So, the two made a pack never to date or marry because someone in a relationship would always going to cheat. Scar went out to prove his theory correct so Jules could see first-hand, going for longtime relationships and watching them crumble.
When they bump into each other on this trip neither are kids anymore and both can see each other through appreciative eyes. They spend an evening catching up and the next day skiing the unthinkable happens.
I really enjoyed this author’s style of writing this was a novella if anything in length. I would hate to think this writer will be breaking up this whole continued storyline into sections to sell. Since this was only 30 pages or so. The characters however in this story blend well together. The anticipation with what will be said or what they will do next is so worth the read alone. I give this 5 stars. Provided by Net Galley.
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[Melissa Ogletree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest review.
This story is a prequel to her upcoming release Cheater's Anonymous (due out in April). it's the story of the first time Julia and Scar bump into each other since high school. Set at a ski resort where Julia is stuck there with her Mother and her latest boy toy and her sister she's having a miserable time when she bumps into the last person she expects to see. Scar was her best friend in high school, both dealing with home issues related to cheating parents they bonded over their cynicism towards love. They haven't seen each other in 5 years and though time has definitely changed them both they find themselves falling into a familiar rhythm with maybe a tension that wasn't there before....
I'm so happy this is a prequel....first off Julia is snarky and witty and her description of her mom's antics had me laughing and thankful that wasn't my mom. Focused on her future she doesn't have the time nor does she want love right now as opposed to her serial dater sister. Scar is the hot black sheep of his family, though from the sounds of it his brothers are no slouches either, but still he's the one on the outside with just the bit of rebel in him. I found this short story a quick, easy, fun, and intriguing read that had me putting Cheater's Anonymous on my TBR so I can read the rest of Julia and Scar's story!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.

When Things Go Wrong is a prequel novella by Lacey Silks and introduces readers to Julia Blakely and Nick Wagner, aka Jules and Scar, two best friends who are reunited five years after they graduate from high school and lead separate lives. The two share a chemistry that could hint at the possibility of something more than friendship but neither believe in committed relationships. There's a lot of flirting that goes on between the two but they never step over the line. Once they get stuck in the cave after the sudden avalanche, however, things finally become heated and simmering feelings come to the surface.

This novella does end on a cliffhanger of sorts and, thankfully, I already had the ARC of the full-length novel that tells Jules and Scar's story six years afterwards. Without it, I would have gone a little nutty with frustration. Haha. When Things Go Wrong was originally part of the third volume of LOL Romantic Comedy Anthology but can now be purchased separately. This serves as a good precursor to Cheaters Anonymous and gives readers an idea of the romantic potential of Jules and Scar as a couple. With humor and romance and two memorable lead characters, When Things Go Wrong gets it right. Four stars! ♥

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Julia is not having the best of weekends at the ski resort she is visiting with her family. An awkward mishap in the ski lodge has her reconnecting with her high school best friend Scar, whom she hasn’t seen in years. The two instantly fall back into the familiar antagonistic banter from their high school years and when a near tragedy throws them into a situation of life and death, the two are left to wonder what would have happened if their relationship had been taken to the next level. If they do make it through their precarious circumstances and they pursued a more intimate physical relationship, would their friendship survive? Events are set in motion that raises the question, what happens when things go wrong?

When Things Go Wrong is a prequel short story to the novel Cheaters Anonymous. It is not necessary to read this before starting Cheaters Anonymous, however I highly suggest reading it as it gives great insight into the relationship between Julia and Scar, not to mention it is a light hearted story of a building second chance romance that is filled with possibilities. I loved the relationship between the two characters and felt it really made a great set up for the next book, immediately drawing me into Scar and Julia’s story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lacey's writing style and enjoy reading her books.

It's been 5 years since Julia has seen Scar Wagner, her "weed buddy" from High School. She has often wondered about him, and certainly never expected him to turn out to so gorgeous or run into him on the ski slopes.

Neither of them believe in relationships...Scar always said he would end up cheating like his father did, and he didn't want to be like him.

Julia and Scar head out skiing for the day and get caught in an avalanche. Luckily for Julia, Scar has frequented the slopes prior to this trip and is able to push Julia into a cave. While in cave, Scar asks Julia, "have you ever thought about us?" She tells him, "not really, not until now". After Scar kissed her, how could she not be thinking that way!

Being trapped in the cave, they decide the best way to keep warm is their body heat. Julia didn't want sex to ruin their friendship and Scar said there was no "f***ing way he was going to regret it.

Then end up getting rescued from the cave, and Julia is left wondering if she really did want more from Scar than just friendship.

It will be another 6 years before they run into each other in Lacey's next book - Cheaters Anonymous!

[Nickie Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as an ARC and I loved it. I have enjoyed books by Lacey Silks in the past and this is no different. This an enjoyable novella. Jules is in Colorado on vacation with her sister and cougar mother, before she has to go back to school to finish her medical degree in Washington DC. It is the vacation from hell, especially watching her Mom having an affair with someone so much younger than her. With only a few days to go before she can go back to school, she runs into Nick (Scar as she knew him in high school). They decide to go skiing the next day and spend some quality time catching up. Both are experienced on the slopes, Scar a snowboarder, Jules a skier. Hitting fresh powder they get in the middle of an avalanche. Since Scar knew this terrain quite well, he was able to pull them into a small cave and actually saved them from dying. As night falls, and they start getting cold, Jules decide that using their body heat is the way to help them from freezing to death. What happens is nothing neither one of them could imagine happening between two friends. Their chemistry is off the charts. Will this hurt their friendship? I can't wait for the sequel Cheaters Anonymous. This is a must read

[Cindy De · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a prequel to Cheaters Anonymous, this novella is a wonderful mix of humour, drama and a little spice on the side. You get some background information on Julia and Scar as well. It was a fun, short read and it had me biting on the bait for Cheaters Anonymous. So many questions popped into my head and I'm hoping that they get answered in the followup book.

Julia and Scar are old high schools...actually best friends until she had to move away. They haven't seen each other in almost five years and they fall right back into that friendly spirit in no time at all. (that bathroom scene was hilarious). I love the tenderness in the bedroom scene and you can see how deeply bonded they are to each other. When they get stuck in the cave, I couldn't help but laugh and I wondered if this was where their love really began to take off. (I'm coming to read to you "Cheaters Anonymous...lolol). The drama in the final scene showed me what Scar and Julia really did it High School lololol. In the end, I felt sad how he left her. How can he just leave her like that....especially knowing how close they had been in the cave...sigh.

I would recommend this as a good short teaser that leaves you wanting more of Ms. Silks flavour.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules doesn't trust men or relationships, not since knowing about her dad's cheating encounters. However, it's nothing fun watching her mum now going free with her latest relationship and she has to be stuck with them at the ski resort at least till the weekend is over. An accident resulted in her bumping into her high school best friend, Scar. Both of them are emotionally scarred and even though there were feelings, neither had acted for fear that their friendship would be ruined.

They spent the night catching up and hit the ski slopes the next day only to be snowed in a cave after an avalanche. With the cold hitting on them as time grew longer without help, they had to keep each other warm in the old fashion way and ended up being way closer than they ever had been.

Despite this being a novella, I was captivated by the humor, the emotions and the sweetness between Jules and Scar. This is my first book by Lacey Silks and it will not be my last. I'm anxiously waiting for sequel to their story which should be coming out in Spring.

I was gifted an advance copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Book Gannet · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book is essentially a prologue for Cheaters Anonymous, which gives the full, extended story of Scar and Julia. If I didn’t already have that book to dive straight into I think I would have found this frustratingly short. It is a very quick read, introducing Julia and her hang-ups over the way her father cheated on her mother, and to a lesser extent the way her mother has been going through boy-toys ever since. We also get a glimpse of why Scar is the way he is and thinks the way he does.

It’s an easy enough read, with hints of how Scar and Julia first met, and a bit of excitement as the two of them get trapped together and have a little heated fun. I, personally, don’t think it’s quite hot enough to be classed as erotica but it’s definitely on the warmer side of contemporary romance.

This is not a complete story, the characters aren’t too deeply developed and it is a very quick read, however, it’s quite fun and if you’re planning on reading Cheaters Anonymous, it is probably best to start here.

[Catherine Bibby (Rochelle's Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Lacey Silk's books even when things go wrong they can still be very steamy, full of intrigue, and end up so very right. When Things Go Wrong is a tantalizing glimpse into the spark of an the life of Scar and Julia, who have been separated for five years and just so happen to meet in a ski lodge in between a cozy fire and some hot chocolate during a vacation with their family. The relationship that started under some bleachers mixed with weed and warped views on fidelity is now being reignited among moments of self doubt and suppressed desires. When mother nature takes control they are left to face a night of need for warmth and unbelievable flame that might consume them both.

Julia and Scar had my mind in the gutter, made me laugh, and left me full of sexy anticipation of reading the rest of their journey in Cheater's Anonymous. This story is a tasty morsel to whet your appetite to the sexy beginnings of Julia and Scar. I highly recommend for a provocative, funny, shorter read that will leave you guessing what will be next with this dynamic duo that will have you thinking differently about chicken nuggets, mother nature, and friends that become more.

[Laure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules is spending time at a ski resort with her sister, her cougar mother and her mother's latest boy toy. While sitting at bar with her sister, three roedt men walk in and because of their antics, Jules ends up with her hot chocolate splashed all over her chest. She runs out the door to try and cool her burning skin. When one of the men comes out to help she ends up with her sweater off and face to face with her high school friend, Scar.

Scar and Jules bonded in high school because of their respective cheating parents. They mafe ittheir mission to break up couples they thought didn't suit each other. After dinner in Jules room, they go to sleep and get up early the next morning to ski. On their way down the mountain an avalanch traps the in a cave. They have no idea if or when they will be rescued so while trying to stay warm, they end up in each othets arms. Loved this book, can't wait to find out what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

[Romance Readers Retreat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules is on vacation with her sister,mother and her mother's new toyboy, 
Whilst talking to her sister at the bar drinking hot chocolate three men walk in after skiing, Jules ends up with a chest full of hot chocoate,as she runs out to cool down one of the three men tries to help,face to face with Scar one of her school friends who she onced shared a bond with.

They both delt with homelife issues due to their parents cheating this developed into them being cynical over and relationships.

Five years apart and they seem to fall back into place with each other,one day skiing ends up in them both being trapped after an avalanche this is where for me you see they are pulling and pushing for something more but will they take that chance?

They both have lifes now separate from each other jules in washington studying to become a doctor and Scar (nick) in new york working in his fathers law practice.
The question is will they or wont they take a risk at love.
I really enjoyed this short novella and cant wait to see how the next insallment develops.

[Jenny Dauksa Schaber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic short story! Jules and Scar met in high school and became very close friends. As often happens, they didn't see each other again after graduation until a chance encounter years later at a ski resort. They spend two nights together...one platonic - catching up on each others' lives and one snowed in a cave after an avalanche. The chemistry is there as well as the physical attraction. He's thought about her for a long time. She doesn't want to ruin a friendship with sex. Neither of them believes relationships ever last and that one party always ends up cheating - as evidenced by both of their parents.
The characters are great and this is the perfect lead up into Cheaters Anonymous that will release in the spring. I'm very much looking forward to reading that. Pick this up and meet the pair that'll be stuck in your mind long after you've reached the last page.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacy Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of another great series by Lacey Silks. This is Nick Wagner a.k.a. Scar and Jules story. We first met scar, the rebel half-brother to Grace in Crossed.

Julia didn't trust men. She thought they were all cheaters, just like her father. She was at a ski resort with her sister and mother, with her mother latest boy toy.

While at the ski resort, Jules runs into her high school pot smoking buddy Scar. But he is no longer a boy. Both Jules and scar have grown up. Her a medical student and Scar a lawyer. However, they both still hold the belief that love doesn't exist and men will always cheat.

While skiing, Scar and Jules get trapped together. Fear and desperation bring them together; however, they say that it's just a one time thing. Their friendship is too important.

After being rescued will they be the same? This story ends leaving me anxious to find out what happens. This is a great intro to Laceys next book Cheaters Anonymous.