Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

When I started this book I wasn't sure about it. I mean it seemed like it would just be a repeat of the first book, but instead of the boy having a girlfriend the girl had a boyfriend. I almost skipped it since I was just so so on the first book. I am so glad I didn't. This book felt more real. It is one of the few books with high school kids I have read where it actually feels like the characters are teenagers. It was so sweet and just a great read.

I loved Lola and her costumes. I was incredibly jealous of her wardrobe and wigs and all of it. I wish I could have had that when I was her age. She is dating Max, who is a little creepy dating someone that young. I mean he wasn't that bad, but obviously it wasn't going to last. 5 years age difference isn't that much when you are older, but at that age it is huge. Lola she seemed very much like a teenager, and not in a whiny annoying way. She was smart, but confused and really thought she loved Max.

Cricket was so sweet. When it was revealed what happened to make Lola hate him it was so silly and insignificant and obviously not what really happened. But he still obviously cared about Lola a ton and was so nice. I loved him.

The ending was just perfect. I loved how it all played out and how Lola kind of found herself again. I can't wait for the next book to come out now.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★