Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
Release Date: October 3rd, 2011 (Aus.)
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback.
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.
My Thoughts:

Oh dear, how am I supposed to return to reality after entering Lola world in Lola and the Boy Next Door? All I can think about is CRICKET; and his insanely kind, loving heart, and how incredibly hot he looks on the front cover, and how unbelievably smart is, and how I wish he existed in real life so I could steal him from Lola. (Oh, but St. Clair is still mine J!)

Lolaaaa.(Don’t you just love saying her name out loud? ) I loved Lola’s character. She was outrageous, crazy, and had such a distinct and unique taste that there’s no doubt she’s the one and only Lola in the world. There can be no second Lola. She’s just that special. I’ve realised that in many books, it takes at least a few chapters for readers (or at least me) to gain an insight into the main character’s personality/character (even if the book is written in first person); at the start of a book, I usually have a neutral feeling toward the characters since I’m not familiar with their habits, personality etc. but in Lola’s case, it was completely different. It was like as soon as I started reading, I was already aware of just what sort of person she was, and I could tell immediately that I would like her. And of course, I was right.

I can’t say I enjoyed every moment of the book; there were times when I thought the story dragged, and not much happened. BUT, this is Stephanie Perkins we’re talking about and she can convert even the most stubborn anti-fans of similar books into hard-core fans of her own. The light and funny dialogue and the swoon-worthy scenes involving CRICKET was more than enough to compensate for the well…slightly less-exciting scenes.

Did I mention the ending? Oh, how I absolutely LOVED the ending. It was perfect. Definitely one of the best scenes in the book!

Throughout the book, I was constantly comparing Lola to Anna and the French Kiss; it was impossible not to. I must admit, I still like Anna and the French Kiss better. The whole PARIS setting totally swept me away and I guess I like St. Clair a tiny bit more than Cricket. I don’t know how I’m going to survive ONE YEAR until Isla is released! I guess I’ll just have to spend the year re-reading Anna and Lola until my copies become so worn that it won’t even be readable anymore. 

Rating: 4.5 stars


Quotes:
“So do you believe in second chances?" I bite my lip.
"Second, third, fourth. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. If the person is right," he adds.
"If the person is... Lola?"
This time, he holds my gaze. "Only if the other person is Cricket.” 


“I know you aren't perfect. But it's a person's imperfections that make them perfect for someone else.”