Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Penguin (Dutton)
ISBN13: 9780525423287

5/5 Stars!

Goodreads 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.

  

Oh, Lola. I don't even know where to begin with you.

Enchanting? Not quite. Captivating? Almost...
Bliss.
Now, that's better.

Reasons to Read "Lola":

1. A perfect escape:No, this isn't a literary classic by Jane Austen. But sometimes you just need a break from heavier, darker, angsty novels. Do I love those ones too? Absolutely. But once in a while I just want a book that makes me smile and giggle to myself and miss my boyfriend even more. 
2. This is what love is about:I don't know if you know this yet, but Stephanie Perkins writes incredible YA romances. Seriously, they're perfect. How many authors can express this sense of sweet nostalgia for those ideal crushes? But Stephanie nails it every single time. 
3. Cricket Bell:I shouldn't even need to explain this one, but I will for those of you who haven't had the opportunity to be introduced to him yet. Tall, kinda nerdy, hot, and an absolute sweetheart. He isn't your typical love interest from YA. He gets embarrassed, he says awkward things, and sometimes he just doesn't make his move (for whatever reason).

Lola isn't Anna. They're similar books, but their voices and personalities are drastically different. Just like Etienne and Cricket are two different boys, both desirable in their own ways. And I actually really liked that, because I'll confess that I was a bit worried that Lola would just be another Anna with a few changed details. But I'm so grateful that it wasn't, yet it didn't lose any of Anna's charm.

So do yourself a favour, and pick up Lola today and just fall in love a little bit. ;)

Which is convenient for you, because I have this nifty little button below where you can purchase Lola from The Book Depository for only $11.19 AND free shipping worldwide. Pretty cool, right? Plus if you do that, you'll be contributing to Esther's Ever After giveaway prize fund via the Book Depository affiliate program!