Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins Review

(Photo: stephanieperkins.com)

 

 

            If you have not heard of Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, you probably are not a fan of YA fiction. Anna and The French Kiss is a favorite among YA fanatics and I am no exception. Naturally, I had to pick up Lola and the Boy Next Door. After reading, I can happily say that Stephanie Perkins did not suffer from a sophomore slump, and I even like Lola and the Boy Next Door more than Anna and the French Kiss.

            Lola and the Boy Next Door follows Lola Nolan, a girl who lives in San Francisco and has a passion for outrageous costumes. Lola’s parents do not like Lola's older boyfriend, but Lola is perfectly content… that is, until the Bell family moves back in next door. Years before, Lola had a ‘thing’ with Cricket Bell. Now years later, it seems as if their spark has not diminished.

            I absolutely adore Lola and the Boy Next Door, even more so than Anna and the French Kiss. While I feel that Anna and the French Kiss is slightly too overdramatic by the ending (kind of like Degrassi), Lola and the Boy Next Door is consistently amazing. Although some may think that the plot is too similar to Anna and the French Kiss (character is already in a relationship, but likes the other character, etc.), the unique characters definitely make Lola and the Boy Next Door its own special novel.

            I LOVE Lola. She is honestly one of my favorite YA characters. She is just so unique. Her struggles didn’t just consist of liking a boy. She also has problems finding out who she truly is underneath all the costumes. 

            Cricket is such a cute love interest. Whereas I find St. Clair flirtier, Cricket is slightly awkward. He is literally so cute. Every time Lola walks into a room, he gets so excited. Seriously, it is adorable. I also like how he is an inventor. It makes him stand apart from other male YA love interests.

            Lola and Cricket have such a cute relationship. I find that some YA relationships come off as forced, but Lola and Cricket naturally fit together. Their relationship progressed a little too slowly for the fan girl in me, but I appreciate that they do not get together in a day. 

            One aspect of Lola and the Boy Next Door that is 'eh’ is Anna and St. Clair. While I like having them part of the story, I feel ar times they are just in the story too much. Throughout the entire book they act all cute-sy, and sometimes it is just cute over kill.

            So, why do I prefer Lola and the Boy Next Door to Anna and the French Kiss? It feels more real. Don’t get me wrong, Anna and the French Kiss is a realistic love story. But, it takes place in Paris, has a love interest with a British accent, and the final kiss overlooks the entire city. Lola and the Boy Next Door takes place in San Francisco with just an average boy next door, which I personally find more relatable.

            All in all, Lola and the Boy Next Door is not one to be missed. I can’t wait for Isla and the Happily Ever After! 

 

Disclaimer: I purchased Lola and the Boy Next Door with my own money. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books Featuring Travel in Some Way

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Today's 'Top Ten' is Top Ten Books Featuring Traveling in Some Way. So, let's get started!

1. Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen- This is one of my favorite Sarah Dessen books. Colie is shipped to Colby Beach while her mother tours around Europe. Such a good story!
2. Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson- Taylor travels to her old lake house to spend one last summer with her father, who is dying from cancer. This story is so sad and not your typical summer novel!
3. Cloaked by Alex Flinn- If you love fairytale retellings, you'll loved Cloaked. It isn't your typical Cinderella retelling either; it is a mixture of a few different and more obscure fairytales. It follows a poor teenage boy as he goes on a wild adventure around the Florida Keys in search of a prince-turned-frog. Although it isn't my favorite Alex Flinn novel, it's still a great story.
4. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler- This is one of my favorite books EVER. Anna travels to Zanizabar Bay with her friend Frankie, where they plan to meet twenty boys in twenty days. Like Second Chance Summer, this isn't your typical summer novel. I was basically in tears throughout the whole thing!
5. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen- Another one of my favorite Dessen novels. Auden travels to Colby Beach to spend a summer with her father and his new family. It has romance, depth, and great characters. Love it!
6. Just One Wish by Janette Rallison- Just One Wish is my favorite Janette Rallison novel. In the novel, Annika travels to Los Angeles to find a famous movie star that plays Robin Hood and bring him back to her brother, who has cancer, before he he gets surgery. On one page I was laughing and on the next I was nearly in tears. It's so sad, and definitely Rallison's best novel!
7. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares- This is seriously the ultimate travel book. Carmen goes to NC, Bridget goes to Baja California, Lena goes to Greece, and well, Tibby stays at home. I seriously love this book. It makes me sad, happy, and everything in between. I absolutely love their friendship!
8. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks- Trust me, the book is WAY better than the movie. Ronnie goes to Wrightsville Beach to spend the summer with her father. This book. THIS BOOK. I have read it nearly ten times and every time it just GETS ME.
9. Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler- Ockler is one of my favorite authors and I love Fixing Delilah! Delilah travels to her deceased grandmother's house in Vermont for the entire summer to prepare for her grandmother's funeral and sell her grandmother's house. As always, Ockler delivers an awesome story that makes me want to just jump and scream and fangirl all day long. Click here to read my review on Fixing Delilah.
10. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- Everyone has heard of and read this book. Anna is shipped off to a boarding school in Paris and there she meets the wonderful Étienne St. Clair. It's such a cute story!

Disclaimer: Top Ten Tuesday is created by The Broke and the Bookish. I am not being compensated for this article. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Book Haul: June 2, 2013

 

Today I purchased Lola and The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I enjoyed Anna and The French Kiss, so I am excited to check this one out! Plus, I only paid two dollars for it.