Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Edited by: Stephanie Perkins
Pages: 384

Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the negihborhood. 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 Rating:✰✰✰✰✰

Brief Overall Review:

I read Anna and the French Kiss a while ago and while I did really love it, I had no idea how much I was going to love Lola and the Boy Next Door. People talked about Stephanie Perkins being an amazing author, but I didn't really fully understand that until reading Lola and the Boy Next Door.

I read this in less than 24 hours and it was absolutely amazing. I loved every second of it. The setting, the characters, the plot, the writing. It shocked me how much I loved reading this book.

Just from the beginning, I was hooked. I immediately got my idea of Lola and her life, and who she is as a character. This is by far one of the best contemporary books I've read. It is up there with Fangirl, no joke.
I have fallen so hard for Cricket Bell.

Detailed Review:

Lola was one of the best protagonist I've ever read from. She's different which might sound basic since a lot of protagonist are so called "different" but Lola was completely diverse and her own self. There's no way I would consider her just another main character in YA. She isn't afraid to be who she is and dresses in her brilliant, over the top costumes. She's spirited and fueled by her own energy and I have so much respect for that. I loved reading about the different looks she wore, the makeup, the wig, the whole outfit in general. And while seeing someone dress like that in real life might be strange to some people, it was completely her.

The only thing that annoyed me in this book was her relationship with Max. But I didn't absolutely hate it, because this book wouldn't be this book if it weren't for this relationship. Oh, Max. At first, I really did like him. Lola loved him and from his description, you couldn't help but understand why Lola liked him so much. In a band, tattoos, but glasses and an introvert?! Sounded good to me! And the thing is, Max wasn't really a bad guy which made it a little harder. It was clear that he did have feelings for Lola and did try to make things work out. Their relationship reminded me of Mia and Adam in the beginning, and I liked it, until he showed up.

It took two sentences, one line for me to fall in love with Cricket Bell. It was Lola's first encounter with him in this book, and I was done for. He was perfect. and the thing was, he was a nice guy! And people always say "nice guys finish last" and I've read quite a few "nice boy" characters that I was okay about in YA, but Cricket Bell....WOW.
 I haven't felt like this for a book boyfriend in the longest time. Words cant describe Cricket. He was there and knew what to say to Lola and I fell deeply in love with him. He adored her and my favorite scenes were with him. I loved the way he was described, tall with short enough pants to show his socks, stand up tall hair, rubber bands and words on his hand.
I know a lot of people aren't a fan of when the character has a boyfriend/girlfriend and then starts liking someone else, and I understand why. I hated that too. Things could've been solved if they just came together. They had that slow burning relationship almost were you just wanted to push them together and shout "Kiss!" I was waiting for it. And there were so many times that I thought they were going to! (when she went to his dormitory, at night when they went to that hill, when he went to her room)

That was probably one of the best scenes, where they looked at each other and he crawled on a bridge of a closet door to see her. CUTEST THING EVER. I haven't had such strong feeling since forever.

I loved the setting of this book and the neighborhood in San Francisco. The atmosphere was perfect. I loved how Cricket and Lola were neighbors and could see each other from their windows. I was scared that it was going to be a cliché story but it was not cheesy at all.

I also loved the side characters. Andy and Nathan! Right in the beginning of the book we learn that she has two dads! I loved that! I've never read a book where the parents were LGBT. I liked how we even got to see her birth mother, Norah, in the story. I even liked Calliope towards the end. Lindsey was a good friend!
Cameo! Yes! I was so happy Anna and St. Clair were in here! When it was said that she worked in the movie theater, and the name Anna popped up, I wanted to jump out of my seat and dance! I loved that they were actual characters and not just descried as a couple on the streets! They were still adorable and Lola really needed to see what true love was in her life, and thank goodness for St. Clair!

I couldn't stop reading this book and I've never read such an addictive read. I kept on reading and wanted to know what would happen. Cricket and Lola's relationship was addictive, and I was just waiting for them to be together. The ending was adorable and I really liked how a lot of things were solved. (Max, her relationship with Norah and her parents, helping Calliope) I loved how she did end of going to the dance with Cricket. It was predicted, but I still thought it was adorable.

I am so sad I finished reading this book. I'm not over these characters and I don't think I'll ever be.

I'm not sure how Stephanie did it. Her writing was flawless and this was the perfect cute contemporary.