TBB ▲: REVIEW: LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR BY STEPHANIE PERKINS.

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door
(Anna and the French Kiss #2)
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Edition: Paperback
Published: July 9, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Teen/Speak
Pages: 338
Source: Bought from National Book Store (signed)
Category: Contemporary, Romance
Trailer: not available.

Synopsis:

Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the negihborhood. 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.

Stephanie Perkins, you're so capable of making my stone heart melt like a butter under the sun. First was with Anna and the French Kiss and now this. You should know that you're the one.

I have been putting off reading Lola and the Boy Next Door for months now because I feel like I should save the best for last. But my friends' influence over on Twitter were making me so jittery that I know I had to pick it up now. Besides, I needed a happy read. And I finally did it! I have finally met the gorgeous Cricket Bell.

I literally just finished reading Lola 3 minutes ago and my reaction was 'WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE DANCE?'. I was waiting for people's reaction over Lola's ginormous dress but it ended with their sugary sweet moon and stars. I seriously wanted to know how the night turns out. But seriously, I think it ended just at the right moment.

But.

I find some things off with Lola and the Boy Next Door (even though I practically tabbed the entire book). The book was TOO bland for my taste. How each situation felt so staged that I could easily predict what happens next. Or how Lola's unbelievable reaction when she learned Cricket's back. I totally understand that in order for us to see the right one, we have to be with the wrong person first. But come on, she's been claiming she loved Max but she's easily distracted by the sound of Cricket's name alone. I know she's young and her character obviously proved that. I was on the verge of getting annoyed because she couldn't make up her mind. She's leading a good person on. It took her so long to figure things out (thanks to Ethienne) and I hated how she treated her co-workers when she's upset. She's rude and impolite. She totally doesn't deserve Cricket, to be honest.

Then we have Cricket. He is just TOO perfect (again for my taste). I couldn't see any human flaws because even if he screws things up, his reasons are valid. No physical imperfections or whatnot, only loved one girl his entire life, sacrificed so much for his sister. I mean, his character is swoon worthy but I think he's someone too ideal whom I would easily get tired off. No challenges with Cricket. (What is wrong with me?).

Despite those, I enjoyed Lola and the Boy Next Door. Lola's amazing wardrobe that screams YOLO, Gay dads (am just envious of Lola, I love her parents so much), loyal best friend and her uberromanticworthmarrying boyfriend, Lola is one of the laid back contemporary novels I've read. The typical (but not so typical if you know what I mean) family setup and everyday issues are truly relatable. And the exciting fact that Anna and Ethienne are also in the book makes my heart so warm my cheeks blush! It was so amazing how Perkins entwined their lives because I adored Anna and Ethienne! That was such a thrilling twist!

Lola and the Boy Next door is a sweet, colorful and warm read. With a romance so familiar yet all brand new, it would no doubt sweep you off your feet! It is definitely added to my growing recommendable books!

"Life is too short to be same person every day."

"Perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring."

"Sometimes a mistake isn't a what. It's a who."

"I know you aren't perfect. But it's a person's imperfections that make them perfect for someone else."

"I was crazy about you, but I didn't know what to do. It was paralyzing. There were so many times when I wanted to take your hand, but.. I couldn't. That one small move felt impossible."