What Not To Were

Paris, Texas #2

by Dakota Cassidy

Rerelease

Welcome back to Paris…Texas, that is. Where witches, werewolves, and magic rule the day. Or do they? Passion, missing memories, and a looming deadline will keep you turning the pages of What Not to Were by USA Today bestselling author Dakota Cassidy.

Werewolf Calla Allen’s ready to take her relationship with hot warlock Nash Ryder to the next level—the one where, after months of dating, they finally make the long anticipated woot-woot. (Yay!)

It’s been a long road getting to where she is in her life, and Calla finally feels comfortable enough to share that with the man she’s fallen wildly in love with.

And gorgeous Nash is more than ready to commit—until he wakes up after an incredible night of passion and finds any memory of Calla on the missing list. (Boo!)

Now she has to make him remember or lose him forever. And the proverbial clock is ticking…(EEK!)

Content Contemporary, Paranormal, Romantic Comedy, Magic, Witches, Wizardry, Fantasy, Demons, Folklore, Mythology, Wicca

Previously (2015) What Not to Were, Romancing the Paranormal Anthology

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Magic, Witches, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Audiobook

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2015

About the author

Dakota Cassidy is a national bestselling author with over thirty books. She writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, grab-some-ice erotic romance, hot and sexy alpha males, paranormal shifters, contemporary kick-ass women, and more.

Invited by Bravo TV, Dakota was the Bravoholic for a week, wherein she snarked the hell out of all the Bravo shows. She received a starred review from Publisher Weekly for Talk Dirty to Me, won an RT Reviewers Choice Award for Kiss and Hell, along with many review site recommended reads and reviewer top pick awards.

Dakota lives in the gorgeous state of Oregon with her real life hero and her dogs, and she loves hearing from readers!

Connect with Dakota online: https://twitter.com/DakotaCassidy https://www.facebook.com/DakotaCassid...

Join Dakota Cassidy’s Newsletter The Tiara Diaries! Join here: http://mad.ly/signups/100255/join

Reviews

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE REVIEW

Why this book?
I really liked the other book in the series

What I thought

Calla is werewolf who finally has sexy times with the man she loves, but when they do he forgets all about her. That's when all the craziness starts to happen. All her family and friends make it their mission to make Nash remember Calla. I really enjoyed this book! It was fun and entertaining and it keeps you guessing! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm normally a person that is "easy" to please readingwise, so i'll start of with the only negative point i have about this book and why i gave it a 4 star rating.
as the book starts you get thrown so many characters at you it's hard to keep them apart, it felt a bit like a mess and i had to reread that first chapter to get to grips with who was who.
the negative out of the way!!!!

I did enjoy the rest of the book once i got the characters sorted. it's fast paced and witty. the familiars should get a book for them alone, they're simply hilarious. Not to mention the "oldies" staying at the center, they're even crazier!
Calla and Nash, werewolf and warlock, an odd pair matched and glued together at the hip since they were kids. Calla had left town for a few years but upon returning the sparks that where there in the past are still there in the present. Deciding to take things slow and get to know each other as adults, it has the whole town in a buzz as to when they'll indulge in the big whoopdiedoo. It's just heartwarming how the town is rooting for them. D-Day (or night) has passed but it's the morning after that changes everything and has them pulling together to set a huge wrong right again!!
Will they get their HEA? you'll just have to read to find out, it is well worth your time and you're bound to giggle on many occasions, maybe shed a tear on another.

[Ewa ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable, fun.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike the first book, this one started mid-romance, that of Calla and Nash. It’s been a slow burn for the couple, but Calla feels that she’s finally ready to take the next step with him. And their night together is everything she imagined it would be. The next morning… not so much. What meant everything to Calla means nothing to Nash. He remembers nothing at all about their relationship. But her friends and the seniors at the center she runs are determined to help Nash find his way back to Calla.

The unique way their romance played out, almost in reverse, was fun. At times, it was almost bittersweet as Calla revisits memories that make her realize what she stands to lose if Nash doesn’t remember. It also heightens some deeply personal insecurities, a struggle which many women can relate to.

There are some deep plot lines in this book, some dark moments, which gave the story a lot of depth. And, of course, all kinds of twists and turns!

[Rebecca French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish.. too confused.

Don’t get me wrong.. I love Dakota Cassidy’s style of writing, and find her books humorous and well paced.

BUT... I plunged into the first book in the Paris, Texas series... recognised that the series seemed to overlap another previous series, but persevered.

This book (novel #2) started in the middle of a romance, with a very slight link to the previous book, with a huge cast of new characters and a whole plethora of plot holes. I am pretty good at side stepping plot holes and continuing on, but this was like dodging plot canyons... so much information that I was presumed to already have.

I enjoy the author enough that I happily paid a good price for this book... and am stopping only 25% of the way through. I will tackle Dakota’s backlist of books at some point and will hopefully re-read What Not to Were when it makes more sense.

[Darla Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Werewolf, Calla Allen, has been seeing Nash Ryder, a warlock, for three months and they have put off the final step until they really knew each other. When they finally consummate their relationship, Nash doesn't remember Calla the following morning although he remembers everyone else and the events that he and Calla attended. Calla had put off the inevitable due to a bad reaction from a previous man in her life over a birth defect so at first she believes Nash has pretended to not know her so he can call things off. But it seems there's more to what happened and there's a time limit to fix things.

This is the second book in Dakota Cassidy's Paris, Texas series and a fun read. However, like the first, there are a lot of errors throughout which diminish the story for me.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am really surprised but I really don't like this series. I do remember liking her other series and has always wanted more to read. I just can't say the same about this series, I can barely get thru it and as is there is a big gap in this book that I skipped.

I read about half way really where they were getting together, had their ways with each other than next day Nash don't know her anymore this is when I skipped to the 2nd to the last chapter and found out who the bad witch was.

I am not going to continue with this series. I think I grew out of the double entendre, full of none sense talking and nothing happen to half the story type of cozies.

[Tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book a second chance as a challenge. At least I finished it this time. My opinion stands though that this book is pretty awful. The only reason I'm giving 2 stars is because I DID like the romance (as weak as it is) between Calla and Nash. Unfortunately, their romance was overshadowed so strongly by the supreme idiocy of everything else.

Side note... I may have to rethink Cassidys' status as an auto-buy author as the last 5-10 books have been giant flops for me...

Also my library e-copy ended at 62% with a sample of the next book filling the rest.

[Imarru · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contains a mild spoiler…
Was just disappointed with this one. Just wasn’t liking it. So many characters and hard to keep track. And didn’t feel like there was much romance, which is disappointing in a romance book.
And then of course the villain turns out to be gay and is of course the only gay character.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

We only meet to part

Terrific! What would you do if after a night of passion - he didn't remember you? Watch the battle for his memory and love unfold. But who is responsible? Read the book and find out. You won't be disappointed. An absolutely fabulous series.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama's don't let your babies grow to be cowboys...

Internet are Nash Ryder! Hot and sexy on a stick! Fun and funny book as usual! But I was so hoping Denny was the bad douche rocket!! Love thezbokks

[Sheila Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the, "Paris, Texas Romance Series", by Dakota Cassidy. I found this book was well written and well paced, entertaining, and hard to put down. I enjoyed the creative storyline. Very well worth the time to read. Looking forward to the next in this series!

[Lois Alston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun story

Lots of laughs. Believing in yourself. Finding your other half. Finding what you did not know you were looking fot.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book better than the first one.

[Tessa in Mid-Michigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely a 3. Plotting and characters are fine, if simple. Obvious what will happen. Crude as the first one, although there is only one graphic sex scene. Not nearly as funny.

[Nancy Bodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story!

This was another well written quick read. This was filled with humor and was just a all around fun book to read!

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

On to book three

[Susan Elizabetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fantastic and fun writing style takes me to Paris, Texas a place where Witches and a few werewolves live. Enjoyable and entertaining fantasies to read.

[Purdylox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read and it was so cute. The seniors at the center are adorable. I also pegged the "bad guy" but decided I was wrong then was shocked I had been right.

[Scroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a problematic piece in the resolution... such a downer. :(

[Sharon White · Rating 5 out of 5]

it doesn’t matter which book u read Dakota Cassidy rocks

A town you want to see, characters you will love with a story you can’t stop reading. Can’t wait for another book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was frustrating due to the amnesia thing but I always love me some Dakota Cassidy.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a fun read!

These books are so fun to read. The characters make the book and the plots are so different than anything I’ve ever read before.

[Angie Titus · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I found the first 1/3 a little slow, but I really enjoyed the rest of it. Bits of it made me quite sad. In all, it was satisfying.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

another fun adventure from dakota cassidy

[stephanie huntington]

Fun and entertaining

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second novella in Cassidy's Paris, Texas series takes place about a year after Witched at Birth. Werewolf Calla Allen has recently returned to her home town and now runs a senior center for elderly witches. She's been dating warlock rancher Nash Ryder for three months and is finally ready to consummate the relationship, much to the delight of the entire town who are placing bets on when it will happen. But after the big night, Nash wakes up with no memory of Calla.

The romance story is essentially told in reverse, as the couple recreate the highlights of their relationship trying to jog Nash's memory. His personality still shines through and it's kind of refreshing to see a hero who's genuinely a good guy. It's also bittersweet because remembering his good qualities just reminds Calla of what she may have lost and reinforces some of her insecurities. Although Calla's struggle is supernatural in origin, it will be relatable for many women.

Winnie from the first novella plays a big role in the story, as do her friends Greta and Daphne. But the real stars of the supporting cast are the sassy seniors. I also really liked Twyla Faye, the talking iguana and former familiar who has a crush on Winnie's familiar Ichabod. I'm enjoying getting to know all the colorful characters in this fictional, paranormal Paris.

Despite the recurring characters, What Not to Were can be read as a stand alone. It doesn't have major spoilers or require knowledge of Witched at Birth.

Review based on a copy provided by the author.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall
Performance
Story
"Not your usual romantic comedy!"
If you're like me, you know (and love) the predictable structure of a romance - leading lady and hero meet (or meet again), there's an obstacle (or more) to overcome, but in the end you know they'll finally get their happily ever after.

This one isn't like that. It starts off with the happily ever after, then the obstacle - our hero doesn't know who the leading lady is anymore. I was riveted by the turn-about. I didn't necessarily know where the story was going to go next and there was more than one plot twist that took me by surprise.

Meanwhile, Dakota Cassidy included the classic elements of a rom-com: quirky friends you wish you knew, lovable family members, embarrasing situations, charming small town, and yeah, a sex scene that's tender, sweet, and totally hot.

All of this is brought to life by Hollie Jackson, who continues to impress. She convincingly voices very divergent characters with distinct sounds. I could easily tell which character was speaking at any given time, whether it was a 300+ year old werewolf, our leading lady's BFF, or a Southern belle of a talking iguana.

I was given this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review, and honestly, I loved it! This is book 2 in the series. I'm off to buy book 3 so I can listen to it next!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, there will probably NEVER be a story written by Dakota Cassidy that I don't love, and find myself constantly laughing through. This story expands on the characters we met in the last, and we are introduced to new characters that we end up loving just as much. Although this is technically part of a series, it focuses mostly on new characters and their story, so it is possible to read this as a stand alone as well. If they mention previous characters, it's not confusing as to who they are...they fit into the story really well, even if you hadn't read the first book.

I really liked the premise of the story (which I won't give away), and how an entire town -- along with some feisty seniors -- came together to make sure a mystery affecting a true love gets solved quickly. No matter what wacky things ensue!

I also have to say that in the last book, my only complaint was in the narration, and the tone the narorater chose didn't seem to fit. I DO NOT have that complaint this time. The narration was really great this time, and it felt like the narrator was more comfortable with her characters, was more a part of the story, rather than just reading it and trying to focus on voices. I was not distracted at all by the narration, and was fully immersed in the story. I really look forward to finding out what happens next in the crazy town of Paris, Texas!

[Julia Red Hatter Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. A modern love triumphs all story with great characters, humor, and a dash of mystery. This book had me sighing at all the right places and frustrated in all the right places.

This is one of those books where I loved all the characters. Each one of them brought so much to the overall story and really made it not only a love story for Calla and Nash, but a love story for the town. I want to settle down in Paris, Texas and love on all the seniors in the the senior center.

The bond with Calla and her Grandfather was so amazing to see. Teared me up a bit, having had the same with my Grandfather. He loves her unconditionally, even though her old pack sees her as less than. I was excited to see the scenes with him in it.

Calla and Nash. Woo boy, where can I get a Nash? He's the right amount of sweet and sexy. I really loved them both as characters. They were great with each other and you could see the connection they had.

In other words, buy the book. You won't regret it. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good love story mixed with a dash of danger. Can't wait to see what else is in store for Paris, Texas!