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

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Publishing Date: 29^th September 2011

Length: 384 pages

Keywords: YA, contemporary romance, San Francisco, exceptional style, boy next door

Source: Bought

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.

Summary by Goodreads  

Sequins, glitter and colours – that's Dolores' world! And because that name doesn't really keep up with her shiny personality, let's call that girl Lola.

I was cautious at first, not convinced that I would love this new protagonist Lola as much as good old Anna. She is that colourful and crazy and really talented, really creative girl. I can totally identify with creative, still I was afraid that she would be too sparkly. Once I started reading I gave up my resistance fast. Despite her sparkly appearance, she's got a very decent and down-to-earth, reliable personality.

Stephanie Perkins presents unique characters, who fill out the entire story.

Cricket is a complex character himself and although I knew how he felt about certain things it was still so much fun to figure him out every time anew. I loved him, and I wouldn't mind him playing with my mechanisms -does that sound too dirty? He's smart, a nerd, an inventor and has style. Swoon!

Cricket is such a fantastic protagonist and it was a nice change to actually know about his feelings. He isn't the bad boy or in-transparent mystery, he's simply the nice guy living next door. Exactly that makes him so adorable. 

We've got several issues like drugs, sex and also the gay couple who are Lola's parents.

I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to such topics, I encourage their thematisation, when dealt within a respectable and serious way.

Lola's two dads are too funny and I appreciated the way Stephanie Perkins pictured their relationship being very serious, at the same time involving light jokes. I was very amused and delighted by the two Dads!

The story is mostly about Lola and her discovering her feelings and what she'll make out of her talent.

I hoped there to be more accentuation on Calliope and Lola’s relationship since she's Cricket's twin sister. But I do like that there is so much interaction between Lola and Cricket.

And I was so happy to meet Etienne and Anna again, although funny as it sounds I first didn't get that it was the talk of the French kiss Anna when Lola talked about her co-worker Anna. It's awesome to get the chance to read more about them, their lives and their super cute love.

I can't wait to meet them all again in ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

1) it is told with style, a lot of glitter and sequins

2) of two very well-known guests, to ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS fans

3) it's all about contrasts and appeal

4) it's not about where you come from, but what you do with your talents

5) of the new telling about the moon and stars

5/5 ***** LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR- Sparkling, shiny and beautiful!

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR is like that new outfit you'll never want to take off again. This book just fits perfectly and is so comfortable. There are so many contrasts in LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR and it's delightful to have such a crazy and outgoing, extravagant heroine. Lola rocks!

 

* Haven’t read it yet? Read ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS now!

* Read an excerpt of LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR here. 

*  Click here to read about Stephanie’s Top 5 Must-See San Francisco spots. 

* Visit for further information about Stephanie Perkins and her books. www.stephanieperkins.com