Lola And The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola And The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: September 29, 2011
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 384

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.

My Thoughts: You might remember my gushing review Of Anna And The French Kiss last year. I loved that book so much. It was incredible so Lola had a lot to live up too. Would it live up to the expectations, would it be incredible? Would it just be ok?

We are introduced to Lola Nolan. Come on, even that name is neat. She has a very unique style and is very creative. She lives with her two dads (this is a bit complicated story) and has lived in the same house forever. During the years a boy lived next door named Crickett. His sister is a famous skater so they move around a lot, coming back here and there. Rewind two years, and we find out Lola and Crickett liked each other, but nothing was ever done about it. They end on a bad note and don't talk for two years. Lola moves on to a new guy, Max. Max is 22 years old. Quite a bit older. He's also in a band and has tattoos.

Lola is going on with her life when a moving van pulls up and it's none other than Crickett's family. Oh no, what is she going to do? Can she face the boy who broke her heart?

As time goes on, Lola and Crickett connect again and get to know each other more and more. It's like he never left and she feels attracted to him for who he is.

But of course there are obstacles in the way. The boyfriend Max, Crickett being away at college, her family, his family, of course there has to be problems separating them. I'm going to stop right there, I don't want to ruin one bit of the plot. I want you to experience the magic of Lola And The Boy Next Door all by yourself.

And yes, there are some Etienne and Anna throughout the book. They are in it quite a bit actually which was kind of exciting.

When I started Lola And The Boy Next Door, I knew I was going to enjoy it. There is just something magical about Perkin's writing style. She makes you feel alive. She makes you feel like you are really the girl who is in love with the boy. She makes your heart jump, she makes your heart ache.  It was charming, cute, sweet, brain candy, and realistic.  

I loved Crickett. I loved how he made a bridge to connect their windows, I loved how he wore his pants tight, I loved the bracelets he wore and how he had to write everything down. I loved his love for his family. I loved how sweet he was.

I loved Lola too. I loved her sense of style, I loved how you could tell she wanted to be strong, but sometimes it just got to her and she had to let it out. I loved how she would speak her mind most of the time, I loved the different wigs and clothes she wore. I loved how she was proud of it.


Point blank, I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door. And this is the exact kind of book that makes me love YA. I adore Perkins. I adore Crickett and Etienne. How Perkins can create two totally different guys and make me fall in love with each of them the same is incredible.

Lola And The Boy Next Door was everything I hoped it would be. I did like Anna And The French Kiss a tad more but I think that has to do with Anna going to Paris, and who wouldn't want to meet a hot french guy?


Lola focuses more on having the boy you are meant to be with right in front of your eyes all your life. It has to do with romance, soul-mates, magic.

The whole time I was reading Lola I was mesmerized. There is just this sweetness about it that makes me want to jump up and down, and smile, and laugh. And be happy.


Overall: If you couldn't tell by now, I loved Lola! I want to go on a date with this book. A little extreme huh? Well, can I take Crickett on a date instead? Just for one night? Please Please Lola? If you haven't picked up Lola And The Boy Next Door, do it now! Go order it right now! While your at it, order Anna too!!!!

Lola And The Boy Next Door is a must read!!!

Cover: Love it! I loved Anna's cover too! I love how we get to see their faces this time and that they are sitting in a window! I also love that they look like how they are described. Lola is very stylish and Crickett even has bracelets on! Hot! Adore!

What I'd Give It: