BOOK REVIEW ::
Lola and The Boy Next Door
Stephanie Perkins -
@naturallysteph
YA | Contemporary | Series Book 2
FIRST LINE :: I have three simple wishes. They’re really not too much to ask.
SUMMARY :: from the B&N website
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 ::
Holy fried butter on a stick, if THIS is what Stephanie Perkins brings to the table as second helpings, I don’t think my heart can survive a third attack with Isla later this year! Although it is not a direct sequel to
Anna and The French Kiss,
Lola and The Boy Next Door carries the same scorching intensity and introduces a whole new set of characters to fall in love with.
THE GOOD BITS
{Lola Nolan} Lovable to the power of love! She has the right balance of snark and sweet that makes her exactly my sort of people. I love that colorful wigs and costumes make up her closet - and she dreams of dressing like Marie Antoinette for winter prom. Lola is the very definition of unforgettable, and it is so very easy for readers to fall in love with her and want the absolute bestest of best lives for her.
{Cricket Bell} YUMZERS! Who knew a Cricket to be so scrumptious? I would dare to say that Cricket far outshines Etienne by a long shot. I am not sure if that is because he is definitely single when he declares his interest in Lola, but I know that was always the tricky part about Etienne in the beginning. Cricket was just the right sort of boy – adorable, smart, and quirky – and he fit just right with Lola that it was baffling to watch Lola try to resist and cling to her boyfriend Max. Especially when Cricket offers to help Lola with her tricky costume design!
{Cameos of Anna and Etienne} OMG, my heart nearly skipped a beat as these two came on scene. Their love sparkled with such sigh-worthy brightness to cause envy, but Anna and Etienne mostly kept to the sidelines unless called out to advise Lola with her relationship troubles. Stephanie Perkins did not have to include Anna and Etienne to make this story work, but I am always so THRILLED to see familiar characters make guest appearances (usually in romance series). It feels like they are giving a blessing or guidance to the new couple in the spotlight.
THE BAD BITS
{Nothing!} Are you crazy? Reading
Lola and The Boy Next Door felt like inhaling the most heavenly slice of white chocolate raspberry cheesecake without any regrets whatsoever.
THE OVERALL
I thought it would be impossible to top
Anna and The French Kiss, but apparently Stephanie Perkins was just getting warmed up with her debut. Without breaking a sweat,
Lola and The Boy Next Door picks up the baton from its predecessor and ran seven leagues further with breathtaking delight. I cannot wait to see how much higher in the clouds this author takes us with her next book!
DISCLAIMER :: BOUGHT
RELEASED SEPTEMBER 2011 BY DUTTON BOOKS (PENGUIN)
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES :: ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER
