Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (no spoilers)

Book: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publication: September 29th, 2011
Source: Local Library
Read:
Summary (from Goodreads):

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. 

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My Thoughts:

I do have to admit I did not fall in love with Lola the way I fell in love with Anna, but with that out of the way, I still did love Lola and the Boy Next Door. Stephanie Perkins wrote the book after all and she writes love stories that make me swoon. Lola had a slow beginning, but it did eventually pick up. I just don't think I fell in love with the characters as much as I did in Anna. 

Lola grows up in a modern family. She was adopted by her mom, Norah's brother, Nathan, and his partner Andy. Lola is a different person every day. As the summary says the crazier and more expressive the outfit the better. Lola is an outgoing spirit and I enjoyed that about her. One thing that took me a while to get used to is Lola's choice of her older boyfriend, Max. I really tried and I really wanted to like Max, but I just couldn't. I know that Perkins meant it this way, but I just couldn't warm up to Max. Especially when Cricket Bell is in the picture. 

Cricket and Calliope Bell move back to the house next door. At first we know that something has happened between Lola and the twins, but it takes a while before Lola tells the story of their falling out. Then we get the experience to watch their relationship develop and Lola to find the path she wanted to go. That is when I really dived into Lola and started to enjoy the story a lot more. 

Another fun part of this novel is that Anna and St. Clair are back for brief snit bits throughout the story. The ending was wonderful. I enjoyed Lola and the Boy Next Door. I will be reading Isla and the Happily Ever After soon. I hope to enjoy Isla a bit more than I did Lola.