Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door By: Stephanie Perkins

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton, 338 Pages (September 29th, 2011)
From: purchased from Amazon

Synopsis: 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.

Review: 5 Stars - Lola and the Boy Next Door, sophomore title from author Stephanie Perkins was a book many of us have been waiting on pins and needles for since Anna and the French Kiss. What can I say? Perkins has done it again!

It’s safe to say that after reading this title, I will read anything that Perkins writes. She has penned some memorable and amazing characters that are easy to fall in love with and highly relate-able making this one of those books that once you pick up, don’t even think of having any plans on moving from your spot anytime soon, because you won’t be putting it down.

Lola and Cricket might be different and quirky, but how can you not read this book and love every last little detail of the two. Lola and her bright colors, wigs and endless accessories; Cricket with his writing on his hands, shy way about him and his own very different sense of style. Without a doubt each of these characters personalities were magnetic to me.

It’s nice to see family written into a YA title as well. It’s not often that we get to see and hear from a true family unit other than just the teens within the story. Perkins did a wonderful thing by including both Lola’s family and Crickets family as key parts to their story. It made everything about the book and characters more real and honest.

Anna and St. Clair from Anna and the French Kiss made an appearance here and there throughout this companion novel, which was such a bonus since I LOVED their story as well. It was fun to get a chance to check in with those two and see how they are. I was ecstatic to see them continue to show up within the story often and liked that they were involved in both Lola and Crickets lives.

All in all, love comes to mind when I think of this book. Love for the story, characters and writing. Perkins is a force within the contemporary YA genre. As mentioned at the beginning of this review, I will forever more read anything that Perkins writes. I can’t wait for Isla and the Happily Ever After and will be looking forward to seeing if Anna, St. Clair, Lola or Cricket will be making their own guest appearances. There’s no doubt that I recommending this title to anyone who loved Anna and the French Kiss and if you haven’t read that, I have no clue what’s stopping you – go out and get both of these titles and read right away today!

FTC Disclaimer: I DID pay for this book, and have NOT been compensated at all in any way or means for reading this book and or writing this HONEST review.