5 Stars: Incredible
Series: Companion to Anna and the French Kiss
Hardback: 228 Pages
Publication: September 29, 2011 by Dutton
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.
After reading Anna and the French Kiss, I couldn’t believe that Stephanie Perkins could write a companion novel with a relationship as cute and sweet yet sexy as the one between Anna and Étienne. (Okay, I believed in her magical writing abilities. I just couldn’t imagine a couple as cute and sweet and sexy as the aforementioned.) Then I met Lola with her crazy fashion sense and Cricket with his mad inventing skills.
While the cover of Lola and the Boy Next Door is more whimsical than that of Anna and the French Kiss, this book also has a darker side to it. Rather than the guy being the two-timer, Lola is the one who is indecisive, and with her already having a rock-star boyfriend who is five years older… yeah. We know there are things going on, though we don’t see it happening.
That was the main thing I didn’t like about this book. I couldn’t understand Lola’s obsession with Max, her rock-star boyfriend, and her willingness to put up with him. I wanted her to hurry up and realize that Cricket’s the one–even though he broke her heart before–that there is such thing as second chances. Cricket is cute, sweet, and sexy in a different way from Étienne. He is the boy next door, the one you love all your life.
I could almost swear that I actually laughed out loud while reading this book. The rest of the time, I had a stupid grin on my face–and was probably giggling every now and then. Stephanie Perkins has a knack for writing books with cute romances and characters that will simultaneously charm and amuse (with personality and wit) everyone who will reads about them.
All you girls beware: you’ll be wanting an Étienne or a Cricket for yourselves after reading this book.
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Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Amber says
Absolutely loved this book! I am going to a book festival on Saturday and Stephanie Perkins will be there, so excited to have her sign my Lola book!
Crystal says
Lucky! Have fun at the book festival!!
Ελλάδα says
Andy and Nathan – Lola's dads – a pie bakery owner (via the kitchen) and a lawyer, respectively, are like any other dads. They enforce called check-ins when Lola is out, make the 22 year old Max come over for Sunday brunch, and freak when boys are in Lola's room. Norah, Lola's birth mom, even plays a role, by forcing Lola to open her eyes to things she maybe isn't willing to see. Lola's best friend Lindsey is not nearly as sparkly and colorful as Lola, but she's her best friend and is there for her whenever she needs her. Anna and Etienne St. Clair make an appearance or two as well, so if you loved Anna and the French Kiss, be prepared for some more fun from them.
Natalie Aguirre says
Thanks for the review. I don't usually read romances but I loved Anna and the French Kiss. So I may check this out.