I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) [Paperback]

Cara Lockwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2006

Are you ready to rock?

Lily Crandell has always lived in the shadow of her older sister, Lauren, who has a successful career as a wedding planner and a perfect husband and baby boy. Known within her family for being an aimless, impulsive trouble-magnet, Lily finally decides she may as well live up to her reputation: she elopes with new beau and would-be rock star Ted Dayton. But just as quickly as his band skyrockets, Lily's marriage crashes and burns. When news of her ex's new love with sultry and silicone-enhanced actress Melanie Slate hits the tabloids, she flees the country.

Hello, London!

Across the pond, Lily shares a flat with an old flame -- a commitment-phobic doctor who convinces her that the best prescription for her broken heart is volunteering at the local hospital. Turns out, he's right, as one of the patients, famed soccer star Sean Gates, takes more than a passing interest in Lily's quirky style. But things get complicated when her ex's band starts flying up the British charts. Ted comes to town, the paparazzi camp on her doorstep, and her new fling and old flame both find rumors that Lily and her ex are planning a little reunion tour rather troublesome. Is there a happily ever after at the end of this rocky road?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Never marry a rock star. Lily discovers this the hard way when her husband's affair with a flighty actress is all over the newsstands. She escapes to London and the comforting arms of former flame and now just friend Carter. But trouble (and paparazzi) follow her. Dealing with the divorce is tough enough, but soon she is trying to save Carter from his crazy new girlfriend, too. Lockwood fans will recognize Lily as the impetuous younger sister from I Do (But I Don't) (2003), and big sis Lauren makes a hilarious cameo appearance. This novel has the same quick wit as Lockwood's earlier fare but isn't as sweet and sympathetic. Readers may not be able to relate to the trials of celebrity, but they will be able to relate to Lily's attempt to move on. It's the story of heartbreak and recovery at the heart of the novel that will draw readers in. Aleksandra Kostovski
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Cara Lockwood is also the author of I Do (But I Don't), which was made into a Lifetime movie, as well as Pink Slip Party and Dixieland Sushi, and Every Demon Has His Day, all available from Downtown Press. She was born in Dallas, Texas, and earned a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked as a journalist in Austin, and is now married and living in Chicago. Her husband is not a rock star, but he does play the guitar -- poorly.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Downtown Press; Original edition (May 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743499433
• ISBN-13: 978-0743499439
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #750,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up in Mesquite, Texas, which for those of you who like livestock shows, is the home of the Mesquite Rodeo. Ironically, Mesquite was named after Mesquite trees, only none of them now exist in the city, which is about fifteen minutes east of Dallas. No, I don't own a pair of cowboy boots, although I do own quite an impressive collection of black shoes. My Dad is a third-generation Japanese-American, and my mom is a second-generation Texan who's mostly English, or at least claims to be because of her anglophile nature.

I went to school at the University of Pennsylvania, only I'm not sure how I got in. I think these days they only accept students who can solve String Theory. Anyway, I majored in English, and had dreams of being the Next Great American Novelist, but then I realized I was more of a humor writer and less of an Important Literary Figure. I don't think any of them have a sense of humor.

Anyway, I knew I wanted to write a book, but I also knew that my Dad would kill me (death by guilt) if I didn't move out of his house and start paying my own rent after he shelled out my tuition.

So, while writing fiction in my spare time, I went to work as a newspaper reporter, working for an overly exciteable editor who sent me running anytime the police scanner went off. I was working insane hours for next to no pay. I was actually sent to cover a grass fire on my 25th birthday. Let me tell you, it smelled bad. I think some mice may have lost their lives. But that was about it in terms of excitement. Happy Birthday to Me.

So, I decided after I began hiding from my editor in the bathroom at the office anytime the police scanner went off, that journalism probably wasn't for me. I went to work for a marketing firm and discovered that most everyone else didn't stay until ten o'clock every night writing up their riveting story about grass fires. I also decided that I would take advantage of that free time to write some fiction. That's when I started writing "I Do (But I Don't)." A year later, I finished it, thanks to the help of my friend, Shannon, who wouldn't let me slack off and kept asking me for chapters.

And that's how I became a writer. Except that it still feels weird to say, "I'm a writer." I keep expecting to wake up tomorrow and have to go cover another grass fire.

To see what I'm up to these days, check out my blog, www.caralockwood.blogspot.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, fun read, June 13, 2006

By 

Bearette24 (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) (Paperback)

I thought this book was perfect. It's the story of Lily, the irresponsible, spontaneous, and funny sister of Lauren (the wedding planner from Lockwood's previous book, "I Do (But I Don't)." Lily was married to Ted, a self-absorbed rock star, until he left her for an actress of dubious skill, Melanie Slate. Upset by her impending divorce (and assault charges for beating up Ted), Lily takes off for London and the comfort of her friend and ex-boyfriend, Carter.

Lily has a quick wit that made the book very fun to read. Carter is funny as well, and has a hair fetish. His hair is always perfectly styled. Lily's dog, an overweight Chihuahua named Arnold, often steals the show, and Lauren shows up in London as well.

The characters are so funny and relatable, and the bits about celebrity are entertaining as well. A fun read for anyone who enjoys chick lit or Cara Lockwood's books.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, captivating, a must-read, June 23, 2006

By 

Kuklaki (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) (Paperback)

I am not a reader, and I read this book non-stop the minute I put my hands on it-I just couldn't put it down! There were parts of this book that I found myself laughing to as well as able to relate to (as far as confusing feelings go in relationships). The main character, Lily, is going through a divorce from her rock-star, egotistical, cheating husband and goes to London to reunite with a friend (ex boyfriend) of hers to just relax and get away for a while before her trial. While there she goes on this adventure of figuring out herself, what she wants, and her feelings. Although she thinks she might want to move on from her ex, she can't. The ending is surprising though, and of course a love story at heart. Her thoughts are changing throughout the story into what unravels to be her finding herself in the end and "growing up" to realize what she wants in life. I thought it was a great, very well-written book, not to mention it was funny! If you want a book that you just want to keep on reading, this would be for you!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, but..., January 9, 2007

By 

JGC (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) (Paperback)

I read "I Do (But I Don't)" a couple of years ago when it first came out. I thought it was a fun, easy read. Lockwood's story was well developed, and was even a little deeper than you would have expected for a chick-lit novel about a wedding planner who meets her perfect man under complicated circumstances.

In the sequel, "I Did (But I Wouldn't Now)," Lockwood revisits the lives of the Crandell sisters -- Lauren and Lily. This time the author focuses on Lily, the irresponsible younger sister we were introduced to in "I Do (But I Don't)" when she was sort-of responsible for burning her sister Lauren's house down. Lily, having just separated from her husband, rock-star Ted Dayton, flees to England to visit/move in with her best friend/ex-boyfriend.

While much of the story was entertaining, and at times even a little touching (Lockwood does a good job, I thought, on the reflections of Life With Ted), it was so unrealistic that it made it hard to keep reading. I realize that the genre, chick-lit, isn't always known for it's "oh-so-real-life" episodes, but this is chick-lit at it's fluffiest.

Aside from much of the plot being unrealistic, I was disappointed at how Lockwood portrayed Lily's older sister, Lauren. Lauren's actions were ridiculous and totally overdone, and throughout the plot line Lockwood uses Lauren's pregnancy as the excuse for her irrational behavior. I'm not sure if Lockwood has ever been pregnant, but pregnant women don't ACTUALLY go crazy. Episodes of tears for no reason, sure. But taking your two year old son to England on a whim, without telling your husband, and while using your mother's passport -- please! If I hadn't read "I Do (But I Don't)" I think I'd actually have despised Lauren in the book. Lockwood would have done better to have kept Lauren's character true to the first book: the always-do-the-right-thing older sister. And, as a fringe benefit, she then could have used Lauren to dispense some much-needed good advice to Lily!

So, if you are looking for a light, quick read, this might be a good book for you. If you just want to read something by Cara Lockwood, I'd recommend reading "I Do (But I Don't)" or "Dixieland Sushi" instead.