My twelfth book review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola and the Boy Next Door
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 338
Published: September 29th 2011
Author: Stephanie Perkins

Summary from Goodreads:
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.

My review:
My goodness, Stephanie Perkins, you did it again! This book is just as AWESOME as Anna and the French Kiss. Luckily, I read Anna and the French Kiss just a month ago so I don't have to wait long for this book. (Nope, not lucky. Why did it took me so long to read Anna!!!) But still, I had to bite my nails waiting for the release date of this book. I think I'm almost crazy waiting for this book, although it's only a month away. Stephanie Perkins is my alltime favourite YA realistic author. She writes the best YA realistic stories out there. Just the names of her characters practically made me swoon and when I read the book, I swooning so hard, laughing, smiling like crazy. This time, we get to meet Lola and Cricket. It's set in San Francisco! Woohoo! Lola, what a cute name. Cricket, WOW! A very unique name and his surname is Bell! (Have any idea what this means? Won't spoil you anything though!). I love this book as much as Anna. I know many bloggers said that they loved Lola even more but I can't. I just love both books equally, same with the 2 couples: Anna & Etienne, Lola & Cricket. At first, I thought I had to choose between Etienne or Cricket, but I won't. They're both different but they still tug your heart and makes you swoon hard. Trust me, both are super duper swoon-worthy in their own ways. As always, Stephanie Perkins books made me unable to stop reading until I finished it in a day. I can't sleep, again. I kept on thinking about this book and how beautifully written it is! Stephanie Perkins totally has the talent to write a magnificent story with unbelievable characters and sweet romance (better grab my chocolates now!). 


Lola and the Boy Next Door tells the story of Lola, a budding designer who dresses in the most awesome costumes ever. I mean like big glasses, sparkly boots and cute dresses. She has hot rocker boyfriend called Max (Disliked him. Totally disliked him from the first). Her life is pretty perfect until the dreaded Bell twins return. Calliope Bell, the sister is a famous ice skater while Cricket is always in the shadow because of his sister's fame. But when Cricket returns this time, he is finally ready to step out of her sister's shadow and he goes to Berkeley! (A little spoiler here, to remind of you that this is a companion novel of Anna and the French Kiss. What does this mean? Yeah. You know. *evil smile*). Lola used to have a crush on Cricket but then something happened. When Cricket's back in the neighbourhood, she finds herself falling for him again. Cricket Bell. What an amazing name. I just can't stop smiling hearing this name. Not only his name's awesome, but his personality, looks are just awesome too. He wear handbands, tight pants and hair that tries to touch the sky. I love him so much. He's so sweet and totally loves Lola too. I love everything about him, especially when he sits on the window to talk to Lola. He's a gifted inventor, so creative that he can almost create anything. (A little spoiler: he made an elevator for Lola's barbie doll when they were both young. So romantic!) Geez, I might blabber so much about Cricket I'll spoil everything. The romance is so sweet. Stephanie Perkins always writes this romantic stories with amazing characters and I'm just in love with her books. I love every part of this book, including the cover. I think it's much better than Anna, because we get to see the representative of Lola and Cricket sitting on the window. 

Overall: BELL. COSTUMES. CRICKET. LOLA. INVENTOR. LOVE = SPEECHLESS. I just don't know what to say anymore. This book is perfect! Just like Anna and the French Kiss, I love this book so much. Stephanie Perkins is really a gifted author and I really want to thank her for writing this wonderful book. I recommend this to EVERYONE! EVERYONE should read this book and spread the love! I LOVE C.G.B!!

5 Forget-me-not flowers for Lola and the Boy Next Door. I would give more if I could but this is the highest rating. Actually, I would give all the forget-me-not flowers in this world for this book!

A little story of how I get my Lola copy:
I pre-ordered it online because I thought it would not be in my local bookshop until a couple of weeks. The order is already processed (it's hardcover by the way) and I went to the bookshop before my trip and found the paperback edition. With no hesitation, I grabbed Anna and Lola (I borrowed Anna from the library because I couldn't find it in the local bookshop) and bought them. So, I currently have a hardback and paperback of Lola and I'm a very proud owner of both books!! And now that I know Cricket loves to wear handbands, I'm obsessed with collecting handbands to wear, especially colourful ones!

Memorable heart-tugging quotes: 


Lola: If the person is...Lola?
Cricket: Only if the other person is Cricket


Cricket: But you'll want me someday? That feeling you once had for me...that hasn't left either?
Lola: It never left.


I know you aren't perfect. But it's a person's imperfections that make them perfect for someone else - Can you guess who says this one?

PS: As you read this review, if you guys have read this book, please vote for Etienne and Cricket in my blog sidebar. If you can't choose, choose the option you love both! Please leave me a comment to why you choose Etienne, Cricket or why both! Thank you so much!

Note: Hyperventilated many times when writing this review. Almost decided not to write this review because I really can't find the right words to say. This book is so beautiful that I cried. I cried because it's so touching and romantic. My all time favourites is Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door.  I am now going to cry because I have to wait until Fall 2012 to read Isla and the Happily Ever After. I just realized Isla is a character from Anna and the French Kiss!!