Stephanie Perkins : LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR

Warning! Prepare yourself for an overload of feelings and love.

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR is a second book in the Anna series written by the wonderful queen of romance - Stephanie Perkins.


I have read both previous novels in this series and absolutely enjoyed them both. I  loved Anna & The French Kiss, but I absolutely adored Isla & The Happily Ever After. Naturally, I couldn't wait to read Lola's story. So when me and Sara from CARPELIBRUMGIRL were looking for this month's choice for #ZCbookclub, we both immediately agreed on Lola & The Boy Next Door.

And what a wonderful choice we have made.

*****

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion.. she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit - the more sparkly, more wild - the better. And life is pretty close to perfect for Lola, especially with her hot rocker boyfriend. That is, until Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighbourhood and unearth a past of hurt that Lola thought was long buried. So when talented inventor Cricket steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally face up to a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

*****

The edition. Paperback. 373 pages divided into 34 chapters. The edition perfectly matches the other books in the series. This one is toned to lovely orange tones with the picture of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Bold white lettering announcing the title of the book. Simple, yet quite romantic. The design is a welcome familiarity which wraps around you like a security blanket, promising a beautiful story inside.

Ms Perkins' story telling doesn't fail to impress either. She is has this wonderful talent to tell you a romantic story in a modern way which never fails to grab you straight from the start and it won't let go until the last page. And even then, you are left wondering, lost in thought, considering the story all over again. It's beautiful. With Stephanie's name on the book, you are always guaranteed a story which will stay with and changes the way look at love. And this book is no exception. Straight from the start I have been hooked. The story and writing is easy to read and follow. It's packed with twits and turns you don't see coming. It's funny. Smart. Hilarious at times. Filled with dialogues on various degrees of awkwardness but filled with satisfaction. The wonderful love story just shines through.



The story.. Well I have to say that Stephanie Perkins is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Her stories never lacks romance and good plot line which leaves you with so many wonderful emotions and feelings. Lola & Cricket's story is not different. It is heartbreaking and frustrating at times, but it is worth the reading. You will find yourself invested in the story immediately and your admiration will only grow with each passing page.



Lola is such a wonderful charming original character amongst the modern version of heroines. Most of the YA novels write about strong girls fighting for the world, but Lola is different. She is quirky, with a unique sense of style who doesn't care what others think of her. She has been through heartbreak in her life and it only made her stronger. But she has some issue as well. Which, as the story continues, she learns to face. Now, Cricket is an unlikely male main character too. He is funny, smart, but shy. He seemed to be in his sister's shadow for most of his life and only recently learns to get hold of the reins on his own life. He is in love with a girl, but she might not love him anymore as he messed up in the past - big style. You cannot help but love and admire both main protagonists.

I did also enjoyed the family issues and problems raised in this story. These troubles are familiar to so many of us so we can easily relate to the story. And that makes the story extra special.


So all in all, I love LOLA & THE BOY NEXT DOOR. It was a wonderful part in very beautiful series of books written by an author who has a strong hold on what people want to read. Now, it wasn't my favourite book in the series (yes, the first place still belongs to Isla's story..) but it I enjoyed it reading as much as Anna's story. And I did adored the fact that both Anna & St Clair were side kicks to the main characters.

Very well done Ms Perkins. Once again, you have prove yourself to be a queen of YA romance.