BOOK REVIEW: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

 Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Published: September 29th 2011 by Dutton Books

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.

Rate: 5 out of 5 stars

My thoughts: 
     I am so gitty because of this book! I was one lucky person, when I found this book at the bargain store for only $1.99. I was about to go to Barnes and Noble to buy this exact book, but I stopped at the bargain store, and there it was!
   A little about the story: Every outfit Lola wears is over the top, and magnificent. Why? Because she's an aspiring costume designer. Lola's life is great. She's dating a hot rocker boyfriend, she has big plans for her winter formal, and her future is even bigger. Everything is perfect....until the Bell twins move back into the house next door. As they step back into Lola's life, all her plans start falling apart, and she, once again, finds herself falling for the boy next door.
     Lola.....Lola, Lola, Lola, Lola, Lola.......I wish I had you as a friend! I really liked Lola. Her crazy outfits were super cool, and her imagination is big! If you read the book, you can tell Lola has some problems. Her mom is a wreck, her parents are super strict, and she had a few opinions about her body image. Some of her problems are normal teen things, though. I felt i could relate to her just a little. I also loved her personality. she was fun to be around! And she wasn't afraid to show who she really was. I got a little irritated when she didn't just admit she loved Cricket. It took until 2/3 of the book, for her to confess she loved him. This was me through out most of the book:

     And Cricket...Oh, Cricket! How I wish he was mine! Lately, I've had a thing for the nice guy in alot of books! But I'm pretty sure alot of people love Cricket. It's inevitable! I loved how he was totally devoted to Lola the whole time. He Loved her ever sense they were kids, and still loved her after all the problems that happened! And he has a Fashion sense, so that's a plus!

     I found the writing really good! The reviews on good reads are all over the place, so my opinion might be different from the next person, but I personally loved the first book, as well as the second.  

     In a nutshell, this book was great! Not only do you get a great new set of characters, but a few known character show up! Characters by the names of Anna, and St. Clair! Yup, they're in this book! And they're Lola's friends! They don't play a big part in the book, though. They're more like the icing to the cake.

    

P.S.:Can't wait for the last book! I'm a bit irritated at the cover changes, though! Not good for a girl with OCD!

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.” 
― Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door

“Perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring."
I smile. "You don't think I'm perfect?"
"No. You're delightfully screwy, and I wouldn't have you any other way.” 
― Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door

“What just happened?"
"Your father invited the former love of your life in for pie."
"Yeah, that's what I thought.” 

― Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door

“Remember that day I made you the elevator?” he suddenly asks.
I give him a faint smile. “How could I forget?”
“That was the day I had my first kiss.”
My smile fades.
“I’m better now,” He sets the apple beside me. “At kissing, just so you know.” 
― Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door