Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Stand-alone with two companion books
Genre: Contemporary Romance (YA)
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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.
There are a few very slight spoilers in this review. However, I don’t think it will ruin the book for you if you haven’t read it.
I was so excited to read Lola and the Boy Next Door because I loved Anna and the French Kiss so much. And, even though I love Anna more, Lola didn’t disappoint me. It was such a fun story!
I loved Lola’s parents (all three of them). You could tell that they really loved her and wanted what was best for her. I also loved that they weren’t absent like most parents are in YA stories. It made for some interesting dynamics.
“I was crazy about you, but I didn’t know what to do. It was paralyzing. There were so many times when I wanted to take your hand, but … I couldn’t. That one small move felt impossible.” Cricket
I loved Cricket from the get go. He was such a great guy. He was so nice and so devoted to Lola that I almost thought he was too good for her. But, in the end, I changed my mind and realized that they were perfect for each other.
I had a hard time with Lola a little bit. Most YA characters act older than they are, but I felt like Lola acted her age–seventeen. And, because of that, she seemed a little immature, whiny, and selfish at times. But, she grew on me and I realized she was just confused and didn’t know what she wanted like most teenagers her age. By the end of the book, I really liked her.
I loved reading about all of her awesome outfits. I kept thinking how would it be to dress like her? It would be so fun, but I don’t think I could deal with the insults like she did. I’m too self-conscious. I’m glad she was able to find herself because she struggled with who she was amidst all her crazy outfits.
I especially loved seeing Anna and Étienne from Anna and the French Kiss. It was so much fun to see them from a different perspective and to see that they were still together. Seeing them also reminded me of how much I loved Anna and the French Kiss. I may have to reread it soon.
I’m looking forward to reading more books by Stephanie Perkins and I can’t wait for Isla and the Happily Ever After, the third companion novel. It’ll be fun to see if they all end up in Paris for the reason I think they all would end up there and to see if all three couples come together as friends.
Content Warning
There are a couple of instances of the F-word. Also, this story is a bit edgier than Anna and the French Kiss, but I still loved it.
About Jenni Elyse
I keep hearing rave reviews for this one. I’m going to have to get myself a copy. Am looking forward to reading about all the funky outfits Lola wears. I understand what you mean about YA voices usually sounding much older. It does make it so much harder to relate to the ones that actually sound like a 17-year-old! But I think I’ll keep hoping there are some very mature 17-year-olds out there as well
There are definitely mature 17-year-olds out there. Lola just wasn’t one of them, lol.
It seems like people are liking this one. Whether it’s more than Anna or less they still like it. I’m so curious what I’ll think because I wasn’t blown away by Anna but I did like it. I got this one for Christmas and it’s next on my TBR list so I guess we’ll soon see.
I’ll be interested to see if you like it. I’m not sure you will, lol. But, we’ll see.
I’m glad you like it, I checked it out of the library and can’t wait to get started as I LOVED Anna.
Thank you for the review!
I hope you enjoy it!
Have fun!
Gah I just need to pick this book up and read it already! It’s sitting on my shelf, begging me to read! I’ve heard so many great things about this book.
Nerd Girls at Books to the Sky
LOL. I have so many books like that. I hope you get to this one soon and like it!
Ooh I can’t wait to read this one it’s been sitting on my shelf for TOO long! YOu’re making me really anxious to get to it asap! Wonderful review!
Giselle
Xpresso Reads
Ha! I know what you mean. I have a ton of books like that myself.
Lola was hard b/c you’re right – she acted like a teenager. Because I liked her, I wanted her to take her head out of the sand and see awful Max for what he was much sooner than she did. But she acted just like a real teenager would have.
Her dads stole the show. One of the best parental portrayals I’ve read. And I liked that her mother turned out to have more substance than I initially thought.
I agree with you. I wanted her to break up with Max a lot sooner than she did because he was such a jerk. I loved her dads. They’re lines were thoughtful and funny. And, I also liked how her mother turned out to be important to her too.
This was such a fun read! Like you, I preferred Anna and the French Kiss, but this was a blast to read.
It was a blast to read, wasn’t it?