Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton

Pages: 338

Rating: 5 SPARKLY SPUNKY STARS! 

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.~Goodreads

 Oh, Lola. I loved her SO FREAKIN' MUCH. I loved her crazy costumes, her wacky wigs, and her bubbly personality! I loved her hopes and dreams and her insecurities and fears...she was just so real. Why on EARTH would she want to be like Calliope!? Calliope was a mean turd! And Lola was just so sparkly and funny and unique and inspiring! I want to be herrr!!

So, I was kind of surprised that Lola was dating someone like Max. I mean, even though I actually liked him while they were together, they never really flew off the page for me. I saw no SPARK...ya know? Lola was just so in love with him and Max barley wanted to put in the effort at Sunday brunch with her family.

Speaking of which, HER DADS!!! OMG! They're probably my favoritest thing about this book! NO. LIE. They were super protective and totally funny and so FREAKIN’ cute! Pretty sure they’re the best parents I’ve ever read about! They should have a spin off! Between them teasing Lola and hounding Max, they always got me to giggle! Yeah- I love, love, love, loved them!

And HOLY SNAP! On the topic of EXTREME love, guess who’s back!!?  YEP! YEP! Yep! Anna and St. Freakin’ Sexy Clair!! YAHOOOOOO!! I almost peed myself with excitement! AH! I heart them so much, gosh why are they so effing amazing together?! ZEEEEP! I was soo happy Lola worked with them! They played an absolutely fantastic roll in the story!

Now, you're probably wondering about the other boy who happens to appear in this wondrous story....Oh. My. Cricket! How freaking awkward and rambly and adorable was he?! Super! Annnnd he was just such a GOOD guy. Perfect for Lola! But oh crap. Member she had a boyfriend!? Daaaaaang!

But that didn’t stop me...errr I mean Lola...from wanting to see Cricket. And when he tells her all these things I got...I mean... Lola got all confused about her feelings and just angst! angst! angst!

Cricket + Lola + Window meetings = ♥
Cricket + Lola + Walks = ♥ 
Cricket + Lola + Naked Tiger Lady = ♥ 
Cricket + Lola = ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Picture the perfectest couple ever (soo, basically Anna & St. Clair....) and times their perfect adorableness by 50 million and you'll get Cricket and Lola!

Honestly! Stephanie Perkins knows how to write a FREAKING AMAZING COUPLE!! Her writing is pure brilliance and I think I may be in love with her.....

If you loved Anna and the French Kiss, there is no way you won't love LOLA!! Definitely pick this book up...yesterday! 


oh! and sorry about all the "freakings!"