Customer Reviews

I Did (But I Wouldn't Now)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Despite pending litigation for showing her estranged husband what she thought of him. Lily travels to London (with her sister's passport no less) to get away from her nasty divorce from philandering rock star Ted to stay with her former boyfriend Carter, an orthopedic surgeon based in London who cannot commit to a hair gel much less a girlfriend. Jealous ex-girlfriends, an incoherent roommate reminiscent of the guy in "Notting Hill," nosey tabloid reporters, and a volunteer job at Carter's Hospital help Lily move on from the bitterness of the breakup with Ted and open her eyes to new romantic possibilities.

It's a sequel to Lockwood's funny romantic comedy "I Do, But I Don't," and readers will be happy to catch up with Lauren and Rick' lives. I love Lockwood's writing style - she writes in such a conversational style, that you feel like a friend is telling you a story (and a very witty friend at that). While parts of the story are predictable, Lockwood's wry observations (why do all London tabloids have exclamation points in their titles?) and witty retorts keep the readers on their toes.

In Texas Lily Crandell knows she cannot live up to the standards of excellence set by her wedding planner older sister, Lauren (see I DO (BUT I DON'T). Instead she knows that her family considers her a buffoon drifting from one problem to another. Now that Lauren has a son Tyler to add to her perfect-ness, Lily concedes she can never match her sibling. Instead she decides to go with the flow and elopes with her boyfriend wannabe be rock star Ted Dayton, who is great in bed. Quickly Lily concludes that outside of his music and their bed, they have nothing to hold them together. The divorce happens as fast as the marriage occurred.

Ted bounces immediately back with Lily assuming the silicone actress Melanie Slate contains helps him rebound. Unable to take being the joke of tabloids and the pursuit of paparazzi, Lily leaves Texas for London. In England Lily heeding the advice of her former boyfriend Carter, Lily volunteers at the local hospital. There she meets renowned footballer Sean Gates, who enjoys Lily's eccentric behavior, Texas twang, and most of all, her body. However, Ted and his group are in town for a concert as they have begun to be popular leading the tabloids to wonder who gets Lily?

This chick lit sequel stars the wild sibling who even when she does the right thing somehow ends up in trouble. The lighthearted story line is fun to follow as Lily swings like a pendulum from one mess into another, but at least is not dealing with sticky fingers. Though inane, fans will enjoy this zany look at celebrities chick lit style.

Harriet Klausner

This book was a very quick read and a cute story. I liked how it entertwined the characters from the 1st book, yet still created it's own storyline.

Very good, can't wait for her next book :)

I love Cara Lockwood's books. They are light, easy to get through, and never fail to make me laugh. This one was no exception! I don't like to give the stories away in my reviews like some others like to do, but suffice to say, if you liked Cara's other books, you will love this one!! A++++++++++++

I'll admit, I am not your typical chick-lit gal. But once in a while, I get on the kick. I have loved books like Shopaholic and In Her Shoes and Devil Wears Prada, but this book just dragged on. I wouldn't waste your afternoon reading. It took all I had to push through to the end only to have it end the exact way you would expect.

I really enjoyed this book. I was concerned at first b/c I had not read the other book "I Do, but I Don't" and I thought this was a sequel, but it is in fact, not. The character from that book is that character's sister and she appears about three-fourths the way through, but it doesn't matter if you know the other story or not when it comes to following this one. The characters are likeable and funny and there is just enough of a love story to give it heart. I want to read more by Ms. Lockwood now.

This book was hilarious from start to finish. I couldn't put this one down. And I could not stop laughing at the endless real life scenarios that kept unfolding.