Author: Stephanie Perkins
Pages: 338
Genre: Fiction
Source: Purchased
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. [via GoodReads]
I shall start this review with a warning… this is a gush-fest. Fan girl sighing, squeeing and high-fiving will follow… enter at your own risk.
Stephanie Perkins is my hero. Yes, Anna and the French Kiss was phenomenal – still one of my favorites. And yes, I do gush about it to random strangers at book stores and have even forced one or two of them to grab the book and rush to the nearest cashier. I can’t always say its to buy the book or to call security, but whatevah. With that said, and, of course, needless to say, I was uber excited when I heard about Lola and the Boy Next Door. But even though I was convinced it would be just as wonderful as AatFK, I always have that little nagging at the back of my mind that maybe it won’t be as good as the awesomeness that its predecessor was. Well, let me tell y’all, you have nothing to fear!! It was AHHHH-mazing!
Lola was as quirky and endearing as they come. I loved everything about her. Her fathers, her wonderful sense of style (the dresses, the wigs, the stockings and shoes… le sigh), her rocker boyfriend and yes, especially, the boy next door, Cricket. Love the name *high-five, Stephanie Perkins.* Cricket was everything a girl dreams of… at least, a girl like me (when I was younger of course). He was awkward, sweet, funny, and so lovable. I loved them individually and together.
While AatFK had more of a fairtytale feel to it, Lola’s had a more “real” vibe going. These characters may sound perfect, but if anything, they are perfectly flawed. They’re not perfect, they don’t have all the answers, and while I did have a goofy grin on my face for the most part, there were some moments that had me at the brink of tears.
Lola and the Boy Next Door was everything that I could have asked for in a book. I have not one single complaint (well, maybe that it ended – le sigh). Oh, and did I mention the many cameos that Anna and Etienne make… yep, they’re there too (squee!). I loved it! I think you will too.
My Rating:
10 comments:
Yay! One more for the LOLA squee-team. :) Stephanie's books are utter perfection ~ what I'd call the ultimate comfort reads but aren't too light that they lack substance.
To the non-contemp fans, I say GO TO PERKINS! *fist pump* :D
Lola is definitely one of my favorite characters. I love her uniqueness. I wish I had her courage at that age to stand out and completely be myself.
I have been hearing lots of good things about this author. I will have to read her at some point.
I *ADORED* "Anna & The French Kiss" so while I was excited to read about Lola, I was like "what if it's not as good?"
You have officially convinced me and now I'm uber-excited about this book!
Welome back my friend!
♥Isalys
I've heard so many awesome things about this book! I really need to read it!!!!!
I want this one SO BAD! I LOVED Anna and the French Kiss! It is probably my favorite YA book. The author completely cracks me up. I am a jealous one.
Nice review! I actually just finished reading Anna and the French Kiss, and I'm very excited to read Lola and the Boy Next Door SOON! It sounds like you loved the book a lot, and I'm glad to hear that it had such a "real" feel to it. Sometimes, that's what makes or breaks a book. :)
http://stephanysbookreviews.blogspot.com
So what you are saying is that you might have liked it a little bit? Just a wee little bit? Like shout it from the roof tops liked it? LOL!
Great Review Nely :)
PS My darn blog reader didn't catch the first few things you posted when you came back. Glad I decided to just swing by and check :)
I just recently read Lola and Anna and enjoyed them both. Although Lola was my favorite of the two. I'm looking forward to reading Isla and the Happily Ever After when it's finally released!
I didn't think it was possible to read a book better than Anna and the French Kiss but somehow Stephanie managed. It was extremely refreshing to see a "sophomore" book that exceeds the first book. The relationship between Lola and Cricket is even sweeter than the one that developed between Anna and Etienne in the first book. They have a lot more history that comes into the book together and you can't help but push for them to be together.
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