Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Details: ARC, Published in Hardcover, 338 pgs.
Published: Sept. 29th, 2011 by Dutton
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.
When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.
Sigh... is it over? Already?!
I wanted this book to go on forever. I fell in love with the characters, the setting, the romance... everything. I just loved it! It seems like I keep getting asked if it was better then Anna and the French Kiss. I don't know if it was or not. I think I liked it as much though. The thing is, in Anna I loved that it took place in Paris and that St. Clair had an accent. In Lola I loved, I mean really really really loved Lola. More then I loved Anna. And I loved Cricket but maybe not more then St. Claire, but I did love his style. Really, they are two different books that are both amazing. Amazing amazing.
I already mentioned I loved Lola. I loved that she was different. That she was herself and her personality popped off the page. She wasn't perfect. She made mistakes and she was a little stupid sometimes, but she's a teenager. Teenagers make mistakes and love isn't an easy thing as a teen. Geez, I was in love like six times as a teen. Or at least I thought so. But Lola's sense of style was actually something I could relate to. I was different like her as a teen. At least I tried my hardest!
Cricket is so stinking cute I could just squeeze him right now. You know, if he was real. I love that he was persistent without being persistent. Meaning, he was there for her, she knew that but he didn't try anything. He had an amazing personality and his kindness and thoughtfulness was just, well, HOT.
Lola and Cricket are the main characters but Lola's two dads are pretty awesome (they are gay dads) and her family life was pretty strong through the book. I really liked that. And I was really able to picture it all so clearly! I liked that they were a tight knit family but they still had their problems and their own ways of dealing with things. I think that Stephanie did a great job in making it all feel real.
Oh, and if you're me you're missing Anna and St. Claire. Well, don't despair! They're there! Anna works with Lola at the movie theater and St. Claire tags along. And they end up having some other connections. But basically they are friends with Lola and Cricket and make several appearances. As cute as ever!
EEK, this is getting long! And really all you all need to know is this, this book is brilliant!
Find the author:
This qualifies for the Diversify Your Reading Challenge. Go HERE to find out more.
