Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

I should probably warn you now, I'm not going to summarize Lola and the Boy Next Door like I would for my "normal" reviews. Why? Because there's no way that I'm going to do it justice, so I'm going to do us all a favor by not trying--seriously, I will sound like a huge fangirl. Let me put it this way, I can't imagine hating a novel that Stephanie Perkins writes and as long as she keeps writing, I will keep buying her books. They're sweet, romantic, and best of all, I can't put them down.

I loved Lola's creative wardrobe--and collection of wigs--as well as her two amazing dads! (Actually, I find myself wondering just what kiwi pie would taste like.) There's also Lindsey, Lola's best friend who has a knack for finding out what she wants to know (she's slightly obsessed with Nancy Drew and detective novels). Of course, there's also the absolutely wonderful Cricket Bell. As Lola puts it, he's a boy that you earn, not one that you deserve. He's just so sweet and well, wonderful! Really, and he's rather nerdy in a wonderful sort of way. And yes, I've probably overused the word "wonderful" but Cricket Bell really is that great! Seriously, I'd love to have a Cricket Bell in my life. Have I mentioned that he's quite tall too? Also, the present that he gives Lola? I couldn't help but squee over it!

If you couldn't tell by now, I loved Lola and the Boy Next Door (and the fact that Anna and St. Clair did make an appearance in it). Although you don't need to read Anna and the French Kiss to understand Lola and the Boy Next Door, I'd recommend reading Anna and the French Kiss first so that you'll better appreciate their story before diving into Lola and the Boy Next Door.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Favorite Quotes:

"And being thin makes me look even taller."
"And your tight pants," I add.
Cricket makes a startled choking noise. -pg. 120

And if I'm the stars, Cricket Bell is entire galaxies.  - pg. 334

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Dutton Books (an imprint of Penguin Group)

Release Date: September 29, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.