Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Published: September 29th 2011
Publisher: Dutton
Page Count: Hardback, 372
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Chick lit
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository

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. - Good Reads

Stephanie Perkins is A-MAAAAAZING! I loved Anna and The French Kiss and was worried this wouldn't compare, but Lola and the Boy Next Door exceeded my expectations! ...and I think I might have even liked this more than Anna and the French Kiss, which I think is because I felt Lola's character and family was much more fleshed out and realistic feeling despite how unconventional she is. I still love Anna, but that was Lola's plus. I honestly felt from the summary that Lola might be a little too pretentious of a character for me, but she wasn't in the least. She's a very loveable girl. And CRICKET. CRICKET CRICKET CRICKET! When I read that name my little heart goes pitter patter. He has to be one of the best boys in Contemporary YA history. He's a little nerdy, but cool on the other side of the coin and he has a heart of gold. 


In my childhood I was a figure skating fanatic. I still have recorded vhs tapes of competitions from nearly every year between 1994-2002. Alexei Yagudin, Elena Berezhanaya and Anton Sikharulidze... Irina Slutskaya! Yes, obviously I root for Russia, but that's to be expected considering. But I loved all the figure skating references. I've never seen that before in YA novel and I was quite cheesed. I loved Lola's costumes and her courage to be so different. And I loved her family. I totally wish I had two dads! I think I could probably go on for forever about what I loved about this book and annoy the hell out of you, so I'll stop and say: READ THIS! It's just that wonderful! 

                        5 out of 5 Hello Kitties!

Review: Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins


Published: December 2'd 2010
Publisher: Dutton
Page Count: Hardback, 372
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Chick lit
Find the Author: Website, Good Reads, Twitter, Blog
Buy This Book: Amazon, Book Depository

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.
As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited? - Good Reads

Stephanie Perkins is pure evil. I started this last night before I went to sleep and thought I'd get read a few chapters and go to bed. Ohhhhh, hell no! I stayed awake until I finished it. And woke up at noon today with a massive headache and sore eyes. But it was worth it! I've heard over and over what a great book it is, so I was anticipating that it was going to be good, but I wasn't prepared for how addicting it would be. 


This book has a variety of things I love: boarding school, a lovable boy with an English accent, a believable, well developed and sweet love story, an interesting location and just enough angst to satisfy without being annoying. I like to be able to jump out of my seat and yell, "Oh no he/she didn't!", but not have it so dramatic that it makes me throw the book across the room in fury because of the obvious stupidity. This was definitely the perfect amount. I've been so caught up in books with heavier or darker themes lately and it felt good to read something light, cheesy and fun. 


Go read this book. Seriously! I bet you'll love it! 


                                              5 out of 5 Hello Kitties