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Crandell Sisters #2

I Did [But I Wouldn't Now]

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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?

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2006

13 people are currently reading
2012 people want to read

About the author

Cara Lockwood

106 books369 followers
I've written more than 30 books in a number of genres: chick lit, romance, suspense, paranormal and young adult. My debut novel, I Do (But I Don't) was made into a Lifetime Original movie.

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.

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 because my dad said "and just what are you going to do with an English degree?" I went to work for the school newspaper. After college, I spent four years as a newspaper reporter, working for an overly excitable 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 had taken to 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.

I'm married and live with a blended broad of seven near Chicago, where I'm hard at work on my next book!

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5 stars
780 (27%)
4 stars
865 (30%)
3 stars
830 (29%)
2 stars
250 (8%)
1 star
77 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
Profile Image for Krystal.
217 reviews
April 1, 2008
Thanks Laura (my current patron to literacy)

I am getting such a kick out of this story. It's fun, witty, has a strong female character (in the big personality kind of way, but kinda weak when it comes to relationships/love). I stayed up really late reading, I was that into it. My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that in every chapter, at least so far, the character has to remind you she's a bad girl, or at least not good. We get it, move on =)
I had such a good time with this book, and I kept trying to picture Laura and Gabe characters, so that was fun =)
I think near the end it peters out, like it's rushing towards a happily ever after, but the places it made me giggle, and the twisted things the main character did to her soon to be ex, ranked up the stars a notch. It was just a fun read.
Profile Image for Dawn.
124 reviews7 followers
June 13, 2009
Cute book! Not as good as the first book about Lauren, but still fun to read about Lily's life. Lily's character is shallow throughout most of the book, but does somewhat grow up towards the end. I loved how the author brought Lauren back into the story towards the end:)
Profile Image for Preet.
3,377 reviews232 followers
June 20, 2011
I loved this book! I felt really bad for Lily and the breakup of her marriage. But I loved her attitude. She's hurt, but still able to throw punches and be sassy. She's got balls. She steals her sister's passport and escapes to London to avoid her ex-husband's music and tabloid pictures of him canoodling with an actress and a pending felony assault charge against her. Lily's staying with her one and only male friend Carter, who she dated when she was 18 and he was 20. Carter's a hot orthopedic surgeon who's a wuss when it comes to confrontations and breaking up with women.

You get Lily in London, volunteering at a hospital, with two irreverent and sassy nurses as confidantes, a fat dog, a huge soccer star, paparazzi, a psycho woman who's trying to sink her hooks into Carter and make Lily leave at the same time. All of this sounds like madness but results in a great read. I read it from cover to cover without stopping and was in stitches from laughing so much. It was also really nice to see Lauren and Nick from "I Do (But I Don't)." This is another great book from Cara Lockwood!
Profile Image for Jerjonji.
Author 4 books17 followers
May 10, 2010
Not sure this fits the trashy but fun shelf, but I didn't want to create a new shelf titled- trashy and boring. Fleeing an ugly divorce from a rock star, the protagonist moves in with the one guy who has always loved her- in London. Not once did I care if she fell in love or fell in the garbage dump. She's not likable or someone I want to know. With her self-centered, immature, stupid behavior, I felt like slapping her and saying, "Grow up. Wait until something bad really happens to you!" But she is constantly saved from her behavior by friends and ex-lovers. The best part of the whole book is the chapter headings numbering out reasons why divorcing a rock star is a good idea.
Profile Image for Amy.
374 reviews45 followers
April 9, 2009
Awful, awful. Ludicrous plot, ridiculous characters, unlikable heroine, just bad bad bad.
Profile Image for Victoria.
50 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2013
It was good but I feel like if the main character was real she'd have trouble keeping even the most average boyfriend, let alone all these mega-studs. Entertaining but not very realistic
Profile Image for Cindy (BKind2Books).
1,827 reviews40 followers
January 13, 2017
This was a cute, humorous fluff read, but I found it hard to like the heroine or to get invested in her story. She's in the midst of divorcing a rock star and fighting charges of assault and then just picks up and flees to London to reconnect with an old friend. There's lots of humorous escapades that are somewhat reminiscent of Bridget Jones's Diary or Confessions of a Shopaholic but without the emotional investment. Lily is just hard to feel sympathetic for - she's flighty, disorganized, trouble-attracting, indugent - in short she's her own worst enemy. I did like Carter, the old friend that she rooms with while in London, and his roommate, Ian, a Scots with an almost unintelligible accent that spends most of the book playing video games. It was okay for a fluff read but I wonder if I would have liked it better if I'd read the first of the series ( I Do -- But I Don't )

Quotes I liked:

Fun is betting against the odds of fate that you'll come out all right in the end. That the thrill ride will be worth it.

In astrology, on your birthday all the stars align with the way they were on the day you were born. Some people feel this is a time to reflect, but my neighbor Fran used to always say that it's a subtle reminder that no matter how much progress you make, you always end up back where you started from.
Profile Image for Dana.
2,185 reviews20 followers
August 24, 2020
I Did (But I Wouldn’t Now) was the second novel in the Crandell Sister set. I liked the first novel about older sister Lauren, and this was equally fun to read. Here, Lily was in the process of divorcing her rock star husband and flew to London to be with her friend and one time flame Carter. I loved Lily’s personality and thought her journey to accept her new status as a divorcee was cute.

I immediately liked Lily when she cane up with new ways to torment her ex, like signing him up for male porn emails, and spreading lies in gossip columns. I think that is something everyone can relate to. I didn’t quite believe that she’d spend her time abroad volunteering at the hospital where Carter worked, but that served as a mechanism for her to mingle with a set group of people. While on the hospital floors, she sparked her own dating rumors and also pushed Carter back into the arms of a former psycho ex- girlfriend.

There is something pure about a woman who has to find herself while starting over. Lily was an honest heroine who embodied the hurt that comes with a divorce. Still, this was cute and fun, and Lily was a smart ass who made this an enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Paige Walker.
6 reviews
November 27, 2024
If Lily has 100 fans, I'm one. If Lily has 1 fan, it's me. If Lily has 0 fans, I'm dead.

I was surprised to see how many people dislike Lily in these reviews, but she is the reason this book was so much fun! I think people want the narrator to be a great person or for them to do exactly as the reader would, but this book is too unrealistic for that to apply. Yes, the plot is kind of silly, but the characters are interesting and I couldn't put the book down!

Lily is so funny, sassy, and just done with everything. She's not the best person, but the way she is written makes you love her anyways. I love when books have female protagonists with big personalities. I'm so tired of them always being boring and plain so the reader can step in and pretend it's them.

I wish her story before the divorce was more fledged out, including her backstory with her ex-boyfriend/now-love-interest.

This is the kind of book where you come for the main character and enjoy the romance along the way.

Story and writing wise, I give the book a 4/5, but I haven't enjoyed reading a book this much in a while, so I'll give it a 5/5.
428 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2020
I did, but I wouldn't -- read it. that is, if I had known how awful it was. I picked up this book during the Coronavirus shelter at home order because I needed something amusing to read and several Goodreads readers gave it a decent review. I can't understand why. The writing was only passable, the characters poorly drawn and unbelievable and the plot ridiculous. In my opinion the book has no redeeming qualities and isn't worth reading. I only finished it because I try to finish every book I start. The plot revolves around Lily. Lily married a alcoholic, drug addicted rock star who leaves her and now she has to put herself emotionally back together - and she attempts this by fleeing to London to see an old boyfriend. The twists and turns of the plot are not worth repeating - they are too silly, too boring and too unbelievable. My advice - I wouldn't read the book no matter how desperate you are for something to read. Better to reread a book worth reading in the first place if you don't have anything else handy.
Profile Image for Maharani's.
43 reviews
January 1, 2023
kehancuran pernikahan Lily dengan seorang binatang rock womanizer Ted Dayton, membawanya untuk kembali berhubungan asmara dengan seorang dokter yang fobia komitmen.

Mungkin kalimat itu sudah menjelaskan isi cerita buku ini sepenuhnya. Selain sampulnya yang membuat buku menarik untuk dibaca, adalah tokoh yang terlampau naif, seperti memenuhi ego pembaca muda. Sebagian orang akan bilang jalan ceritanya tidak masuk akal, serta hubungan yang terlalu toxic untuk diikuti. Namun disinilah daya tarik serta ciri khas penulis yang mengedepankan kelucuan, serta sarkasme ataupun dalam hal ini melibatkan tokoh populer (bintang rock) ada kenyataan yang tidak diekspektasikan orang umum.
Profile Image for Robyn.
56 reviews2 followers
May 30, 2020
I read the first novel and went right into the second. I think this was a mistake for me. I usually like to mix it up with what I read. I enjoyed the second book just as much as the first but I was bored. I felt like I was just reading the same book. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read something else in between. It’s a cute story and I like that it’s an easy light read. Just wasn’t in the right mood to read it. So.... happy I have FINALLY finished it. Time to move on a read something completely different.
Profile Image for Laurie.
97 reviews
August 25, 2017
This story was a stuggle to continue reading. It just didn't seem to hold my interest. I guess I would not want to be married to a rock star anyway. Stealing her sister's passport to get away and go to London made me uncomfortable especially when a jilted girlfriend of Carter stole it. But the ending was a good surprise so I guess I am glad I stuck it out.
Profile Image for Books And Sunny.
111 reviews9 followers
March 26, 2019
This is the story of Lilly who is featured in I do, but I don't. She's the little sister of Laura, she is also the black sheep of the family. Lilly is constantly getting herself in trouble and then realizes on big sis Laura to bail her out. If you like the crandell sisters #1, you'll want to see what happens to Laura in this book.
Profile Image for Katy Springer.
322 reviews
December 4, 2021
She writes very well, but this time the fictional aspect seemed like it was lacking a heart felt quality. It didn’t seem to be written from what she knew to the full extent. It’s not a bad book overall, still funny, but it’s not something fretting about if you didn’t read it. The first book can stand on its own and is AMAZING. MUST SEE THE 🍿MOVIE!
55 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2018
Character does too many dumb things for my taste, but the dialogue made me laugh out loud.
Profile Image for Sharon.
2 reviews
June 21, 2019
Love the book and a good late night reading the bed 🙂😁
3 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2024
read it

Laugh out loud funny! This is a fabulous read!!!
Hope she writes more books with these characters who are hilarious..
Profile Image for Carly.
6 reviews
July 26, 2019
One of the best, most clear set of reasons and reflections I’ve ever read. Everything he writes is brilliant.
Profile Image for Alex.
665 reviews76 followers
August 12, 2011
At First Sight: Lily has always been the unreliable, flaky sister - particularly when compared to her older sister Lauren who is a successful wedding planner - so no one is surprised when she up and marries Ted Dayton, an up and coming musician, after only a few weeks of knowing him. And people are even less surprised when, a couple of years later, she finds herself in the middle of a nasty divorce.

With assault chargers pending over her head, forty thousand dollars in debt and tabloids running pictures of Ted (who is now a rock star) and his new gorgeous actress girlfriend 24/7; Lily decides to visit her best friend and former boyfriend, Carter, in London.

There she gets a momentary reprieve from the tabloids - though her lawyer isn't letting her forget her court date- and she's happy to let her fate up to a set of tarot cards - since she figures they can't be any wore than she is at making decisions.

But when Carter convinces her to volunteer at the hospital he works at, Lily soon has more to occupy her mind with, like Brigid - Carter's psycho girlfriend - and the fact that she's not being linked to UK football start Sean Gates.

Second Glance: I so had been looking forward to reading Lily's story, though I was a little worried about it too. In I do (But I don't), Lily came off as the type of person who always got away with stuff; she jumped into things without a second though, expecting others to pick up her messes.

But in I did (But I wouldn't now), life has finally caught up with Lily: she's broke, her husband doesn't want her anymore, and the only one willing to take her in is Carter.

In some ways, Carter is the one who got away, but he's also her best friend. Carter is far from perfect, in fact, he tends to check out the rational part of his brain whenever he's at the beginning of a relationship (basically, sex makes him stupid), plus he's a womanizer, a coward and has a very low threshold of pain.

Still, he is a surprisingly good friend - and it sort of threw me off whenever Lily called him toxic, because aside from the "sex makes him stupid" thing, he was supportive and kind to Lily. I had a bit of trouble buying him as a romantic interest, because he is very cowardly - though, to his credit, he gets what a "Big Gesture" is supposed to be like, and acts accordingly when the occasion arises.

There is also a large cast of supporting characters - among them Carter's roommate Ian, Sean and Tanya Gates, Arnold the overweight pup, and even Lauren and her son Tyler and husband Nick making surprise visits - who keep things interesting.

Bottom Line: I did (but I wouldn't now) it's funny, engaging and witty. Lily turned out to be a great narrator, as she tells her story with Ted and with Carter and how she's handling things now. I wouldn't call it a romance novel, this is definitely more of a chick-lit story, but I still recommend it.


Favorite Quote: "People think they know the difference between hate and love, but most of the time you just can't tell." - Fran.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
856 reviews60 followers
June 4, 2011
This title makes no sense, but the book was super entertaining. Lame, old chick-lit that didn't take itself seriously at all but you didn't care either.

Girl is divorcing a simi-famous rock star and escapes to London to spend time with her best friend, Dude, of course. They dated years ago, but of course, that didn't work out (you can guess where it goes at the end). Girl is super out of control, like in the way that she lives her life and the things she says, but for like the first time ever, it didn't bug me. I don't even really remember what happened in the book. Girl wasn't supposed to leave the country because she was in the middle of divorive proceedings and she hit her ex-husband or his new girlfriend, I can't even remember, but she left on her sister's passport. She volunteers at the hospital Dude works at and becomes friends with two of the other clerical/nurses that work there. A famous soccar player is staying there who flirts out of conrol with Girl, but she could careless. Dude starts dating his boss at the hospital who is crazy and she sets something up the kick Girl out of Dude's apartment because she wants Dude all to himself. Hospital friends set something up to catch that girlfriend is crazy and then show it to Dude who then of course, realizes that he loves Girl and happily everafter, or something like that.

Mayham ensues throught the whole thing. I don't even remember what happened but it was entertaining. I like books that know they are trash so they don't take themselves seriously at all. Books that try hard and end up being trash piss me off. For the most part, I love books that take place in London that were written by Americans. There are no details into the city, they are just using it as a setting and know about as much about it as me. I hate when people that I have never been to LA write about LA though. I guess I know too much about it. Weird. This book was not hung-up on the details, which normally I am, and I sort of was in this book, but it was so crazy, that I didn't really care as much as I normally would have. If that makes any sense. Girl's sister sends her dog over to London. How it got through customs, who knows? Who cares?! At least the author admits to that and moves on. I think it's when subjects are avoided, that is when it gets annoying. It's like they are just lazy and don't want to admit to it. Admit to it, we don't care.

Grade: C+
Profile Image for Melissa (Hiatus due to Death in Family).
5,123 reviews3,071 followers
May 22, 2019
2.5 stars
Lily Crandell ‘s life is a mess. Married to rock star Ted Dayton for a year and a half, Lily is now in the midst of a very messy divorce. This is made worse by the fact that Lily attacked Ted when she discovered he was cheating on her, adding an assault charge to the mix. Eschewing her expensive lawyer’s advice, Lily flees the U.S. and the tabloids intent on airing every bit of her dirty laundry, heading to London, where her ex-boyfriend, now good friend, Carter lives. She plans to relax and take stock of her life in relative anonymity.

What seemed like a great idea (just like her marriage) quickly turns ugly. Carter’s soon-to-be-ex girlfriend turns out to be a bit crazy and starts stalking him. She breaks into their apartment and steals a few things, including Lily’s passport—which Lily "borrowed" from her sister Lauren. Can Lily find her way through the mess she has made of her life? Does she really want a divorce, or can she salvage the relationship?

I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) takes a few characters from Lockwood’s previous novel, I Do (But I Don't). It's fun getting to visit with Lauren and Nick again and get caught up with their lives. Lily’s wry attitude sets a perfect tone for this book; she never takes herself too seriously and never claims to be nice. Her antics (such as signing Ted and his manager up for porn and spam e-mails, prank-calling at all hours of the day and night) are totally hilarious and provide just the right amount of humor to lighten what could be a depressing topic.

For light chick lit, I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) is a sweet treat. But if you’re looking for any deep introspection or life-changing revelations, this isn’t the place to find it. Lauren, unfortunately, has not grown up or matured at all, despite having one child and being pregnant with a second. She’s still immature and insecure, which is not a good balance for Lily’s strife. Overall, I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) is a fluffy, light choice, lacking in substance yet still satisfying as a palate cleanser.

Profile Image for Shelley.
1,227 reviews
January 23, 2017
This is book #2 of a chick lit read. I never read #1. Considering the first book was of the relationship of Lily's older sister, Lauren and her husband, I"m glad I missed it because Lauren is obnoxious, insecure and reading a whole book of her going off the deep end on everything would had been painful,and probably my book flying across the room. Lily was one step short of the above.

While the story was fluffy and none of the characters are likable, I could admit that the author had me entertained enough, because it was one crazy situation after another, and that could only happen in a novel....or in a movie. There aren't too many people, if any, who are broke, but can still run off (fly) to London, using her sister's passport (sure okay?!) to escape an unhappy life, and move in with an ex boyfriend. Then there's Lilly's very much pregnant sister, who uses her mother's passport (seriously of a woman who is probably 30 years older?!) She and 3 year old child run away too, to London, because she's convinced her husband is cheating (as if any airline would allow a pregnant woman to fly within weeks of being due), add in a couple of psycho girlfriends, a wedding, a stolen dog, a rescue mission, and a whole lot of eye rolling on my part. The big question is, who does Lily love, her soon to be ex husband or her ex boyfriend? Which one will it be for a "happily ever after"? I know! I know!












Profile Image for Annie.
479 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2011
I read this on Beth's recommendation and enjoyed her recommendation more than the book.

I stressed out on page 50 when the passport Lily "borrowed" from her sister was stolen. On page 69 I realized that this was not my kind of book when the main character said "The thing is, I liked Ted's mood swings. I liked not knowing which Ted I was going to get".

I didn't realize there are people out there who like living on that kind of an edge. I think that I would rather be thrown out of an airplane without a parachute than live on an emotional ledge created by my life partner.

However, my sister said that she loved this book so I perservered. And every time I started to stress I reminded myself that Beth was probably laughing at the parts where I wanted to run away FROM A FICTIONAL CHARACTER IN A BOOK!!

So yes, i'm sure I have problems, but we won't get into that. The point is this: I loved this book because I have a sister who makes me laugh and broadens my literary horizons in ways I don't expect. Without her, this book would have been meaningless. Because of her, it is memorable and reminds me why I am so grateful to have a wonderful sister like her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews

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