Lola and The Boy Next Door
by Stephanie Perkins
Publication Date: Sept. 29th 2011
Published by: Dutton
Source: Gift
Summary:
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
Perkins delivers yet an inspiring and heartfelt book. Lola and The Boy Next Door... is an outstanding novel. If you love Anna and The French Kiss you will devour on this one!
Lola and The Boy Next Door is a story of a young girl named Lola Nolan; she’s a budding designer and loves to dress and mismatch clothes. Her dream is to attend the winter formal dressed as Marie Antoinette. She lives a life with full of colors like her dresses, fun, sparkly and outrageous. She has a rocker boyfriend and an ultimate best friend that has her back, she’s living the life but everything seemed to be perfect until the Bell twins returns to the neighborhood. Cricket Bell is a talented inventor but he gets outshines by her twin, after returning back to their home, will it bring back his feelings for Lola? Will Lola fall back for Cricket? But how about Max?
While reading this book I just have the feeling that I’m floating in the air, Perkins delivers a book that gives you jitters with every line. Just like her previous book Anna and The French Kiss this book is packed with a girl who you can definitely relate to and a handsome boy that will sweep you off your feet! The story is just very authentic that it seemed that it happened in real life. It was conveyed with a voice that I think everybody can divulge to. A story that is so adorable and cute that it will make you smile countless of times. Lola and The Boy Next Door is a story that will make everyone believe in true love, that no matter how long and hard the road is true love will always prevail.
Lola Nolan is what I can say one of the most exquisite, alluring characters that I’ve ever read. Lola has captured the voice of a girl that can represent every girl. Lola is a fun character to read, just like every normal teenage girl I think everybody can relate to her ups and downs. She grows up with beautiful parents, she’s living her life with her boyfriend and her best friend what more can anyone ask for? I really like Lola’s personality she’s fun to be with that I think I’ll be her instant friend when we meet. One think I just notice is that she over thinks which is really fine for me but when you overly think sometimes it gets overboard.
Cricket is just… ahhh I can’t explain it! He is by far one of the sweetest, romantic, euphoric characters that I’ve read. Cricket Bell has got to be the Perfect Gentlemen for me. His character is just admirable that I swear you’ll be head over heels with him. He’s also a budding inventor which I think is very unique for a character. Lola described him as a very humble guy, well mannered and definitely very tall! I think everyone would fall for a man like him. Cricket Bell has got to be the man of every girls dream.
Cover love for Lola and The Boy Next Door! I just love how it shows Lola having a wig and a great dress. I really love the cover model for this book or maybe it was how they were dressed? I love how they are sitting in a window; I think it shows how the window is connected with the story. But all in all I think the cover was amazing! I can never pick another cover for this book.
Overall the book was an amazing read. Lola and The Boy Next Door is a book that can remind you of your younger years. Perkins has got to be one author that can write a story with depth. This book tackles LGBT issues and I think Perkins did an awesome job with it. She wrote a story that everybody can relate to and for that I can say that she is one of my favorite authors of all time. Did I also say that this book has Anna and Etienne? Oh yes! If you’ve read Anna and The French Kiss, I think you’ll love Etienne more on this book! I recommend this book for people who are looking for a good read. I think the premise of this book is just a wonderful experience for everyone, real, engaging, fun and definitely adorable. Remembering the story of Lola and Cricket gives a smile to my face. Don’t dare miss this book out! A must read!
RATINGS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I'm Stephanie Perkins, and I write novels for teens (and for adults who aren't afraid to admit that teen books are awesome). I was born in South Carolina, raised in Arizona, attended universities in San Francisco and Atlanta, and now I live in the mountains of North Carolina amidst the waterfalls and wild blueberries.
My best friend is also my husband, Jarrod, and he's the most wonderful person I know. Every room of our house is painted a different color of the rainbow. We share it with two elderly pups and a pesky cat named Mr. Tumnus.
I spend my weekdays reading and writing. You can find me at my desk, drowning in tea cups and coffee mugs, staring blankly at my laptop. On weekends, you'll find me curled into the seats of movie theaters, hoping for the actors to kiss. I believe all novels and films should have more kissing.
It's difficult to pinpoint the moment I decided to become a writer. I've always loved telling stories, but it took years before I tried to make it my living. Even after I received a degree in creative writing, I worked hard to convince myself to do something else. To get a REAL job. I'm thankful the writing gods persisted. Still, I've always worked with books—first as a bookseller, then as a librarian, and now as a novelist. I love the way they smell, the weight of their pages in my hands, the Once Upon a Time of escape. I cannot imagine a life without literature.
