Best Laid Plans

Colorado Black Diamonds #2

by Emily Silver

A fake girlfriend to improve my image? Yeah, like that'll work.

I’m known as the bad boy of hockey. The grump. The one everyone stays away from.

Doesn't matter to me though. All I care about is the game. As long as I keep my head down and it doesn’t affect my spot on the team, I’m good.

Until it does.

To fix my shining reputation, the team sets me up with Piper Fields, the happiest girl on the planet. Now my girlfriend.

Scratch that—my fake girlfriend.

All I have to do is pretend to like her in public and keep my distance in private.

Except that’s not exactly what happens…

With each day we spend together, I find myself forgetting that none of this is real.

Sparks fly and lines blur.

I know she feels it too.

Then, just when I thought I had finally found something to hold on to, someone threatens to expose us.

But just like in the game, I’m in it to win, and this time, I'm going to win her.

For good.

Genres: Hockey, Fake Dating, Sports Romance, Sports, Hockey Romance, Contemporary Romance

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2024

About the author

After winning a Young Author’s Award in second grade, Emily Silver was destined to be a writer. She loves writing strong heroines and the swoony men who fall for them.

A lover of all things romance, Emily started writing books set in her favorite places around the world. As an avid traveler, she’s been to all seven continents and sailed around the globe.

When she’s not writing, Emily can be found sipping cocktails on her porch, reading all the romance she can get her hands on and planning her next big adventure!

Find her on social media to stay up to date on all her adventures and upcoming releases!

Reviews

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best Laid Plans is the 2nd book in the Colorado Black Diamonds series and this one is a hockey romance with fake dating, hero falling first, teammate’s sister, and a reformed bad boy hero!

Cash is a hockey player who has a “bad boy” image and the team’s PR says he needs a reputation overhaul. They suggest he start dating Piper, who interns for the team’s physical therapy dept. Piper’s brother is on the team, as well as her ex too who she caught cheating on her with her roommate in the prologue! Cash and Piper start fake dating, and it means more time together and getting to know one another.

This was quick, cute, and fun! I always enjoy the whole “let’s fake fake date and reform the bad boy image” set up. It was cute how he calls her “Princess”, his dog Puck, and how her family really takes him in immediately (since he has been alone for a long time).

I received an ARC from the author, all thoughts in this review are my own! Best Laid Plans is out April 18, 2024.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The villain gets the princess! Cash Williams is in need of an attitude adjustment and to improve his image if he’s wants to stay on the team. So when the head of PR tells you to fake date the cute blonde PT intern (whose brothers a player too), you do it.

Piper just found out her (now) ex Douche, whoops - Duncan, is cheating on her WITH HER ROOMMATE. Duncan of course is also a hockey player on the same team. She swore she would never date a hockey player again, but don’t they all say that?! Turns out Douche doesn’t like Cash and Piper together, but boy do we do.

I loved these two. Cash has always kept everything hidden, but you knew once he opened up to Piper, he was a gone. He fell for her so fast.

I loved that we got to see Troy and Angie from the first book. I adored those two and I’ll never get over them.

I did receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quickly became my favorite from the series! Cash and Piper’s story is book two in the Colorado Black Diamonds series. It is the first book where they are actually in the pros. We get to see Angie and Troy from book 1 and find out which character is related to a Denver Mountain Lions couple.

Piper is surprised when she goes to surprise her boyfriend, to find him in bed with her best friend. Now she wants nothing to do with hockey players. Unfortunately for Piper, it is almost impossible to stay away. Between her being a physical therapist intern, her brother being on the team and even more complicated when she needs to pose as Cash Williams’ girlfriend to help his image.

I live for the moment when a couple that is fake dating realizes that it is something more, and Emily did not disappoint with this delivery! Piper and Cash were fun and sexy and really easy going. Their chemistry felt natural. I thought it was interesting that Piper was not into performing oral. Cash fell so hard for Piper, someone he shouldn’t want but absolutely couldn’t resist.

But will Piper’s ex ruin everything for her and Cash?

[Noëmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story with beautiful attraction between Cash & Piper ❤️

I loved this book. Cash and Piper were so beautiful together. I love Grumpy/Sunshine and they were perfect in their roles.

I really liked how they came together, even though they didn't really want to commit to this fake relationship.

Piper is radiant and trying to show Cash that he's not who the media portrays him to be. She wants to bring out the best in him and it was so sweet.
Cash is a very reserved person and doesn't confess easily but with Piper he feels different.

I really enjoyed this book. Both characters have beautiful attraction, that they can't denied, and what totally melted me was Cash's dog, Puck. So cute and adorable.

If you want to have a good time with this Fake Relationship, Grumpy/Sunshine, Hockey Romance, you can read this book without hesitation.

[Colbygirl13reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Laid Plans is book #2 in the Colorado Black Diamond Series. It is a hockey romance with fake dating, he falls first, and teammates sister. It can be read as standalone, but reading book 1 gives a little bit of knowledge to the characters.
Piper shows up to surprise her boyfriend and finds him in bed with her best friend. This taints her love for hockey players, but she is surrounded by them with her brother being in the team and her physical therapy internship. Cash Williams, one of the players needs a fake girlfriend to fix his bad boy image and who is the best fit? That’s right Piper!
Cash is a closed book until he starts to open up to Piper and man does he fall for her. I loved the chemistry between them and loved when they realized they weren’t fake dating anymore. This was a fun, quick and sexy read.
I received the ARC from the author and I’m so grateful I did.

[Romance_book_obsessed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Emily for this ARC of Best Laid Plans!

I’m loving this hockey series! Piper finds her hockey boyfriend cheating on her with her roommate. She breaks it off but she has to see them at her job as the team’s PT intern. After more bad press, Cash needs a fake girlfriend and they ask Piper.

I really enjoyed the grumpy Cash that only opens up to Piper! It’s always a fave trope of mine.

If you like cute dogs in books, You’ll really love Puck!

Tropes:
Fake dating
Hockey romance
Brother’s teammate
Grumpy x sunshine

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cash and Piper’s story is the second in the Colorado Black Diamonds series! Piper is Jackson and Tenley’s daughter from Emily Silver’s football series!

💜 Hockey romance
💜 Fake dating
💜 Bad boy/good girl
💜 Grumpy x sunshine

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Angst level: 💔

After she catches her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend, Piper knows that she needs to stay away from hockey players, aka also her brother’s teammates. But an opportunity arises that pushes her towards Cash Williams. A defenseman for the team who needs an image makeover and good girl Piper is just the girl for the job.

The way you could tell that Cash was already immersed with all things Piper was so cute! Especially given his track record with relationships, which was basically nonexistent. I love me a good he falls first book!

I loved that they seemingly just fit into each other’s lives! And let’s be serious, were things ever really fake with them?!

Duncan, Piper’s ex, and Ava were awful - like they are the type of character you love to hate with everything that comes out of their mouth!

I’m hoping we get a Noah or Nick story in the future!

[Rachel (Rrbookreviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Princess has cast her spell over me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to break it.“

Review: 3.25/5 ⭐️
Steam: 2.3 🔥

Book two in the #coloradoblackdiamondseries by @authoremilysilver

Picking up a new book you check out the most important things; the tropes. Cash is the bad boy who’s grumpy, while Piper is sweet and sunshiny. Throw in the fake dating, brothers teammate and hockey.. you’ve got it all.

Cash might not have the best reputation but he’s a great guy hiding under the tattoos. He hates stupidity and speaks his mind. You see it in interviews, his longer interactions with Piper, as well as coming to her defense knowing she can handle herself but has him if need be. Piper is rattled by her ex cheating that she’s impulsively dating his teammate to save his image. Cash is obviously the better choice, now he’s going to show Piper he means when he keeps the promises he makes. Quick read, second gen from the #denvermountainlions with some mentions of former favorites!

[♡︎ Kesa Subban ♡︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ꍏꋪꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖢𝖺𝗌𝗁
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖯𝗂𝗉𝖾𝗋
5 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘛𝘰 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘓𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘉𝘺 𝘌𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙇𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙠𝙞𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚...𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 🩷

𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙂𝙚𝙣. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙃𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙮.


Piper, this heroine 🩷 she is underestimated because of her looks. She's hardworking and dedicated to her career in physical therapy, after being dumped she is so done with relationships, especially hockey players.

Cash, his home life hadn't been easy and as the years went by, it shaped him into the man he is. It's just him and his adorable labrador Puck🩷. But when he realises his attitude might cost him his career playing in one of the best teams, he has to enter a fake relationship...that doesn't feel fake!

This is the second book in the Colorado Black Diamonds and it was just so amazing!

Cash and Piper find themselves agreeing to a fake relationship, to better Cash's attitude/appearance to the media and Piper, wants her ex to know that she can 100% do better then him. It starts off fake, but soon the lines blur and everything feels oh so real.

The chemistry and spicy moments 🔥
...add in sweet moments and a protective hero 😍🥰

.....And just when these two find their happiness, someone is out to destroy it.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Loved catching up with Troy and Angie.
Nick's book is next and I can't wait 🤍

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🏒🏒🏒🏒🏒
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 💋🍪🐶💋🍪
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵 🌶️ 🥵
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 📚📚📚📚📚
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧

[Adanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fake girlfriend to improve his image? The broody bad boy of the Colorado Black Diamond professional hockey team isn't given a choice. Cash must date Piper, the team's physical therapy intern, to show a softer side to the press. Will it work? What will happen when someone threatens their not-so-fake relationship?

Piper and Cash's relationship develops naturally over time. I enjoyed seeing this fake couple getting to know each other through various dates and fun, flirty text conversations while Cash was on the road. Watching the grumpy lone wolf with walls around his heart fall (and fall hard) for the happy good girl who hasn't had a man who really appreciated her just made me smile. The more they learn about each other, the more obvious it is that these two are perfect for each other.

Best Laid Plans is a warm hug in book form! You'll thank me after you read this sweet and sexy hockey romance.

[Cassey Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy/sunshine
Fake dating
Hockey romance
The cutest dog

What more could you want in a book?! Cash and Piper’s chemistry was perfect and I loved watching their relationship develop.

“The Princess has cast her spell over me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to break it.”

I am enjoying the Colorado Black Diamonds series so much and can’t wait for book three!

[Pauline (booksofviolette) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Piper found out her boyfriend cheated. Cash needs a fake girlfriend to improve his "bad boy" image. The ex-boyfriend and the fake boyfriend ? They are on the same hockey team.

I really loved Cash in this. He's the grumpiest grump but turns out to be the best cinnamon roll with Piper. He falls HARD. I loved watching their relationship evolve and turn into friends with benefits then more.

There's also a cute dog. Who doesn't love a cute dog in books ?!

[Rachel Pickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Silver does it again! Best Laid Plans is Book 2 of the Colorado Black Diamonds & I am absolutely loving this series!

Book 2 we get to see Cash & Piper, but we also get to see some of Troy and Angie from Book 1!

Cash Williams is the definition of a bad boy misunderstood and I am here for it!

Cash needs a way to rehab his image & Piper is just the one to help! Both Cash & Piper aren’t looking for a relationship, but it can’t be denied what undeniable chemistry they have!

I am definitely ready for Book 3 to see what the author has in store for us!

[Erin Under_Covers_Smut_Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Advance Readers Copy)

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice 🌶🌶🌶

What was supposed to make the bad boy of Colorado's Black Diamond Hockey team look better for the press, ending with feelings getting thrown in and some twist from the past.

Cash Williams is the lone wolf of the team. He's the bad boy with the bad attitude. He doesn't talk to the press right and gets bad articles written about him. He’s a man of few words. He never had lived shown to him growing up. His PR manager is fed up with it and comes up with a plan. Fake date Piper, the Princess (according to Cash).

Piper works as an intern for the hockey team. Her older brother plays for the team as well. She also used to date Duncan, as you guessed it... on the team to. It's only been a few weeks since she found her roommate/friend sleeping with her now ex-boyfriend, Duncan. No one takes Piper seriously. Not the coach, not her friend, and definitely not her ex. So if she can get back at him and make him jealous, she'll play along with Cash and help with his reputation.

I really enjoyed this book, but at times, it just seemed like a lot of other fake relationship books. I mean, yes, they made their relationship look good and real in front of others, but behind closed doors? I mean come on, if you're going to "fake date" someone to help them out, you wouldn't sleep with them and whisper, "I really missed you" when no one is around to notice it. It seemed like they both expressed their feelings toward one another when no one was around, yet didn't seem to realize the other one was feeling the same way. If was flipflop for me. Did someone try to end them, yes. Even seeing the emotion it was causing each other. Yet they still didn't know if the other person's feelings were real or fake. It would have been better if it stuck to one scenario or the other. I did enjoy what happened to Duncan though. I still like the book though, and enjoyed reading it.

Tropes:
🏒 Hockey Romance
🩵 Fake Dating
🏒 Bad Boy/Good Girl
🩵 Forced Proximity
🏒 He Falls Hard

[Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I love when the grumpy bad boy finds himself completely smitten with the sunshine good girl. “Best Laid Plans” is a flirty, steamy and soul connecting fake dating romance that has me even more invested in the “Colorado Black Diamonds” series.

Cash Williams is a defenseman on the Black Diamonds and has made himself known as the bad boy on and off the ice. He’s not a fan of the media and dealing with them has always been a thorn in his side. Piper Fields works for the team in the physical therapy department and is working on getting her masters. And when the PR manager decides that Piper and Cash should fake-date to help his image, both are shocked by the request. They agree to a temporary arrangement but as they spend time together, the difference between fake and real starts to blur.

From the start, I loved Piper and Cash. Cash has a grumpy wall that he’s built around himself to keep him protected and from getting emotionally hurt. Underneath is a sweet and genuine guy who thrives being with Piper because she ultimately makes him feel emotionally safe. But he’s also a baddie on the ice and is protective of Piper when her ex starts to give her trouble. Piper is just so sweet, caring and was the perfect match for Cash. I loved how she was driven in her career and genuinely wanted to learn as much as she could to help the players be the best on the ice. Cash and Piper were so sweet together and I loved the chemistry that they had. The flirty banter throughout their “fake” relationship was so endearing and I got lost in their story as they finally realized it wasn’t fake anymore. The steamy scenes were great and a few of them will live rent free in my head. And I love that Piper was 100% confident in herself to express what she liked and didn’t like in the bedroom. I loved being able to check in with Jackson and Tenley, Piper’s parents, and have them be a part of the story. The ending was so sweet and I loved the bonus epilogue.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Princess has cast her spell over me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to break it."

✨️ Hockey Romance
✨️ Second Generation
✨️ Reformed Bad Boy
✨️ Fake Dating
✨️ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨️ Teammate's Little Sister
✨️ He Falls First
✨️ Found Family
✨️ HEA

Cash and Piper are absolute relationship goals!! What started out with Piper dating Cash as a PR stunt to help him repair his media image turned into a love neither of them expected or planned for. Piper completely changed the game for Cash, breaking down the walls he built to keep everyone out and seeing past his bad boy reputation to the real him, the good guy with a heart of gold beneath the villain that he showed to the rest of the world. I loved how they opened up to each other, their vulnerabilities coming to light as they let each other in and formed a real connection.

Piper was a strong, determined and feisty FMC, a good girl with a naughty side, exactly the kind of girl that Cash never knew he needed. I adored how she brought out the best in him and how she made him smile, all the beautiful moments they shared and how she gave him the freedom to truly be himself with her unconditional love and unwavering support. I loved how Cash was so easygoing and natural with kids and the way they idolized him with stars in their eyes. I swooned over the sweet kisses and the tender moments along with the heated intensity and the powerful connection pulling Cash and Piper together. Even Cash's chocolate Lab, Puck, captured my heart. Cash and Piper fit perfectly together and I couldn't imagine them finding true happiness with anyone but each other. This was such a beautiful story, Cash finally finding his family and his forever love in his Princess.

* Special thanks to author Emily Silver for sending me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Available April 18, 2024. *

[Bookishlyhaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cash is a hockey player with a bad attitude, which is a PR nightmare. This causes him to need a fake girlfriend to clean up his image. Which he is strongly against in the beginning.

Piper is a PT intern for the team. One day, she walks in on her boyfriend cheating on her with her roommate (RUDEEE). Soon after, she was presented with an opportunity to help Cash clean up his image. At first, she was reluctant to help Cash because of his attitude, but after Cash helped her out, she ended up saying yes to being his fake girlfriend.

The more they got to know each other, the more they realized just how different their images are to the people they really are. They ended up falling in love and having their happily ever after.

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. I will admit I did judge these characters at first, but I honestly fell more in love with Cash & Piper the more I got into the book. The bad boy of hockey turning out to be a freaking teddy bear made me so happy. Also, having a dog named Puck is so freaking adorable!! I really liked how easily Cash and Piper opened up to each other. You could really tell their connection was instant and genuine. They are couple goals for sure!!


You will love this book if you love hockey romance, fake dating, brother’s teammate, grumpy/sunshine, bad boy, and the hero falls first.


You will not regret picking up this book! Best Laid Plans can be read as a standalone or as part of the series.


I am excited to see what is in store for us next with Best of the Best!!

[Jenny Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cash and Piper

This was a quick and fairly light read. I love the idea of a second generation series with a different sport than the parents played. I don’t think I’ve read a series like that before and I’m really loving it. And I always love a misunderstood bad boy, which is exactly what Cash Williams is.

Cash and Piper start their relationship as a way to rehab Cash’s image. Neither is looking for a relationship, but they have undeniable chemistry from the beginning. I always love when a “fake” relationship is never really fake, and Cash and Piper definitely fell into that category. They were both attracted to each other but came with their own baggage. It was fun to read about them falling more for each other.

I loved the way Cash really opened up to Piper. He kept himself so closed off, but with Piper he was unable to do that. I also loved how easily Piper’s family accepted Cash and made him feel like a part of their family. Piper’s brother, who was also Cash’s teammate could have been the stereotypical older brother, but he wasn’t. He saw the real Cash just as easily as Piper did.

Cash and Piper brought out the best in each other. Whether their relationship was fake or not, they supported each other. Piper was just who Cash needed in his life and Cash showed Piper with both his words and actions how she should be treated.

I loved this couple. I loved the sense of justice at the end. It was a great read and left me wanting more from the Colorado Black Diamonds immediately.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best Laid Plans is a fast paced professional hockey romance novel! Cash Williams plays for the Colorado Black Diamonds, but tends to have a hard time being nice to other people (i.e. the media press). The team PR decides Cash should “fake” date one of interns, Piper Fields, to make him a better person. The relationship would help Cash act more kind and respectful to those around him (i.e. media press, teammates, coaches, etc.). Piper goes along with the fake dating scheme so she can make her ex (Duncan) jealous. She dumped Duncan because she cheated on her with her roommate! While Cash and Piper were fake dating, they instantly wanted to get to know each other more, which created a beautiful connection. They definitely didn’t feel like pretending the longer they were together.

This book felt like it was written in a college-aged setting. I think I enjoyed the first book (which can be read as a standalone) more because it was mainly taken place in a college campus. The written dialogues between the first book and this book were really similar. Considering this is supposed to be a professional hockey romance, I thought the characters would act more mature in certain situations, especially during the third act breakup. The drama that resulted in a third act breakup was quick, but felt kind of unnecessary.

Overall, it was a cute and lighthearted hockey romance! The tropes were interesting to read!

[Jodi - JodiReadsnListens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when a Princess finds her unexpected Prince Charming. Best Laid Plans by Emily Silver was a swoony fake dating, hockey romance that devoured in one sitting. This is also a second-generation romance, and I loved catching up with Jackson and Tenley’s daughter, Piper. I loved Piper’s drive and determination; plus her willingness to go after her desires and make her own decisions about Cash. Cash was the perfect bad boy on the outside, but also the perfect cinnamon roll on the inside. I loved how hard he fell for Piper, and how he strove to cherish and take care of her. Their fake relationship was meant to clean up Cash’s reputation and help Piper get back at her ex, but of course, these two couldn’t resist each other, and their chemistry was undeniable!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a hockey romance with a hot playboy hockey hunk, a devoted PT student, an adorable chocolate lab, Colorado Black Diamond hockey, a douche of an ex, a publicity stunt, ugly Christmas sweaters, bonding with the WAGs, old fashions, baking cookies, helping a princess in need, all the spicy times, swoony texting, blackmail, going for the cup, and a HEA that was laid out perfectly, then you will love Piper and Cash’s romance. I always look forward to more from Emily Silver.

[Bookish Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My heart aches for him. At the sweet little boy that was raised like that. It’s the image he shows the world. The bad boy. The villain. Someone not to be messed with. But that’s not the real Cash. It’s the man sitting in front of me. Whose tender heart was battered and bruised growing up. Cash put up walls to protect himself... ‘I don’t like people feeling sorry for me... Especially you.’
‘All I see is a person who survived the only way they knew how. I’m glad you told me.’
‘Only you, Princess. You’re the only person I’ve told.’”
💜 🏒
It’s near impossible to pick a favorite couple from Emily Silver’s world because I love them all uniquely. However, it’s hard not to hold Alex & Carter closer because of their sweet and enduring romance. So then, in her new series, when Emily introduced us to Alex & Carter’s daughter, Angie, and made her fall in love with the son of a villain in Alex’s story... I fell in love with them and cherish their young, passionate love.

So, when in book 2, we get another second generation romance, I knew it would be special. But I didn’t expect to like it THIS much! After devouring this ARC, I couldn’t help but fall in love with sweet Piper and Cash’s story. Cash Williams is known for getting into fights on the ice, mouthing off to reporters and wearing a permanent scowl on his face. To save his image, he enters a fake relationship with a physical therapist intern, younger sister to his teammate and overall sunshine woman, Piper Fields.

This book is everything we love about a grumpy/sunshine trope with a dash of hockey/sports romance to boot! Our main couple compliment each other well and they make it easy to love their relationship, “fake” status or not. Plus, when one is filled with self-doubt or begins to question their worth, the other is quick to support them… I mean, that’s practically the definition of “couple goals!” The spice in this book is... unexpected 😉... and definitely SPICY! But the commentary about self-love and sense of worth gives this book so much heart, that it might be my favorite Emily Silver story, so far (I mean... only if you’re holding my hand to the fire and forcing me to choose... please don’t! 😆)
💜
“Piper, the sweet little Princess, falling for me, the villain.”

[Kate Deeds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story: 9/10
Spice: 3/5
Spice Hierarchy: Open Door

ARC Review-Releases 4/18

Cash needs a PR makeover after one too many bad interviews with the press and confirming the bad boy of hockey persona. Enter Piper-the PT intern for the team, also Cash’s teammate’s sister. A fake dating arrangement is agreed upon. Cash and Piper spend more and more time together to remake his image while Piper is able to get a little revenge on her ex.

I loved this story. Top to bottom. It was grumpy/sunshine, hockey bad boy/princess, teammate’s sibling, and FAKE DATING! Cash has his walls built so high to keep everyone out. Piper comes along and does not let any bitterness hold her back. She continues to see the good in people. She knows what she wants and doesn’t want and is vocal with Cash about that. Cash allows himself to be vulnerable only with Piper because she continues to show up for him. At first I was annoyed with how little Cash seemed to know about his teammates but as the story went it made sense for his character. He never let anyone in and kept to himself to avoid any possibility of getting hurt. Getting to know Cash’s teammates through his eyes was really well done. Plus, Cash is rocking some hardware. 🍆🪜

This is a fast, low-angst read. I read it in a day. While it is book 2 in a series, you can read this as a standalone. There is something extra special about a second generation story that is so extra special and this one has met the mark.

[Onceupona.spine · Rating 5 out of 5]

|| 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 📝  
    
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Best Laid Plans   
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Emily Silver   
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Sports Romance    
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: Grumpy/sunshine | Fake dating | Bad boy | Hockey romance | Second gen | Pierced 🍆 
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭: E-ARC copy  
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️    
 
"𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬. 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐜𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨" 
 
𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐒 & 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍. . . 𝐈 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐒!!!!  
𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬.  
 
Emily has 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 written Hero's that I've adored and fallen head over heels for, but with Cash, I think she may have broken the mould.  
 
This book was 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄, 𝐔𝐍𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 (𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐'𝘮 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦), 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐄, 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓, 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂 and best of all, 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 of heart happy moments that took my breath away.  
 
I love a good fake dating trope, but what I loved best about this one is that Cash & Piper never felt like they were faking anything. Their chemistry and connection were instant and natural.  

This was a low angst love story (𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦. . . 𝘐'𝘮 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦 ) which was easy to read, full of heart and delicious heat that will melt you to your very core. 
I highly recommend it. 
 
************************** 

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I stumbled across a post for this book while on social media, I immediately wanted to read it! Having read this author's work quite a few times before had me looking so forward to it even more! I picked it up and got right into the Colorado Black Diamonds world! I finished reading in one sitting. I enjoyed this story so much!

Piper and Cash's journey pulled me in so quickly! Cash is a hockey player on the Colorado Black Diamonds team. Piper is a physical therapist intern for the team and also his teammate's sister. Cash needs better press and Piper needs to move forward from her ex. As circumstances lead these two to fake dating, can they help each other out and then go their own ways? Or can this move lead to the realest game of their hearts?

Both Piper and Cash drew me right in! I felt for Piper and everything she was dealing with. Cash had me quickly falling with his realness. I enjoyed the way these two were brought closer together and getting to see not only how they'd tackle fake dating, but the true feelings between them. All throughout, Both Cash and Piper had me feeling all kinds of feels with them!

Piper was such a caring character and dedicated to everything she did. It was so great getting to see her figure out things in her life and in her heart. There was more to Cash than meets the eye and I was glad that I as well as Piper got to dig deeper with him. I adored the way Cash was all about Piper. These two got each other in ways no one else could. Their chemistry and connection was so blushworthy and beautiful!

Taking a chance on someone and letting them get all of you can be one of the scariest, but rewarding things which Cash and Piper's journey sure showed!

It was awesome getting to dive into the Colorado Black Diamonds world! From the hockey to the grumpy/sunshine aspect to other characters and, especially sweet Puck, I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

With Best Laid Plans, Emily Silver has created such a good page turner with heart, hockey, and steam that had me feeling so many things from start to finish! I can't wait to dive back into this series with the next installment, Best of the Best! 💜🏒

*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*

[christine.s.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Silver gives us a great "don't judge a book by it's cover” story with Best Laid Plans. Piper thought she had a good relationship with her boyfriend until she found him in bed with another woman. She also feels like her colleagues, and the world in general, only see her as the stereotypical blonde airhead, not as an intelligent woman working toward her masters degree and interning with a professional hockey team.

Cash has a bad reputation as a jerk to the media and one of the most closed off players on the team. When his patience snaps during an interview, the team PR rep comes up with a plan for him to improve his image; pretend to date Piper.

I liked how easily Cash and Piper opened up to each other. Piper was able to see behind Cash’s walls to the lonely guy he really was while Cash showed Piper that she was worthy of devotion and validation.

This is book two in Emily's Black Diamond hockey series that also ties into her Mountain Lion football books since these are the football players’ kids. I'm enjoying this new generation as well as seeing the Mountain Lions as parents! Can't wait to see what Emily has in store for us next!

[Rachel McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m on a streak I guess, because it’s just been book after book for me lately that I can’t put down, finish in less than twenty four hours and fall in love with. I shouldn’t be surprised with this one. Emily always writes books that I can’t help but adore. I’m also a sucker for a grumpy MMC who just falls head over heels and worships the ground the FMC walks on. Add that he’s a hockey player and I’m done for. I’ve been in a fake dating kick too lately which I’m not usually a huge fan of, but Emily did a great job of making it progress naturally which I think is why this trope isn’t usually my favorite. If it doesn’t naturally progress and it’s just like boom they’re in love it just feels phony to me. I loved the development of Cash and Piper’s relationship. I feel like I could read a whole extra book on them I just freaking love them. Also as a little bonus tidbit, the epilogues are giving major Travis and Taylor vibes, and I’m here for it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much! I may have also done another tiny little squeal when I realised who Piper's parents are! 

If you love a fake relationship, grumpy sunshine romance then this is an absolute must read! It's one of those stories that the minute you pick it you can't put it down! 

Cash is the bad boy of Hockey, or so everyone thinks!  When he meets Piper he falls hard! Everyone including thinks Piper is a Princess. Piper is tough and appearances can be deceiving as she is anything but a spoilt princess.  She is driven and takes no nonsense from anyone!  There is nothing fake about their relationship, their chemistry is undeniable.  

I just loved seeing glimpses of not only Angie and Troy again but some og favourites Jackson and Tenley, oh and throw in a cute puppy and I am sold! 

I am absolutely loving this new hockey series and I can't wait to see who is next!  I am really hoping Nick and Noah both get stories! 

[Kelchickbooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for a sports, fake romance that is fun to read, has terrific banter and where the fake boyfriend is all protective? Well, look no further because Best Laid Plans is the book for you. This is the second book in Ms. Silver's Colorado Black Diamonds series and it is one that you will enjoy reading.
Ms. Silver gives us Piper and Cash's story. The intern PT for the team and the bad boy of hockey. These two come across as opposites but they do have a few things in common. Piper is dealing with getting over the cheating ex, who happens to be a teammate of Cash's. Cash needs to clean up his act and stop causing the PR department all the headaches that he is. The solution for Cash is to fake date Piper but neither one thinks it's a good idea. Time together and feelings come to the surface.
Their story will get you hooked right from the start and keep your attention to the end. I am looking forward to the next installment in the Colorado Black Diamonds series.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love hockey romance books and I loved this book! It's so much fun and sexy, add in an adorable puppy named Puck and you can't go wrong. Cash is the grumpy hot hockey player, and Piper is the cheery and smart woman he never saw coming until his PR agent makes a suggestion to boost his image. Each unsure of how they feel about this fake relationship, not sure they want to commit, and then end up coming together helping each other. Cash needs his image repaired so he doesn't end up losing his position on the team, and Piper knows there's sunshine under that grumpy exterior. Piper is coming off a recent breakup with another player on the team and being in a relationship with Cash has its benefits to help her move on, not that she wants her ex back. What they don't expect is to actually fall for each other. I enjoyed seeing Cash open up to Piper and being able to see he deserves to be loved and she deserves her Prince Charming.

[Edie L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Laid Plans by - Emily Silver.

Aww you guys this one was such a sweet story. I absolutely loved Cash. I don’t know about you but I wanted so many times through out the book to get into those pages and hug Cash so badly. He broke my heart with his story how lonely he truly was. How he felt that he had to have that wall heavily built around him to keep from getting hurt further than he had already done by the people who were supposed to love him unconditionally. So when Piper came into his life I was happy he finally had someone who genuinely cared and then later loved him purely for who he was. I loved this story it was sweet and steamy. I really hated Ava and Duncan so I was glad they both got what they needed to get. I can’t wait for the next one which by the little snippet we get at the end it is Bexley and Nicks story and I’m so here for it . Highly recommend this series you will definitely enjoy.