Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola and the Boy Next Door, by Stephanie Perkins. The GoodReads summary:

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.

Okay, so this might’ve been one of the most adorable books I’ve ever read--it gave me butterflies in my stomach and everything. But I kinda feel that enough bloggers have gushed over this book that we all get the idea that it’s fantastic, so I’ll settle for just listing my three favorite things about the book.

First of all, Lola: She’s so innately cool. And creative. And bold. And I just love her to death. I mean, she does do some stuff that annoyed me (aka lying all the time and leading Cricket on while still dating Max), and she can be super self-absorbed, but it just made her seem more real to me--yes, she makes mistakes, but she realizes it and tries to get her act together.

Second, Lola’s clothes: that girl has the most awesome sense of style I’ve ever seen (or read about, technically). I love her costume philosophy: “I don’t believe in fashion. I believe in costume. Life is too short to be the same person every day.” I so wish I was brave enough to wear all the crazy costumes she does. She’s pretty much inspired me to find ways to make my wardrobe a little funkier.

Third, CRICKET!!! I could write a whole review just about him--he’s pretty much the happiest, most exuberant, most ridiculously amazing boy EVER. He’s so freakin’ optimistic and supportive and honest. And geeky and awkward in the most adorable ways possible. Not to mention that he’s probably the best brother ever. I just want to know why there wasn’t a boy like that living next door to me in high school?

Overall, this book was so much fun to read--I was smiling like an idiot the whole time. I know some reviewers have said they like “Lola and the Boy Next Door” better than “Anna and the French Kiss,” but I think I like them both equally. If you haven’t read these two books, um . . . get started!