Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: Sept 29th, 2011 by Dutton
Details: 338 pages, hardcover
Genre: Young Adult > Contemporary
Series: No
Source: Bought on Amazon
Summary (Goodreads):

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.

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Three things:

1. This book takes place in San Francisco -- Castro District (whoot whoot)
2. CRICKET BELL IS TOO DAMN CUTE FOR WORDS 
3. I'm convinced Stephanie Perkins is set to torture her readers slowly and painfully

With that said, do I really have to state that I LOVE LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR?!

Lola has this pretty nifty quirk where she can't wear the same outfit twice. And it's not like you know, an outfit really. She dresses in these really awkward -- but cool -- glittery costumes everyday. I admire that, I wish I was that creative and had that much energy. She lives in the Castro District which is (if you ask me) one of the best places in San Francisco that I don't think gets enough credit. She has two cool dad's (although I really liked Andy more) and shes pretty much lived next to the same family her whole life. Now Lola isn't perfect, she's had a rough time growing up but she's still a really good kid and she stays positive. But she dates a douchebag who made me want to punch him every three pages. Really hard. In the face. With a bat. Just sayin.

Remember Anna and Etienne? They make an appearance in this book. Lots of them. And they're still as disgustingly cute as ever!

Can we talk about Cricket? Cause I'd really really like to. Cricket is too cute for words. Saying too cute for words is such an understatement when it comes to Cricket Bell. He's creative, he's kind, he's completely utterly selfless, he's supportive, he's got his own really cute quirks and the way he is when he's around Lola, is just so #$%^&* (I don't think there are words for it). They have this cute but awkward we've liked each other since we were kids thing going on that's so innocent and real that sometimes it just makes you want to hit Lola with the bat. Sometimes. Okay, for most of the book. But in a good way, cause you know, you only want what's best for her! And it's not Max!

This review is so spoilery and so not like my other reviews, but it's okay cause I don't fan girl over lots of books.

Everyone talked about how they loved this book more than Anna and I have to say, while I did love this book I'm not sure if I love it more than Anna. I would really hate to have to decide between Cricket and St. Clair because they both made me melt.

But I will say this, the family dynamic in this book was probably one of the very first in YA that made me tear. Seriously, it was only like a sentence long, but it was really touching.

If you haven't read either of Stephanie Perkins books, you must be living under a rock and you should go read them, NAO. And if you can't, I'll be giving one a way on Valentines Day (my favorite holiday and a fitting one for her books) AND it's signed! So look out for that (:

"I've never seen anyone do what you can do, " Andy says. "And from such a young age. I'll never forget when you fixed our toaster with that coat hanger when you were, what, five years old? Your parents must be so proud of you."
Cricket shrugs uncomfortably. "I guess."

"He's good, Lola. He's really good." Anna says at last.
"Has he considered therapy?" St. Clair asks, and Anna elbows him in the ribs.

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